Title: HP and the truth of the wand

Disclaimer: I don't own them! Happy now?

Chapter 3: Losing the One You Treasure

A/n: this chapter is more or less all about Hermione. Her feelings towards Harry, how Harry feels about her and so forth.

This couldn't be happening. Harry starred down at the sobbing heap that was once Hermione in his arms. This was Hermione Granger! The smartest girl at Hogwarts! She couldn't be getting expelled! "Are you sure?" he asked.

She had a letter clenched tight in her hands.

            "Let me see," Ron said gently and took the letter from her. Harry lead Hermione over to the sofa and set her down.

Harry got up and read the letter over Ron's shoulder.

There was a fancy letterhead with the Ministry of Magic seal.

            Dear Miss Hermione Granger,

            It is with upmost displeasure to recall the events of the previous summer. Due to an inonamous tip, we got word that your broken broom was found by Muggles and examined closely. It took the Ministry its fine wizards to get your broom back safely into the wizarding world. Due to your carelessness of ignoring the Underage Wizardry law that states that no witch or wizard under eighteen is permitted to use any magical device in the Muggle world, it is with a heavy heart that we expel you from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and hereby forbid you to practice in London. You may take your studies elsewhere. If the Ministry is contacted again of you frugulent behavior, you will be banned from all wizarding schools. Your disposal takes place three days from this date, and your headmasters will be notified.

            Regards,

            Corneilius Fudge

            Minister of Magic

            "They can't do this," Harry said. "You didn't do anything wrong!"

            "I'll fix this," Ron vowed. "My dad and Percy work for the Ministry. They know we were rescuing Harry. Don't worry, Hermione!" Ron raced out of the room and toward the Owlery, screaming "Pig!" all the way.

            "My parents…" Hermione said hoarsely, she had stopped crying and now tore a tattered tissue to shreds. "my parents are furious. I've… I've never seen them so angry. There were here earlier, when McGonagall called me from Charms."

Harry sat down next to her on the sofa. "I'm not about to let you go without a fight. You do know that?"

            "Thanks." Her eyes filled with tears again. "I just don't see…" she rested her head on his shoulder.

Harry slid his arm over her shoulders.

            "I'm scared, Harry." She said, after a few minutes of silence.

Harry opened his mouth to say something, but quickly shut it. What the hell could he tell her? Everything was going to be al right? He didn't know that. All he knew was that people with power far above him were taking Hermione away from him, and he wasn't sure if he could stop them. "I'm here for you, me and Ron…" he promised. "No matter what happens, always know that. Day or night, any time, you need anything, send me an owl and I will come."

            "Oh, Harry…" she said, her bottom lip quivering. "I'm so glad I have you."

Harry grinned. "You'll always have me."

            "If…" she paused, wiping her eyes. "If… if I never see you again…"

            "Don't say that," he snapped. "Me and Ron, and Mr. Weasley and Percy, we'll work this out."

            "Let me finish," she said. "There's something I want you to know."

Harry turned to her.

            "I'm in love with you," she said slowly and clearly, starring at her hands.

Harry turned as red as the Hogwarts Express. Hermione in love with him? Was she serious? "Herm," he said, patting her hand. "You're upset right now, and people say things they don't mean when they're upset."

            "No!" she said defiantly. "Harry, I have loved you since we were freshman."

Harry grinned and turned to her. "Why didn't you say anything?"

            "Because…" she turned red too "I was an ugly little fuzzball with buck-teeth… and you were popular, well, you still are, but you liked Cho in second year and…"

Harry's heart deflated at the sound of Cho's name. Yeah, he had liked her for about a couple of years. But when he had danced with her at the Yule Ball, all she could talk about was how Hermione and Ron were bringing down his social status. Harry had left her in the middle of the dance floor.

            "You're not ugly," he said. "And, my feelings for you have changed, Hermione. Before, you were like my little sister. And now…"

            "Help is on the way!" Ron announced, climbing through the portrait hole. He starred at them sitting so close together. "Uhm… right."

            "Thanks, Ron." Hermione smiled at him.

He grinned and shrugged. "Least I could do."

Mr. Weasley's head appeared in the fireplace a few minutes later. "Kids!" he cried.

            "Dad, I just sent you an owl!" Ron cried.

            "I heard about the Ministry expelling you, Hermione. Let me first tell you that this is very unlikely. They usually send you a warning, but that eye witness…"

            "Eye witness?!" Hermione yelled. "It was midnight!"

            "Is there anyone who could have saw anything? Anything at all?" Mr. Weasley said.

            "What did this eye witness say exactly, Mr. Weasley?" Harry piped up.

            "Well, they knew Ron and Hermione went to get you, Harry, even knew that your aunt didn't clean your room. They told the Ministry that you broke your broom over a Muggle's head. They knew what kind of new broom you got in Diagon Alley. It was as if you were being followed."

