Alesco
Chapter Twenty-Six---Unexpected
*
Hermione put down her quill, and rubbed her forehead. In ten minutes, she was going to meet Ron at the hog's statue near the castle entryway. She smiled, thinking how perfect it would be. Finally, she'd have the chance to put the evening's plan into motion.
Packing up her books, she ran up to the dormitory and stowed her bag near her desk. Lavender and Parvati looked up from Parvati's bed, where they were both grooming for a night with Seamus and Dean. Parvati had been trying to woo Dean ever since his brief relationship with Ginny, but he was being stubborn.
That's probably why she's wearing her "special" hairstyle tonight, Hermione thought instinctively, as she gave the girl an appraising assessment.
Hermione turned and swept past them as they began to giggle. As she passed the mirror, she briefly looked at her hair. It was wild as ever, but at least it was remotely decent.
"Seeing Ron tonight, Hermione?" Parvati said, with a chuckle in her voice.
Hermione turned around. Lavender was messing with Parvati's hair, and she had a hairbrush in her hand. Lavender gave her a wink. "Yeah....giving Ron your "cherry" tonight, Hermione?"
"How dare you..." Hermione said it halfheartedly. She could feel her face burn.
"Oooh...." Parvati's eyes grew wide. "Lavender, I think she is!" She turned around and gave Lavender an astonished look.
Hermione turned around and crossed her arms. My face must be glowing right now, she thought.
Lavender gasped inwardly. "Oh, Hermione, I didn't really mean it...but I guess I hit the nail on the HEAD!" She laughed loudly, and Parvati joined her.
Hermione refused to look at them. She started out the door, and thought she heard Parvati blurt, "Or is it the HEAD in the HOLE?" Uproarious laughter erupted from the two, and Hermione slammed the door behind her.
How could two sixteen-year old Gryffindor girls be so foul? Hermione thought this irritatedly as she stomped down the stairs. When she reached the common room, and was about to go out the portrait hole, she noticed Harry sitting at the couch. He was gesturing to her wildly.
It was the first time she'd seen him that evening. She frowned, and walked over to him.
"What is it Harry? I have to....I have a meeting--" Hermione began, but Harry cut her off.
"So that's what you call it these days." Harry chuckled, and smiled widely. "You're going to meet Ron at the entryway, right?"
"Yeah. How did you know?" Hermione muttered, and frowned.
"I'm meeting Ron, too. He told me to bring my invisibility cloak." Harry pushed open his jacket and revealed the folded-up cloak.
"What?" Hermione groaned inwardly. So Ron hadn't....it wasn't why....
She felt ire rise in her. What was Ron planning? Apparently, it wasn't anything good. He and Harry were up to their shenanigans again. The least she could do was meet with them and try to stop what they were planning. She couldn't believe Ron had even asked her to come.
"Come on." Hermione nearly shouted at Harry, and tugged him out the portrait hole.
She could feel the heat of curious stares on her back as they exited the common room.
~*~
She pushed Ron against the hog's statue. She saw him look wildly at Harry.
Hermione didn't even look at Harry. She gave Ron a piercing look.
"What's going on, Ron? Why did you ask Harry to bring the invisibility cloak?" Her voice was louder, and more furious than she intended.
Ron took several breaths, and then gave her a helpless look. He glanced around, and then tugged on both Hermione and Harry's sleeves. He ducked behind the statue, gesturing to them to follow him.
Hermione eased herself around the statue, and stood very close in front of Ron. Harry squeezed in beside her. They were totally out of sight from anyone who might walk by.
Ron looked down at Hermione, and she could tell he looked a bit frustrated. Glaring at him, she put her hands on her hips.
"Okay...well....I think Snape's up to something." Ron scratched his neck. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Ron, not this again!" Hermione put her head in her hands.
"What do you mean, Ron?" Harry spoke up. Hermione glanced between her fingers at Harry. There was that old, anxious gleem in his eyes. Oh wonderful, Hermione thought.
"I was about to tell you...before...." Ron said grumpily. "I heard Snape talking to Professor Forester, about going somewhere tonight. It didn't sound right. He said he was under "suspicion" for something. Professor Forester...stopped him from sending a letter to Dumbledore, while Dumbledore was in London. Something is not right about this."
Hermione took another look at Harry, and he was nodding in agreement. Hermione groaned.
