Hermione hopped up the steps of the Grand Staircase, trying her best not to let her book bag slow her down, until she reached the corridor that led to Harry's tower. Closing the door behind her, she walked quickly down the corridor, past the many paintings and pleasant flowers that lined the walls and soon reached the portrait that barred the entrance to the tower. The canvas showed four creatures stood triumphantly in a woodland setting: a stag and doe stood side by side, nuzzling each other, a large, black, shaggy dog bore its teeth which grasped a dead rat, and a great wolf towered behind them all, a moon reflected in its eyes.
"Prongs," Hermione said and the creatures bowed as the portrait swung open. She walked through the passageway and into the lounge of Harry's tower, which was not too dissimilar from the common room in Gryffindor Tower, where a fire sparked calmly in the hearth nearby and a song was playing from a record player against the window that Hermione recognised as one of Harry's favourites, though he was nowhere to be found. Hermione called his name but got no reply. She was about to drop her book bag on an armchair by the fire but realised just in time that Spot was curled up right where the bag would have landed. Spot slowly arched her head to look at Hermione, who smiled nervously and propped her bag down on the neighbouring sofa. "Sorry, Spot, hope I didn't wake you," Hermione said as she knelt by the armchair and pet the cat's head. "I don't suppose you know where Harry is?"
Spot purred and seemed to glance upwards in the direction that Hermione knew Harry's bedroom was. Hermione gave thanks and made for the staircase as Spot settled her head back down on the armchair and, rightfully enough, Hermione reached the door to Harry's bedroom and found it slightly ajar.
"Harry?" she said as she knocked gently on the door and half entered.
"Is it that time already?" Harry said, sat on the bed by the lit lamp, facing away from the door. He placed something that he was holding into a drawer in his bedside cabinet and shut it before standing to face Hermione. "Time must have gotten away from me."
Hermione could sense that something was wrong with Harry, he seemed like he had just woken from a deep sleep, his attention lost. Hermione didn't break eye contact with him as she slowly walked up to him and placed her hand on his cheek.
"Are you ok?" she asked and Harry smiled, caressing Hermione's hand.
"Always," he said as he took Hermione's hand from his cheek and clasped it in his own. "Come, we'd best get down to the feast; my name's about to come out of that Goblet and it wouldn't look great if I don't show up."
Hermione wanted to say that perhaps there was a chance that the Goblet wouldn't choose him but she knew that was foolish. She knew what was about to happen and she couldn't help but feel dread over it. Harry might be an extraordinary wizard, especially for his age, but that didn't make him immortal.
"Hey," Harry whispered and Hermione realised that her eyes had dropped from Harry's in her worry. She returned her attention to his face and forced a smile that Harry saw right through. He pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as close to him as she could. "It'll be ok," he whispered so quietly that Hermione almost didn't hear him. The soft music echoed up from the record player like a lullaby, only to be disturbed by the sound of approaching footsteps up the stairs. A knock on the door a moment later separated Hermione from Harry as they both looked to see their visitor, Pansy Parkinson, stood in the doorway.
"Sorry to interrupt but, um, the feast?" she said, pointing her thumb behind her head with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course," Harry said and took Hermione's hand again. "Mustn't keep them waiting."
The Great Hall was alive with commotion and chatter as the students of all three wizarding schools gathered that Halloween night to find out who would be revealed as the three Triwizard Champions. The Weasley twins had been taking bets for weeks from students - and a few subtle ones from staff members - on whose name would come out of the Goblet, which still stood in the centre of the Great Hall, and Harry couldn't help but wonder what odds they had given for his name to appear. Harry, Hermione and Pansy arrived at the doors to the Great Hall and managed to make their way to their seats beside the Weasleys and Luna without being noticed except by Professor Dumbledore, who raised his glass slightly as a small acknowledgement to Harry, who bowed his head in reply.
"You took your time," Fred said as the trio sat down.
"You've not long now before dessert," George said after swallowing a spoonful of peas.
"You alright, mate?" Ron muttered to Harry, patting his shoulder with a concerned look on his face and Harry nodded in response with a smile. Hermione was slightly relieved that somebody else had noticed that Harry seemed off, even with him seemingly back to his normal self, but hoped it wasn't too obvious.
