A\N: I know it's been a while here, and I'm very, very sorry. As I've said, real life has sort become front and center, and unfortunately my time at the keyboard has been limited. I am going to try a bit harder. I've got three pretty okay stories and apparently some people kind of like them. So I need to get more written for you lot. Also, KUDOS to my Beta who, despite being suffering some health issues managed to get this chapter back to me in record time. So, if he missed anything, give him a pass, and just blame me. After all, it took a long time to put this together.

26.

Dolores Jane Umbridge knew she was on the verge of discovering Albus Dumbledore's master plan. She was within a hair's breadth of uncovering the entire conspiracy, she just needed a bit more information.

In the last month Dumbledore had managed to flip the entire government on its head. The public was screaming for Fudge to step down now, given that they felt he'd been hiding from the truth and gambling with their lives. When Minister Fudge had publicly pardoned convicted mass murderer Sirius Black, Umbridge knew beyond any doubt he'd been confunded, and it had been Dumbledore who'd done it.

Umbridge had never in her entire life been more afraid than when she'd sat next to Black just over a week ago. The man had tried to talk to her as if they were old friends, trying to tell her how to do her job as if he knew better than her. In all fairness, it was likely he did because the Blacks were well known for their knowledge of dark magic.

All during that dinner, Umbridge had wanted to run screaming or hex Black and drag him back to Azkaban. She had never been so afraid in all of her life. But she had put on a mask of indifference to show the young people who'd been all been just as terrified as she had been, that the Ministry was strong, and she would protect them. She had shown the students that she was strong, just as the Ministry was strong.

Black had laughed, and tried to be charming, and had even squeezed her shoulder, which had been the only moment she had nearly lost control of herself. He had enjoyed trying to make her appear uncomfortable, but she was much stronger than Black or Dumbledore thought she was. She hadn't been broken by them, and she was planning to enjoy seeing them kissed by the Dementors when she exposed them to the world.

Since that night, Umbridge had redoubled her efforts to bring down Dumbledore. She'd taken to following him, watching his every move as much as she could. Unfortunately she still had classes to teach, and a few of the Betrothed couples had come back to her for counseling. But when she had been able to trail the Headmaster, she'd noticed that he seemed to be inspecting the castle for weaknesses. Something that might be exploited by his enemies. What other reason could there be for him to be entering classrooms and passageways waving his wand and using detection spells?

Clearly Hogwarts was to be the center of Dumbledore's new regime of power. But she was not about to let that happen. She had compiled a huge pile of evidence as to Dumbledore's treachery which she was planning on presenting to the Wizengamot just as soon as she knew exactly what his plan was. She was sure she had enough for an investigation, but she needed there to be no doubt of the infamous wizard's treachery.

This was why she was standing looking out the window as Dumbledore walked down to the wrought iron gates of the school as the sun was dropping. She was sure that he was meeting Sirius Black once again to plan their next move to overthrow the government. Ever since Black had been pardoned, he'd been seen on the grounds twice more and in the company of the Headmaster. Umbridge had tried to learn what they were talking about by inventing important matters that needed the Headmaster's attention, but the stupid gargoyle who stood guard over Dumbledore's office warned them of her impending visit.

It seemed that Hogwarts, and nearly everyone inside of it was loyal to Dumbledore. Worse still was the fact that her assistant, Percy Weasley now appeared uninterested in helping her to bring down the former Chief Warlock. Weasley had become forgetful of his responsibility in trailing and reporting on Potter's movements and spent the majority of his time putting together her lesson plans which were becoming more and more worrying as he seemed to be looking into more dangerous spell work. Things that no child should know, much less be taught in school. While Umbridge was pleased that she had more time to follow Dumbledore and try to discover his plan, she was concerned that Weasley had been turned, and was now spying on her for the Headmaster.

Umbridge reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of omnioculars she had hidden in the pocket of her favorite pink cardigan and raised them to her face. She could now see Dumbledore waiting near the front gate of the school. It was a Hogsmeade weekend, and students were passing the old man as they returned from the village after a day of frivolity and misbehavior. They all waved and smiled at the man, each and every one of them acknowledging their Headmaster jovially. Dumbledore just smiled in that fake grandfatherly persona the children ate up, his hands were clasped in front of his sky blue robes while he watched the path that led to Hogsmeade. At any moment, Umbridge expected Sirius Black would appear, and the two would return to the castle to solidify their plans to take over magical Britain.

