That night, as everyone enjoyed the private company of their loved ones, Harry and
Hermione sat together in the deserted Hufflepuff common room. The room was very similar to
the Gryffindor common room, but instead of crimson, it was trimmed in purple. The two sat
quietly together by the fire. Nothing was said as they stared into each other's eyes lovingly,
watching the firelight dance over each other's features.
Hermione broke the comfortable silence, "I'm so glad we don't have to leave each other Harry, I
don't know what I would do without you."
To Hermoine's surprise, Harry didn't reply. His eye's darkened as a sigh escaped his lips.
"What is wrong Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry sighed once again as he replied, "I didn't exactly tell the truth up there Hermione."
Hermione quickly became confused and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well," The young man began, "you are going to search London for the former students, but you
will not be going to the other schools to retrieve students. The other schools are too caught up in
their "pure-blood" mentality and it would be too dangerous for you."
"What do you mean me? What about you? Aren't you going with me?" Hermione asked.
"No." Harry regretfully replied, "I have another mission."
"What mission?" Hermione asked, her eyes beginning to swell with tears at the thought of her
Harry leaving her.
Harry answered her, "This morning when we awoke, you went into the bathroom to shower.
While you were in there, an owl landed on the windowsill. The owl had a piece of parchment for
me on its ankle. I removed the parchment and opened it. It was a letter...from Dumbledore."
"How was it from Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.
"Well it seems he sent it after his death, or something. Here," Harry reached into his pocket and
removed a piece of parchment, "you read it."
Hermione opened the parchment and began reading:
Dear Harry,
If you are reading this, then it seems I must not be on this Earth anymore. I have prepared this
owl magically to bring you this letter should I die before I tell you this myself. I'm sorry Harry. I
hate to leave you without my protection, but this means you are going to have to grow up fast. I
am sure my death has been caused by Voldemort, and if so, you are in for perilous times. You can
not fathom how deep his evil runs Harry. It's in his very veins. No matter if it's an innocent
muggle or wizard, he will kill at will and at random, with no conscience. The phrase, 'expect the
unexpected' comes to mind when thinking of Voldemort, this is why you must be ready for
anything. This is why I'm sending this letter to you. You need to be armed with anything and
everything that can help you defeat Voldemort. There is a very obscure legend that a deep magic
based in Light lies in the depths of the Japanese wilderness. It has never been found, but I came
into possession of a very rare document telling of its location. I have included that document. I
suggest you take it and go as quickly as possible and try to find this magic. It may be all that
stands between the world and Armageddon. And please Harry, wherever I am now, be assured
that I don't not want to see you here yet, so please, be careful.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Hermione looked up to Harry and saw him staring into the fire.
"So you're going?" Hermione asked.
" I have to Hermione, if it's something that can help me defeat Voldemort and keep those that I
love safe, I have to do it." Harry replied quietly.
Hermione nodded her head softly. She knew Harry was right of course, he had to do anything that
he could to get the upper hand on Voldemort, but she just didn't know if she could bare to tell him
goodbye.
"When are you leaving?" Hermione asked quietly, tears beginning their slow decent down her
cheeks.
Harry sighed, "Probably in the morning, after everyone else."
Hermione closed her eyes and more tears escaped them. Harry grabbed her and pulled her to him,
pulling her head into the crook of his neck. He wrapped his muscular arms around her and held
her tightly as she cried.
"I love you Hermione," he whispered, "nothing is going to change that, we will be OK."
Hermione just nodded her agreement, trying her best to stop the tears.
After a few moments, Harry gently pushed Hermione away from him so he could look into her
eyes. Those eyes were bloodshot and tear stained, but held so much love. Harry had to stop
himself from crying. Harry whispered to her, "Hermione, please stop crying. I can't stand to see
you cry."
Hermione nodded and began clearing up her tears. She rubbed her eyes and dried her cheeks.
Once her tears were dry and her eyes clear, she looked at Harry again. He was looking at her with
a small smile.
"Now then," Harry began, "I can think of better ways to spend our last night together." He gave
her a flirtatious smile.
Hermione giggled and leaned in close to Harry. She whispered to him, "And I bet I know one of
those ways."
Hermione pushed Harry down onto the couch and climbed onto him.
"I love you Harry."
"I love you Hermione."
"Make love to me Harry."
"There's nothing I'd rather do."
The two young lovers kissed as the flames from the fire danced higher and higher, adding to the
heat that their loved created.
*********
The next morning everyone awoke early in the castle. All the members were preparing to leave.
