Chapter 25: The Elements Of Love

"Ron what are you talking about?" Luna could see Harry getting angry behind Ron.

"What if Lestrange knew that Harry and Hermione were together. They wouldn't have let her go, they would have taken her and expected Harry to come after them as he always does. He doesn't realize the trouble he's putting Hermione in," Ron looked down at his book.

"Ron I'm sure Harry thought about all that before asking her out," said Luna who was still keeping an eye on Harry.

"Yeah but there are things he doesn't know about. Hermione's parents had to go into hiding this summer, and that's why she was at Grimmauld Place – I just don't want her to get hurt." As Ron finished speaking Harry slowly began to step back behind the bookshelf and away from Hermione. Memories of the night Voldemort controlled him came flooding back.

"Harry what is it," whispered Hermione. But as she reached out to touch him Harry backed away. He pulled an object out from behind his back. It was the invisibility cloak. Harry quickly threw it on and ran out of the library as fast as he could. He didn't stop until he was safely in his room with the door locked behind him. He took the cloak off and turned to see his reflection in the mirror.

"How could you have been so selfish? You knew she would be a target once you started dating," came the reflection in the mirror.

"I thought I could protect her. I thought if we faced Voldemort together –"

"Voldemort is your problem not hers. Not only are you asking Hermione and Ron to fight in this battle but you want them to fight your battle too?"

"No!" said Harry as he looked down. When he looked back up at the mirror it was back to normal. He stood there for a moment looking at his scar, he turned away in anger and proceeded to go to bed. Ever since that night with Voldemort Harry had been getting restful nights. He assumed Voldemort didn't want to try anything until he could have figured out what was going on. Harry soon found sleep but he would not find rest as he began to hear voices.

"What have are spies told us about this girl?" came the raspy voice of Voldemort.

"They found out that the teachers regard her as the brightest witch in school. They even say she'll be one of the greatest witches of her time," came the shaky voice of Wormtail.

"A mudblood will never be as powerful as a pureblood," snapped Voldemort.

"Have you been able to get back into Potters head master?" asked Wormtail.

"No," said the Dark Lord grimly. "I think this mudblood might be blocking me, but I don't think its conscience. I think it has to do with how she feels towards Potter," said Voldemort.

"Sir, I don't understand?" whispered Wormtail.

"Its ancient magic, the kind Dumbledore used to protect Potter for so long at that muggle house," said Voldemort dismissively. "There is a book which contains ancient spells and their purpose. There is only one copy remaining and it belongs to . . . " The images started to disappear. Harry tried to concentrate on Voldemort as hard as he could but he couldn't reconnect to him. As Harry began to wake up he heard a knock on his door.

"Harry you in there," came the sweet voice of Hermione. He slowly got out of bed and headed for the door. Just as his hand was reaching for the door he stopped.

"Ron's right," whispered Harry to himself. He pulled back his hand and leaned his head against the door.

"Harry please let me in," said Hermione leaning closer to the door. "Look I don't care what the risk is! We can do this together!" Harry turned his back to the door and slowly slid down it. His thoughts lingering on what Lupin had said that night in the hospital.

"Hermione chose to be your friend and she chose to stand by you through everything you've gone through."

"What if you're wrong Lupin?" whispered Harry. "What if love isn't enough to protect her?" Harry crawled back into bed and decided to try and sleep again. Maybe tomorrow he could figure out what to do.

Harry stayed in his room for most of the day, getting homework done and trying to figure out what to do about Hermione. Throughout the day both she and Ron would knock on his door asking him if he would talk to them. It was late afternoon by the time he sneaked out of his room. Several of the books that Sirius left Hermione were lying on the ground. Harry grabbed the faded green one on top and headed for an empty classroom. He needed to get out of his room and take his mind off everything. He opened the book to take a look as he walked down the hall. The first page was written in a language Harry didn't understand. It dawned on him that this was the book Hermione had been talking about before she got hurt. He changed his direction and headed for Julia's classroom hoping she might be in her office.

"Julia are you here?" he shouted as he entered her classroom.

