A/N:
I've taken artistic license here and decided to make apparition hard and uncommon. I never liked how everyone could just pop in and out so easily; think of all the things you could do if you could teleport yourself wherever you wanted! Plus, the bad guys would almost always get away! Anyways, I figure about 10% of the population can apparate, and only 3% can apparate long distances (i.e., over a mile, er, I mean 1.61 kilometers). I'm also throwing in the that most, if not all, magical communities have a portkey station where witches and wizards can pay money to transport to other stations; less messy then the floo network. I'm sure it's not original.
Anyways, here's the next installment. It's got a bit of talking and a bit of action, a nice combo if I do say so myself. I hope you enjoy!
13. Sixth Year Adventures
Later that month, on a day of unseasonable warmth, Hermione and Ron took a walk by the lake and settled in their usual spot. It was the spot where Harry, Ron, and Hermione would gather when they had some secret to share, some news or plan that they could discuss without prying ears around, or when they just wanted to get away for a moment. It was more private than their spot in the corner of the courtyard, for they could be as loud as they wanted out here. They would usually meet there during mealtimes, and they took turns bringing food happily provided by Dobby. It often became a picnic of sorts, and despite the often grave situations they discussed, it was a place of fond memories.
Hermione sat and stretched out her legs as Ron settled beside her, his back leaning against a tree. They sat quietly for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts, reminiscing the past. Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out the latest edition of the Daily Prophet, the reason why they had retreated to their spot. She unfolded the newspaper and spread it on the ground.
"VOLDEMORT STRIKES AGAIN; DEATH EATER ATTACKS CONFIRMED IN FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES!" the headline screamed.
"Looks like Voldemort's back in action," Ron commented glumly.
"Yeah," Hermione agreed. "I overheard Dumbledore talking to Remus. They were talking about how Voldemort's actions this time are very different from his first reign of terror."
"How so?"
"Instead of just gathering power, as if he were trying to take over the wizarding world, Voldemort seems to be acting more like a terrorist than a conqueror," Hermione explained.
"Terrorist?" Ron asked, confused. It was apparently not a term often used in the wizarding world.
Hermione sighed. "Basically, Voldemort is using quick, violent strikes with maximum impact to scare everyone. Usually terrorists have a cause they support, but Voldemort seems to be attacking people just for the sake of attacking people," she said glumly.
"So…," Ron asked, "Voldemort's not trying to take over the world anymore?"
"That's the thing that Dumbledore's worried about. He's thinking that Voldemort's just doing this in the meantime while he prepares for something much bigger. It's hard to anticipate and stop his hit-and-run tactics, and with all the fear and confusion he's causing, whatever he's planning will be that much more effective."
Ron nodded, taking it all in. Then, trying to change the subject to a happier one, he remarked, "looks like the weather's starting to warm up. Time to start scheduling Quidditch practice."
"That should be nice," Hermione said absently while she looked through the paper.
"Uh huh. We'll have to practice extra hard if we want to keep the Quidditch Cup without Harry. We'll probably have to practice everyday!" Ron said, with a glint in his eyes.
"Honestly Ron! There are more important things that Quidditch! Considering the time we're going to spend looking for Harry, it wouldn't hurt if you started thinking about studying for exams, and we have NEWTs next year," Hermione said.
"Are you mental?" Ron cried. "NEWTs aren't for another year and a half!"
"Well, they're more important than some game!"
"Game?! Quidditch is not a game! It's…it's…life!"
"Ha!" Hermione roared, crossing her arms in front of her. They sat there a moment, staring eye-to-eye for several moments. Finally, Hermione relaxed her arms and looked away, sighing. "You realize we've been fighting and not talking to each a lot recently, when we've not been looking for Harry, that is," she said.
Ron leaned back and slumped his shoulders. "Yeah, I know."
"You know why, don't you?"
Ron nodded. "Harry," he said simply.
It was only something Hermione had begun to fully appreciate recently. While Ron and Hermione were the best of friends, they still argued. A lot. Harry had always there in the past to play mediator or go-between, but now, without him around, there was nothing to stop their small arguments from turning into full-blown fights that often resulted in them not speaking to each other. "We need to do something about it," Hermione said. She waited for Ron to nod, and then turned to face Ron. "I propose we enact a rule."
Ron eyed her curiously. "What rule?"
"We can call it the Potter Rule. Whenever one of our fights start to get out of hand, all one of us has to say is 'Potter,' and we stop fighting right away and try to calm down."
Ron looked thoughtful. "Do you think it'll work?"
"I don't know, but we need to do something."
"I agree. OK, so from now on the Potter Rule is in effect," Ron said, grinning. "Deal?" he said, extending his hand.
"Deal!" Hermione said, shaking his hand. She looked at him a moment. "How did you ever think we could ever date the way we fight?" she teased gently.