Harry took a moment to observe the Great Hall and, after seeing Hagrid spill his ale into his beard and making Madame Maxime roar with laughter, his eyes fell upon Professor Moody, his regular eye glancing around the room while his magical eye was fixed on one spot further down the table from Harry. Harry glanced in the same direction and saw Draco Malfoy, who seemed deep in thought as he absentmindedly stirred a bowl of soup. Harry returned his attention to Moody and, after a moment, both of his eyes fell on Harry too. They nodded at each other silently and Harry suddenly felt an elbow collide with his arm.
"Eat," Hermione commanded, nodding at Harry's plate.
"I ate earlier," Harry said but the look Hermione gave him told him that he wasn't out of trouble yet. "Alright, I thought about eating earlier, it's practically the same thing."
"I will force feed you if I have to," Hermione said as she brandished a sausage in Harry's face like a weapon. Harry eyed the sausage for a moment, bit the end, chewed and swallowed it.
"Happy?" he smirked.
"When you've had a plateful, I will be," Hermione said and started loading Harry's plate with food that she knew he would only eat some of. Soon enough, the plates vanished from the table and were replaced with dessert dishes, most of which were arranged in such a way as to be Halloween themed, and before long they too disappeared. Everyone knew that this meant the choosing of the champions was upon them and the room began to fill with louder chatter again until Dumbledore stood and made his way out from behind the table where the professors sat.
"Your attention, please" he called out and the room hushed almost instantly. "It's time," Dumbledore said after a small dramatic pause and dimmed the lights of the Great Hall as he approached the Goblet. The entire room watched in silent anticipation as the flames from the Goblet turned from blue to a deep red and shot out a small piece of parchment into the air which Dumbledore caught. "The Durmstrang Champion is... Viktor Krum!" he announced and the room erupted with applause as Krum stood and approached Dumbledore, who pointed him in the direction of the Trophy Room at the back of the Hall. Once the room had settled, the Goblet burned red once more and shot out a second piece of parchment. "The Beauxbatons Champion... is Fleur Delacour!" Once again the Hall broke into applause, albeit quieter than for Krum, and Fleur too made her way up to Dumbledore, collected her parchment and exited through the back of the Hall. The Hall fell silent almost instantly as they all knew that the final name was for the Hogwarts champion. Hermione slipped her hand into Harry's and squeezed tightly, an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach, and she felt him do the same. The Goblet burned red a final time as it fired the parchment into the air, caught by the hand of Dumbledore. "And the Hogwarts Champion... well, who else would it be?" He said with a chuckle and the room began to cheer and applaud louder than ever and Hermione's heart plummeted like a rock in the ocean before Dumbledore even managed to say: "Mister Harry Potter!"
Harry was already being congratulated by those around him, the Weasleys and Luna cheering the loudest of all, as Harry stood from the table. He bent back down to kiss Hermione before he left, and though she smiled back at him with true joy and praise, she still wasn't sure how she felt about the entire situation. Hermione watched as Harry shook hands with Dumbledore and collected his parchment before heading to the back of the Hall too and disappearing through the door to the Trophy Room.
"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of our evening!" Dumbledore called out to the still settling crowd, some of which were already trying to approach Fred and George for their winnings. "Your Champions have been chosen and will face their first trial within a matter of weeks! But for now, I think we're all in need of a good rest after such a delicious feast. Good night and happy Halloween!" Dumbledore cried joyfully and, with a puff of orange smoke, he vanished. The room laughed and applauded Dumbledore's performance and slowly made their way out of the Great Hall.
"No rest for us, I'm afraid," Pansy said from beside Hermione, "we'd best get you ready for the party."
"You're sure you don't mind?" Hermione asked as the pair stood.
"Of course not," Pansy said, as if this was a ridiculous question. "I know you usually have Luna and Ginny to help with this kind of stuff but they'll be busy getting ready themselves, now come on, we don't have long."
Harry was glad to hear the sound of cheering and applause be silenced almost immediately as he shut the door to the Great Hall behind him and he made his way down the stairs to the Trophy Room where he found Fleur and Krum stood before a large fireplace.
"Good evening," Harry said as he approached them and the pair turned to face him.
"So," Fleur started as she moved towards Harry, walking very fluidly, her voice low but pronounced. "You are this Harry Potter that I've been hearing so much about?"
"Good things, I hope," Harry replied with a kind smile which immediately fell as Fleur reached out her hand and gently brushed his hair.
"Lots of things," she said and smiled in a way Harry didn't like. He cleared his throat and his politely moved his head out of her hand's reach as he turned his attention to the Durmstrang Champion.
