Title: Harry Potter and the Veneficus Quies (9/16)

Author: Atlantis Potter

E-mail: atlantispotter@yahoo.com

Category: Romance, Mystery

Keywords: Year 5, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Petunia

Rating: R

Spoilers: All Four Books.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N: Please R/R! If you like it, let me know. If you hate it, let me know! Thank yous are at the bottom of each chapter.

Harry Potter and the Veneficus Quies

Chapter Nine: The Black Void


The IMS classroom was empty save two people. The other eight students had finished their exam on Divination and left the classroom. Only Harry Potter and Cho Chang remained. Cho finished her test first and as soon as she had dotted her last sentence, she muttered something and the parchment disappeared. Instead of leaving, she sat and waited.

As soon as Harry had finished, his parchment disappeared and he gathered his things.

"Harry, could I talk to you?"

He had worked the entire term so far to avoid having the conversation he knew was coming. Somehow managing to push aside all feelings and thoughts of Cedric, he had been living happily and nightmare free for a few months and couldn't shake the feeling that it was all about to come crashing back down. "Sure, Cho, what's up?"

They walked together to the door of the classroom before she spoke again, "I wanted to talk to you about Cedric."

"Um, what about Cedric?"

"I don't know if you knew this or not, but we were going out at the end of last year."

How could he have not known? "Right. I knew that."

"Well, when Cedric, you know, passed, I wanted to blame you. I knew you liked me and I couldn't help but thinking that his death was partially your fault."

This is a nightmare.

"Now, I can look back on the situation and see it objectively, Harry. I know it's not your fault and I'm sorry that I ever believed that it was."

"Erm. Thank you. I'm glad you don't think that it's my fault."

"Thanks for talking to me Harry."

"Anytime," he nodded to her as she turned to go into her dorm. That was the weirdest experience of my life. Okay, maybe not the weirdest, but still... definitely the most awkward.

Hermione was waiting for him in the living room, a worried look on her face. "We've been called to Dumbledore's office."

"For what?"

"The letter didn't say."

Harry' s look matched Hermione's for every degree of worry. He dropped his stuff in the living room and they decided to walk to Dumbledore's office.

"Pumpkin pasty," Hermione muttered when they reached the gargoyle.

They waited for the staircase to deliver them to the door instead of rushing up the steps. Harry knocked once and the door opened slowly.

"Harry, Hermione, I'm glad you're here. If you and Ron would just follow me..." Dumbledore motioned towards the wall to the left of his desk. As the group neared the wall, a portion of it slid to the side, revealing a stone corridor. They walked down several sets of stairs before coming to an ancient wooden door. Dumbledore slid his finger down the door and Harry was reminded very much of Vault 713 at Gringotts...

The door opened on its hinges without so much as a creak. They entered a lavish looking suite. Immediately across the room was a large fireplace, flanked by filled bookcases. Two large armchairs sat in front of the fire with a table between them. One wall was completely made of windows and looked over the edge of the mountain that Hogwarts was perched upon. Several doors opened off the main room. One of the doors opened and Harry's aunt walked into the room.

"Hello Harry, Hermione. It's good to see you," she said as she kissed them both on their cheeks.

"Hey! I know you! You're that actress that disappeared a long time ago. I thought Voldemort killed you!" Ron said, looking at the young woman.

"Mr. Weasley, why don't you have a seat? I'm sure there are a few things that should be explained," Dumbledore said as he motioned towards another grouping of chairs by the windows. Suddenly, yet another door burst open. Harry turned in his chair and had never felt a greater sense of relief. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin had just rushed into the room. Sirius quickly made his way to Amarante and kissed her soundly on the lips. Harry did a double take as his aunt blushed.

"What in the hell is going on here?" said Ron, looking between Sirius and Ami.

Before Dumbledore could answer, Rachel and Richard Granger walked into the room, both greeting Hermione. Even before Ron had the chance to protest, the door that Harry, Hermione and Ron had come through slid open once more and Arabella walked into the room. She immediately rushed to Remus, who gathered her into his arms with a very audible sigh of relief.

"Mr. Weasley, sit down! We have some very important things to discuss and we cannot waste time by having you throwing a fit," Dumbledore commanded Ron, who had jumped out of his chair.

"To my left is Amarante Evans, sister of Lily Evans Potter and aunt to Harry. She took on the guise of Petunia Dursley as a protection for Harry, which I'm sure he'll be happy to explain in great detail at a later time. Drs. Richard and Rachel Granger are really Hermione's parents."