"Yes Harry no need to shout I'm in my office," said Julia in his head.

"Sorry," he responded back. Harry made his way up to the office and placed the faded green book in front of Julia. "Before you and Hermione got hurt we wanted to show you this book." As Harry finished speaking he noticed that Julia had stopped writing and was looking at the book as if it were alive.

"Rosie," called Julia. The bird flew over to the desk and looked at the book.

"That's it," Harry heard Rosie exclaim.

"That's what?" asked a very confused Harry.

"This is the book we've been searching for Harry. If I'm right this book as the spell the sorting hat was talking about. Rosie go get Dumbledore and have him come down here right away." The bird took off and left Julia alone with Harry.

"So you understand the language it's written in?" asked Harry as he watched Julia open the book.

"Of course. It's written in Irish Gaelic," said Julia as she kept looking at the book.

"Julia," Harry's tone changing a little. "Do you think I should not go out with Hermione any more?"

"Don't tell me you've stopped loving her. I see the two of you at the Gryffindor table all the time, I couldn't picture a happier couple."

"Oh no it's not that," Harry pause trying to find the right words. "I'm worried she's going to get hurt because Voldemort knows I love her."

"Oh," Julia seemed a little less concerned. "I believe Lupin had a talk with you in the hospital while the two of us were sleeping did he not?"

"Yes," said Harry.

"So what's changed? Why do you feel worried again?"

"Well, Hermione and I were in the library and we overheard Ron talking about how he couldn't wait for Hermione to realize that if she stays with me she's going to get hurt." Harry couldn't make eye contact as he told the story.

"So then what are you worried about, Voldemort trying to hurt Hermione or Hermione leaving you?" asked Julia. Harry had to think for a moment, maybe that was it, maybe he was just assuming Hermione would leave him. But she hadn't so far.

"I guess you're right, maybe I was more scared about Hermione leaving," smiled Harry.

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret Harry. It wasn't a big surprise to anyone who knows you that you choose the strongest, smartest and feistiest witch here. To use a muggle expression - you guys were made for each other," the young witch smiled at her nephew. Harry smiled to himself. It was good to have a family member again, he thought. Just then an old wizard appeared at the door.

"You sent for me Julia," asked Dumbledore. Harry stiffened as he heard the old wizards voice.

"Yes. I think Harry found the book we were looking for," said Julia.

"Might I ask where you found it?"

"It was one of the books that Sirius left Hermione," said Harry as he looked Dumbledore in the eye.

"Can you translate it Julia?"

"I can, but it's going to take some time. The spell is simple but the instructions are a little vague," said Julia still looking at the book.

"I will cover your classes tomorrow so you can focus on translating. It's imperative that we perform the spell as soon as possible," the seriousness in Dumbledore's tone caught Harry's attention.

"Why is it so important that we perform the spell so soon?" asked Harry.

"You see Harry, just like all things in life, love can fluctuate. Some times it's high and some times it's low. Just like the ocean," said Dumbledore as he eyed Harry. "If I'm not mistaken you and Mr. Weasley are not on the best of terms today."

"How did you know," said Harry sounding defensive.

"Well I actually figured it out Harry," said Julia from behind the book. "You asked me about why I was glowing that day I stopped Bellatrix. I never really answered your question because once I told everyone about my prophecy I thought you'd figure it out."

"Figure what out?" asked a confused Harry.

"We're connected Harry. When you're hurt I'll know, when you're angry I'll feel it and yes even when your happy I'll know it. I woke up that day because you were in danger. That glow you saw was a side effect of a spell Dumbledore performed on you and I when you were just a baby," said Julia.

"Have you always been able to do that," asked Harry. Julia didn't answer for a moment.

"The first time I felt it, was when you were six. I sent an owl to Dumbledore and he explained that Dudley had beaten you up and threw you in a closet. Every time I felt something I would send an Owl and every time it was because you were sad or hurt. It wasn't until you were in Hogwarts that I felt true happiness," she paused again. "And deep sadness from you. I knew Voldemort had come back after your forth year because I never felt you as scared as you were that night. When Dumbledore told me about it I immediately sped up my training at the Academy."

