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Chapter 20

"I have some troubling news. There's been an attack…at the Granger's."

Ron stared at his father. What? His lungs suddenly felt like they were deflating, caving in on themselves. His mum and sister both had their hands covering their mouths. Harry had that strange green glow in his eyes, but his expression was eerily blank. And Hermione…Hermione looked utterly horrified, completely frozen.

"No!" Ron shouted suddenly, standing up so quickly from his chair that it fell with a deafening bang to the floor.

"Rubbish! By-products of half-breeds! Despicable blood traitors!" Shouts immediately flooded down from the entrance hall upstairs. Tonks raised hurriedly from her chair to go quiet the painting.

Over the incessant shouts of Sirius' dead mother, Lupin had stood up and was saying loudly, "Hermione, your parents are fine. No one was at your house at the time of the attack. They've been in France with your grandmother all holiday, and Dumbledore has gone to speak with them himself." Ron felt a little air enter his lungs, but he still felt as if he were drowning.

Hermione didn't respond; she had hidden her face in her hands and was now shaking with sobs. Ron placed his unsteady hand on her shoulder, as he remained standing beside her. She kept her head resting on one hand, but with the other she reached up and clasped onto Ron's hand tightly. He suddenly had a pounding ache in his head.

"Has this anything to do with my dream?" Harry asked evenly; it was almost impossible to hear him over the continuing shouts from Mrs. Black.

"Now, there is no proof of this being an attempted kidnapping." Mad-Eye began gruffly, "Death Eaters like to target any and all Muggle families just for the hell of it. Which is why Kingsley was stationed nearby and was able to inform us immediately of the attack."

Hermione suddenly lifted her head from her hand; her face was flushed and tearstained, and she continued to grasp firmly to Ron's hand on her shoulder. "S-so…when you say a-attack…"

Kingsley cleared his throat and spoke in his low, slow voice, "They did a fairly good job ransacking the place and writing some crude things on the walls, but we've already sent some Ministry workers to clean things up for your mum and dad."

"Who cares about the house!" Ron shouted, unable to restrain himself. Was everyone mental? Why were three Aurors sitting in front of him cool, calm, and collected? Ron rounded on his father, "Dad, did they know to look for her at the Burrow? I mean, is that why we left? What if they find her here? What if that damn elf has told them where this place is?"

"Damn it, boy! Sit down and cool it!" Mad-Eye yelled suddenly, his electric blue eye swiveling madly in its socket. Cool it? Ron had a sudden urge to rip that stupid eye out of Moody's head, but he simply remained standing, glaring at Mad-Eye as his father began explaining slowly and patiently.

"Ron, Grimmauld Place is under the Fidelius Charm with Dumbledore as the Secret Keeper. They can not find us here. And yes, there was evidence suggesting that they might target the Burrow."

"Evidence?" Harry suddenly asked, in that same monotone voice.

"From some of the messages written on the walls, we gather that they know Hermione to be a strong confidant of the Weasley family." Kingsley offered. Ron wondered what the messages might have said; he wanted to know, but he wouldn't ask in front of Hermione. Tonks entered then; she had apparently calmed Mrs. Black. There were no more shouts coming from upstairs.

Ron felt Hermione start shaking slightly and looked down to see that both of her knees were bobbing up and down. She suddenly whispered, "But w-what if they find my grandmother's home? What if they-…"

"Not possible." Stated Arthur firmly. "As we said, Dumbledore has gone to speak with your family, but he has also gone to perform the complex Fidelius Charm on your grandmother's home. He will be their Secret Keeper, and they will be completely safe; I assure you."

Hermione nodded her head slowly, but she then rested her head back in her free hand.

"Listen, Arthur." Lupin began, rising from his chair, "I have some things I need to look into concerning the breakout."

"As do I." Said Kingsley, also rising from his seat.

"Breakout?" Ron and Harry asked together.

Mad-Eye grunted, "Yesterday…Lucius Malfoy. We think Peter Pettigrew may have helped him escape."

So that's what was wrong with my dad yesterday. Ron's stomach suddenly twisted in pain, and he felt as though he could be sick all over the table. He sat down quickly, one had still on Hermione's shoulder. Harry's dream…Voldemort was angry with Pettigrew for failing at something. Had he failed over the summer at freeing Lucius Malfoy? His Animagus form could prove helpful in sneaking in and out of Azkaban undetected… and …now that Lucius was free, the bastard has been able to make his first attempt at…kidnapping a Muggle-born…

Ron snapped back to the present as he heard two consecutive 'cracks.' Lupin and Kingsley were gone. "Hermione," Arthur began softly, "Dumbledore will be here shortly, and he's going to take you to see your family, alright?" Hermione nodded slowly. Her expression was now unreadable, but she still had a firm hold on Ron's hand. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and tell her something reassuring, but he was afraid that would just make things worse. Then she would be worrying about the attack and the possibility of Harry becoming suspicious of them...