"So you've been living as muggles?" asked Ron, turning to Hermione's parents.

"Yes, since before you all were born," answered Rachel.

"Did Harry and Hermione know all of this?"

"But Professor Dumbledore, how can we see them?" Hermione questioned, ignoring Ron.

"Here, the Fidelius Charm does not work, for there is not a safer place than Hogwarts. I assure you, no evil can come upon them while they are here."

"Alright, then why are they here? And Remus and Sirius, shouldn't they be in hiding?" Harry gestured towards the two men sitting on the opposite side of the table.

"As you know, we cannot expect the ministry to help us in our silent war against Voldemort. Minister Connelly seems a bit reluctant to fully acknowledge Voldemort and the Wizards' Council seems no closer to admitting that he's back. During the Dark Years, we formed an Order consisting of Severus Snape, Lily and James Potter, Richard and Rachel Granger, Ami Evans, Sirius Black, Arabella Figg, Remus Lupin and Narcissa Malfoy."

The trio's mouths dropped in shock.

"Narcissa? Narcissa Malfoy? As in the wife of Dude Who is Really Evil, Lucius Malfoy?" Ron questioned.

Sirius snickered, "Of course, Narcissa. She's a true Gryffindor. Good old Lucius figured she'd been put in Gryffindor by mistake, still doesn't know that she's a Light witch."

"Of course, I am not in the Order, for it works better in even numbers and even better when it consists of couples," Remus and Arabella both blushed, "This group was particularly tight knit during school, even Severus tolerated everyone because of Narcissa. They'd have done anything to protect each other. This past year, we have been working our hardest to strengthen our network. Next year, we will make a new team induction, to replace Lily and James. You three, particularly Harry and Hermione, have already begun your training. Are you ready to help in the fight against Voldemort?"

The trio nodded.

"Excellent. Today, I brought you down here to discuss the operation with you in greater detail and to begin preparing you for your training, which may begin as early as next year. The important thing that you all must keep in mind is that you must stay together. Your strength is what will keep you alive."

"But, Professor, how can-"

"Another day, Miss Granger, another day."

Each member took turns describing his or her role in the Order. As they spoke, Harry began to see in his mind a very intricate, yet delicate web created to destroy the Dark Arts. As they discussed the past, Harry realized that they created a very formidable group; all of them were extraordinarily powerful.

It was Hermione who interrupted, "This sounds very elegant and mysterious, but what do you plan to do right now? There are plans for down the road, but I see a group composed of two wanted 'murderers', the wife of Voldemort's most feared Death Eater, a spy who is supposed to be a Death Eater and three people who supposedly no longer exist. You have a lot banking on uncertainty."

"Ms. Granger, I appreciate your concern and commend you on picking up how much of our mission relies on luck, but I'm afraid we have to go that route, for there is no other way. As far as Sirius and Remus go, the three of you must go on acting like you have. Ms. Granger, I heard your use of the term 'escaped convicts-" Hermione blushed "and it was a good cover-up. Ami, Rick, Rachel, Narcissa, they all have their own roles and obligations. You cannot worry about what the others are doing, you can only worry about yourselves."

This satisfied Hermione and the meeting drew to a close. Ami escorted Harry, Ron and Hermione back to Dumbledore's office. She gave Harry and Hermione very tight hugs, wishing them luck and shook Ron's hand before turning back to the war room, as Harry had begun calling the chamber.

The walk back to Gryffindor Tower was silent, with Harry sandwiched between the estranged couple. Harry and Hermione dropped Ron off and as soon as the portrait had swung closed and Hermione began cursing rather loudly, much to Harry's surprise.

"Hermione, can you do that with a Quaffle?"

"Oh stuff it, Harry. I can't believe they'd even consider letting Ron into the Order! He's the most unstable person I know."

"You mustn't worry about it. They have their reasons for everything."

"I suppose you're right, but honestly, Ronald Weasley, fighting evil..." she trailed off into a tirade under her breath.

Harry shook his head as he opened the door for Hermione who made a beeline for their dorm room.

Ginny stood up from her seat and walked over to Harry, greeting him with a hug. "Would you like to go for a flight tonight?" She whispered to him.

"Of course. Meet me here at 10:30."

She nodded and let go of Harry. He walked back to his dorm room for a short nap.

***

At 10:30, Harry was standing in the common room, holding his Firebolt and the Invisibility Cloak. Ginny met up with him and they walked from the room arm in arm, heading towards the Astronomy Tower.

