"Hermione, will you marry me?" Harry said more than asked. Hermione looked down at him fondly.

"I surely will," Hermione said bending down and kissing Harry's forehead.

Harry beamed.

"When Oro4 gets to that part," Hermione continued.

"Oh botheration," Harry muttered.

A/N: Enjoy, sorry it's been so long and this is for Mystery, the whole HR I mean.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Simple and elegant, isn't it?

Hermione's Requiem

Hermione Gone

Harry woke up frightened. His poor heart was beating at a million beats per minute and Harry didn't think he could take much more. He ran a hand through his thick black mane. His mind was caught deep in thought. Harry closed his eyes and remembered why he woke up shivering and scared. He had a dream, and in his dream he was running. He was running away from Voldemort, from his wrath. Voldemort was chasing him. His friends were behind him, far away. He didn't want them to get hurt… he didn't want her to get hurt. Harry remembered the sky being grey, he remembered the castle grounds and he remembered running. Something inside of him told him to stop and fight, that it was time. Harry remembered turning around, he remembered the look on Voldemort's face when he said that he was going to take her. That he was going to rape her. And then Harry remembered everything slowing down and his body taking over…he remembered… nothing more.

'The-Boy-Who-Lived', groaned in frustration. The dream had started off so well too! He was walking in the water with her. The water was to their calves at least, and it was refreshingly warm. She was laughing and holding onto his arm. He was pulling her close and ended kissing her. Then the dream got fierce and hot…and then cold when Voldemort came in. Harry shook his head; he much rather think of his girlfriend than the loon.

Harry rolled over in his bed and sighed contently. Everyone was gone for the holidays, he was alone with his girlfriend, and one of his best mates, and he had one of the best snogs he ever had, yesterday evening. He was still shivering all over from it! Harry placed his head under the covers and relished in its warmth. He desperately despised getting out of bed in the mornings, or evenings, or after afternoon naps. The warmth was all consuming and he wanted to stay and just lay in it all day. The knock on his door told him it was time to get up and snog his girlfriend.

"Harry! Are you still sleeping? It's nearly noon!" Hermione said walking into Harry's room and drawing all the curtains just as Harry poked his head from under the covers. The light blinded him.

"Good morning mum," Harry said pouting and rubbing his eyes. Hermione smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"Good morning, dearest," Hermione replied smiling. "Do get ready. I suspect you'll be most surprised at the news."

Harry looked alert. His heart began to beat a little quicker.

"What news?" he asked.

Hermione put on a most Hermione-ish face and Harry relaxed a bit. It couldn't be that bad if Hermione wasn't completely serious.

"It seems the Weasley's are here for Christmas," Hermione replied. "I'm quite glad to see Ron, but I didn't want to see…his sister. You know we are not on good terms and that, frankly, I don't wish to be kind to her at all. I will try mind you, but, Harry! I'm only doing for Ron's sake! I bought her a gift regardless…"

Harry offered Hermione a sympathetic smile.

"I understand," Harry said and promptly kissed Hermione on the nose. "Now get out, I've got to get dressed."

Hermione nodded and proceeded to the door. To Harry, everything suddenly started to slow down. He watched Hermione walked across the room in the direction of his door. Harry stood up amazed. He slowly walked over to Hermione, unsure of what was going on. She was still moving in slow motion it seemed and Harry wasn't sure how he was moving faster than she was. Shouldn't have he slowed down as well? Harry stopped in front of Hermione. Slowly, and not due to her lethargic state, her mind registered someone was in front of her. She tried to stop but it was too late. Harry was amazed. Hermione crashed her lips into Harry's, or Harry crashed his lips into Hermione's (because of her slackened pace) and the world seemed to speed right up again. The couple toppled to the ground yelping in surprise.

Hermione shakily got off of Harry looking at him in disbelief and awe. She was breathing hard, her hands were balled into fists so tight they were whiter that usual and her eyes were widened. Harry thought she looked right about ready to be snogged. Harry grin suggested it and Hermione gave Harry a wry smile.

"Don't even think about it!" she said standing up unsteadily. "What was all that you suddenly did? You gave me quite a fright!"

Harry tilted his head to the side slightly in thought.

"To tell you the truth, Herms, I don't know. I mean you slowed down walking to the door. Really, everything about you was like it was in slow motion. I didn't know you couldn't see me," Harry stopped. "Did you see me?"

Hermione nodded her head.

"But not until you were really close to me. I couldn't stop walking in time either! Which means that you were really close, I mean if I couldn't stop and all," Hermione replied. "I think you enjoyed that."

Harry smirked.

"You know I did," he said offering a cheeky grin.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Alright, I know where this is going to lead," Hermione said putting up her hands in surrender. Harry's eyes glinted predatorily as he roughly pulled Hermione to him. He gave her one very hard, very satisfying, mouth watering kiss before releasing her.

"Never surrender to anyone but me…"

Harry walked down into the Common Room with his arms loaded with gifts. Seeing Ron, Hermione and Ginny all conversing mildly made Harry most surprised. Hermione and Ginny even sitting close to each other! Mrs. Weasley must have put some discipline into her child somehow. Harry was relieved and surprised. He walked down the stairs and walked to his group of friends. Ron noticed him and waved happily. The girls turned around and smiled. Both smiles were forced.

"Happy Christmas Harry!" his three friends said.

"Happy Christmas guys!" Harry said finishing his way down the stairs. Harry sat down among his friends, next to Ron and Hermione and dug into his big bag of gifts. Harry gave Ginny her gift first and then Ron's and then Hermione's. Ron and Hermione received two each from Harry. Harry was given one from Ginny and four from Ron and Hermione.

