Chapter 26
… --- …
The April 1 Order meeting included a birthday celebration for the twins. Harry delighted everyone with a replay of his Pensieve memory of the twins escaping Umbridge fifth year complete with fireworks and images of Filch punting students across the portable swamp. McGonagall silently noted the students in the memory who had subsequently been killed, delighted to see the images again but saddened that they had been taken away.
Hermione tallied the Order Members who could reliably perform the Patronus charm at thirty-four. She wanted at least a hundred people. Within the DA there were another twenty. She knew that she would need help from the Aurors and others.
The next evening she went to Hogsmeade and visited the Folgards. She knocked on his door not certain if he'd remember her. When he answered she said, "Mr. Folgard, I'm Hermione Granger a friend of Harry and Alyx."
"Of course, we met a month ago. Please call me Lenny. How can I help you?"
"I need at least fifty people who can cast or be taught to cast a Patronus charm. I need you to quietly find some people."
Lenny was happy to help, but didn't understand the reason. "But why? The dementors were banished back to the island."
"I'm afraid I can't be more specific at this time."
Lenny considered her request for a moment and realized the unspoken but implied danger. He replied, "Let me ask you one question Hermione. How certain are you that your plan will work?"
"I'm all but positive, Sir."
"That's good enough for me. I'll find them for you. When will you return?"
"In a week."
The next evening she had the same conversation with the Minister of Magic. The Minister pledged the same level of co-operation. That left her with four problems.
How to get Voldemort to a set location accompanied by as few Death Eaters as possible
How to keep Harry alive long enough to tire Voldemort out
How to keep Voldemort from escaping
How to get a hundred witches and wizards into exactly the right spot at the right time
She would call a meeting of the research team to come up with ideas.
… --- …
Eight evenings later in the third floor corridor Harry looked out at the sea of faces crammed together sitting in rows of chairs. He saw students, professors, merchants, administrators, a few hit-wizards, the Minister of Magic and quite a few aurors in the crowd. They were a diverse group sharing two things in common. They believed that they could produce a Patronus charm and they had faith in Harry Potter.
Abraxan spoke for a moment. "Good evening. Thank you for coming this evening. You may soon be in a position to help make a real difference in this war. I turn the rest of the meeting over to Mr. Harry Potter. Mr. Potter has done much to turn the tide of the war in our favor and has my complete confidence. I ask that you give him your fullest attention."
Harry was embarrassed by her words, but got along. He said, "Good evening. We're here tonight to practice our spell work. I'd like you to think of your happiest memory involving the love of another person. It could be of your parents, children, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend or whatever. Go ahead and cast your spell."
Of the 125 people there, less than half could cast a fully formed patronus. Harry was disappointed, but not really surprised. It was an amazingly difficult spell and he'd asked for a specific type of memory.
Tonks, Alyx and Remus helped Harry divide the people into four groups and they helped assess the skill level. Harry took the group of people that hadn't been able to cast the spell as requested. In some cases they could, but not with the memories that Harry had requested. In other cases they simply couldn't reliably cast the spell.
Alyx and her group had the best success. By the end of the meeting everyone in her group could get at least a mass of silver gas to escape from their wand. She smiled as Bob Sunset's Patronus form looked like a mutt dog. She hoped that his happy memory was of her.
… --- …
The various P teams as they became known met once every four days on a rotating schedule. By the end of April almost everyone could reliably produce a form. Professor Flitwick began demonstrating how to direct a form
They only practiced the charm, but were never told the reason why or the circumstances whereby they would be called upon to cast the spell.
Pleased with the progress, Harry and Hermione crossed one problem off their list.
… --- …
After the meeting, Remus held Harry back while Tonks went to talk with Hermione. Each was about to have a very uncomfortable conversation.
Remus stopped Harry and asked, "Cub can we talk for a few minutes?"
Harry was dreading the admonishment that was coming, but knew that he had to hear it for the two of them to move on. He replied, "Have a seat."
Remus began, "Harry, I know that going after Greyback was the hardest decision of your life, but it was…"
Harry shook him off and replied, "Going after Greyback was the easiest decision of my life. Killing those little kids was…"
The only thing to do. He gave them a death sentence Harry. You just eased their pain. He was the werewolf who bit me…" Remus took a steadying breath and said, "I just wanted to say thanks for ending it."
"Remus you're not like them. Minister Abraxan specifically mentioned you when she talked with us after…"
"The attack?"
Harry nodded.
Remus felt so bad for Harry and the pain that he was carrying around that was eating away at him. He asked, "Why didn't you tell me what you were planning to do? I wouldn't have objected."
"I couldn't. It was too…"
Remus stopped him before he sunk any further saying, "You don't need to say anything. I've seen what happens. This doesn't change anything between us. We're still square Harry."
… --- …
Lenny Folgard was surprised at the increase in British pound to galleon conversions that had taken place in the last month. Typically he dealt in galleon to muggle currency conversions as wizards or witches prepared to go on holiday in some other country. Lately he had seen them go the other way. Several of the transactions had been substantial.
Enjoying the five percent commissions he smiled that good fortune had returned for him and his family.
… --- …
"It's your move Harry," said Neville who had lost most of his pieces. After a minute Harry still hadn't moved, seemingly lost in thought. Neville tried again. "Harry? It's getting late. Maybe we should finish another time."
"I'm sorry Neville. I was just thinking back to something the Professor had told me about being ready."
"Harry, do you remember my Uncle Algie? He had a younger brother Sydney who was killed on Sword beach at Normandy. Before he went he'd sent Algie a letter asking him not to grieve for him in the event that he was killed. It was something that he felt needed to be done and he was proud to serve."
Harry nodded as he listened, admiring the man that Neville had become.
"Just like those leaders you're getting ready to send us to war. The difference is those men were sent by people who rarely got their hands dirty. You're leading us and we're willing to follow you. One in six who went ashore that morning was killed before noon. They made the way safer for those who followed. Maybe we'll do better, maybe not, but we'll win because we have faith in you."