For a long time, Hermione had been sure that Snape was a spy for Dumbledore and the Order. She knew that Harry and Ron should have figured that out by now, but apparently they were too thick-headed to realize that was the case. She let out a frustrated sound, and said, "Are you two mad? There is nothing going on...Snape was probably trying to tell the headmaster he had to leave because--" She looked around her, and then back and forth between Ron and Harry. "He's a spy for the Order."
Harry shrugged, as if this fact wasn't new to him. Ron's eyes widened a bit, but he didn't look as surprised as she'd expected. Maybe they weren't that thick-headed, she thought silently. Harry spoke up.
"Yeah, I figured that. But we should look into this anyway. The Order refuses to tell us anything. I want to know what's going on. Maybe we can even find something out about Bill." Hermione saw Harry flash a quick glance at Ron.
"Exactly. So...come on, Hermione, don't be angry. We won't get caught." Ron reached out and started to stroke a wisp of hair lying on her forehead. She pulled back and let out a little scoff. Ron looked at her entreatingly, and then reached out again. This time, she grudgingly allowed him to give her hair a gentle tug.
"Fine." Hermione whispered.
"What was that?" Harry leaned in, and let out a little chuckle.
"I said fine!" Hermione gave him a little glare. "Did you bring the Marauder's Map, Harry?"
Harry's smile faded, and he glanced around. "Hell, no! I didn't think we'd need it! Ron, why didn't you...?"
Ron shrugged. "I only thought about the invisibility cloak. Sorry, mate."
Hermione grunted. "Whatever!" She turned about and reached inside Harry's jacket.
"Wha--" Ron moved forward, looking aghast.
He stepped back with apparent relief when Hermione unfolded the invisibility cloak. She gave Ron an arch look and stepped underneath the cloak.
The moment all three were underneath, Hermione realized this was not going to be as simple as it had been in the past. Ron was much taller then he used to be, and Harry certainly wasn't short. Ron was kneeling so low he might as well be crawling.
"Uh, okay, I'm ready." Ron grunted, putting a hand on his back.
"This is a crazy idea." Hermione moaned.
"Shut it, both of you. Be quiet." Harry grumbled, a hand on his lower back as well.
They shuffled slowly down the stairs to the dungeons. Hermione took out her wand, and whispered a spell at their feet, which silenced their footsteps. She also cast a charm underneath the cloak so they couldn't be heard.
Once they were at the door to Snape's quarter's, Hermione gasped. Someone was walking up behind them.
"Turn around!" She pinched Ron and Harry's arms, and they let out pained sounds. They did as they were told, though, and almost missed being ran into by the Headmaster.
"Good thing he can't hear us," she muttered, and stuffed her wand into the pocket of her jeans.
They turned about so that they could see the door, which was ajar. Ron had gone very still beside her. Suddenly, he gasped, and opened his eyes.
"We've got to get in there!" He began to shuffle toward the open door.
"Ron!" Hermione gasped, and could do nothing but follow. She grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him along.
Once they were inside the room, and crouched in a corner, Hermione heard Professor Dumbledore utter, "colloportus."
The door slammed shut behind them, and Hermione looked at Professor Snape and the Headmaster. Professor Snape was sitting behind a desk, piles of books and papers laid out before him. She'd never been in this room before.
It was as dreary as Professor Snape. The typical green tinge of the dungeons clung to the stone walls, and several forlorn black bookcases graced the far wall. A couple of tattered green chairs sat in front of the desk, and a worn duvet was situated underneath one of the bookcases. A collection of antique cauldrons were lined up in a row on a shelf above the professor's desk.
Hermione turned her attention back to the two wizards.
Professor Dumbledore did not look pleased. "I heard from Professor McGonagall that you will have a liaison tonight."
Professor Snape looked confused. "You heard from--"
"We had an agreement, Severus." The Headmaster said it harshly.
"Which agreement are you referring to, Albus?" Professor Snape spat coldly.
The Headmaster chuckled, and the quirky smile he sometimes wore graced his lips. "The one where you inform me any time you're contacted by the Dark Lord."
Snape looked around, and appeared even more confused. "Albus, I...I sent you a letter early this morning. It detailed how I--"
Headmaster Dumbledore shook his head. "No, Severus, I didn't receive a letter while I was at the Ministry. The only thing I can conclude from that is either you're lying....or you truly....." The Headmaster faltered, and was apparently thinking.
"I swear, Albus, I sent you a letter. It must have been intercepted. If so..." Professor Snape stood up, and looked afraid.
"No, Severus. We've performed an intricate spell on the post owls. The owl was not intercepted." Dumbledore gave Professor Snape a hard stare.
"Headmaster....I don't know what to say." Professor Snape shook his head, looking truly confused.