Umbridge was shocked however, when a short, very rotund hooded figure hobbled up the path, and Dumbledore reached out to shake the figures hand. The man, as it turned out, lowered his hood, revealing a shiny bald head and a very large walrus like mustache. Umbridge watched the two men speaking before they turned and began towards the castle.

She turned and headed down to the Entrance Hall as quickly as her stubby legs would carry her. She nearly fell twice going down the moving staircases, but managed to stay upright. She stopped just short of the Entrance Hall to catch her breath so she could appear casual. She rounded the corner just as Dumbledore and his associate entered the castle. Umbridge's eyes went wide as she saw him up close, and recognized him at once.

"Good evening Professor Dumbledore, I was just going to have my supper. I nearly lost track of time and missed it. So many essays to grade, you know. May I inquire about your guest?" Umbridge said in her syrupy sweet voice, trying to sound innocent.

"Ah, Professor Umbridge, allow me to present Horace Slughorn." Dumbledore said politely.

"Professor Slughorn, it has been far too long. I confess I'm a little surprised to see you. I had heard you had died." Umbridge smiled what she hoped was a friendly smile.

"Yes, I had heard that one two." Slughorn gave Umbridge a small smirk, and glanced at Dumbledore. "One will do whatever necessary in order to protect themselves from danger, even if it seems quite ridiculous to everyone else… even spreading rumors of their own demise. Unfortunately it didn't work as well as I had hoped."

"I believe I'm a little lost." Umbridge confessed, eying Dumbledore suspiciously.

"And a conversation that will unfortunately have to wait." Dumbledore smiled politely. "Good evening Professor."

Umbridge watched the two men walk away towards the Headmaster's office, her false smile falling away as soon as they had turned their backs. She was livid at being dismissed so bluntly and it just further proved these men were scheming together.

Umbridge of course knew Horace Slughorn. He was a legend in the potions community, and the only reason he could be here was to assist Professor Snape with concocting potions that Dumbledore planned to use on the world at large. Perhaps devotion draughts keyed to Dumbledore himself. Something to make people more suggestible. The question was would it be on wizards, or muggles. Umbridge had been theorizing that the old Headmaster would try and recruit the Muggle military to help him in whatever plan he was forging and what better way to ensure victory than dosing muggles with potions to make the susceptible to suggestion.

Well, she would not allow it. She was going to stop Dumbledore, and expose him for the fraud she knew he was. Soon, she would make sure the rest of the world did as well.

"My apologies Horace." Dumbledore said when they arrived in his office. "Professor Umbridge is still convinced I am up to no good. She likely believes I have recruited you for nefarious reasons. I believe she wishes to expose me before the Wizengamot."

"She doesn't believe you?" Slughorn coughed as he lowered himself into a chair while Dumbledore poured them both brandy.

"Dolores Umbridge has somewhat isolated herself, and refuses to listen to reason. Perhaps if she were not here at Hogwarts she would see the bigger picture. She is very loyal to the Ministry and also very stubborn in changing her thinking. But this is only one of many things on which we disagree." Dumbledore shrugged as he handed Slughorn a glass. "And she isn't alone."

"Do you think she might be a Death Eater?" Slughorn asked. Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head.

"Dolores Umbridge is many things, and most of them are quite unpleasant, but she is no Death Eater." Dumbledore said as he sat behind his desk. "I wish to thank you for coming Horace. I know that the decision must not have been an easy one, and that you would have preferred to stay out of it."

"Albus, I should not have been such a coward. Perhaps if I'd come forward years ago… I have been ruled by my fear for too long." Slughorn said with a weary sigh.

"You'll be protected here, as I promised." Dumbledore reaffirmed, and Slughorn nodded appreciatively.

"I want you to know Albus, I had no idea. He was charismatic. He played on my ego, and I thought it was a strictly academic discussion. I never even suspected…" Slughorn said, sounding as if he was pleading for understanding.