"That's the problem, Neville. I don't want anyone to die."
"It's war, Harry. You've spent a lot of gold giving us good equipment, and we've trained hard. What else would you have us get or learn? We're ready."
Unfortunately, Harry couldn't think of anything. In a month they would throw the ball into play and see what happens. They just had one more problem to work out.
…---…
Monday May 11
The Daily Prophet editor had apparently been obliviated of the memory of waking up naked while hanging in the doorway of his office. George nearly blew up their shop as he was reading the Daily Prophet.
The Chosen One to Raid Azkaban
By Reggie McDonald
The Daily Prophet has learned that Harry Potter, a.k.a. The Chosen One has been building a team to storm Azkaban Island. He has been meeting with a great number of people to practice the Patronus charm. There is only one reason to practice the Patronus charm; to have an effect on the Dementor population that is living at Azkaban Island.
The reason behind this raid is unknown. Potter obviously either plans to control the Dementors to his own end or to kill the whole of them off. Either of these schemes is outrageous and should not be tolerated.
Having one person controlling the Dementors is a dangerous proposition. Imagine what Potter can do if he wished. Attacks on people who dare to disagree with him or even attacks on towns are possible.
Killing all of the Dementors would be a horrible atrocity. The Dementor Population is currently living in peace with the Wizarding world. To systematically kill them is nothing short of murder.
At each of the next group meetings Moody checked the left arm of every participant as they signed an oath of silence. If they broke it they would have much more to worry about than the word sneak appearing on their face.
…---…
Wed May 20
Hermione spent hours with Flitwick and Dumbledore's portrait viewing Harry's infant memory of Voldemort attacking Harry's parents and him. They concluded that the spell that Lily cast to protect him must have been a shielding charm that lingered after her death. They were inconclusive as to which spell she had actually used.
After seeing Lily Potter murdered repeatedly Hermione left the Head office and set off to find her mum. She, Susan and Emma attended Wednesday evening service at the Granger's church in Crawley. Afterward they visited the other members for a bit. Hermione was not as talkative as usual. She couldn't get Lily's screams out of her head.
She vowed that she would double her efforts to stop the monster that called himself Voldemort.
… --- …
Friday May 22
Susan missed Hannah so much. She had asked Hermione for permission to borrow her pensive. Hermione was working on a project and needed it but retrieved Harry's for Susan to use. She carefully withdrew a long silvery strand from her memory and carefully placed it in the dish. She tapped the rune on the pensive like Harry had done. Unfortunately the wrong memory began. It was Harry and Cedric in the maze grabbing the cup that someone had turned into a portkey.
Susan watched the scene for a moment mesmerized. A thought flickered across her mind and she stood up quickly. She closed the memory and ran as fast as she could to the library.
… --- …
Monday June 1
Riddle outlined his plan to lure Potter away from the castle and ambush him. Lucius, Draco and the handful of newly minted Death Eaters nodded in genuine agreement. Afterward, the two Malfoys left to have dinner together.
"This will be a deciding battle for us Draco. Should the Dark Lord defeat Potter the dark forces will instantly rally around him and we will regain true leadership positions. To truly succeed in his organization you must harness your anger and use it to power you, not lead you."
"Potter will pay for what he did to me."
Lucius knew better than to get dragged into an unwinnable argument and tried to put it to rest. "Harry Potter did not take away your manhood Draco. Someone else did. You must focus on the future and the mission at hand. Right now we must help the Dark Lord get Potter out of the castle."
Draco had every confidence in the outcome but knew that his father had brought him here to discuss all of the likely outcomes. Lucius continued, "Should the Dark Lord fall we will use the portkeys and meet in Bucharest at midnight the next evening."
"Surely you don't think Potter is a match for the Dark Lord?"
"Draco, even you can't ignore the fact that Potter has faced the Dark Lord at least five times and still breathes. He may have had luck or help on his side but no other man, alive or dead, can make the same claim. One way or another we will regain our place of greatness within wizarding society."
Lucius didn't tell his son that he had already started his contingency plans for when the Dark Lord fell. He didn't want to know what Riddle would do to him if he found out that his faith and loyalty were gone. Lucius just hoped that his spy had not blown anything by using the Daily Prophet to communicate.
… --- …
As Riddle was revealing his plot to murder Harry, the Order was finalizing their plans and the respective responsibilities of the individuals. Hermione believed that she had done everything that she could to engineer out the risks but knew that people would die in spite of her best efforts.
She handed the large sack of galleons that Harry had given her to McGonagall who insisted on handling the transfigurations personally.
Bill and Moody agreed to go look the site over the next day and give the final location to Flitwick.
Harry had avoided making any speeches regarding the worthiness of their cause. He was concerned what Riddle's reaction to the newspaper article had been.
… --- …
Tuesday June 2
Dan woke from a dead sleep in an instant. It didn't take him long to figure out why. Next to him Emma was sobbing while she slept. He slid up behind her and pulled her close. He began to say anything he could think of to comfort her. Ineffectual and useless were the words he would use to describe how he felt.
This was not the first nightmare she had suffered recently. They seemed to be getting progressively worse. Her dream journal was loaded with very dark and progressively more frightening images. They had discussed all but one of them. Dan couldn't bring himself to broach the subject of the last one. Emma never mentioned it either.
After her weeping turned to whimpering and eventually subsided she woke up. She sat up for a moment and looked around. Dan knew she was clearing her head of the memory of the dream. After a second she lay back down and snuggled against him.
Breakfast came and went before either of them spoke. Finally Emma had to move to please her bladder. She came back to find Dan sitting on the edge of the bed with his face in his hands. She sat behind him and returned the favor of holding him tightly.
They had no classes until after lunch. Emma asked Jonie the house elf to bring them a light breakfast. Neither of them was ready to face the day.
