Author's Note: Hey, sorry for the late update for chapter 17. It's just that I've been very busy with work that time. Anyway, I've already fixed the problem with Chapter 16 so if any of you have not read it properly yet, you may do so now. By the way, I think there will be only two or three more chapters left.
Thank you very much for reading and please continue to review. Thanks again!
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Chapter 18 - Painful Decisions
'Bastard!'
The horrible sound echoed in Harry's ears as he stared at the abrupt departure of his bestfriend followed by Hermione, probably to find out what was wrong. No one would have guessed that he felt anything but incredulity at his friend's outburst as he struggled inwardly to prevent the instinct to lash back from surfacing beneath his calm exterior. To others, he just appeared confused and a little unnerved by the situation.
"What's that all about?" asked McGonagall as she scrutinized his face for any sign but the stony face of the boy revealed nothing.
"Maybe he was just upset, Professor." He replied calmly. What he definitely did not need right then was parental advise from the people present. He was sure that such a little misunderstanding did not merit a full Order and DA meeting. There were things that he had to sort out on his own. He noticed that Luna was just staring directly at him for a reason that he could not fathom in his current state of mind but maybe he was just being paranoid. 'Was I mistaken?' he thought. 'But how could we possibly hope to face a war if we did not believe in each other's capabilities? It would all boil down to me…and it was not fair! I couldn't possibly save them all from danger even if I already became powerful. Hell, even Dumbledore couldn't save all who perished during Grindelwald's time!'
'Calm down, hon. Ron will come around. As you've said, he's just upset. Look, you're making everyone nervous.'
Harry nodded subconsciously before he realized that Luna had not spoken aloud.
"Madam Pomfrey, will they be all right?" he asked the school nurse instead.
"Yes, dear. Don't worry. They will be here for a day or two to recuperate and their wounds would take longer to heal but otherwise, they will be all right." replied the nurse good-naturedly.
Harry sighed with relief and turned to the Headmistress. "What about the Death-Eaters and the Slytherins, Professor?"
"I have already alerted the Ministry. Arthur and several aurors will be arriving soon to get them." she replied wearily. "I believe Madam Pomfrey can cope for tonight. I suggest you all go to your respective dormitories and rest."
Harry and the others nodded solemnly. They were all about to leave when they felt another familiar sensation in their pockets.
"What the hell -- "
"Not another attack!"
"IT'S HERMIONE!!!"
Harry swore under his breathe and led the others to Hermione's location while the Headmistress and other DA members remained at the Hospital Wing. It seemed that the castle was not secure anymore. 'Wherever she was, Ron might be there, too but why didn't he call for help earlier? Maybe Ron was too mad at me right now...maybe he thought I would not come to his rescue.' he thought ruefully.
When he reached the door to the Slytherin dungeon, he steeled himself for another battle but was horrified to instead find Hermione slumped on the ground, crying hysterically and with a look of utter dejection and bitterment on her face. Sizing up the situation, Luna quickly instructed their friends to investigate the place as Harry attended to Hermione.
"Where's Ron? What happened?" he asked her gently.
"Oh, Harry! They got him! I'm so sorry, I wasn't able to do anything!" exclaimed Hermione in an anguished tone.
"Him? You mean Ron? Who got him?"
"Death-eaters...Ron ran here to get revenge but he found himself surrounded by them instead. If I had only arrived sooner..." said Hermione in between hiccups as she struggled to find her composure.
Harry felt a gnawing guilt on his stomach as he listened to her story but he tried to push it away to be able to think clearly. Then, an alarming idea suddenly formed on his mind..."Accio Marauder's Map!" He shouted and within seconds, the old parchment reached his hands. He tapped it softly with his wand. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Slowly the lines and letters appeared on the map.
Harry studied it carefully to see if there were any more enemies around. He found none. 'They must have gotten what they came here for. I wonder why they got Ron...' He looked at the parchment again and was pleased to find Professor Flitwick heading towards their location.
"Mischief Managed." he murmured softly and map went blank immediately as the tiny professor entered the door. It was time to let the professor in on their little secret.
"Mr. Mooney, would you care to explain what happened here? Minerva said there has been an attack." said the professor as he tried to assess the situation.
"I'll explain later, professor...First, we need to strengthen the wards. The castle is not safe anymore." Harry said quickly.
"But I can't possibly do that alone, Mr. Mooney. It needs at least four strong wizards to do that and if you're not aware yet, only the Headmistress and I are physically capable as of the moment. Maybe we could ask some help from the Ministry though..."