Harry and Hermione had left the Hufflepuff common room in the middle of the night, and crept
into the bed they shared in the Gryffindor dormitories. The two lovers awoke early and began to
pack. Both went about their business with heavy hearts, but both put on brave faces for the job
they knew they had to do.
Malfoy had already left that morning, to begin trailing his father as soon as he woke up. Everyone
else remained and slowly made their way down to the grand entrance to the castle. Hermione had
bid a very teary goodbye to her parents, assuring them she would not be on a perilous or
dangerous mission and probably be the first one to return.
Down by the entrance to the castle, there were several teary eyes as couples held each other. Ron
and Michelle kissed once, then Ron made his way to Harry and Hermione. He wordlessly hugged
both and walked out of the castle.
James was talking quietly with Caty, then to everyone's surprise, including her own, James gave
her a quick kiss and joined Michelle. The brother and sister walked out of the castle together.
Last came Harry and Hermione. They walked out of the castle together. Harry carrying his
Firebolt, and Hermione with a bag on her back. The two stopped on the doorway to Hogwarts
and turned to face each other. The couple hugged each other and held on for dear life.
After a few moments of silently holding each other, the two separated.
"I'll send Hedwig tomorrow with a letter from me, she will know how to find you." Harry
said quietly.
Hermione nodded and replied sullenly, "The sooner I hear from you, the better."
Harry smiled slightly and leaned in to kiss the girl he loved so much.
After the kiss that two separated and Hermione whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too." Harry replied. "And I'll see you soon."
"You promise?" Hermione asked.
"With all my heart." Harry replied.
The two hugged once again and Harry turned and walked in the direction of the Dark
Forrest. Once he was a small distance from the forest, he mounted his Firebolt, and flew off.
Hermione began to silently cry as she watched him fly off.
"For God's sake Harry, please be careful." She said to herself. With that, Hermione turned
on her heel and walked in the opposite direction.
*********
Unknown to the Order of Light, while they had slept in the early morning before the sun
had risen, in the darkened woods, not two-hundred miles North of Hogwarts, a man named
Wormtail entered a small cabin. His master stood by the fire, hands clasped behind him, his red
eyes closed in deep thought.
Wormtail stood for a moment, not daring to disturb the dark being. Wormtail would
stand there all day if need be, he feared the wrath of his master too much to disturb him.
To Wormtail's relief, his master spoke, "Wormtail."
The man quickly began to sweat, as he always did in the presence of his master. The dark
man in front of him inspired a deep fear that radiated itself to the surface through his nervousness.
"You called for me master?"
"Yes, I did Wormtail."
"What is thy bidding, my master?" the smaller man asked as he quivered in fear.
"Contact the circle." his master answered.
"What would you like me to tell them?" Wormtail attentively asked.
"Tell them that tonight we meet. Tell them tonight," Voldemort paused as he turned to
face Wormtail, " we raid Azkaban."
***********
Lucious Malfoy left his home in a rush that morning. He apparated and ran to the
Ministry of Magic. He entered the large building and made his was to the first-floor office of the
Minister. He was the last to arrive to the meeting his was to take part in. The meeting was
surprisingly short, and not fifteen minutes after arriving in the office, everyone left. Everyone but
Lucious and the Minister.
Once everyone was out of hearing range, the two began talking in hushed tones.
"Have you gotten any word from Master today?" the Minister asked.
"No, but I expect to be contacted later today." Lucious replied.
"I wonder when he plans to reveal my identity," the young Minister asked.
"I'm not sure, but be rest-assured, Potter and his group of do-gooders will be well
surprised once your identity is revealed. Especially the Weasley family, or should I say, your
family." Lucious said with a sneer.
"They are no longer my family, as far as I am concerned, they are as dead to me as I am to them."
the redheaded Minister replied.
"If they only knew that there lost son was now one of the most powerful dark wizards on the
planet." Lucious said.
The Minister replied with a slight laugh, "Oh trust me Lucious, they will know. They will know
when I have Harry Potter's still-beating heart in my hand."
The two laughed at this thought.
Little did the two evil beings know, an invisible three-headed snake was watching them
from outside the office window.
***********
The next morning everyone in the wizarding world awoke to the worst news imaginable.
Azkaban Prison, the supposed securest place on the planet, had been raided in the night,
and all the criminals had been released.
But that was not the worst news; investigators at the scene had discovered something far
more disturbing. The Dark Mark had hung high in the sky above Azkaban. There was no evidence
of a fight, so it was blatantly clear what had happened. The dementors, guardians of Azkaban, had
joined with the world's worst evil. The public now knew the truth that Cornelius Fudge had
hidden from them three years ago, Voldemort had returned to power.