Harry had never been up to the Astronomy Tower when there wasn't a class and he was surprised to see a few couples hiding behind various cabinets or other objects.

"Ginny? Are there always this many couples up here?"

"Honestly, Harry, what do you think the Astronomy Tower is for?"

"I assumed star gazing."

"Darling, sometimes you're splendidly naive."

"What?"

"Never mind, Harry. Come on," she said as she tugged at his arm. They walked to the circular staircase and headed to the top of the Tower. The air outside was somewhat chilly, but luckily there was no wind.

Harry tilted his head back to look at the stars before mounting the broomstick. Ginny climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. He took off at a leisurely pace, enjoying the brisk autumn air and the sparkling night sky. The higher they flew, the chillier the air and it wasn't long before Harry heard Ginny casting a warming spell over them. They soared high above the castle, the warm yellow lights seeming distant and cold.

Conversation was minimal; they were both enjoying the innate feeling that accompanied flight. When Harry began to feel the hard wood of the broomstick through his gloves, he dipped the broomstick and they alighted on top of the Tower.

Ginny hopped off of the broom and waited for Harry to dismount.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay out here and talk for awhile."

"Sure," Harry responded, resting the Firebolt against a wall.

They sat on the cold stone against the entrance to the Tower, close together and fingers intertwined.

Ginny was quiet for a long time before she spoke up, "Harry, did Hermione love Ron?"

"I think she still may, even though she's trying very hard to get over it."

"Oh."

"Why?"

"I was just wondering... I wonder what it's like to be in love," she said very softly.

Harry considered this for some time before responding, "I would imagine that it's a lot like flying. With your heart beating and your senses clearer than ever. The exhilaration pumping through your bones and every vein in your body. It's happy and sad and scared and content all at once."

"I suppose," and she fell silent again.

What felt like hours later, they were still sitting against the wall. Harry's legs were long numb, from the cold and from not moving for a long time.

"Ginny, are you ready to go inside?"

"Wait, there-there was a reason I wanted to come up here tonight."

"Well, I'm sure one of the couples have moved downstairs, we'll go claim a cabinet," he chided as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

She forced a quiet laugh, "No, it wasn't that."

"Ginny, is something wrong?"

"No, Harry, I feel like something is actually right."

"Okay..."

"Harry. I-I love you."

There was a very pregnant pause as Harry turned to look at her.

"Ginny, I'm flattered, and you mean a great deal to me, really. But I'm-we're too young to be in love."

The look on her face was heartbreaking, but Harry stood his ground. He couldn't- wouldn't allow himself to fall in love with anyone. Not now, when it was too dangerous. She sighed and allowed Harry to pull her up off of the cold stone. He hugged her, "Ginny, I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," and she led the way downstairs, allowing Harry to put the Invisibility Cloak over her head.

***

"This is a theoretical course. Beginning right after Christmas, we will be beginning duelling and I can't very well send you off to fight Death Eaters armed with Tickling Charms and Wingardium Leviosa, which by the way, is completely useless unless you're battling feathers. Look forward to even more research and discussion this time around," Arabella began her lecture at the very beginning of class. There were demonstrations of how magical theories worked, complex diagrams to learn for the breaking down of spells, discussions of will over word, the building of hexes, and of course, notes upon notes about different types of charms, spells, and hexes.

By three o'clock, Harry's hand had taken a deformed claw shape and Hermione was beginning her second bottle of ink and a small mountain of parchment on her desk looked ready to come crashing down at any moment. Harry was starving, as their only lunch had been a wave of Arabella's wand that produced an ever-filling plate of sandwiches. There had been no time to eat and the sandwich on Harry's desk had been his first and there was only one bite taken out of it.

At four o'clock, Cadence collapsed on her desk. Arabella stopped abruptly.

"What time is it?"

"Around four o'clock."

"Already? Well, doesn't time fly when you're having fun?"

Ten very tired voices groaned in reply.

"Well, then off with you!" she ordered.

Everyone hastily gathered his or her things; terrified she would change her mind.

"Hermione, if you could just stay one moment,"

Ginny and Harry turned as well, waiting for their friend, "Go on, you two, she'll catch you up."

A few minutes later, Hermione had exited the classroom and was making her way across the common room towards the fireplace, where Harry and Ginny were sitting.

"What did Arabella need?" asked Harry, not looking up from his hand of cards.

