Chapter 11
The Destruction of Hogwarts and
Rebuilding of the Castle
Their necklaces became hot again, Harry and Hermione both remembered something, Neo had told them, 'that is what they think, that is what you think, that is what holds you back,' They remembered Honeydukes. They held hands, their eyes closed and apparated just before the tower crashed.
Harry opened his eyes and looked around Hermione was right in front of him, "I… really appreciate that you stayed behind for me," said Harry quietly. Hermione opened her eyes and looked into his, "I couldn't live without you either," she said. The other students and teachers poured into Honeydukes, "MR. POTTER, MISS GRANGER," Professor McGonagall started to scream, "HOW DARE YOU?!" Harry looked at Professor McGonagall looking slightly guilty, "We know we worried you Professor," started Harry. "But it had to be done," finished Hermione quietly. "HAD TO BE DONE!" shrieked Professor McGonagall. "Minerva, enough, they have been through enough today," said Professor Dumbledore, "We must relocate the students to our other location, this time we must be prepared." Dumbledore looked at Harry, "Is your group ready?" he asked. Harry looked doubtful, "I don't know, they have already survived Voldemort once. Well sort of," he replied. "Harry, I must ask you to take on more students," said Professor Dumbledore. "Professor?" asked Harry incredulously, "I'm not a teacher!" "No, you're not Harry, officially, but you are good at what you do, that is all a teacher is," replied Dumbledore. Harry still looked a little doubtful. "Harry, you have now stood your ground against Voldemort 5 times in 6 years successfully, no other has ever done that," said Dumbledore. Harry still had his reservations, "Professor, I don…" Harry started. Dumbledore interrupted him, "Harry, my dear boy, you have the talent," he insisted. Harry looked at Hermione, "Well?" he asked. "What?" replied Hermione, who hadn't been listening to his mind. "Do you think we can do it?" he restated. She bit her lip, "Well Harry… We already are," Hermione said. Harry sighed, "You're right, but this is a little more than I can do alone," he said to Professor Dumbledore. "Then I'll help you," said Hermione quickly. Dumbledore smiled at this, but looked at Hermione, "Hermione, you have to take the Potions class, we lost too many," he shook his head then turned his gaze to Harry, "Harry, what happened to the Slytherin's?" he asked. Harry stopped, he had been expecting that question, "They wouldn't come, and I didn't have time to argue with them," he replied. "Harry?" asked Hermione, "Didn't you predict this?" Harry looked past them, out the window, to a falling Hogwarts. "Yes, unite with us or die without us." Harry replied.
Harry looked around at the new castle Dumbledore had taken them to, it was smaller than Hogwarts, but just as fun filled, Harry decided to apparate back to Hogwarts and check the damage. With a thought, Harry was in front of a ruined castle, everything gone, he looked at the Slytherin tower, it had not survived either. Harry tried to feel sorry for them, but couldn't, anger stirred in him, hadn't he tried to warn them? Hadn't he tried to help them? He wondered for a moment and walked over to the Slytherin tower, there had been three teachers killed, he saw their bodies on the way; Professor Snape, Trelawney and another he did not know, it made him sick to think of all the death and destruction caused by Voldemort. The Slytherin tower had been reduced to rubble, many Slytherins were lying in it… dead… just as Harry had feared. One he did notice that was not there, Draco Malfoy, had escaped the destruction, unlike his former classmates. Harry sighed, should he clean up Hogwarts? With Hermione it would be possible to put it together in less than two days, without her, he didn't know if he had the will. He disapparated back to the new castle.
