Love/Hate
(Harry Potter and the Knights of Slytherin)
Fan-fiction by Bizmarck
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter etc. It's just a fan-fiction, read and enjoy.
(Chapter 10)
It was about four o'clock when Hermione and Ron awoke from their midday sleep. Stretching lazily under the midafternoon sun, the two soon made their way back to the cottage, Hermione enjoying walking hand in hand with her young red-headed man.
After that initial evening in the safe house months ago, Hermione and Ron had simply started to act as a proper couple, something so seemingly natural that it had not been immediately apparent to the others once they returned from hospital two nights later. As would be expected all attention had been on the three injured in the fight upon their return, and later in the evening they hadn't even noticed the two's close proximity, this behaviour seemingly not registering in their minds, as pretty much everyone expected to see the two as a couple sooner or later. It was only after Luna suddenly made one of her classic blunt comments that Harry cordoned-on, after a tentative confirmation from Ron and Hermione the only thing that Harry could think of to say was;
"It's about bloody time" before treating his two best friends to a generous smile. Not surprisingly little changed from then on, other then that there was more room for the group to sit, as the new couple was often now intertwined. The two young adults were not as openly affectionate as Ron and Lavender had been, but then again they didn't shun from brief or simple shows of affection in public. Luckily for Harry, Luna's and Nevil's presence meant that it was barely noticeable when the two spent some time alone on the odd occasionally.
Ron and Hermione arrived back at the older cottage to find Harry asleep at the breakfast table, slumped forward as if he had fallen asleep in the middle of a conversation. They let him be and quietly entered the kitchen, finding Ginny investigating some of the items she had brought along.
"Hey you two, how's it going?" asked Ginny in her usual upbeat manner.
"Hay Ginny" replied Hermione kindly, Ron simply treated his sister to a nod and a smile before sitting down opposite her.
"So did you get everything we asked for?" asked the young man, roughly picking up an odd looking jar, examining it with a classic Ron expression. Ginny took the jar out of her brother's hands, carefully placing it back down.
"Yes I did, so don't go breaking anything, this stuff was not easy to get, even for the twins" she said in a scolding tone, Ron simply pulled a face.
"Did Harry fall asleep on you?" asked Hermione, sitting next to Ron.
"Ya, he held out for about an hour or two but then fell asleep when I started talking about one of McGonagall's classes" said Ginny, her expression indicating she found the whole thing more amusing then anything else.
"McGonagall has that effect on everyone, even in a retelling" offered Ron, grabbing another item. This time Ginny let him be. Hermione gave him a quick look before turning to Ginny.
"So how is everyone?" she asked the younger woman.
The three spoke for a while, Ginny confirming during the conversation that she planned to stay the night. Soon Ron left to get some more sleep of his own, allowing the two girls to catch up on more personal matters.
Soon enough it was approaching dinnertime and Harry awoke to join the other two in the kitchen, Ron soon re-emerged himself and the four quickly organised to get dinner ready for when Luna and Nevil returned. The two missing members turned-up just in time for dinner, entering the house so as not to let any light escape into the outside world. Soon all were sitting around the large solid wooden table in the kitchen, a series of small candles providing enough light to eat comfortably. Luna and Nevil reported no unusual activity, or at least no more unusual as watching Voldemort's henchmen prepare for a complicated magical rite. They were almost completed with dinner when Hedwig, who had disappeared a few hours before, returned suddenly with a message, it was Snape. All crowded around Harry to hear what their old potions teacher had written to him, the date and time were set, and by the sounds of it, it was going to be a big event, this would require immediate action, Harry and Hermione cut dinner short to sit down and write the required instructions to their fellow Order of the Phoenix members in the Aurors. Pigwidgion and Hedwig were soon on their way with the new messages, and Hermione and Harry rejoined the others in the kitchen. Despite the seriousness of what was to be occurring the following evening they found that there was little else to do in preparation, though all were still on edge with the thought of the events that had now been set in motion. Soon the topic naturally turned to the trustworthiness of their source, Snape.
"In the end there is no reason for Snape to tell us about this whole thing, unless he wants us to help him stop it" offered Nevil "The rite is not that complicated that it could not have been done without us, or the Auror's, knowing.''
''He could be setting it up to take over from The Dark Lord'' offered Luna, in her usual style.
''Now that, I, hadn't even thought of'' replied Harry, the thought rather disturbing him.
''I mean, once the Dark Lord is killed Snape is free of his binding oath'' continued Luna, having been informed of much of Harry's run in with Snape. Both Nevil and Luna had become close friends to the original three, there continued risky activities effectively requiring it. Harry had to admit that was a possibility, Snape's mind was easily complicated enough to devise such a complex plot.
''Somehow I just cant see Snape as a Dark Lord'' said Ron suddenly, the seriousness of the plot not really effecting him ''Doesn't suit him somehow.''
