I Miss You song ff for Draco and Hermione Chapter 16: And Hear Your Voice of Treason, a harry potter fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the orginial Harry Potter character because I am not that creative...but I wish i was...I only own the plot and my characters.

And Hear Your Voice of Reason

Draco's current situation aside, Hermione knew that they would have a difficult time convincing the ministry that all Deatheaters would have to be killed. A civilized society cannot function under such unforgiving philosophies. They needed Tara but would have to try to compromise with her and she thought Draco would have the most luck with that. Under the current agreement, he would have to die but he only joined to help the Order not because he was like them. There had to be others like him too and why should they die, right?

"About the every follower part, Tara, please understand that we have lost people we care for also but we can't just kill them all. Some of his followers have been coerced or threatened into joining, some hexed into submission and some blackmailed, why should they die too? Haven't they lost enough already? Wouldn't that make us just as bad as him?" Hermione ventured.

"Eye for an eye. Have you ever heard that before?" she retorted.

"Yeah, at church but there's also pentitence too." Hermione fired back.

"Maybe but how would we know for sure?" she asked.

"You're the empath, you could tell us. Please think about it. I ask this because Draco just became one to help us defeat Voldemort and I can't let him die." Hermione reasoned.

With that Tara turned to Draco and bore deep into his soul with her eyes. Her expression was blank but they could tell she was trying to probe all of his deepest desires, thoughts and feelings. Once she was don, she spoke directly to him.

"You have a very black heart but I see a change starting to occur. I felt the pain of your childhood, the anger of your intended purpose set forth by your father, your jealousy of those around you and finally, the hope for the future. It is surrounded by the love you have for her and her friends. Voldemort must die for any of us to truly find peace but the rest will be judged one by one. Is that agreeable?" she asked.

"Yes." was all he said before holding out his hand which she took and a New Order was then forged.

Tara turned to leave but stopped suddenly and felt compelled to say one last thing. "I didn't put Harry under a spell. I just thought you should know that. I feel bad for Cheyan but some things are just meant to be and sadly some are not."

Once they were alone again, Hermione asked Draco about the love he has for her friends. He wanted to deny it but couldn't as he was starting to realize that he liked having them on his side and not against him. It was the way they talked to him now, looking out for him not because of power or money but because they wanted him to be ok. He knew it was for Hermione's sake but he knew that they would protect and care for him all the same. And that was something he had never had before. At least not without a price or alterior motive.

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Now that Hermione knew of his feelings towards all of them, she could see the transformation that Draco was going through. It wasn't easy for him, especially considering his upbringing, but he was giving it everything he had. Her heart began to beat faster as she closed the space between them, reached out and placed her hand on his chest and leaned in to help ease some of the pain. The gentle touch of her lips upon his sent chills through his body reminescent of their first kiss. All the worries for the future faded once again in favor of the melting sensation as their souls became one.

As the kiss began to deepen, the thoughts and cares were fading into oblivion, a knock at her door once again brought them back to earth. The meeting was waiting for them so this would have to be postponed until later. Draco went through her bathroom door and into his room so he could join the meeting by leaving his room verses coming out of Hermione's room to avoid any suspicions as to what they would have doing in there. After Hermione came into the room, the meeting was started with the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw prefects deciding on a theme and agreeing to draw up the plans for the decorations. Gryffindor and Slytherin having already planned and executed the Halloween Ball were not required to do anything but assist when asked. Melanie McGrath and Patricia Daly, or Mel and Tixa as they were called, decided on the theme while Roger Davies and Nathan Thibaduex drew up the plans for food and decorations.

Mel was the 5th year prefect for Hufflepuff. She was a striking blonde with camealeon hazel eyes which changed color to mimic whatever she was wearing. Known as one of the most polite and cheerful girl in Hogwarts, also was known to have a serious crush on Harry and was often found to be distracted and staring at him. Today, however, she was completely focused on the task at hand. The big question was whether it was the excitement over planning the ball or the deadly glances that she was getting from Tara that kept her focused. She was really pushing the idea of famous couple throughout history for the ball but was met with mild resistance as it was considered to be a little to common by several others.