Dumbledore put a finger to his lips, and then paced around Snape's desk.
Hermione could feel Ron squirming beside her, and she could tell he must have a cramp in one of his legs. He let out a little moan.
"What was that?" Professor Snape said suddenly, looking toward them. The Headmaster turned, too.
Hermione's heart stopped. She looked frantically at Harry, and then at Ron. Ron's face was screwed up in pain.
What was she going to do? The silencing charm must have worn off!
You idiot, Hermione thought to herself. Of course it wore off. Silencing spells didn't last very long after a lot of movement. How could she have been so stupid?
Putting an arm out toward Ron, she felt him lean on it and very quietly pull one of his legs out from under him. Hermione hoped he wouldn't shuffle too much with the movement.
She thanked Merlin when he finally slid to the floor on his behind, without making a sound.
Professor Snape and the Headmaster were talking again, apparently under the impression the sound had been nothing.
"Albus...I'm sorry you weren't notified--but I need to meet in five minutes. I promise that I will come to you with news when I return." Professor Snape uncrossed his arms, and started to walk toward his fireplace.
The Headmaster looked steadily at Professor Snape. The professor took out his wand and lit a fire in the grate. He took a pot of what must be floo powder from the mantle, and threw it into the fire. It burned a bright green.
Before Professor Snape could step into the fire, the Headmaster spoke.
"Be careful, Severus. It's been a long time since you last met with him. I need to ask you to keep an eye out....for..."
"I know, Albus, I know!" Professor Snape said loudly. He turned back to the Headmaster, and the look on his face was indecipherable.
"Make sure you close the Floo Network into this grate when you return." The Headmaster said, and turned toward the door. He stepped out, just as Snape stepped into the fire and muttered, "dunkelkammer."
He disappeared in a high blaze of green flame.
Ron stood up immediately, throwing the invisibility cloak off them. He started hopping about.
"Bloody...fuckin'...pins and needles!" He began to furiously massage his calves.
"Ron, be quiet!" Hermione stood up and threw him what she hoped was a furious glare. "Are you mad? The Slytherin common room is on the other side of this wall!"
Harry stood up, too, and looked nearly as uncomfortable as Ron had been. He was massaging his back, and Hermione could hear his bones snap.
Ron stopped hopping about, and breathed heavily. "Who gives a damn about the Slytherins? What did we learn about that conversation? A whole lot of nothing, if you ask me."
"No it wasn't, Ron." Harry spoke up. "Did you hear him ask Snape to look out for....something or somebody? I think he was asking Snape to watch for Bill."
"And what the hell is 'dunkelkammer'?" Ron looked at Hermione. He put his arms over his head, and stretched out on his tiptoes. She heard his bones crack.
"I don't....I think...." Hermione racked her mind. It sounded familiar. Then it came to her. "I think 'kammer' means 'chamber' in German. I'm not sure about the rest, though...."
"Well, what do we do now? Should we wait until Snape gets back?" Harry looked between Hermione and Ron. Hermione shook her head.
"No. We don't know how long Professor Snape will be gone. It could be after curfew!" Hermione gave Harry what she hoped was a frustrated look.
Ron was gazing at the fireplace now, and scratching his head. "I'm going to follow him."
"NO!" Hermione screamed. She started to walk toward Ron and grab his arm, but she was amazed when Harry reached him first.
"What the hell do you think you're going to do when you get to the other side, Ron?" Harry shouted. "I really don't want to....not yet....." Harry had a wild look in his eye.
Ron was now looking down at Hermione, a rather determined look on his face. Hermione grasped Ron's arm tightly.
Ron suddenly looked down at Harry and whispered, "What do you mean?"
Harry shrugged, and pulled back. Hermione saw Harry breathing heavily, and what could only be considered a haunted look entered his eyes. "Just trust me, Ron....you don't want to do it. You don't want to....face him. And neither do I."
"You don't have to." Ron muttered, and tried to pull out of Hermione's grasp. She refused to let him go.
She could feel hot tears burning her eyes. She wouldn't let Ron do this. He couldn't go, not like this. She needed him.
"Ron, please....don't do this." She uttered, her voice shaking.
He looked down at her then. His face changed dramatically.
He pulled her into his arms, and said emphatically, "Gods, Hermione, I don't want to do it, but I have to. It's what all this training has been for."
He closed his arms around her, and she clung to him. It may be the very last time she'd be this close to him...to love him.
