Note: Oh my God, what can I say? I had to make a difficult decision with this chapter and I hope you all like it.
Unknown place
Harry
He's doing his best to stay alert, but it's hard. Each step is torture and now that he started moving - slowly - he's bleeding even more. His chest has open wounds that are not magical, they were made with a knife, he's sure. He sits again, what is crucial right now? I have to be able to see where I'm going, so a spell for my sight. I have to stop bleeding. A healing spell next. Then… I just have to have some strength left to fight off my capturers.
Just these two spell are going to drain him. But he doesn't have a choice. Pressing his palms against his eyes, he murmurs the spell he's used to when on missions. It works, but at what cost, right? He breathes heavily. Expend. Shit. Wandless magic is always hard, but in this condition it's almost impossible.
Pressing his palms against his chest he concentrates on his open wounds. They're deep and he knows he won't be able to fully heal them. He murmurs the only healing spell he knows how to do wandlessly. He shuts his mouth as tight as he can, suppressing a scream. It's like he's being sewed from inside out. Fuck!
He stays on the floor, recovering. Even with a perfect eye sight he can't see clearly, the darkness is overwhelming. There's no furniture inside the room, no windows. It's a big box. Trying to ignore his pain he gets up and walks to the nearest wall. He presses his hands against it, recovering. I'm too weak. But I have to keep going. He starts walking alongside the wall, his hand against it, there has to be a door, something. It's an exerting task with no results. There's no door, no nothing.
He coughs, more blood. His head is on the verge of exploding. He rests his back against a wall. He can't apparate away. The few times he tried doing it without his wand were absurdly hard and exhausting. And I was feeling a 100%…But now I don't even know where I am.
His last day of training with Marga comes back to him. There was no spell, no running around in his boxers or surviving extreme conditions. She just made him sit, without food, water and rest for 24 hours. 'The only thing you have to do is breathe'. He did it, but he never understood why. When he asked her she said 'If after this you couldn't find the answer, I'm not the one telling you'. He can't shake the feeling that she was preparing him for something like this, for a moment where he had nothing left but his mind, body, soul and magic. And she taught him that they're all one. 'You can't have one without the other, Potter'. What were you teaching me, Marga?
He feels uneasy about the fact that none of his capturers came back in a while. He's afraid he doesn't have much more time to think a way out. But I have no choice. He closes his eyes. I couldn't discover what you wanted me to on that day, Marga, but I'm sure doing it now.
All he has to do is breathe. And let his mind wander.
The location
Hermione
She's at the back of the group listening to Jack's instructions, Draco by her side. The charm she put on her face to disguise herself seems to be working fine. No one recognized her.
She can see the house behind Jack. It's big and clearly abandoned. She's anxious, she wants to get inside immediately but he keeps talking about how careful everyone must be, about how they're not really sure of what's in the house. With the corner of her eye she can see Cho. She's fiddling with her wand, her attention on Jack. Draco is just there, standing still like a stone. How does he do that?
She's feeling stronger, the magic she gave Harry recovered, but she's sure she can't try that again right now, it would be too much. And that unsettles her even further. If he's inside, we're closer so… would it be easier for me to talk to him? She has to try. She stares at the house and focus on the red thread she saw in her mind. Their connection.
Unknown place
Harry
Memories and dreams, facts and nightmares. His mind is a mess. Him locked inside that cupboard. Him feeling lonely and unloved. Him finally discovering who he truly is. Hogwarts. Voldemort. His parents. Ron. Malfoy. Hermione. Hermione. 'You have to focus, Potter, the answer is right there'. What Marga, what is the answer? The Weasleys. Cho. Ginny. Sirius. The order. Grimmauld. Dumbledore. Him dying. Him coming back. The end of the war. All the losses. Him and Hermione. Love. Belonging. Their connection. 'See it, Potter.' Lily, Laura. The prophecy.
And a red thread. Instinctively he knows what it is. He follows it. It's a never ending journey in a big void. But then-
"Hermione!"
"Harry! Are you okay?"
"Yes. Thanks to you."
"Hang on, Harry, we're coming for you."
"Be careful. There's two of them, at least."
