Harry tried to sleep, but eventually he gave up, he sat up and leaned back against the backboard. He fell into a narcomaic state…

"My Lord, they have moved back to Hogwarts, our spy confirmed it," said Wormtail. "Excellent work Wormtail, but how did they rebuild it?" asked Lord Voldemort. "I don't know my Lord," replied Wormtail cringing in fear. "WELL, FIND OUT!" bellowed Voldemort.

Then Harry relived what had happened during his time in the land of the dead. He snapped out of his trance gasping, his emotions raged, his mind raced he started shaking involuntarily. Harry started pacing, Hermione entered, "Harry," asked Hermione sounding scared, "Are you okay?" "I'm…fine…really," Harry gasped out. "What's wrong?" she asked putting her arms around him. "I… I…," he couldn't finish, Hermione couldn't make sense out of his thoughts or emotions, all seemed random and uncontrolled. She led him back to his bed, "Come on, lay down," she urged. As Harry lay down still shaking, his thoughts were still in turmoil, he started to involuntarily cry, Hermione laid down and held him. Both started to fall asleep.

Mrs. Granger listened for a moment, then went back to her bedroom, "Is everything alright?" asked Mr. Granger. "It is now, Hermione is comforting him. They seem to have an affinity for one another," Mrs. Granger replied, "They always seem to know how to comfort one another, as well." "I'm glad for that, Harry could use some comfort, something happened when he saved her that I haven't mentioned that Dumbledore told me," said Mr. Granger. "What dear?" Mrs. Granger asked. "He was actually dead," replied Mr. Granger, "For at least two days."

Harry and Hermione had fallen asleep. Hermione awoke before her parents every morning, this one wasn't an exception, she was grateful for this now. She looked at Harry; compassion grew in her heart for him, it pained her that he wouldn't tell her what was bothering him. She left without waking Harry, but not without giving him a kiss.

"Hermione, where did you go last night?" asked her friend with a smile when Hermione walked in. "No where of your business," Hermione answered loftily. Her friend whistled, "Really? Me thinks little Granger has more to her than meets the eye," her friend replied slyly. "Really? You just found this out?" Hermione asked snappishly. "Maybe flaunting a little bit?" her friend suggested. "Flaunting compassion maybe," replied Hermione flushing slightly. "Yeah, I heard him wake up, he's got a lot more to him than I thought," her friend said. "Like what?" asked Hermione. "Flying cups… Ice cubes…" her friend answered. "Flying saucers perhaps too?" asked Hermione with a slight smile at the joke, "Obviously, you must have been dreaming." (side note: saucer referring to either a tea saucer or a spaceship, that's the joke) Her friend smiled, "Maybe, but he's a good one Hermione," she said, "I wouldn't let him go." Hermione laughed, "Let him go? You make him sound like a fish." Harry woke up, "Herm?" he said quietly. "Excuse me," said Hermione sounding a little worried. "What is it?" her friend asked as Hermione closed the door behind her. She walked into Harry's room, "You feeling better?" she asked Harry. Harry thought about it for a moment. "Better than last night," he replied as she sat next to him. "Harry…" she started again. "She's watching us…" whispered Harry. Hermione didn't hear him; she leaned closer and closer…

Her friend giggled from behind the door, Hermione groaned, "Mind your own business," she snapped. Harry laughed, "Come on Hermione, she's your guest," he said. "Soon to be ex-guest," Hermione called after her friend as she left. Hermione got up and left, shut the door behind her, when she got to her room she started banging her head into the wall. "What's wrong with you?" asked her friend. "This is the millionth time someone has interrupted us," said Hermione. "Sorry, but I had to have something to tell the other girls," said her friend. Hermione glared at her, "What?" she asked in a harsh disbelieving voice. Her friend laughed, "Everyone wants to know what's between you and him. He's too cute not to know." Hermione just glared at her, "Don't even think of telling them anything, you do and I'll get back at you…" "Okay, okay," said her friend grinning. When they went down to breakfast, Harry was already outside, sitting under a tree. "He's definitely a cute guy Hermione," whispered her friend. Hermione glared at her for a second, "Drop it," she whispered back. A snake slithered past Harry, "Hello," said Harry quietly. The snake stopped and looked at him, "You can speak to us?" he asked. "Yep, been doing it for a long time," said Harry.

"Hey Hermione, look at that snake," said her friend. Hermione only took a glance to know what Harry was doing.

  "Oh, Harry likes snakes," said Hermione with an internal smile, then it reminded her of something from a while ago.

  "I don't," her friend replied.

  "Oh yeah, well, I thought you did since you had snaky when you were a kid," snickered Hermione.

  "Hey you never told anyone about that did you?" her friend asked.

  "No, and I won't, if you never tell anyone, anything about Harry and me, get it?" Hermione answered sharply.

  "Okay, okay, you got it, not a word," her friend agreed.

  Hermione smiled at her, "Good."

Harry came in later, "Hey Hermione, can I show you something really quick?" asked Harry.

  "Sure," Hermione turned a little red when her friend winked at her before closing the door, "Now that she's left." Hermione gave Harry a sly grin as she rushed into his arms and kissed him deeply, she pulled back.

  Harry smiled, "I haven't given you your present yet," he said kissing her this time. When he pulled back he held out his hand and a box appeared, Hermione was surprised, "I had to give it to you late, sorry. I couldn't quite give it to you in front of the giggling crowd," said Harry smiling.

  Hermione opened it, it was a mirror, "What's this?" she asked.