"She said she needed my help in a demonstration of Monday, cast a simple spell that I didn't recognize and dismissed me."

"That seems strange."

"I'm not worried at all. I trust Arabella."

Hermione joined their game of Exploding Snap! until it was time for dinner. After they had eaten, Harry announced he was heading to Gryffindor. Both Hermione and Ginny looked at him suspiciously.

"Contrary to popular opinion, I am allowed to speak to Ron."

Neither girl responded, but Ginny did raise her eyebrows at him. Ignoring them both, Harry headed to meet Ron.

The red head was sitting next to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"It might not be a good time to go in there. Neville is angry with you."

"For what?"

"I'm not sure. Very strange of him if you ask me, but he does like Ginny."

Harry blanched, "He likes Ginny?"

"Of course, has for ages."

"My girlfriend?"

"That would be the one. Did something happen?"

Harry hesitated; after all, Ron's temper lately had been volatile. "This probably isn't the best place to talk."

He didn't miss the glint in Ron's eye, but instead pulled his friend towards the entrance hall. The evening was chilly, but they both had their heavy winter cloaks and Harry figured it wouldn't be too cold.

They reached the lake before Ron spoke up, "Did you hurt Ginny?"

"I think so."

Harry could practically feel Ron gritting his teeth, "How?"

Realizing that if he told Ron the truth, he'd be better off, Harry quickly told Ron about what had happened at the Astronomy Tower.

After several silent minutes, Ron turned to face Harry, "I'm glad you were honest with her, otherwise I'd have to kill you because you'd definitely hurt her more."

Harry was surprised, to say the least. Ron was never that calm or collected. "Ron, are you alright?"

"Hermione won't read my letters."

"I know, she told me."

"What happened? Everything used to be so balanced between the three of us."

"Well, you and Hermione started going out. And things changed because of school this year."

"But I can't help thinking that we should have survived that."

"We have and we will. I trust our friendship enough that in the end, we'll all be best friends again."

"You really think so?"

"I know so. We've come too close to death together for it not to be true."

Ron considered this before nodding. Thy continued their walk in silence.

"Neville really likes Ginny?"

"How have you not noticed this?"

"I guess I never thought about it. But I guess it makes sense," Harry said. He tried shaking the feeling of uneasiness from his mind, but failed.

"Harry, don't worry about it. It seems like you have nothing to worry about. Be confident that Ginny at least loves you."

Harry didn't miss the undertones, "She loved you, Ron. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be."

"But it would have been so perfect if it would have worked out. You could have dated Ginny and maybe you would have gotten married one day, and Hermione and I could have gotten married. We could have all lived next door to each other and our kids could have played together and it would have been perfect."

"I see two problems with that theory, Ron."

"What's that?"

"One, we're fifteen years old! You can't worry about stuff like that when we're this young. The second is that it wouldn't have been perfect because you and Hermione would have been miserable. You would have fought all the time."

"Maybe it is just our age, maybe it will work out someday."

"Ron, it's nice to hope, but you can't set your dreams on it."

Again silence met Harry's ears as they made their way back to the castle. Harry was surprised that they had talked for over an hour. He left Ron at the stairs and turned back to IMS.

There was an owl perched on the coffee table when Harry entered his dorm room. It immediately flew to him. Harry untied the scrap of parchment from its leg and it immediately flew away without waiting for a reply.

There are a great many mysteries in this world. What happens to the soul of a man who loses it to the Dementor's Kiss?

He had to reread the note five times before instinct took over and he ran to Hermione's room, throwing open the door as he came to it.

"Ahh!"

Immediately, he felt the temporary blindness, but not before he had caught a glimpse of Hermione changing for bed.

"Sorry-I'm-er…"

"Harry! Don't you ever knock! Finite Incantatem."

She was now fully dressed and as red as Ron's hair. From the heat on his face, Harry figured he was about ten times redder.

"I'm sorry. I just got this letter-"

"So you thought you'd burst in my room? Honestly, don't you men ever think?" she said as she took the proffered parchment from him.

Her eyes grew wider as she reread the parchment several times. "What can this mean? Can it mean what I think it does?"

He looked into her chocolate eyes, not wishing to see what he did. The same worry, fear and suspicion that he felt in his own heart was mirrored there, "It couldn't be."

"Harry, when someone gets the Dementor's Kiss, they're dead. Dead."

They stood looking at each other for several moments, before Hermione dropped the parchment in her hand. Tentatively, she walked to him and he pulled her into a hug.