A noise near him cuts their connection, he looks around and three hooded figures are there.
The location
Hermione
"Shit." She murmurs. She lost Harry and the place inside her mind where he was is nothing but a cold emptiness.
"What is it?" Draco asks.
"I don't know. Something is wrong… I don't think he's inside that house."
A chill runs down her spine. Jack gives the order and they start moving forward. Her uneasiness growing. He seemed so far away. She stops and holds Draco's arm.
"Who found this location?"
"Cho. Why?"
She shakes her head. "Can't you feel it?"
Draco doesn't ask what she's talking about. He stops and closes his eyes, taking deep breaths. There's something in the air, something strange. "The magic seems off…" He says.
"Exactly." She knows what this is. Harry told her the same thing happened the night he found the prophecy. "It's a trap."
Apparating in front of Jack, she removes her charm and he widens his eyes at her.
"What are you doing here?" He says between his teeth.
"It's a trap, Jack. Tell everyone to stop. NOW."
He sighs and swears under his breath. His eyes angrily staring at her. "Aurors! Stop!"
They all stop and look at him. Cho comes forward. "What? We have to go, Harry needs us!" She looks at Hermione. "Why are you even here? Interfering? This doesn't concern you!"
"You must be feeling real good about yourself, aren't you? You found this location and you're an Auror, therefore allowed to be here, allowed to be the hero, but guess what, this isn't about you. This is a trap. Harry isn't there."
"Hermione." Jack interrupts. "How can we be sure about this?"
They're all expecting for her to prove it. She raises her arm and holding her wand, she points to the sky. She utters a spell that not many know of. She discovered it by reading old texts about missions, about strategy, about war. They all stare as a person, that she just made out of thin air, starts walking towards the house. It doesn't have a face, it's just the shape of someone.
"Wow." Draco says.
The 'doll' she fabricated is getting closer to the house and if she's right she knows what's happening next. They all gasp when the 'doll' enters the house and an explosion fills the night. She looks down. He wasn't there, right? Of course not. She tries reaching Harry through their connection, the thread is there, but she can't reach him, is like there's a dark wall on his end, keeping her away. Only when Draco puts a hand on her arm she realizes she's shaking. To her surprise he hugs her. A little far from them she hears Jack saying "Let's do a sweep of what is left."
"You want to go back to the Burrow?" Draco asks her.
"Yes. Please."
Where are you, Harry?
AUGUST, 2011
SEPTEMBER, 2011
OCTOBER, 2011
NOVEMBER, 2011
DECEMBER, 2011
JANUARY, 2012
February, 2012
Hermione's office
Sitting on her couch she can't take her eyes off the image of the beautiful forest that decorates her office. The forest of Dean. The place where she and Harry had their most intense and trying times when on the hunt. She loves having it with her when she's at the Ministry, it's like she's closer to Harry. She always felt it that way. She closes her eyes stopping herself from crying. Six months.
They never stopped looking for him. However, every lead they had was a bust. She can't count how many nights she spent reading about the 'Believers'. Every day, at least three times a day, she tries to connect with Harry through their magic bond. But since that night, since a wall came up on his side, she never succeeded. In her heart she knows he's there and he won't stop trying coming back to them. The same way she won't stop looking for him.
She's crying. She's ashamed to admit that when the girls left for Hogwarts she felt some kind of relief. They were sad at home, they couldn't sleep and were always afraid that Hermione might disappear too. They were confident their father would be back by Christmas. But he wasn't. He still isn't.
Everyone says she shouldn't, but she blames herself for what happened. She was supposed to be by his side when they were singing happy birthday. Lily and Laura said it 'let's all be by dad's side' and Harry smiled a little at her, but she denied. She said that yes, they should be there with their father. But she- she distanced herself to be with Jack. Ron said she was crazy to think this way. But she's sure things might have been different if she'd fought by Harry's side.
The wizarding world is scared. Strange things keep happening, in both magical and muggle London, and rumors about the return of the Dark Lord are everywhere, the same way the Prophet publishes everyday an article talking about the 'ineffective' effort of the Ministry to bring back the boy who lived, the man who conquered.