Tixa, who was the 6th year prefect for Ravenclaw, was the poler opposite of Mel. At 16, she had shoulder length brown hair with chocolate eyes covered by glasses and framed with freckles and tanned skin. She too was friendly but was fiercely courageous and always optimistic. Her only true fault was tendency to gossip but not with the intention of causing harm but because she loved to tell a good story. It was her courage that always caught Hermione's attention and made her wonder why the hat hadn't placed her in Gryffindor. The only answer that Hermione could ever come up with was the fact that she was highly intelligent which made a better fit with Ravenclaw. Her idea for the Ball was famous antagonists in history with a back drop of mandatory pairing of opposite houses to try to promote unity. That unfortunately for Draco and Hermione was strongly opposed by just about everyone. Draco whispered to her words of encouragement afterwards telling her it was a noble effort.

The two girls together finally decided upon Gods and Goddesses through time as their theme. Roger drew up the plans to decorate the Great Hall to look like a heavenly meeting ground and the atmosphere allowed for both couples and singles so that all would feel comfortable and could best choose the god or goddess whom represented the qualities they most admired. As soon as the theme was choosen, the topic of conversation immediately moved to who they were going to be and possibly go with. Draco and Hermione were both hoping that the battle would be done and they could actually go together in public without fear but that was another matter all together.

Tara spent the better part of an hour trying to convince Harry that he was much more suited to be Zeus than David but was met with great resistance. She had begun to understand that other people's perception of Harry greatly differed from his own. He knew he was special but still seemed to have a bit of an inferiority complex and gravitated towards considering himself the underdog and the favored. Mel seemed quite perturbed by the attention that Tara was commanding from Harry and unwisely approached Harry and asked about Cheyan, whom everyone noticed was absent from the group. The conversation that followed was something that Rita Skeeter would have her life's worth to have witnessed......

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"Where's Chey, Harry?" Mel inquired innocently.

"She needed some time to think." Tara stated in grave way.

"I asked Harry not you. Who are you anyway?" she replied.

"No one you want to mess with." Tara warned.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know I can see straight through you. Into you deepest desire that wants him. But you know you could never get him or keep him or even catch his eye." she hissed while turning circles around her stroking her face in a mocking way. Mel knew she should leave it alone by the look in Tara's eyes but how dare her.

"I may have a crush on him but I would never steal him away from Cheyan or even think of trying. How little respect you must have for yourself to need someone's boyfriend instead of finding your own." she stated firmly.

"Really, what about the draw full of love notes to him? Didn't think anyone knew about those, did you? You're just upset because you've never had the courage to tell him how you felt. Why don't you just sneak away and go pining away for him elsewhere." she whispered ever so lightly in Mel's ear so no one else could hear. As Tara drew back away, she turned her head around and gave Mel a glimpse of her fangs along with a quick mental picture of what was in store for her if she tried to cross her again.

Melanie shreiked in horror and ran from the room not really understanding what she had just seen but knowing she didn't want to know the truth. Seeing this display, Tixa ran out after the young girl but not before shooting Tara a disapproving glare.

"What was that all about?" Harry asked.

"Just upholding my oldest motto.....Make a new friend everyday...." she explained devilishly.

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Hermione watched as Harry and Tara left, hand in hand, wondering how a matter of hours could change things so much. At the start of today, Harry had Cheyan and was very content, Draco was pushing her away and she was doubting her abilities as a witch. Now, Cheyan was broken hearted, Draco and her were back together with a whole new plan to defeat Voldemort, a new pact was formed with a vampire no less and Harry looked as though he had found his soul mate in the most unlikely of places. Since the start of their seventh year, it seemed like life and relationships had moved at lightening speed with no signs of slowing down. She wanted nothing more than to get all this over and done with but needing to stop and take a deep breath at the same time.