Hermione and Ron were looking at the board in the new common room, "Harry!" said Hermione, "There's a dance on Halloween, must be because of the success of the Yule Ball in our 4th year." She made it sound like a suggestion, Harry took the hint, but wanted to play with her, so he nodded, "Dumbledore would want to keep everything as normal as possible," he replied, "A very good idea. I wonder who I would ask…" "Hermione," started Ron, "Would you go with me?" Hermione stopped dead, "What?" she asked, now absolutely shocked. Ron drew a deep breath, "Would you go to the dance with me?" he repeated. Hermione glanced at Harry with a desperate plea for help, 'Harry! What are we going to do?' she thought anxiously. 'I don't know,' he answered. Harry looked shocked, "You're asking Hermione?" asked Harry incredulously. "Yes," said Ron looking nervous. 'What are we going to do?' Hermione thought pleadingly. Ron turned back to Hermione, "Well?" he asked. Harry subtly hung his head for a moment he knew that if he asked her to refuse she would, but she was suffering from the same problem as him, if she said 'no' it would kill Ron, as Hermione again glanced at him he nodded very slightly and silently, feeling his heart being ripped out, turned around to leave the common room. Hermione felt like her heart had also been ripped out as she gave a very reluctant 'yes'. Ron, however, didn't notice, "Thanks Hermione." Ginny overheard them; she wanted to yell at Ron. Harry purged of all his emotions… Ginny called after Harry, "Harry, who are you going to go with?" she asked. As he looked back, he met Hermione's eyes, full of apologies. She saw something missing now… a critical part of Harry, he answered with no emotion, or thought, he seemed almost mechanical, "No one," he replied.
Harry apparated back to Hogwarts soon after getting out of sight, Hermione couldn't find him now… no one could. His heartbreak made him realize another part Neo had meant, he lost his heart, soul and, most importantly, his conscience. He finally opened up and tears began to fall, after a few minutes he made a decision, he couldn't hurt either one of his friends. He focused his anger and rebuilding of Hogwarts began. He knew there were no classes for the next week, since the teachers had to get the students, books, quills and other items lost during the attack. He could put everything back together within four or five days without her. But Harry couldn't bear to think about that, he concentrated harder. It began to fly together, faster and faster…
Two hours later, Hermione was still looking for Harry, now
she was really worried, she felt him, but he was eluding her somehow. Stealth
was one of his strong points. "Peeves, don't bother
me," said a familiar voice. "Harry?" Hermione asked. Peeves laughed, "Is mad
Harry Potter scared of little old Peeves?" he asked tauntingly. "No," came the reply, "I'm not in the mood to put up with anything
Peeves." Harry apparated through the wall and sealed
it so Peeves couldn't fly through it and was able to lose both of them, he
couldn't stand to look at her right now. He rushed up the stairs and
told the portrait the password, it swung open and Harry rushed up the stairs to
the Head Boy room, slamming the door behind him. He locked it with a charm not
even Dumbledore could undo. He threw himself on his bed, he was exhausted,
"Tomorrow more…" he thought quietly, he tried to sleep, but he couldn't. All
night he tried to sleep, but couldn't, his mind let down its guard. He felt
Hermione's pain, great pain, same as his own, the pain of separation. Harry
fell into an almost narcomaic state:
"Hogwarts has been destroyed master, the grounds torn up, pieces of the castle
lie about, three teachers killed, it's a total victory my Lord," said Wormtail cringing. "Good Wormtail,
what of the rest of the students?" Voldemort asked. "Plea…please forgive me master, I do not know how they escaped," cried Wormtail. "Wormtail… Wormtail, you disappoint me," said Voldemort in a calm
voice, "Have you found them?" "No… forgive me my Lord, we are still looking,"
replied Wormtail, "But what of your eventual plan, my
Lord?" "Wormtail, my eventual plan is to divide and
conquer, too many times has Potter escaped me, that will soon have rectified
itself, in fact my plan has already begun, but that shall not alleviate your
punishment. Crucio!" said Voldemort lightly. Wormtail screamed and screamed…
Harry sat up, "What was that?" he asked himself. He remembered
everything, but he no longer cared. He was so tired… he hadn't gotten any