"Oh, Harry, I really thought this year could be normal."

"Hermione, nothing is ever normal," his words were hollow, because he wanted so badly to believe that that was true. He wanted nothing more however than for things to be normal.

She nodded against his shoulder and he could feel the wetness from her face seeping though his shirt.

"How was your talk with Ron?"

Harry sat her down on the couch and told her about the conversation with their best friend. At the end, her eyes were very bright.

"Does he really want us to be friends again?"

"Of course."

She considered this before her mind latched onto another part of the conversation, "Harry, what happened with Ginny?"

Rather nervously, he told her. Her reaction was nonexistent. She merely nodded her head, before lifting herself off of the couch.

"I'm going to bed, goodnight Harry."

"Night Mione. If you need me-"

"I know, Harry, I know."

Harry sat before the fire for many hours, thinking about his conversation with Ron and that night in the Astronomy Tower. He thought of the Order and what it meant. Without a trace of fear, Harry realized they were in a war. Only one side could emerge victorious. Only one. There would be no middle ground.

***

After a quiet weekend, the class once more assembled for another of Arabella's exciting lectures. She was waiting for them, perched on the desktop. Hermione was sitting next to her, with a look of apprehension on her face.

"Take your seats, we have a lot to go over today."

The class did as they were told and looked curiously at Hermione.

"What is the best way to communicate a spell?"

It was Draco who spoke up, "Arabella, I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean communicate a spell you're casting or how to teach a spell?"

"I suppose more teaching a spell. How do you communicate a spell?"

"By writing it down, of course," answered Hermione.

"Wrong, Hermione. Many spells can't be written down and besides that, if you don't have the right pronunciation of a spell, it can cause grave damage."

Harry thought of Seamus Finnegan's difficulty with spells all throughout first year. He had developed a nasty habit of causing a small explosion every time he tried to cast.

"I thought you said that will was more important?"

"It is, Harry, but most wizards and witches need the correct incantation, they aren't always powerful enough to cast spells without any sort of incantation the way that most of you are capable of. You're all getting off topic though. If you can't write a spell, the best way is to speak it. In the Dark Ages, a Dark sorcerer created a spell that would allow the embedding of charms into the soul of a person. This spell could only be cast one way, but it could be broken several other ways. The trick to this was the ability of casting the hiding spell. It worked much the same way as Fidelius; in fact, the creator of Fidelius was Godric Gryffindor, who was adept at the hiding spell. I'd like to demonstrate for you."

With a flick of her wand and a few muttered words at Hermione, Arabella had completed her spell. Within a few moments, Hermione stood up and began waving her wand about the room. Rather quickly, they were all transported to a sandy beach. There were crystal blue waves crashing onto the white, warm sand. Harry smiled inwardly at the feeling of the sun on his face. The cold weather had definitely begun taking its toll on the students of IMS and it was obvious they were thrilled at being on the beach. Harry looked down the beach a ways and saw Hermione standing in the surf, her arms at her side, looking across the sparkling water.

"Mione? Do you know where we are?"

"We're in my head," she answered, a smile tugging at her sides, "This is my land of joy."

Harry greatly appreciated her taste. The tropical environment was heavenly. He had never actually envisioned a place like this. His happiest thoughts revolved solely around being with his parents.

After a few minutes, Harry found himself back in the IMS classroom. Hermione was back in her seat. Arabella promptly began her discussion about the charm Hermione had used, as well as the hiding of charms. Of course, everyone was scribbling notes and Harry realized it would another exhausting day full of note taking.

***

After class, Hermione and Harry approached Arabella's desk.

"Good spell you two. You are definitely my best students. It would be a teacher's dream if every student were like the pair of you. Did you need something?"

"I, er, got a letter from, well, I don't know who," Harry said as he handed over the parchment.

Arabella looked over the paper and her expression was one of confusion.

"Arabella, what happens?" asked Harry.

"The body dies within three days and they bury it at Azkaban."

"But what happens to the soul? Where does it go? Is it just swallowed by the Dementor?"

"I don't know Hermione, I just don't know."

They all contemplated each other in silence.

"Thanks Arabella. Would you mind showing that to Dumbledore? Maybe he has an answer, Harry suggested.

She merely nodded as Harry and Hermione left the room.

Ginny was waiting for them outside the classroom. "Harry, can I talk to you?"

"Now?"

"No, I need you to meet me later. In the common room at ten o'clock. Ok?"