Ron and Katie watched the events unfold with their own confusion. Katie was good friends with Cheyan and couldn't stand to watch the sickening displays of flirtation by Harry and Tara. But she had to admit to herself that it was better to have it be Harry than Ron. Selfish, she knew, but true. Ron was also a bit baffled by Harry's actions. Fierce loyalty and an unwavering sense of right and wrong were always qualities associated with the boy who lived but the last few hours were filled with anything but them. Sure, she was pretty but when Harry was around her, he wasn't Harry anymore. He wasn't discouraged by her rudeness or insensitivity towards others and he completely ignored everyone else in the room. Thank Merlin, there were no displays of affection at this point, just a lot of tension and flirting.

To make matters worse, Hermione and Draco seemed alright with all these going on's. Something had happened in Hermione's bedroom and Ron was determined to get to the bottom of it. After the other prefects had left, Ron pulled Hermione off to the side and began to question her as to what was going on....

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"Doesn't what Harry did to Cheyan bother you?" he asked.

"Harry's old enough to make his own decisions about who he wants to date. I do wonder about why but I can't change his mind for him." Hermione replied.

"What's going on between Draco, Tara and you?" he pressed further.

"Listen, I will explain this to you but you can't say anything to anyone else not even Katie, understand?"

"Ok."

"Tara is half empath and half vampire. Voldemort killed her father, hunted her and her mother down until her mother was killed and then she came her to find help. We are going to use her as bait to lure Voldemort here for the final battle with Draco's help. Any questions?" she replied.

"Ah...were...but...does Harry know?" he stammered.

"Not yet, we're leaving that to Tara to explain to him."

"But if she's a vampire, how do we know she's not controlling him?"

"Because she told us she didn't put a spell on him." Hermione scoffed.

"And you believe her?" he asked.

"We don't have a choice. Voldemort wants her very badly and we need to control the time and place of the attack, so it makes perfect sense. And I do believe that she's telling the truth because of the way she looked at me. It was like the first time I really felt like Draco liked me for me and not some alterior motive. With all that has happened to her, I think Harry and her understand each other and no one can fake or change that." she replied.

"Is this some kind of girl thing." he joked.

"Funny, are you on board or what?" she then asked him.

"I guess but i still think we should be careful. The only things were know about is what you've been told by her. We have no proof that she's telling the truth." he warned.

"I didn't have any proof about Draco either and look how that's turned out." she stated and then turned to leave but looked back feeling sorry for him. He looked as though he wasn't so sure he really knew either of his best friends anymore....

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Harry was walking Tara back to the Gryffindor tower and talking to her about everything that he had been through in his life as she had asked how he could have dealt with the loss of his parents. Her mother had only died a few days ago and she felt as though her entire existence had been turned upside down. Her father had been killed a couple of years ago and her mother had been her rock, helping her through it without batting an eye. Harry, on the other hand, had lost both his parents at one time and when he was so young that he had no memories of them to comfort or guide him. How could someone so young be so strong, she thought to herself as he recounted his life story.

She just couldn't understand why she felt so comfortable and complete with him other than the fact that he had been where she was now and had survived. He wasn't completed clouded with hate or revenge, he had went on to make friends, study magic and grow up. Sure it was his fate to end the Dark Lord's existence or die trying, but he still had a life, didn't he?

Tara didn't like who she was becoming, it was the need for revenge that was driving her, the need to be repaid for all she had lost. But after meeting Harry, reading him, she wanted something more. Something that would help her after the war was done. She wanted someone of her own because she had lost so much. Harry was that someone or at least that was what she felt. But to be sure, she would have to tell him the truth and see where the cards fell afterwards.

"There's more to my story too. I want to tell you but it's hard for me to trust people after all that has happened. Can I trust you to listen to the whole story before judging me?" she asked him suddenly.

"Of course, I promise to listen and try to understand but I can't imagine anything that you have to say changing how I feel right now. You understand me in ways that no one else can. I fell like you're a gift that has been given to me to keep me strong and full of hope." he told her honestly.

