Chapter 7: Come to Me Before Dawn
Harry walked into his castle and sighed.
War.
He knew Malfoy'd be a pain in the ass, but this… this was the last straw. Now he, and the others would march into war against the Slytherin kingdom… well, so be it. He walked into his room and found a sullen-faced Hermione. "Hey," he greeted.
She looked up at him. "I was so worried about you. How'd it go?"
"Not good," he replied. "We're going to war."
"War?" she whispered. "He'll be killed."
Harry shook his head. "We attack at dawn."
Hermione grimly nodded. "I knew it'd come to this." She sank slowly to the floor.
"Hey," he said softly, kneeling next to her. "You haven't done anything wrong."
"Haven't I?" she whispered.
"No," Harry said firmly. "So don't think that." He looked to her. "There's something else… what's wrong?" In the short time he had known her, he had begun to understand her.
"I ran into Ginny."
"Oh," he nodded.
"She has a lovely ring." Hermione said.
Harry was silent.
"I need to know your feelings towards me," Hermione said. "Do you love Ginny?"
"I… I don't know," Harry said. His head hurt. About a week ago, everything was so lovey-dovey around there. He and Ginny were going to be married, and things seemed peaceful. But then, this beautiful girl just barged her way on into his life, and took his heart hostage. And it made things so very complicated.
"I know it must seem like I'm using you," she whispered. She walked to him and stared into his emerald eyes. The eyes that seemed to hold his soul. "But I'm not," she said quietly. "I'm not."
Harry reached out a hand and pinched her chin.
"If… you tell me you do love her, I will wish you all the best," she said. "But it would be so hard seeing you with her…"
Harry looked at her. Did she mean what he thought she meant?
"Because…" she sighed. "Because I love you." She gave him a little smile, and he grinned in return, making her face glow as well.
He opened his mouth to speak, when a guard walked in the door.
"Sir, very sorry to interrupt." The guard said. "But we must plan tactics."
"Right," Harry said. He walked to her and took her hands. "I'll be back soon, okay?"
"I have to go to the Muggle-born kingdom," Hermione said.
"We attack at dawn," Harry whispered to her, lightly trailing a finger down her cheek.
Hermione nodded. "We've been expecting this for awhile… but I'll have them ready."
Harry leaned down and kissed her. He gave her a smile, and then left after the guard.
When Hermione reached the Muggle-born kingdom that night, she saw nearly everyone coming out of their cottages to greet her. She looked at each stern face before she spoke. "The Slytherin Kingdom has declared war with us, and the other three kingdoms."
There was a flurry of murmers from the crowd.
Hermione raised her hand. "Please, don't jump to any conclusions. You can't be at all shocked by this. You all wanted equal rights, and tomorrow, we will fight for them, and you will get them. By tomorrow night, we will all be equal citizens."
Hermione looked to the sky. In a few hours time, they'd be marching into battle for their equality. Finally, finally, she had proved herself to her people. Her people… that would have a different meaning soon. They wouldn't be hers anymore. They would be all equal. They wouldn't be dying from disease, or bad water. Children would no longer go to bed hungry, or have no shoes to put on their feet. They'd finally have the kind of life that they deserved. That they all deserved.
But some of them wouldn't live to see it. People died in war, and she knew some of the Muggle-borns would perish as the morning sun rose. She hated that it had come to this, but wasn't at all surprised.
Now, all the children were nestled in their beds, as their parents, brothers, sisters, and friends got ready for battle.
"Bless us tomorrow," Hermione whispered to the starlight sky.
Above a star twinkled, and she realized with horror that it was speeding toward her. She almost screamed when she realized it wasn't a star- but an angel. Harry had come to her.
"Harry," she whispered. "What are you doing here?"
Harry stopped in front of her and dismounted from his Firebolt. "Hi," he said. "I wanted to see you before tomorrow."
She smiled. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah," he replied, trailing a finger down her cheek. "Hermione, tomorrow…"
"Thank you," she whispered. "I know it seems wrong to say, but…"
"No," Harry said. "I know what you mean, and you don't have to thank me, this never should have happened in the first place, and I'm sorry it did."
"It wasn't your fault," she said.
"If only I had known earlier…" he started.
"Don't," she said. "You're doing something about it now, and that's all that matters."
Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She nestled into him.
"Harry, if I die tomorrow…"
"Don't say that," he whispered.
"No," she said firmly. "Listen to me." Tears started to roll down her cheeks.
Harry wiped a few tears off her cheeks with his thumb.
"If I die tomorrow, make sure… make sure they're treated right?"
"Of course," he whispered.
"And…" she avoided his eyes. "Remember me?"
"Always," he said, and kissed her.
Hermione drew her arms up, and fastened them around his neck.
Heehee!!! Another chapter in the books. Gee, whatever could take place next chapter? ;o) Thank you for all the reviews! Luv ya!!!