Ron chuckled, blushing slightly. "Ah well. I figured you'd eventually realize I'm always right."
"Ha!" Hermione roared, but punched him playfully in the arm. And with the Potter Rule enacted, the two friends made their way back to the castle for dinner.
******************************
Life for Ron and Hermione fell into a routine as winter term progressed. They would go to classes and do their homework, and about once a week they would be called for a fruitless search for Harry. The worst times for Hermione were when someone thought they had spotted Harry's corpse. It was never Harry, but that didn't stop her from feeling a cold dread every time they responded.
Near the end of winter term, Hermione and Ron were in Potions when they were summoned to Dumbledore's office. Hermione and Ron traded looks before gathering their books. The search missions were beginning to take their toll on the two best friends, the emotional roller coaster of doubt and hope and despair beginning to wear the two Gryffindors down. Their spirits rose when they saw the familiar twinkle back in their headmaster's eyes as he greeted them in his office; that twinkle had been rare since Harry's disappearance.
"We have just received word of a very credible Harry sighting," Dumbledore said without preamble. "Lupin, Tonks, Moody, and Arthur and Bill Weasley have gone ahead. We," he said, indicated himself, Professor McGonnagal, and the two students, "will meet up with them using this portkey." Dumbledore held up large serving spoon. Professor McGonnagal reached out and placed a finger on the spoon, and Ron and Hermione followed suite. After the familiar tug-at-the-naval sensation, they found themselves at the outskirts of a little hamlet. There they were met immediately by Lupin.
"Hello Professors Dumbledore, McGonnagal," he said, nodding at each in turn. "Ron, Hermione, it's good to see you again," Lupin said, smiling warmly.
"What's the situation?" Dumbledore asked.
"Harry's been spotted in one of the restaurants near the center of town, right here," Lupin said, unfolding a map of the town and pointing where Harry was spotted. The four newcomers pored over the map as Lupin continued. "Moody and Bill Weasley are scouting the area. Arthur is waiting for us a couple blocks from the restaurant. The idea is that Arthur, Ron, Hermione, and I will enter the restaurant so as to not scare Harry off. The rest will take positions around the town."
"Very good," said Dumbledore, and without further conversations they set off to meet Arthur. Hermione was incredibly nervous; the butterflies in her stomach felt more like a swarm of finches, flying about. She glanced at Ron, whose anxiety was etched across his face. Even though she had given a great deal of thought on the matter personally, and talked over various ideas with Ron, Hermione still had no idea what she would say to Harry beyond apologizing profusely. They greeted Arthur, and then the four of them approached the restaurant.
When they entered the building, Hermione saw that calling it a restaurant had been very generous. It was reminiscent of The Hog's Head tavern in Hogsmeade – dirty, dingy, and disreputable. She noticed with distaste the condition of the furniture and walls, and quickly saw that the place was completely empty with the exception of a single figure, seated at a table with his back to them, his messy black hair plainly visible. It was she could do to hold herself back from running over grabbing him in a fierce hug.
However, just as they were about to take a step towards Harry, Moody rushed in through the door. "EVERYONE OUT!" he screamed, grabbing Ron and Hermione in each hand and tired to drag them out. Arthur and Remus looked at him in confusion, and Hermione started struggling against his grasp. "IT'S A TRAP", Moody cried, and bodily picked up Ron and Hermione and carried them out, a bewildered Arthur and Remus following close behind. Just as they were ten meters from the building, it disintegrated in a great explosion, the force throwing them to the ground. Hermione screamed, then looked at the burning building with wide eyes. She scrambled to her feet and tried to run back to the building, but Moody caught her arm.
"Harry! Harry!" she cried through her tears, trying to free herself from Moody's grip.
"It was a trap," he said gruffly. "It wasn't even Harry."
Once Arthur made sure his son wasn't hurt, he faced Moody. "How did you know?"
Moody pointed at his magical eye, which was spinning in his head. "I saw through the walls. I'm not sure who it was, but I could tell it wasn't Harry, wasn't even a person. Whoever did this, they did a good job in making it look like Harry."
By then, Dumbledore and the others arrived, running from their various positions. "Look!" cried Bill, pointing down the street. They all turned to look and saw several robed figures disappearing around the corner.
"Death Eaters," Moody said in a low tone. He turned to the others. "OK, here's the plan: Remus and Tonks with me, we'll pursue them. Bill, Minerva, and Albus cut around and try to get ahead of them. We'll run them right into you and have them surrounded!"
"What about us?" cried Ron and Hermione simultaneously.
Moody ignored them and turned to Arthur. "Arthur, your job is to keep these kids safe." Arthur nodded while Ron and Hermione protested loudly, to no avail. Moody and his team ran off in the direction the Death Eaters had gone, while Dumbledore, McGonnagal and Bill Weasley ran off to a side street, hoping to intercept the Death Eaters.
