Animus Mansion
Saturday - Night of the party
She doesn't like her reflection on the mirror. Not because of her dress, no. Her dress is beautiful and she can't deny how well it fits her. She doesn't like her reflection because her smile looks fake, her eyes are sad and she knows she's about to go through one hell of a night.
"Are you ready?" Ron asks, standing at the threshold.
Harry invited all of them to the party and she can't stop the chill down her spine every time she thinks about entering the Potter Manor again and having to face Cho behaving like she owns the place. Not to mention the memories she's sure are coming back the moment she steps inside the house. She hasn't seen Harry since their encounter in her office. He hasn't reached out to her, but their connection changed since Azkaban. She hadn't noticed it earlier because she was still recovering, but now… it's undeniable how good it feels. Powerful. However, it's impossible to tell what they'll face tonight, it's hard to predict how Harry will behave, how he'll treat her… She sighs. If her heart is right, Harry is on their side, even if it doesn't look like. She's eager to be sure.
"I am." She turns to Ron. "How do I look?"
Ron raises his eyebrows and says, "Dangerous." Hermione gives him a smile. Her hair is loose, framing her face with big waves and she's wearing a long strapless black dress. It's simple but, it hugs to her body and the cut on its side goes all the way up to her thigh, not showing everything but leaving little to imagination when it comes to her leg. She knows Harry loves her legs. Her high heels are also black. The outfit matches her dark mood.
"Good."
She turns around one last time to look at herself and her hand goes over the jewelry she's wearing. Harry expressed on the invitation that no wands are allowed inside the house, so, everyone is going to get theirs confiscated at the entrance. Hermione thought a lot about a way of entering the place with the Elder Wand and as she presses her fingers against the diamond bracelet she's wearing she thinks how easy it was to turn the wand into it. And I did it wandless. She doesn't want to think about how much more powerful she's feeling.
Pursing her lips she checks her earrings one last time before descending the stairs with Ron. They meet Draco, Ginny and Luna at the foyer. They know it's a fancy party and they're all dressed accordingly. Hermione takes a moment to look at them, her mind going over what they planned. Tonight they're taking Harry's cloak and each has a part to play.
"Are we sure about this?" She asks. When they started discussing it, all of them instinctively gave her the leadership and she took it, aware of how things can go wrong easily. She was against Draco and Ginny's participation at first, they have two kids, but both argued she 'too has two kids and is, in fact, pregnant.'
"We need to do this, Hermione." Draco says. "You know it. There's no other way."
She exhales deeply. "Okay. Let's go."
Potter Manor
The party
The apparating point is just a few feet away from the front door. They're fashionably late and apart from two wizards entering the house and three reporters on the outside, there's no one else there. They can't hear voices or music or anything and Hermione purses her lips, wary.
"So, we just knock?" Ginny says as they walk to the front door.
Differently from Laura and Lily's party, the atmosphere doesn't seem light, especially when an enormous man opens the door and scowls at them, Hermione immediately understands he's some kind of security and probably the one confiscating their wands. Draco, Ginny, Luna and Ron go in front of her, the man scanning them with his wand and a spell, making sure they're not caring another wand apart from the one they're giving him. Hermione notices she's sweating a little, there's no way of knowing if the man will be capable of telling that her bracelet is a wand.
The four enter in front of her and wait, but the moment she puts one foot inside the house for the checking, Harry appears looking extremely handsome in a blue tuxedo. "Let me." He says to the man and takes his wand, stopping in front of Hermione. Her breathe hitches the moment their eyes meet. Hermione was sure she could fool the security, but not Harry, there's no way he won't notice she's with the Elder Wand. It takes her a moment to notice that he's measuring her up. He finally clears his throat and shakes his head. "Where's your wand?"
They all brought their wands to leave at the entrance, they imagined it would be easier and less suspicious to give them away than to pretend they hadn't brought. She takes a deep breath and fetches her wand from a holster on her covered thigh. She can't say the way he sets his jaw when he sees her legs isn't satisfying. "Here." She gives it to him and Harry weights the wand in his palm, his eyes on hers.
"Where's your other wand, Hermione?"
"What wand?" She blinks innocently.