            "I would never hurt a Muggle!" Hermione cried. "My parents are Muggles!"

Ron's mouth dropped open. "HERMIONE!"

            "What?" she asked, biting her bottom lip.

            "Skeeter!" Harry finished for him.

            "Precisely!" Ron yelled, grinning at Harry.

Hermione went pale. She checked her robes, and then ran up to her room. She came back a few minutes later, trembling. "It's gone! The jar I kept her in--- it's gone!"

            "Did you have it with you when we went to get Harry?" Ron asked.

            "Of course," she replied. "But I put an unbreakable charm on the jar… the train! Someone stole something out of my robes, remember?"

            "Damn that cow!" Harry cried. "Whoever took it released her. And you know that she was just dying to lay the dirt on you, Hermione."

            "What are we going to do!?" Hermione screeched, throwing her arms up in frustration.

            "That," Mr. Weasley said. "Hermione, Percy and I are working around the clock to help you. But…"

Hermione's eyes filled with tears again.

            "We can't get a date to see Fudge until two weeks from now."

            "I'm going to have to leave Hogwarts," she said, tears spilling out of her eyes.

            "You'll be back before you know it," Mr. Weasley said. "Don't you think that if a Muggle WERE attacked, that they'd report it to those--- pleasemen?"

Harry gave a small smile. "No report?"

            "No report." Mr. Weasley smiled.

            "See?" Ron said gently. "You'll be back soon."

            "I have to go, but I'll keep you posted." Mr. Weasley's head disappeared.

Hermione let her breath out in a whoosh.

            "There's nothing to worry about," Harry told her. "Tomorrow's my first Quidditch match. I want you to come. Don't let Skeeter get you down."

            "Okay," Hermione said reluctantly. "I want to spend as much time with you as I can."

            "Just use this little vacation for some R&R," Ron said. "If anyone, you earned it."

Lee Jordan's voice boomed over the field the next day. "And the new captain for Gryffindor, Harry Potter!!!!"

Harry flew out to thunderous applause. He went and sat midair on his Firebolt near Katie. She smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up. And the game was underway.

            "Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff, here we go! Spinnet with the Quaffle… she's heading downfield… a pass to Angelina--- SCORE! Ten-zip Gryffindor!!!!!"

Harry looked over to the Gryffindor side of the stands. He saw Ron and Hermione, applauding loudly. He smiled. Having his best friends there, he felt like he could do anything.          

            "Wow! Gertrude, a Hufflepuff chaser gets knocked stupid with a bludger by George Weasley!!!!" Lee shouted, a huge grin on his face.

Harry felt George fly by him and pat him on the back.

A flint of gold caught his eye, right behind George. Harry dove for it, knocking into George. They both fell to the ground, Harry outstretching his hands for the little ball. And finally- his fingers curled around it. He and George hit the ground hard. George had a bloody nose, but he kept insisting, "did you get it? Did you get it?"

Harry grinned and raised his hand.

            "GRYFFINDOR WINS! GRYFFINDOR WINS! They shut out Hufflepuff!!!!" Jordan yelled to the massive crowd, most waving red and gold banners.

The next two days went by too quickly for Harry. One minute, Hermione was smiling and cheering with Ron at the game, the next, they stood by the horseless carriages with everything Hermione had brought with her. Ron had his head bowed and hands stuffed in the pockets of his robes. He seemed to be shuffling his feet a lot. Harry was as silent as Ron; he felt like a part of him was dying. Hermione tried to stifle her sobs and hold her head high, but this was just too much. Ron and Harry meant everything to her. And Hogwarts was her home. Now, it was gone. Everything she worked for, all of her dreams shattered.

When the house-elf had heaved her last parcel into the carriage, the door opened and out stepped a woman with her nose turned up, and she looked at the tree of them coldly. "I'm Madeline Tulley from the Ministry. I'm here to collect Ms. Hermione Granger." She stared at Hermione. "That's you, I assume?"

            "No, it's me." Ron said softly.

Tulley looked at him like he was a worm under her boot. She turned her head back to Hermione. "Your parents are not permitting you to return to the Muggle world at this time. I will be accompanying you to Durmstrag. Step lively, please." She turned and got back into the carriage.

            "Durmstrag," Ron muttered.

            "Bye, Ron." Hermione said, outstretching her arms and giving him a tight hug.

            "It'll be al right, Herm." Ron said, giving a hug back.

            "This isn't goodbye," Harry told her when she turned to say goodbye to him.

Hermione gave a weak smile. "I hope you're right," she whispered, looping her arms around his neck.

Let me stay here forever, she thought, resting her head on his shoulder.

            "Ahem! Ms. Granger!!!!" Tulley called from the carriage.

            "Ah, leave 'em alone, ya old bat!" Ron cried angrily.

