SAT4EVER: I'm glad you loved it!

Merlins-Apprentice: I'm flattered that you stayed up to read this! *sniffs* I'm also glad that you like fluff… you'll see why when you're in the middle of this chapter ^_^

malu: Ron is so worried about Hermione because they're friends. He thinks she'll fall apart because he knows how close she is to Harry. Awwwwww… how sweet, no? Harry is sweeter ^_^

That's all my reviewers since last chapter. Pretty skimpy.

…~'*'~…

            It was the last day at Dryconderoga. The enormous dragon and the hundreds of stagecoaches were brought to the front of the castle. Hagrid had them all chained up and ready. Most Nockdernia student's luggage littered the entrance hall where some students and professors magiced them onto large trolleys and brought them onto the grounds. The Dryconderoga students roamed the grounds with long faces, spending the spare time they had to talk to the students they met in the few months.

            Professor Dumbledore sighed heavily and turned back to business, away from the dreary hustle and bustle from the entrance to the hall. His dull eyes looked lifeless with his now evidently aging face. He slowly walked forwards and settled two ancient hands on the nearest chairs, leaning forwards.

            "We have no way of contacting Azkaban," he said calmly but somberly, "The Ministry have withdrawn from this and will not have any part of Mr. Potter's release."

            Professor Snape, who sat in and armchair in the corner, couldn't look happier. Professors McGonagall and Kohl were just some of the professors in the room who looked outraged.

            "Albus, the boy is still young! It's been a week and… don't you think we should go over there personally?" she said strictly, looking severely startled. But the old man shook his head.

            "There's not much we can do but wait."

            The entire room went quiet. Snape's curling lip was barely noticeable. Nothing was said in a while until Dumbledore spoke again, finding a perfect place in their meeting to tell them one of the things he wanted them to know before leaving.

            "Mr. Silversmith, as you know, will not be returning for another term at Hogwarts," he said. Snape looked up with interest. "He was hired by me as a Defense Against the Dark Arts expect, but also, he was to be at Hogwarts to look after Harry."

            Professor McGonagall looked confused. Looking sternly over her spectacles, she burst into questions at once.

            "What do you mean, look after Potter? Look after Potter because of-" she paused, "Because of You-Know-Who?"

            Dumbledore nodded. He pulled out the chair he had his hands upon and gingerly sat down, looking weary. "Slaton worked at the Ministry three years ago as an assistant for the Minister, until he was dismissed from the position. He owled me at the beginning of the year, asking for work. So I employed him, and he agreed to it."

            "And was he… aware of the consequences?" said Snape acidly but with an air of coolness, "He knew what he'd get himself into, following Potter and his friends?" Dumbledore nodded, pressing his fingers together. "The man nearly killed himself, going after You-Know-Who that night Potter foolishly left his dorm to wander! Did he really realize what he'd get himself into?"

            The old man looked at the professor very meaningfully. "Serverus, I told you I had this conversation with Lucius. And I'm certain you have chatted with him recently."

            Professor McGonagall looked behind her at Snape, who wouldn't look back. He was watching Dumbledore.

            "Mr. Potter and Miss Granger left their dorm for a good reason. They were planning on inspecting the empty classroom in with Marindernia was found."        Professor Kohl blinked. "Mr. Potter simply heard Voldemort and left the room right away. Clearly, they met Slaton on the way back, as they have been very suspicious of the man."

            "And the room, the classroom where Marindernia was found?" questioned Professor Kohl, anxiously.

            Dumbledore sighed again. "I can only assume the worst, and that is with the explanation of Voldemort simply cursing the classroom for his own purposes. As you know, he plans ahead. He always plans ahead."

            "As he's done this time," murmured Snape distractively, "and I think he's succeeded."

            The room went quiet again, and this time, nobody had anything to add right away. It was simply too much to realize, too much to make out that it was true. It was so unbelievable that it seemed that the year was a waste; they couldn't believe they hadn't seen anything.

            "The boy's friends are miserable," spoke Professor Kohl, breaking the dim silence, "They are upset about their friend."

            "How… do you know that?" said Professor McGonagall, surprised.

            Professor Kohl looked sharply back at her. "Marindernia, naturally."

            "I think it's safe to say that they have the right to behave despondently, this time. They've finally let go," said Dumbledore. He stood again, gripping the edges of the table to support his weight. With his little strength, he ambled back to the doorway.

            He had noticed the mournful faces ever since his talk with Fudge. The way the students looked back at him for explanations while he attempted to talk some sense into the Minister. They knew he was fighting a loosing battle. But this time, Dumbledore had to admit it to himself. He always had hope in that boy.

*

            The Hogwarts common room was full of life; Ravenclaws packing, Hufflepuffs talking in low, shallow voices… Slytherins huddled in the corner, enormous smiles on their faces. The news about Harry had traveled through the entire school like wildfire, and they were easily the happiest bunch of student. They weren't counting on Harry coming back.

            Ron, one out of many, couldn't stand it. As he brought his large, heavy trunk from the boy's dormitories, he spotted Malfoy amid a crowd of his friends. He was performing his ever so popular impression of Harry screaming in horror, pretending that a Dementor was about to suck out his soul. Ron felt some of the anger he had been holding in for the past week reach a dangerous point.

