In reference to the title: I needed a title for the chapter, I was listening to the Killers, and inspiration struck. Or something like that.

Thinking up chapter titles is hard ok?

Chapter 55.

Buffy sat on the cushioned grey chairs in the corridor, both hands clutching her coffee. Lupin sat next to her, in the same position as her, but blowing softly on his tea.

Buffy giggled.

Lupin looked at her, arching a brow.

Buffy giggled some more.

"I'm holding hot tea; I doubt you'll like it if it goes down your back." Lupin threatened, but there was mirth in his eyes.

Buffy giggled again.

"I assure you, I'll do it." Lupin said seriously, moving the tea carefully over to Buffy's lap.

Buffy giggled again.

Lupin moved the tea up above Buffy's head, giving a stern glance. "I will do it. And it'll ruin you're pretty hair."

"No! Not the hair!" Buffy said loudly and mockingly.

A mediwitch down the corridor glared at them, and pressed her finger to her lips, 'sshing' them.

"Look what you've done." Buffy said crossly. "Acting all immature."

Lupin glanced at her again, arching one of his eyebrows. Buffy giggled, and Lupin rolled his eyes. "Stop giggling." He said in a stern voice, but he was smiling.

"Sorry, but you reminded me of Giles, blowing on your tea like that." Buffy explained, and Lupin once again looked at her, arching a brow.

Buffy giggled.

"Merlin help me." Lupin said, rolling his eyes.

"What? You look all sexy Remus like that." Buffy said truthfully, and Lupin laughed.

"Merlin please take this woman away from me." Lupin said, grinning.

"Hey!" Buffy said, louder than she should have, but she ignored the mediwitch who was throwing disapproving glances their way.

"How Sirius copes with you, I'll never know." Lupin joked, and Buffy grinned.

"We have our ways."

Lupin thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, you're both as crazy as each other."

"I'm definitely saner, I have you know." Buffy defended, and Lupin grinned.

"Yes, I imagine so." He sighed, drinking some of his tea, thinking again. Buffy watched him intently as he did so, noticing all the prominent lines on his face, the grey patches of his hair that used to be blonde.

He glanced at her then, a reminiscent look on his face. "You know, if Lily and James could see us now, I think they'll be happy."

Buffy smiled softly. "Really?"

Lupin nodded. "Yes. Harry's grown up to be a wonderful, responsible young man, and although that was nothing to do with you, Sirius or myself, I'm sure Lily and James are grateful. I don't think they could have dreamed for a better child than Harry is now."

Buffy nodded, glancing at the door to her right, the one where Hermione and the boys were in.

"And for you and Sirius to find love in each other, well, although I don't doubt it wasn't Lily's first choice for you, I think they'll be glad to know that you have each other." Lupin said insightfully.

"And you?" Buffy asked quietly.

Lupin smiled tiredly. "Well, I've had it best haven't I? I haven't been dead or evil or anything of the sort." Lupin said brightly, but Buffy got the feeling it was forced.

"No, you weren't, but you were the one who had to watch them all go away. You were there when I disappeared, and when Lily and James died, and when Sirius went to Azkaban and when Peter was thought to be dead. You were the only one left."

Lupin nodded sadly. "And it got worse, to know that Peter was the betrayer. I had Sirius back, but then he went after a while of course."

"I brought him back." Buffy said quietly.

"And that I am most grateful for." Lupin said, taking her hand. "I got you and Sirius back, all in the same week. Or month. I cannot remember." Lupin smiled. "And as long as you two don't disappear, then I'm set. My life is perfect."

Buffy smiled sadly. She leant her head on his shoulder, feeling the cheap, scratchy material under her cheek, but she didn't mind, because it was still Remus. Her Remus, the one who smelt the same from fifteen years before.

"I'm so sorry that you had to see all of that." Buffy said quietly.

"Me too." Lupin whispered. "Me too."

