OK, here it is, at long last! Part one of this story. I'm sorry it took so
long to get this out. I hit a brick wall... then all of a sudden it came
to me! Thanks so much to my reviewers: Julie, Krystal Lily Potter,
slytheringurlie, and Quidditch. You're encouraging words helped me get
past the brick wall in my head.
A/N: I am taking a lot of liberties. I made up a lot of crap to get away with what I'm trying to get away with. Mediwitches can probably cure muggle illnesses... but not in my story they can't! Just deal with it please!!! Thanks! See A/N at the end for another note. Enjoy!
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Out of the Blue, Part 1
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Harry and Hermione strolled hand in hand down the alley toward The Leaky Cauldron. They left the wizarding world and once again entered the muggle world. "Hungry?" Harry asked her.
"Yeah, and then we can floo over to the Burrow and see Ron," Hermione said as she went to a table in the corner.
Harry came back in a few minutes with two plates of food. "I hope he's feeling better. We've got to be back at school in ten days," Harry said before he put some food in his mouth.
"I can't believe he got muggle pneumonia!" Hermione exclaimed.
"What makes it even stranger is that he can't get over it. I mean, why can't Madame Pomfrey cure him?" Harry inquired.
"Because, she's a magical nurse not a muggle nurse."
"So?"
"I don't know, I guess she can't cure muggle diseases," Hermione guessed. Harry nodded and they both continued to eat. When they were done, Hermione pulled out her pouch of Floo powder and threw a pinch into the glowing fire. "The Burrow!" She shouted and was whisked away.
Harry stepped up to the flames and groaned. "The Burrow!" He shouted and closed his eyes tight as he felt the fireplace consume him. Moments later Harry found himself lying in a heap on the floor of the Weasley house.
"Well, hello Harry!" One of the redheaded twin Weasley boys greeted him. "Fire places treating you all right these days?" He asked as he lifted Harry to his feet.
"George?" Harry coughed, brushing some of the black soot from his pants.
"Good guess! You're better the Mum," he laughed.
"I think I can tell the difference between my two sons!" Mrs. Weasley yelled, coming into the room. "Hello, dears," she said, kindly, giving both Harry and Hermione hugs. "How are things in London?"
"Same as last year, Mrs. Weasley. More first years gawking though, it seems," Hermione laughed. "How's Ron?" She asked as she removed her cloak and followed Molly Weasley into the kitchen.
Molly sighed and turned to Hermione, "I'd like to tell you that he'll be ready to go back to Hogwarts for start of term, but I just don't know," she admitted.
"The doctors said he was progressing," Hermione said.
"They're muggles, what do they know?" She said. Molly leaned against the counter and gestured toward the stairs leading to the upper floors. "He's been lying in that bed for three weeks now, moaning about Quidditch and such. Half the time he's asleep, the other half he's lethargic."
"My mum told me that sometimes it can take up to six weeks for a person to recover from pneumonia," Hermione told her. "He can be at Hogwarts before Thanksgiving," she assured Molly.
"Tell your mum that I really appreciated those books. It helped to understand what those so-called doctors were going on about," she sighed. "Well, go on up and see him. He's been asking about you and Harry for days," Molly said, ushering Hermione up the stairs.
Hermione climbed several staircases, passing dozens upon dozens of lively photos of the Weasley clan through the years. After she had climbed her fifth set of stairs, she heard the strained laughs of her best friend, Ron. She wandered down the hall and stood in the doorway of Ron's very orange room.
Standing in the doorway, Hermione observed the scene before her. Ron sat propped up in bed talking to Harry with a lot of animation. If Hermione didn't know better, she would think he was perfectly fine. He suddenly turned to her, "There's my favorite girl!" He exclaimed with a cough.
Hermione made her way into the room with a bright smile. "Now, what would Susan think if she heard that?" She laughed as she wound her arms around Ron's neck.
Hugging her tight, he let out a weak laugh. "She'd kick my sorry arse, that's for sure," he told her. Ron had been dating Susan Bones, a Hufflepuff student, since the beginning of their sixth year. He had accidentally knocked her out with a bludger during Quidditch practice one morning. He didn't leave her side in the medical wing until she had woken up. They'd been dating ever since. "I missed you guys so much," he said.