            "Sod off, Malfoy!" he shouted at him, making half the students look at him, "Yeah, you'd better shut up! I'll wring your neck, you stupid waste of flesh!"

            Malfoy sneered evilly from across the common room.

            "You'd better watch your mouth, Weasley," he said sourly.

            "Or what? You'll tell your Daddy?"

            "No," stated Malfoy calmly, his eyes blazing, "Because you really don't want to raise your voice around her, do you?"

            He pointed over Ron's head, at the balcony which overlooked the common room from the girl's dorms. Ron looked up and saw Hermione there, standing just beyond it so that only her head was visible. Eyes red and lip trembling, she spun around and ran back into the dorm. Ron's heart sank; she's was still crying.

            "Don't go looking for her, Ron," said Lavender, who had been standing nearby, "She still wants to be alone." She laid a hand on his shoulder and sighed.

            "Her stupidity… so stubborn," he said distractively, "Why does she have to be so stubborn?"

            "She's not. Just heartbroken."

            Ron nodded. Swallowing, he turned to her, and found his breath caught in his throat. The way she looked at him…

            "Y-you're pretty," he choked, "Er… I mean-"

            Not once intelligent word came out of him after that.

            But Lavender smiled.

            "The banquet is about to start. We'd better go," she said, turning and leaving. Her shoulders shook as she did, Ron noticed. So cursing under his breath, he started to leave.

            "Ron!" shouted a boy behind him. Ron turned and saw that the boy speaking was a little Gryffindor. "Look! Your owl!"

            Ron thought the boy was out of his mind; he hadn't sent Pig out for a delivery. But when he looked up, he did indeed see an owl. Flying from the large, open window was a great snowy owl, glimmering from the beams of light behind it. A few people looked around at the owl, for it squawked and landed gracefully on an armchair near Ron.

            Ron was stunned. He approached the owl with mouth hanging open.

            "Hedwig?" he said.

            "It is your owl, isn't it?" said the Gryffindor boy.

            Ron looked at the letter attached to the bird's leg, and nodded at once. "Y-yeah, it's my owl." The boy shrugged and went back to his friends.

            It was unbelievable… magnificent. This was Harry's owl. Why was she out of her cage? Certainly, Harry remembered to lock her up before he was taken to Azkaban. And there was a letter tied to her leg. Ron's stomach was doing summersaults. What was he going to do?

            Looking wildly around, Ron seized the owl, and spun around. The broom cupboard across the common room! It was perfect!

            Since the common room was nearly empty now, Ron didn't look completely like a mad man. He tore across the common room, Hedwig clicking her beak angrily all the way, threw open the door to the broom cupboard and jumped inside.

            He landed painfully in a large carton of magical mess remover. Hedwig toppled into a bucket.

            "Shut up, you dumb bird!" Ron cursed as Hedwig squawked again, "and give me that letter!" and he launched forwards in an attempt to untie the parchment from Hedwig's leg.

            It was tough. Ron knew that if he hurt Harry's bird, Harry would never speak to him again. And the bird was armed with a beak and a shard set of talons; Ron had hands.

            "You bloody bird! Give me it!" he shouted.

            Finally, he felt the leather bound give way as he managed to pull the letter off the owl's leg. A mad smile stretched across his face, and he hurriedly unfolded the parchment. From what he could see, it didn't have much written on it. He opened the cupboard door a crack to see properly, being that he was in semi darkness.

            As he read, Hedwig waited on her overturned bucket, looking deeply angry.

                                                                                                            Ron-

                                                                                                            Go to the North tower.

                                                                                                                                    -Someone who thinks you're out of your mind.

            Ron nearly toppled of the carton when he had finished. He laughed, and jumped to his feet (his head hit the top of the cupboard, but he hardly cared). This was brilliant! Absolutely great! He had to leave the common room to find the north tower!

            Shouting something unintelligent, he threw open the doors of the cupboard and leapt out of it, hurrying out of the common room, the letter clenched tightly in his fist. Hedwig hooted defiantly and flew out the window.

*

            Hermione miserably walked over to her four-poster and continued to put all of her belongings into her trunk. Her spell books, her roles of parchment, and her robes. She was about put add her wand, but thought for a moment. She wished she had her wand back in the classroom, and even now, it was clenched in her hand, making it so simple to cast a spell now; she decided to pocket it instead.

            Hermione spotted her dress that she wore to the Anika ball, squished between her work robes. The silky fabric glittered like it did the night she danced with Harry, yet it was wrinkled. There were a few threads hanging from the beadwork on the front of it; Hermione felt a new wave of tears well up in her eyes.

            "It's so stupid," she muttered distractedly, throwing the dress in with the lot of her trunk as well. Soon, it was covered over with her cloak and quills.

            "What's stupid?"

            Hermione turned around and saw Parvati standing in the doorway, a frown on her face. She had brought her trunk into the common room and Hermione hadn't noticed her return.

            Even though she knew she was unwanted, Parvati walked up to Hermione and sat on the edge of her bed. Hermione decided to ignore her; she didn't think she could handle her misty Trelawney voice and hear that the reason she under such a deep pool of despair was because of the position of Venus, or some other crazy prediction. So she stuffed the last of her clothes into her trunk.