"But Dad!" Ron cried out, "We just can't sit here! We have to do something!"
"Let the others handle it son. We should go now and find someplace safe to wait," Arthur said, shepherding the two students in the opposite direction that the Death Eaters took.
Hermione allowed herself to be led away, but took frequent looks behind her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement. Stopping, she watched as five hooded figures emerged from behind a collection of bins and ran up the street, safely away from Moody and the others. Death Eaters! Without thinking, Hermione sprinted off in pursuit, leaving Arthur and Ron behind her. As she followed, Hermione could tell she wouldn't be able to overcome their head start. She figured that the Death Eaters would try to make their way to the portkey station. Picturing the map of the town that Lupin showed them, Hermione oriented herself and took off down a side street, having deduced the quickest route to the portkey station in her head (there's a reason why she's the smartest witch at Hogwarts, after all). She reached the station quickly, and Hermione paused to catch her breath as she looked around. No Death Eaters in sight – she had gotten there in time. After Hermione regained her breath, she stood in front of the entranceway to the portkey station. Minutes passed, and the five Death Eaters came running down the street. They paused momentarily when they saw her blocking their escape, but seemed to regain their confidence when they saw she was alone. The Death Eater in front, the leader by the looks of things, practically swaggered up to her. All of a sudden, Hermione felt a surge of panic overwhelm her; she'd never before faced danger without Harry, what was she thinking coming here alone? Hermione looked around frantically, desperately searching for an escape, when the Death Eater called out.
"Awwww, if it isn't ickle Harry Potter's ickle little girlfriend," the Death Eater said mockingly. Hermione remembered that voice, and that horrid face, from the Department of Mysteries - Bellatrix Lestrange. "Get out of the way, child, before you get hurt!" she warned, as the four other Death Eaters took positions around her.
Suddenly, all Hermione's emotions and feares crystallized on a single thought: in front of her stood the woman who caused Harry so much pain. She straightened and stood firm, determination replacing her fear, and she raised her wand as she faced the five Death Eaters. "Never!" she cried. "You shall not pass!"*
Lestrange looked at her in amusement. "I shall enjoy seeing you treated as Potter was. Did you know he tried not to scream? He really did, but after ten minutes of slicing and dicing, he cried like a little baby. Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can hear the screams and begging in my head. It's truly a beautiful sound."
Rage and fury flowed through Hermione. She cried out, "Stupefy!" A jet of red light leapt from her wand and struck Lestrange in the chest, blowing her backwards on the street. The four Death Eaters immediately scattered, firing curses back at Hermione. "Protego!" she cried, reflecting a curse back at its originator, then dived to the ground as two hexes collided above her. She rolled, then aimed her wand at the Death Eater closest to her, firing a stunning spell. Just as the spell left her wand, a purple fire hit her in the side, causing her to fall to her knees, the pain clouding her sense. The two remaining Death Eaters took careful aim as Hermione clutched at her side.
"Stupify!" cried a voice, as one of the Death Eaters was struck by a red light. The final Death Eater swiftly turned and retaliated. He apparently missed whoever had come to Hermione's aid, for another blast of light sent the last Death Eater to the ground. Hermione, the pain growing as the adrenaline began to leave her system, felt a pair of hands on her shoulders. "Hermione! Are you alright?" she heard, and then looked up into the concerned eyes of Ron. She nodded, before passing out.
Hermione awoke minutes later to find Tonks tending to her wounds. She saw the five Death Eaters, including Lestrange, bound and unconscious, and surrounded by various witches and wizards. "Aurors," Tonks said, seeing where Hermione was looking. "We summoned them as soon as we saw what happened. What you did was very brave Hermione," Tonks said, a look of admiration on her face.
Hermione tried to get up, but winced at the pain. "Brave and stupid, you mean," she said as she gripped her side. "Am I going to be alright?"
"You'll be fine. A brief stay in the hospital wing under Madam Pomfrey's care and you'll be up and about in a day."
Hermione nodded gratefully. "What about Ron?"
"He's fine too. Although, I dare say he's a little miffed that you ran off without him," she said with a teasing smile.
Hermione chuckled, then sat up slowly. She watched the Aurors haul away Lestrange's limp body. "This one's for you, Harry Potter," Hermione said softly with a smile.
As Hermione made her way to her feet, a short wizard ran up to her. "Ms. Granger! Ms. Granger!" he cried. "Mike Perry of the Daily Prophet. I'd like to ask you a few questions…"
*My little homage to one of the greatest scenes and speeches ever written! I'm a sucker for gallant last stands, especially when they turn out to be not-so-last stands.
More notes:
To smegul: sorry my notes weren't clear. I actually have a bunch of chapters already written after this one. Based on some reviews and flashes of creativity before bedtime, I've augmented them
To Wind Whisperer and liseli vanida-kateb: I'm a little worried that two POVs can be confusing, especially later on; but I'll think about it…