Title: Harry Potter and the Rise of Voldemort

Rating: R

Summery: In the summer between his 4th and 5th year Harry has been busy getting ready for his next encounter with Voldemort. But will be the world's savior or become its greatest villain. H/H

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 5: Revelations

Hermione was tired. She had had only a few hours sleep when Harry awoke the whole house. Now it was 3 am and she found she could not put down the book she had stolen from her best friend.

Harry's journal described horrific nightmares in minute detail. In the margins he had scribbled thought and ideas as to what it all meant.

It seemed that the large number of his nightmares started out with the two of them together romantically and ended in her death.

She finally closed the book to contemplate what she had read. Is this how Harry thinks of me? Is he really attracted to me?  Do I really want another boyfriend after the disaster Krum turned out to be? She had never thought Harry would think of her that way. He knew that a lot of the girls at school liked him and thought he would never look at her threw romantic eyes. He was Harry Potter. The first person she ever really called a friend.

She got up and took a sip from a small vile. It contained a potion she had learnt how to brew in her third year. It was a potion that let some one feel fully rested with only three or four hours of sleep.

Having gotten back into bed she was smiling remembering how excited she was when Snape had taught them that potion.

***Flashback***

"What a great class, that potion will be ever so useful" she had said excitedly as the three friends walked to the great hall for lunch.

"For what?" asked Ron as if nothing Snape could teach would ever be useful.

"Well now I can get four more hours of studding in every night."

"Ugg" Ron had retorted rolling his eyes.

Harry had been very quite. He just smiled warmly at her. She had remembered the smile in part because he had been so upset that year. Harry hadn't smiled much believing that the man who handed over his parents to Voldemort had escaped prison was coming after him.

***End Flashback***

Did he like her even then? Ahhhhh! No I am not going to do this. Tomorrow I am going to return his book and pretend I never read it. Harry and I would be a huge mistake.

Feeling the affects of the potion starting to take effect she started to drift off. She closed her eyes and say Harry's sparkling green eyes staring back at her falling asleep with a content smile on her face.

******

Hermione woke early as she did most days. How am I going to sneak this book back into Harry's room? I'm usually up before him maybe if I am lucky I can sneak it in with out him waking she thought remembering how she was always up before Harry and Ron back at school.

She quickly got dressed and then snuck down the hall. She looked around to see if any one had seen her and when she was satisfied that no one had she tried the door. It was unlocked. Opening slowly she was surprised to see the room was empty. Hopping Harry hadn't noticed the book missing she returned it to the table and left the room.

As she walked down the stairs she could smell bacon cooking. She rushed into the kitchen to talk to Harry. Miss Weasley was cooking breakfast for her husband and Percy. They were both going over some reports.

"Good morning Hermione" a surprisingly cheerful Percy chirped "Your up early"

"Don't worry about her" Miss Weasley "now here you go eat up or you'll be late for work you two." dropping some plates in front of the wizards.

"Do you know where Harry is" she asked.

"Still in bed I'd wager" Mr Weasley said his mouth full of toast.

"Actually, I saw him running when I got up." Pierce retorted "But he is in the garden now, said he was going to dig up the overgrown section."

"Oh, he shouldn't be doing that" began Miss Weasley "He is a guest and anyways he must have had a horrible night sleep. Awful stuff that dreamless sleep potion." She then turned her attention to Hermione "What would you like to eat dear"

"I'm fine. I think I'll wait until the others are up before I eat."

With a smile she then left the kitchen. She actually was very hungry but wanted to go talk to Harry, about what she couldn't say. You should just leave him be. It's not like your going to tell him you read his book. Even if you were bad news like that can wait her mind told her. She could just picture her self walking up to her best friend. 'Hi Harry, read your book last night. Give it up we're not going to happen.' That's sensitive she snorted.

Her mind was brought back to reality by the sound of a shovel forcing its way into the ground. It was still early and cool but Harry was covered in sweat. He only had on a baggy par of shorts his socks and shoes, his shirt lay crumpled on a small bench. She was watching his muscular back working, flexing with the effort of his task.

Hermione became aware of the fact she was just standing there staring at him. Say something stupid.  Her eyes glance at the bandage on his arm where he had been cut, in the attack, the night before. "Does it still hurt." she eventually asked.

Harry didn't even flinch. He just kept up his digging, not even pausing to glance back at her.

She had the feeling that he knew she was there the whole time.

"No, not really. The bandage has almost finished healing it." Although he had been up running and working in the garden for over an hour he did not sound short of breath, nor did the physical activity seem to be putting any undo strain on him. "Did you read anything interesting last night?" Harry said in cold somewhat measured tone.

He knows. "I'm sorry" Hermione said softly. "I know I shouldn't have taken it. I just thought that maybe I could help…some how."

Harry just continued shovelling. Hermione was expecting him to yell at her but this cold shoulder treatment was making her angry. Why am I getting angry? I am the one who took his book. Why won't he look at me?