Hermione looked impressed at her boyfriends deep interpretation of their former potions teacher, then offered, ''I would have to agree, from everything I have heard that would seem unlikely''
The six young adults fell into silence, each thinking about the coming plan, it was risky, even if it worked there was a good chance not all of them would come back.
''Well'' said Nevil suddenly ''no use worrying about it, Snape has forced our hand.'' he said darkly. ''We knew this was never going to be easy. And Snape is right about one thing, this really is going to be the end, one way or the other.'' he continued, getting up and moving towards the door.
''What do you mean? The dark lord could still escape?'' asked Ginny, not as up to date with the full picture of the continuing magical war as the others.
''If he does he has won, simple as that, every available Auror will be coming in to kill him, and I'm not even sure that that will be enough, with the amount of activity I saw today, I think that the Dark Lord is quite confident that after tomorrow night, he could defeat the Aurors in open combat, and simply take over.''
''Does he really have that many followers?'' asked Ginny, not wanting to believe that there were so many Death-Eaters.
''He has enough'' answered Hermione for Nevil ''and with the new alliances he has forged, The magic council alone is not strong enough to defeat him.''
Ron continued, ''They waited to long, people have grown complacent over the long ages of peace, and didn't learn, or want to learn, from The Dark Lords last appearance.'' he ended on a bitter tone. Ron's parents were one of the few that had openly defied the Death-Eaters, and as with all people that had, their family had payed the price, It was a very sore point for Ron, and he became quickly agitated with anyone who continued to express there neutrality.
''People are cowards, there all waiting for others to deal with the problem, hoping it will simply go away'' Ron added in a dark tone that matched Nevil's.
''Very true'' offered Nevil, peaking out of the door into the night sky, careful so that no light escaped the old cottage. Ron calmed at this, very aware that Nevil had suffered the most of the group, even more then Harry, apparently there were quite a few fates worse then death, and these Nevil's parents had suffered, and were continuing to suffer. Harry watched his friends in the candle light as silence once again fell, he noted their expressions, the shear unhindered volume of their emotions present, not only in their faces, but also throughout there entire bodies, compelling him to try and understand their thoughts. The last exchange had thrown open a window in Harry's mind, for the first time he abandoned his own thoughts and feelings and completely immersed himself in the perceived thoughts of his friends. Once started he simply could not stop, the realisation not coming in specific thoughts but as a combined feeling, the empathy in his sole shouting to him one simple sentence,
'It is not all about you'
If anyone else in the room had been paying attention they would have been surprised to see Harry in apparent shock, then his expression turned to one of confident, yet sympathetic, determination. Looking around the room as if seeing the world with a new set of eyes Harry was suddenly overcome with a sense of joy, a strange joy that came with seeing for the first time what you really have.
''Suddenly I am no longer worried about tomorrow night'' Harry said as if off hand. Everyone else in the room turned to face the young wizard.
''Whatever happens, we gave it our best shot, and I could not have asked for anything more… and even if we don't win, we are going to give them hell trying'' he continued, ending in such a confident tone that the others couldn't help but be pulled form there respective melancholy mindsets.
''Ya'' spoke up Ron ''they won't know what hit them'' he added with a confident smile.
Everyone else in the room nodded enthusiastically, the whole weight of the previous silence being seemingly washed away. Nevil was still standing at the door, his posture straightening as his mind was overtaken by the more positive atmosphere. Looking at the group he focused on Luna.
''Luna'' he said suddenly. The thin blond turned to look at him.
''Do you want to come for a walk?''
Luna didn't skip a beat, treating him to a bubbly smile, she shot from her seating position, daintily grabbing a Jacket before seemingly skipping over to him and grabbing his arm, causing Neville to turn a light shade of red.
''It's about time'' she suddenly said, then promptly turned to the others. ''Don't wait up'' she said with a smile. This caused Neville to turn a very deep shade of red, and with Luna in tow, he promptly bid his retreat, Neville not daring to make eye contact with the other members as he left.
Harry turned back around from this spectacle to see the others smiling, and Ron barely suppressing the urge to laugh.
''That girl…'' said Hermione, in between chuckles.
''Poor Neville'' offered Ron, still struggling to suppress his laugh. Harry chuckled along but noticed that Ginny was no longer smiling, indeed she looked particularly withdrawn, Ron and Hermione continued to chuckle. Ginnie spotted Harry's gaze upon her, Harry giving her a questioning glance, holding it for a second she suddenly got up, Ron and Hermione turning automatically.
''Excuse me for a second'' she simply offered with a very weak smile, and then made her way quickly through to an adjoining sitting room, leaving the door slightly open. Hermione turned around to look at Ron, then both turned to look at Harry. Harry took his eyes from the door to look at his two best friends, knowing full we'll what they were thinking, he nodded in silent agreement then got up slowly.