sleep, just a stupid vision. He undid then redid the locking spell on his door
and preceded down to find a suitable spot for his new arena. Last time, he
remembered, he had made it with Hermio… his thoughts
stopped, tears started to well up. He once again drained himself of all
emotion, before he could no longer do it. He concentrated on making a
small arena, something he could hide from everybody, but still large enough for
him. He watched the walls shift and waver. Then the door appeared to be part of
the wall. Harry now had to set the password, he thought of his past, he knew a
good password, one that he could remember, one that applied to him. 'I am
alone,' he thought as he pressed on a certain brick. The wall rolled back
silently, he walked in, it was still without light,
books and decorations. Harry thought about how he wanted it to look. It
appeared before him. Soft matting, pillows, decorations on
the walls of swords from different ages. He started by mediating, but he
kept hearing Hermione's hurt pleading voice call him, he cleared his mind and
thought of nothing… still it interrupted him, but now sounded like a distant
call…
After he finished, it was breakfast time, he got up and
looked in the hall before he was visible; there was still no one. He picked up something
he could take along and disapparated back into
Hogwarts. He looked at what he had finished. He now realized that maybe he was
strong on his own, in two hours he had put a quarter of the entire castle back
together. He waved his hand and began again, this time he ate while stones flew
past him and around him. As soon as he finished he turned all his attention to
the task at hand, while on the back burner, thinking of his curriculum for
Defense against the Dark Arts, if he took the job. He could now do it faster
than ever before, 'Practice makes perfect,' he thought quietly. Within another
3 hours the entire castle was put together as though nothing had happened. He
had buried the dead the day before. Now it was time to tell Dumbledore.
When he arrived back on school grounds Dumbledore came to meet him. "Harry," he
started quietly. "Yes Professor?" Harry replied. "Why are you torturing
Hermione?" he asked point blank. Harry looked stunned, "Torturing Hermione?" he
asked, "TORTURING HERMIONE!" he started to
bellow. "Harry, do you realize how taxing this is on her?" replied Dumbledore
in a calming voice. Harry was angry enough to allow a flash of Dumbledore
flying across the grounds…
"Professor," said Harry in a calm voice, "I would prefer
you to stay out of that particular affair." Dumbledore sighed,
"Harry, I know how hard it is on both of you," he said, "At least listen to her, please." Dumbledore started to reenter the
castle leaving Harry to think about it. "Professor," called Harry. Dumbledore
turned around, "Yes Harry?" he replied. "No matter how much I don't like
the fact you are barging in on a sensitive area, I do appreciate your advice. I
also have something to tell you," said Harry still looking downcast. "What is
that Harry?" Dumbledore replied. "Hogwarts has been rebuilt… Everything has
been repaired." Harry said looking at his feet. Dumbledore gave Harry a
piercing look, "Harry, even if the castle has been rebuilt, Hogwarts is
still in shambles," he replied. Harry looked at the ground, his conscience and
heart ached.
Dumbledore was about to enter the castle again, but then he turned around
again, "Who rebuilt it?," he asked. Harry thought a
moment, "One who does not wish me to reveal him," replied Harry carefully
making sure every word was the truth. Dumbledore still watched Harry with that
stare… the one that told Harry Dumbledore was reading his mind. "It is true
then," said Dumbledore, "But how would we be protected from another attack?"
"He told me that there wouldn't be, they couldn't attack it by the time we
moved in," replied Harry not looking up. Dumbledore watched him carefully, "Very well," he muttered quietly, "you may keep
your secret."
Time past… Harry watched quietly from the shadows, as Ron and Hermione were
sitting down to lunch, Ron looked thrilled. Harry felt anger grow in his heart
and soul, 'Why?" he asked himself. But he knew the answer in his heart.
He didn't know how Hermione felt about this; but he wasn't sure whether he
wanted too… He had shut off his mind after leaving an echo behind and an
elusive one; if Harry did say so himself. Harry disappeared down the hall, it was close to his first year class. His
responsibilities of running Defense against the Dark Arts came first.