Ron's dad soon announced that he needed to be getting back to work. He informed them that Mad-Eye and Tonks would be staying with them. This was beginning to feel like the summer after their fourth year all over again. Being rushed out of the Burrow for it being too 'risky.' It looked as though Grimmauld Place would be their home until school started back in about a month.

But as long as Hermione was safe, Ron didn't care where he had to live until school resumed. He would sleep under the boiler with Kreacher if he had to. Why couldn't the Death Eaters target...me? Ron thought miserably. He was Harry's friend too. Although…I'm not Muggle-born, thought Ron. How far would they go to get to Hermione? Would they try anything at Hogwarts? Ron suddenly had an unwelcome vision of Hermione cornered by that Boggart.

Ron's mum had started rummaging through the pantry to find something to cook up, a pursed-lip, worried expression on her face. Mad-Eye had risen to ascend the stairs, and Tonks was following Molly around asking her if she could help her with anything. Harry and Ginny were just sitting silently at the table.

There were suddenly so many things that Ron wanted to tell Hermione, but he couldn't. Not in front of everybody at least. Even if he and Hermione weren't hiding their feelings from everyone, these were things that Ron wanted to tell her in private.

Hermione was staring straight in front of her, but her eyes weren't focused. A swarm of Hippogriffs could have just flown by and she wouldn't have known it. Mrs. Weasley had begun cooking something; Harry and Ginny were sitting to her right, silently. Ron was to her left, gripping her shoulder as she gripped his hand. As soon as she had felt his hand on her, her breathing had becomea bit more steady. She had felt a surge of confidence that everything would ultimately be okay. But whether or not that were true, Hermione didn't know. Maybe she was justtoo much in love to think straight during a tragedy.

Her house had been attacked. Harry's dream had been real…she knew it now. What if her parents had been home? The Death Eaters would have killed them without a second thought. What was she going to do after she visited her family in France? Would she go back to Hogwarts or would the Order make her stay hidden away at Grimmauld Place? Mad-Eye had said that there was no proof of the attack being an attempted kidnapping, but Hermione was sure that he was just saying that to reassure her. It hadn't worked. If he was right and it wasn't an attempted kidnapping, then they would've killed her instead.

She had been terrified when Ron's dad had told them what had happened, but now she was beginning to feel anger. That stupid prophecy! It all goes back to that… every last thing. The reason Harry's parents were dead, the reason Harry was now being hunted, the reason Hermione was wanted as bait… Suddenly Hermione released Ron's hand and stood up from her chair.

"Hermione?" Ron asked hesitantly.

Hermione closed her eyes briefly before turning to walk up the stairs to the entrance hall. She knew that Ron had stood up to follow her, but she didn't turn around to acknowledge this fact. These thoughts and emotions about the prophecy were threatening to spill over, and Hermione knew that she couldn't let that happen. Ginny had been partly right that night in the Gryffindor common room after the Hogsmeade attack. If Harry chose to believe in that rubbish, then it was his burden, not hers. Thus, Hermione didn't have the right to denounce it.

The entrance hall was still as shabby as ever with its threadbare carpet and peeling wallpaper. Moody was seated on a rather dusty, moth-eaten, dark green sofa. Great. Hermione was hoping no one would be in this room so that she could sit in her quietly. This was the room with Mrs. Black's portrait; the room where near silence was a necessity.

"Hermione?"

Hermione turned to see Ron standing timidly at the top of the basement stairs. He looked unsure of himself, yet he was standing tall. She was highly considering running to him and wrapping her arms around his neck when Harry and Ginny appeared behind Ron on the stairs. They were all looking at her worriedly…her friends.

Ginny looked sad, Ron looked miserable, and Harry…he looked as though he were holding the weight of what had happened fully on his shoulders. Something snapped inside of her like the breaking of a dam; tears began streaming down her face as she sank to the floor.

"WHY CAN'T THEY JUST LEAVE US ALONE!" She cried at the top of her lungs. Ron was kneeling by her side almost instantly, but he didn't touch her. His jaw was set in a rigid line, although he looked as though he might burst into tears.

"Filth! Muck! Betrayers of blood! Vile beasts of contaminated veins!"

Hermione hoisted herself up from the ground and whipped her wand out from her back pocket, "Incendio!" Without thinking she had aimed at the portrait of Mrs. Black and set the canvas to flames. She dropped her wand and covered her face with her trembling hands. What was she doing? Had she gone completely mad?