"Horace, my old friend," Dumbledore leaned forward. "It is not my place to pass judgment upon you. We all have regrets, things we wish we would have handled better. Not all of us get a chance to correct our mistakes, as you do."

"Thank you Albus." Slughorn sighed. "But you may think differently when you see for yourself."

At this, Slughorn removed his wand from the pocket of his robes and touched the tip of it to his temple. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment before drawing the wand away, pulling a silvery strand away as he did so. Dumbledore flicked his own wand and levitated his pensieve over to his desk. Slughorn opened his eyes, and leaned forward, pulling his wand away and breaking the silvery strand from his head, leaving it clinging to his wand tip which he then tapped against the side of the stone bowl.

The strand fell off the wand and changed into a swirling silver liquid. Dumbledore looked at it, hope surging in his breast.

"It's all there, Albus." Horace said, looking very grim. "… I hope you'll be able to forgive me."

Dumbledore looked at him for a long time, feeling as if his old friend was leaving a lot unsaid. He rose from his seat and quickly submerged his head in the Pensieve where he felt himself pulled downward and into the past.

Dumbledore found himself standing in the corner of Horace Slughorn's old office here at Hogwarts during one of his infamous dinner parties where several students sat listening to Slughorn regale them with a tale from his own youth. Slughorn was not as rotund as he was now, and still had some of his dusty blonde hair though his mustache was just as thick and impressive as it was in the present.

Dumbledore remembered each of the students in the room, but his focus was on the very handsome looking Tom Riddle. Dumbledore guess he was around sixteen years old here. He had a small humored smirk on his face, but Dumbledore thought it was probably false. Dumbledore made himself comfortable in the corner where he could observe Riddle as the memory continued.

"My goodness, is that the time?" Slughorn proclaimed noticing the clock on the wall. "Professor Dippet will most displeased if he finds I kept you all up so late. It's time to say goodnight boys. Avery, I want that essay first thing Monday morning."

The boys all rose and bade their teacher good night, except Tom who remained seated. Slughorn was busy cleaning away the mugs and plates, and didn't notice Riddle right away.

"Tom?" Slughorn said when he did see his favorite student sitting there quietly. "Look sharp Tom, You'll need to hurry to get back to the common room before curfew. Off you go."

"Actually Professor." Tom said in a very silky voice. "I've wanted to talk to you about something for a while, but I just… you've just been so busy and I didn't wish to bother you. I tried to do the research myself, but I'm still uncertain about a few points. I knew you'd be able to clear it all up for me."

Dumbledore noted the way Riddle had phrased things as if he was reluctant to bother his favorite teacher with something trivial. Riddle really did know how to manipulate those he needed something from. Slughorn, who was always a sucker for any sort of compliment lit up with interest.

"Oh, Tom." Slughorn smiled as he stepped forward to clap Riddle on the shoulder. Dumbledore noted the minute changes in Riddle's expression that told him that Riddle did not like the physical contact. "You know I am always available to answer your questions, though I do salute your efforts to seek the answers yourself. Tell me what is it that vexes you."

"Well sir, I think they're pronounce Horcruxes."

Slughorn went rigid, and his smile fell as he stared at Riddle, who wore a mask of innocent curiosity.

"I came across the term recently and I found it curious. The more I looked into it however, the more I became disgusted by it." Riddle lied. "And yet, I couldn't help but feel that there could be something there that could be used for the betterment of our world. This is why I wanted to talk to you. I know if I brought this topic up to anyone else, they'd think I was up to no good. Especially Professor Dumbledore."

"Well, you're correct in that assumption." Slughorn nodded, backing away from Riddle. "May I ask how you came across the term, and where you found your research?"

"I was looking up information for the last potions essay." Riddle said simply. Slughorn eyed him, but then nodded.

"Yes, of course. Your examples on some of the worst poisons ever invented was quite fascinating." Slughorn nodded as he sat down heavily. Well, what is it that is proving difficult to understand?"

"Well sir, I understand that a Horcrux is something that one could hide a piece of their soul in, thereby essentially making one, for lack of a better word, immortal. But I don't understand how it is done. I couldn't find anything in the library on how one would make such a thing." Riddle said. Dumbledore couldn't help be impressed by how well Riddle was able to lie and make himself appear simply as a curious student.