  "Well, it's a mirror that allows us to talk over long distances," replied Harry, "Sirius and my dad used them for detentions. Sirius told me where to find the second one."

  Hermione gave him another kiss, "Thank you Harry," she whispered.

  Harry smiled, "Just don't tell your parents what it is."  While Hermione put it in her room, Harry was talking to Mr. Granger.

  "Harry, we want to take Hermione out to lunch," he said.

  "That's great Mr. Granger," said Harry.

  "Would you like to come?" Mr. Granger asked.

  "Oh no, please, I want you guys to have a family dinner," replied Harry, but his feeling of worry had increased one hundred fold.

Hermione still urged him to go, "Come on Harry! Please come along," she begged.

  "No, go ahead," smiled Harry, "You should have some family time." In the end Hermione's begging was futile. She relented, sadly. As soon as she was out the driveway Harry felt lonely, but he shoved it back. He knew what was going to happen, but she would be safe. When he entered the house, immediately his instincts took over, he caught a dagger in mid-air, then he reacted quickly as the Death Eater was about to disapparate, Harry threw it fast and hard, he hit the Death Eater in the stomach, he fell, gagging.

  "I..t will… not… help… you… Potter," he gasped, "She… will… die." The Death Eater gave one last choking breath before he died; Harry immediately called the Ministry out. A medi-wizard took the body and several Aurors questioned Harry as to what happened. After answering their questions, Harry looked past them; he felt a sharp pain…

The future flashed before his eyes, 'HERMIONE,' his mind screamed. She had been stabbed. Harry disapparated right under their noses.

He was at Hermione's side, "Hermione, hold on, just hold on," Harry whispered as panicked people screamed.

"Harry, what happened?" asked Mr. Granger.

Harry disapparated to Hogwarts with Hermione, "MADAM POMFERY," Harry yelled as he put her down.

Madam Pomfery came running, "What happened?" she asked, Harry handed her a knife,

"I suspect there may be poison on the blade," said Harry hurriedly.

"Harry run, tell Dumbledore," said Madam Pomfery handing him the blade. Harry quickly ran, the Gargoyle was ripped out as he approached. Dumbledore was in his office.

"Sir," panted Harry, "Hermione's been stabbed by a poisonous dagger." Dumbledore looked at the dagger and hurriedly rummaged in his desk a moment and rushed down the stairs.

Dumbledore gave Madam Pomfery an antidote. Harry watched day and night for three straight days.

"Harry," said Dumbledore kindly, "Get some rest." Harry nodded but wasn't listening.

After they left for the night, Harry whispered to Hermione, "Herm, please, wake up," Hermione still was out cold, Dumbledore had informed Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who would arrive the next day.

Harry whispered something to the darkness, the walls groaned and creaked, Sirius appeared, outlined in shinning light, "What is it Harry? You know it is not good to awaken the dead."

"Sirius, what can I do to save her?" he asked, "I don't think its working."

Sirius sighed and sat next to Harry, "Harry, sometimes in life, we don't always get what we want."

"I would give up my life for her, again," replied Harry.

"I know you would, but the fact remains, Hermione may not be meant to live through this war," Sirius said quietly.

"Then I'll die with her Sirius, I can't go on without her," Harry said looking down.

 "Harry, you know what awaits beyond the veil of darkness," Sirius started. "YES I DO, I DREAM ABOUT IT EVERY NIGHT… THE ONLY THING KEEPING ME GOING IS HER ," screamed Harry.

"I know Harry, but you know we are not supposed to interfere," Sirius said.

 "So?" asked Harry calmly, "You are now."

Sirius looked at him and sighed, "You're right about that too. The poison was slowed down, but it has not been stopped," said Sirius.

"How do I stop it?" asked Harry.

"Harry, your mind has become much more aware than you realize," said Sirius, "It has grown more powerful each day, you learned much on the other side."

"I learned nothing if I cannot save her," whispered Harry.

"You do what you did last time, but this time, you won't fall over the edge if you pay attention," replied Sirius.

"Thank you, Sirius," said Harry.

Sirius stood up, "Harry, remember, your parents love you, and so do I." Sirius disappeared. Harry watch Hermione for a second, even like this, she was the most beautiful creature in the world to him.

He leaned over her, "No matter what Herm, I'll love you forever…" he whispered kissing her. Their necklaces connected, Harry felt energy flowed between them, he again reached into her mind, he saw her sitting on the edge.

"Hermione?" Harry asked as he sat next to her.

Hermione looked at him, "Harry, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"I'll put it this way, you jump, I'm coming after you, get it?" Harry replied sharply.

"Harry, I'm dying," she replied, "Let me go."

Harry looked down the abyss, "Herm, you go, I go," Harry said, "I'm never going release you."

Hermione smiled at him, "I know, but you still have to defeat Voldemort."

"I will refuse if you don't come back with me," snapped Harry.

"Why?" asked Hermione.

"There will be nothing left for me to fight for, nothing, I have nothing left in the other world and I have no one else to share… my burden, my secret." Harry started to feel tears running down his cheeks.

"What secret?" asked Hermione.

"I won't tell you until you come back with me," said Harry.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because, I know that your love and compassion for me will make you come back," replied Harry, "Just as you know that mine will make me jump after you."

Hermione sighed, "Harry, you're impossible," she said.

"I thought that's what you liked about me," Harry smiled slightly through his tears, "If you come back, I'll tell you and only you, the moment we are alone."

Hermione noticed the same glow as last time Harry had saved her, she touched his arm. Harry was on the floor out cold. Madam Pomfery ran in, "Potter?" she shouted, "Not again!" He was still breathing.