"Harry" she finally said "I am really sorry. I know I shouldn't go threw your personal stuff." She was walking towards her labouring friend.

Harry just continued working.

Hermione now standing behind her school mate "Harry would you please look at me". With that she placed a hand on his sweaty shoulder and spun him around. She was not prepared for what she saw.

Harry's green eyes where red and puffy. The dirt on his face clearly showed the path his tears had been running down his face. His mouth was quivering.

What is wrong with you? Hermione scolded her self. You have wanted to be with him for the last year and now you know he likes you too.

With that she tilted her head, leaned in to him and kissed him. There lips touched timidly at first. Hermione's hart was racing. She felt as if she had been hit with a jelly legs curse.

Harry's head was swimming. He was standing there in the garden kissing Hermione. He could feel the softness of her lips. His senses filled with her taste and smell. No longer in any control of his body he reached out and pulled her close to him. There kisses becoming deeper, more passionate.

Harry regaining control over his body, slowly and gently pushed her away. Hanging his head down he slowly begins "I …" words seemed to be escaping him. "We can't"

Hermione looked so hurt she looked like she was going to bolt. Harry held her tight not letting her run. "Hermione It's not that I don't want to be with you. If we were together Voldemort would come after you. If you got hurt I couldn't live with my self."

Hermione just pushed Harry away; her tears were running down her checks. Free from Harry's grasp she ran away sobbing.

******

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat in the living room staring at the fire waiting for diner. It was being held up while waiting for Percy to return from work, he was running late again. Ron was sure his brother did this just to make him wait longer for supper. Stupid git!

While waiting Ron wondered why his friends where acting so quiet. He knew something had happened between them but nether of them had told him about it. They seemed to be trying to ignore each other.

I thought it was Hermione and I who always fought. Ron turned his attention to his friend Harry. He was so different since they left Hogwarts. He didn't look a lot different, a bit older. But he acted so different. He was dark a brooding and always seemed to be thinking. He seemed to speak a little slower, with more thought and calculation in his words. Kind of like Draco. Ron thought with a shiver.

Hermione had changed more physically. She had turned into a real hottie over the summer. Her hair was no longer a frizzy mess and although she still dressed in baggy clothing she was definitely looking more like a woman. He liked Hermione but just as a friend. He had had a crush on her for most of last year but he was over that now. Hermione would never be the kind of girlfriend he wanted. Not like Lavender!

When his brothers had been teasing him last night about him having the hots for his friend Ron had told them honestly that 'if he dated Herm he would probable end up killing her.' and then in his a shrill high pitched voice he started imitating Hermione. 'Ronald you have not done next weeks homework yet and the NEWTS are coming up in two years we really should study'

Ron smiled She is my best friend but I feel sorry for who ever gets stuck with her.

The silence was broken by Miss Dursley screaming "Get it out"

"Oh it's just a little snake I'll shoo it out for you" Came the kindly voice of Ron's mother.

When Harry heard this he shot out of his chair, with a grave look on his face, and ran towards the kitchen.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other in confusion, each expecting the other to explain what was going on. When the both realised the other didn't know what had gotten into Harry they too got up and went to the kitchen.

Harry was holding the Gardner snake in his hands it was no longer then a foot and it was staring Harry right in the eyes. The two of them seemed to be harshly hissing at each other, like they where having a heated argument. It seemed to Ron that no one in the room was very comfortable with this; Muggle or wizard.

I hate it when he talks to snakes Ron thought darkly.

Then Harry put the snake down and it quickly started slithering towards the open back door.

Harry turned to face Miss Weasley, his face white as a ghost. "Get every one out of the house." He ordered. "They know I'm here. There are death eaters and Dementors coming"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(A/N More fluff but there is some action in the next chapter followed by more fluff)

Promo – Do I like any other parings? Well I don't mind Ginny and Draco( I've seen that done well). As for my opinions on other popular parings:

Hermione/Ron – Only if his character undergoes major changes. I don't think these 2 would have been able to stay friends without Harry. Although I have heard that this will happen in book 5Shaking my head in disbelief

Hermione/Draco - I could see this if someone came along and removed Half of Hermione's brain.

Hermione/Snap - ??????????? Who the hell came up with this?!?

Harry/Ginny – I really don't have a feeling one way or the other on this one. Ginny isn't well flushed out as a character in the books.

(A/N For those of you who like H/G and R/HG I recommend The Psychic Serpent Series by B.L. Purdom. There are three long books in this series (the third is still being written) plus a prequel. The first story Harry Potter and the Psychic Serpent is pure H/H goodness. The other two is different ships but are still good. You can find the first book on fanfiction.net but all the other works are only available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Psychic_Serpent/)

Kim Radcliffe – Thank you

Power of our stars – Well there will be a lot more slightly evil Harry, I'm glad you like my story. I have read yours as well but can't for the life of me remember if I reviewed them. If I didn't I'll go back and review them : )

kat - Thanks

TBC