"Well I would be surprised if you had. I am shocked that you found anything on the subject to begin with. I shall have to inform Professor Dippet of this. But, for the sake of academics, I shall endeavor to answer your questions. A Horcrux can only be created when one splits their soul." Slughorn began.

"Yes sir, but how does one do that?" Riddle asked.

"Oh Tom…" Slughorn looked a little ill. "One can only split their soul by committing the most heinous of sins. Murder."

Riddle tried to look horror stricken, but Dumbledore wasn't convinced. Nor it seemed was Slughorn, who eyed his student oddly.

"Okay, so one would have to kill someone to split their soul, but how would you get that part out, and into an item?" Riddle pressed.

"As I have never created a Horcrux, I don't know. Though I imagine that one might draw it out using their wand. I also imagine that it would be most painful as your soul is a part of you. It would be like pulling out your own eyeball or worse." Slughorn said, looking nauseated. "Why are you so interested in this?"

Riddle gave his teacher a false smile meant to look like a child who'd done a good deed.

"When I learned of this subject, I wondered if it would be possible to use it in a medical application for someone gravely hurt. A way to ease their suffering. But, now that I know how a Horcrux is made, I fear that I may have been misguided. Though I am still intrigued by the concept. For instance, why make only a single Horcrux to protect oneself? It could be destroyed and one would lose their immortality. Could one create more than one? Say perhaps seven?"

"Seven?" Slughorn shot to his feet. "My gods Tom, you're talking about splitting your soul and removing it, much less killing seven people in order to do that! It's abhorrent to even consider."

"My apologies sir, but I was only thinking about it in the hypothetical." Riddle said quickly. "As you say it is completely abhorrent to even consider, but as I say, I simply wish to understand."

Slughorn considered him momentarily. Riddle looked as impassive and innocent as he could manage. Slughorn seemed to accept Riddle's excuse and sat down again.

"I will say this, and then we will no longer speak on this topic again." Slughorn said. "While it would be possible to split one's soul multiple times, it would exact a heavy toll on the one who chose to do so. Now, off to bed Tom, and I ask that you never mention this to anyone. As you say, anyone who heard might believe you to be up to something nefarious."

Things began to swirl, and Dumbledore found himself standing upright back in his own office. Slughorn was sitting in the chair he had been but now had a rather large glass of brandy and a very worried expression on his face.

"Thank you Horace." Dumbledore said with a sad smile. "You've given us one of the answers we've desperately needed."

"Bellatrix, A moment." Voldemort called out. The witch sat back in her seat and waited impatiently for the other Inner Circle members to leave.

It had been a truly glorious night so far. The Dark Lord had laid out his plans for the utter destruction of the Ministry. Bellatrix had found it intriguing that her master had list no less than sixty individuals that he deemed were threats to his ultimate vision. He wished for all sixty to be dead before the undertaking. In fact, they were all to be eliminated on the very same night.

Bellatrix had swooned when Voldemort had told them of the new world he would create from the ashes of the wizarding world, and how he would lead them in eliminating all the vile muggles from the British isles and show the rest of the world's Purebloods what true power was.

The only thing that was never mentioned was Harry Potter. No one dared question their Dark Lord regarding the boy, but Bellatrix felt it was because her master didn't wish to divulge what he planned to do to the boy. She was sure that her master had something grand in mind in which to show the world that the boy's fame was quite undeserved.

When they were alone at last, Voldemort rose from his seat and glided over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders, making her shiver with delight. His power was intoxicating to her, and she couldn't help get lost in his majesty.

"There is situation which threatens my plans." He said softly. Bellatrix hung on every word as if they were a drug to her. She breathed heavily, soaking in each and every syllable.

"Do you remember seventeen years ago, I rewarded you for your loyalty? I gave you a gift, and asked that you protect it. Do you remember?" He asked silkily.

"I do, milord." She whispered.

"Very good." Lord Voldemort squeezed her shoulder and Bellatrix fought down a moan of pleasure. "I need you to retrieve it."

Bellatrix's eyes opened, and she squirmed under her master's grasp.