They stay there for a full minute, just staring at each other and she widens her eyes when he raises the wand he took from the man to check her body. Hermione closes her eyes as she feels him performing the spell through their connection. She opens them when he's finished. His eyes go directly to her bracelet and she feels like falling, her heart beating loudly in her ears, waiting for him to demand she gives the Elder Wand away. Of course she's ready to flee if that's the case, but she really hoped they would retrieve the cloak tonight.
But her fears are unfounded as Harry looks back at her face and opens a discreet smile. "They're clean." He says to the door man. "Hope you enjoy the party." He addresses all of them and turns to leave, but then he stops a few feet away and says, "You look beautiful, Hermione." She glances at him and he's staring back at her, his eyes telling her something.
"Thank you."
"Be careful." He says and walks away and her eyes follow him as he disappears turning a corner.
"What?" Luna asks her as they enter further into the mansion, but Hermione just shakes her head.
They decided Draco and Ginny would mingle together, the same way Ron and Luna while Hermione should be on her own. She takes short steps as her eyes scan everything. The house is packed, there are people everywhere, talking, laughing, smoking and drinking. She recognizes most of them, traditional families, those openly opposed to her position as Minister. She fetches a glass of water, her throat dry when she realizes she walked into a living nightmare.
Then, she sees them. Harry and Cho. And… Marga.
A coldness so tremendous takes over her she's afraid she won't be able to move anymore. Marga wasn't supposed to be there. She never attended any of the parties. Hermione glances at Ginny and Draco and they're looking back at her from the other side of the room, both stunned just like her. She's ashamed to admit she feels extremely scared the moment she notices Marga coming to her in a straight line, her eyes set and her posture totally different from the fragile old lady. Hermione ponders if she should flee, if she's being an idiot behaving like an easy target like that, have we walked into a trap? She grits her teeth. Probably.
"Hermione." Marga stops in front of her.
"Marga. What a surprise." She's being honest. "You look well." Too well.
"I feel amazing. I guess living here with Harry is doing me wonders."
Hermione tries not reacting, but she's sure Marga smiles at the way she flinches. "You're living here? That's really wonderful." She has him under her thumb. "So, tell me, are these parties any fun?"
Marga smiles again, squinting. "It doesn't seem like it because this one just started, but I hope you find a way to have some fun, dear. You need it."
Hermione drinks her water to stop the words she really wants to say to Marga from coming out. She excuses herself and heads to the toilet. Her eyes wander the place and she sees Luna and Ron talking to Harry and Cho, his green eyes on her as she distances herself from Marga. Now she isn't sure of what to do. Marga being there changes everything, she's too powerful and there's no way of them pulling anything off, she would see right through them, wouldn't she? And-
She stops as she bumps into someone. It's Ava VanTanden. The woman scrunches her nose at Hermione and even if she's way shorter than her, Ava looks taller and menacing. "I told Marga she shouldn't allow you here." The woman is spitting the words at her. "A mudblood like you shouldn't even be alive, much less-"
"Ava." Harry's voice comes from behind Hermione and she turns slightly to look at him. His eyes are shooting daggers at the older woman. "That's no way to treat the Minister." Ava is ready to respond, but Harry is faster, "And I'm the one responsible for this party, remember?" Hermione doesn't quite grasp their exchange, but Ava gives Harry a dirty look and walks away.
"I'm sorry." He says, "You shouldn't feel uncomfortable at a party I invited you." "Don't react." He says into her mind and she really tries looking as normal as possible. "Yes, there are a few families here tonight that don't accept you as Minister, but I hope that won't be a problem, if you steer away from them things should be fine." "Meet me at the study in five." He gives her a tight smile and walks away, his feet fast leading him back to Cho. Hermione watches as he kisses her, embracing her waist. Her heart aches.
And now she really needs to get to the toilet. She spots Ginny and Luna walking together and exiting the room, Hermione follows them and they finally meet inside the bathroom. Wandlessly she muffles the sound around them.
"Are you okay?" Ginny asks. "You look pale."
"I'm not sure." Hermione says and paces inside the enormous bathroom. "Harry is saying things to me, telling me to be careful and he wants to talk to me in the study in a few minutes and I don't know what to do, I don't know if I can trust him I don't know if we should go on with the plan with Marga here, I-"
"Ow, Hermione. Breathe."
She supports herself on the sink, breathing hard. "I'm not sure going through with the plan is the best." Luna says and Ginny agrees.
