Chapter 26.

The snow began to heavily fall outside of Hogwarts castle. The castle was quiet and everyone slept peacefully, all except one.

Harry tossed and turned in his sleep.

Harry found himself standing amongst the ruins of the hogsmead village. He could see Hermione dueling Lucius. He then heard a haunting voice, "Well Potter what are you waiting for, you have the sword."

Harry looked at the hand holding his wand, instead seeing the sword of Gryffindor. Harry saw Quirrell about to lunge at him and without thinking Harry drove the sword in Quirrell's gut. Harry's eyes went wide when he realized what he had done.

Quirrell began to laugh as his form began to break down into sand. "How can you be a leader of light when you're so ready to kill? Isn't that dark of you?"

Harry looked at Quirrell "No, your wrong I would never-" Quirrell laughed and soon vanished. Harry then saw Dolohov casting a curse and purple flames erupted from his wand and Harry threw the sword at him, cutting Dolohov and he too fell. Voldemort appeared smiling "Yes, you're becoming as bad as me."

Harry swung his sword slicing his foe, who vanished laughing. "I'm nothing like you."

Harry then saw Sirius shaking his head "What's happened to you Harry? You were always such a good kid."

"No Sirius I-" Harry turned to see Hermione crying while being held by Ron. "Harry, how could you, why did you do it Harry."

Harry felt his heart sink seeing his wife in tears. He saw Ron looking to Hermione "I told you he was a prat."

Ron leaned in and Hermione put her arms around his neck and they were about to kiss.

Harry's eyes shot open and he quickly rose up "No!" Fawkes flashed in sensing Harry's distress and began singing his song easing Harry's nerves.

Harry woke covered in a cold sweat, his heart racing. Hermione through the bond she could feel her husband's sudden fear.

Hermione rose up, covering herself with the bed sheets, and looked at Harry "Harry? What's the matter?" Harry looked at Hermione "Sorry it was just a nightmare, go back to sleep I'm just going to sit up for a bit."

Hermione laid back down and Harry got out of bed and put on his boxers and went out of the room and sat in front of the fireplace. He revealed the Gryffindor ring, rubbing circles into the gem, "Godric, I need your advice."

Harry soon found himself outside the castle standing before Godric Gryffindor.

"Harry, as my heir you will always have my wisdom, all you ever need is my advice. You seem troubled, what is it young lion?"

Harry looked at Godric not sure how to ask, "Godric, have you ever killed anyone?"

Godric frowned, "Harry understand back in those days wars were common. When you heed the call to battle, you had to fight or the ones you are fighting for would fall. Your enemy will kill you, then your loved ones. Yes my sword has tasted blood but it was to defend the ones I loved."

Harry frowned "What if the ones I love don't agree with what I did?"

"That is for them to decide, you acted in defense, you killed to defend your wife. The spell that the enemy used was very dark it could have killed her and the guilt you may feel now wouldn't compare to what you would have if she had fallen."

Harry nodded and found himself back in his suite. He went back to the bedroom, he saw his wife's sleeping form and crawled into bed next to her. Closing his eyes, he fell back asleep.

The next morning came and Hermione woke seeing Harry was still asleep. She gently shook him "Harry come on we have classes wake up."

Harry didn't move, Hermione leaned in "Harry wake up and we can have a shower together." Harry moved slightly, Hermione thought quickly and smirked she kissed him and said "Harry wake up I need you."

Harry woke up and slowly risen, Hermione smiled "Glad you woke up I thought I would have to hit you with an aquamenti to wake you up."

Harry didn't meet her eyes "Sorry, come on lets go get ready."

Harry walked towards the shower before Hermione could join him she heard the water already going.

Hermione knew something was off about her husband, he didn't seem all there. She wanted to know what was wrong but Harry's mind was quiet.

He came out of the shower "It's all yours Hermione." Confused and slightly disappointed Hermione gathered her robe and headed for the shower.

Once ready they went to the great hall, Neville sat next to them "Hey guys, yesterday's club meeting was great." Hermione smiled "Thanks Neville, I saw you disarm Susan a few times yesterday, that was great."

Neville nodded "Thanks Hermione, but if it wasn't easy, she is quick. Thanks again Harry for the help."

Harry looked at Neville, "huh? Oh yeah, no problem Neville." Harry said smiling, the twins walked over and began talking to Harry.

Neville looked at Hermione "What's wrong with Harry? He looks exhausted." Hermione frowned "I don't know, he had a nightmare last night and won't talk to me about it."

Neville frowned "What's happening at the next club meeting?"

"It's a review and there will be matches so everyone sees proper dueling."

Neville smiled "Can't wait."

After breakfast Harry kissed Hermione as they made their way to the their next class. Harry had been doing better in potions and Snape has been going easier on Harry and Neville.

Harry and Neville finished making their pepper up potion and Snape inspected it. "Passable."