"We're just glad to see you're doing all right," Harry said. He was seated on a chair beside the bed while Hermione was on the bed, holding Ron's hand.
"Your mom told me you'll be joining us around Thanksgiving," Hermione commented.
Ron rolled his eyes. "I don't think I can stand it till then. Percy pops in every other day to comment on my complexion. Fred and George have been using me as a test subject for their latest inventions. They're actually trying to make some kind of thing that can render a 'friend,'" he used his fingers to demonstrate his sarcasm, "sick for up to twenty four hours. They're really sick," he said. Ron suddenly went off into a coughing fit.
Hermione gave him a weak smile when he took a deep breath. "Are you in any pain?"
Ron shook his head 'no.' "I'm on a muggle anti-bludger something or other."
"Antibiotic!" Hermione and Harry shouted with a laugh.
"That's it. It's great stuff, I must admit. That poor doctor didn't know what hit him, though, the first time he came out here. I'll tell ya, Fred and George enjoy coming over when he's around. But tell me about you guys!" Hermione blushed and avoided Harry's eyes. Ron caught it though. "No way! No bloody way!"
"Ron." Harry said.
"Call the Profit! It's finally happened! Halle-bloody-lujah!" Ron pulled Hermione into a hug. "Is he treating you all right?" He asked, pulling her back.
"He treats me the same way he did at the beginning of the summer!"
"Oh yeah?" Harry asked. Hermione blushed and Ron made a gagging sound.
"Don't tell my mum. She'll start planning the wedding," Ron warned, then changed the subject. "Anyway, Dumbledore knows what's going on. He said I could do my work via owl for the first couple of months. I should stay caught up for the most part."
"Just study for the NEWTs a lot and you should be fine," Hermione said.
"That's easy for you to say Miss I-do-good-at-everything," Ron said. "Some of us actually have to work for our marks."
Hermione frowned. "I work for my marks! I work really hard and you know it!"
Ron nodded. "Is it true about you being offered that apprenticeship with Snape?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Ron, how did you hear about that?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hermione, you were offered an apprenticeship with Snape?" Harry asked.
Hermione turned to her boyfriend. "I was going to tell you both eventually. I got a letter from Professor Snape over the summer. I had applied for three apprenticeships for this year. One with McGonagall, one with Pomfrey, and one with him. I got all three. Now I just have to choose," she said.
"Oh," Harry said, understanding. "So, which did you choose?"
"I haven't," she admitted. "I have till Thanksgiving to choose."
"What do you want to do with your life?" Ron asked.
"Easier asked then decided," Hermione said with a sigh. "I would love to be an apprentice to McGonagall but I would also love to work in medicine. And potions. well potions is just fascinating."
"Yeah, but Snape." Ron rolled his eyes. "I would rather not spend my every free moment with that man."
"I agree. We'll see," she said. "We better get going. Sirius is going to start to wonder where the hell we are," Hermione said.
Ron started laughing. "How close are your bedrooms?"
"Ron!" They both yelled, turning deep shades of red.
"Hey now, be nice. I don't want to replace myself."
"What?" Hermione asked.
"You know, make this happen again," Ron gestured towards his chest and coughed once. "That muggle doctor said if I didn't take care of myself, I could 'replace myself,'" Ron explained.
"It's called a relapse," Hermione said.
Ron nodded, "Yeah, that too. I'll see you guys over Thanksgiving."
Hermione leaned over and kissed his cheek. "We'll owl you once we get settled in at school."
Harry shook his hand as he stood. "Take it easy. I'm gonna need you on the pitch in a few months!"
"You boys need to get your priorities straight," Hermione chided as she left the room. Hermione made her way to the first floor and ran into Mrs. Weasley. "I guess we'll see you in September?"
"Yes, I still have to bring Ginny to London. Take care, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, hugging Hermione. "And don't let that handsome young man get away," she whispered. Hermione's eyes widened as she pulled away from the older woman. "I want to have a wedding to plan," she winked.