After eating and showering Emma put on a pants suit that she normally wore to the surgery. She was one of the Muggle Studies Professors and she was going to dress like it today. Dan raised an eyebrow at her rebellion of the dress code and then changed his clothes. Strength in numbers was a good motto he decided.
Emma found herself in front of the fireplace once again. She had been spending a lot of time staring at the flames. It was a good place to think or to brood. Dan plopped down next to her and took her hand.
"What's on your mind, love?" he asked.
She desperately wanted to answer 'nothing' but could tell Dan was through taking that for an answer. She sighed and leaned sideways into his shoulder.
"I've been playing Diane's what if game in my head," she answered. Her husband was intrigued having expected an answer about the nightmare.
"Like what?"
"What if Hermione, Harry and Susan all die?" she responded sullenly.
Dan flinched. He took a deep breath and then swallowed hard. His voice wouldn't work.
"I told Hermione that I would have trouble accepting her in a battle. I would. I do. This war is likely to end in a few days. All three of our children are going to be there. I'm terrified something is going to happen and they are all going to come home in body bags," Emma told him. It was the first time she had said it out loud. She didn't like the sound of the words.
"So am I," Dan admitted choking on the words.
"Oh Dan," she whispered as she started to cry. He held her tightly but could not comfort her. He had matching tracks of wetness on his face.
"All we can do is pray that they will come through this," he said when she had calmed down.
"That's what I hate. We're the parents. We're supposed to protect them. We can't do a damn bloody thing," Emma said sniffing. Dan gave her his handkerchief.
"We have done everything we can Em. In this last battle there won't be any muggle tricks to destroy an army. My pistol is worthless. All we can do is wait and pray."
"I feel useless," Emma confessed.
"Me too. Our part is not in the battle though. We've done our best to show all three of them how much we love them. It's strange. I love Susan and Harry as much as I do Hermione," Dan told his wife. She held up her right hand and the light glittered off the stones.
"So do I. It's different but the same. I don't think I could stand losing any of them."
"They're going to be okay. I believe that with all my heart. If I didn't I would lose my mind," he said softly.
They were both quiet for a while watching the fire. Then Emma spoke, "I had the dream again."
The dream. The one neither of them could bear to speak out loud.
"The same as before?" He asked not wanting to know but needed to.
"Yes."
"Do you think it means something?" He asked hesitantly.
"I went to the library…" Dan chuckled. Hermione was her mother's daughter. Emma gave him a look of reproach and then continued, "There have been no true muggle seerers. I don't know if that is a conclusion of the hatred in this world or if it is accurate."
"It was just a dream, Em," He said firmly.
"Do you believe that or do you just want to believe it?" She asked. He wished he could be offended by the remark but she had a very good point. It was not a valid one though.
"You've admitted that you are afraid of your children dying. That is why you are having nightmares about their funerals," Dan kissed her temple feeling her shiver at his words. Then he asked, "Have you talked with Diane?"
"No."
"She may have some insight," Dan pointed out. Emma shook her head.
"I'm sure you're right. That doesn't make it any easier," she said sniffing.
They were still holding on to each other when Susan stopped by to see them. Concerned that they had missed breakfast she wanted to be sure they were okay. She joined them on the couch without saying a word and felt her heart melt when they both took her in their arms. 'This was so much better than Slughorn's potions class,' Susan decided.
… --- …
Thursday June 4
It was late in the afternoon when Harry found himself walking past the stone gargoyles on his way to McGonagall's office. He walked in and just sat down. Jonie the house elf brought him several bottles of butterbeer.
After a minute of sitting in silence, Dumbledore's portrait said, "Good afternoon Harry."
"Hello Professor."
After a minute of small talk Harry asked, "Professor how did you know that you were ready to face Grindelwald?"
"I suspected that we would have this conversation some day, Harry. I knew I was ready to face him when I believed that I had found the opportunity to physically get to him and when I'd developed a plan on how to kill him. Interestingly enough, I had gotten the idea from a soldier that I'd met who had been stationed near the castle."
Harry said nothing and Dumbledore continued. "In your case, I take it that you believe you have such a plan."
"Yes sir," Harry replied. He elaborated the basics of the plan to the portrait.
Dumbledore considered the plan for a minute, found it to be sound and asked, "How do you plan on fighting with him?"
Dodging his curses mostly. Hermione thinks that with such a small piece of his soul remaining, he'll tire pretty quickly, hopefully faster than when you dueled with him at the Ministry.
McGonagall, who had come in a minute earlier, added that the other people who were there would all have shields so they could deflect any curses that came their way.
Harry asked, "Like the ones that we made in class?"
McGonagall nodded and replied, "They're big enough to protect and small enough to safely deflect the blasts.
Harry got up to leave, then hesitated.
Minerva half expected that he hadn't come to see the portrait and asked, "What is it, Harry?"
Harry glanced at the portrait frame which was now empty, relaxed and said, "Professor, if something goes wrong, can you give these to the people marked on the envelopes?" He was holding a thick envelope that obviously contained a number of smaller envelopes.
Minerva looked at him sadly and was about to admonish him for thinking negatively and realized that he was simply being a realist, knowing that he was the bravest man that she had ever met. Instead, she took the envelope and said, I'll keep these for you until you're ready to come back and collect them. She walked over to him and hugged him saying, "I wish you the very best, Harry."
Harry replied, "Thank you Professor… For everything." Her met her eyes and noticed that both of them were a moment from choking up.
She nodded, unable to speak, and he left.
… --- …
Emma was still feeling quite apprehensive and contemplative. She stared into the fire as she sat with Dan's arms around her. Across from her Diane and Jack were watching their friends. For the past hour the four of them had been sitting by the fire in the Grangers quarters. Occasionally one of them would speak but the conversations were short.
Emma had been thinking of what if scenarios for a couple of hours. Not all of her thoughts were nice and that left her feeling like a bad person.