            "Hermione, we need to talk," Parvati said calmly.

            "No we don't," replied Hermione flatly. She began to try to shut her trunk, putting both her hands on it and pushing as hard as she could.

            "Yes, we do."

            Hermione sniffed, feeling as if the tears she was holding were about to burst from her eyes, and sat on her trunk to attempt to latch the lock on. But it didn't help.

            "Listen, Hermione. You've been upset for a week. Ginny isn't going to take much of it anymore," continued Parvati, "It is about time to talk to Ron, isn't it? He's been asking me to check if you're OK for the past hour."

            Hermione tired to ignore her, but it was difficult. It was true; she had shunned Ron ever since the Ministry was in Dryconderoga. He had told Ginny to tell her that he had owled the Ministry, but there was no good in it.

            "Well, he doesn't know when to give up, does he?" said Hermione coldly.

            Parvati sighed. She sat up and seized Hermione wrist.

            "Don't! What're you-"

            "Sit down. I want to tell you something."

            Hermione knew she wasn't about to leave her be so soon. So she left her stubborn and still open trunk and sat next to Parvati, whipping her hand across her eyes. After a moment of thinking how stupid this was and how she didn't need convincing, Parvati started talking.

            "Hermione, you know at the Yule ball? Last year?"

            "I was there, wasn't I?" said Hermione hotly. Parvati ignored her.

            "I thought it would be something special, because it would be the first at Hogwarts since I've been there. Harry asked me to go with him as a last resort, of course, and I could tell that he didn't enjoy my company much," continued Parvati, "I met with him in the entrance hall-"

            "Where are you getting with this?" Hermione interrupted angrily once again. She felt worse at the mere mention of Harry.

            "Shhh, Hermione!" scolded Parvati. Then, more seriously, she continued. "I met with him and we went into the hall with Ron. We were hardly five minutes into the ball when Harry spotted you…"

            Hermione face softened. Parvati smiled.

            "Hermione, he looked you over with his mouth open, and I don't think he noticed he stared at you for almost the entire night. Even when we were eating dinner he kept looking at you… you smiled at him a couple of times when he did, from what I remember." Parvati nudged her elbow, but Hermione jerked away.

            "Harry wouldn't like the way you're acting," said Parvati, frowning, "Not at all."

            She stood up, looked at Hermione for a moment, and then started for the door, shaking her head.

            "Parvati, wait," said Hermione loudly. She cast around for something to say once Parvati stopped to listen, "Has the… f-feast already started?"

Parvati nodded and then left.

            It would be the last feast of the year, and Hermione had to go, and if she hadn't, she'd have nothing to do. Her things were packed and the common room would surely be empty. Ron wouldn't be around, as he would have left in a fit of anger over Malfoy. So getting up, Hermione took her wand from her robes and pointed it at her stubborn trunk; with a well-chosen spell, it closed with a snap. Then she seized her trunk and pulled it to the door and out of the dorm without looking back.

            It was difficult pulling down a trunk down a spiral staircase and through a doorway that was narrower than the trunk itself. But Hermione reached the entrance hall and put her truck with the others from Hogwarts (they all had the Hogwarts emblem on the face of them.) Now she stood facing the Grand hall doors.

            There was a sure sound of hundreds of excited voices coming from behind it, echoing eerily. They sounded like they were having fun, but Hermione noticed a certain absence of chatter. Curiously, she wiped her eyes one last time and pushed open the doors.

            Everyone in the hall stopped and looked around at her. The people in the back stood up in their seats; the head table also stopped. Hermione would have given anything to just go invisible, because as she walked to her spot at the Hogwarts table, keeping her head very low, hundreds of eyes followed her until she sat down next to the twins. Gradually, everyone returned to their meal.

            "What're you looking at?" shouted Fred angrily down the table. Several heads looked away. "Barmy blokes. Been twittering away since this morning..."

            "Why don't you eat something, Hermione?" said George, thrusting a plate of boiled potatoes to her, but Hermione shook her head.

            "I'm not hungry."

            "That's rubbish!" piped up Fred, ladling some of the carrots onto her plate. Hermione inwardly screamed in annoyance; mouths appeared on the carrots, and once again, they starting talking.

            "Freckle boy!" screaming one of them.

            "What's with your hair, did it get sunburned?"

            "Opps! Wrong food," said Fred. He took Hermione plate and dumped the outraged carrots onto George's plate. "Now… what other delightful food will you eat, Hermione?"

            Shaking her head irritably, Hermione looked at him, "Why are you being so… nice?"

            "Well, you've saved our brother. That counts for something, doesn't it?" said George, "Even though Ron can be a stupid git sometimes."

            "Where is Ron anyway?" said Fred curiously.

            Hermione couldn't tell them what she saw, as her stomach was withering unpleasantly and her eyes started to sting. However, at the head table, Siamoen was tapping is goblet for attention.

            The chatter died down almost at once. Soon, every head was turned to the front of the hall to Siamoen, who was wearing bright purple robes with stars for the occasion. But he did not look happy. He approached a podium that was just ahead of the high table, and cleared his throat.