"Mister Krum," he said as Fleur retreated. "It's been some time since last we met."
"Indeed," Krum answered, his voice flat and his face stern. "My teammates and I still talk of the beating your Knights gave us two years ago."
"You were a firm challenge for my men, I hope that one day we can test our strengths against each other again. Oh, while we have a moment, I would like to invite you both to a Halloween party tonight at my Manor. Of course, you're not inclined to attend in any way but it wouldn't be right of me to forget to invite the Triwizard Champions after all."
"Thank you for the invitation but I already had plans to attend," Krum said and Harry raised his eyebrow in small surprise, "I was invited by Miss Ginny Weasley, I believe you know her? I hope this was not inappropriate-"
"Of course not," Harry interrupted, wondering how Krum's face could remain so sharp whilst speaking so calmly. "The more the merrier. And, of course, your name shall be added to the guest list should you wish to attend, Miss Delacour."
"Please, call me Fleur," Fleur said as she stared at Harry like she was examining him, her smile never faltering. Suddenly there was the sound of a whip cracking nearby and the group turned to see Professor Dumbledore had apparated into the room.
"Oh, I do love a good trick every now and again," he said as he made his way over to the Champions. "Congratulations to the three of you, your respective school heads will be joining us momentarily and then we can begin to explain what the next steps in your journey are, and dangerous steps they will be. I hope you have prepared yourself for what lies ahead. Harry, a word, if you will." Harry moved away with Dumbledore as the sound of footsteps came from the staircase nearby and Madame Maxime and Igor Karkaroff entered the room, walking over to their respective students. "Well done, my boy," Dumbledore said and shook Harry's shoulder gently. "Of course, it was no surprise that your name would appear, and many of the students seemed to have the same idea, hence the Weasley twins currently being surrounded by a horde of them."
"I don't suppose you had thought about betting on me, had you, Professor?" Harry asked.
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about, Harry," Dumbledore said as he brushed his hair and the distinct sound of clinking metal could be heard. "Now, I believe you have somewhere to be?"
"Do you mind?" Harry asked.
"Of course not, I'll fill you in on the details later."
"Thank you, Albus. And, of course, you and the rest of the staff are invited along too. I meant to remind Alistair but he seems to have vanished."
"Ah, he's likely off somewhere accusing a student of trying to poison him. I will remind him should I see him."
With a final handshake, Dumbledore gestured to the fireplace and Harry approached, grabbing a fistful of Floo powder and scattering it into the flames.
The band was in full swing and guests had already begun to arrive by the time Harry had redressed into his signature black suit and made his way to the ballroom, green flames burning from the candelabras and torches that lined the black marble walls, Harry standing atop a staircase made of the same stone. Harry only watched for a time as guests donning creative masks of different colours and designs were led to their tables or served drinks by waiters also hidden by masks, though the ones they wore were identical to each other. A few of the guests spotted Harry observing them and waved or bowed, Harry raising his glass or nodding to them in acknowledgement. Harry was glad that, so far, he had recognised almost everybody in attendance and those he didn't were likely guests of those he did, though telling anyone apart was proving difficult with their faces so well hidden.
"It wouldn't be Halloween if you could tell who everyone was at a glance," Remus said as he appeared by Harry's side, dressed in midnight blue robes and a mask to match. "Speaking of which, where's yours?"
Harry realised, rightfully enough, that he was not yet wearing his own mask, so he withdrew his wand from his sleeve and, after an intricate movement, a black and silver liquid seemed to pour from its tip and levitate in the air, moulding into the shape of a mask and solidifying before gently hovering onto Harry's face.
"Much better," Remus said. "Now, you'd better get to mingling; can't leave your guests alone for too long or all hell will break loose."
"Quite right," Harry agreed and checked the crowd once more. He was glad to see more friendly faces had arrived, including the Weasleys and Luna, Hagrid, Rufus Scrimgeour and Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape. There was no sign of Alistair though Harry didn't take it personally that he had not come; Mad Eye had never been one for large groups of people where he could avoid it. Cornelius Fudge was also in attendance, noticeable thanks to the bodyguard that never seemed to leave his side since the World Cup. Harry also spotted Lucius among the crowd and was disappointed to see that he had brought Draco along as his plus one, looking miserable as ever. And finally, Harry's eyes fell to a witch with shoulder-length, hot pink hair dressed in red, stood away from the other guests and looking straight at him.
"Tonks," Harry said aloud to himself.