When Hermione was ten she had asked her parents for permission to apply to a few independent schools, boarding schools and special programs. Not seeing the harm they had agreed. Both Dan and Emma were realistic in their view of their very bright daughter. Two days later Hermione had stayed up all night filling out forms and writing essays. With in a week she had applications to fifteen Premier League schools and ten First Division schools.
To the shock of her parents she was accepted at all twenty-five of the schools and all four of the special study programs that she had applied to. Of course they knew that their daughter was bright. But her maturity level had always seemed to hold her back. She had always excelled at chemistry and mathematics. Emma knew that her daughter's interest was in medical research. She swore that she would one day find the cure for the Alzheimer's disease that had destroyed her beloved grandmother.
Then came the Hogwarts letter.
Almost instantly Hermione had forgotten all about Premier League schools and Kings College Medical School. She finally knew what it was that set her apart from the children she went to school with. She was a witch. A new world opened up for her and Emma knew the moment that Professor McGonagall had shown them magic was real that Hermione would never be happy unless she went to Hogwarts.
At the moment Emma was contemplating time manipulation. She had heard the story of Harry and Hermione saving Sirius Black with the use of a time turner. She knew logically that her thoughts were ridiculous but she wanted a time turner. She wanted to go back to the moment she decided that Hermione would be better off at Hogwarts.
Emma was feeling very selfish. She wanted to change that decision. She wanted her daughter to be a student at St. Paul's, Sevenoaks or City of London School for Girls. Emma wanted her daughter to be away from this war and all of the death. At the moment Emma couldn't care less about what the effect on the wizarding world would be if it had never known Hermione Granger. She didn't want to consider that she would not know Harry and Susan whom she loved like her own.
At the sound of the knock on the door Diane and Emma's eyes met. Diane probably knew what she was thinking. On most days she could figure it out. Diane could tell her friend didn't want to move from the arms of her best friend so she rose. Jack gave her a gentle push back into her seat and went to answer it himself.
"Hello Harry, how are you?" Dan asked from his seat behind Emma. She smiled at the young man. Harry was a bright spot in Hermione's life. She didn't want to think about what would have happened to him if her daughter had not come to Hogwarts.
"I'm fine," Harry answered looking around the room. He seemed a bit nervous. Emma at first thought it was Jack's presence but then decided it was something more.
"What can we do for you?" Emma asked him. She watched Harry pace a few steps and then stop.
When Harry said he needed to talk to them the Turnbull's stood to leave but Harry stopped them. He gave Jack a nervous smile.
"You're the one who said you should be here," Harry told the Inspector. Jack was confused for a moment and then he smiled.
"Really?" Jack asked him. Harry nodded and Jack laughed and pulled Diane back on to the love seat. Harry began to pace again.
"I don't… Blimey, this is harder than I thought it would be," Harry told them.
"What is it Harry? Is something wrong?" Dan asked.
Harry muttered something about saying no and then spoke up, "No, not really. I just… I had a big speech planned and can't remember any of it."
"Speech?" Diane asked. Harry continued to pace until he finally just muttered a curse word and then took a deep breath to steady himself. He closed his eyes and then opened them to see the Grangers looking at him in concern.
"Dr. Granger," he began. He stopped and breathed again. Emma felt the tension in Dan change at the use of their shared title. Harry continued speaking clearly and slowly as if the words had to be right, "I am madly in love with your daughter and I want your permission to ask her to marry me," He said. Emma didn't miss that he was looking at her as he spoke. She patted Dan's leg as she slowly stood up.
Instead of answering Emma walked over to the nervous teenager. She gave him a quick hug and then kissed his cheek.
"I think that is a lovely idea," she told him.
"I know we are young, too young and I know that I said I would wait until we were out of school but in a couple of days… er, wait, lovely?" Harry rambled.
"You make her happy. That's all I care about," Emma said.
Harry looked over at Dan who had not spoken. His golfing buddy and friend looked up at him and stared hard. Then he nodded and grinned.
"I couldn't ask for a better man for my daughter," he said.
Harry let out the long breath he was holding and Diane chuckled. He glanced at Hermione's Godparents. Diane was smiling but Jack looked menacing. Harry swallowed hard as the man glared at him.
"This is so unfair. I had to jump through hoops of fire and Dan had to face a mad man who owned a gun and you, ya little snot, get their blessing without Granger over there making even one of his horrible jokes," Jack said in snappish voice.
"Well Jack, I guess life's not always fair. Dan has a pistol too you know, I just like to think I'm smart enough to have asked him when Emma was sitting on him. Plenty of time to get away," Harry said solemnly. He offered Jack his hand and they both laughed.
"He's a keeper," Diane told Emma who smirked then she glared at Jack.
"A madman with a gun?" she asked Jack. He snorted. Dan ignored them and approached Harry. They shook hands and then shared a manly hug.
"When are you going to ask her?" Emma asked after she managed to make Jack shrink playfully behind Diane.
"I'm not sure but I have the perfect place picked out," he said with a grin.
…---…
Friday June 5
Moody had reviewed every aspect of the plan and could find no flaw with the second half of it. It was the first half that worried him. He limped past the Hogwarts coat of arms on the way to the third floor corridor and read the words Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus – Never tickle a sleeping dragon. It felt like that was exactly what they were about to do.
He was reminded of a group of his friends who had the saying, "Beware of the dragon, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup."
Potter's plan was sound but still the Master Auror worried over the fine details. He hoped that the light side wouldn't simply crumble in one day.
… --- …
Hermione finished her shepherd's pie and watched Rosmerta summon the empty plate. A second later it had been replaced by a huge slice of apple pie. Harry grinned as he took a bite and then returned to his own desert of pudding.
After they finished eating they slipped from the building hand in hand. Time alone was something scarce. Now that the plan was in place and everything was set they just had to wait.
As they walked through the town many of the residents stopped them for a moment. Harry had noticed that Hermione was quieter than normal. He had a feeling he knew what she was thinking. She kept glancing at him and tears would well in her eyes.