"Mi-milord… I placed it in the care of the wretched goblins. It is hidden in my vault. I could think of no other place where it might be safe. The Ministry was conducting raids and I feared they might take it from me." she said fearfully, her eyes cast to the floor in shame.

"I see." Voldemort said, his long skeletal fingers sliding off her shoulder as he turned away from her, deep in thought. Bellatrix slid from her chair and fell to the floor, head bowed.

"I'm so sorry milord." She whispered.

"Do not despair." Voldemort said, turning and regarding the woman who knelt behind him. "You were very wise in hiding it. But this does complicate matters. For the moment you cannot simply walk into Gringott's. Surely someone would report you to the Aurors, and you are crucial to my plans."

"Milord?" Bellatrix asked, looking up at his serpentine face, thinking she'd never beheld anything so majestic in all her life.

"Someone is seeking out the treasures I bequeathed to my faithful as an insult. Someone working for Dumbledore. I do not know what it is he thinks this will accomplish, but I wish to set a trap to capture this fool. I wish to know all he knows, and all Dumbledore's plans to do to attempt to stop me. You gift will be the bait, and you will be the one to bring me this fool so I may question him myself." Voldemort said silkily, Bellatrix nodded, her anticipation to serve her master growing in her chest.

"How will we lure them, milord?" She asked.

"Wormtail." Lord Voldemort smiled malevolently. "I will send Wormtail to Hogwarts thinking he is to poison Albus Dumbledore. I will then send word to Severus who will inform Dumbledore that I have sent an assassin. Wormtail will be caught and he will then tell Dumbledore exactly what I want him to know. You will wait inside your home until Dumbledore's pawn comes to steal your gift. When he does, you will then bring him to me."

"Brilliant milord." Bellatrix declared, applauding enthusiastically at the plan. "But there is still the problem of getting my gift out of my vault."

"I shall send someone to Gringott's polyjuiced as you. This will legitimize Wormtail's story that you have what Dumbledore seeks." Voldemort said thoughtfully.

"You are so wise, milord." Bellatrix grinned like a child at Christmas. She bowed her head in subservience and Voldemort stepped forward.

"I wish for you to return to your home and prepare. I will send for you soon and I wish to hear that you are prepared for our special guest."

"Yes, Milord." Bellatrix said and left the Dark Lord to ponder his plans for the future. Before he could move forward with his plans, the Dark Lord had to stop Dumbledore from weakening him any further. As soon as Bellatrix captured whomever was destroying his horcruxes, he'd learn how many had actually been eliminated, and he could then figure out just what to do to keep death at bay.

Voldemort began pacing back and forth in front of the fire contemplating the future of his world. Soon, so very soon the Ministry would fall. Dumbledore would be dead, the infuriating boy would finally join his useless mother and father and he would bring order from chaos at last. His order.

"Okay." Annabelle Davis formerly Livingston said as she checked off her list and then looked up at the four young ladies sitting with her. "It appears that everything is in hand. There isn't really anything else that needs your attention Tracey."

Tracey Davis gave a small relieved smile, but the tension didn't leave her eyes. She'd been wearing the same expression for a week now, and her best friend, Daphne Greengrass was really starting to feel worried. Annabelle Davis, Tracey's new stepmother, seemed to share the sentiment as she stood and slipped her ledger into her bag.

"And with that final decision, we can now spend the rest of this week we focusing on you." Annabelle smiled to her new step daughter, offering her a hand and helping her to her feet. "You have your final dress fitting this afternoon, but after that I would very much like to take you out to dinner, just the two of us. I also know that your three bridesmaids here have several special surprises in store for you to help you out before your big day.

Tracey turned and gave a weak watery smile to Daphne, Hermione Granger, and Astoria Greengrass who all smiled brightly back at her.

"We know how stressed you've been feeling over all of this." Astoria said stepping forward. "And we've all come to the realization that we absolutely hate stressed out Tracey. She's no fun. She's too quiet."

This had the effect Astoria hoped and got Tracey to laugh. They could all see a bit of tension leave her body as she chuckled.

"I did a lot of studying on how women feel before their weddings, and what helps to relax them, and Anna gave use a few suggestions." Hermione stated, looking to Annabelle and then to Daphne. "We all discussed it, and came up with a few ideas."