Hermione sat together in the deserted Hufflepuff common room. The room was very similar to
the Gryffindor common room, but instead of crimson, it was trimmed in purple. The two sat
quietly together by the fire. Nothing was said as they stared into each other's eyes lovingly,
watching the firelight dance over each other's features.
Hermione broke the comfortable silence, "I'm so glad we don't have to leave each other Harry, I
don't know what I would do without you."
To Hermoine's surprise, Harry didn't reply. His eye's darkened as a sigh escaped his lips.
"What is wrong Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry sighed once again as he replied, "I didn't exactly tell the truth up there Hermione."
Hermione quickly became confused and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Well," The young man began, "you are going to search London for the former students, but you
will not be going to the other schools to retrieve students. The other schools are too caught up in
their "pure-blood" mentality and it would be too dangerous for you."
"What do you mean me? What about you? Aren't you going with me?" Hermione asked.
"No." Harry regretfully replied, "I have another mission."
"What mission?" Hermione asked, her eyes beginning to swell with tears at the thought of her
Harry leaving her.
Harry answered her, "This morning when we awoke, you went into the bathroom to shower.
While you were in there, an owl landed on the windowsill. The owl had a piece of parchment for
me on its ankle. I removed the parchment and opened it. It was a letter...from Dumbledore."
"How was it from Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.
"Well it seems he sent it after his death, or something. Here," Harry reached into his pocket and
removed a piece of parchment, "you read it."
Hermione opened the parchment and began reading:
Dear Harry,
If you are reading this, then it seems I must not be on this Earth anymore. I have prepared this
owl magically to bring you this letter should I die before I tell you this myself. I'm sorry Harry. I
hate to leave you without my protection, but this means you are going to have to grow up fast. I
am sure my death has been caused by Voldemort, and if so, you are in for perilous times. You can
not fathom how deep his evil runs Harry. It's in his very veins. No matter if it's an innocent
muggle or wizard, he will kill at will and at random, with no conscience. The phrase, 'expect the
unexpected' comes to mind when thinking of Voldemort, this is why you must be ready for
anything. This is why I'm sending this letter to you. You need to be armed with anything and
everything that can help you defeat Voldemort. There is a very obscure legend that a deep magic
based in Light lies in the depths of the Japanese wilderness. It has never been found, but I came
into possession of a very rare document telling of its location. I have included that document. I
suggest you take it and go as quickly as possible and try to find this magic. It may be all that
stands between the world and Armageddon. And please Harry, wherever I am now, be assured
that I don't not want to see you here yet, so please, be careful.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Hermione looked up to Harry and saw him staring into the fire.
"So you're going?" Hermione asked.
" I have to Hermione, if it's something that can help me defeat Voldemort and keep those that I
love safe, I have to do it." Harry replied quietly.
Hermione nodded her head softly. She knew Harry was right of course, he had to do anything that
he could to get the upper hand on Voldemort, but she just didn't know if she could bare to tell him
goodbye.
"When are you leaving?" Hermione asked quietly, tears beginning their slow decent down her
cheeks.
Harry sighed, "Probably in the morning, after everyone else."
Hermione closed her eyes and more tears escaped them. Harry grabbed her and pulled her to him,
pulling her head into the crook of his neck. He wrapped his muscular arms around her and held
her tightly as she cried.
"I love you Hermione," he whispered, "nothing is going to change that, we will be OK."
Hermione just nodded her agreement, trying her best to stop the tears.
After a few moments, Harry gently pushed Hermione away from him so he could look into her
eyes. Those eyes were bloodshot and tear stained, but held so much love. Harry had to stop
himself from crying. Harry whispered to her, "Hermione, please stop crying. I can't stand to see
you cry."
Hermione nodded and began clearing up her tears. She rubbed her eyes and dried her cheeks.
Once her tears were dry and her eyes clear, she looked at Harry again. He was looking at her with
a small smile.
"Now then," Harry began, "I can think of better ways to spend our last night together." He gave
her a flirtatious smile.
Hermione giggled and leaned in close to Harry. She whispered to him, "And I bet I know one of
those ways."
Hermione pushed Harry down onto the couch and climbed onto him.
"I love you Harry."
"I love you Hermione."
"Make love to me Harry."
"There's nothing I'd rather do."
The two young lovers kissed as the flames from the fire danced higher and higher, adding to the
heat that their loved created.
*********
The next morning everyone awoke early in the castle. All the members were preparing to leave.