He led her to the gate outside of the Shrieking Shack and conjured a blanket for them to sit on. It was getting dark but they sat anyway. Hermione threw up a few wards and a couple privacy charms. They each sat down. Hermione sat with her knees pulled up against her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs.
That is a defensive position, Harry thought. He almost smirked thinking that he had been around Diane too much.
"In a couple weeks the war will be over," Harry mused out loud as he looked up at the slowly darkening night sky.
"Yes," she said softly.
"I want to talk about what comes next," he told her. She swallowed hard and rocked slightly.
"I've been thinking about that too," she said with a sigh.
"You have?" He was surprised. Hermione almost rolled her eyes.
"Of course I have. This is the moment we have been working for since we were ickle firsties and Voldemort was possessing our first awful defense teacher. What comes next? Do we get happily ever after or not?" Hermione asked. He shivered slightly and then reached for her hand.
"I'm not afraid to die. Dumbledore once told me that it's just a passage to the next great adventure. You know how I like an adventure," Harry said with a sad look. He continued before she could reply. "There are many outcomes, love. Happily ever after would be both of us living and Voldemort dead. But what if…" he said. She pulled her hands away not wanting to play Diane's hypothetical game but knowing that they must.
"What if you die after you manage to kill that bastard? Am I supposed to just go move with my life?" Hermione asked.
"You must Hermione," he said simply.
"I must? I don't want to think about spending the next hundred and twenty-five years without you Harry. That is a lot of days to wake up alone," she told him.
"Moving on means finding someone new. You wouldn't have to be alone," he told her his heart aching at the thought.
"I don't want anyone else Harry. Alone would be preferable," she said with a sigh. She expected him to argue and was surprised when he didn't.
"I know what you mean. What if you die and I live? I wouldn't want to be with anyone else either," Harry said softly.
"I'm not afraid to die either Harry. We've lost so much, so many. I know they are waiting for us. If I die you would need to move on. I wouldn't want you to be alone Harry," Hermione said seriously.
"I want us both to live. It kills me to think of you with someone else."
"What if… I can't promise that I will move on and be happy. I promise I won't wallow in guilt that I couldn't protect you. I will make sure the whole bloody world knows about Harry Potter and not the boy-who-lived," she told him.
"I don't even want to think what my life would be like without you. But if the worst happens and you are gone I will make sure that the world knows what it is missing with the death of the cleverest witch of our age," Harry promised.
They were quiet for a few moments then Hermione laughed a little. Harry looked at her in concern.
"While we are being morbid I guess I should tell you that I took your advice and made out a will. I don't have anything to leave anyone," she said still wondering why he had insisted that she do it.
"If I die you will have. I left you half of my net worth," he told her.
"I don't want your money," she snapped.
"I know that… But you are the best person I know to use it wisely. I know people, myself included, thought that S.P.E.W. was an insane idea. But it's not really. You have a great heart and a wonderful mind. No matter what happens to me I would want you to use my bloody fortune to change things… To make them better," he said.
"And if we both die my parents are going to be very rich," Hermione said with a sigh.
"Neither of them would want that. I guess we'll just have to live. I'd hate to see your Mum disappointed," Harry told her. She felt the smile tug at her mouth and leaned over and kissed him.
They sat quietly looking at the darkened sky until it was time for them to return to the castle. They were still the head boy and girl and it was their turn to do rounds.
… --- …
Hermione followed Harry into the girl's loo with a roll of her eyes. They had checked out every inch of private space in the castle tonight and shared some really nice snogs. She was dying to get back to their rooms and show Harry what his little game of teasing had done to her.
She watched him shut the door and seal it. He smirked.
"That's not the first time I have locked that door," he told her.
"Oh, so you locked me in with the troll," she teased him. He grinned. Harry and Ron had spent years shifting the actual locking of the door back and forth.
"You never know," he said with a smirk. He led her to a certain spot and then gave her a short kiss. He said, "Do you realize we're standing in the spot that our friendship began?"
She looked around and then grinned at him. She answered, "I guess we are."
They stood there and snogged for quite a while. Harry had to force himself to stop. He pulled away and looked her in the eyes as they caught their breath. Then he spoke, "You know about six and a half years ago you stood right here and lied to Professor McGonagall to save Ron and me from her wrath. I hate to think what she would have done to us if she found out the reason you were in here crying was because we were a couple of prats… shhh… let me finish before you say something, love. You were quite snotty but we shouldn't have been making fun of you. You used to drive us both crazy. But we eventually learned that you weren't so bad and you learned to loosen up a bit."
Knowing he was not one to make sentimental speeches, she gave him a slightly puzzled look.
Harry continued, "Right here on this spot is where you covered my ass for the first time. Where I discovered that, to my shock, Hermione Granger could lie. Not real well mind you, but she could do it. It was a completely crazy moment and from then on we have been friends. Sure there were times when we argued. Times when I thought my broom or that damn book were more important. You still had your moments too. I thought you were going to kill us all during OWLs and I still can't believe that you hid your feelings from me for so long. But even through all of the stuff thrown at us over the years we're still friends. Best friends."
She wasn't certain where he was going, but loved the ride and smiled at him.
"I love you Hermione. Everyday I think I can't possibly love you more and then next morning I am proven wrong. I want you to prove me wrong for the rest of our lives," he said softly as he dropped to one knee. Hermione gasped as he took out a ring box and opened it.
"Oh my god," she uttered.
"Hermione Jane will you do something completely crazy again and make me the happiest man on the planet? Will you marry me?" he asked. This was definitely harder than asking her parents for permission.
Hermione stood perfectly still, stunned for a moment and then she spoke, "Harry, I want nothing more than to spend the next hundred years with you."
He fumbled with the ring and slipped it over her finger. She looked at it closely. It was a platinum band with an elegant but not gaudy diamond on it. On each side of the diamond was a smaller sapphire stone. Outside of each sapphire was an emerald.
"If you don't like it we can pick out anything that you want. I just saw it and thought of you," he said hurriedly.