"Look, Draco is having doubts too, Marga's presence is a little…"
"Frightening?" Hermione completes and they agree. "It feels like a trap." She narrows her eyes. "If I was only sure I could trust Harry…"
"We can't count on it, but you should meet him, see what he wants, hear what he has to say." Ginny says, her hands on Hermione's shoulders. "I'll tell Draco about it and we'll be looking out for you, I don't care if we have to take down all these insufferable people. Okay?"
Hermione nods, thankful for her words.
"Then, after hearing what Harry has to say we can decide if we're moving on with the plan or not." Luna says and they agree.
Hermione nods at them once before leaving the bathroom and heading to his study. It's the best place to meet since the room is very secluded from the rest of the house. When she steps inside, the room is empty, but it doesn't take him more than ten seconds to appear and protect the place with a spell.
Then they just stand there. Hermione totally unsure and Harry looking more like Harry than any other time since she woke up from her coma, however, she tries not getting her hopes up. "What's happening?" She asks, finally.
"You shouldn't be here." He says, his eyes on the floor, his hands in his pockets.
"What are you talking about? You invited me."
He looks up and strides to her, his eyes wild. "I didn't think you would actually come!" He's angry but his voice is low.
"What do you mean, Harry?"
"I mean this place is full of people who wants to murder you!"
She opens her mouth, unsure and frustrated. "So why did you invite me?"
"Because she commanded me!" He runs his hands through his hair, looking totally lost. "You need to leave. Right now, Hermione."
He's pacing around, but she's so confused her mind and body aren't working, so, she just stands there and he stops in front of her. It's… "Harry." She says and he collapses right before her eyes, his face finally changing from that seriousness and his eyes burning for her. She holds her tears and restrains herself from hugging him, the memory of what happened at the wine cellar still printed into her mind even after Azkaban and their meeting inside her office.
"I shouldn't- I shouldn't tell you." He says.
"What? Tell me what?"
"There's no time for that now." To her surprise, he hugs her, his strong arms firm around her and against her better judgment she lets herself melt in his arms, their connection feeling right again after a long time. "I don't know what you're planning, but you have to leave."
"No." She says, her voice wavering. "Are you her prisoner?" If he's talking she needs to make questions, it's her chance to understand more about this control Marga has over him. He shakes his head and releases her.
"Not exactly. But she-" He stops and his eyes go up as he perks his ears, listening to something she can't quite grasp. He touches her forehead with his after a while. "Please, leave."
"Give me the cloak." She says and he widens his eyes at her.
"Is that your plan?" She feels strange when he says that as if she shouldn't have said anything, but she nods curtly and he releases her, his eyes turning cold again. It's painful to watch. He takes a deep breath and opens a smile, but a nasty one. "You can't pull that off."
"Harry."
"You shouldn't trust me, Hermione." Hermione bites the inside of her cheeks, she knew this was coming, but the knowledge didn't make it any easier. It's absurd the way he changes from one Harry to the other, like there's actually two of them. "I told you to be stronger."
That's when she finally changes her posture and… sneers. "You did. Thank you for that." Hermione says and is delighted to see his confusion. "I took your advice, Harry. That's why you're here with me now and not watching over your Hallows upstairs." He opens his mouth, unsure. "That's why I'll be out of here in a few minutes with your cloak."
Two days before
Weasley & Weasley Joke Shop
"Look, you have to believe me, if you go to this party, they'll be ready!" Jack says as they all look at him with skeptical faces.
"But how? They can't be sure that we're planning something." Draco says, his voice showing all his suspicion. It was hard enough to get him in the same room with Jack without creating a huge discomfort. "How can we know you're not the one trying to fool us?"
Jack sighs and then hits his open hand on the table. "If you don't listen to me you're all dying inside that house!"
"So, okay, fine," Hermione says, "What do you suggest?"
"You need to come up with two plans, one for the show and the real one." Jack points at Hermione. "Harry will have his eyes on you, I'm sure. Marga and Cho will be watching the others."
"Is Marga going to be there?" Hermione asks, her insides twisting.
"Yes. Especially if you're there. She controls Harry, but she doesn't trust him entirely." He shrugs. "She knows he might turn back because of Hermione." He says that with some resistance. "I mean, you're pregnant and I'm pretty sure Marga knows it's his… and look, even if I hate him I don't think he's ever going to hurt you, physically, at least."
She agrees. Not that his words won't hurt.
"What do you mean with two plans?"