A knock. Someone opens the door without waiting for her answer. She already knows who it is. He always does that.
"Hey." Draco says, closing the door behind him. "Well," He looks at his wrist watch. "started crying not so early today."
She sadly laughs. "You're an idiot. Any news?" She brushes her tears away, taking a deep breath.
He shakes his head. "I'm sorry. I'm just here to tell you in person that Ginny is heading to St. Mungo's. She's in labor."
Hermione immediately gets up. "Draco! How can you be this calm?"
"Please, Hermione. Ginny would kill me if I freaked out. She wanted me to take you with me. Everyone is already on their way there."
"Fine. I have to warn Jack." Draco makes a face at the mention of her fiance. "Don't worry, he's not going. I know Ginny hates him."
"She's not the only one." He mumbles.
Animus Mansion
She's exhausted. Ginny is the one whom gave birth, but Hermione feels like she herself did it. Her head aches and her body is begging for her to just lie down. And she does just that as she reaches the nearest couch. She tries reaching Harry, again. Today she tried more times than any other day. She knows he would want to be there when Ginny and Draco's beautiful little girl was born. With red hair. She smiles a little. They're like little copies of their parents. Dominic and Aria.
Her relationship with Ginny has been bumpy for the last six months. Her friend can't understand why she's still Jack's fiancee. She's sure that he was the one responsible for Harry's disappearance and the fact that they couldn't prove it was just a detail to Ginny. Ron too wasn't happy with her decision to go through with the wedding. They don't understand. And she has no energy to explain. Ginny is always cold towards her, today the only exception. She even smiled at Hermione. A miracle. But she knows it was because of the potions she took in order to give birth.
Hermione sighs and covers her eyes with her arm. Wandlessly she summons a photo that kept coming back to her when she was at St. Mungo's. It's a muggle shot of her, Harry, and newly born Lily and Laura. She had them at Grimmauld. Minerva helped her give life to her daughters. Something she'll always be grateful for.
Her eyes fill with tears as she admires the image. If Harry had a smile slightly wider he would hurt himself. She looks exhausted but her eyes tell the truth. She couldn't be happier. Lily and Laura were so small, Hermione sometimes forget how little they were, how risky her pregnancy was. She brings the photo to her lips and closing her eyes she kisses it lightly. The memory of that afternoon taking over her.
Grimmauld Place, April 12th, 2000
"Okay, okay, stay calm, everything is fine, everything is fine. Breathe with me. In and out."
"Harry, I swear to Merlin that if you don't stop talking right now I'll kill you myself after these babies are born!"
A few objects start floating around the room and Hermione can't tell if it's her magic or his, they're both so nervous. Harry keeps walking back and forth and he's driving her crazy with his anxiety. She's laying on their bed, waves of pain taking over her, their daughters ready to be born. She's ready too.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" He runs his hand through his messy hair. "The Weasleys won't be able to get here in time! And I didn't know who else to call so I-"
She hears someone apparating inside the house.
"Oh, she's here!" Harry says and exits the room. A strong wave of contractions almost blind Hermione and she screams:
"HAAAAAAAAAAAARRY!"
His presence is soothing and whenever he's out of the room the pain increases, it's like her soul knows when he's not close enough or not holding her hand.
He's back fast enough and behind him she sees her old teacher, Minerva McGonagall. She rushes to Hermione, already taking her wand out, without asking questions. She takes out of her inner robe a little vial with a green liquid.
"Here, dear, drink it." She gently gives it to Hermione and the pain is gone almost immediately. She looks at Harry and he comes closer, sitting on the bed, holding her hand. She realizes Minerva is waving her wand above her belly with wrist movements Hermione never saw. Harry kisses her hand, a permanent frown on his forehead.
"Is everything okay?" He asks.
"Yes, Potter." Minerva smiles a little at them. "They're ready to meet their parents, I guess."
They look at each other, expectantly. "I love you." Harry says to her. Another wave of contractions invades her but it doesn't hurt as much because of the potion Minerva gave her.
"You have to push, Hermione."