-

It was three in the afternoon when Hermione woke. Ron had been reading a Quidditch magazine, and Harry had been doing his Potions homework on the bed. Chocolate wrappers lay on the bed, on the floor. Cups of coffee, tea and bottles of butterbeer were strewn all over the place. Harry had discarded his robe and was wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt, Ron had too and was wearing his Weasley jumper.

They hadn't talked since Harry had told Ron about the prophecy. It had seemed to put a damper on the already sad mood, and both boys were not up to talking. But Harry could see that Ron wanted to know more, but was just afraid of asking.

Sighing, Harry put down his quill and glared at Ron, who had been tapping on the floor with his foot. Ron glanced up and grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry. Habit." He said, and Harry shrugged.

"Don't worry about it; I'm sick of studying anyway." He said, leaning back on his chair and closing his eyes.

They were silent for a few moments, both listening to the rain fall quietly outside, the sounds of people walking outside and Buffy and Lupin talking in the hallway outside the room. Harry titled his chair back on its hind legs, his eyes still closed, exhausted from the last couple of days. When his chair was straightened up again, and he opened his eyes, he found that Ron was looking at him curiously.

"What?" Harry asked impatiently, when Ron didn't say anything.

"I was just wondering about something."

"Well?"

"Who else have you told about the prophecy?" Ron asked.

"The adults all know. But you're the only one out of my friends that do." Harry said truthfully.

"When are you going to tell everybody else?" Ron asked.

"Well, it's not something I'm planning to advertise." Harry said, and Ron grinned.

"Well, what about Hermione?" Ron asked.

Harry bit his lip. "I dunno. I'll tell Hermione when I'm ready to, just not yet."

"Tell me what?"

Harry and Ron sharply looked at Hermione, shocked to find that she was awake-her eyes were half open, tired but awake. She had a small smile on her face as she looked between her two best friends, and she lifted both her hands and placed them on her theirs.

"Hi guys." She said groggily, and Harry grinned.

"Hey you." He said quietly. "How are you feeling?"

Hermione sighed quietly. "Alright I guess. It hurts sometimes." She said.

"I'm glad you're alright." Ron said, smiling down at her.

"We were worried." Harry said. "But you came through, which is great."

"Thanks for saving me." Hermione said quietly. "My knight in shining armour." She said softly. "Both of you." She added quickly, looking towards Ron as well. "Thank you both."

"It was nothing." Ron said, and Hermione smiled slightly, biting her bottom lip.

"Hungry?" Harry joked, and Hermione smiled.

"No, it's just… I need to talk to you." Hermione said quietly, looking at Harry, but then her eyes shifted to Ron. And then back to Harry. "Can we have some privacy Harry?"

Harry's heart sank, the look on Ron's face absolutely disgusted him-he looked delighted-and Harry wanted nothing more to punch it right off. He looked at Hermione, locking gazes with her, but her eyes portrayed nothing except exhaustion. He kept a neutral face and got out of his chair, turning his back on the pair of them and walking out of the room without a goodbye.

The door shut behind him, and Harry stood in the doorway, dismayed. He looked to the chairs against the panelled wooden walls and saw that Buffy was leaning on Lupin's shoulder with his arms around her, in a friendly way. Her eyes were closed, but at the sound of the door shutting, her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at Harry.

"She's awake." Harry said crossly, before Lupin and Buffy could ask. "She's talking to Ron. Privately." He said bitterly, stalking to the chairs opposite Buffy and Lupin and sitting down with a huff. Lupin and Buffy exchanged knowing glances.

"What about?" Buffy asked gently.

"Who cares?" Harry said in a casual and careless manner. He sighed, grabbing a copy of Witch Weekly from the table next to his chair, starting to read about how to feng shui a living room.