            "Another eventful year gone, I'm afraid. It could have been better, I must admit, but we have met some fabulous people, went to wondrous places… it was well worth it," said Siamoen, speaking loudly, "Even though the tournament has been canceled, I assure you that there will be a winner and the prize will be awarded. But first… some words from our champions. Miss. Cuapauil, will you please?"

            Mostly everyone in the hall looked around as Marindernia stood from the Nockdernia table. Hermione, whoever, did not bother to look; she didn't trust herself to. Marindernia walked down the row of house tables, not raising any applause or chatter. She nodded to Siamoen and stood at the podium.

            "H-hello," said quietly, looking around at all the staring eyes, "I just want to thank some people for my position. First of all, I'd like to thank Professor Kohl for preparing me for this tournament. Second, Nockdernia for their support," a few students, most likely her friends, put their hands together and applauded, but it didn't last long, "And third… Tisroc. He's been quite a competitor and he's been tough to rival with. But he has great support from his friends, as I do with mine, and I respect that. So thank you." Mild applause erupted from the Dryconderoga table. Through the heads, Hermione could see Tisroc looking surprised. "Lastly, I'd like to thank someone who is not here."

            Hermione sighed heavily and put her face in her hands, tears once again threatening to fall.

            "Harry Potter is the most spirited boy I have ever met. He was very kind to me when I spoke to him. He has some truly great friends at his school, Hogwarts. And I am sorry that I hurt him so badly," she paused. For the first time Hermione had known her, she looked genuinely upset and apologetic. Hermione moved around in her seat to see her properly. "I wish he was here now so that I can apologize personally. So I wish him and his friends best wishes."

            She nodded again to Siamoen, stepped away from the podium and went back to her place at the Nockdernia table, avoiding eyes all the way. Hermione didn't notice that her mouth was hanging open; she had never seen Marindernia behave like that. Maybe it was an act like the one she pulled at the ball. Somehow Hermione didn't think so.

            "Next up, Tisroc," said Siamoen.

            Hwin stood from his seat. He looked just as upset as Marindernia. Hermione watched only dimly as Hwin slowly made his way through the silent hall to the front, and stood at the podium.

            Whin stood unmoving on the spot but didn't speak. He looked around very hesitantly. It looked as though he wasn't ready; the hall started buzzing. Siamoen said a few words to him, which Hermione could not hear, and Whin finally cleared his throat to speak. "I just have a few things to say, so I wont take long," he looked like he wanted to finish this as soon as possible, "I know that the Hogwart's champion is missing, and like Marindernia said, I'm… grateful that I have met him. Potter, er… Harry Potter is the best flyer I have ever seen," This was too much; Hermione couldn't believe what they were saying. They hated Harry. What were they playing at? But Whin shook his head for a moment, opening and closing his mouth, looking for the right words with a rather overwhelmed look on his face.

            "Well, I should begin with… well, my father told me that a man set a Quidditch record seventeen years ago, about how fast a Seeker can race. A seeker normally isn't built for races, but this man did it. He outstripped me when I tried to break it, and he outstripped my father. I-I told Harry that I broke that record. But in truth I hadn't… James Potter, Harry's father, held the record. His son broke it in the second task of this tournament."

The hall started to buzz at once. Fred and George looked at each other, shocked.

            "Harry what?"

            "If Harry was here, I'd tell him personally. I'd also apologize for all the things I've said to him… and the lie. I'm just glad that the record went to someone worthy of it," finished Whin. He nodded, then left the podium and quickly sat back down at his table. A few people stood to get a good look at him. Hermione felt another wave of tears come over her.

            "Thank you, Tisroc… Marindernia," said Siamoen, getting to the podium again, "So… in closing, I think it's safe to say that the winner of the Tournament of Demontarity is Harry Potter, with fifty points. We wish him and Hogwarts well."

            No applause… no chatter. Nockdernia and Dryconderoga accepted the outcome of the tournament and said nothing of it. Siamoen went back to his spot at the high table, where he was immediately emerged in a conversation with Dumbledore.

            "Well, that's it then," said Fred dryly, "It's over."

            "Yeah…" said George, "I bet Hagrid'll be waiting for us, then. Let's go, Fred."

They stood up and joined the thronging mass of students leaving the hall. All around Hermione, people got up and left, but Hermione didn't.

She put her face in her hands, sniffing. She was going to leave soon… when she leaves the hall, she'd go back home. Without Harry. What was going to happen to him?

            Hermione looked behind her and saw that most Dryconderoga students had left their table to see off the Hogwarts and Nockdernia students. Some had remained in their seats, talking in low whispers. And most of them were watching Hermione.

            Hermione wanted to march right up to them and slap them all. But for a moment, it seemed like they got their punishment; a few of the Dryconderoga girls screamed.

            "WHAT'S THAT?"

            "IT'S A BOY!"
            Hermione looked around and spotted a boy on his knees, scuttling past the Dryconderoga table, and apparently they snagged the girl's robes on his way by. This boy was Ron. Hermione's mouth fell open.

            "Excuse me," said a Dryconderoga student, looking at Hermione, "But does this belong to you?"

            "Shut up, you!" said Ron, getting to his feet, red in the face, "I didn't see them there!"