She does. Minerva utters a spell. She pushes again. Vaguely she knows Harry is saying words of love and encouragement to her. But it's hard to breathe and to concentrate. Her grip on Harry's hand losing its firmness and her eyes start closing against her will. She can hear him inside her mind, calling to her, desperate.
Then he grabs her hand again with both of his and it's like a bucket of cold water is thrown at her. She gasps and opens her eyes, regaining her air. Minerva stares at her and says, "It's almost there, Hermione. Keep pushing."
"I'm right here with you."
She nods at him and pushes. It's intense and unbelievable. In seconds she hears her first baby's cry. She rests her head and starts crying, her body exhausted already. Minerva is waving her wand at the baby, checking her vitals. She's so small. Harry is crying too, by Minerva's side, his face anxious. Hermione knows what he wants to ask, 'is she okay? Is everything okay?' but he doesn't interrupt the little ritual of her old teacher. She can feel herself slipping away again- and then a wave of contractions jolts her up. She screams. Harry is holding the baby now. She's already wrapped up in a blanket. He sits by her side and takes her hand again. "She's beautiful like her mother. Little Lily."
She wants to smile at him, but the pain comes back and she closes her eyes, panting. "One more push, Hermione."
"You can do it, love."
"I'll help you." Minerva says and waves her wand. Hermione feels strange but she doesn't question it. She pushes with all her mighty. The sensation is again unbelievable and soon her second baby is crying. She can't even look because when she opens her eyes everything turns black and she passes out.
She comes back to her senses feeling a bit better. When she opens her eyes the first thing she sees is Harry. He's there rocking both babies. One in each arm. He's talking to them, unaware that Hermione is watching.
"Yes, mummy is going to wake up really soon. She's eager to meet you. You'll love her. We all love mummy very much. Yes, yes." He's doing an adorable voice that she never heard and she smiles.
"Hey, there."
He turns to her and the way he's absolutely fascinated by her is a little breathtaking. She rearranges herself on the bed, realizing all the sheets are clean. There are two vials of potions by her nightstand. Harry stops by her side.
"So, they're fine. And beautiful. Thank Merlin they took after their mother." He sits and gently gives her one of them. She holds the little baby with all her love. "This is Laura. Laura Granger Potter."
She raises her eyebrows. "I like it. Hey, there… do you know who I am?" Laura opens her eyes at the sound of her voice, she's still too small for them to be sure, but Hermione already knows. Green eyes. Just like Harry's. Hermione can't stop her tears, it's the excessive happiness coming out of my eyes.
"And this is Lilian Granger Potter. Lily." She holds both. She doesn't know how much time goes by. She doesn't know if there's even other things in the world besides her daughters. She can't process the fact that their love is responsible for the existence of these girls. Babies that will soon be kids and then teenagers, and after that adults.
"They're so beautiful." She murmurs. Harry is looking at them.
"I love you." He says.
"I love you."
They share a sweet kiss, their foreheads touching. "How you feeling?" He asks. But he already knows, probably. Because she knows how he's feeling, their connection pouring it all in the open. Hermione would gladly intoxicate herself in this sensation, drown herself in all their love.
"A little sore." He laughs at her answer.
"Well-"
Voices comes from downstairs. Harry gets up, ready to greet the Weasleys.
Hermione smiles at her twin daughters. "The three of us are going to drive daddy crazy, right?" She kisses their foreheads.
Later, Arthur insists in taking a picture of them with his 'fascinating and very much muggle camera'.
Outside Animus Mansion
He knows she's still in the living room. She hasn't moved since she got home. It's the second night in a row that he observes the mansion from afar. He shouldn't be there. But he didn't know where else to go. He feels so confused. So unsure. Maybe I should talk to her. Their connection is silent. Since the day he was captured he tried reaching her again but there's a wall on her end. Like she's shutting him out.
He takes a step forward. I have to talk to her first. Another step. Then he stops. Someone apparated inside, he can see a man's silhouette. Jack. He takes a step back. Confused. Are they still together? He can't be sure. Maybe he's just there… Harry takes out his wand and performs a spell that allows him to listen to the interior of the house.
"Hermione, are you here?" Jack asks.
"In the living room!"
"Hey, missed you. How was your day?"
"Great. Even better now that you're here."