Hot tears poured down her cheeks. It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Why did love have to hurt like this?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter Twenty-Six---Unexpected
*
Hermione put down her quill, and rubbed her forehead. In ten minutes, she was going to meet Ron at the hog's statue near the castle entryway. She smiled, thinking how perfect it would be. Finally, she'd have the chance to put the evening's plan into motion.
Packing up her books, she ran up to the dormitory and stowed her bag near her desk. Lavender and Parvati looked up from Parvati's bed, where they were both grooming for a night with Seamus and Dean. Parvati had been trying to woo Dean ever since his brief relationship with Ginny, but he was being stubborn.
That's probably why she's wearing her "special" hairstyle tonight, Hermione thought instinctively, as she gave the girl an appraising assessment.
Hermione turned and swept past them as they began to giggle. As she passed the mirror, she briefly looked at her hair. It was wild as ever, but at least it was remotely decent.
"Seeing Ron tonight, Hermione?" Parvati said, with a chuckle in her voice.
Hermione turned around. Lavender was messing with Parvati's hair, and she had a hairbrush in her hand. Lavender gave her a wink. "Yeah....giving Ron your "cherry" tonight, Hermione?"
"How dare you..." Hermione said it halfheartedly. She could feel her face burn.
"Oooh...." Parvati's eyes grew wide. "Lavender, I think she is!" She turned around and gave Lavender an astonished look.
Hermione turned around and crossed her arms. My face must be glowing right now, she thought.
Lavender gasped inwardly. "Oh, Hermione, I didn't really mean it...but I guess I hit the nail on the HEAD!" She laughed loudly, and Parvati joined her.
Hermione refused to look at them. She started out the door, and thought she heard Parvati blurt, "Or is it the HEAD in the HOLE?" Uproarious laughter erupted from the two, and Hermione slammed the door behind her.
How could two sixteen-year old Gryffindor girls be so foul? Hermione thought this irritatedly as she stomped down the stairs. When she reached the common room, and was about to go out the portrait hole, she noticed Harry sitting at the couch. He was gesturing to her wildly.
It was the first time she'd seen him that evening. She frowned, and walked over to him.
"What is it Harry? I have to....I have a meeting--" Hermione began, but Harry cut her off.
"So that's what you call it these days." Harry chuckled, and smiled widely. "You're going to meet Ron at the entryway, right?"
"Yeah. How did you know?" Hermione muttered, and frowned.
"I'm meeting Ron, too. He told me to bring my invisibility cloak." Harry pushed open his jacket and revealed the folded-up cloak.
"What?" Hermione groaned inwardly. So Ron hadn't....it wasn't why....
She felt ire rise in her. What was Ron planning? Apparently, it wasn't anything good. He and Harry were up to their shenanigans again. The least she could do was meet with them and try to stop what they were planning. She couldn't believe Ron had even asked her to come.
"Come on." Hermione nearly shouted at Harry, and tugged him out the portrait hole.
She could feel the heat of curious stares on her back as they exited the common room.
~*~
She pushed Ron against the hog's statue. She saw him look wildly at Harry.
Hermione didn't even look at Harry. She gave Ron a piercing look.
"What's going on, Ron? Why did you ask Harry to bring the invisibility cloak?" Her voice was louder, and more furious than she intended.
Ron took several breaths, and then gave her a helpless look. He glanced around, and then tugged on both Hermione and Harry's sleeves. He ducked behind the statue, gesturing to them to follow him.
Hermione eased herself around the statue, and stood very close in front of Ron. Harry squeezed in beside her. They were totally out of sight from anyone who might walk by.
Ron looked down at Hermione, and she could tell he looked a bit frustrated. Glaring at him, she put her hands on her hips.
"Okay...well....I think Snape's up to something." Ron scratched his neck. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Ron, not this again!" Hermione put her head in her hands.
"What do you mean, Ron?" Harry spoke up. Hermione glanced between her fingers at Harry. There was that old, anxious gleem in his eyes. Oh wonderful, Hermione thought.
"I was about to tell you...before...." Ron said grumpily. "I heard Snape talking to Professor Forester, about going somewhere tonight. It didn't sound right. He said he was under "suspicion" for something. Professor Forester...stopped him from sending a letter to Dumbledore, while Dumbledore was in London. Something is not right about this."
Hermione took another look at Harry, and he was nodding in agreement. Hermione groaned.