"Hmm?" Remus hummed and looked to Harry only to find him gone and already halfway down the staircase.
"What news?" Harry asked as soon as he was close enough to Tonks that nobody would hear.
"So abrupt, Harry," Tonks teased, "away with the formalities I see, not even going to ask me to dance?"
"Forgive me," Harry smiled, "but my first dance is reserved."
"Of course, for Miss Granger," Tonks nodded. "Her mother is a slippery one, good at hiding herself."
"But no match for your eyes, of course?"
"You wouldn't be paying me so much if I were prone to letting people slips through my nets."
"And the Riddle House?"
Tonks glanced around to ensure nobody was within earshot before she leant into Harry.
"There's been movement, consistent and confirmed to be Wizarding related," she whispered in his ear.
"Give me five minutes and I'll be with you," Harry whispered back.
"No you won't," Tonks hissed back, though not maliciously. "You leave now and you'll have people talking, this is a covert operation. We move tonight, I'll inform you of the outcome as soon as I can." Harry tensed his jaw and glanced around into nothing at all, clearly uncomfortable and frustrated with this news. "I think I know what will help distract you in the meantime, though," Tonks said and Harry's eyes returned to hers. She flicked her head towards the staircase behind Harry where he had been stood some moments before and he turned to see Hermione stood at the top, dressed in a long, emerald, silk gown that hugged her figure and pooled at her feet, her bejewelled mask lightly glistening with green and silver, her hair now tied and flowing down her back. Proving Tonks right, Harry stood entranced and moved to meet Hermione as she descended the stairs, taking her hand as they met and kissing it.
"You..." Harry began but couldn't find the right words. "You look-"
"I know," Hermione said as she placed a finger on Harry's lips to silence him then pulled him in for a kiss.
"Shall we?" Harry asked when they had pulled away from each other and gestured towards the centre of the ballroom. Hermione nodded and allowed him to lead her into the crowd where, as fluently as if they'd practiced it a hundred times, they began an elegant dance. All eyes were on them for a minute or so until Harry pulled Hermione close to him once more and their dance began to slow, at which point Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall swept in and began their own dance, followed by Arthur and Molly Weasley, Mr and Mrs Fudge, and many other guests which gave Harry and Hermione a chance to slow dance for a while as the band played a more relaxed song. As they moved slowly, Harry spotted Krum and Karkaroff stood away in a corner, muttering to each other, and couldn't help but think that planning for the Triwizard Tournament could wait for one night. Similarly, Hermione noticed Fleur Delacour and recognised her from the Champion selection. She was looking at Hermione over the top of the glass she was drinking with a smile that Hermione wasn't sure she liked.
"I suppose I should make a toast soon," Harry said, not sounding entirely thrilled by the idea.
"You need a drink to make a toast," Hermione pointed out.
"I always need a drink," Harry said and they made their way to the bar against one of the walls and grabbed what they needed. "Ladies and gentlemen," Harry said, his voice louder with the help of a charm, once they had returned to a large step on the staircase which doubled as an elevated stage for such an event as a toast. "Thank you all so much for coming this evening, it's always a pleasure to host such wonderful guests and enjoy each other's company for a while." There was a murmuring of agreement before Harry spoke again. "I would also like to thank all of the staff tonight who make this possible, the waiters, the band, the doormen..." More applause as Harry listed off the roles of the hired staff for the evening. "And, of course, a warm welcome and congratulations to our Triwizard Champions from across the sea, I'm sure I speak for us all when I wish you luck and look forward to seeing how you perform." Another round of applause as Krum and Fleur bowed, all eyes turning to them for a moment. "But for now, please, drink, dance, laugh, enjoy the evening in the best way you know how!" Harry finished by raising his glass in cheers which was mirrored by the crowd and then regular conversation resumed. Harry turned back to Hermione and sighed. "Well, that wasn't so bad."
Hermione laughed but her eyes were pulled away from Harry's face as a glint of silver caught her attention. She looked to see a mask she recognised in the crowd behind Harry's back, large, silver, covering the entire face and shrouded in a black cloak. A Death Eater's mask, the wearer of which was raising their wand right at Harry's back.