"I am half empath and half vampire. My father was the vampire and was murdered by Voldemort a couple of years ago. After my father's death, Voldemort hunted my mother and me mercilessly until my mother made the ultimate sacrifice. Please understand that before all this, I was different from other kids but I was good, helpful, honest and caring because I always knew what others were feeling. So I could be whatever they needed, when they needed me to be. But, I had to do something that changed everything, it changed me forever or so I thought until I met you." she confessed to him while staring out the castle window trying to avoid his gaze.

"I had to help my mother to do the one thing that I never wanted to but she was so desperate that I had no choice." she continued but was finding it harder and harder to say the words.

"You don't have to tell me now if you're not ready. I won't be angry with you." he tried to comfort her.

"It's just so hard to actually say the words. But there's another way. As an empath, I cannot only read people's thoughts and feelings but I can pass mine onto someone else. However, i didn't want to do this without you permission first. Would you like to try?" she asked weakly.

Although a little apprehensive at first, Harry still agreed. Tara felt her stomach tighten in a familiar way and began to slowly lean in towards Harry. Before closing their eyes, they each noticed the nervous anticipation plastered across both faces until their lips met. Harry felt a wave of emotions flood over him and one by one, he saw Tara's most precious memories. Days with her mother and nights with her father. She seemed to have known all of her life about the magical community and the role she was to play to unite vampires and magic once again. Her parents did everything they could to make her strong and fearless. There was no room for weakness to the prejudices of others, she would have to have thicker skin to deal with that. They had countered hate with a love and tenderness only rivaled by his own mother's act of devotion. Then it was all gone with a single unimagineable act. The final memory to show itself was Tara's mother begging her to tap into the darkness and do what her mother could not. Her mother had asked her to do the unthinkable and she had fought her tooth and nail. The ends justifies the means was the last thing her mother had said before the vamp came out and Tara was left an orphan. As Harry returned to the world and the kiss was broken, he was left with a single question burning in his mind....if put in the same position, what would he have done?

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Dumbledore sat in his office reflecting on all that was happening. He always knew what was happening in the school, good or bad, and right now he thought the situation couldn't be looking better. Spring had come early to Hogwarts and love was all around. With any luck it would be their trump card to end the war and rebuild all the young broken lives. But before that could happen, the proper arrangements needed to be made with the Order members and these students would have to be trained for the most important battle in their lives. Furthermore, Draco was going to have to go back to Voldemort to arrange for the battle. There was so much to do and so little time with all hope resting in the hands of children. What could be a more cruel fate to them than that?

back at the Head's Common Room

For the first time in about a week, Hermione and Draco sat quietly in each other's arms enjoying a warm fire and a welcomed silence. They were far too exhausted, mentally and physically, to appease their teenage hormones. They had spent the first two hours after everyone had left going over battle plans, especially what Draco would tell Voldemort to try to get him to abandon all reason and go on the warpath. It had been decided that the Hogsmeade weekend before the Ball may present their best opportunity to get the students away from the castle to control the layout for the battle. But how would they arrange it as to avoid suspicion? Hermione being the ever consummate student, listed all their ideas down on a parchment so that they could run their ideas by the other's later. That being done and school not starting for another week, Draco begged Hermione for a small break just to relax.

As they were sitting on the couch, Hermione decided to approach Draco on the subject of the Ball and what god he was thinking of going as. A little light conversation to ease some of the pressure and unpleasantness that lies before him.

"So who are you thinking of going to the Ball as?" she asked him playfully.

"Well Greek mythology has been a secret passion of mine for a couple of years now but there are so many that I like or admire but a few came to mind immediately. The most obvious is Zeus as he was the greatest of all the gods and being the Slytherin Prince and all, it makes sense. There's is also Hades of course, as most others here think that I'm the devil incarnate. Or there's always Eros, the god of love and eroticism, you inevitably know why that's approiate." he teased.

"Yeah, I was under your spell alright." she laughed.

"But what I really think would be best is Ares." he finished.

"The god of war?" she asked surprised.