"How come I don't feel you?" asked Harry.

"Because the spell was meant for Julia to protect you in times of great danger, a side effect of the spell is that she can also feel extreme emotion from you. Yesterday Julia felt a great sadness and she asked Ms. Granger about it today," explained Dumbledore.

"She told me you overheard something that wasn't very kind, but you didn't stick around to hear the rest," Julia rose from her desk and looked Harry in the eye.

"Ron said he couldn't wait for Hermione to break up with me. What more did I need to hear?"

"That Ron didn't mean it," said Julia

"What?"

"Mr. Weasley figured out you and Ms. Granger were hiding so he thought that by saying something that would upset you, you'd come out of hiding." Dumbledore slowly put his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Hermione's been trying to tell you all day but you wouldn't come out of your room," smiled Julia.

"So that means – "

"You should go talk with Ron and Hermione," Julia continued. Harry began to leave the classroom.

"Harry, you still haven't forgiven Dumbledore. And he wanted me to talk to Hermione to make sure we could clear up the mess for you," Harry heard Julia say in his head. Harry paused and looked back at the old wizard. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"I'm sorry," was all Harry could think of as he left the classroom. He slowly walked back to Gryffindor tower hoping that Julia and Dumbledore hadn't been leading him on. He walked into the common room to find Hermione and Ron both doing homework.

"Ron," said Harry softly.

"Harry?" said Hermione standing up from the desk.

"Look mate I didn't mean it, I was just trying to get a rise out of you. You know hoping you'd come out of hiding. I mean I figured you might pop me one but I couldn't think of anything else to say," Ron said nervously. Harry could see in his eyes that Ron meant what he said.

"So all those things you said?" asked Harry.

"Complete rubbish. Look I told you before. If it couldn't be me then I'm glad it's you. Besides I don't think my girlfriend would appreciate me thinking of another girl," smiled Ron.

"Girlfriend?"

"Ron's been keeping a secret from us," said Hermione who took a step closer to Harry. "He and Luna have been dating since we got back from winter break."

"That's great!" exclaimed Harry.

"You missed the tongue lashing Ron received from Luna," smiled Hermione.

"Oh don't remind me. Once Hermione came out from behind the bookshelf she looked as thought she was about to kill me and so did Luna. So I quickly had to explain that I figured out you two were feeding her info about Malfoy – by the way Hermione you never told me why you two were doing it in the first place," Ron gave her a look.

"We'll explain all that after dinner," she said trying to side step the question.

"So then we're okay?" asked Harry still trying to figure everything out.

"As long as you are mate," smiled Ron.

"Great because I have some things to tell you," said Harry as he put his arms over both Ron and Hermione. Harry explained what he learned in Julia's office, about the book and Julia's strange glow.

"So it was in that faded green book?" said Hermione as they walked to the great Hall.

"Yes, Julia said it was the book they've been looking for," said Harry.

"Do you suppose this spell is similar to the one Dumbledore did on you and Julia?" asked Ron.

"It must be. It will link the four of us together and we'll probably experience some of the things Julia has," Hermione said with excitement.

"You're awfully anxious to perform this spell?" noticed Ron.

"Well, I've read about the kind of spell it is. Word has it that Merlin himself performed this type of spell with King Arthur," said Hermione. The group entered the great hall. Harry remained quiet for most of the evening, he kept thinking about Dumbledore's face as he left Julia's office.

"Harry what is it?" asked Hermione who had noticed Harry's silence.

"Julia reminded me that I still haven't forgiven Dumbledore. Every time I see him I take a different hallway or dart into a classroom just to avoid him," said Harry as he played with his food.

"Well maybe it's time to forgive him," suggested Hermione. "You never know how much time you have with a person before they're gone." Harry could tell Hermione wanted him to forgive Dumbledore. He slowly rose from the table and headed to the teachers table, but as he approached he noticed the teachers whispering back and forth to each other.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry as he stepped towards the table.

"Dementors," said Dumbledore. "They're coming."