A/N

HP Lova - I think civil would be a better word.

I don like malfoy - Well that was extraordinarily rude. If you don't like the way the story is being told then either make a constructive critique or piss off.

Rebckah - Thanks!

hp4eva - Um ... okay? thanks!

weatherbee - Thanks, here's another one ... I think.

Chapter 16

Harry watched as Dumbledore emptied a small packet of brown powder into a goblet of water and handed it to Snape. Seconds after he'd drank the mixture down his twitches ceased and his eyes became clearer.

The hand that gripped his own relaxed as Hermione saw the effects of the Cruciatus Curse leave the potions master.

"Do you feel well enough to tell us what you witnessed, Severus?"

He nodded warily , "It was a nondescript room. The Dark Lord and Bellatrix Lestrange were present. It was she that placed the body out of Hogwarts bounds. That was all before Potter gave us away."

"Me?"

"Yes you, you careless boy. I have reminded you countless times to control those juvenile emotions of yours."

"Juvenile? She killed Sirius!" Harry yelled.

Snape leaned forward, "And she will kill countless others as you have given up the one chance we had to locate ..."

Dumbledore interrupted, "That is enough, Severus. It will do us no good to argue amongst ourselves."

Then Harry remembered, "Sir, the body that she left ..."

The headmaster met Harry's eyes with regret, "Was Cornelius Fudge, Harry." He paused, "Voldemort has struck the Ministry of Magic a terrible blow tonight. It will be a few weeks until a suitable Minister is announced and by that time it is not known what mischief Voldemort will stir up."

"You mentioned a message, sir?" Hermione asked.

He looked as if he thought of retaining the information but decided to reveal it nonetheless. He handed Hermione a small piece of parchment.

The weenie has struck, Potter.

Hermione's face paled. "It was my fault!"

She dropped the parchment and grabbed on to Harry for a hug of dear life.

Dumbledore was quick to add, "Miss Granger, the death of Cornelius Fudge was planned long ago. You are in no way to blame for his unfortunate demise. The note was left for one reason only and that was to prevent Harry from continuing his position as teacher of the Defense class. And I for one think it is a poor attempt."

"But .."

"No buts, Hermione. I have supreme confidence in yours and Harry's progress thus far and find that it has united the students in a common goal which is something that none of the teachers at Hogwart's, including myself, have been able to do for quiet some time."

Hermione tried to smile, but it was hard-pressed.

The headmaster's eyes shifted to Harry's back where Hermione's hand still sat. "Now would you be so good as to tell me where you acquired that unusual piece of jewelry?"

She showed him the ring, "Harry gave it to me on his birthday."

Dumbledore's eyes knitted, "Am I to assume the rumors passed around by the students are true then?"

"Rumors?" she asked.

"That you and Harry are now engaged to be married."

Harry coughed and they jumped away from each other, "Um ... no sir, those rumors aren't true. Hermione is my girlfriend."

Snape stood slowly, "How quaint. If you have no more need of me, Headmaster, I will return to my rooms."

"Yes, yes, go right ahead, Severus. Thank you for your help tonight."

They watched as he left with Professor McGonagall assisting him.

"May I see the ring, please?"

Hermione nodded and held her hand closer.

His face turned, not exactly serious, but close, "If you would remove the ring I would be most grateful."

Now Hermione was a bit suspicious. She paused, her fingers hovering around the band, as if to turn down his request and could not think of a good enough reason why. Then she made to twist it off. A look of concern crossed her features and she tried again.

"Um ... I think my finger is swollen. It won't come off."

Harry looked at her hand. "Hermione, it doesn't even move. It should move, at least, shouldn't it?"

Dumbledore stood and made his way around the desk, pulling out his wand. "Revelare!"

A yellow glow surrounded the ring and Hermione jumped in reaction."

"It's magic!"

"Indeed."

"What's magic, the ring?" Harry asked, concerned.

"Where did you acquire this ring, Harry?"

"It was in my vault at Gringott's. Erm ... I inherited it from Sirius this summer."

Dumbledore held his wand aloft once more, "Revelare Pro Intentus"

He studied the reaction, "Oh dear. That is most unfortunate." He looked up, "Or perhaps not."

Harry met his eyes, "What's unfortunate?"

The headmaster took Hermione's hand, "Harry, would you please wait outside. I must speak with Miss Granger alone."

He was about to argue that he had a right to know, it being his ring and all, but was overridden by Hermione who squeezed his hand in reassurance. His face softened and he left the room hearing Dumbledore's voice once again as he stood on the staircase.

"Phineas, I know you are not sleeping. Now open your eyes."

He could hear no more and sighed as he stepped down and watched the gargoyle hop back into place.

The cool air sifted through the openings of the winter cloak. Harry felt relief, tossing back one side behind his shoulder as he walked to the closest window and peered down at the Quidditch field in the distance.

He had lost track of time when he heard the gargoyle hop aside and he watched as Hermione stepped off the downward spiral of the staircase.

"Well?" he asked with little fanfare.

Hermione looked back at Harry with a strong dose of fear in her eyes.

He was suddenly very scared and extremely worried. "Hermione, what's wrong?"

"Harry," she paused. "I want to talk to you about this," she reconsidered. "I have to talk to you, but not tonight, okay. I need time to think."

"You've got to be joking!"

She shook her head, "Please, Harry."

Tears were forming in her eyes and that was all it took. Indignation left his face he pulled Hermione in his embrace. "Soon?"

She buried her face in his shirt and sobbed. He held her head and rocked back and forth in silence until she was able to pull away without casting off again.

A tissue appeared in her hand from under her robes and dabbed at her eyes. "I'm Cho all over again."

Harry shook his head, "No, don't be silly. Now if you were to cry over not being able to comb my hair or not having the choice between pecan pie over pumpkin, then you would be the human hosepipe."

She spouted a spill of laughter mixed with her tears.

"Let's go back and get a good night's sleep, you'll tell me when you're ready, all right?"

She nodded, "Tomorrow, after dinner. Professor Dumbledore said the changes won't happen until then. I have a few things I have to do before he will...."

Harry caught himself before he asked what changes and what it was she had to do. No need in becoming a complete prat and make your girlfriend cry twice in one night.

They walked the halls until they found their way back to Gryffindor Tower.

"Tangled tentacles. "

The Fat Lady smiled, "Out for a late night stroll?"

Harry nodded and let Hermione through the portrait hole first. He had listen to her sniffles the entire way back and nearly choked himself to death in an attempt to keep his mouth shut.

"Where have you two been, off snoggin' by the lake?" Ron commented.

Hermione gasped and let loose with a loud burst of tears as she ran to the girls dormitory.

Harry called after her but she didn't even break stride.

"Bit daft of her wasn't it?"

He ignored his comment, "What are you doing up so late?"

His friend shrugged.

Harry rolled his eyes. "You've been off snogging down by the lake!" He looked at his watch, "Ron it's almost two in the morning!"

He tried to look as innocent as he could, "Well we weren't doin' it the whole time."