Harry and Hermione had left the Hufflepuff common room in the middle of the night, and crept
into the bed they shared in the Gryffindor dormitories. The two lovers awoke early and began to
pack. Both went about their business with heavy hearts, but both put on brave faces for the job
they knew they had to do.
Malfoy had already left that morning, to begin trailing his father as soon as he woke up. Everyone
else remained and slowly made their way down to the grand entrance to the castle. Hermione had
bid a very teary goodbye to her parents, assuring them she would not be on a perilous or
dangerous mission and probably be the first one to return.
Down by the entrance to the castle, there were several teary eyes as couples held each other. Ron
and Michelle kissed once, then Ron made his way to Harry and Hermione. He wordlessly hugged
both and walked out of the castle.
James was talking quietly with Caty, then to everyone's surprise, including her own, James gave
her a quick kiss and joined Michelle. The brother and sister walked out of the castle together.
Last came Harry and Hermione. They walked out of the castle together. Harry carrying his
Firebolt, and Hermione with a bag on her back. The two stopped on the doorway to Hogwarts
and turned to face each other. The couple hugged each other and held on for dear life.
After a few moments of silently holding each other, the two separated.
"I'll send Hedwig tomorrow with a letter from me, she will know how to find you." Harry
said quietly.
Hermione nodded and replied sullenly, "The sooner I hear from you, the better."
Harry smiled slightly and leaned in to kiss the girl he loved so much.
After the kiss that two separated and Hermione whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too." Harry replied. "And I'll see you soon."
"You promise?" Hermione asked.
"With all my heart." Harry replied.
The two hugged once again and Harry turned and walked in the direction of the Dark
Forrest. Once he was a small distance from the forest, he mounted his Firebolt, and flew off.
Hermione began to silently cry as she watched him fly off.
"For God's sake Harry, please be careful." She said to herself. With that, Hermione turned
on her heel and walked in the opposite direction.
*********
Unknown to the Order of Light, while they had slept in the early morning before the sun
had risen, in the darkened woods, not two-hundred miles North of Hogwarts, a man named
Wormtail entered a small cabin. His master stood by the fire, hands clasped behind him, his red
eyes closed in deep thought.
Wormtail stood for a moment, not daring to disturb the dark being. Wormtail would
stand there all day if need be, he feared the wrath of his master too much to disturb him.
To Wormtail's relief, his master spoke, "Wormtail."
The man quickly began to sweat, as he always did in the presence of his master. The dark
man in front of him inspired a deep fear that radiated itself to the surface through his nervousness.
"You called for me master?"
"Yes, I did Wormtail."
"What is thy bidding, my master?" the smaller man asked as he quivered in fear.
"Contact the circle." his master answered.
"What would you like me to tell them?" Wormtail attentively asked.
"Tell them that tonight we meet. Tell them tonight," Voldemort paused as he turned to
face Wormtail, " we raid Azkaban."
***********
Lucious Malfoy left his home in a rush that morning. He apparated and ran to the
Ministry of Magic. He entered the large building and made his was to the first-floor office of the
Minister. He was the last to arrive to the meeting his was to take part in. The meeting was
surprisingly short, and not fifteen minutes after arriving in the office, everyone left. Everyone but
Lucious and the Minister.
Once everyone was out of hearing range, the two began talking in hushed tones.
"Have you gotten any word from Master today?" the Minister asked.
"No, but I expect to be contacted later today." Lucious replied.
"I wonder when he plans to reveal my identity," the young Minister asked.
"I'm not sure, but be rest-assured, Potter and his group of do-gooders will be well
surprised once your identity is revealed. Especially the Weasley family, or should I say, your
family." Lucious said with a sneer.
"They are no longer my family, as far as I am concerned, they are as dead to me as I am to them."
the redheaded Minister replied.
"If they only knew that there lost son was now one of the most powerful dark wizards on the
planet." Lucious said.
The Minister replied with a slight laugh, "Oh trust me Lucious, they will know. They will know
when I have Harry Potter's still-beating heart in my hand."
The two laughed at this thought.
Little did the two evil beings know, an invisible three-headed snake was watching them
from outside the office window.
***********
The next morning everyone in the wizarding world awoke to the worst news imaginable.
Azkaban Prison, the supposed securest place on the planet, had been raided in the night,
and all the criminals had been released.
But that was not the worst news; investigators at the scene had discovered something far
more disturbing. The Dark Mark had hung high in the sky above Azkaban. There was no evidence
of a fight, so it was blatantly clear what had happened. The dementors, guardians of Azkaban, had
joined with the world's worst evil. The public now knew the truth that Cornelius Fudge had
hidden from them three years ago, Voldemort had returned to power.