Harry walked down the stairs and gave Mrs. Weasley a quick hug before Hermione could drag him to the fire. They waved and disappeared into the green flames. Hermione was standing in the expansive living room when Harry tumbled out of the fireplace. "How do you manage to always fall over?" Hermione asked, helping him to his feet.
"I hate flooing," he moaned, standing up and dusting himself off. "Sirius?" He shouted.
"In the kitchen," came a loud reply. Hermione followed Harry into the kitchen of Sirius Black's rather large house. He and Harry had purchased the house a year ago, and had been spending their spare time ever since trying to make it a home. They had succeeded, in Hermione's opinion. "Hey, you two. I was beginning to wonder where you were," he smiled.
The man who had been imprisoned in Azkaban for twelve years of his life was a changed man. The hard lines he had had across his brow when Harry had first met him were gone along with the shaggy and unkept hair. Sirius was currently draining what appeared to be pasta into a large pot. "What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Cooking," he answered, as if he did it every day. "I found this," he showed her a cookbook, "hidden in a drawer. I thought I would try it."
Harry shook his head. "You can cook?"
"I don't know. I guess we'll just have to find out."
"Where is Bitty?" Hermione asked, referring to Sirius's house-elf.
"I gave her the night off. Though from the looks of this place." his voice trailed off, sweeping his arm over the mess he'd made.
"You'll have to pay her over time to clean up this mess," Harry supplied. "Smells good," Harry said, moving over to the stove where Sirius's sauce was beginning to boil.
"Move," Sirius ordered, gently shoving Harry out of his way. "It's going to burn. Oh damn, and my garlic bread!" He put on what looked like an oven mitt and pulled a sheet out of the oven. "Good, they didn't burn," he breathed, inspecting the pieces of butter toast.
"Oh my, that smells wonderful," Hermione smiled.
"Good, go sit, and we can eat," Sirius said, smiling.
Dinner went over extremely well, and Sirius promised to make his cooking a nightly ritual for the two teenagers. "Well, I'm going up to my room. I still have eight inches to write for that Potions essay," Hermione announced.
"But, we still have nine days until we go back to school," Harry reminded her.
"Only nine days, Harry!" Hermione yelled, running up the stairs.
Harry rolled his eyes and turned to his godfather who was drinking a muggle liqueur and staring into the flames of a fire he had started. "What's up?" Harry asked, joining him on the sofa.
"I talked to Remus today," he announced. "Seems Snape has come up with a more permanent Wolfbane potion. Moony can work through the full moon instead of curling up like a dog in his office once a month."
"Well, that's good news," Harry said. Sirius continued to watch the fire. "There's something else isn't there?"
"Harry I want you to listen to me very carefully," Sirius said, turning to the son of his best friend. "Remus, Hagrid, Albus, Minerva, Severus, and I are going to do everything in our powers to protect you this year. I need you to promise me to not go looking for trouble."
Harry raised one eyebrow, "What's going on?"
"There's been talk of activity among the Death Eaters. Severus has been to another Revel, and it did not end well," he explained. "Your Potions Master is lucky to be alive."
"Voldemort knows Professor Snape is a spy, doesn't he?" Harry asked, a touch of regret in his voice.
"It was only a matter of time, Harry. Voldemort," he said, with acid in his voice, "is more determined then ever to destroy you." Sirius let this sink in before continuing. "Harry, I need to tell you something else."
"What is it?"
"After Severus returned from the last Revel, he indicated that Voldemort may be planning to attack Hermione's parents," Sirius said. "Albus and the Order are looking into it now. In the meantime, her parents are under constant watch by Aurors and members of the Order."
"Is Hermione in danger?" Harry asked, with fear in his eyes.
"I don't know. That's one of the reasons why I must ask you to not go looking for trouble. You have a wonderful knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Follow the rules this year, Harry, or things could end badly for both of you," Sirius said.
Harry's eyes drifted toward the stairs. He could picture Hermione hunched over her desk, trying to finish her essays, pushing a stray hair from her eyes as she concentrated. He turned back to his godfather. "I promise to stay out of harm's way. Unless trouble comes looking for me, that is," he added.