Hermione thought she was fairly happy with Ron, but she knew if she was completely honest with herself, she knew that she wasn't happy at all; he wasn't Harry nor could he ever be and she still couldn't sleep at night. She knew Harry was having the same problem, but wouldn't admit it even if she asked. Harry had been avoiding her for the past week or so, the toll was starting to show on both of them. Even Ron, as insensitive as he was, had noticed she was very tired, "Hermione, you okay?" he asked. "What?" she asked irritably since he had broken her train of thought. "Are you okay? You've been looking… tired recently," said Ron. "Well spotted," responded Hermione acidly. Ron stayed silent for the rest of lunch, Hermione got up; it was time for Potions, she had to arrive early. She hurried to the Potions classroom; Harry was sitting in the back reading. "Hi Harry," said Hermione quietly in a tired voice. "Hello Hermione," he replied without a hint of emotion, other than sounding tired to her. "Can we…" she started. Harry glanced up and interrupted, "You're happy with Ron; I'm okay with that," he said. "Harry, we both know that's not true," she replied in a severe tone. "Which one?" Harry asked acidly. "Neither one is true, you and I both know that," Hermione started to raise her voice. But they had to stop on that point as Ron walked in. Hermione turned around and groaned under her breath. She wanted Harry back; she knew it would probably take a heated argument and maybe even Harry hurting her feelings. But she was willing to suffer anything if he would finally love her again…
Her feelings were in turmoil, she knew Harry had closed off
his mind. It hadn't taken her long to guess this; how was she going to corner
Harry long enough to finally get him to allow him to vent his feelings? After
Potions, she simply asked him to stay. "Why?" asked Harry suspiciously.
Ron didn't look thrilled at the idea, "But Hermione…" he started in a
whining voice. "Ron GET!" Hermione snarled at him. Ron jumped at
her tone and left looking angry, but she would deal with that later… if she had
too. "Harry," she started. Harry stopped her, "Yes, I do have the
same problem," he answered before she could ask if he too had problems
sleeping, "I haven't slept at all in a while either, at least, what a couple
weeks? Now why do you care? I thought you were happy with Ron." Hermione
bristled at his remark, "Harry, you know just as well as I do,
this wasn't my choice!" she said angrily. "You could have said no,"
snapped Harry, "That was your choice." Ron was starting to be able to
hear their argument from the hallway, not their words but he quite understood
both their tones. "HERMIONE, YOU ARE SUCH A…" Harry started to shout,
but stopped, he turned around. Hermione quickly locked the door with her wand.
"NO HARRY," she yelled angrily, "I WANT TO FINISH THIS NOW!"
Harry grew even angrier, he backed into the wall, it seemed to envelope him and
he disappeared. Hermione groaned; she had been so close. "Oh Harry!" she
groaned quietly, "Why did you stop?"
Harry went up to one of the towers, he sat down and started to cry, he couldn't
hurt Hermione's feelings, but he felt so mad at her. He couldn't stand it; he
wondered if he could sooner or later forgive her, he hoped sooner, he didn't
know how much longer he could keep it bottled up. He wondered; why she had
wanted him to finish, but after a moment didn't care anymore, he couldn't, it
was too taxing on his emotions.
Hermione opened the door discouraged, "What was that about?" asked Ron gently.
Hermione glared at him for a moment, but she couldn't help it, she started
crying. Ron held her for a moment, she felt both thankful and like kicking him.
She couldn't decide on a course of action, so she just continued to cry. After
a while, she stopped. "You okay honey?" asked Ron. Hermione could now decide,
this time it didn't take her any time, she kicked him. "OWW,"
cried Ron, "What'd you do that for?" "DON'T CALL ME
HONEY," Hermione snapped. "You're my girlfriend, I'm supposed to call you that, aren't I?" he asked. "No, I don't like it," she
snapped. She stalked off.