"Harry!" Hermione gasped and grabbed Harry, spinning herself in front of him as a shield as she heard a loud scream from the crowd and knew a spell had been cast. She closed her eyes and held on tightly to Harry, expecting the curse to hit her at any moment... but it didn't. Slowly, she opened her eyes and felt one of Harry's arms wrapped around her, clutching her to his chest, while the other was outstretched as if he was preparing to catch something. His breathing was shaky and when Hermione turned she could guess as to why; hovering in the air before them were three balls of green light, three separate Killing Curses cast simultaneously held in the air, spasming and crackling violently. From a distance, Harry would not have looked shaken at all, but Hermione could feel him trembling and knew this was tiring him. After a moment Harry swung his arm upwards and the curses followed, colliding with the ceiling and causing portions of it to shatter and fall in very small areas. Hermione helped Harry stay upright as he lost his balance once the curses had been freed from his grasp and they were spared any damage from the falling pieces of ceiling thanks to some quick-thinking guests that whipped out their wands and mended the damage. Three even faster thinking guests, those being Dumbledore, McGonagall and Scrimgeour, had immediately discovered the casters of the curses and immobilised them, the trio now hovering in mid-air, upside-down.
"You're ok?" Harry asked Hermione, holding her tightly, his breathing still heavy.
"Y-yes, I'm fine," Hermione said, her voice shaky. "Are you? You're pale, you need to sit down-"
"I'm alright," Harry interrupted, his eyes darting around the room. He couldn't help but notice that both Karkaroff and Draco Malfoy were nowhere to be seen, yet Lucius remained, his wand aimed at the nearest hanging Death Eater to him, mirroring many of the nearest witches and wizards to the culprit. Harry gestured for Remus and talked quietly to him. "Remus, if you wouldn't mind, please take Hermione and go to my room, close the curtains, put on some dim lighting, then leave and lock the door. Then take Hermione to her room and both of you wait there for me, I'll be with you as soon as I can. If there's anyone watching the building, they'll hopefully be fooled by my room as a decoy and go there."
"Come with me," Hermione whispered, her heart pounding. She understood she had almost died moments ago and she wanted to be as far away from the ballroom as possible, somewhere safe, but she couldn't leave Harry behind.
"I want to," Harry said, still sounding out of breath. "But I have to deal with this. Keep your wand at the ready."
Hermione nodded and kissed him again before hurrying away with Remus back up the staircase. Harry watched them leave and took some deep breaths as he turned back to the crowd whose attention was still on the hovering Death Eaters.
"Right! Let's have a look at you!" Harry said confidently as he strode towards the hanging trio. Cornelius spoke his name and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder as he passed but Harry gently brushed it off. He came face to upside-down face with the first Death Eater, whose mask he banished with a wave of his hand to find-
"Crabbe! Not too surprising, if I'm honest, but still a shame. Let's see, who's next? Ah, Banks, I thought I saw the two of you talking a lot. And finally... well, here's a sight I didn't expect to see," Harry's voice had turned from excitement to grief in an instant as he looked into the teary eyes of Colin Creevey.
"Mister Creevey!" a shocked Professor McGonagall cried as she hurried over to Harry's side to see for herself. "What the devil are you doing?"
"They have Dennis, Professor," Colin mumbled. "I'm sorry, Harry... I had to."
"It's ok, Colin, we'll get Dennis back, everything's going to be fine."
"For your brother, maybe," Fudge said from nearby. "But not for you, I'm afraid, young man." All eyes now turned to Fudge, so he elaborated. "These three have committed unforgivable crimes, most abhorrently being the casting of the Killing Curse and the donning of Death Eater robes. It can be presumed, too, that they bear the Dark Mark, all punishable-"
"These are my students, Cornelius, I will not allow-" Dumbledore began as he approached the Minister but Cornelius seemed to have found his confidence in the chaos and cut him off.
"Not allow it?! Students or not, Dumbledore, they were aware of their actions and consciously attempted murder and, had they been successful, Merlin knows what else!"
"See sense, Fudge!" Harry said, advancing on Cornelius too. "Take them into custody, put them on trial and send them to Azkaban!"
"I will not waste time and money on an open and shut trial for a case which has been witnessed by countless eyes, including the Minister of Magic myself! They could have killed young Miss Granger and yourself not a moment ago, Harry! They will be made examples of, as will all who seek to bring back the days of terror of He Who Must Not Be Named! Vincent Crabbe-"
"Minister-" Scrimgeour tried to interrupt but Fudge continued.
"Thomas Banks, Colin Creevey-"
"Fudge, stop! Think!" Harry said but it was no use.
