Chapter 2: At Godric's Hallow
A couple of minutes later, Dumbledore's Army was in front of an empty, ruined house.
Harry never thought of going back to the place where he was born and where his father and mother gave their life for his own.
Soon, they started to re-build it and make it the Dumbledore's Army Headquarters. Everyone was very insecure of what they're about to face.
"Can I have your attention please?" said Hermione to the noisy Army, after 2 days of moving.
"SHUT UP!" shouted Harry making everyone stop talking.
"Now… Where was I? Oh, yeah! By now you must know what you'll face during these months. Voldemort has left his Horcurxes around the globe and our duty is to locate them before it is too late. Two of them are already destroyed: Tom Riddle's diary and the ring.
"But before that, a warning and another thing… I talked to Harry about crushes, boyfriends and girlfriends. During these times you'll not show what you feel for someone as long as you are in combat or in street… Remember we're under Voldemort's eye. What I suggest is a simple Privacy Charm… That will prevent us against Animagus and people taking the Polyjuice Potion. Don't trust in anyone! That someone can be under the Imperius Curse and penetrate our Headquarters! And to finish my speech: Dumbledore wrote this in this piece of parchment, a note which ends with just three words. R.A.B. I've worked on it… Tried to figure what it means… I'd like you to help me too…" during Hermione's speech, Harry started to look at her in a funny way that caught Ron's eye.
"Hey mate… You must be deaf, no? Why you're looking at her with those 'Oh-So-In-Love' eyes?" asked Ron in a low voice, making Harry wake up.
"I'm not deaf, Ron… I actually am confused about what to do… you know…" whispered Harry, his extremely sad face coming back.
"Hermione, I've a question" said Lavender, raising her hand. "Can we give up if we feel like it? I mean, if we feel we've been through much threat?"
"Sure you can! Whenever you want… I just hope nobody gets hurt fighting against the Death Eaters. Harry would be really sad about it… so take care!" stated Hermione. The paper in her hand trembled when she pronounced his name. "You can all give up now if you don't really want to go through any danger… It's me, Harry and Ron who should be sacrificing for the whole magical world…"
After that, everyone stood still and didn't pose any other question. Everyone except Harry.
"Hermione, can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure!" she answered, but before walking with Harry towards the backyard she said: "DA, dismissed!"
They walked out of the rebuilt house on the way to the backyard. There was no grass yet and it smelled ashes.
"I know I told you that… but now it seems difficult to handle. I can't sleep for 3 days!" started Harry but he was soon interrupted by Hermione.
"Shush! We're being watched…" Hermione took her wand off and whispered some words to it. "There… the house's perimeter is involved with a Privacy Charm" she said putting her wand back on her jeans' pocket.
"After what happened in the wedding night, I've been wondering what to do with our relationship… Weather we should move on or weather we shouldn't… just want you to help me out, Hermione. What do you want to happen?" he continued without any pause.
Hermione looked directly into Harry's eyes and answered: "I don't know, Harry… I mean, I thought you didn't want to be with me until we're not sure that Voldemort is gone… What made you change your opinion?"
"Maybe it was the willing of being with you… and the Privacy Charm, too" he said smiling.
Hermione turned her head to try not to look at him. "How can you smile during this war? I thought you were worried… Give me all your answers and I'll give you mine" she said strictly, then, got up and walked away.
Now it was Hermione's turn to think of what she had done. Did she do the right thing? Was she sure of how much that would affect her relationship with Harry? All kind of questions flew around Hermione's head…
"Hermione…" called a voice, though it seemed really distant to her. "Hermione, have you already…" started Lavander, but stopped when she realized that Hermione was too absent to answer her question with lucidity.
Hermione walked throughout the house until her bedroom, zombie like.
Still in the back yard, Harry was wondering if he had been too direct saying what he really wanted from Hermione. With her reaction, he thought that he had been too unsure first time.
"Hey, mate!" greeted Ron in his usual cheerful voice.
"Hi…" replied Harry vaguely.
"What's wrong?" asked Ron worriedly. "Is it Hermione?" Harry nodded. "You don't have to get worried about her… I'm sure she likes you, too. You've been through so many things together and time made you a great couple of wizards! Together you faced many dangers and… you deserve her and vice versa"
Harry smiled and tapped his friends back as he departed to his bedroom.