For a long time, Hermione had been sure that Snape was a spy for Dumbledore and the Order. She knew that Harry and Ron should have figured that out by now, but apparently they were too thick-headed to realize that was the case. She let out a frustrated sound, and said, "Are you two mad? There is nothing going on...Snape was probably trying to tell the headmaster he had to leave because--" She looked around her, and then back and forth between Ron and Harry. "He's a spy for the Order."
Harry shrugged, as if this fact wasn't new to him. Ron's eyes widened a bit, but he didn't look as surprised as she'd expected. Maybe they weren't that thick-headed, she thought silently. Harry spoke up.
"Yeah, I figured that. But we should look into this anyway. The Order refuses to tell us anything. I want to know what's going on. Maybe we can even find something out about Bill." Hermione saw Harry flash a quick glance at Ron.
"Exactly. So...come on, Hermione, don't be angry. We won't get caught." Ron reached out and started to stroke a wisp of hair lying on her forehead. She pulled back and let out a little scoff. Ron looked at her entreatingly, and then reached out again. This time, she grudgingly allowed him to give her hair a gentle tug.
"Fine." Hermione whispered.
"What was that?" Harry leaned in, and let out a little chuckle.
"I said fine!" Hermione gave him a little glare. "Did you bring the Marauder's Map, Harry?"
Harry's smile faded, and he glanced around. "Hell, no! I didn't think we'd need it! Ron, why didn't you...?"
Ron shrugged. "I only thought about the invisibility cloak. Sorry, mate."
Hermione grunted. "Whatever!" She turned about and reached inside Harry's jacket.
"Wha--" Ron moved forward, looking aghast.
He stepped back with apparent relief when Hermione unfolded the invisibility cloak. She gave Ron an arch look and stepped underneath the cloak.
The moment all three were underneath, Hermione realized this was not going to be as simple as it had been in the past. Ron was much taller then he used to be, and Harry certainly wasn't short. Ron was kneeling so low he might as well be crawling.
"Uh, okay, I'm ready." Ron grunted, putting a hand on his back.
"This is a crazy idea." Hermione moaned.
"Shut it, both of you. Be quiet." Harry grumbled, a hand on his lower back as well.
They shuffled slowly down the stairs to the dungeons. Hermione took out her wand, and whispered a spell at their feet, which silenced their footsteps. She also cast a charm underneath the cloak so they couldn't be heard.
Once they were at the door to Snape's quarter's, Hermione gasped. Someone was walking up behind them.
"Turn around!" She pinched Ron and Harry's arms, and they let out pained sounds. They did as they were told, though, and almost missed being ran into by the Headmaster.
"Good thing he can't hear us," she muttered, and stuffed her wand into the pocket of her jeans.
They turned about so that they could see the door, which was ajar. Ron had gone very still beside her. Suddenly, he gasped, and opened his eyes.
"We've got to get in there!" He began to shuffle toward the open door.
"Ron!" Hermione gasped, and could do nothing but follow. She grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him along.
Once they were inside the room, and crouched in a corner, Hermione heard Professor Dumbledore utter, "colloportus."
The door slammed shut behind them, and Hermione looked at Professor Snape and the Headmaster. Professor Snape was sitting behind a desk, piles of books and papers laid out before him. She'd never been in this room before.
It was as dreary as Professor Snape. The typical green tinge of the dungeons clung to the stone walls, and several forlorn black bookcases graced the far wall. A couple of tattered green chairs sat in front of the desk, and a worn duvet was situated underneath one of the bookcases. A collection of antique cauldrons were lined up in a row on a shelf above the professor's desk.
Hermione turned her attention back to the two wizards.
Professor Dumbledore did not look pleased. "I heard from Professor McGonagall that you will have a liaison tonight."
Professor Snape looked confused. "You heard from--"
"We had an agreement, Severus." The Headmaster said it harshly.
"Which agreement are you referring to, Albus?" Professor Snape spat coldly.
The Headmaster chuckled, and the quirky smile he sometimes wore graced his lips. "The one where you inform me any time you're contacted by the Dark Lord."
Snape looked around, and appeared even more confused. "Albus, I...I sent you a letter early this morning. It detailed how I--"
Headmaster Dumbledore shook his head. "No, Severus, I didn't receive a letter while I was at the Ministry. The only thing I can conclude from that is either you're lying....or you truly....." The Headmaster faltered, and was apparently thinking.
"I swear, Albus, I sent you a letter. It must have been intercepted. If so..." Professor Snape stood up, and looked afraid.
"No, Severus. We've performed an intricate spell on the post owls. The owl was not intercepted." Dumbledore gave Professor Snape a hard stare.
"Headmaster....I don't know what to say." Professor Snape shook his head, looking truly confused.
