Chapter 13
The Rebuilding of Hogwarts
News of Harry's death shocked the school, it traveled like wildfire, within the five days since he had died everyone knew, they feared greatly. The Boy Who Lived was dead, who would now dare stand against Voldemort? There was a feast that night; many hoped Dumbledore would reassure them. But there were no false hopes; no one else could ever defeat Voldemort; why had he given his life for Hermione Granger? That was the question the whole school was wanting answered. Most now believed what had been written in witches weekly the year before. The general consensus was Harry had been put under a spell.
Two white robed figures stood staring silently at Hogwarts, "You will teach Defense against the Dark Arts," said Neo in a quiet voice, "Their previous one died. Remember what I taught you." The other figure nodded, "Yes, I will master." He paused, "Do you hear Dementors?" "Yes, we have precious little time. You will attend the feast, everything has been prepared," said Neo, "But many fear this is the end. Take heed and watch your back." "Why master?" asked the other one. "The past reveals the future, the final battle is yet to come," said Neo cryptically, "The final battle will take place among friends. Now go, you must not be late." The other figure bowed slightly and turned towards the castle.
Once everyone, with the exception of Hermione and Ron (who was visiting Hermione) who were in the hospital wing, was seated, the doors swung open, a white figure entered, he was completely covered in white; all the students stared curiously. He raised his hand, the doors shut behind him. Professor McGonagall gasped, "Dumbledore isn't that the guy that kidnapped Amanda?" she asked. Dumbledore didn't answer, he was expecting him, but Neo had not told him who to expect, just that he would know him. The door opened again, coldness penetrated the room, Dementors appeared, all the candles went out, the castle was plunged into darkness. Dementors screeched, the figure snapped a finger, the candles all relit, the Dementors were still there but they had been scattered. the students began to panic, "SILENCE," Dumbledore said loudly. Everyone stopped, Dumbledore watched calmly as the white robed figure stood between the Dementors, they silently slid towards him; he fought without magic. His quickness kept them at bay. Two Dementors grabbed him from behind, a third one approached as it lowered its hood. The white figure grabbed something under his cloak and pulled out a sword and sliced off its head, the Dementor dissipated into darkness, then he whispered and a bright flash from his hand dispelled the two Dementors who were standing by, his sword left a white circle on the floor where he had whirled around killing two more Dementors, the last two Dementors slid from the room as two shining lights appeared near the ceiling but they disappeared just as quickly as the Dementors. The white figure made a slight bow of respect to Dumbledore as the dead Dementors dissipated into nothingness and seated himself, nothing of his face showed. Dumbledore was silent for a moment his question the same as everyone else; who was this? Everyone began to mutter, "I apologize Dumbledore, they must have followed us," said the figure in a quiet voice that silenced the room as he sat down, "I have dispatched them." Dumbledore turned from him as though nothing had happened, "Today, I will introduce your new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher," Dumbledore said. Everyone began muttering excitedly, Dumbledore knew what they were discussing, they had seen him defeat seven rogue Dementors. It gave them great hope, if he could defeat seven Dementors could he, perhaps, defeat Voldemort? The figure stood, "I hope to make Defense against the Dark Arts as interesting as Professor Lupin," he said quietly standing as he lowered his hood.
Everyone gasped, "Harry Potter?" Dumbledore finished in a shocked question. Everyone was shocked, Harry continued, "Reports of my demise are greatly… exaggerated," said Harry in a carrying quiet voice. "But Dumbledore, how? He was dead," asked McGonagall. Harry looked at her, "Death is only the beginning Professor," he replied, "How is Hermione?" He turned his attention to Dumbledore. "She is still unconscious," replied Dumbledore still a little stunned. "Then I am finished here," said Harry vanishing. "Our other new addition to the teaching staff is still unconscious in the hospital wing, Hermione Granger," Dumbledore said still staring at the spot from which Harry had disappeared.
"Madam Pomfery, will she survive?" asked a familiar voice Hermione couldn't place yet. "Yes, I don't know how he did it, but he rescued her, literally, from the jaws of death," replied Madam Pomfery. Hermione awoke groggily, she felt a cool hand on her head. She immediately remembered what happened. "HARRY!" she screamed. She fell flat on the cold stone floor sobbing hysterically, the room went silent, and she heard a song in her mind that she hadn't heard since she was a child… Something had awoken that memory of comfort and safety. She heard whispering, people left, "No, I won't," said another familiar voice. "Get," came a reply, then his tone changed, "Now." and the doors shut, arms went around her, she started to fight.
