A/N Is there any remote interest in me continuing the story? I don't have so many reviews for my chaps.! Please review, it makes my day! Enjoy the chapter! Linz and Eric, thank you for your continuing support!

Ginny stood there as white as chalk gazing at the frozen couple. She looked ready to faint. Hermione rose with Harry and the pair remained in place.

"Ginny, please don't be angry with either of us. We aren't sorry about being together but we are sorry if it causes you pain. Ginny, we haven't been the best of friends but I have loved Harry for a very long time."

"DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME ABOUT LOVING HARRY FOR A LONG TIME! I HAVE WANTED TO BE BY HIS SIDE SINCE I FIRST SAW HIM. YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO TAKE HIM FROM ME!" Ginny screamed.

"Ginny," Harry said sharply," I'm sorry but I like you just as a friend. Hermione and I love each other. Please, understand."

Looking furious but not wanting to scream at Harry, she whirled around and stalked off presumably to tell someone. Harry knew who that someone would be and Ron would come back to seek vengeance. Hermione shot him a look and he sighed. He sat down and pulled her gently with him. Sitting in his lap, he enveloped her in a warm embrace. No words were spoken for none were needed. The two loved each other and that was enough and understood.

The train slowed to a halt and the students disembarked. Harry and Hermione saw no sign of a crazed Ron, George, or Fred. Before the two stepped off, Harry kissed her lightly and squeezed her hand. She rewarded him with a brave smile and the two set off to the carriages. Hagrid waved a merry hand to them and crossed the lake with his first years.

Hogwarts loomed ahead and seemed like a welcome sight. Dumbledore waved to the students to sit down so he could give his start-of-term speech. "Ah, it is delightful to see you all. Mr.Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that anyone wandering around the school at night now will be subject to expulsion. Voldemort," the crowd gasped," has risen again and security will be tight. Professor McGonagall assures me that students will be in no harm with the new security measures. Our prefects are Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott, Terry Boot, Lisa Turpin, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter. Our Head Boy and Head Girl are not going to be identified for they are in my service. Now, please enjoy the feast!"

Harry and Hermione sat next to each other at the place nearest the staff table. Harry communicated wordlessly with Dumbledore and the professor's eyes were dim and not twinkling like usual. Harry turned back to his soup and whispered to Hermione that everything would be fine. He would explain everything later. Pressing a kiss to her temple, he sighed and wished they were alone. Looking around the table, Ron and Ginny were seated at the places nearest the door. Neither looked in their direction but were silent and ate quickly.

After dinner, Harry entwined his hands with Hermione's and led her through the school. They walked fast and soon approached the door to Dumbledore's office. Harry said The Griffin Lies In Wait and the gargoyle sprung away. Walking up the stairs, Harry brought something he had hidden in his cloak into the light. With a light knock, the pair went inside his office.

"Harry, you have come." Dumbledore said simply. "I trust you have the wand? Good, good. Hermione, I'm sure you are very curious to know what has been going on this summer since Voldemort's rebirth. Harry went not to a Quidditch camp but an Auror one. Harry now knows how do protect himself from attackers but that is just preparation for the next phase.

Harry is James Potter's son. James was a Mage, a wizard with heightened senses, gifts if you would. Harry is one too. He is the only person who can defeat Voldemort. There is a prophecy, a Mage attending Hogwarts would send lightning to kill the riddle. At his side a woman of knowledge would be his guide. Together, their love would cover the evil. This information is a shock to you I know. Please don't be angry toward Harry as he was just following my orders. Lily Potter's wand is that one sitting on top of the desk. Mr.Ollivander recovered it from the wreckage and restored it. Hermione, it is yours if you accept this. Let me know in a week's time for we have much to do. Voldemort is rising and we must stop it. Harry, Hermione, please follow me, I will let you share a bedroom for the night. Goodnight."

Hermione sat perched on the bed, rigid with shock. She couldn't believe what had just transpired. Harry and her were supposed to save the world. Harry had to be with her to do that. He didn't love her. It was all an act to get her to go along with it. No, it can't be. Harry wouldn't do that. He wouldn't. He would if he had a choice between lying to me and save the world or not. Oh my god. Harry stepped toward her but she suddenly jumped up. Her eyes blazed with fire and she looked coldly at him.

"I would never have expected you, of all people to do this to me. I loved you but you never loved me. It was all a ploy to get me to go along with this so called prophecy. No, forgive me but I will not go on with this charade. I will help you defeat Voldemort but no more of this Harry. No. It's over." She continued to stare at him silently and focusedly. His face twisted into a mask of horror and pain.

"NO, HERMIONE PLEASE DON'T DO THIS! I love you, I do. Please believe me when I say this. I wouldn't hurt you like that, I wouldn't make up my love for you." Harry said with heart-felt emotion. He couldn't describe his emotions right then. He was sad, hurt, angry, and mostly devastated from the fact that Hermione doubted his love for her. He loved her with his very being. Desperate to make her believe him, he pulled her roughly to him and their lips met in a frantic kiss. He tried to take all of his love and channel it through one passionate kiss. Hermione struggled but gave in and kissed him back. Their tears mixed as they kissed.

When he pulled back, she sobbed into his chest and whispered she was so sorry. He kissed her softly and she climbed into bed. The chair in the back would have been his bed but she pulled him back to her. He climbed into bed and put his arms around her. Nothing was said, none were needed. All that night, they drew comfort from each other.



A/N Hey, what do you think? I know the fact that Dumbledore letting them share a room is a little OOC, sorry. I just needed it for convenience. Please REVIEW!!