Mrs. Black's shouted insults suddenly turned to shrill screams of terror. And, with Hermione's face still in her hands, two strong arms encircled her waist, and she felt herself being almost lifted off of the ground. However, the arms weren't Ron's… Hermione opened her eyes to see Ron standing in front of her with an astonished and somewhat angry look on his face.

"Get off of her!" He shouted as he wrenched the hands away from her waist. Everything was happening in super sonic speed. Moody stumbled away from her, Ginny was now crying on Harry's shoulder, Tonks and Molly had entered the room looking frightened, and Ron's arms had now encircled her. She lowered her head to sob into his chest, and as she felt her knees buckle, Ron sank slowly with her to the floor.

Moody hobbled over to the portrait and shouted an incantation that caused the flames to extinguish before marching back to stand before her and Ron. "Listen. Now I understand that she's upset, but you're going to have to restrain her! She can't just start setting things on fire! And I saw you pull that wand out of your back pocket, missy! And that's just…just…well, not the point! If that fire had spread, it could've burned the whole-…"

"That's quite enough, Alastor."

Hermione lifted her head from Ron's chest to see Albus Dumbledore standing in one corner of the entrance hall. He must of apparated, but Hermione hadn't even heard a tiny pop. He was approaching where she and Ron were sitting on the floor with his long, white beard flowing about his long, dark purple robes.

"Miss Granger," Dumbledore began softly. She stared up into his crystal blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles. They were such kind eyes… "I think it's time that you, Harry, and I had a talk."

"A…a talk, sir?" Hermione asked croakily; her voice didn't seem to want to work properly now.

"Oh, yes." Dumbledore said, raising his eyebrows, "Your igniting Mrs. Black's portrait, while constructive, indicates a certain amount of frustration in you, I think."

Constructive? She had simply felt like being destructive… But, now Hermione realized that after the screams of terror had subsided, the insults had not started back. She glanced up at the portrait, and, to her surprise, saw that only the top of Mrs. Black's head was visible. She seemed to be peering over the bottom edge of the frame, a mixture of fear and anger in her eyes. The curtains that usually covered the painting now had large burned holes on them and part of the canvas was scorched.

Dumbledore extended one long-fingered, pale hand to her, which she took as Ron's arms fell from around her and she stood up from the ground. She released his hand and he nodded toward the basement stairs. Apparently he wanted to talk in the kitchen, so with one fleeting look at a confused-looking Ron, Hermione headed for the stairs. Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, and Ginny stood aside for her, Harry, and Dumbledore to descend.

Once in the kitchen, Hermione and Harry sat down at the table opposite Dumbledore. Sitting there directly beside Harry, Hermione realized just how little she had seen of him this term. With his 'walking,' 'flying,' Occlumency, and Quidditch…she felt as if she had hardly seen her friend at all. For awhile, Dumbledore just sat there, drumming his fingers on the table and looking about the room before he cleared his throat and began in a calm and quiet voice.

"Now, first I would like to inform you, Miss Granger, that your parents and grandmother are completely safe within the walls of your grandmother's home. They were a bit rattled when I arrived, but I left them in the sunroom sipping Mimosa and listening to one of your father's old Benny Goodman records. A rather nice style of music, I might add. But I digress." Dumbledore paused and stroked his beard a few times before peering over his spectacles at her and continuing, "If you don't mind my asking, why do you not believe in Harry's prophecy, Miss Granger?"

Hermione was a bit taken off guard. She hadn't really expected him to ask her that question. She had thought that Dumbledore might scold her for setting fire to, what was now, Harry's property…but apparently he knew her feelings on the prophecy. Had Harry told him? Hermione cleared her throat awkwardly as she remembered that she was supposed to be answering the Headmaster's question.

"Sir," Hermione began timidly, "To be honest, I think that Divination is a very wooly discipline, and since my third year when I had Professor Trelawney…well, I've come to the conclusion that she is nothing more than a phony."

Dumbledore smiled slightly, closed his eyes, and nodded slowly; not quite the reaction Hermione had expected. "Miss Granger, I almost agree with you lock, stock and barrel. The only thing that you have gotten incorrect is the fact that Sybil is a tad something more than a phony. Her great-great-grandmother was a very gifted Seer; unfortunately the gift was not passed on to Sybil. However, there are times when Sybil prophesies in an entirely authentic manner. And I know that you want to ask how I know her prophecy for Harry was authentic. So I will tell you…I was there to see and hear her give it."