"Herm," came a soft loving voice, "Shhh, rest, you're safe." "Harry?" she asked sobbing, "I'm so sorry," she continued to sob uncontrollably. Harry just held her, softly pulling her hair behind her ears. "You almost gave your life for me didn't you?" she asked still sobbing. "Yes," answered Harry. "Why?" she asked, "I did something horrible, unforgivable." Harry waved a hand at the door, curious faces were starting to appear at the windows, the windows clouded until they were as solid looking as the doors themselves, Harry felt a little bit of irritation, this was a time for discretion, and the door was then sealed so only Harry could break it. Then with another wave put up a concealment spell that none, save him, could ever remove. "Because, I couldn't live anyway," said Harry quietly. Hermione wanted to lay there and die, "We've already done that Herm, I would rather we both live, we could have so much to look forward to," Harry said softly into her ear. "How did you know?" she asked. "We are telepathically connected, this time, permanently," answered Harry. "Did my dad ask Madam Pomfery whether I would survive?" she asked as her brain became aware enough to make the connection. "Yes, your parents are alive," said Harry. "Are they here?" she asked. "Yes and no, yes they are on the school grounds, no they are not in here," replied Harry. "They may find it strange to have a boy holding their daughter in such a state," she said. "Herm, they wouldn't know, I asked them to leave, along with Madam Pomfery, Professor Dumbledore and Ron. They knew this was something just between us, we have formed an eternal bond Herm, something no one else has done, ever," Harry said. "What eternal bond?" she asked. "We have traded part of our souls to one other Herm, that is a bond that can never be broken, I saved you from the jaws of death, something no one, in their right mind, would have tried to accomplish." Harry said softly whispering in her ear "Then why did you?" she asked, tears that had abated came back. "Because, without you, my loving Herm, I can never be in my right mind, never whole again," he answered, "Shh, enough questions, please rest." Hermione started to fall asleep, calming thoughts were flowing through her like a pleasant breeze.
When she awoke, she felt so refreshed, it was the first time she had had any decent amount sleep in weeks… All she had had for weeks was a dream like, almost narcomaic, state of exhaustion only to come out of it just as tired as though she hadn't had any sleep… Harry was still holding her, a pillow under her head and a blanket under and over them. She smiled and curled up with him, the hospital wing was deserted. She felt safe and warm, she knew she was in no danger, she felt peace for the first time since Ron had asked her out; there was no gnawing in the pit of her stomach. Death had brought them together once again, Hermione was comforted by the fact Harry would, no matter what, love her more than life itself. He had proved that, for the fourth time he had risked his life for her, in the first year, the third year, the fifth year and now the sixth year. This time he had directly given his life for her, something, she knew that Ron could never do; he would have panicked far too early to save her. Harry had slipped into the abyss of death itself, for her. Nothing could ever show more caring and love. Harry gave her a little squeeze, "Herm," he whispered. She answered with a squeezing of his hand, "Harry, how did you survive falling into the abyss of death?" she asked quietly. "Herm, I would rather not discuss that just yet… and who said I did? There is so much to tell you, but you're not ready, I want you to rest first." Harry said quietly. "Harry; is there a God?" she asked. Harry sighed, "None in this world are prepared to know what lies beyond the Great Threshold, but yes, Herm, there is a God, I have seen Him face to face. I have faced death in a way indescribable," he said quietly, "Perhaps… later I can tell you some of it". "My parents are right then?" she asked. Harry thought for a moment, "Yes, they are, more than they know," he replied. "Harry, there is nothing I could ever do to repay you for your love and care," whispered Hermione. Harry hugged her, "I didn't ask for it," he replied.
Ginny knocked, Harry answered, "Yes?" "Harry, let me take Hermione to get a bath, okay?" she said. Hermione sighed, "I don't want this to end," she said. "Neither do I, but it can continue, for a long time," said Harry, "Just with occasional interruptions." "Just a moment Ginny," said Hermione crossly. Hermione started to get up, "No Hermione," said Harry with a smile, "I'll carry you." Hermione turned a deep red, "What about my parents and the other students?" asked Hermione. Harry smiled quietly, he picked her up easily and both of them disappeared. "But how?" she asked, "The one we were taught only extends to us, not to objects we are holding." "I will tell you later, for now let's get you a bath, and us something to eat; what can I bring you, anything you want," he said. "Well I really want some waffles with syrup, butter and strawberries," she said with relish. "Your wish is my command," Harry said so only she could hear him, she rested her head on his chest contentedly. She was almost sorry when they reached the prefects' bathroom, "Harry?" she asked. "Yes?" he responded. "Will you be waiting when I get back?" she asked. Harry smiled at her affectionately, "With all my heart," he responded lovingly. Ginny blushed just from overhearing the tones of their conversation. She could tell they wanted to be alone, at least for awhile, so they could recover, Harry and Hermione had after all scarcely escaped death, and although Hermione had a much wider gap than Harry, it was still close. She knew facing death together in that manner; no one could fathom the relationship that would grow between them shortly. Harry put down Hermione gently, Ginny helped her inside, Harry stared at the door a moment, feeling torn beyond belief, just as Hermione was. He ran down and got both their orders and quickly made his way to the hospital wing, he set down their orders on a table close to the window and drew two very comfortable chairs. After watching them appear, Harry started a gentle, warm breeze through the room. He sat and waited with almost baited breath, Hermione was feeling the same way, he knew it; both now had a permanent connection to each other, distance mattered not, it was one that could never be severed, even in death. He bit his lip, waiting for Hermione was worse than facing death itself a hundred fold….