After a few minutes, he got sick of reading that garbage and his mind started to wander, as did his eyes, to the door when Ron and Hermione were talking. He wanted to know what they were talking about that Harry couldn't be involved in. The look on Ron's face when Hermione asked Harry for some privacy was still fresh in his mind, and suddenly he wasn't worried about what they were saying, but rather at what they were doing. Harry stood up with another huff and stalked over to the door, pausing with his hand on the handle. He sighed and ran a hand through his already messy hair, and turned around, sitting back on his chair while ignoring the amused looks of Buffy and Lupin. He wanted to know what they were doing, but he did not want to burst in like a manic, seeing their tongues down each others throat. But he desperately wanted to see what they were doing.

He jumped up again, striding to the door determinedly, placing his hand on the cold metal, turning it slightly-but his resolve failed him again and he sat back down.

Buffy stared at him as if he were mad.

Harry glared at the door, his arms crossed in front of his chest. His eyes no longer sparkled, he was cold and angry and he wanted no more than to remove Hermione from that room.

He wasn't sure how long he sat there, glaring at the door, but it felt like hours had passed when Ron finally opened the door. Harry leapt up as Ron closed the door behind him, but, deciding it was too enthusiastic, Harry shoved his hands in his pockets, trying to act casual.

"So?" Harry asked, and Ron looked at him quizzically.

"So what?"

Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "What did you talk about?" He asked, trying to act as if he didn't care.

"Uh, mainly you." Ron replied.

"Me?" Harry asked, confusion written all over his face.

"Yeah, you." Ron said, looking very much like Harry did.

"Uh, there were some other things we talked about." Ron blushed then, and Harry felt his anger start to come back again. "Uh, well, she wants to speak to you now." Ron said, and Harry nodded, shooting him a suspicious look but opening the door and walking in the room.

Hermione was lying on her bed, her head propped up by fluffy pillows. She was nervously eating a chocolate frog and examining the card. Harry closed the door behind him and Hermione looked up, smiling.

"Hi." Hermione said in a bright but quiet voice. "Do you want some chocolate? I think Ginny went a bit overboard, don't you?"

Harry looked to the large pile of different sweets and cakes by Hermione's bed.

"No, I'm alright." He said quietly, inspecting all the different chocolates and gifts on her bed and table. But he could feel Hermione staring at him, and he tried to resist the urge to look up. "So are you feeling better?" He asked, snatching for a question to end the uncomfortable silence.

"You're not alright, are you?" She said. Straight to the point, as usual, Harry thought, smiling slightly. "I mean, Ron told me that you hardly talked to anyone or showed up to your classes and when you did you didn't do any homework…" She sighed, frustrated. "Clearly, you're not alright."

"I'm fine, Hermione, honest." He said, avoiding her eyes.

"Then look at me." She said softly, and after a moment Harry did and saw her eyes shining with tears.

"I'm fine Hermione. Really I am." Harry lied.

Hermione shook her head. "No you're not. And look, I'm sorry about what happened with Dra-Malfoy. I really am, and I got it all wrong and I know I was stupid and you can shout at me because of it, but I really am sorry and I'm even sorrier that I shouted at you." She said in a rush, wiping furiously at her eyes with the heel of her hand.

Harry stood at the foot of the bed, fiddling with a piece of loose thread from the sheets. "I was trying to look out for you."

She nodded. "I know that, now I know that, and I'm so stupid and so sorry for doubting you. Do you forgive me?" She asked, looking at Harry as if his answer meant life or death to her.

He sighed, running his hand through his hair again. He turned away from her and leant against the end of the bed, unable to look at her for longer. "I do forgive you." He said softly.

"So, we're ok then?" Hermione asked tentatively.

Harry nodded, turning around to face her. "Yeah, we're good."

Hermione sighed with relief, but afterwards stared at Harry, unblinking, her gaze never wavering. "Tell me."

"Tell you about what?" Harry asked, frowning.

"Whatever it is that is on your mind at the moment." Hermione said.

"Nothing." Harry lied. "I was just worried about you."

Something flared up in Hermione's eyes but it was gone before Harry could see what it was. "I know you were worried, and I'm sorry for making you so. But I want to know what else is wrong with you. You're mind is somewhere else, I can tell." Hermione said knowingly.