He lifts the spell. I thought- I-
He shakes his head, and takes another step back. He knows what he has to do.
Animus Mansion
She wakes up alone the next day. She sent Jack home before going to bed. She still feels tired, she hadn't got much sleep and-
An owl is tapping on her window. Incessantly.
"Fine, fine!"
She opens the window and pets the owl. Draco's. She hastily opens the letter, barely seeing anything since she just woke up.
Hermione,
He's back. He just showed up on our doorstep in the middle of the night.
I didn't want to tell you immediately because I had to be sure it was him.
Took him to the Ministry after, they will question him in a few hours.
See you there,
Draco.
She lets the letter fall from her hands. Her breathing short. She closes her eyes. Harry.
Ministry of Magic
Interrogation Room
"What's your name?"
"Harry James Potter."
"How old are you?"
"31."
"Are you magically married?"
"No."
"Do you have any children?
"Yes."
"With whom?"
"Hermione Jean Granger."
"Can you name your children?"
"Laura Granger Potter and Lilian Granger Potter."
"How old are they?"
"Eleven. Twins."
"What is your profession?"
"I'm an Auror."
"Where do you work?"
"As far as I know at the Ministry of Magic."
"Where does your work's loyalty relies on?"
"With the Ministry."
"Can you describe your abductors?"
"No. I never saw their faces."
"How many were they?"
"I can't be sure."
"Can you tell us where you've been the last six months?"
"No."
"Why? Because you don't want to or because you can't?"
"Because I can't. I don't know where I was."
"Were you tortured?"
"Yes."
"Repeatedly?"
"Yes."
"Physically or mentally?"
"Both."
"How did you escape?"
"One day I woke up in the middle of a forest."
"When was that?"
"A week ago, I think."
"But you're not sure?"
"No. Sorry."
"So could be more than a week, or less than a week."
"Yes."
"What forest?"
"I don't know."
"Did you try finding the place you were kept?"
"Yes. I didn't find it."
"Would you say you're in possession of your mental capabilities?"
"Yes."
"And physical?"
"Yes."
"But you just said you've been tortured for six months nonstop."
"I was."
"Why?"
"I'm sorry?"
"What did they want from you?"
"Information."
"On what?"
"They were sure I had something that belonged to them."
"And do you? Have this object?"
"No."
"What was it?"
"A prophecy."
"Do you-"
"I know nothing about it."
"Fine. We're almost done, Mr Potter. Why took you so long to seek out your friends and family?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you've been free for more than a week. Why not showing up sooner?"
"I was trying to find my kidnappers. And I didn't have a wand. I had to walk all the way out of the forest."
The woman in front of Harry just stares at him for a long moment. Her expression is totally neutral. The spell to verify the veracity of his answers is floating between them. A bubble. It's been green since they started the interrogation. Green means he's telling the truth.
"Fine, Mr Potter. Is there anything else you want to say?"
"Yes. I want to see my daughters as soon as possible, please."
"It's fine. We're not detaining you. For now."
Her last words feel like a warning.
Hermione's Office
"Come on, you have to agree with me! That interrogation was ridiculous! What do they think? Are they accusing him of something? Of treason? Of turning to dark magic? Or whatever bullshit they are thinking?"
"Hey, don't be angry with me! I wasn't the one questioning him." Draco says. He walks around inside her office. "I can't stop thinking about all the torture he went through. Months of it. He will never be the same."
Hermione sighs. "I know."
"I'm surprised he seems so fine."
Hermione frowns. "What are you saying?"
"Oh, please, don't get me wrong. I love Harry. He's my best friend and I'm glad he's back. But… even you can admit that there's something strange. Something he's not telling us. He didn't look me in the eye yet. Not even once."
She agrees. She's trying not to think about it. She was sure that she was going to be the first person he would want to see the moment he got back. Because she was sure he would be back. But apparently not. He's physically different too. No more glasses. Hair a bit longer. A well kept beard. It suits him.
"What about your connection, can you tell if-"
"It's the same. I can't reach him. Even now…"
A knock. "Come in!"
Edgar's head appears at the crack of the open door. "Boss, you wanted me to warn you. They just released Mr Potter."