"Professor, we cannot wait that long. It would be very dangerous. Besides, you're forgetting that there's a student here who could perform in that capacity..."
"Yes, I know...unfortunately, that student has already perished in the hands of you-know-who." replied the professor almost tearfully as if the mere recollection brought back some sad memories to him.
"No, he's not." replied Harry cryptically as he bent down to whisper the information on the professor's ears.
The professor's eyes widened for a moment then it was followed by a radiant smile and a slight nod of understanding. "Well...if that's the case, shall we begin?"
Harry nodded and started to concentrate on their most urgent task. His only thought was that they must not fail as he poured all his energy to augment Mr. Flitwick's insufficiency. The safety of hundreds of students and teachers was in their hands. As the colorful light flowed from their wands to the wards outside the castle, Harry felt a certain sense of fulfillment even though he was gradually beginning to bear the brunt of such intense magical release.
Despite the tremendous pounding in his head and severe magical drain, he kept his concentration, barely looking at everyone else. He vaguely heard Professor Flitwick's remark that the wards were stronger already and that they could stop. He ignored him and continued what he was doing....only a few more holes....only a few seconds more....there...it's finished. The castle was safe ... at least for the mean time.
He managed a weak smile at the similarly worn-out professor before he collapsed on the ground.
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October 29, 1997
At the Hospital Wing
Harry opened his eyes slowly and was just starting to adjust to his surroundings when he heard a familiar drawl from a nearby bed.
"Glad you're awake now, Harry."
Harry smiled at the familiar silvery-blond-haired boy who spoke. He was looking quite healthy and rested unlike the last time he saw him.
"Nice to see you're still alive, Draco."
"I thought you're going to miss the final showdown though..." replied the boy.
"What do you mean? What's the date today?" a surprised Harry asked. Then he frowned as a thought occurred to him. "Why aren't you in disquise?"
The boy shifted position to be able to converse properly. There was no trace of humour in his voice when he replied. "It's October 29, just two days before the you-know-what..."
"WHAT???" yelled Harry, alarmed that he had been out for so long.
The boy ignored him and continued. "Anyway, the night that we've been attacked, Lucius..." Harry raised his eyebrow at hearing him refer to his father by his name only. "...performed an anti-illusion spell on us. They know."
"How much?"
"Not much actually. The reversal spell only confirmed what they already knew however, they are wrong on one account." Draco paused for effect. "....They thought the third transferee was Wormtail."
A slow smile spread on both of the boys' lips.
"Well...that mistake could be their downfall." said Harry then he eyed Draco carefully. "Are you sure you don't want to stay away for that event? I mean..."
Draco looked downcast for a moment before he replied. "I know what you mean...and much as I'm not exactly jumping up and down with joy at the prospect of another encounter with my father, I realize that it is something that I must do for my own peace of mind."
Harry considered this for a moment. There was something that he wanted to do right after the battle if they got lucky... Future plans that only involved him and Luna...his other friends too if they wanted to...but what about Draco? What's going to happen to him afterwards? The boy had so much pent-up hatred in his mind that if left to his own devices too much, he just might grow up to be the next dark lord.
"What's your plan...I mean after the fight?" he asked Draco tentatively.
The boy just shrugged his shoulders and sighed heavily. "I honestly don't know...finish school perhaps...then take over our family business...spend some time with my mother...other than that, I have no idea." Draco got up slowly and tried to sit on Harry's bed. "Before, I thought my future plans were made. I'm going to follow my father's footsteps and be another loyal Death-Eater but now, everything has changed and I suddenly found myself living life on a daily basis with a very uncertain prospect of a future. Heck, I don't even know if I'm going to live for that. For all I know, I might not even live long enough to graduate."
Harry nodded thoughtfully as he pondered his reply. "I feel the same way, too." He stared directly at Draco's eyes as if trying to make up his mind about something important. "Actually, I have some sort of a plan. If we're fortunate enough to emerge victorious in this war, I plan to leave the wizarding world...permanently. Luna has a choice to graduate first or come with me at once. We're planning to live a normal life afterwards...build a school for the gifted perhaps or any other 'normal' business. If you want, you may come with us. We can start anew...a life without prejudices. It's your choice."
Draco stared dumbfounded at him and immediately pointed one trembling finger at himself. "You want ME to come with you? Are you serious?" Harry nodded solemnly and smiled encouragingly at his new friend to instill the seriousness of his offer.