"It's perfect," she told him as he stood up.
"Just like you," he said leaning in to kiss her. She melted into him and they kissed in the spot that their friendship began for a long moment. Then she pulled back and looked at him.
"I love you," she told him. He was not able to do anything but smile until his grin turned wicked. He picked her up in his arms and swung her around.
"She said yes!" he shouted to the gods. She shrieked and giggled and then settled for kissing him.
"Of course I did you silly man. I've been waiting for this moment since I was three," she said. He laughed loudly and shouted again.
They were snogging deeply and neither of them noticed the spell being removed from the door or it opening. When a familiar throat cleared they jumped apart. Professor McGonagall said, "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, I assumed that as the head students you knew the rules of decency. Perhaps I need to explain them to you?"
"Uh no ma'am. I mean yes ma'am, I mean…" Harry said desperately trying not to laugh. Hermione slipped her left hand into her cloak and took a deep breath.
"We understand the rules of decency Professor. We were just checking to make sure no one was breaking them," she lied. She heard Harry choke on his laughter and start coughing to cover it.
Professor Minerva McGonagall, head Mistress of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry looked over her head students with a stern frown. Then her scowl broke and she shook her head.
"Miss Granger, after all these years you are still a terrible liar. I'm just glad to see you both so happy. I dare say that next time you feel the need to shout you can use a silencing spell on the door Mr. Potter. I almost had a heart attack when I heard you yell," she told them.
Harry apologized and was trying to save face when Hermione gave him a gentle push towards the door. Professor McGonagall smiled as she watched them scurry out of the room. She heard Hermione giggle and Harry laugh as they walked away from the room. Minerva's foot kicked something as she turned to leave the room. She picked up the ring box and studied it for a moment then she smirked.
They reminded her of James Potter and Lily Evans more everyday. She decided to tell Harry about his father's proposal later. It was probably the more interesting story told about the loo that Myrtle haunted.
… --- …
The next morning Hermione and Harry stopped by to see her parents. Emma hugged them both like she was Mrs. Weasley. Dan nodded his approval and asked about a date. They had made no decisions about that and Harry mentioned that whatever Hermione wanted was find with him.
Emma smacked Dan on the arm when he smirked and said that Harry was practicing to be a good husband already.
The dentists were eating their breakfast at the head table when they heard a shriek come from Susan. She was holding Hermione's left hand and staring at the ring. Hermione was surrounded by a group of giggling girls who wanted all the details. Harry looked like he wanted to escape.
Professor McGonagall glanced down the table at the muggle studies Professors. Emma raised her glass in a silent toast and Minerva smiled.
… --- …
Saturday June 6
Palm trees, white sand, and the soothing constant sound of the surf were cleansing. They sat outside at a table with a colorful umbrella at the blowfish bar watching as the sleek long boats with throaty engines passed back and forth along the edge of the deeper water. Fearless birds fluttered nearby hoping for a scrap of someone's sandwich. Parents with small children passed by. The children were anxious to get into the water or sculpt a fortress in the sand.
They realized how much they needed each other and promised that they'd do everything that they could to remain unhurt.
Harry seemed to cling to Hermione that night – ecstatic over the love that had found him and desperate not to lose it.
The next morning they walked along the beach for several miles each lost in their own thoughts then took the portkeys back to Boston then London before apparating back to the castle. It had been the shortest weekend of their lives. The events of the coming week would decide if they had another to share together or not.
… --- …
Saturday June 13
Harry opened his trunk and carefully picked up the small vile marked Slughorn/Riddle 1944. He unstoppered the small crystal bottle and carefully poured the contents into his pensive and got his camera. He poked his nose into the swirling mass and found himself in Slughorn's potions class with a seventh year Tom Riddle wearing Slytherin's ring. Harry took a photo. Next he found his memory from the chamber of secrets of Riddle writhing in pain a moment before disappearing after Harry had struck the diary with the basilisk fang. Again he took a photo.
Harry climbed out of the pensieve and put the two memories back into their respective bottles and placed them back into his trunk.
… --- …
Harry looked at the faces that were seated in the third floor corridor. He told them what he was going to tell them and asked if anyone wanted to leave. No one moved. After a few minutes he told them of the plan that would take place the next morning.
They were to arrive at the front lawn of the castle at 7:00 AM. He gave them the other details and turned them back to their group leaders for one last practice session.
Harry stood by Dan and Emma as he watched the forms spring from their wands. They were ready. He shook everyone's hand before they left and watched as they walked out the door. Dan, Emma, Hermione and Abraxan remained behind.
Abraxan said, "I want to think you both for everything that you've done. Your plan is sound and you've done everything that you can possibly do to ensure people's safety." She looked at the pile of emergency portkeys that were ready to be passed out as well as the massive stack of gold shields.
Harry replied, "Thank you Minister. We just want this to be over with."
"I wish you both the best." She smiled at both of them.
"You too Minister," replied Hermione.
After Abraxan left Hermione looked at her mum and dad. They had been very quiet for the last few days. She drew them both into a hug and said, "I love you both."
Emma looked at Harry standing a few feet back and opened her arm to invite him in. After a minute she said, "We love you both and couldn't be prouder of you."
Dan said, "Harry, remember this is a carefully laid ambush, not a fixed battle between two armies. If it doesn't work the way you both planned it, promise that you'll both leave. This is the only thing that I'll ever ask you. Do what you can to keep her safe."
Hermione replied, "Daddy I promise." Harry nodded solemnly.
Emma hugged them both knowing that was a promise that was not within their power to make. She said, "Get some rest."
She and Dan made it almost to their rooms before the tears began hitting the stone floor.
… --- …
Sunday June 14
At 4 AM Bill, Moody and Flitwick set up the anti-apparation wards within the large stone circle. They were methodical in their work and rechecked the charms several times before being satisfied three hours later. They were literally betting their lives and the lives of everyone that they cared about that the quality of their work was first rate.