"You were there, sir?" Hermione asked in an incredibly small voice. He simply nodded. She turned to Harry, who was staring at her with deep concern; tears wanted to come, but she held them back. "Harry, why didn't you tell me?"

"I…I just," Harry let out a small sigh, "I think that there was a part of me that didn't mind so much that you didn't believe it, you know? There was a part of me that felt like you would feel better and safer if you just went on believing that my destiny wasn't to…well, to kill Voldemort."

"Oh, Harry…" Hermione reached out her arms and met him in a strong hug. A few tears fell from her eyes, but she continued to swallow the lumps that kept forming. Somehow she didn't feel as though she had just learned anything drastic or earth shattering…maybe she had really believed in the prophecy the whole time…or if not the prophecy, she had somehow believed that Harry would have to be the one to fight Voldemort in the end.

After a few seconds, Hermione realized that Dumbledore was probably waiting for her to release her death-grip on Harry. So, she released him and wiped away the stubborn tears that had fallen.

Harry had a few tears in his eyes, as well. Hermione looked up to see that Dumbledore was humming quietly and admiring his fingernails. He suddenly stopped, however, and placing his elbows on the table, he touched his fingertips together.

"Harry," Dumbledore began, "I do believe it is time to inform Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley what you have been doing all term. What do you think?"

Harry looked over at Hermione apologetically, but then nodded at the Headmaster. Dumbledore nodded back. "Could you summon Kreacher for us, Harry? You can send him to retrieve Mr. Weasley."

Clearing his throat with a look of disgust, Harry said, "Kreacher?"

Crack!

Kreacher had appeared standing a few feet away from Harry's chair. He bowed low to the ground, keeping his eyes on Harry with a look of pure hatred, as he said, "Yes, Master?"

Hermione hadn't thought about the fact that Grimmauld Place's house elf would now belong to Harry. But Harry then gave Kreacher a direct order, "Go get my friend, Ron, and…" Harry looked up at Dumbledore, "Sir, might I ask for Ginny's presence, as well?" Hermione noticed the corners of Dumbledore's whiskers twitch as he nodded his head. Harry turned back to Kreacher, "Yes, and my friend, Ginny, and tell them to come down here."

"Of course, Master." Kreacher said through gritted teeth. Crack! Kreacher was gone.

They waited mere seconds before Hermione heard hurried steps descending the stairs from the entrance hall. Funny enough, Ron and Ginny's steps slowed right before their feet became visible from the kitchen. They then descended the rest of the stairs at a normal pace, and tried to appear casually concerned. Hermione could tell by their pale faces, however, that they had probably been upstairs pacing the entire time.

Ron crossed the room to take a seat on the other side of her while Ginny took a seat next to Harry. Ron clasped his hands upon the table, and began rubbing the pads of his thumbs together nervously. Hermione could feel him looking at her, but she turned to give her attention to Harry.

Harry took a deep breath as he began in a calm voice, "There's something I've been keeping from you." Ginny gave an unexpected scoff at this. They all turned to her, including Dumbledore.

"Please. Harry, do you really think we believed you were going flying and walking every day?"

"I did!" Ron exclaimed, looking baffled. "I mean, I thought it was odd, but then it is Harry."

"Thanks, Ron." Harry said with a small chuckle. Suddenly something clicked into place for Hermione.

"Lumen Contego." She said quietly, now everyone was looking at her. "You already knew how to cast that spell."

Harry and Dumbledore both nodded at her. Then Harry spoke, "In addition to my Occlumency lessons with Dumbledore, I've been training everyday with Remus."

"What?" Hermione and Ron exclaimed together. Ginny was just sitting quietly with a strange smile slowly curving upon her face. Hermione had a flash of the dark circles that had been under Harry's eyes before the holiday. They were gone now, and Hermione knew it was because he was having a well-deserved break from his many lessons.

"All of those times I wasn't around, I was learning all sorts of defensive techniques. It was my idea to keep it from you guys. I guess I thought it might frighten all of you more to know that I was spending most of my time preparing for battle."

"Always looking out for everyone but number one. You know, Harry Potter, you are human, and all of these secrets are going to drive you mad." Ginny said sternly. "I feel better knowing that you're preparing yourself."

"I'm sorry, Ginny." Harry said softly, taking her hand and entwining their fingers. Ginny blushed slightly.

"Well," She said with a slight pout, "I forgive you." Harry actually chuckled at her.

"So, Harry," Hermione began, "What techniques have you learned exactly?"