"Yes, and you could go as Athena. Sure she's actually Ares sister but we are the catalyst for what's coming and it wouldn't seem all that out of the ordinary. Dumbledore sat in his office reflecting on all that was happening. He always knew what was happening in the school, good or bad, and right now he thought the situation couldn't be looking better. Spring had come early to Hogwarts and love was all around. With any luck it would be their trump card to end the war and rebuild all the young broken lives. But before that could happen, the proper arrangements needed to be made with the Order members and these students would have to be trained for the most important battle in their lives. Furthermore, Draco was going to have to go back to Voldemort to arrange for the battle. There was so much to do and so little time with all hope resting in the hands of children. What could be a more cruel fate to them than that?

back at the Head's Common Room

For the first time in about a week, Hermione and Draco sat quietly in each other's arms enjoying a warm fire and a welcomed silence. They were far too exhausted, mentally and physically, to appease their teenage hormones. They had spent the first two hours after everyone had left going over battle plans, especially what Draco would tell Voldemort to try to get him to abandon all reason and go on the warpath. It had been decided that the Hogsmeade weekend before the Ball may present their best opportunity to get the students away from the castle to control the layout for the battle. But how would they arrange it as to avoid suspicion? Hermione being the ever consumate student, listed all their ideas down on a parchment so that they could run their ideas by the other's later. That being done and school not starting for another week, Draco begged Hermione for a small break just to relax.

"So who are you thinking of goin to the Ball as?" she asked him playfully.

"Yeah, I was under your spell alright." she laughed.

"But what I really think would be best is Ares." he finished.

"The god of war?" she asked surprised.

"Yes, and you could go as Athena. Sure she's actually Ares sister but we are the catalyst for what's coming and it wouldn't seem all that out of the ordinary. Protaganists not a couple, you know?" he added.

"True, but what if I was thinking of someone else?" she toyed with him. In all truth, she wanted to be Athena because she had always wanted to be as strong and cunning as she was but she couldn't admit that to him quite yet.

"Oh, like whom?" he was intrigued.

"Oh, I don't know. How about Aphrodite, the goddess of love? She embodies all that is pure and beautiful, I think I could do that, don't you?" she presented innocently.

"Sure but that's not really you style, now is it? You're much more enamored by power and intelligence than beauty, aren't you?" he mused.

"Maybe I want to go as someone I desire to be and not someone that's more like me?" she offered.

Draco only laughed at the prospect. She was trying to confuse him and throw him off track. He knew she wanted to someone who was ruled by the mind and not the heart. Someone who was always in control not impulsive. She thrived on organization and order as she was always planning and preparing. Spontanity was Harry's nature not hers. He grabbed her by the waist, pulled her close to him and demanded she tell the truth.

"Alright, I want to be Athena, you were right. But you can't blame a girl for trying, can you?" she giggled and sealed the confession with a kiss designed to distract him from his victory. Can't let him get a big head now can we?

not a couple, you know?" he added.

"Oh, like whom?" he was intrigued.

"Oh, I don't know. How about Aphrodite, the goddess of love? She embodies all that is pure and beautiful, I think I could do that, don't you?" she presented innocently.

"Sure but that's not really you style, now is it? You're much more inamored by power and intelligence than beauty, aren't you?" he mused.

"Maybe I want to go as someone I desire to be and not someone that's more like me?" she offered.

Draco only laughed at the prospect. She was trying to confuse him and throw him off track. He knew she wanted to someone who was ruled by the mind and not the heart. Someone who was always in control not impulsive. She thrived on organization and order as she was always planning and preparing. Spontaneity was Harry's nature not hers. He grabbed her by the waist, pulled her close to him and demanded she tell the truth.

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Tara was drained of everything after showing her memories to Harry but she couldn't take her eyes off him. She didn't tell him what had happened because she wanted him to see and feel what she did the while it was happening. Doubt was creeping into her mind as she watched his expressions change while each memory played. Maybe she had misjudged him, maybe no one would understand why she had done it. She didn't truly understand it herself other than that her mother had broken her down with constant reminders that the only way to break the connection was for one or the other to die. Since they couldn't kill Voldemort, it was her mother that had to die.