"Moody, search the area again," said Bill. I don't want anyone sneaking up on us.
Moody nodded and replied, "OK. You take a page out of Potter's book," and carefully searched the skies. He muttered, "The ferret is supposed to be a decent flyer."
Ten minutes later, four groups of thirty witches and wizards portkeyed into the area and moved into their places as they were directed. Susan thought to herself, 'Tomorrow will come whether I'm here to witness it or not. I will do the best that I can.'
They positioned themselves as Harry had directed and waited to face the wizard who had been destroying families for more than fifty years. The Aurors spaced themselves around the circle. Director Thomas had given them specific orders. In the event that Potter fell or a group of Death Eaters arrived with Voldemort, they were to fire one shot at the attackers then immediately exit using the emergency portkeys.
… --- …
Riddle saw the phoenix for a few seconds before it dropped the envelope on the table then disappeared in a flash of flame. It was marked To Tom from Harry.
Recalling the insulting message that he'd received when his house had been torched, Riddle was tempted to just flame the letter and be done with it. On the other hand, he hadn't received much mail lately. Curiosity got the best of him and he opened the letter-sized envelope. Inside were a half dozen 8 x 10 wizarding photos and a note from Potter.
Tom,
Happy birthday.
Here's hoping it's your last.
Harry Potter
Voldemort looked at the first picture and saw a photo of his mother as a young girl looking at Tom Riddle senior ride up on his horse. 'Where in the world did he get this?' thought Riddle. The second photo showed Dumbledore talking with an eleven year old Tom Riddle at their first meeting in the orphanage. Riddle was dumfounded. The third photo Harry had gotten from Flitwick showing an eleven year old Riddle being sorted.
The fourth Harry had gotten from Tonks. It showed the Dark Mark still hovering over Privet drive. Riddle wondered who had taken it.
Tom picked up the fifth photo was from the Chamber of Secrets. It showed a sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle talking to a twelve-year-old Harry Potter. The words I am Lord Voldemort appeared as Tom waved a wand. Riddle was fascinated by the image.
Riddle picked up the sixth photo and felt the irresistible tug behind his navel. Seconds later he was slammed down within the huge stones of Aveburry.
He was encircled by over a hundred witches and wizards in a very loose circle about a hundred yards across. Harry was also in the circle some fifty feet away.
Harry spoke. "Hello Tom. A bit ironic don't you think?"
Faster than Harry had expected, Riddle had his wand out and cast, "Avada Kedavra."
Harry barely got out of the way rolling to his left. Behind him Fred had his gold shield out and reflected the blast skyward as it hit with a solid clang. The shield shattered and Fred flew back. After he hit the ground a member of the medical team went to him and activated his portkey. Riddle sneered, "You will die in front of your little friends for your insolence, Harry Potter."
Harry had decided on the classic strategy of a young warrior facing an old pro – dodge him long enough to tire him out and go in for the kill. In this instance Harry believed that Riddle could only fire a handful or two of spells but realized that he was as fast as ever.
Harry sprung back to his feet careful to get back to about the same spot and replied, "Tom that wasn't very nice. Remember your own words. We must observe the niceties. First we bow."
Riddle didn't wait. Instantly he fired off another spell. "Avada Kedavra." The villagers couldn't believe their ears. How could anyone stand there and taunt such a dangerous wizard. Abraxan and a few of the Unspeakables carefully noted the intensity of the spells that Voldemort was casting.
This time Harry barely got away from the deadly blast which missed him by fractions of an inch. Clang!
Abraxan deflected the blast skyward. Her shield cracked and she went down. After a few moments she stood up again and transfigured a new shield.
Riddle tried disapparating and realized that he couldn't. Potter must have set up an anti apparation ward. For the first time in his life he felt real fear. 'At least I still have the hidden Horcrux.'
"Expecto Patronum," he heard someone say. 'Were the Dementors here?' he wondered as he saw an otter playfully amble forward past Harry. It then picked up speed and slammed into Riddle. For a moment he was on the ground howling in agony. Harry was amazed at the speed that he got up hoping that he hadn't made a horrible mistake.
Riddle was shaken. No one had ever cast the Cruciatus curse on him but he'd put hundreds of people onto the ground writhing in extreme agony. He hadn't felt such pain since his curse at baby Potter had rebounded. He fired again at Potter who easily sidestepped the curse.
Hagrid held his shield poorly. The jet of light hit the shield and hit one of the huge embedded stones chipping it. Harry glanced at it recalling how the statue had shattered after being hit in the department of mysteries.
"Expecto Patronum." A hundred Patronus forms emerged from the witches and wizards wands dashing their way toward Riddle. He was unable to get out of the way and cast another Avada Kedavra curse as he was on the ground being hit with form after form. Riddle slithered in agony. He couldn't think. He couldn't breath.
Riddle's curse hit one of the shop owners who collapsed onto the ground dead before she fell. The Patronus forms faded and Riddle was left on the ground gasping for breath. He started to get up.
Hermione stepped forward and with all of the love in her heart cast her otter and had it slam directly into Riddle. The pain was excruciating, as if a thousand salt stained dull knives were flaying him all at once. He took aim and cast one last spell. Harry didn't even have to move out of the way as a pale jet of green light flew by him. He heard almost a hundred voices calling for their Patronus again. Only three fourths of them formed and they all attacked Riddle.
Harry unsheathed his sword. He ran as fast as he could to Riddle who was screaming as if being tortured with hot pokers. Harry swung the sword as hard as he could hitting Riddle just below the jaw line.
Unlike Nicolas de Mimsey Porpington, Tom Marvolo Riddle's head separated cleanly from his body hitting the ground with a thud and rolling a few feet before stopping. The screaming ceased and Tom's body spurted blood twenty feet for half dozen seconds before it collapsed into the ground.
Harry turned to find Hermione only to see the horrified look on Susan's face as she held the brilliant witch's body with Luna standing nearby.
Harry stumbled towards them his heart pounding in his throat.