"Basically what we're trying to say is that you're going to get kind of pampered from here on out." Daphne smiled as she took her best friend's hands. "Tomorrow we're sending you for a full spa day. Hermione told us that muggle ladies do it and it's really relaxing and will make you feel more beautiful, so, that's first."

"I want to go." Astoria grinned. "A massage and panny-medi…"

"Mani-pedi." Hermione corrected with a shake of her head.

"Then on Friday we're sending you to Pierre Moreau in London." Daphne added. Tracey's eyes went wide with delight and surprise.

"I pulled some strings and made sure that Pierre himself would be working on you." Annabelle smiled wrapping her arm around Tracey.

"You guys, this is really too much." Tracey said trying to protest. Tears filled her eyes.

"Oh, we're not done." Daphne grinned. "After the rehearsal dinner, the three of us are taking you out for a bachelorette party that will become the thing of legend." Astoria beamed.

"Well, two of us will." Daphne corrected. "One of us is still thirteen and couldn't get her parent's permission."

Astoria immediately deflated and folded her arms sourly. Hermione chuckled a little, and Tracey snorted before she lunged at Astoria and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you." She said as she pulled back and then looked to all the girls in turn. "Thank you all so much. I couldn't have gotten all of this done without your help, and I swear I will return the favor to each of you. As soon as Neville and I get through this, I will be at your beck and call Daphne."

Daphne smiled and nodded. "I know, I've still got a couple of months to go, but I appreciate the help I know you'll give."

She looked at the other girls, and stopped on Hermione. "All of you."

"We need to get going." Annabelle said, summoning her cloak as well as Tracey's. "You three should head back to Hogwarts. You should be in time for dinner. I'll make sure Tracey gets back."

Hermione, Daphne and Astoria smiled and thanked their hostess as they gathered their cloaks and one by one stepped into the fire and floo traveled to Professor Umbridge's office. Anyone wishing to leave the school on Betrothal business had to go through Professor Umbridge to get permission. Most other brides had little trouble getting permission for themselves and their bridesmaids to get out of the school to complete wedding business. However, Tracey had a lot of difficulty when Umbridge had seen Daphne and Hermione's names on the request form. Daphne was of course, not one of Umbridge's favorite people, and as Hermione was Muggleborn… Tracey wasn't about to try and plan her wedding without her three girls to help her make decisions, and had argued with Umbridge who finally gave in just to stop Tracey from talking. Tracey was quite pleased that finally her word vomit had finally been useful.

The three girls left Umbridge's office as quickly as they could, and Astoria shouted farewell as she ran off to the Great Hall to meet up with her new boyfriend.

"I don't want to go to the Great Hall." Daphne sighed. "Would you like to join me for dinner in my suite?"

Hermione looked taken aback.

"Don't you want to join Harry…" Hermione stammered a bit but Daphne shook her head.

"I don't know if he's there. Actually, I'd like to ask you about something. We haven't really talked… well ever really. But I think you might be the only person I can ask…"

"Is everything okay?" Hermione looked concerned.

Daphne shrugged and led Hermione back to her suite. The two girls removed their cloaks and Daphne called for Dobby and asked him to bring them something for dinner. The little elf was only too eager to provide for Harry's bride to be.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked when the two girls settled onto the couch.

"I'm really worried about Harry." Daphne sighed. "Have you noticed how tired he's been lately?"

Hermione nodded. "I sort of assumed that it was because.. Well, I don't know if you two are… I just figured because he's been smiling a lot more… I thought you two were having sex." She finished, looking rather embarrassed.

"I wish."

Daphne's eye went as wide as dinner plates and her face instantly turned crimson. Both her hands went over her mouth with utter humiliation. Hermione could only stare at Daphne, unsure of what she should say, and unsure if she'd even be able to form proper words.

"That's not… I…" Daphne stammered trying to back pedal. Hermione continued to stare and Daphne had to get up from the couch and turn away from the bushy haired girl and fan her face while she tried to calm down.

"That's not what I meant to say." She said as soon as she could utter anything coherent. "I meant that he and I haven't been spending a lot of time together. He's been training himself. Training to fight, well you know."