"They'll be tracking all of you, enter that house aware that no spell can protect your conversations and actions. You have to be genuine, you have to show you're afraid of them."
Harry's study
Harry snorts. "You're lying. There's no one upstairs."
"Am I, Harry?" He frowns. "You thought I would be the one going for the cloak since I have the Elder Wand, right? Because of course, how would any of them be able to protect themselves without a wand?" She fakes fear.
Two days before
Weasley & Weasley Joke Shop
After Jack leaves, they all sit to think about his words. "Okay, I think we can do this." Draco says, smiling. "You have a plan, don't you?" He asks her directly.
Hermione nods. "I do."
"Let's hear it." Ron says.
Taking a deep breath she begins, "Before anything, for this to work we have to trust Jack's words and be on the same page. Are we trusting what he told us? Are we sure they're going to be ready for us? Are we sure Marga is going to be there? We have to consider these things."
"I hate him." Ginny says, "But, I don't think he's lying, and in a way he's right. We have to be extremely careful… entering this party is going to be almost the same as entering a trap."
The others agree with Ginny. Hermione goes on, "Okay. Harry keeps the Hallows inside a safe, in his room. I'm sure the only way to open it is whit his blood."
Ron whistles. "That difficult things a bit."
"Yes and no." Hermione says and her eyes stay on Ron and Luna. "You two will be responsible for that." They raise their eyebrows. "Hear me out, we can't lose any time, we have to be fast and effective. Not long after we've arrived you need to talk to Harry, Chang will probably be with him and the subject must be your wedding, since you invited them you have this excuse to start a conversation, that's when you'll be taking his blood."
"How?" Luna asks.
Hermione moves her hands and a vial appears. "Jack used my blood in a vial to be able to apparate inside my house, I've studied this since he gave me, it's a simple spell, not sophisticated at all, kinda of stupid." She scrunches her nose. "All you have to do is think about the incantation while the vial touches the person's skin. The longer it touches the skin more blood it draws. Harry will notice if it's something too obvious, like a jewelry, but if it's…" She moves her hands again and two cufflinks appear. "You'll have to do it, Ron, just touch his skin."
"Blimey, Hermione, how in the world? I don't even know if I can perform the spell."
"You can. Let's try now." She's firm and after snorting, he obeys, fetching the cufflinks and memorizing the incantation she's reciting to him. Ron takes a few breaths while they all watch him and then he turns to Luna, the cufflinks touching her hands. It takes longer than Hermione thought, but he does it, they actually see the blood entering the little beads. Ron blinks, surprised.
"I did it." He says.
"Of course you did."
"Won't he know?"
She purses her lips. "I don't think so. He won't be expecting this from you, he'll be watching me and I'll be as far as I can from you."
Harry's study
"You're trying to fool me." He nods to himself. "Trying to make me run upstairs and create a scene, maybe something worthy of a havoc, something that will confuse people and make it possible for you to take the cloak. I'm not buying it, Hermione." He looks angry and she shrugs.
"Be my guest, Harry. Believe whatever you want."
She waits in place, her heart beating wildly, she can feel his magic erratic against hers and she wonders if she can stall him long enough for the others to do their parts. His eyes go back to her.
"You said in the bathroom you would wait to see what I had to say."
She fakes outrage. "Were you listening? That's impolite." She sees him setting his jaw.
"You think just because our connection is closed off I can't tell what you're feeling, Hermione? You've been afraid since you set foot in this house." She can't help smiling at his words.
Two days before
Weasley & Weasley Joke Shop
"What about the plan for the show?" Draco asks.
"Harry knows us, even if he's acting like a stranger, he can tell our emotions, he can see fear and track our actions. So, we need to think and act like we're doomed from the very start."
"I like that." Ginny says. "This is going to be fun."
"Ron, after you retrieve his blood, you'll give it to Luna. I'm sure by then some pureblood will have said nasty things to me and that's when Ginny is joining Luna and we'll meet in the bathroom. Ginny will take the blood and we'll talk about how scared we are, how Marga's presence changes things and we'll consider pulling the plug on everything. I'll cast a spell around us, but we need to presume Harry will be listening."
"Okay, I can be very dramatic." Ginny says.
"Tell me about it." Draco mumbles and she slaps his arm.