"I sentence you to die!" Fudge called and the crowd that had remained, and that Harry had almost forgotten about, erupted with noise, some calling for the boys' heads, others for them to be imprisoned.
"You disgrace yourself, Cornelius," Dumbledore said menacingly and loud enough for Fudge to hear. Harry thought he saw Fudge's face falter as he withdrew his wand, aimed it at Crabbe and glanced at Scrimgeour. Scrimgeour, in turn, looked to Harry who, after a moment of hateful thought, nodded. Scrimgeour took out his own wand solemnly and pointed it at Banks. Harry raised his eyes slowly to look at Colin, who was now sobbing.
"I'm sorry, Harry, I'm so sorry! Please! I'm sorry-" Colin wept over and over again, but there was no saving him now.
"It's ok Colin," Harry said, although he doubted Colin heard him over the noise. Professor McGonagall tried to stop Harry from raising his wand, which Harry appreciated but calmly refused, aiming his wand at Colin.
"For the Dark Lord," Crabbe said, bravely.
"Morsmordre," Banks laughed manically.
And Colin continued to apologise until he couldn't any longer.
"On my word," Fudge said.
Remus was peaking from behind the curtain of Hermione's room, watching for anything out of the ordinary as the remaining guests left the premises. He wondered if Harry would call on Tonks to send some protection for the night, just in case, when there was a knock at the door. Remus gestured for Hermione to duck back into her dressing room from which she had just emerged and drew his wand as he pressed himself to the door.
"Sky," he said.
"Break," came Harry's voice from the other side and Remus opened the door for him. Hermione took this as a cue that all was safe and came out of her dressing room, flinging her arms around Harry as soon as she was in reach of him and pulling him into an embrace.
"I'll go help Sirius check the premises," Remus said and stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Harry and Hermione held each other for some time, both relieved that they were not holding the other's corpse.
"That was foolish," Harry whispered.
"Hmm?" Hermione hummed.
"What you did, throwing yourself in front of me," Harry elaborated, gently lifting his head away from Hermione's shoulder and looking deep into her eyes. "What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that you were about to be murdered!" Hermione shot defensively.
"I was," Harry said. "And you should have let them kill me. If I hadn't been practicing with Severus all this time, if I hadn't been able to stop those curses, you'd be-"
"Dead, I know," Hermione finished, as if this was of little consequence.
"The calmness you're showing at dying just for me is astonishing," Harry said, almost humorously.
"Just for you!?" Hermione blurted out. "I love you, you bloody idiot! I'd throw myself in front of a hundred Killing Curses if it saved you! Honestly, Harry, for the greatest wizard of your age you really are stupid! And what are you looking at me like that for-"
But Hermione was stopped from talking by the meeting of Harry's lips against hers, who had been staring at her for the last few seconds completely dumbfounded, as if he had just heard some truly shocking news, but was now stroking Hermione's cheek as he kissed her with such passion that the events of the night so far might as well have happened a millennium ago they mattered so little now. When they finally stopped and Hermione looked into Harry's eyes, she still wasn't sure what she had done to deserve a reaction like that from Harry.
"I love you too," Harry whispered at last and Hermione finally realised what she'd said. She was surprised at herself but, fortunately, she had not been lying. She really did love him and, if anything, she berated herself for not having told him sooner. "But please... too many people have died for me. I'm not worth saving."
Hermione closed her eyes and pulled gently on the back of Harry's head, bringing his forehead to hers and resting it there.
"You are to me," she whispered and used her spare hand to take Harry's and hold it tightly. Again they didn't move for a while, two young souls in love enjoying each other's company while they could.
"I want to take you somewhere," Harry said after some time. "There's something I need to do tonight. You'll need your coat."
The green flames vanished as quickly as they had appeared in the fireplace of the local church of the place that Harry and Hermione had just travelled to, a place that Hermione had only read about.
"Godric's Hollow," Hermione said almost to herself. "Named for Godric Gryffindor."
"Mhmm," Harry hummed.
Harry hadn't spoken much since they had gotten ready to come here. They stepped out of the fireplace and into the cold hall of the church, stained glass windows decorating the walls, long wooden pews aligned neatly in the direction of the preacher's podium, and dimly lit candles gently illuminating the room. Hermione gripped Harry's hand tighter as they walked down the aisle towards the large doors leading outside. She had guessed immediately why he had brought her here, although she wondered why it was so urgent that they came that night. She recognised a portrait on the wall as a copy of one in Harry's Manor which he had just asked the occupant of to come and check that the coast was clear for them to use the Floo network before leaving, though it was now missing the old woman who had been sitting in it before. Hermione wondered if any muggles noticed the painting sometimes missing its subject or if it had a similar charm on it to the Leaky Cauldron, such that muggles didn't even acknowledge its existence.