"Thank you, Edgar."
He nods and closes the door.
Hermione and Draco exchange a worried look before exiting her office.
"No. There's no need. I want to talk to them alone." She can't believe what he's saying.
"Harry-"
"Please," He turns to the official that is going to tag along while he visits Hogwarts… for safety measures. "Let's go."
"I can go with you, there's no-"
"No, Hermione." He's not looking at her and it's the first time he answers her directly.
"Miss Granger, what should I-" The official seems unsure since he's Hermione's inferior.
"Just go." She nods at the official.
Harry doesn't look at her, he just steps inside the fireplace.
Potter Manor
It's strange to be back. To sit on his bed. To look at his things that are exactly the same as he left them. It's strange seeing everyone and talking to them. The only thing that wasn't strange or uncomfortable in his long day was seeing his daughters. He missed them, profoundly.
Setting foot in Hogwarts was like coming home. He felt safe for the first time in a long time, which is an irony. But it was also hard. Reconnecting with them, explaining, dealing with their fear, seeing how much they grew up while he wasn't there. But also enjoying their stories about Hogwarts, about how much they love the school, about what they've learned. They showed him their wands, their owls. Lily said mum didn't allow her to have a broom. Laura's favorite subject is potions, Lily's charms. Both Gryffindors. He's proud of them, but he wouldn't mind if they were sorted into another house.
He even had dinner with them. He sat at the Great Hall. Everyone kept staring at him. Minerva invited him to sit with the professors, he declined and sat with the others Gryffindors. Luna was there. They talked a little and he could sense that she had a millions questions but she refrained herself, which he was thankful for. He hadn't seen any Weasley yet, Ron was in another city and Ginny at St. Mungo's since she had just given birth. And he wasn't so fond of returning to the Burrow just yet.
He starts walking around the house. It's so big when I'm all alone here.
He said goodbye to the girls. His Ministry's escort long gone. There was no threat in him being there. So, all alone he went to the Requirement Room. He sighs. The prophecy wasn't there. Someone took it, and he knows exactly who.
Someone apparates inside. He walks to the main stairs of the house. Hermione stands tall at the end of it.
"Looking for this?" She raises her hand. The familiar orb shining. She's always a step ahead. "You know, I cried my eyes out when I found out you were back. I was anxious to finally hug you, to feel you in my arms, but you didn't even look at me properly. Again, Harry. So I decided that if you don't want to hug me or anything, maybe I should lead this the way you want me to."
"Hermione. You shouldn't have. It's dangerous." He can't look at her directly. Yesterday he decided he's not telling her anything… she's still with Jack. She probably won't believe me anyway. "And you shouldn't be here either, the Ministry is monitoring the house."
"I know. But can't I visit my friend that's been missing for six months? How are the girls?"
"They're fine. They were very happy to see me. I missed them." She nods, agreeing with him. He doesn't wait for her next question. "Will you give me the orb?"
"I don't think so, Harry. At least not for now. Are you going to tell me what really happened to you?" She squints at him.
"What? Do you think I'm lying too?"
"I don't know. Are you?"
She begins ascending the stairs to meet him at the top. I missed you. "No." She stops right in front of him. Her high heels putting them at almost the same height. Her face is close to his. He can smell her perfume.
"Look me into the eyes while you say that."
For the first time in a long time he looks at her chocolate eyes. "I'm not lying. I just don't wanna talk about it."
The orb vanishes from her hand. "I don't believe you."
"I don't know what you want from me, Hermione."
He can't think properly. They're so close.
She scoffs. "Why are you cutting me out? In our connection?"
He raises one eyebrow. "What? I'm not. I thought you were."
"No, I-"
She stops. Her eyes finally leaving his and landing on his lips. It's strange to be this close to her and have their connection completely off, wrong, and even like this… "You're the only one that never questioned if I was really me." His voice is hoarse.
"I think that," her voice is low, almost a whisper, "I'm so connected to you that my heart, my soul recognizes yours. Like I'm seeing myself. Does it make sense?"
"More than you can imagine. You saved my life that night."