They bid each other good night, and Harry headed up to his room. Before he went to his room, however, he made a different turn, and went into Hermione's room. She was exactly where he thought she would be: at her desk. "Hey," she said, looking up at him. "I'm about ready to give up for the night. Are you going to bed?"
"Yeah," Harry said, walking over to her. He touched her shoulder, then pulled her to her feet and into a fierce hug.
Hermione laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. "This is nice," she commented, inhaling the smell that was distinctly Harry. She ran her fingers through the hairs at the nape of his neck as his arms tightened around her waist, his face buried in her neck. "What is it?" She whispered.
"I swear, I won't let anything happen to you... ever," he vowed.
Hermione pulled back and looked into his vibrant green eyes. "What's happened?"
"Nothing, not yet anyways," he looked down at her and brushed a stray curl from her face. He cupped her face in his hands and leaned down, kissing her softly. Hermione thought her knees were going to give out. The quiet passion in his kiss was overwhelming. As he pulled back, a small sigh escaped her lips. He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead. "I'll see you in the morning," he whispered.
"Good night," she said softly, as he left the room. Her fingers touched her lips and she smiled to herself before wandering across the room to get ready for bed.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
An eerie laugh escaped Lord Voldemort's thin lips. "I cannot believe that after all these years, Gregory and Patricia have been right under my nose," he spat. He threw a glass of amber liquid at Lucius Malfoy's head. "How stupid are you?!"
Dropping to his knees to avoid being hit in the head, Lucius bowed his head to his master. "I had no idea he was their secret-keeper. We thought they were dead," he insisted.
"But instead, they are alive. and they have a daughter who is quite possibly the most powerful witch of her generation! How stupid are you?!" Voldemort hissed again. "I want them dead by sunset tomorrow! I want Severus in my presence by dawn! Do you think you can handle that, Lucius?" He roared.
"Yes, master," the man on his knees said quietly. Lucius Malfoy rose to his feet and swept out of the room.
End part 1
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Author's Note: I don't hate Ron... I just don't know how to write the character! If you're a big Ron fan, this isn't a story for you because I doubt he's going to be in it a lot. Some day, when I learn how to write that character, he'll make a bigger appearance.
Please review... it helps a lot!
~StarGazr
A/N: I am taking a lot of liberties. I made up a lot of crap to get away with what I'm trying to get away with. Mediwitches can probably cure muggle illnesses... but not in my story they can't! Just deal with it please!!! Thanks! See A/N at the end for another note. Enjoy!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Out of the Blue, Part 1
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Harry and Hermione strolled hand in hand down the alley toward The Leaky Cauldron. They left the wizarding world and once again entered the muggle world. "Hungry?" Harry asked her.
"Yeah, and then we can floo over to the Burrow and see Ron," Hermione said as she went to a table in the corner.
Harry came back in a few minutes with two plates of food. "I hope he's feeling better. We've got to be back at school in ten days," Harry said before he put some food in his mouth.
"I can't believe he got muggle pneumonia!" Hermione exclaimed.
"What makes it even stranger is that he can't get over it. I mean, why can't Madame Pomfrey cure him?" Harry inquired.
"Because, she's a magical nurse not a muggle nurse."
"So?"
"I don't know, I guess she can't cure muggle diseases," Hermione guessed. Harry nodded and they both continued to eat. When they were done, Hermione pulled out her pouch of Floo powder and threw a pinch into the glowing fire. "The Burrow!" She shouted and was whisked away.
Harry stepped up to the flames and groaned. "The Burrow!" He shouted and closed his eyes tight as he felt the fireplace consume him. Moments later Harry found himself lying in a heap on the floor of the Weasley house.
"Well, hello Harry!" One of the redheaded twin Weasley boys greeted him. "Fire places treating you all right these days?" He asked as he lifted Harry to his feet.
"George?" Harry coughed, brushing some of the black soot from his pants.
"Good guess! You're better the Mum," he laughed.
"I think I can tell the difference between my two sons!" Mrs. Weasley yelled, coming into the room. "Hello, dears," she said, kindly, giving both Harry and Hermione hugs. "How are things in London?"