Tulley "hmpfed!" from the carriage."I'll have you know, little boy---"

            "I'm coming!" Hermione said, raising her head and starring straight into Harry's Emerald eyes. She loved his eyes. "Don't forget what I said," she whispered.

            "I won't," he replied, giving a small smile.

Hermione stood still for a moment, and then seized the opportunity to kiss Harry. She gave a small nod to each of them, and then got into the carriage. It sped off, leaving Harry and Ron to watch it until it was just a memory.

Harry rubbed his lips with his fingers. They were still warm from Hermione. "I love you!" he wanted to shout to repeatedly to her, but just couldn't find his voice. "I love you," he whispered in the direction the carriage had left, hoping the wind would carry his words to Hermione.

 (A/n: I COULD have ended the chapter here--- but I decided to be nice, since it is the holidays and all and continue it a tad more!!! Merry Christmas!)

            "This bites!" Ron said irritably, slamming his Potions book shut so hard, everyone in the Gryffindor common room turned their heads.

It was a day later, and by now, everyone had heard all about the Hermione/Muggle incident. He and Ron were bombarded with "Did she REALLY do that?" "Didn't know she had it in her!" "Hurting a Muggle- the injustice of it all!"

Harry had gotten so tired of telling people off, that he just gave them a glare that could melt ice. They were usually quiet after that.

            "I miss her too, Ron." Harry said miserably, starring across the table at the empty spot she usually sat.

Harry sat on his Firebolt the next day at his Quidditch match against Ravenclaw. He saw Ron sitting miserably alone in the stands, and waved his flag cheerfully at Harry. Soon, the game was underway. He tried to clear his mind, and focus on seeing gold for the snitch, but the name Hermione kept racing through his brain. He zoomed up and down the field. And then, like a bullet to his heart, he heard Madam Hooch's whistle. "Ravenclaw wins!"

Harry's jaw dropped. He saw Gabriel Hutley, the Ravenclaw seeker holding the small yellow ball in his hand.

            Harry threw his Quidditch gloves angrily across the Gryffindor common room.

            "Come on, Harry," a voice said behind him. The team plus Ron was behind him. Fred had just spoken.

            "Yeah, don't beat yourself up," Katie said. "You're still the best Seeker we ever had."

Ron put a hand on his shoulder. "How about we go write to her?"

Hedwig hooted happily when she saw Harry enter the Owlery. Ron walked beside him. Pig was ecstatic to see Ron, and in his blind happiness, hopped off his perch too quickly and collided with Hedwig. She snapped her beak at him angrily and flew to Harry's shoulder. Ron handed Harry a Quill, ink and parchment and sat down next to him to write his own letter.

Harry stared at the empty parchment. He dipped his Quill in the ink and started---

            Dear Hermione,

I lost my match against Ravenclaw yesterday. I just couldn't concentrate without you there. Don't blame yourself, though. I have been thinking constantly about what you told me. I feel the same way, Hermione. I love you too. Miss you more everyday and hope to have you back in my arms soon.

            Love,

Harry

He quickly folded the letter and attached it to Hedwig's leg. He turned to Ron, who was reading his letter excitedly to Pig. "…and you should see Parvati in Potions! Raising her hand like she has all the answers! You have got to come back quick, Herm!

Cheers,

Ron and Pig" Pig hooted happily at the sound of his name. Ron attached the letter to his leg and sent him out the window after Hedwig.

"Miss your girlfriend, Potter?"

A voice as cold as ice drawled behind them. It was Malfoy; Harry could spot his irritating tone anywhere.

            "Come to gloat, as usual, Malfoy?" Ron gritted his teeth.

Harry wheeled around. He was in no mood for Malfoy's shit.

            "Relax, Weasley." Malfoy grinned. "I know the Mudblood's innocent."

            "You watch your mouth before I knock out your teeth," Harry vowed.

            "Tsk, tsk, tsk." Malfoy said. "What would happen if the Daily Prophet heard these threats?"

A light switch turned on in Harry's head. Malfoy--- "Mudblood's innocent" "what would the daily prophet do if they heard these threats?"

The train! Hermione--- "Someone stole something out of my robes!" "Skeeter's gone!"

Harry ran to Malfoy and grabbed the front of his robes. "You stole Skeeter from Hermione on the train, didn't you?!"

Malfoy laughed. "You go right ahead and try and prove it, Potter. The Mudblood will get into more trouble--- keeping Rita in that jar."

            "It was where she belonged," Ron growled, stepping up to Malfoy as well.

            "The Mudblood will probably burn for this," Malfoy grinned. "Not a moment too soon, I'd say."

That was it. Harry's fist connected with Malfoy's jaw as he and Ron were determined to kill him.

End of chapter 3!!! Review, so more chapters I can give you! Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first two chapters!!!

End of Chapter 3!!!! Review, Review, Reviews are good for you!