            Hermione had enough. What with all that was happening, this was just too much.

            "T-this is ridiculous," mumbled Hermione, getting up from her spot and starting towards the hall doors, but Ron, resembling an over-excited chimpanzee, hurried after her.

            "Hermione, no! I have to show you something before we leave," he howled, throwing himself across the doors, arms and legs spread out like a star fish to block her way. Hermione stopped in front of him, looking annoyed.

            "Ron, not now. I'm not in the mood. And you wonder why I haven't spoken to you."

            "No I haven't wondered, why would I do that? Just because you refuse to talk to me and discuss what happened when Fudge got here? No, why would I wonder that? I mean, you always act stubborn, you don't expect me to be surprised, do you?" he said this all very fast. Hermione stared.

            "Ron, why are you acting like this?" said Hermione slowly, "Harry's gone." She looked away at once when she said this; her eyes started to sting. But Ron barely noticed.

            "No, no, no, Hermione!" said Ron, an enormous smile on his face, "Don't start with… you know what? Cry all you want. But you have to follow me." Suddenly, he seized her wrist and started to drag her across the hall. The Dryconderoga students watched them go.

            "Nutty, the whole lot of them," said one of them, shaking their head, "Pity they leave soon."

            Hermione screamed and struggled as Ron dragged her through the north wing corridor.

            "Ron, I'm going to kill you when you finally come to your senses!" she shrieked angrily, "Let-me-go!"

            Ron just laughed and continued to pull her along. "No way, you've got to see. I'll let you go when we get there."

            "Get where?"

            "To the north tower, of course!"

            Hermione couldn't do anything but only half-heartedly pull away now. By the time they reached the entrance to the north tower, Ron let go of her.

            "I reckon you should go in there, Hermione," he said, grinning foolishly. He opened the door to the north tower. "You know, before we leave, and all."

            "Why should I-"

            "You'd want to find out."

Hermione watched Ron carefully. She knew that strange triumphant look on his face. That same strange look Hermione hated but made her feel curious at the same time… he was up to something.

            "Is this good… or bad?" Hermione asked him. Ron chuckled.

            "Blimey, you're thick!" he said, "Go find out yourself!"

            Hermione continued to study him. He knew better than to toy around with her at such a time; he knew that if he'd upset her, she'd hit him around the head for it. So this had to be good. It had to be.

            Eventually, Hermione turned around, facing the tall, spiraling staircase that led to the top of the tower. Nodding to herself more than Ron, she started forwards. She slowly climbed up the winding steps, and just about ten steps up, Hermione looked down at Ron, and for some reason, she sensed herself nod confidently.

            The steps leading to the tower seemed like they had grown in numbers since Hermione had climbed them last; she, Harry and Ron met Sirius in the north tower earlier that year. Perhaps it was because the unnerving feeling settling in Hermione's stomach. She didn't know why or what made her feel this way; her heart was beating faster and she was determined to keep climbing, but hesitant all the same. The thought of Ron advising her to go to the north tower was ridiculous, since they were to leave any minute. Then why was she climbing the stairs? Why was her stomach in knots?

            She could see light above… she was near the top. Her feet started climbing faster and she started to breath more quickly, looking up, eyes wide. Finally, she reached to top.

            The first thing that came to her eyes was the sunny grounds from the open walls all around the tower. The brass telescopes gleamed in the bright light and the serpent statues didn't seem all that scary anymore. It was a lot warmer than the last time Hermione was up here. But despite the disquieting feeling in Hermione's stomach, there was nothing special here… it all looked normal. She didn't know what she was expecting.

            Looking over the banister, Hermione saw that Ron had gone.

            She couldn't explain the disappointment that was welling up inside her now. It was only settled slightly when she walked to the edge of the tower and looked down. There was an enormous crowd of people at the great doors to the entrance hall; the little dots of people were scattered all over the grounds. There was a train (which Hermione supposed ran on tracks that were conjured up earlier) that was obviously for Nockdernia and the enormous dragon tethered to the hundreds of carriages. Hermione could see that the train and the carriages were gradually getting filed with students.

            Ron had probably thought up this joke of Hermione going up here, hoping for something to happen. He was probably running through the entrance hall right now to get the best carriage. He had obviously been talking to Fred and George.

            Hermione sighed deeply and, back to the wall, slid down to the bottom of it, bringing her knees up to her chest. She'd have to go to King's Cross station without Harry. When would he come back if he wasn't back soon? Hermione could not go to the Dursley's to find Harry if he arrived there because she doubted they'd let a witch near them. What if he couldn't send her a letter? What if Hedwig had to be locked up all summer again?

            Hermione's eyes started to cloud up at another thought. She had been upset that Harry wasn't at Dryconderoga at the moment all week. Perhaps Harry would never leave Azkaban.

            "It… can't h-happen," Hermione sniffed, burying her face in her arms, "It j-just can't."

            Her heart was burning, worse than when she was put under the Cruciatus curse. How was she going to get through this?

            "H-Harry…" sobbed Hermione.

            Tear poured from her eyes and she felt that crying was the only way to feel better. But she didn't comprehend that she was wrong, yet again. She hadn't felt that other presence in the tower.