"Same as last year, Mrs. Weasley. More first years gawking though, it seems," Hermione laughed. "How's Ron?" She asked as she removed her cloak and followed Molly Weasley into the kitchen.
Molly sighed and turned to Hermione, "I'd like to tell you that he'll be ready to go back to Hogwarts for start of term, but I just don't know," she admitted.
"The doctors said he was progressing," Hermione said.
"They're muggles, what do they know?" She said. Molly leaned against the counter and gestured toward the stairs leading to the upper floors. "He's been lying in that bed for three weeks now, moaning about Quidditch and such. Half the time he's asleep, the other half he's lethargic."
"My mum told me that sometimes it can take up to six weeks for a person to recover from pneumonia," Hermione told her. "He can be at Hogwarts before Thanksgiving," she assured Molly.
"Tell your mum that I really appreciated those books. It helped to understand what those so-called doctors were going on about," she sighed. "Well, go on up and see him. He's been asking about you and Harry for days," Molly said, ushering Hermione up the stairs.
Hermione climbed several staircases, passing dozens upon dozens of lively photos of the Weasley clan through the years. After she had climbed her fifth set of stairs, she heard the strained laughs of her best friend, Ron. She wandered down the hall and stood in the doorway of Ron's very orange room.
Standing in the doorway, Hermione observed the scene before her. Ron sat propped up in bed talking to Harry with a lot of animation. If Hermione didn't know better, she would think he was perfectly fine. He suddenly turned to her, "There's my favorite girl!" He exclaimed with a cough.
Hermione made her way into the room with a bright smile. "Now, what would Susan think if she heard that?" She laughed as she wound her arms around Ron's neck.
Hugging her tight, he let out a weak laugh. "She'd kick my sorry arse, that's for sure," he told her. Ron had been dating Susan Bones, a Hufflepuff student, since the beginning of their sixth year. He had accidentally knocked her out with a bludger during Quidditch practice one morning. He didn't leave her side in the medical wing until she had woken up. They'd been dating ever since. "I missed you guys so much," he said.
"We're just glad to see you're doing all right," Harry said. He was seated on a chair beside the bed while Hermione was on the bed, holding Ron's hand.
"Your mom told me you'll be joining us around Thanksgiving," Hermione commented.
Ron rolled his eyes. "I don't think I can stand it till then. Percy pops in every other day to comment on my complexion. Fred and George have been using me as a test subject for their latest inventions. They're actually trying to make some kind of thing that can render a 'friend,'" he used his fingers to demonstrate his sarcasm, "sick for up to twenty four hours. They're really sick," he said. Ron suddenly went off into a coughing fit.
Hermione gave him a weak smile when he took a deep breath. "Are you in any pain?"
Ron shook his head 'no.' "I'm on a muggle anti-bludger something or other."
"Antibiotic!" Hermione and Harry shouted with a laugh.
"That's it. It's great stuff, I must admit. That poor doctor didn't know what hit him, though, the first time he came out here. I'll tell ya, Fred and George enjoy coming over when he's around. But tell me about you guys!" Hermione blushed and avoided Harry's eyes. Ron caught it though. "No way! No bloody way!"
"Ron." Harry said.
"Call the Profit! It's finally happened! Halle-bloody-lujah!" Ron pulled Hermione into a hug. "Is he treating you all right?" He asked, pulling her back.
"He treats me the same way he did at the beginning of the summer!"
"Oh yeah?" Harry asked. Hermione blushed and Ron made a gagging sound.
"Don't tell my mum. She'll start planning the wedding," Ron warned, then changed the subject. "Anyway, Dumbledore knows what's going on. He said I could do my work via owl for the first couple of months. I should stay caught up for the most part."
"Just study for the NEWTs a lot and you should be fine," Hermione said.
"That's easy for you to say Miss I-do-good-at-everything," Ron said. "Some of us actually have to work for our marks."
Hermione frowned. "I work for my marks! I work really hard and you know it!"
Ron nodded. "Is it true about you being offered that apprenticeship with Snape?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Ron, how did you hear about that?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hermione, you were offered an apprenticeship with Snape?" Harry asked.