Daphne managed to turn around and found Hermione now wearing a look of sympathy.

"I see him in classes, and during breakfast and lunch most days, and of course in Defense club meetings, but other than that, we've hardly had anytime together. He's left all our wedding preparations up to me, while he goes off everyday to that room to train himself until he's exhausted. There's been a few times when he's even too tired to come back here. I'm starting to get really worried about him. He won't talk to me other than to say that he needs to be prepared." Daphne finished, here eyes getting a bit misty. She was able to sit down again and Dobby returned with several platters of food, all of which smelled and looked amazing. He also brought to flagons of pumpkin juice for the ladies before disappearing once again.

"I really wish that I was surprised by what you're saying." Hermione said after a long silence. "But I'm not, and I think I know why he's working so hard."

"Why?" Daphne pressed.

"Has Harry ever told you what he sees when he faces a Boggart?" Hermione said softly. Daphne looked at her oddly and Hermione gave her a gentle smile.

"Whenever Harry faces a Boggart, it becomes a Dementor. Harry's only real fear is fear. But I think if Harry were to face a Boggart right now, it would turn into you." Hermione said.

"He's afraid of me?" Daphne questioned.

"No, he's afraid of losing you." Hermione clarified. "During the tournament last year, when he got closer to each task he would train harder and harder. I think in a way it helped him to deal with the pressure."

Daphne took this in and considered it for a few moments. She busied herself with filling a plate with some food. Hermione followed her example and in a moment the two girls were enjoying their evening meal in contemplative silence.

"So, what should I do?" Daphne asked finally. "I want to help him deal with whatever's bothering him, but… I don't want to be the nagging wife. I don't want to hound him to tell me what's bothering him."

"That's good. Harry tends to clam up when you push him." Hermione sighed.

"I know all to well." Daphne agreed.

"Have you thought about just joining him while he trains? I mean, it isn't like you couldn't use more practice what with Death Eaters and Voldemort back. We all should train more." Hermione suggested. Daphne nodded, but her expression became somewhat grim.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"Can I admit something to you and not have you… judge me or anything?" Daphne asked looking oddly vulnerable. Hermione gave a simple nod and Daphne took in a breath.

"I'm terrified of marrying Harry." Daphne said quickly. Hermione looked flinched almost as if Daphne had tried to strike her. Her eyes bulged, and she looked as if she were about to start hexing Daphne.

"I thought… I thought you loved him!" Hermione said sounding hurt and angry by Daphne's admission.

"I do!" Daphne countered. "Gods, Hermione I love him more than I could even begin imagining trying to explain. And that scares me to death, but what scares me more is living without him. I want to marry him, which kind of scares me on it's own, but it's more than that."

Hermione looked at her strangely and Daphne sighed heavily.

"I've been having nightmares lately. Scary ones. They're always the same. It's our wedding day, and everything is perfect." Daphne said wistfully. "My dress is beautiful, my family is there and it's just amazing and right after Harry and I take our vows… He shows up. You-Know-Who. He kills everyone. My mum, my dad, Astoria… I see them all die. He sets everything on fire, and then he sees Harry and me and Harry tries to protect me, but it doesn't matter because all he wants is Harry."

"Daphne…" Hermione said softly looking as frightened as Daphne felt.

"Harry begs You-Know-Who to let me go, but he just laughs at Harry and then Harry dies in front of me. I can't do anything to stop it from happening. I hate feeling that helpless, and I'm terrified that this is some sort of prophetic dream. It's why I've been dragging my feet on wedding preparations and all of it. I'm so scared that my wedding day will be Harry's last." Daphne said with a sniff as she wiped angrily at her eyes.

"Maybe that's why Harry's been training so hard." Hermione said softly. Daphne looked up to find her guest staring into the distance.

"What do you mean?" Daphne asked.

Hermione shook her head to clear the million thoughts that were swirling in her mind.

"For as long as I've known Harry, he's been the very definition of a hero. Brave and selfless. Always putting others needs before himself. But things have changed. Before he didn't have anything to lose. But now he's got you, and the promise of the one thing he's always wanted. A real family." Hermione said pointedly to the blonde girl across from her.