Dumbledore put a finger to his lips, and then paced around Snape's desk.
Hermione could feel Ron squirming beside her, and she could tell he must have a cramp in one of his legs. He let out a little moan.
"What was that?" Professor Snape said suddenly, looking toward them. The Headmaster turned, too.
Hermione's heart stopped. She looked frantically at Harry, and then at Ron. Ron's face was screwed up in pain.
What was she going to do? The silencing charm must have worn off!
You idiot, Hermione thought to herself. Of course it wore off. Silencing spells didn't last very long after a lot of movement. How could she have been so stupid?
Putting an arm out toward Ron, she felt him lean on it and very quietly pull one of his legs out from under him. Hermione hoped he wouldn't shuffle too much with the movement.
She thanked Merlin when he finally slid to the floor on his behind, without making a sound.
Professor Snape and the Headmaster were talking again, apparently under the impression the sound had been nothing.
"Albus...I'm sorry you weren't notified--but I need to meet in five minutes. I promise that I will come to you with news when I return." Professor Snape uncrossed his arms, and started to walk toward his fireplace.
The Headmaster looked steadily at Professor Snape. The professor took out his wand and lit a fire in the grate. He took a pot of what must be floo powder from the mantle, and threw it into the fire. It burned a bright green.
Before Professor Snape could step into the fire, the Headmaster spoke.
"Be careful, Severus. It's been a long time since you last met with him. I need to ask you to keep an eye out....for..."
"I know, Albus, I know!" Professor Snape said loudly. He turned back to the Headmaster, and the look on his face was indecipherable.
"Make sure you close the Floo Network into this grate when you return." The Headmaster said, and turned toward the door. He stepped out, just as Snape stepped into the fire and muttered, "dunkelkammer."
He disappeared in a high blaze of green flame.
Ron stood up immediately, throwing the invisibility cloak off them. He started hopping about.
"Bloody...fuckin'...pins and needles!" He began to furiously massage his calves.
"Ron, be quiet!" Hermione stood up and threw him what she hoped was a furious glare. "Are you mad? The Slytherin common room is on the other side of this wall!"
Harry stood up, too, and looked nearly as uncomfortable as Ron had been. He was massaging his back, and Hermione could hear his bones snap.
Ron stopped hopping about, and breathed heavily. "Who gives a damn about the Slytherins? What did we learn about that conversation? A whole lot of nothing, if you ask me."
"No it wasn't, Ron." Harry spoke up. "Did you hear him ask Snape to look out for....something or somebody? I think he was asking Snape to watch for Bill."
"And what the hell is 'dunkelkammer'?" Ron looked at Hermione. He put his arms over his head, and stretched out on his tiptoes. She heard his bones crack.
"I don't....I think...." Hermione racked her mind. It sounded familiar. Then it came to her. "I think 'kammer' means 'chamber' in German. I'm not sure about the rest, though...."
"Well, what do we do now? Should we wait until Snape gets back?" Harry looked between Hermione and Ron. Hermione shook her head.
"No. We don't know how long Professor Snape will be gone. It could be after curfew!" Hermione gave Harry what she hoped was a frustrated look.
Ron was gazing at the fireplace now, and scratching his head. "I'm going to follow him."
"NO!" Hermione screamed. She started to walk toward Ron and grab his arm, but she was amazed when Harry reached him first.
"What the hell do you think you're going to do when you get to the other side, Ron?" Harry shouted. "I really don't want to....not yet....." Harry had a wild look in his eye.
Ron was now looking down at Hermione, a rather determined look on his face. Hermione grasped Ron's arm tightly.
Ron suddenly looked down at Harry and whispered, "What do you mean?"
Harry shrugged, and pulled back. Hermione saw Harry breathing heavily, and what could only be considered a haunted look entered his eyes. "Just trust me, Ron....you don't want to do it. You don't want to....face him. And neither do I."
"You don't have to." Ron muttered, and tried to pull out of Hermione's grasp. She refused to let him go.
She could feel hot tears burning her eyes. She wouldn't let Ron do this. He couldn't go, not like this. She needed him.
"Ron, please....don't do this." She uttered, her voice shaking.
He looked down at her then. His face changed dramatically.
He pulled her into his arms, and said emphatically, "Gods, Hermione, I don't want to do it, but I have to. It's what all this training has been for."
He closed his arms around her, and she clung to him. It may be the very last time she'd be this close to him...to love him.
Hot tears poured down her cheeks. It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Why did love have to hurt like this?
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