"You would have done the same for me." Her hand goes to his cheek. "I like the beard. But I have to say that's strange seeing you without your glasses."
She leans closer and for the first time in more than ten years she's kissing him, pressing her lips against his, claiming him as hers, invading his mouth with her tongue, moaning in a intimate way that he knows so well, pulling him closer, burning up alongside him, starting something they can't control. He embraces her, pulling her hair, nibbling at her lips, driving her crazy. He kisses her neck and she rubs her cheek against his, enjoying the sensation of his beard, of their mingled and erratic breathing. He squeezes her ass, her thigh, then up, her waist, the side of her breast. She has her hands under his shirt, scraping her nails on his skin, on his strong abs. And then she moves her hands to his back and he immediately takes a step back, but not fast enough.
Her eyes are filled with lust but she blinks trying to come back to a sense of sobriety. "Harry, are those-"
"Nothing. They're nothing." He takes another step back. "You should leave, Hermione." He turns his back to her, incapable of facing her right now. "Please."
"No."
He sighs. He hears her heels clicking on the marble floor. She puts a hand on his back. "Let me see." She whispers.
"There's nothing to see." He tries.
She lifts his shirt anyways. He waits for her to gasp or say something. He waits for her to take a step back and leave, waits for her to put down his shirt and pretend she never saw them. But he's not prepared for what she does next. He feels her soft lips kissing his scars. "What are you doing?"
She keeps kissing his scars, gently. Her fingertips tracing them along with the kisses. She stops to answer him. "I remember one time," another kiss, "when we've just made love and were laying on our bed," a kiss, "you lifted the charms around my scars and said that you were going to heal all of them with a kiss. You didn't stop until you've kissed each one."
He inhales deeply. "You don't have to do this." He doesn't have the nerve to turn around and look her in the eyes.
"No, I don't." Another kiss. "I want to." She keeps kissing him with tenderness, every time her lips touch him is like she's giving him life again. He can't ignore how much love the gesture carries. He knows it. "Tell me what happened to you, Harry." She stops, her hands on his lower back, her forehead on his nape.
Harry closes his eyes. "They tortured me. They want the prophecy." Not telling her everything is not exactly lying.
"How did you-" No, I can't do this. He gently distances himself from her. She doesn't move and he still can't face her. She sighs. "I- I'll go. But Harry, I really hope there comes a day when you can tell me everything, a day when we can actually trust each other again."
And she's gone.
Outside Potter Manor
His eyes scan the sky, looking for something. He's trying his best not to think about Hermione and what happened between them a few hours ago. His decision of leaving her in the dark about his last six months seems wrong. And she could easily help me. But… will she understand my motives?
He sighs. No one will. He'd done things he's not proud of. For now the version they know is good enough. It's the best I can do until this is all over. He promised he would do anything to protect his family. No matter the consequences. But he knows Hermione is brilliant. He knows that if he lowers his guard around her she'll figure it out. And again he sees himself in a situation where his decisions are all taken just to keep her safe. He knows she doesn't want that. But now it's not only me. There are other things involved. Things she can't know.
A strong change in the air around him is the indication he's been waiting for. He looks at the sky again and the enormous eagle is there, descending from the sky. The outstanding bird lands on a tree branch by his side.
"Hey. Missed you. How you've been? You know, I saw Hermione today, we even kissed. Don't be jealous."
He pets the bird and the eagle screeches, extending its talon. There's a letter. "Oh, doing owl stuff. I know how much you hate it. They should respect you more, come on." He smiles a little and opens the letter.
H.
We have a new possible location.
The attached portkey will take you there.
Take A. with you.
B.
"Well, Athena, it seems we have a prophecy to collect today. Are you ready to go? Do you have my back?"
Another screech and the eagle - Athena - lands on his shoulder. "You're so freaking heavy."
And then they disappear.
Note: Yeah, okay. I'm sorry? or not? You tell me...
Guys, I won't be able to update this fic again this year, at least I'm almost sure I won't, but if I can, I will! Nevertheless, next year is just around the corner and there's much more to come.
I wish you all the best while we leave this year behind. Hope you're all safe and healthy!
And here's hoping that 2021 is going to bring us amazing things!