            A sensation fell across Hermione's body… it was so odd, because she had felt so cold before. Now she felt oddly warm. She stopped crying for a moment, wondering what was going on… no sooner had she gone quiet when a voice spoke.

            "Herm, please don't cry."

            Hermione gasped and looked up. She furiously blinked several times to see properly, but saw nothing. Was she hearing things?

            "You know I don't like it when you cry," said the voice again. It was easy for Hermione to register that the voice was calm and soothing, for it was very much nearby.

            Hermione started to get scared. She scrambled to her feet, still leaning against the wall, wildly looking around. There was no doubting that someone had spoken. Was it a ghost? But there weren't any at Dryconderoga…

            "W-who's there?" Hermione said squeakily.

            Nothing. A moment later… Hermione heard a noise on her right. Footsteps, coming nearer. But there was nobody there!

            "Don't come any closer!" she warned. She forgot that she had her wand with her in fright, but the footsteps stopped and the voice spoke again.

            "Hermione, calm down. You're going to fall over the edge," said the soft but sharp voice. It actually sounded like, whoever it was, really did want her to be careful. "Just… get away from there."

            Hermione, trembling slightly, nodded and took one small step forwards, looking blindly at her right. "W-what do you want?"

            "Ron didn't tell you to go up here as a prank," said the voice, sounding much calmer, "He wanted me to meet you here."
            "Why?" demanded Hermione.

            "Well, that's the way he is, isn't it?"

            Hermione raised her eyebrows. She didn't know who this person was, but then she realized that her stomach was slowly easing. But there was an invisible intruder near her. How could she be calm?

            "Honestly, I'd be a lot more… steady if I knew who was speaking to me," said Hermione, "Who are you?"

            Nothing for a moment. Then the unmistakable sound of a sigh. "Have I really been away for that long?"

            Hermione's legs relaxed… her arms hung loosely at her sides. "W-what?"
            The person laughed. "You can be very thick when you want to be, Hermione. I've never known you to be that way."

            The breath caught in her throat. Footsteps again… but Hermione found that she didn't care. In fact… she really didn't care that she didn't know who this person was or where they came from. They were slowly starting to sound familiar.

            "You're very beautiful, Hermione," said the voice. This time, it was just in front of her, "Even with red eyes." Something soft touched her cheek… someone's hand, and a thumb grazing just below her eye. Hermione wanted to melt on the spot. "You don't know how long I've waited to see you again… to touch you."

            Hermione's face paled. She knew who it was… it had to be him. Mouth slightly open, she reached up and felt his arm; moving up it, she felt his hand on her face and took it. It felt like the only thing she could possibly do.

            "Harry…" breathed Hermione.

            He squeezed her hand.

            Feeling a sudden sensation that she hadn't felt before, more tears fell from Hermione's eyes. But they were tears of joy… after so many nights, she finally smiled. With her free hand, she reached forwards; the back of her hand touched his chin… she felt the fabric of the invisibility cloak and clasp… with trembling fingers, she unfastened it.

            The cloak fell from his shoulders and landed in a heap on the ground behind him.

            Hermione's knees buckled with one look at him… one glance into his brilliant green eyes.

            "I came back for you, Hermione," he told her, a small smile on his boyish face, "I promised myself that I'd come back for you. I wouldn't leave you… because I love you."

            Hermione sniffed, blinking at him, and said, "I l-love you too, Harry."

            And before she really knew what she was doing, before she even considered what she was about to do, she launched forwards, tilting her head up… and found his lips.

            Hermione was finally aware of what she had done when nothing had happened. Nothing at all. Maybe she was too quick… he had just come out of Azkaban, after all. Maybe he didn't love her that much. She started to panic… what was she going to do? Stand here, lips locked to his? Wait a moment… his lips moved. They started to move furiously and Hermione replied in the same way. It was wonderful and... wait a minute. What was she thinking about again?

            Hermione forgot about everything. About Ron's prank, about Harry's sentence to Azkaban and about the necklace and Voldemort. In fact, all that she could think of was him. Harry's hands slid down her back, softly landing and gripping her waist; Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and enjoyed this all she could, replying to Harry's kiss with all the strength she could muster. It was a lot of work, considering that she was light-headed. But his lips felt so soft and terribly convivial.

            After what felt like seconds to Hermione, Harry pulled away. He didn't stray far, however. Lowering his head, breathing deeply, he spoke into her ear very softly. "If the love is strong enough, the world can alter into something realistic as well as unreal. It's all in the power of two hearts."

            Hermione nodded, smiling. "Yours and mine," she replied just as softly as Harry laid a small kiss on her neck and put his forehead to hers.

            They stood there, foreheads together, just enjoying each others presence. They soon remembered that they were to leave the castle very soon. So they released each other and started to leave to tower. Neither of them spoke… nothing needed to be said. This was clearly the happiest day of their lives.

            The remaining Dryconderoga students sitting at the tables in the hall stared, open mouthed, as Harry and Hermione crossed the hall to the entrance hall. They started whispering at once. Looking behind her, the last thing Hermione saw was the students getting up and following them before she and Harry entered the entrance hall, which was deserted. But pushing open the great doors to the grounds, they would never be prepared for what would happen next.