Unexpectedly, Dumbledore chuckled softly, "Oh Miss Granger, you might want to rephrase your question to 'what techniques haven't you learned.' Harry is an even quicker study than Remus and I foresaw. We have taught him above and beyond what we had even planned for him to learn this term." He paused and looked at Harry, who waved a hand at Dumbledore to continue. Dumbledore looked somewhat pleased with the opportunity to continue to sing more praises on Harry, "Oh, let us see. Numerous Shield Charms and Hex Deflections, Invisibility Charms, Blasting Curses, some Memory Charms, a bit of Legilimency along with his Occlumency, Apparition, Animagus Transfiguration-…"

"What?" Hermione, Ron, and Ginny had all cried at Dumbledore's last words. Animagus? Hermione was speechless.

"Y-you can…" Ron began, looking at Harry as if he'd never seen him before, "I mean like…is it…you-…"

"Show us." Ginny said evenly. She had one eyebrow raised as if she didn't truly believe what she had just heard. Hermione didn't either. Harry looked at Dumbledore questioningly, and Dumbledore merely shrugged.

Harry rose from his chair and backed away from the table slightly. Everything was completely silent; Dumbledore had a twinkle in his blue eyes. Harry slowly closed his eyes and Hermione watched in awe as his back arched and elongated horizontal to the floor, his legs and arms extended, and he rested his hardening fists on the ground to support his weight. His entire form began turning a solid, sleek black as a course hair replaced his clothing. His face was stretching to twice its length, and his shoulder blades began lengthening and broadening into long wing-like appendages.

Hermione gasped as she looked at Harry, "A Pegasus?" she breathed. Ron had his mouth wide open, but Ginny was smiling brightly.

Harry was at least seventeen hands tall and covered in shiny black hair, except for his wings, sprouting from slightly below his withers. His wings were covered in soft, black feathers and would surely span eleven feet if extended to his sides. Even his hooves were a shiny black. There were only a couple of things that were of a different color. His eyes were the same brilliant green, but they had no pupils and were glowing fiercely, and on his face, where a blaze might have been, was a lightning bolt marking of shocking white hair. His mane, lying to the right side of his neck, and his tail, were black and relatively coarse and messy. He looked violently feral and beautiful.

Hermione and Ron seemed to be glued to their seats, but Ginny rose from hers and approached him. She reached up a finger to his lightning bolt marking and stroked it gently. "Amazing." She whispered with a glowing smile. Harry lowered his head to nudge Ginny gently under the chin as he snorted softly. Ginny giggled and stroked his nose. Hermione noticed that Harry's tail had begun to swish back and forth, seeing as it was now slapping her in the face.

She stood up and crossed to feel of Harry's mane. He turned to look at her with those glowingly fierce eyes, and she found herself taking a step back. Ron was crossing around to the other side of Harry and had begun playing with Harry's upright ear with an amazed smile on his face. Harry's ear began twitching and he turned to snap playfully at Ron's fingers. They all laughed.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir," Hermione began, "Is he…well, I mean…isn't it illegal to-…"

"Yes and no." Dumbledore said matter-of-factly. "Yes it is illegal for Harry to be an unregistered Animagus, and no he is not registered with the Ministry. I feel it beneficial to Harry to keep this newfound ability secret."

"So, can he fly?" Ron asked in awe. Harry tapped his front hoof twice.

"Twice is yes, once is no." Dumbledore offered.

"Wicked…" Ron breathed.

"So," Hermione began tentatively, "Is it legal for Harry to apparate, then?" Hermione felt a bit like a spoilsport asking Dumbledore for the legality of Harry's new skills while Ron and Ginny were simply awestruck. But she couldn't help herself. She didn't want Harry to get himself into trouble.

"I was able to 'pull some strings,' if you will, and get the Ministry to bend the age limit a bit for Harry." Dumbledore said with a small smile.

Suddenly Harry's beautiful, muscular body began contorting back to his true, human form. Before their eyes the black, winged stallion had turned into their biped friend, who was now crouched on the floor on all fours. Ron held his hand down and hoisted Harry up.

Dumbledore suddenly stood up from his chair with a small sigh, "Well, Miss Granger, are you ready?" He asked softly. For a second Hermione didn't know what he was talking about. But she quickly remembered that she was going to be taking a trip to visit her family in France. Her stomach twisted uneasily. She most definitely wanted to see her family, but she was also a bit hesitant. Would her parents let her return to school? What if they forbade her? Surely they would fear for her safety…they would be wondering if a kidnapper could reach her at Hogwarts. Hermione's stomach twisted a bit more…she wondered that too.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Whew. Sorry to keep you guys waiting a full day onchapter 19'scliffhanger. Hopefully chapter 21 won't take as long, but I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! I want to thank all of the reviewers sooo much! They are great, and please continue to send them in!