Harry thanked the professor, once class finished Snape looked at Harry "Lord Potter a word." Harry was confused by the potion teachers actions.

"Yes, Professor?" Harry said politely.

Snape clasped his hands together, "I received word from Gringotts the other day. Only then due to my absence over the summer. I was busy gathering ingredients, stocking up on those that went missing last year.

I received the things your mother and father left me and I heard their last words. I reflected on my previous years with you and I wish to apologize for my treatment of you. I thought you were like your father and I let my anger at him cloud my judgement, I see a lot of your mother in you as well. Have a good day."

Harry walked out of the potions class stunned never did he think Snape of all people would apologize to him.

Harry found Hermione waiting for him. "What did Professor Snape want?"

"He wanted to apologize to me."

Hermione looked shocked at that. They then made their way to the great hall for the next club meeting.

Harry took his place in front of the room, "Ok everyone, we did disarming and dodging last time, today were going to put what we learned yesterday into practice dueling today. We are going to see a demonstration, I want Hermione Potter and Daphne Greengrass to step up."

Hermione and Daphne stepped forward and everyone stood in a circle around them. Flitwick stood by as a referee and Harry looked at the girls. "Ok you two, you are to use minor spells only, nothing dangerous at each other." Harry said looking at both.

Hermione and Daphne nodded, Flitwick looked at two of his best students "Alright ladies bow to your opponent and then begin."

Hermione and Daphne bowed and took their stances. Their wands raised and Hermione was the first to go, "Locomotor Mortis."

Daphne dodged and pointed her wand at Hermione and shot fired hitting Hermione suddenly Hermione's hair began growing longer and thicker covering her eyes and grew long in the back reaching past her the center of her back. Everyone but Harry and Flitwick couldn't help but laugh.

Harry saw Hermione's long hair, he did like her hair long, it looked nice.

Hermione tried to undo the charm, then pointed her wand at her hair "Finite incantem." Her hair suddenly was back to normal.

Daphne using this time to her advantage and pointed her wand at the floor "Aqua Eructo." Daphne's wand spouted a large stream of water on the floor then she touched the tip of her wand to the water. "Glacius."

The water quickly froze Hermione jumped out of the way but her feet had hit the ice and she slid across the ice.

Harry began to feel an odd sensation from the Slytherin Ring. He then heard a voice 'She is quite cunning. Yes a true Slytherin, unlike those of my house who worship the one who tainted Slytherin house, make her an ally boy.'

Harry was surprised to hear Slytherin speak 'Why speak now Salazar Slytherin? You have been silent most of the year, why now?'

'You didn't need my aide, but for the fairness of the school that girl represents what it means to truly belong to my house.'

Harry nodded and continued watching the fight. Hermione looked at the ice and pointed her wand at the ice "Bombarda." The ice exploded and flew at Daphne who moved her wand "Protego." The shards of ice hit the barrier breaking instantly.

Daphne dropped the barrier, ready to attack again but saw Hermione's wand glowing "Expelliarmus."

Daphne dodged but Hermione not wasting time and giving Daphne no chance to get her footing, pointed her wand at Daphne "Stupefy." Daphne's eyes went wide and she dodged again only to be lined up for Hermione's next spell "Expelliarmus."

Daphne's wand flew from her hand and hit the floor. Flitwick nodded "Mrs. Potter is the winner and 20 points to Slytherin for Daphne's use of charms." Everyone applauded for the two witches.

Daphne looked at Hermione "Nice way of keeping me off my footing Hermione."

"Thanks Daph, nice use of water and ice but please don't grow my hair out like that again." Hermione said laughing.

Daphne gave her a wicked grin "I dunno, your husband seemed to like it." Hermione looked at Harry 'Like my hair long Harry?'

Harry blushed making Hermione laugh. Harry looked at the room "Alright whose next?"

The twins ran up "We would be happy to."

Harry nodded and the twins took their stances, Flitwick looked at them "Same rules gentlemen begin."

Fred looked at his brother "Hey George I won't make you fall flat on your face."

George laughed "Thanks mate."

They bowed, Fred fired a leg locker while George used Riddikulus. George fell on his face and Fred was soon standing dressed like their mother at platform 9 3/4's.

Everyone had a good laugh when the twins started wrestling trying to beat the other. It was ruled a tie.

Ron was next and he had to duel a Ravenclaw known as Terry Boot. He won, but barely.

The next was Luna who dueled Lavender Brown.

Harry applauded the people who dueled, "Alright everyone that will be it till after Holidays. Please review over the break."

Harry was making sure the great hall was clean and Hermione looked at him "We better get packed if we're going to catch the train."

Harry nodded and called out "Dobby."

Dobby appeared "Master Harry Potter calls Dobby, how may Dobby serve?"

"Can you pack our trunks so they are ready when Hermione and I get back to the suite?"

Dobby nodded and was gone in snap. Harry gave Hermione his arm and she wrapped her arm around his and they made their way to the suite.