Draco became misty-eyed at once but he carefully hid it by turning his back at Harry and heading quickly to his own bed. "I'll think about it, Harry. Thank you."
"Don't mention it. That's what friends are for."
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Hermille, Neville and Luna were all huddled at his bedside. Hermione and Neville were impatiently trying to dissuade him from pursuing his plan while Luna only listened intently at their discussion. Draco and Ginny were still sleeping peacefully on their beds.
"Harry, please don't tell me you're serious!" exclaimed Hermione.
"I already told you my plan ages ago. Why act so surprised?" replied Harry calmly, making it obvious that he was already determined to pursue his plans and that no one could possibly make him change his mind.
"You can't possibly do that!" said Hermione, her face turning the same color as Ron's hair.
"Why not? And it's not as if we'd lose contact, you know. You could even come with me if you want to."
"Aren't you going to be an Auror?" commented Neville, trying to make him see sense.
Before Harry could make any intelligent response, Professor McGonagall came rushing inside, her eyes flooded with concern as she waved a small bit of parchment in front of Harry.
"Mr. Potter, what is the meaning of this request?" she queried as if she could not quite believe that such an idea would occur to Harry.
"Just what I stated Professor. I want to take the NEWTS tomorrow so that I could be considered a full-pledge wizard by the 31st."
"But the year is not yet over. You couldn't possibly take that exam and pass."
"Not to sound too arrogant but I believe I have learned all I need to pass my NEWTs. Please, Professor, this is important to me. I haven't requested for anything since I got here, please grant my request just for this once. I need something to look forward to. I need to be able to think that after the war, I have something to LIVE for."
Professor McGonagall could not seem to find an appropriate reply for that. "I see."
"In that case, Professor, I would like to take the exams early, too." declared Hermione resolutely.
An involuntary cough escaped Neville's throat when he heard it. "Hermione?"
"I don't know about you, Neville, but I am already tired of this war. I wish to live a peaceful life after. Besides, isn't it unfair for the professors to prepare for the NEWTs of only one person?"
"I guess...but I can't possibly take the NEWTs with you...I don't think I would pass." said Neville ruefully.
"You don't have to do it, Neville. You can stay here. Your family is here whereas Luna and I have none. Hermione's parents are muggles so it would not be wrong if she wanted to spend more time with them in the muggle world." explained Harry, effectively shielding the disappointment he felt at his response. As much as he wanted to live a new life with his friends, he was also very much aware that they have their own lives to live too.
"What about you, Luna?" asked Hermione to the younger girl.
"Harry would be tutoring me so I don't need to stay here. If I'm ready, I would come back here to take my NEWTs." said Luna as if it was the most obvious thing to do.
"Hey, I could do that, too. Hermione and Harry could teach us, right?" said Neville excitedly.
Harry did not reply immediately. Instead, he turned to the astonished Headmistress and asked her opinion. "Is it all right for us to do that, Professor?"
"Well, it's not a normal practice in this institution but given your sacrifices, the least I could to is to make an exception in your case as a token of gratitude. Yes, Harry and Hermione could take the NEWTs tomorrow if they're ready and the rest of you could be home-schooled and take the exams at a later date." replied the weary Professor but she also seemed pleased by their decision for a reason that she did not divulge to them.
"Does that also include us, Professor?" asked Ginny timidly. Both she and Draco eyed the Headmistress hopefully.
"Yes, of course." replied the Headmistress good-naturedly.
"DAMN!" swore Harry as he remembered something.
"Language, Mr. Potter." Harry mumbled a hasty apology. "What seems to be the problem, Mr. Potter?"
"I just remembered! How could I have forgotten!" Harry berated himself. "What happened to Ron?"
The Headmistress lowered her head at once and Hermione became teary-eyed but thankfully, she did not break down.
"I can only assume that Ron is being kept safe." replied the Headmistress nervously. "According to our intelligence network, they kidnapped Ron to ensure a win-win situation on the 31st."
"What do you mean, Professor?"
"We found out through the Slytherins that the enemies already knew of our plans to sabotage their attack on the celebration but they are still going to push through with it. If they win, then they would kill Ron for he no longer serves a purpose but if they find themselves at a disadvantage, they would use Ron to force the minister - Ron's father - to follow their biddings."
"But that's horrible!" commented Harry and swore under his breathe once more.
Ginny was too shocked to react but Draco looked concerned.
"Yes, Harry. But that's how the evil mind works."