"Draco, you're the Auror here, the one with the training, the one capable of dealing with things even without a wand, so, after the bathroom Ginny will give you Harry's blood and you'll be the one taking the cloak."
"What about you, Hermione?" Luna asks.
"I'll be bait."
Harry's study
"Just because I'm afraid it doesn't mean I'm not prepared, Harry. You should know better."
He doesn't react for a while, his eyes on her, trying to decipher if she really means what she's saying or if she's just playing with him. He looks down and shakes his head and that's the moment she's sure he's leaving the study and striding upstairs ruining everything, but…
He looks up, back at her, and there's a glimmer of something she recognizes well in his eyes, but maybe she's fooling herself, hoping too much - he's proud of me - but it's soon gone and he opens a little smile, chuckling humorlessly. Harry pockets his hands and this time, when he takes a few steps to her, she actually takes one back and he raises one eyebrow. "See?" He says. "You're afraid."
She inhales sharply. "But not of you." He takes another step and she stays put this time as he stops close to her. Harry is a head taller and he glances down at her.
"So, you don't believe me?" She asks, sounding unsure, now really intrigued. Harry just shrugs.
"If you're telling me the truth, then there's nothing I can do, Draco probably got my cloak by now. He's the one taking it, right?" She swallows hard, not answering. "I would rather waste my time with something worthy of it." He leans, his mouth a nose away from hers. "Don't you agree?"
If she could control her heartbeats, she would. "Don't you care we're taking your cloak?" Her voice is low and her eyes are on his.
"Not really." He answers and she tries her best to ignore her increasing desire to kiss him. She doesn't move and he doesn't either, teasing her by standing very close.
"Why?" She asks.
"If you planned this," He tilts his head, "I know you'll succeed. It's you, Hermione." He says as if stating something obvious. "But I have to say I'm curious about how you're going to get out of here with the cloak. You're the only one capable of doing that wandlessly, but here you are…" He trails, his eyes roaming her face.
Two days before
Weasley & Weasley Joke Shop
"Fine, you'll be distracting Harry, but what about Marga and Cho?" Ginny asks.
Hermione sighs at that. She didn't want to go there, but she has no choice. "There's someone else who is going to help us." She says. She haven't even spoke to him yet, but she just knows he'll do whatever she wants.
"Who?" Ron asks.
"Killian." Hermione says and looks at Luna, seeing her eyes widening at the mention of her cousin. "I'm telling him strictly what he needs to know to help us, I'm sure he'll do it."
No one says a thing for a while. "How is he even getting inside?" Draco asks the obvious.
Hermione exhales. "We know these parties have at least two photographers inside, I'll polyjuice Killian as one of them. Then, when Draco goes upstairs to fetch the cloak, Killian will replace him at the party, again polyjuiced." They're all looking at her as if she'd grown a second head. "I know you don't approve, but he's someone they won't be expecting at all, I mean, we could use Jack, but I don't trust him. You don't either."
"Are you sure you want to get him this involved, Hermione? I mean, no offense to your cousin, Luna, but we barely know the guy." Ron says and Hermione sees Draco nodding behind him, agreeing.
"We can trust him." Luna says. "I've known him all my life and I know he'll be discreet."
"I know it's not ideal." Hermione goes on.
"Not at all." Draco says. "But fine, let's say he's up to it, let's say everything works out in the end, I'll get the cloak and then what? How are we getting out of there fast enough?" Hermione purses her lips and he snorts. "He's the one getting out with the cloak." He says, realizing her plan.
"They won't be tracking him. He'll be able to hide it inside his bag, the one where the photocamera was supposed to be and then he's out of there. We get the cloak and even if they suspect something, when they search us they won't find a thing."
"You're mental, you know that, right?" Ron says.
She smiles a little. "Yeah, well, I've heard it before."
"I say, let's do it." Ginny is the first to agree with her plan and everyone else follow.
Harry's study
Now she's really confused. She thought the moment he realized what they were doing he would try to stop it… but no, he's letting them get away with it. She tries stopping her heart from beating so fast, his actions are again speaking for themselves. He's on our side. He has to. She bites her lower lip, thinking, if Marga and Cho don't know I have the Elder Wand and he's letting us take the cloak this easy…
"Don't do that." He says.
"What?" She looks up at him, questioningly.
Suddenly he's cupping her face with one hand, warm, so Harry, his thumb going over her lips, stopping her biting. "This." He says.
