The battle at the Department of Mysteries had been a deciding factor in the
lives of our six students. The Order had realized their potential and had
initiated them. They received special training daily. All unnecessary
classes were dropped. They were instructed in basics, and received special
instructions in their specialties. Ginny had developed an aptitude for
transfiguration and potions. Neville in herbology. Luna was good in charms.
Ron excelled at strategy. Harry in defense against the dark arts, and
Hermione a little in everything. All summer and beyond they trained, harder
and harder. Harry was made a prefect and took his duties seriously.
Hermione was the first to notice that Harry had been pulling away from his
friends. He would spend his spare time hiding who knows where. She began to
get worried.
One night, late, she awoke and for some unknown reason decided to break the rules and take a walk. She carefully slipped out one of the secret passageways so as not to be caught. She walked toward the lake. There, she saw a figure, lit in the moonlight, leaning against a tree, sobbing. She instantly knew it was Harry. She ran to him without another thought, knelt down on the wet grass, and put her arms around him. She held him there, rocking back and forth as he sobbed into her shoulder. Finally, he looked up and began to speak. He spoke of Sirius, his guilt, Dumbledore, the pressure to win, and finally the prophecy. Hermione listened to him and then began to speak. She spoke softly at first, telling him that it was okay to cry. It was normal after a loss. Then she spoke of Sirius and of how Harry was certainly not guilty. She told him that although no one was infallible, together they were all stronger than they were apart. She told him he was not and never would be alone. Then she said something else, something that would change the nature of their relationship forever. "Harry, I love you and I will always be here for you, no matter what." They both froze, instantly realizing the implications of her words. They could have been innocent, just the words of a friend, but somehow they both knew it wasn't. "Hermione, what do you mean?" He asked softly. "this." She leaned over and pressed her lips against his, softly, but unhesitant. He stiffened, then relaxed and returned her kiss. When they broke apart they spoke. They spoke of the past and of the future and of a friendship that had grown into something more. When they headed back to the tower, it was as boyfriend and girlfriend. Ron was jealous at first, but he gradually got over his crush on Hermione. The trio remained intact and the three were still the best of friends.
Near the end of sixth year, the news came that Luna's father had been killed. She stayed with the Weasleys over the summer, and when school started again, she and Ron were going out. In their seventh year Harry and Hermione were made head boy and girl. By the middle of seventh year, Neville had gotten up his courage and had gone to ask Ginny out. However, before he could, she asked him out. Everyone was happy. They continued to train. Several Order members were killed including Mundungus and Snape. Remus and Tonks dated and became engaged. As the battle drew closer, Hermione came up with her plan. She worked on it day and night, whenever she could and was not in class or with Harry or the others. Everyone noticed her exhaustion and asked, but she would tell no one. She spent hours in the library and even more time in her room, working alone, refusing visitors. Finally, the day had arrived. There was one problem. Harry had to face Voldemort, but he had no idea what to do.
One night, late, she awoke and for some unknown reason decided to break the rules and take a walk. She carefully slipped out one of the secret passageways so as not to be caught. She walked toward the lake. There, she saw a figure, lit in the moonlight, leaning against a tree, sobbing. She instantly knew it was Harry. She ran to him without another thought, knelt down on the wet grass, and put her arms around him. She held him there, rocking back and forth as he sobbed into her shoulder. Finally, he looked up and began to speak. He spoke of Sirius, his guilt, Dumbledore, the pressure to win, and finally the prophecy. Hermione listened to him and then began to speak. She spoke softly at first, telling him that it was okay to cry. It was normal after a loss. Then she spoke of Sirius and of how Harry was certainly not guilty. She told him that although no one was infallible, together they were all stronger than they were apart. She told him he was not and never would be alone. Then she said something else, something that would change the nature of their relationship forever. "Harry, I love you and I will always be here for you, no matter what." They both froze, instantly realizing the implications of her words. They could have been innocent, just the words of a friend, but somehow they both knew it wasn't. "Hermione, what do you mean?" He asked softly. "this." She leaned over and pressed her lips against his, softly, but unhesitant. He stiffened, then relaxed and returned her kiss. When they broke apart they spoke. They spoke of the past and of the future and of a friendship that had grown into something more. When they headed back to the tower, it was as boyfriend and girlfriend. Ron was jealous at first, but he gradually got over his crush on Hermione. The trio remained intact and the three were still the best of friends.
Near the end of sixth year, the news came that Luna's father had been killed. She stayed with the Weasleys over the summer, and when school started again, she and Ron were going out. In their seventh year Harry and Hermione were made head boy and girl. By the middle of seventh year, Neville had gotten up his courage and had gone to ask Ginny out. However, before he could, she asked him out. Everyone was happy. They continued to train. Several Order members were killed including Mundungus and Snape. Remus and Tonks dated and became engaged. As the battle drew closer, Hermione came up with her plan. She worked on it day and night, whenever she could and was not in class or with Harry or the others. Everyone noticed her exhaustion and asked, but she would tell no one. She spent hours in the library and even more time in her room, working alone, refusing visitors. Finally, the day had arrived. There was one problem. Harry had to face Voldemort, but he had no idea what to do.