A few days later Ron visited Dumbledore, "Is it true Professor?" asked Ron. "Is what true Ron?" responded Dumbledore. "That Hogwarts has been repaired," replied Ron. Dumbledore sighed, "No Ron, though it is true that the castle has been rebuilt, but Hogwarts, I fear with all my heart may have been irretrievably broken," he said with a downward glance. "What do you mean Professor?" Ron inquired. "Ron, there are other things going on… some are more obvious to you than others," Dumbledore studied his hands, "Hopefully, they can repair themselves, just as he repaired the castle." "Professor, hopefully who can repair themselves?" Ron still inquired further. "Ron, some things you must find on your own," said Professor Dumbledore, "I'm afraid I can't tell you." "Why not Professor," Ron questioned. "Because, I have been asked to not tell you Ron. Now I am very busy at the moment," Professor Dumbledore in a tone that ended the conversation. Ron left downhearted, why had Professor Dumbledore refused to answer any of his questions? On the way he bumped into Harry, "Hey Harry," Ron called. Harry suddenly got very stiff, turning to Ron he replied, "Yes?" "Where you been all day?" Ron asked with interest. Harry was about to burst in anger, but he held himself in check, he suppressed all his emotions, "Out," he answered turning back and leaving. "Hey Harry," Ron called once again, "Are we still friends?" It was now all that Harry could do was hold his anger in check. It took a few moments to form a reply, "What is a friend?" Harry replied with complete calm, "Define it for me." He turned and walked away before he did anything rash. Ron was left in uncertainty on the meaning of Harry's remark.
Harry walked quickly down the corridor, he had no wish for Ron to try to catch up and question him. He pushed on the stone to his private arena and thought, 'I am alone,' The door rolled back into the wall. Harry sat down on the only chair, which luckily was near the door. The door rolled shut, "Effisios," Harry whispered, the room glowed dark for a second as this concealment charm took effect, for the second time tears welled up in his eyes, he felt more alone now that he did not have anything to take his concentration. He picked up a cup with his mind and let it float, letting all his aggravations flow in that direction, finally the cup exploded with such force that nothing was left of it. Harry thought about what Dumbledore had said, he knew it was true… It was taxing on both of them, he should at least listen to her, after all he had given her permission. But he didn't expect it to affect him so. With his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes he taught it would Halloween seem to be approaching fast, he had to decide what to do, maybe he would at least check on them during the dance…
Halloween was exciting for almost everybody; it was
completely open to all. Dumbledore had invited a popular music group from
wizard's wireless. Harry decided he would watch unobserved, he went to his room
to wait for the others to leave, on the way Hermione ran into him on the
stairs. "Harry," she started. Harry began to push past, but Hermione grabbed
his arm, "Please forgive me," Hermione said. Harry turned an angry red, "Why
should I?" he asked. "Because, I'm sorry," she replied. "Yeah right," said
Harry sarcastically. "Harry please," she said quietly.
"HERMIONE NO!" Harry shouted, "YOU ARE SUCH
A MUDBLOOD, YOU JERK!" he stopped, Hermione
started crying. "Hermione, please, I'm sorry," said Harry quietly. Hermione
looked up through teary eyes, "Forgive me first," she said just as quietly.
Harry nodded, "I do, I just…" Harry replied. Hermione hugged him, Harry stopped
in surprise, "You know, you're going out with Ron," he said without any
emotion. "Harry, SHUT UP!" Hermione snapped, but then she started
crying again. Harry held her for a moment, "I forgive you too Harry, please
don't cut yourself off from me…" she said in a choking voice. He knew what she
meant, she didn't want him cutting himself mentally off from her, Harry sighed;
he didn't know if he wanted to do that. "Harry," she replied. "Harry, I won't
go if you ask me to stay," Hermione said softly. Harry hesitated, "No, go,"
said Harry, "I will not have you hurt another one of your friends…" he trailed
off. He released himself, she felt him again, him not a façade. Hermione kissed
him on his cheek. She was running back down the stairs. A few minutes later,
Harry noticed the halls were empty. He muttered, "Visum
non" and he disappeared, he then apparated
to one of the main support beams, 'this is a good spot,' he thought. 'Where is
that?' came Hermione's mental voice. 'Everywhere and no where.' Harry replied. 'That's not an
answer," said Hermione. Harry smiled, "You'd better believe it," he answered.