"No problem," he answered as he hugged her. She barely hugged him back, before turning on her heel and leaving quickly.

He followed Hermione back to the dorm room.

"We have to go to the library. We'll find the answer, somewhere."

He apparated after her and they began searching the library in earnest. The answers they found were vague, ranging from a soul that was separated from its body before the right time wandering aimlessly about looking for a new home to a soul being caught in a limbo like state for all eternity and that it could only be freed by the strongest of powers.

The answers were all very unclear and Harry was not surprised that after a few hours, they had found nothing concrete. Without warning, a great barn owl appeared in the library, having flown in through an open window. It landed next to Harry and offered its leg, from which Harry untied a letter.

Harry,

Would you and Ms. Granger please come to my office immediately? I have a few very important things to discuss with you.


Professor Dumbledore

Harry showed the letter to Hermione and they gathered their things hastily.

Dumbledore was waiting by the gargoyle and they followed him up the circular staircase.

"When a Dementor administers the Kiss, the soul is pulled from the body, leaving a hollow shell. We know that the body dies within three days, but the question has always been: What happens to the soul? Many believe that it is housed within the Dementor. That is, by far, the most common belief. I have always believed that is not the case. In fact, I've always thought that the soul instead wanders in limbo."

"But, Professor Dumbledore, what does it all mean? Should we research it?" Hermione asked, her eyes full of unasked questions.

"I don't think that the point of this message was to get you two to spend more time in the library however. This was a clue, and one worth investigating at that."

Both Harry and Hermione were afraid to face their headmaster. He looked at them over the half-moon spectacles, the sparkle in his eye diminished to a mere glint.

"We're being warned. There is nothing we can do now except wait. I have assembled the Order and we will decide upon a course of action, but I want the two of you not to worry about it. Carry on, tell no one and for the sake of Merlin, don't research this in the library."

Harry looked at his headmaster. Something was wrong. He couldn't help but feeling that he and Hermione were being kept in the dark about something, but he only muttered a response and stood with Hermione, turning to go.

As soon as they were back in the hallway, Hermione was talking a mile in a minute, attempting to puzzle out the cryptic note. As she talked, Harry glanced at his watch.

"Hell! I have to meet Ginny in two minutes. I'm sorry Hermione, I've got to apparate back." "Harry, good luck."

"With what?" "Nothing."

He gave her a baffled expression before apparating away to the IMS common room.

Ginny was there, stretched in an armchair facing the fire. She sat up when he entered.

"Hey Ginny," Harry gave her a light smile and leaned to kiss her. She turned her head and his lips grazed her cheekbone. His feelings of confusion doubled as he plunked himself in a chair facing her.

"We need to talk."

"About what?"

"Harry, how do you feel about me?"

He inwardly sighed, "Gin, you mean everything to me. I know what this is about and I can't bring myself to love anyone right now; it's just too dangerous. I- I couldn't bear to make anyone a target."

"Not even if that person didn't mind, as long as she could be with you?"

"I could never do it."

"Harry, that's a lie. You would make an exception."

"That's not true."

"Harry, your heart does not belong to me and it never will. You're a wonderful guy and a great human being. You are going to make someone very, very happy one day, Harry Potter, and I'm sad that it won't be me. It just won't work Harry. Not when your heart belongs to someone else and so does mine."

The perplexed feelings coursing through his mind brought no reprieve. He was hurt, scared, sad, and guilty. Ginny was a perfect girlfriend. She trusted him and loved him without any qualms. But now that she had said it, Harry knew it was true, it would never work. He didn't know what she meant about his heart belonging to someone else, but he was hurt that she had said it.

It was her kindness that allowed him to hug her and they shared one last kiss, filled with fear and hurt. Never before had Harry been at such a loss. He had no idea what to do except return to his room.

The bed was cold. He had hoped Hermione would be awake to talk to, but she had gone to bed. Surprisingly, she was not in his bed and Harry mentally kicked himself. No wonder Ginny had dumped him. He had been a horrible boyfriend, allowing another girl to sleep in his bed. However, no matter how much he resisted, he slowly began to rationalize it. They had never done anything and it was a comfort thing. Besides, they were best friends and nothing ever happened. Guilt plagued him and he climbed into bed, looking forward to a night without sleep.

***


Sorry these have taken so long to get up! I was on vacation and when I came back, FF.Net wasn't up. Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter eight. Also, thanks to my Beta Reader Elliott. For updates, art, and ficlets visit The Power of Three! at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/powerthree .