When Harry started to come out of the dream like fog, he looked at Tara and his heart leapt out to her. She had done the most difficult thing in the world but still managed to get up and go on. How strong must she be to live with that but still fight for the good side. And how courageous she was to show this to him without knowing what he would do or if this would change anything. He was in awe of the small frame that stood before him but who's strength made her tower above all he'd ever done. He felt like the luckiest man alive to have been trusted with her deepest secrets and fears. What could he possibly do for her in return to prove his belief and trust in her? Then it hit him, let her into his heart and mind as well. That way he could show her how she affected him. How his heart did flips for all she is and what she's destined to become.

"I want you to know that I admire you for this." he whispered gently to her while holding her hands in his.

"I'm a murderer, how can anyone admire that?" she asked.

"You did the only thing you could in that situation." he reasoned.

"No, I should have found another way. Any other way." and now the tough exterior started to crack. Tears filled her eyes and her heart broke open in way that even she wasn't expecting. Harry could feel the pain and it was stronger and more powerful than the pain in his scar from Voldemort.

"Never think that. You ran for two years and couldn't get away. Your mother mad the ultimate sacrifice to set you free and now you have to go on because that was what she wanted. You found me and now we're going to end this together with the help of the Order and my friends. Then when this is all done and Voldemort is gone, then we'll look to our future and see where it takes us. You're not alone anymore and don't forget that. Besides, we have a Ball to plan for." he told her.

"The Ball?" she questioned.

"Yeah, if you'll be my date that is?" he offered.

"Most definitely. But what about Cheyan? Don't you think you'd better talk to her?" she asked.

"Well that I will have to do but not tonight. Tomorrow. Until then, let's get you to bed because you need to rest. It's been quite an eventful and tiring day and now we need to preserve our strength." he helped he up and took her to the foot of the stairs to the girls dorms.

"Aren't you going to come with me?" she teased.

"Can't. Magical charms prevent boys from entering the girls dorms. But I'm sure someone will help you find the right room once you get up there. See you tomorrow for breakfast, ok?" he instructed and turned to go to the boys dorms when she grabbed his arm and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before running up the steps. My goodness, he thought, he was falling hard and without a safety net anywhere in sight. How was he going to explain this to Chey???

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Harry was getting undressed to go to bed when an owl tapped on his window outside. He opened the window wandering who would be sending him an owl at this late hour but as he grabbed the letter he knew instantly who it was from. As the owl flew away, he contemplated as to whether or not he wanted to open the letter. It was from Cheyan and he didn't know if he was ready to deal with this right now but he was then hit with a pang of guilt because he knew that she didn't deserve his treatment of her. She had been nothing short of wonderful and he had cast her aside without a care for no apparent reason or explanation. At least it wasn't a howler, he thought to himself as he opened the letter...

Harry-

I have no idea what happened this afternoon that would cause you to treat me this way other than to say it was all her fault. However, no matter who is to blame for your wandering eye, I spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening thinking of what I could do about this without coming up with anything but to write you this letter and enclose an enchantment of a song to make you understand what a terrible mistake you've made. When she breaks your heart or betrays you, please remember not to come crying to me as I have no interest in you or your self induced problems. You wouldn't know a good thing if it smacked you flat on your bum......

In closing though I do feel the need to assure you that the Order's plans are safe with me but I shall no longer be partipating in those activities since it would require interaction with you and the slut.

With deepest regrets for having met you-

Cheyan

and then the song began to play and out of a sense of guilt for having treated her so recklessly he listened to the song and hoped that she would work through her pain with the help of the others....

Days swiftly come and go.
I'm dreaming of her.
She's seeing other guys.
Emotions they stir.
The sun is gone.
The nights are long.
And I am left while the tears fall.

Did you think that I would cry,
on the phone?
Do you know what it feels like,
being alone?
I'll find someone new.

Swing, swing, swing from the tangles of.
My heart is crushed by a former love.
Can you help me find a way
To carry on again?