            They pushed open the doors and stood, transfixed, at what was there. They were surrounded by students, professors and even reporters. Slowly, they noticed Harry and Hermione standing there. Some pointed at them and others gasped, looking horror-struck. Dean, Seamus, the twins, Lavender, Parvati and about a dozen more Gryffindors stared at them, smiled stretched across their faces. But this odd silence was broken by a booming voice from none other than Ron, who had pushed his way through the crowd of people- "I told you the Ministry was soft, Hermione! I'm not so thick after all, am I?"

            That did it. There was an uproar of hollers and shouts and Hermione found herself in a swarm of tangled bodies.

            "Harry, you great prat, it's about time!" shouted Fred over the noise, pounding him on the back.

            "Yeah, we were ready to give you up for Hagrid's dragon!" said George, elbowing Lee to swat Harry in the arm.

            "No, I'm still here!" said Harry, laughing

            Hermione was pushed this way and that by the crowd of students, hugged each by a giggling Lavender, Parvati and Ginny and had her hand shaken a few times until she finally found Ron. He was fighting his way to her, beaming.

            "You planned our meeting in the tower, didn't you?" said Hermione, using a loud voice to be heard over the loud noise, checks glowing with happiness, "You had it all worked out?"

            "Well, yeah! I got an owl from Harry this morning. I'd say that it worked pretty well… I am, after all, the only one who knew you two were up there," replied Ron. He looked very annoying. Then Hermione thought… 'oh look, everything's back to normal'. "So I was the only one looking up there and…" He turned around, cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed, "Harry and Hermione, sitting in a tower, K-I-S-S-I-"

            "Ron!" Hermione shrieked, hitting his arm. However, she found that she couldn't help but smile.

            "But seriously, Hermione," said Ron, massaging his arm, "It must have taken a lot to make himself get out." He stopped and looked over at Harry, who as the moment was being mauled by the rest of Hogwarts. "It's a horrible place, you remember what Hagrid said. You didn't seriously think that Harry would leave you, did you?"

            Hermione smiled. "No. I never really did."

            "Potter!"

            A familiar voice, louder than the rest of them, fell upon the crowd. Hermione and Ron, being at the edge of it, hadn't seen what was coming. The crowd was parting to let someone through, until only Harry was left. Whispering buzzed like little hissing fires. From between the heads in front of her, Hermione could see Harry's smile fading.

            It was Silversmith, still looking in bad shape. He hobbled over to Harry, leaning heavily on a staff. "Looks like you did it, boy. You gave those Dementors as good thumping, did you?" Harry looked like he never wanted to do such a thing, but he smiled anyways. Clearly, Silversmith was in a good mood, and clearly, Harry knew why.

            "Are you going back, Sir?" Harry asked him. Silversmith nodded.

            "The Minister wants me back at work at once, and I have you to thank for it. I took the job of protecting you because… well, I knew you're parents when you were very young. And I'm glad to see you're the spitting image of them."

            Harry didn't say anything for a moment. He nodded a moment later, and said, "Thank you, Sir."

            "You're good lad," said Silversmith. He reached inside his robes and pulled out a dragon hide sack. A few people gasped. It clinked with the sound of thousands of galleons as Silversmith passed it to Harry, whose mouth had fallen open. Almost at once, he thrust it back to Silversmith.

            "I-I don't want this," he said to him, "I don't deserve it."

            "I trust you'll make the right decision. The other champions want a word with you." He stepped to the side, and behind him was Marindernia. She looked very grave. Starting towards Harry, Hermione went tense. Could Harry really trust her? Ron was plainly thinking the same thing, because he pushed through the people in front of him, closer to Harry. Hermione followed him.

            "I just wanted to apologize, Harry," said Marindernia thickly, looking round at Hermione and Ron, then back at Harry, whose face was expressionless. "There was no excuse for it. I did not mean to do what I did and I want to ask for your forgiveness. I don't have much else to say."

            Harry watched her intently. "It wasn't your fault," he said, "I forgive you, but it should be me thanking you," a grin started creeping up onto his face, "for showing my friend a… er… good time at the ball."

            Nearly everyone laughed (except Ron, who went as red as his hair, and Lavender, who looked outraged). Even Marindernia chuckled, her purple eyes dancing. Looking very relieved, she stepped back and joined her friends, who bombarded her with questions at once.

            Tisroc Whin soon appeared where Marindernia had been. He looked, if possible, a little more anxious than he did earlier in the hall.

            "Ron told me all about your speech," Harry told him seriously, "I never knew that my dad held that record, and I never knew I broke it. I thought you held it."

            Whin didn't know what to say. He obviously couldn't tell if Harry was angry, and neither could Hermione.

            "I'm said that I was sorry-" started Whin.

            "You don't need to apologize. You already have, really. Thanks for telling the truth about my dad," said Harry. Whin tried to smile, but it came out very strange looking.

            "I'm glad you won, Potter. You really deserve it."