He felt Hermione's frustration at his answer. Harry drew a circle with his
finger, now he had a telescope of sorts. The band started to play and the
couples made their way to the dance floor, Harry watched Dumbledore dancing
with Professor McGonagall, who looked extremely disgruntled, he smiled slightly
at the sight, then he watched everybody in turn, as time wore on he became
thirst.
He looked at the refreshment table, he watched a first year heading for it, Harry thought of a very amusing joke, well for him anyway,
as soon as the first year reached for a bottle of butterbeer,
Harry muttered, "Accio," the bottle went flying
toward Harry while it was still in mid-air he cloaked it. The first year jumped
in surprise, Harry laughed. The first year reached for another one, Harry
decided to leave it. He opened the butterbeer. He
turned his attention to Ron and Hermione, Ron seemed enthusiastic about this,
Hermione… well, she didn't look as pleased, or at least Harry liked to think
so. 'You do too much excessive thinking,' said Hermione. 'I sure do, Ms.
Know-It-All,' Harry replied he liked this vantage, he was well hidden. Hermione
gave a mental growl, 'Sure, just call me Ms. Know-It-All,' she growled. Harry
smiled to himself; he would get a little revenge.
At the end of the song; Ron kissed Hermione on the lips, Hermione almost enjoyed it for half a second and stopped, but it was enough, Harry choked and dropped his butterbeer, which gave a resounding crash as the ground shook and trembled, rage built within him was beyond pacification. Glass shook, windows and butterbeer bottles shattered, butterbeer spilled all over the floor, people screamed and ran. He apparated in the hall leading to the dormitories, "Password," said the portrait. But as Harry approached the portrait was magically ripped from the wall with such a force it broke everything around it, the walls crumbled, frame mangled, canvas ripped, screams issued from the portrait as paint splattered and Harry's rage was still growing. An angry storm gathered outside… the ground shook, Harry changed his mind and apparated to the top of the castle tower. He watched as the storm appeared out of nowhere, lighting flashed, thunder rumbled the entire castle and lighting struck. The castle walls were no match, rock flew, stone crumbled before it, the earth quaked and trembled before Harry's rage, it slowly turned to despair, rain fell, covering his tears of melting rage and despair. He withdrew into himself completely, no longer feeling or thinking. Harry felt weakened immediately; his mind rolled and spun leaving him dizzy. He apparated to the hospital wing and collapsed…
Harry awoke, "Well, Mr. Potter, welcome back to the real world," said Madam Pomfery, "What happened to you?" "Something you wouldn't understand," snarled Harry. "What ever it was affected both you and Hermione," said Madam Pomfery. "I'm no closer to healing her, I haven't been able to figure out what is wrong because she has no physical injury." "It must be something else then," said Harry simply, "But I really don't care right now." "What?" asked Madam Pomfery. "I don't care," said Harry. "Why not?" she asked. "I have my reasons," said Harry calmly. He looked at Hermione laying there. "But Harry, she's dying," said Madam Pomfery quietly.
Harry looked at her quite calmly, "I know," he said. Ron was sitting by her bedside. "How long has he been here?" asked Harry, "Oh he checks in on her… once a week," she said. "How long I been out?" he asked. "Two weeks," she answered. "Well, Hermione, hope that kiss was worth dying for, for a boyfriend that checks in on you once a week," said Harry bitterly. "This was all over a kiss?" asked Madam Pomfery. "You have no idea, do you?" Harry started in a low dangerous voice, "Do you know how it feels, to be connected to a mind that you love… then when another kisses them, THEY ENJOY IT?" "and it's worth her life to you?" asked Madam Pomfery. "No, but I cannot save her, can I?" said Harry looking over at Hermione. "I don't know, I have to ask myself that question more than once," she answered, "But you had better find closure quickly. I don't know how long she's going to last." "Then excuse me," Harry said quietly. Madam Pomfery was about to argue when Harry got up and punched Ron flat in the face. "Hey! What's up with you Harry?" he asked holding his nose. Harry answered with one word, "Closure…", and disapparated.
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