Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter and this does not (to my knowledge) contain any spoilers to Harry Potter 6 or 7. I also apologize to those readers how are able to look at the chapter titles of DVDs they've never seen and predict the whole plot; you may realize most of the plot before it happens but it's still worth reading.

A Forest Full of Truths: Chapter 3 WHY?

(Somewhere in the Forbidden Forest)

As the first rays of the sun crept into Forbidden Forrest, no one was aware of the danger that faced a young Wizard and the Witch who lay beside him. Hermione was still asleep when Harry first awoke, at first Harry was confused this was not his four poster bed and who was this person laying beside him. As Harry thought about it he remembered what had happened.

"...their miles from Hogwarts in the middle on no where..."

"...you can go tell the dark lord..."

Hermione turned in her sleep so her face was now curled up in his arms with her head on his chest. Harry blushed as he gave her a comforting hug. Why does this feel so right? Although Harry had known Hermione for over five years they had never embraced like this. It had always been in a friendly way but recently Harry had found himself looking at her, admiring her in a more romantic way. While he knew this wasn't possible Harry sometimes liked to think about what it would be like to have Hermione as more than a friend. Not that I would want to, just thinking about what if...True Harry was protective of her, especially when it concerned guys, but that didn't mean he liked Hermione like that or did it. Harry thought about it a moment then after assuring himself it didn't he squeaked Hermione a little tighter and lay back waiting for her to awake.

But Hermione was awake only she hadn't shown it, she found lying in Harry's arms very comfortable and safe. It had been some time since she had wished that she and Harry were more than friends. She had always been more fond of Harry than Ron but after fourth year she knew he didn't think of her that way, this didn't really bother her, Harry was well Harry Potter and she was just Hermione something or other. She had been content with this for over a year but recently those feeling drifted back, why, why can't I just be happy with him as my friend? Harry's hand rubbed her arm and made her almost jump.

"Oh, sorry did I wake you?" He said.

"No I've been up for a few minutes, I thought you were still asleep."

"Same here...I guess we should get up then." Both slowly moved apart, both sad it had ended as they got up and began to back the camping items Hermione had conjured. After packing Harry exited the cave first looking around carefully then calling to Hermione. Harry used his "point me" spell, they could see a high mountain range in the North which they hoped Hogwarts lay in. They would try to get their first if they couldn't then, they hoped to find someone who could help them.

So hungry and cold they started North, at noon they stopped to rest and change Hermione's bandage. As the sun began to set they looked for another cave to stay in, they found one but it was more obvious. They would have to be even more careful tonight. As night came Harry realized they had had no food since lunch two days ago. Harry rolled out the sleeping bags, as Hermione curled up in hers Harry heard something. It sounded like people talking.

"It could be Death Eaters." Hermione said cautiously.

"Or Muggles or other wizards looking for us. You stay here while I check." Harry got up to leave but Hermione grabbed him by the sleeve.

"I'm coming," Harry knew it was probably safer if they were together and helped her up.

Hand in hand they left the cave wands out. They could see a dim light coming from behind the tree they had camped in. Slowly, as the voices got louder and clearer they realized these were no friends.

"How could they have gotten away, you fools they're children."

"Hey it wasn't our fault, we followed orders we sat at the river and waited for them it's not our fault they got away."

"I don't see the problem, so we didn't catch them, they'll never make it back to the castle alive. And the Dark Lord will still have what he needs. "

"Why wouldn't they, if they're not there now? And how do you know what the Dark Lord wants."

"He wants them so he can gain the power of their blood and they can't get to Hogwarts alive."

"Why not?"

"There are three ways to get to Hogwarts from here, first to go around the forest, well that lead them to the road that way," he pointed to the east, "and we have over a dozen stationed all along there they go that way will have them. Second over with a broom and such, our spy at the Ministry will know if they try to summon a broom and we'll have them. Third is through the forest it self, which no one can survive, to the south we have men scanning every nook and cranny, to the west nothing but mountains over those Muggles both closely monitored and that would be going in the opposite direction of Hogwarts."

"What is so deadly about the forest?"

"You mean you don't know, why the forest is forbidden why no one dares map it out or cut it down," the other death eater only shook his head. "Moron, I'm working with morons. It' what is in the forests center that is deadly, it's called the Hollow, I remember hearing a legend at Hogwarts it explained it all but he point was that in the center of the forest their was an ancient city. It was guarded by three of it's greatest charged with protecting the Hollow but then a sacred item was stolen by a group of young wizards and witches, when they found out how important the item was they tried to return it. But the itme was stolen befopre they could return it, they were cursed and charges with protecting the castle and all who dwell in it until the end of time. After the item was lost the guards went crazy and now kill everything that comes near the hollow."

"You expect me to believe that."

"No not really, but truly it is a legend but actually there is some cursed object that is hidden there and all who come near it are killed. So those kids are dead either way they go, all the dark lord has to do is summon their souls when they die to gain their blood and an immunity to Dumbldores's spells of protection."

"Well your right about that."

"So stop worrying and go to sleep." Harry and Hermione sat there for a few moments whispering. After a short time they decided it was best if the move on while the Death Eaters were sleeping, the only chance they had was the forest, if they stole the Death Eaters supplies they might make it close enough to Hogwarts to signal for help. While Hermione went back for their stuff Harry quietly stole what food and bags he could then left them with a few jinxes. Once he met up with Hermione they ran till it was almost dawn taking few breaks as the sun rose they made yet another camp in a cave at the edge of a river. They settled in to take a few hours off. They ate, then curled up next to one another and slept. They agreed that they would stay here a night then follow the river, which appeared to be heading North, as far as they could if their was any sigh of danger they'd veer to the west and the Muggles, if not go north till they were close enough to Hogwarts to signal help or summon a broom and fly. In the late afternoon they ate dinner Harry changed Hermione's bandage, again, they washed as much as possible in the river, careful not to go past their ankles in water then they went back to bed. There was no awkwardness this time, both had inwardly decided not to think of the other that way. But soon enough that would change.