Hermione turned to her boyfriend. "I was going to tell you both eventually. I got a letter from Professor Snape over the summer. I had applied for three apprenticeships for this year. One with McGonagall, one with Pomfrey, and one with him. I got all three. Now I just have to choose," she said.
"Oh," Harry said, understanding. "So, which did you choose?"
"I haven't," she admitted. "I have till Thanksgiving to choose."
"What do you want to do with your life?" Ron asked.
"Easier asked then decided," Hermione said with a sigh. "I would love to be an apprentice to McGonagall but I would also love to work in medicine. And potions. well potions is just fascinating."
"Yeah, but Snape." Ron rolled his eyes. "I would rather not spend my every free moment with that man."
"I agree. We'll see," she said. "We better get going. Sirius is going to start to wonder where the hell we are," Hermione said.
Ron started laughing. "How close are your bedrooms?"
"Ron!" They both yelled, turning deep shades of red.
"Hey now, be nice. I don't want to replace myself."
"What?" Hermione asked.
"You know, make this happen again," Ron gestured towards his chest and coughed once. "That muggle doctor said if I didn't take care of myself, I could 'replace myself,'" Ron explained.
"It's called a relapse," Hermione said.
Ron nodded, "Yeah, that too. I'll see you guys over Thanksgiving."
Hermione leaned over and kissed his cheek. "We'll owl you once we get settled in at school."
Harry shook his hand as he stood. "Take it easy. I'm gonna need you on the pitch in a few months!"
"You boys need to get your priorities straight," Hermione chided as she left the room. Hermione made her way to the first floor and ran into Mrs. Weasley. "I guess we'll see you in September?"
"Yes, I still have to bring Ginny to London. Take care, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, hugging Hermione. "And don't let that handsome young man get away," she whispered. Hermione's eyes widened as she pulled away from the older woman. "I want to have a wedding to plan," she winked.
Harry walked down the stairs and gave Mrs. Weasley a quick hug before Hermione could drag him to the fire. They waved and disappeared into the green flames. Hermione was standing in the expansive living room when Harry tumbled out of the fireplace. "How do you manage to always fall over?" Hermione asked, helping him to his feet.
"I hate flooing," he moaned, standing up and dusting himself off. "Sirius?" He shouted.
"In the kitchen," came a loud reply. Hermione followed Harry into the kitchen of Sirius Black's rather large house. He and Harry had purchased the house a year ago, and had been spending their spare time ever since trying to make it a home. They had succeeded, in Hermione's opinion. "Hey, you two. I was beginning to wonder where you were," he smiled.
The man who had been imprisoned in Azkaban for twelve years of his life was a changed man. The hard lines he had had across his brow when Harry had first met him were gone along with the shaggy and unkept hair. Sirius was currently draining what appeared to be pasta into a large pot. "What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Cooking," he answered, as if he did it every day. "I found this," he showed her a cookbook, "hidden in a drawer. I thought I would try it."
Harry shook his head. "You can cook?"
"I don't know. I guess we'll just have to find out."
"Where is Bitty?" Hermione asked, referring to Sirius's house-elf.
"I gave her the night off. Though from the looks of this place." his voice trailed off, sweeping his arm over the mess he'd made.
"You'll have to pay her over time to clean up this mess," Harry supplied. "Smells good," Harry said, moving over to the stove where Sirius's sauce was beginning to boil.
"Move," Sirius ordered, gently shoving Harry out of his way. "It's going to burn. Oh damn, and my garlic bread!" He put on what looked like an oven mitt and pulled a sheet out of the oven. "Good, they didn't burn," he breathed, inspecting the pieces of butter toast.
"Oh my, that smells wonderful," Hermione smiled.
"Good, go sit, and we can eat," Sirius said, smiling.
Dinner went over extremely well, and Sirius promised to make his cooking a nightly ritual for the two teenagers. "Well, I'm going up to my room. I still have eight inches to write for that Potions essay," Hermione announced.
"But, we still have nine days until we go back to school," Harry reminded her.
"Only nine days, Harry!" Hermione yelled, running up the stairs.