The beautiful phoenix Brigid appeared in a flash of flame.
"Let her go Harry. She's…" Susan said as the frantic man desperately looked for a pulse.
"She is not! She promised me." Harry ripped off the priceless basilisk armor. He could see a faint lightning bolt cut just below her right breast. Brigid doused the area with a steady flow of pearly white tears. Harry knew that there must be some measure of hope if Brigid was helping.
Alyx dropped to the other side of Hermione's limp body and began to examine her. She couldn't detect a heartbeat and Hermione wasn't breathing. She started CPR on her friend. "Harry, breathe for her." The normally soft-spoken witch quickly had assumed a command voice.
Harry tilted back Hermione's head took a breath and gently filled his love's lungs. Alyx began compressions on Hermione's chest pumping her heart for her. She wasn't in the medical group and didn't know she could use her wand. The first aid classes from her rough and tumble teenage years were flooding her mind.
A few seconds later Alyx said, "Again."
Harry complied.
Alyx counted and then said, "Again."
Harry did as he was told. The witches and wizards familiar with CPR watched praying it would help. The purebloods had no idea what they were doing.
"Again," Alyx said in almost a sob.
… --- …
Hermione couldn't focus amongst all of the mist. A moment later, two auburn haired women who appeared to be in their early twenties approached her, each taking a hand. A blonde woman who bore a striking resemblance to Emma Granger accompanied them.
"Hello Hermione." The woman's brilliant green eyes locked onto Hermione's.
"Mrs. Potter?" she asked in surprise.
"Lily," said the woman softly. Hermione shook her head trying to clear it.
"Ginny?"
"Hi, Hermione," her friend said. "It's good to talk with you again."
Hermione looked at the blonde and felt her heart soar. She asked, "Grandma?"
"Hello my little darling."
"Am I…?"
Lily replied, "No. It's not your time. Your friend Luna cast an immobilizing charm and the wonderful armor you are wearing prevented a soul separation. Please go back to Harry and tell him that we love him and are so proud of you two. You make my son so very happy Hermione. Thank you very much."
"Both of you make us all so proud. Harry's just like my Andy," Gloria Young told her only granddaughter.
"Take care of him. Goodbye Hermione," Ginny told her.
"Goodbye. Go live your life. Vada è brillant," Grandma said softly.
"We'll talk again in a century or so," Lily said with an easy smile.
Hermione wanted to call out as the three figures drifted away. She found herself unable to speak and felt herself falling through the mist.
… --- …
Harry was beginning to seriously panic. Alyx flinched when she pressed too hard and felt one of Hermione's ribs break. They had been at it for nearly three minutes when Hermione jerked in a spasm. She gave a cough.
It was the most beautiful sound that Harry had ever heard. Susan rocked back and fell on to her bum in shock. She watched the boy-who-lived activate the emergency portkey and they disappeared.
… --- …
Emma was beginning to have a panic attack. Fred had portkeyed to the makeshift hospital that they had set up at Hogsmeade station. He would be fine. But there was no other word from the battle.
The silence of the medical group was putting her even more on edge. She was about to say something to Diane when there was a soft thump. She turned to see who had arrived and saw a scene from one of her nightmares.
Harry looked up and she saw the tears on his face. Emma found that her feet couldn't move. She stood there in shock.
"Oh God no," she heard Dan say and he rushed to her side. Madame Pomfrey beat him to Hermione. She waved her wand over the limp girl.
"What was she hit with?" Poppy demanded. Harry didn't respond. She grabbed him by the shoulder and repeated her question. Emma didn't hear his response but heard the gasp from those who had.
"Impossible. She's alive," Poppy snapped.
Emma felt someone slipping their arms around her and looked to see Susan standing next to her. Whatever was keeping her upright left her body and she sagged against the young witch. She heard the murmuring that Hermione had been hit by the killing curse but was still alive.
… --- …
Abraxan could hardly believe her eyes. Thomas and a few others were taking photos of Voldemort's body parts and she had personally witnessed the young witch breathe after being hit squarely with a killing curse.
Within moments there were hundreds of spectators who grimly watched as Thomas began burning Voldemort's body. By the time the fire went out an hour later there were five thousand witches and wizards who had come to watch the spectacle and to celebrate.
She snapped Riddle's wand and placed the pieces in the fire.
… --- …
An endless stream of people visited the hospital wing. Professors, students, Ministry officials and healers came to gawk, offer their congratulations or their best wishes.
Harry, Dan, Emma and Susan took turns waiting by Hermione's bedside. Diane visited often and ran interference from the students. Hermione was in a magical coma. They scared off most of the gawkers within hours. Harry posted Order guards outside the hospital wing after the Daily Prophet offered money for a picture of Hermione in the hospital bed.
Madame Pomfrey had few answers. The healers and specialists had taken to saying, "We need to wait and see."
… --- …
Hermione awoke two days later. She had never been so tired in her life. She felt like the life had been sucked out of her. She opened her eyes slightly and tried to determine who was holding her hand.
In a weak voice she asked, "Mum?" She felt a squeeze of her hand.
"Right here, dear," Emma said softly.
"Harry?"
She was inquiring if he was still alive and felt immense relief when she heard his voice say, "I'm right here."
She was too tired to turn and look. She closed her eyes and gripped their hands before drifting back into a light sleep.
Madam Pomfrey and a bevy of healers rushed over to examine the second living case of a failed killing curse. They attempted to shoo the two well-wishers away. Harry frowned and replied, "Don't even think of it. We're not moving until we're ready." There was a flash of menace in his eyes that hinted of the force that he possessed.
Quelled, the visiting healers didn't repeat their request and quietly worked around them. It didn't make sense to anger the man who had just whacked off the head of the most dangerous man in the world. Harry and Emma resumed their spots content to let the others work around them.
Dan and Susan soon joined them and all four of them smiled when Hermione woke up and asked if she had missed her NEWTs.
… --- …