Wish cast into the sky.
I'm moving on.
Sweet beginnings do arise.
She knows I was wrong.
The notes are old,
They bend, they fold.
and so do I to a new love.

Did you think that I would cry,
on the phone?
Do you know what it feels like,
being alone?
I'll find someone new

Swing, swing, swing from the tangles of.
My heart is crushed by a former love.
Can you help me find a way
To carry on again?

Bury me
(you thought your problems were gone)
Carry me
(away. away, away...)

Swing Swing Swing from the tangles of
my heart is crushed by a former love
Can you help me find a way
To carry on again?

Swing Swing Swing from the tangles of
my heart is crushed by a former love
Can you help me find a way
To carry on again?

Swing Swing Swing from the tangles of
my heart is crushed by a former love
Can you help me find a way

following the song was a final and simple statement in her voice that haunted Harry's dreams that evening as it was something he hadn't considered before hearing it:

don't worry my former love, I will move on and find someone new

and he will be nothing but better than you!!!!!!

How could he not have considered that before now? What would it feel like to see her with someone else even if he did have Tara? Merlin, how could he have messed things up so badly as to not only lose her as his girlfriend but also as his friend?

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The next few days were filled with each student researching, practicing or planning for the battle with Voldemort. Their free time was spent working on personal relationships or what they were going to be for the Valentine's Day Ball. Mel and Tixa spent alot of time in the Head's Common Room working on the menu and the entertainment but also managing to avoid any contact with Tara. Except for the occasional glances at Chey to see who she was with, Harry was captivated by Tara which everyone but Chey was fine with. Hermione and Draco had been researching counter curses and planning for the battle so much that people began to ask if they were a couple. They, in turn, told everyone that it was Head duties and their NEWTS that were occupying their time. And day after day passed until the students on holiday returned only to have all hell break loose.

Inevitably with the classes starting back, so came the usual distractions. Pansy chasing Draco around trying to rekindling the flame, all of Gryffindor wanting to know what happened between Harry and Cheyan and everyone trying to find out about the new girl. Everytime Ron was asked a question about Harry or Hermione, he only shrugged his shoulders and walked away leaving everyone to wonder about the state of the Golden Trio. Katie was the most concerned though because Ron seemed to be distancing himself from her as well. At first she thought it was her friendship with Cheyan that was the problem since she was totally of the Harry bandwagon but she noticed he was avoiding them as well. That prompted her to arrange a quiet evening with him alone to talk.

She sat up the Room of Requirement, with Ginny and Doby's help, to look like a great little cafe in Paris like in the magazines she had seen. A posh seven course meal was planned and candlelight set the mood. After setting him on a massive guilt trip, he agreed to a romantic dinner hoping it would be a stress reliever but fearing for the worst. He was completely amazed by all her efforts when he saw the setup and of course the menu. That moment convinced him that he had at least judged he correctly and he sat down to enjoy the evening. At the end of the meal, he was feeling quite full and fell onto the large, overstuffed couch to enjoy a butterbeer and relax when Katie struck up a conversation.

"I hope this all made you feel a little better. I know things have been difficult for you lately and I just wanted you to know I will always be there for you, doing whatever you need." she told him while placing her head on his chest.

"Thank you for this. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you lately but I thought I was wrong about everyone and everything and just wanted some time to remind myself of who I am. You know what I discovered?" he asked her.

"What?"

"That I am the luckiest man alive because I have you, you have me and everyone knows it. There's no tragedy that brought us together or family to tear us apart. It's just you and me. You know what I mean?" he continued.

"Exactly, no drama but what we allow. Now to just save the world, pass our NEWTS and graduate. Piece of cake, as long as I always have you." she replied.

"Bloody right."

For the first time since Draco came back and Tara had shown up, this dynamic duo took a deep breath and let all the other cares just fall away. Just enjoying being who they were and thanking their lucky stars they weren't like everyone else. Listening to the voice of reason that was whispering in their ears that everything was going to alright and ignoring the voice of treason that was playing in their minds.