Hermione has a difficult time breathing. She planned everything, she's sure Killian is out of the house with the cloak by now and here she is… gazing into Harry's eyes, lost in their moment, vulnerable. She didn't plan this. She sees his chest rising and falling, his own teeth catching his lower lip, an indecision crossing his eyes.
She kisses his thumb and he grunts. But they don't move. They don't dare.
And there it is again, the way he looks at her. Her theory has to be right. After Azkaban, after the way he saved her and especially after being sure of his suffering… he motions to take a step back, but she grabs his lapel with both hands, holding him in place, close to her. "It's for the show." Her voice is high pitched, she's feeling dizzy. "Isn't it? Don't lie to me again, please-" He cuts her words with his lips. It's amazing. It's right. Her arms go over his neck and his around her waist. She's crying. "I'm sorry I didn't notice it earlier." She says to him while they kiss and Harry moans, his tongue entering her mouth and driving them crazy. "I want you, Harry. I miss you, I miss you so much."
He stops the kiss and takes a step back. His eyes on hers, and he shakes his head. "It's too dangerous here." He says and that only excites her even more. "I don't care." She says back to him, kissing him again, one of her hands going down to her panties. Hermione gets rid of it pushing it down her legs, her sex throbbing. She keeps thinking how in the world she didn't see it before, how in the world she doubted him, she should have never doubted him, she should have known better. It was just for the show.
One of his hands goes to her lower back while the other is coming up from her exposed knee to her thigh and then finding her sex, both already lost and eager. Harry steers her to the wall, his strong arms leading her and his fast hands unbuckling his belt. It happens fast and in a blur her legs are around him, he's already inside her, pounding her against the wall, both muffling their sounds of pleasure. His pants on his ankles and her dress ridden up to her waist, it's one of the hottest encounters they ever had. Their lips never part and their movements are in perfect sync, their connection closed off but bright, alive.
"I love you, I love you." She keeps repeating the words to him each time he thrusts harder, their magic humming at the back of her mind. It's all very clear now that she opened her eyes to it. They're both reaching their peak, and she takes all of him with immense pleasure, she feels light as a feather the moment she comes, her nails into his jacket and his hips moving a few times yet as he comes hard too.
If she could she would stay there.
"I'm sorry about everything, especially Azkaban. I was so worried." He says, kissing her cheek and pulling out of her, wandlessly recomposing both of them. Reluctantly she lets him take a few steps from her.
"Tell me everything." She asks, her heart healing, her mind finally working properly, their magic stronger around them.
"Not here." He shakes his head to her and presses his index finger over his lips, telling her to be quiet. "Don't tell anyone and meet me in our dreams, love."
She gasps. They were real. She's barely containing her happiness, but she nods and he smiles at her. It's her Harry. He's there, he's always been here. He then takes a deep breath and his eyes change, the coldness back at them. "Fine," He says out loud, for the show, "come with me." And he grabs her arm and they exit the study, their feet fast.
But then Cho is there in the hallway. "Harry!" She comes to him and he releases Hermione's arm immediately. "Where were you?" It takes a beat for her to notice Hermione. "Granger."
"Chang." She's not even angry. Not after what they shared. But she is jealous. She grits her teeth when the other woman kisses Harry in front of her. Before Cho can say anything else, a tall man comes in their direction and Hermione freezes. It's Killian.
"Hermione, there you are. I was looking for you." He stops by Harry's side and they indulge in a little staring contest, both setting their jaws. Hermione barely register their little competition.
"Killian." She moves, taking his hand and briefly looking at Harry. "What are you doing here?"
"Who's this?" Cho asks and Hermione sees her eyes taking Killian in, the Veela blood doing its thing. And he looks absolutely ridiculous in his tux. Hermione can't deny how good looking the man is. The same way she can't deny how much he risked for her tonight. The thought is a little unsettling. She doesn't know why. "I'm Cho Chang." She extends her hand to him, but he ignores her, giving Hermione great satisfaction. Killian intertwine their fingers.
"Are you ready to go?" He asks.
"Yes." Hermione says and he smiles at her, making her smile too. Harry clears his throat.
"Healer Lovegood. It's nice to see you again." Killian gives him a curt nod and Harry's arm goes around Cho's waist. And they stay like that for a while, Hermione and Killian, Harry and Cho. She's not sure who's more uncomfortable.