Harry rolled his eyes and turned to his godfather who was drinking a muggle liqueur and staring into the flames of a fire he had started. "What's up?" Harry asked, joining him on the sofa.
"I talked to Remus today," he announced. "Seems Snape has come up with a more permanent Wolfbane potion. Moony can work through the full moon instead of curling up like a dog in his office once a month."
"Well, that's good news," Harry said. Sirius continued to watch the fire. "There's something else isn't there?"
"Harry I want you to listen to me very carefully," Sirius said, turning to the son of his best friend. "Remus, Hagrid, Albus, Minerva, Severus, and I are going to do everything in our powers to protect you this year. I need you to promise me to not go looking for trouble."
Harry raised one eyebrow, "What's going on?"
"There's been talk of activity among the Death Eaters. Severus has been to another Revel, and it did not end well," he explained. "Your Potions Master is lucky to be alive."
"Voldemort knows Professor Snape is a spy, doesn't he?" Harry asked, a touch of regret in his voice.
"It was only a matter of time, Harry. Voldemort," he said, with acid in his voice, "is more determined then ever to destroy you." Sirius let this sink in before continuing. "Harry, I need to tell you something else."
"What is it?"
"After Severus returned from the last Revel, he indicated that Voldemort may be planning to attack Hermione's parents," Sirius said. "Albus and the Order are looking into it now. In the meantime, her parents are under constant watch by Aurors and members of the Order."
"Is Hermione in danger?" Harry asked, with fear in his eyes.
"I don't know. That's one of the reasons why I must ask you to not go looking for trouble. You have a wonderful knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Follow the rules this year, Harry, or things could end badly for both of you," Sirius said.
Harry's eyes drifted toward the stairs. He could picture Hermione hunched over her desk, trying to finish her essays, pushing a stray hair from her eyes as she concentrated. He turned back to his godfather. "I promise to stay out of harm's way. Unless trouble comes looking for me, that is," he added.
They bid each other good night, and Harry headed up to his room. Before he went to his room, however, he made a different turn, and went into Hermione's room. She was exactly where he thought she would be: at her desk. "Hey," she said, looking up at him. "I'm about ready to give up for the night. Are you going to bed?"
"Yeah," Harry said, walking over to her. He touched her shoulder, then pulled her to her feet and into a fierce hug.
Hermione laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. "This is nice," she commented, inhaling the smell that was distinctly Harry. She ran her fingers through the hairs at the nape of his neck as his arms tightened around her waist, his face buried in her neck. "What is it?" She whispered.
"I swear, I won't let anything happen to you... ever," he vowed.
Hermione pulled back and looked into his vibrant green eyes. "What's happened?"
"Nothing, not yet anyways," he looked down at her and brushed a stray curl from her face. He cupped her face in his hands and leaned down, kissing her softly. Hermione thought her knees were going to give out. The quiet passion in his kiss was overwhelming. As he pulled back, a small sigh escaped her lips. He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead. "I'll see you in the morning," he whispered.
"Good night," she said softly, as he left the room. Her fingers touched her lips and she smiled to herself before wandering across the room to get ready for bed.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
An eerie laugh escaped Lord Voldemort's thin lips. "I cannot believe that after all these years, Gregory and Patricia have been right under my nose," he spat. He threw a glass of amber liquid at Lucius Malfoy's head. "How stupid are you?!"
Dropping to his knees to avoid being hit in the head, Lucius bowed his head to his master. "I had no idea he was their secret-keeper. We thought they were dead," he insisted.
"But instead, they are alive. and they have a daughter who is quite possibly the most powerful witch of her generation! How stupid are you?!" Voldemort hissed again. "I want them dead by sunset tomorrow! I want Severus in my presence by dawn! Do you think you can handle that, Lucius?" He roared.
"Yes, master," the man on his knees said quietly. Lucius Malfoy rose to his feet and swept out of the room.
End part 1
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Author's Note: I don't hate Ron... I just don't know how to write the character! If you're a big Ron fan, this isn't a story for you because I doubt he's going to be in it a lot. Some day, when I learn how to write that character, he'll make a bigger appearance.
Please review... it helps a lot!
~StarGazr