''We'll be around if you need us mate'' offered Ron to his friend. Harry stoped for a second, giving both of them a smile before moving towards the sitting room. Opening the old door slowly Harry found Ginny in one of the old armchairs, absentmindedly looking at an items she had brought along, the various items having been left in that room. Harry closed the door behind him, the click of the lock sounding quite audible in the silent room, luckily both soon heard the muffled cheerful voices of Ron and Hermione as they started talking in the other room. Ginny did not look up, simply continuing to fain an interest in the item she was holding, Harry watched her for a while, the only illumination, a series of candles in the corner, framing her now grownup physique well. Unsure of what to say he simply walked over, sitting down in an armchair only a meter across from his old girlfriend, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees and his hands together. The confidence of only a few moments before began to slip away slightly and he coughed despite himself. Finally thinking of something to say he was cut off just as he opened his mouth.
''You do know I'm coming with you tomorrow'' Ginny suddenly said sharply, her eyes squarely fixed on Harry's. The young wizard was caught totally off guard, and hesitated.
''Well I…'' he began.
''You heard what Ron and Nevil just said'' Ginny continued, ''Only cowards wait while others do the fighting for them.''
Harry had to think quickly, suddenly having dark thoughts towards Ron for inadvertently setting this situation up.
''I'm sure he…'' Harry began once more.
''I don't care if I am his little sister, there are no exceptions for such a comment, I am not a coward Harry… I can fight, I have wanted to for a long time.''
''But you have, I mean…''
''Yes I know I have been useful at Hogwarts, it has been the only reason I have stayed there this last year, but it is of no use now.''
''I don't think…''
''You can't expect me to sit back and watch my closest friends, me entire family for gods sake! Fight The Dark Lord and expect me to sit around and wait for an outcome''
Ginny had placed the item down and was leaning towards Harry, who in response was leaning back, pushed back by the young ladies conviction. Harry did not have a quick answer and was again interrupted before he could offer one.
''I am old enough to make decisions for myself. Neither Ron or my mother can stop me, if you won't let me fight with you, I'll find my own way to enter the battle tomorrow'' she finished with her arms crossed, leaning back.
''You're right.'' said Harry softly and immediately, after she had finished.
''Nothing you can say will…'' Ginny hesitated ''what?'' the young lady only then registering Harry's words.
''You are right, I can't stop you from taking part, and would not want to.''
''Really?'' asked Ginny a little confused.
''I know how I would feel in your place, and I would do the same thing'' said Harry calmly, a smile present on his face.
''I cannot speak for the others, but I want you by my side tomorrow, you're a good fighter Ginny, I have every faith in you.''
Ginny still looked a little stunned as she registered his words, suddenly she rushed the small gap between them, enveloping her friend in a massive hug. Harry himself simply accepted the enthusiasm from the young woman.
''Thanks Harry, that means so much to me'' she said while embracing him ''Do you think the others will accept me?''
Ginny let go of the young man slightly, effectively kneeling in front of his chair, the two still held their arms around each other.
''I think most would have at least expected it, and Ron will come around I'm sure.''
''Oh I can take care of Ron'' said Ginny confidently with a smile. Harry having no doubt that indeed she could. They held there close proximity, the atmosphere around the two changing noticeably for both of them, neither willing to break eye contact, or move away.
''I wasn't expecting you to be so easily convinced'' Ginny said, more softly then was necessary '' not after what happened at Dumbledore's…'' she faded out. Harry broke eye contact for the merest second, then refocused on her.
''I should have known that I wouldn't be able to keep you out of the fight'' he said with a begrudging chuckle.
''I don't know Ginny'' he continued, taking a deep breath. ''So much has happened, its hard to look back and know what was right and what to regret.''
Ginny looked on for a second, ''do you regret us breaking up?'' she asked, looking deep into his eyes. Harry looked back, knowing that on that question alone he was never going to be convinced, one way or the other.
''I regret not having you close to me'' he answered simply, looking down at her. Ginny observed his kind honest face, missing this close proximity to him, unable to check her impulses she leaned up, placing one hand behind Harry's head and guiding herself in for a tender, if slightly passionate kiss. Harry was a little shocked but managed to return most of the kiss before it was broken by the young woman.
''Do you regret that?'' she asked with a smile, which Harry returned.
''Not in the slightest''
Authors note:
Cool, Well I think I got through that romantic bit reasonably well, highlighting each pairing a bit, Indeed Luna and Nevil were an odd one, but really, that would be an odd one! Lets be honest, really happy with Lunes last comment though, Could so imagine her saying something like that offhand!
Next up the final fight scene. Also I finally got the front cover artwork finished, go check it out at Deviantart under the artist name Bizmarck.
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