            Harry shook his head. "I don't deserve it. You and Marindernia didn't call off the tournament." He looked down at the sack of galleons. For a moment he didn't do anything; but then he reached up and untied the bag, starting towards Whin. Stopping in front of him, he reached inside his robes and took out his wand. Everyone watched in awe as he muttered some words Hermione couldn't hear, and suddenly, the bag of gold he held was shrinking and rattling. It took a while for Hermione to realize what Harry was doing, but after a moment, it became obvious.

            Tisroc and Marindernia each carried identical sacks, just like Harry's. They shook them, and the sound of gold chimed happily inside it. Their mouths fell open and everyone watching started whispering again. Harry was grinning.

            "There. Now we have even amounts," said Harry brightly, tucking his generously smaller sack of gold into his robes and putting his wand back in his pocket, "It's an equal victory now."

            Hermione was finally aware of how many Nockdernia and Dryconderoga students were in the crowd because they roared with applause and cheers at that moment. Whin and Marindernia were immediately whisked off their feet into a swarm of their fellow students, each of them still looking shocked.

            Hermione and Ron immediately went to Harry.

            "That was awfully generous, Harry," said Ron in an undertone, "Are you sure you want to do that? I mean… its Whin!"

            "Harry, that was so kind of you," said Hermione, kissing his check.

            "Yes it was, Miss. Granger."

            They all turned around and saw Dumbledore. He was glowing. The twinkle in his eyes had returned and he looked loads better than Hermione had last seen him. Harry's sudden arrival clearly cheered him up immensely. Most Hogwarts students were watching him.

            "Azkaban hasn't darkened your spirits at all, Mr. Potter. Your parents would have been proud," said Dumbledore.

            Hermione looked at Harry, and was relieved to see that he was smiling. She took his hand and he squeezed it.

            "Sir? Can we go home now?" Neville asked Dumbledore, tugging on his sleeve.

            "Yes… yes we can, Mr. Longbottom."

*

            Ron leapt into a carriage at once when they reached them. Harry helped Hermione inside it, and then he climbed inside himself. Hermione looked out the window; the steam engine which held the Nockdernia students was already moving, and as it did, the tracks behind it vanished. Faces were glued to the windows, arms waving madly through the open windows. They soon disappeared over a hill.

            "Are you glad to leave?" Hermione heard a voice close to her ear. She turned around and found Harry's smiling face. She grinned and shook her head.

            "Not at all," she replied, wrapping him in a tight hug.

            "ARRRGGGGHHHH! No! Not this again!" shouted Neville, whom was in the next carriage behind Harry, Ron and Hermione. Once again, Dean and Seamus were pushing him through the door, howling with laughter.

            "Oy, Neville! Hang in there. We have only, what, four hundred miles to go?" Ron called to him, "Better bring an extra pair of pants!"

            Neville fell into the carriage with a force that shook Harry, Ron and Hermione's carriage. He sat restlessly between Dean and Seamus, who were red with mirth.

            And no sooner was there a thunderous roar from the dragon, and Hagrid's excited howls. They were ready to go. Hermione looked out the window and watched as they left the ground a few feet, then a few more feet. Soon, they were high in the sky. Harry and Ron looked out the window as well, to the ground where the Dryconderoga students waved enthusiastically at them.

            "That's it, then," said Harry, still looking out the window, "That's all this year."

            Hermione slid her arm under his and took his hand, making him look at her, eyes glistening. He was thinking about how fast his time at school was going and Hermione didn't understand why. He had great skills, a great sense of determination…

            "Listen, Harry. You can live your life like a regular person, but you must understand that you've changed someone's life," she said softly to him, pushing aside a stray hair from his bright eyes. "Harry, you've inspired me. Doesn't that mean something?"

            "It means everything, Herm," said Harry, smiling and squeezing her hand. Through this all, they hadn't noticed Ron, looking intrigued, watching.

            "Ohhhhh, wait 'till I tell Sirius about this!" he said eagerly.

            But Hermione found she didn't care about his outburst. She had Harry again. She was safely going home with the numbers they arrived with. She hadn't managed to shake off Ron, but two out of three isn't that bad. And Hermione became aware of what Fred and George had been whispering about all year; there was a blast and suddenly, sparks whizzed by the carriages. They had left off several fireworks; bursts of pink, yellow and red exploded all around them. Neville screamed.

            Harry lightly kissed Hermione's lips. "You do know that you're stuck with me, right?" he said to Hermione, touched his forehead to hers.

            "I'd like nothing better, Harry."

            Yes, Hermione left Dryconderoga with all she wanted this year. A boy whom she had known for nearly five years; a boy with eyes that captured Hermione's every emotion. Hermione left with Harry Potter, the boy she loved, and it was what she always dreamed of.

…~'*'~… THE END …~'*'~…

A/N: Ohmygoodnesss, ohmygoodness, ohmygoodness. I'm finished. Finished. Kaput. Done. Well, there's a new story on the horizon, and if for some reason you're reading my author's note this time and haven't any other time, go back to chapter 23 and see the review of it in my other A/N.

            Now… to the depressing part. I had a great time writing this. It was difficult, but I laughed. That makes it all worth it, right? Well, that and experiencing the thrill of people actually enjoying this story. I love you all and hope that you'll live safe and happy lives! *snicker* But I'll be back, after a break. You can find me on www.portkey.org C-YA!

H/H FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER… because you know it'll happen ^_^