Hermione opened the door, Harry couldn't believe it, she was, if possible, even more beautiful than the first time he saw her. Hermione asked a question, but he couldn't hear anything. "Harry!" she said a little louder. "Yes, Herm?" Harry answered still dazed. "Did you hear me?" she asked. "No, sorry, I'm just a little distracted, by your beauty that is," he replied still watching her. "Well, maybe you could stop getting distracted," she said just a little red, "I asked you how my parents came back from the dead." Harry thought for a minute, "All I know is what I was told, he said, not everything is what it seems Harry…" Harry trailed off. Hermione was leaning against the wall opposite of him, light was catching her hair, it made her look like a beautiful angel… Harry got up and again picked up Hermione, she started laughing, "Come on Harry, you know I can walk," she said. "Yes, but who wouldn't want to pick you up," he replied with a smile. They sat and had breakfast together; it seemed like something they hadn't done in the longest time.
Ron came in just after they had finished, "Hey Hermione, you alright," he said. "Yep," replied Hermione. "What happened?" he asked. Harry thought for a minute, "A will to live," he replied. "A what?" Ron asked. "She was saved by a will to live," replied Harry. "Wow, Hermione that's some will," said Ron clueless. Hermione gave Harry a look that said, 'Let's tell him the truth,' Harry hung his head for a moment as he pondered, wondering whether to tell Ron, finally he decided, "Not her will to live Ron… Harry paused, "mine." "What do you mean?" asked Ron. "Oh Ron, you're so thick; Harry saved me" snapped Hermione. "How?" he asked. "I don't know, ask him," said Hermione. They both looked at Harry, waiting for a reply. Harry's eyes went glossy and unfocused before he answered, "The light within." Hermione remembered something from when Harry had saved her; he had almost seemed to be glowing… 'Harry is that what the necklace does,' asked Hermione. 'Yes Herm, part of it,' he replied. Ron looked back and forth at them, "Hermione… What's that?" he asked. "What's what?" she replied. "The light within," Ron said, "What else could I have been referring to?" Harry seemed to be thinking of a way to explain it, "Ron, to be honest, I don't think I could explain it in a hundred years, all I can tell you is; I gave up my life for her, that is something that cannot be explained; although the light, I think is my life force," Harry explained. "Well, at least, tell me what happened," said Ron. "Ron, tell me, how, how do I explain death to you, Death and Shadow. How do I explain that?" Harry asked quietly, "Something we consider so remote; personified, so solid, so living, breathing in the lives of the dying." "How did you save Hermione?" asked Ron. Harry wondered; should he tell Ron? Hermione was a given, but he wasn't planning on it for awhile.
Harry sighed but decided to keep most of it a secret for now, "I pulled her literally from the jaws of Death itself, but at a cost," he replied. "What?" asked Ron and Hermione together. "Enough," Harry said and whispered to himself, "But it was more than worth it to me." He suddenly seeming near tears, he remembered Hermione and Ron's kiss, "Hermione, Ron, I'll let you two alone," he said.
"Harry… no," Hermione said, Harry stopped, "This has gone far enough, Ron, Harry and I…" Harry interrupted, "Hermione, no," Harry looked up, "I didn't do it for that," he said quietly, "I did it with pure intentions." Then Harry left Ron and Hermione, Harry felt confusion, what should he do? His room? Outside? He slipped into his cloak and pulled up his hood. But before he could do anything else, Hermione caught up with him, she put her arms around him, "Harry please," she said. "Herm, no, I don't want to hurt him," he said. "Neither do I, but I don't want to hurt you, compared to you I don't care about Ron," said Hermione, Harry allowed her to slid his hood off his head. Harry turned around and sighed, "I know, but not yet, please," he said. "Why?" she asked. Harry sighed, "I'll tell you later, for now go rest in the hospital wing…" he said parting quickly making for the common room. Hermione joined him. Harry sighed, "Okay, I'll stay with you in the hospital wing," he said quietly. "I just wanted you to rest." Hermione smiled, "I'd rather be with you than anywhere else," she said hugging him, he picked her up. "Come on Herm," he said quietly. She smiled as she laid her head on his chest, Harry really cared, even if he wouldn't admit it right away. When they sat down in the hospital wing Peeves came wandering in, "Well, bonny wee Potter, and Granger… Peeves wonders what they are doing in here," he said with his ghost like smile. Harry and Hermione looked at each other, something was up…
