A/N: I apologize for taking so long, you have no I idea what I've had to do. Thanks to all my great reviewers. Odango Atama-chan xx, Jess, Breanna, Shae, mkiara, sempracaveas03. And sempracaveas03 I totally agree with you, thanks for the review. PLEASE R&R!
Ginny, not one to be sidetracked asked Harry again, "Why can't we come?"
Harry's patience was wearing then and he snapped at Ginny. Standing up he said, "Because, Ginerva, I say so! It is my choice who goes with me and who doesn't!" He sat down and mumbled, "I don't want another Department of Mysteries fiasco."
"I'm sorry," said Ginny. Hermione placed a hand on his forearm. He shrugged it off and moodily stormed out of the compartment. He slammed the door so hard that the glass shattered into thousands of pieces. Harry ran up the train towards the front. He entered the now empty prefect's compartment. He locked the door and pulled down the shades.
The prefect's compartment was much nicer than the standard ones. Snacks and candy lined the racks where luggage was stored. The seats were, instead of benches, individual, with arm rests. They were more comfortable too. Harry sat down in the one closest to the window and let it all out.
Tears flowed freely from his eyes and he didn't fight to control them. Memories appeared in his mind's eye. It was very much like Occlumency lessons. Sirius was falling through the veil. The Hungarian Horntail was spitting fire at him. He was dueling Draco. Snape was shouting the Killing curse at Dumbledore. Hermione was lying on the ground after being hit with Antonin Dolohov's spell.
As those last two memories came up, sobs escaped his mouth. Harry did not even hear the lock click when it was unlocked with Alohomora. Harry did not even see Hermione enter the room. However, he did feel her gentle touch on his arm. He watched her sit in the seat across the compartment.
"Harry," she said tentatively. After a minute of deafening silence, she moved her soft hand into his. Harry squeezed her hand in appreciation. Harry's last few tears escaped and he looked up at Hermione. She was smiling and he could not avert his gaze. A faint whiff of perfume entered Harry's nose. When did Hermione start wearing perfume? he asked himself. Even though it was different, Harry enjoyed it.
Finally, she relinquished her grip. She obviously wanted to talk. "Harry, I think maybe we should let them come." She stared at him intently, and Harry avoided her gaze. "Harry I think they could help us, I mean they did help at the Department of Mysteries." She stopped there and let it sink in. After another minute she asked, "Harry, what do you think?"
She reached across and grabbed his hands. Harry looked up and locked his green eyes with her brown ones. She was staring expectantly at him and he smiled. He squeezed her hands and relented, "Ok, they can come."
She beamed at him and pulled him into a short, but still prolonged hug. "Everyone will be OK, Harry, especially with you there." Hermione blushed.
"You can protect us better than I can, 'Mione," Harry said, smiling. And with that they left the prefect's compartment, and they walked back to the compartment at the back of the train. Along the way, Harry regaled everything to Hermione. He thought she was the perfect audience. She listened well and gasped at all the right times. Near the end of the story, Harry thought that being able to tell someone about Dumbledore's last moments would lead to healing. Of course, it had always been easy to talk to Hermione. Harry opened the compartment door, noticing the glass had been repaired, and followed Hermione in. They sat down, next to each other, and Harry apologized to Ginny. "Ginny, I'm sorry for blowing up at you."
Without looking up Ginny replied, "I shouldn't have pushed you." Then smiling, and looking up, "You forgot to apologize for calling me Ginerva." Everyone in the compartment laughed and Harry felt it the time to tell them.
"I've decided," he glanced at Hermione, who met his eye, then quickly looked away, "that you three can come with us."
"Really? What convinced you?" inquired Neville.
"You three are really smart and powerful and I would be honored if you joined our team."
"So, when are we leaving?" asked Luna. She was staring at Ron dreamily.
"Well, I think we should visit each of our families and tell them what we'll be doing. Then we need to gather supplies and then we'll leave.
"Er, where exactly are we going, and what are we doing?" asked Neville.
Harry mentally kicked himself and regaled the story of Dumbledore's last hours to the occupants of the compartment. Luna remained staring at Ron, who smiled at her, Neville's mouth hung open, and Ginny clung to Neville. As Harry saw Ginny clinging to his classmate he felt a pang of jealousy, but kept the story flowing. Harry finished and a moment of blaring silence followed.
All Neville could suffice was a, "Wow." They all stared at Harry, until Hermione broke the uncomfortable silence.
"I think we need to get some things in order. I think we need a name and each of us should have a job. I mean each of us has our own special talent, and we should encourage it. Together we can beat the Death Eaters," she subconsciously rubbed her chest where Dolohov's spell hit her. Harry felt a strong stab of guilt and looked down, but looked back when she spoke up again, "and V-Voldemort." Collective shudders and squeaks rang around the compartment. She dug through her bag and pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. "So, let's begin…"
A/N: Ok, please read and review. I apologize again for taking so long.