The church doors creaked open and, somehow, it was even colder outside than in. Harry wrapped his arm around Hermione as she shivered through her winter coat and scarf and led her into the graveyard that met the bottom of the church steps almost immediately. They passed by many graves, illuminated only occasionally by small lamps affixed to trees, until Harry stopped. Hermione read the inscription of the grave that they had come to stop at and realised why they it had to be that night that they came.
HERE LIES
JAMES POTTER
MARCH 27TH 1960 - OCTOBER 31ST 1981
AND
LILY POTTER
JANUARY 30TH 1960 - OCTOBER 31ST 1981
THE LAST ENEMY THAT SHALL BE DESTROYED IS DEATH
"Oh, sweetheart," Hermione whispered as she realised why Harry had been so distant all day, why even Ron had asked how he was feeling only a few hours earlier. Harry sunk to his knees, not gracefully as he usually did most things, but hard and fast, as if his legs had finally given way after an exhausting day. Hermione slowly knelt down too as Harry reached out and stroked the tombstone that his eyes never left, feeling the edges of the engraving.
"Mum, dad..." he said after some time. "This is Hermione. I wish you were here to meet her. I think... I think you would've really liked her." Hermione heard the break in Harry's voice and knew without looking that he was crying, which made her feel not so bad about failing to hold her own tears back. "It's been thirteen years to the day, and even though I barely remember, I still wonder what could have been if...if they hadn't been betrayed. If Voldemort hadn't found them. If, just once, my life could've been normal. They'd still be here, and maybe... she was pregnant, you know? My mum. Dumbledore told me. She wrote to him, not long before she died, asked him to keep it secret. He did, of course, but it didn't matter in the end. Voldemort robbed me of one family and fate has robbed me of ever making my own. One day soon, my name will join theirs on this gravestone."
"Harry," Hermione whispered but Harry continued talking.
"There's just one problem. I've spent my entire life preparing to die. It has to happen if we stand any chance of killing Riddle for good, this much I've known for years and come to accept. My whole life I've reminded myself constantly that no matter what I do, no matter how many people I make bonds with, how many commitments I have, none of them could be more important than doing what had to be done when the time came and until now I had no problem with that. But now... now I have something worth losing. I don't want to lose you, Hermione. I know I have to, but... I don't want to die."
"I won't let you," Hermione said, gently placing her hand on Harry's cheek as he turned to look into her eyes. "I stopped you from dying once, I'll do it again. We'll find a way. And when we kill that Riddle bastard and walk away from this alive and free, maybe we won't be able to have a family of our own, but we'll find other adventures and fuck those up together instead. Am I understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Harry chuckled and pulled Hermione's head to his, resting his forehead on hers for a moment. "See," he said after a while, glancing at the Potter's gravestone again, "this is why I think you'd like her."
The pair stayed knelt by the grave for a while longer, paying no attention to the cold or the distant noise of partygoers returning home or the shadow that had been watching them from the dark of the church and now slunk away into the night.
Harry didn't open his eyes when he first awoke, convinced the noise that had disturbed him from his sleep had simply been the usual nightly noises of the Manor. He felt Hermione's light breath on his chest and tightened his hold on her slightly, gently stroking her hair with the arm that she was not lay on as they cuddled. Harry could think of nothing better in this world than holding Hermione in his arms and drifting off to sleep as the fire in the hearth at the foot of the bed crackled away and rain gently thumped against the windows. However, the fire was reduced to little more than a cinder and the room was deathly silent now, without even a hint of the pitter patter of rain to be found, so Harry settled for returning to sleep with Hermione holding him close to her. At least, he would have done if the noise that had woken him hadn't repeated itself once more, this time for him to hear more clearly, a noise like the vibrating of a phone on a bedside cabinet. Recognising this noise, Harry slowly and gently twisted himself in such a way as to be able to reach his phone without waking Hermione and answered the phone without checking the caller ID.
"Potter," he whispered as quietly as possible, but before he could ask the caller to be as quiet as possible given what time it was, Tonks' voice rattled his eardrums.
"Harry, we got him," she said, sounding both excited and anxious. "We got Pettigrew."
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