Daphne nodded, encouraging Hermione to continue.

"I think he might be afraid of the same thing you are. That your wedding day could be his last. That he could lose you before he gets the chance to have what he wants most." Hermione explained.

Daphne seemed to consider this and stared thoughtfully into the fire. "You know, he and I… we never talked about the attack at Christmas. The way the Death Eaters came for us and how unprepared we were. But he dove into the fight, without even stopping to think about what could happen." Daphne said softly as a tear fell from her eye. "And that was before we really… before I told him what he meant to me. Before he told me that he loved me. I know he won't hesitate to leap into battle again to protect me and I'm not about to let him fight alone, it's just…"

"You don't feel like you could do anything if it happened…" Hermione began

"When it happens again." Daphne corrected. "It's like you said. You-Know-Who will never stop coming after Harry. And what better time to attack than at our wedding. He's got spies everywhere, and I know he'll find out when and where we get married."

"You could always set up a false date and get married in secret." Hermione shrugged. Daphne scoffed and then became thoughtful.

"I suppose we could." She said looking distant. "It would make things a lot easier as well if we scaled things down. But we've already sent out save the date notifications."

"Would you rather send out apologies, or serve up your family for slaughter?" Hermione asked, then winced at how heartless she sounded. Daphne didn't seem affected by her tone, however.

"Harry's not going to stop, is he?" Daphne wondered. "He's not going to stop fighting against V-Voldemort."

Hermione looked stunned by Daphne's use of the Dark Lord's name.

"Not so long as he has a reason to fight." Hermione admitted. Daphne gave the smallest smile as she began thinking of the boy who was to become her husband.

Daphne turned to Hermione and gave a genuine smile that took Hermione by surprise. While it was true that the two had been more than civil to one another ever since their now legendary duel, neither of them had been exactly friendly.

"I think I see why he treasures your friendship now." Daphne said, sniffling lightly. "Thank you for listening to me, and helping me understand."

"Harry's my friend." Hermione shrugged. "If helping you helps him then…"

"But you didn't have to talk to me." Daphne pointed out. "You could have chosen to stay out of it all, and let me flounder trying to figure it all out. I misjudged you Hermione Granger. I was jealous of how much Harry relied on you, and…"

"Stop." Hermione said shaking her head. "You don't need to…"

"Yes I do." Daphne insisted. "I'm sorry. Really sorry about everything. You and I could have been friends all this time, but I refused to see the truth. I chose to see your feelings for Harry as something else. I saw you as competition. But really, you love him like family."

Hermione smiled sheepishly and shrugged. Daphne cocked her head and observed Hermione for a moment.

"Wait… was I right before?" She asked. Hermione shook her head and then sighed, with a puzzled expression on her face.

"Maybe." She shrugged. "I don't know. My feelings for Harry have changed into more familial love certainly, but I think it's because he's with you and there's no changing that. But if it hadn't been for the Ministry… maybe in a year or so I… he and I… well, who knows what could have happened."

"I'm sorry." Daphne said, truly meaning it. Hermione waved it off.

"Even if I was able to figure out what my true feelings for him could have been, I still would have figured out a way to act on them without scaring the boy off. Not to mention the competition I would have had with Ginny Weasley. She was beginning to come out of her shell and get close to Harry like she'd always dreamed. I hate to think of the duel she and I could've had to fight for Harry. Unlike you, she fights dirty."

Both girls snorted with laughter and Daphne felt lighter. They continued laughing for another moment before falling into comfortable silence.

"Would I be correct in assuming that you plan to be at Harry's side when You-Know… when V-Voldemort comes for him?" Daphne asked hesitantly. Hermione nodded.

"Can you help me?" Daphne looked up hopefully. "If we're both going to be beside him, then I need to be just as prepared. I'm not about to let the future father of my children die on our wedding day… or any other day for that matter."

"I would be quite happy to teach you how to protect the father of my future nieces and nephews." Hermione smiled in return. "But there is one thing I won't be able to help you with."

"What's that?' Daphne asked.

"Convincing him to allow you to fight." Hermione smirked.

"Oh as if he has a choice in the matter." Daphne rolled her eyes.