Killian starts moving away with Hermione, but Cho's voice comes to them. "It's so early. Why don't you stay? The party is only getting started." Hermione can't wait for the day she'll have a say on what happens to Cho Chang. She's ready to answer her, but Harry is faster.
"The Minister should rest, dear. Take her home safely, Healer Lovegood." He looks so detached Hermione almost believes he doesn't care, but his eyes go over hers one last time before he steers Cho away from them, leaving a clear path for their departure.
When they're far enough, Hermione turns to Killian and asks quietly, "What are you doing here still?" He shakes his head and Ron and Luna come to them, the same as Draco and Ginny. They all look eager to leave. Hermione sighs. "Let's go."
As normally as possible they scatter and leave, separated. Hermione and Killian are the last ones and before she steps outside, his voice comes to her, "Don't forget. Our dreams." She smiles.
"See you soon."
Potter Manor
After the party
He's exhausted, but happy. Finally. She finally understood everything. Harry can't even measure the immensity of his relief, it wasn't easy for him to see her slipping away, to see the hurt in her eyes every time they met. He sits on his bed, getting rid of his clothes, at peace, but it doesn't last long.
"What's that smile?" Cho asks, entering the room.
"Nothing." He lies. "It was a good party." He mumbles and she agrees, excited. The moment she climbs on the bed and hugs him from behind, Harry closes his eyes, cursing mentally. He can't stand her anymore. She kisses his neck.
"It was." Another kiss. He doesn't move. "Do you think Granger is having her way with that healer?" Harry purses his lips. It was hard to see Hermione with him. He has no idea what kind of relationship they have, but that day at the Hospital they were hugging in a way he wished he hadn't seen… not to mention the fact that he's sure Killian was the one who woke her that night after Azkaban. He stayed with her at the hospital. Harry shrugs at Cho's words.
"I don't care. You shouldn't either."
She lets out a little laugh. "Oh, come on, I mean, he's way too handsome for her." Harry wonders if he's staying with Hermione tonight, if she'll be in his arms the moment he reaches her through their connection, the moment they find each other in their dreams. He gets up from the bed, annoyed by his thoughts and by Cho's presence. He has no desire in sharing his bed with her tonight, or ever, and as if answering his desperate call, Marga enters the room. Harry freezes. She never barges into his room.
"Marga. Is everything alright?"
"You tell me, Harry." She takes another step inside the room. "Did you find out anything about the Wand?" He shakes his head. Marga and Cho don't know Hermione has the Elder Wand, but they think Harry can fool Hermione, make her tell him where it is since he said it wasn't inside Dumbledore's thumb.
"Hermione's smart. She won't tell me. She doesn't trust me anymore." He almost lost her because of this sick game. And nothing pisses him more. He hurts physically every time he remembers what he said to her in the wine cellar, how she cried and professed her love and he had to force out a laugh, he had to say those words, I had to. The spell was over, Marga would be watching. "And to be honest, I don't think she knows where it is."
"Of course she does." Marga is angry. "She's Minister. You have to try harder, Potter."
"I'll. You have to give me time-"
"We don't have time!" She yells and he widens his eyes. "Do whatever you must." Then she turns around and leaves. She's this angry and she has no idea they took the cloak. Harry can't say he's impressed they pulled that off, Hermione is brilliant, she would come with a plan good and smooth enough. Cho is already there in front of him, kissing him. He sighs.
"Not now. I'm tired." He puts some distance between them, ignoring her angry face. Only in his boxers he lies on the bed. "In fact, I think you should go to your room." He knows how insulting it is to her that they don't share a bed at all times and he doesn't care at all, Cho is not the person he once thought. To put it simply, Hermione was always right, she's a bitch. But she doesn't argue, she just leaves and he sighs.
"Are you there?" He asks her, his heart beating fast, he's eager to talk to her, eager to see what she has to say. It warms him to remember the way she kept saying she loved him. It brings tears to his eyes to imagine that after everything he did she still loves him.
He wouldn't blame her if she didn't.
Hermione doesn't answer and he has a gut feeling she's already sleeping. He knows how much she sleeps when pregnant. He smiles. Now that they can talk freely, he'll talk about their baby… Thinking about the baby was the hardest part in all of this. He closes his eyes, if he sleeps soon enough, maybe they'll have more time in their dreams to talk, they'll have all the time in the world for him to explain everything.