"My mind is here." Harry said.

"What have you kept secret this year? You've been acting like this since last June, like you've got the world on your shoulders. Even more so now than ever." Hermione said, looking at him curiously, at his reactions to what she was saying. "It's about the prophecies isn't it? It's about that prophecy about you and Voldemort, the one that he wanted last year. That's it isn't it?"

Harry smiled at Hermione's ability to tell what was wrong with him, and sat down on the chair next to her. Her eyes flew wide as he realised that he was confirming what she had just said. "What's the prophecy about?" She asked quietly.

Harry sighed, and unveiled the prophecy for the second time that day. As he talked, Hermione's eyes grew wider and her mouth opened in shock. Finally, when Harry had finished, Hermione's hand was covering her mouth and her eyes shined with tears. Harry sighed; it felt so good let people know the truth. Now, his two best friends knew about the prophecy, and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his chest.

"So…you're the only one who can kill Voldemort?" Hermione said slowly. "And if he kills you, he can never be stopped?" Harry nodded, and Hermione closed her eyes. "How are you supposed to kill him? You're sixteen years old!"

"Well, there's this other prophecy…"

Hermione eyes flickered open.

"There are only two curses that can kill me and Voldemort. It isn't the simple Avada Kedavra, it's different. And the problem is, no one ever heard of them. Well, except Angel."

Hermione frowned. "Angel? How has he heard them?"

"He was there when the curses were prophesized. He was the one who killed Cassandra Trelawney-"

"The famous seer." Hermione finished, looking at Harry. "I read about her, surprisingly." She smiled. "She was a great Seer, but because of her talents, she was never allowed to do any magic. People were always calling on her to tell them their fortune. She died quite young, for a witch." Hermione told Harry.

"That's…interesting." Harry said without much enthusiasm and Hermione giggled.

"It is." She said firmly. "Anyway, how are we going to find out what the curses are?"

"Willow's working on it. She thinks the answer will be in Wiccan magic. Buffy said she's quite good at these kinds of things."

Hermione nodded, pleased. "Good. Well, as soon as I can get out of this hospital, I'll help you. I'm sure there are some things in my books that will be of use."

Harry bit his lip, and glanced at Hermione. "I don't think you'll be able to get out of here anytime soon, Hermione." He said quietly. Hermione nodded, her eyes drifting down to her lap. "I'm sorry-I didn't mean to-"

"Don't worry about it." Hermione said, waving casually at Harry. "I know you didn't mean to upset me, and it's the truth isn't it. I'll be staying here for quite a long time, won't I?"

Harry nodded. "Here or at Hogwarts."

"Well if at Hogwarts I can be with you and Ron and we can find something to help you." Hermione said.

"I don't need help." Harry said firmly. "I can do this on my own. Anyway, look what happened-Voldemort picked you to attack because you're my friend. If you and Ron get involved even more-"

"We could get hurt." Hermione finished, and Harry nodded. "Well, I don't know about Ron, but I would go crazy if I didn't know how you were doing and if I couldn't help." Hermione said firmly. She placed a cold hand on his and squeezed it gently. "Harry, you're my best friend. And I have to help you. I want to help you."

Harry smiled at her, glad that Hermione would be there for him. He knew that there was no way he could get through the war with Voldemort by himself, and he knew he was crazy to think he could be before.

-

Quick update! I bet none of you expected me to update so soon, but here I am! I felt kind of bad about the last chapter, how it was sort of uneventful, so I updated with this even more uneventful chapter…but there will be events soon! I can promise you that, in fact, the next chapter will be very eventful! Preview time!

-Next chapter-

The blonde vampire daintily slipped across the room to the old woman, holding her hands by her sides, ignoring the screams.

"Did you forsee this?" Said the male vampire, walking slowly across the room. The female vampire let the woman go, and she backed away from the approaching vampire, until her back was pressed against the colourful tapestries.

"Please…" She begged, tears streaming from her tired eyes. "Don't hurt me."

-

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