Note: I wrote this before reading Goblet of Fire.

Chapter 5

The Quidditch season was winding down and soon there was only one more game left - Slytherin against Gryffindor. Slytherin was out of the running for the Quidditch Cup but no one expected an easy game. Slytherin House would delight in humiliating Gryffindor on any occasion and if one of the Gryffindor players happened to get hurt -well!- that would be a bonus for them!

The Gryffindor team was scheduled to practice this morning and Harry was anxious to go! He was dressed in his practice uniform and walking to the field when he was stopped by Filch's cat growling at him. Eerily, Filch appeared from a darkened door frame and sneered at Harry.

"Professor Dumbledore wants to see you. Now."
Obviously he thought Harry was in trouble to be grinning like that.

Harry thought hard about any rules he might have broken recently as he ran to Dumbledore's tower. He couldn't think of anything! Had someone caught he and Hermione in one of the classrooms? As he waited in the outer chamber with the Sorting Hat for company, he paced back and forth. Finally, the inner doors opened and Harry hurried in.

"You sent for me, Professor?"

"Ah, Harry. Come in." Dumbledore was putting the Phoenix back into its cage and waved casually for Harry to sit in the large chair in front of his desk. The doors closed silently behind him and Harry waited for the Professor to speak.

"I have some ... disturbing news. About Peter Pettigrew."

Harry sat upright. Peter Pettigrew! He was the man who betrayed his parents and his godfather, Sirius!

"Do you know where he is?"

"No. Unfortunately. But he has found an ally. Someone who's anxious to help Voldemort return to power."

"Who!?"

Dumbledore shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry to say, the parents of one of Hogwarts' own students."

"Malfoy!" Harry said, jumping up. "It has to be Malfoy!"

Dumbledore put a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"I cannot be sure of that yet, Harry. But I am sure of one thing and it is not good."

Harry sat and listened.
"Peter believes that his master can return to power if he can get rid of you. With his new ally he intends to do just that."

"They're going to come after me? Again?"
Harry stood to his full six-foot two-inch height as though daring them to try.

"You and ... Hermione."

"What?" Harry shoulders slumped.

"My spy has told me they will be using a Golem. It is a very ... simple-minded creature. It has room for only one set of instructions. I've been told that the instruction is to kidnap your girlfriend and bring her to a ... well, a trap for you. They want to give Voldemort the 'pleasure' of getting rid of you himself."

Harry looked at Dumbledore in panic and confusion.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, Harry. Of course we will be looking out for you while you're here at Hogwarts. I'd like to ask you to please not stray from the school grounds. You and Hermione."

"Are you sure? About Hermione?"

"My source is very reliable. The Golem is single-minded and determined. He will not stop until he has fulfilled his mission."

"What about Hermione? How can I- What can I-?"

Dumbledore put a hand on Harry's shoulder again.
"Try to act as normally as you can. If we can capture the Golem, we can extract proof of who sent it. This will go a long way to proving Sirius Black's innocence. I know you are worried about Miss Grainger's safety but the entire staff of Hogwarts will be looking out for both of you. Now, I believe you were on your way to Quidditch practice?"

He guided Harry to the door. But Harry was busy worrying.
How can I go to practice now? How can I protect Hermione?

Later that night, Harry was staring out of one of the windows in the library overlooking the courtyard. He scanned the darkness, hoping for some sign of the Golem and fearing it at the same time.

Just then, he felt a pair of arms slide around his waist.

"There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere." Hermione rested her cheek on his back and hugged him close.

Harry placed his hand over hers (resting on his chest) and rubbed them gently.

"What are you looking at?" she asked.

Harry froze. Should he tell Hermione about the Golem? She'd be the first one to want to research it and find its weaknesses. With her help, they might find a way to defeat it. Together they'd always been able to face danger before.

But things were different now. His chest tightened thinking about Hermione being hurt - all because of him. What if something happened to her? He'd never be able to forgive himself.

He picked up one of her hands and kissed it tenderly. "Nothing."

He turned to face her, her arms still encircling him. He leaned forward and kissed her.
"Have I told you today that you're the smartest and most beautiful girl I've ever known?"

Hermione smiled and pretended to think intently.
"No, I don't believe you have."

"Well then. Hermione, you're the smartest and most beautiful girl I've ever known." He said solemnly.

He hugged her close and then kissed her soundly. When his mouth moved down her cheek to her neck, she made a small noise of contentment.

"Mmm. Harry. As much as I love this, you have to get your rest. Tomorrow's the last game, remember?" Harry nodded reluctantly and they (eventually) went to their separate dorms.

In his bed, Harry lay awake, tortured with thoughts of the Golem.
Tomorrow the stands would be packed with people - and worse.
How could he keep her safe?