"I have one for Luna too, if you don't mind," Harry said smiling at Ron.

"Oh! I do too!" Hermione said smiling and handing to present to Ron.

"As do I," Ginny said giving a gift to Ron as well.

Ron blushed and nodded. He put the Lovegood gifts away and proceeded to open his gifts. Everyone followed.

"Oh Merlin, thanks Harry!" Ron said between amazement and gratitude. Harry smiled when he saw the look on Ron's face when he opened the gift.

"It's yours, now you can beat everyone else," Harry said grinning. "Except me, of course!"

Ron smirked.

"Of course," he said practically hugging his new Nimbus Two thousand-one. Harry wanted to give it to Hermione, but thought better of it when he realized he had something much better to give her. He smiled at the memory.

"Thanks Harry!" Ginny said smiling. Harry was surprised she kept restraint enough to just give him a gentle hug.

"You're welcome," Harry said smiling. Harry gave Ginny a gold bracelet with sliver flowers on it.

Harry smiled as Hermione stared at the box in front of her. Harry peeked over to see what she was looking at. He smiled fondly at the sight of it. It was the ring he wanted to give to Hermione. (A/N: I know what you all are thinking and no… it's not, that one) Harry saw it in a store one day and thought it would be magnificent on Hermione's fingers. It was a small white gold ring with a small diamond in the centre. It wasn't as large as the engagement ring Harry had waiting for Hermione but it would make her dainty little finger shine.

Harry took up the ring Hermione was now examining and her right hand and placed it on her ring finger. Hermione looked down at her and then at Harry and enveloped him in a tight embrace.

"It's lovely Harry!" she said smiling. She released him and looked at her hand.

Ron smiled.

"You spoil her," he said.

Harry nodded.

"Of course," he said. "I was actually going to get her a book, you know. I don't see her wear jewelry much."

"Don't talk as if I'm not right here," Hermione said in a would-be annoyed voice but she was smiling. She was too happy to care. It seemed that Ron had in fact gotten her a book. She loved it anyway. After everything was opened Ron went to sent them to Luna, bringing parcels from her other friends. Ginny went to her dorms and Harry and Hermione walked about the cold, snowy grounds. Harry held her hand the whole time and looked over the frozen lake squeezing Hermione close to him. From time, to time he would kiss her hand. The ringed finger would always be the place he would end. Never in his life had he imagined himself so romantic with anyone. It was clear he was in love with her, more than he had ever been in his life. Something about knowing her for so long contributed to his unyielding love and need for her. And then, knowing she loved him with everything she had made it better. Harry smiled out of nowhere.

"Hermione," Harry whispered in her ear. Hermione shivered. Harry wasn't sure if it was from his voice or the cold be her loved the reaction. It never got old, and never would.

"Yes, Harry?" she asked looking up at him. She looked so cute and innocent looking at him like that! Harry knew why Viktor loved looking at her all the time. She made his heart jump and was making Harry's go crazy. But now wasn't the time, he was trying to be sentimental.

"You know I love you more than just for snogging, right?" he asked.

Hermione nodded.

"Of course," she said.

"Okay, good," Harry said.

Hermione stared at Harry slightly confused. She opened her mouth to speak but before she could utter a word Harry placed a finger to her lips. He gently stroked her lips with tenderness.

"And you realize I'm in love with you, yes?"

Hermione nodded silence.

"Good," he said in the softest voice he could use.

He captured Hermione's lips in his after no more than a few seconds of anticipation. He watched Hermione's eyes flutter close and closed his eyes soon after that. He enjoyed the tingle of the kiss after it finished and never wanted to stop loving the feeling. Hermione opened her eyes and Harry saw love and then shock in them. Harry felt a twinge of pain in his scar.

"Harry!" she yelled before she disappeared in black smoke.

Harry's eyes widened in shock and he yelled Hermione's name. He fell onto his knees and started digging through the snow. His eyes frantically searched the space where Hermione was. His arms seemed to work by themselves as he dug through snow. He was crying Hermione name. His heart was beating painfully as if every beat would lead to his death. His mind went blank as he screamed Hermione's name.

"They're both gone!" Harry heard Ron yell.

"I'm afraid that is what happened," Dumbledore's voice said softly. "Perhaps this is another one of Voldemort's plan."

Ron was silent for a minute and then Harry heard Draco Malfoy's voice.

"I know nothing of it," he said. "I knew Voldemort wanted to do something to Granger, but I didn't know how he would plan on going about it. But everything I knew, Potter knew already. Voldemort," Draco had paused, "always complains about not being able to keep Potter out of his head."

Harry opened his eyes and held his head. His glasses were off but he could tell he was in the Hospital Wing.

"Harry! Oh Merlin! You're awake!" Ron said his voice filled with panic.

Harry put on his glasses and looked up at Ron, then Dumbledore and then Malfoy.

"What happened?" he asked groggily.

"It seems Mr. Weasley found you screaming Miss Granger's name out on the grounds. You seemed to have been digging through the snow and dirt and then you passed out. You did not hear Mr. Weasley call your name, is that correct, Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore explained. Ron nodded.

"And it seems that Mr. Malfoy saw Miss Weasley vanish," Dumbledore continued. "Tell us, Harry, what happened?"

Harry held his head once more and searched his memory. When he found what he was looking for, he nearly broke down.

"We were out in the snow… and then… she just disappeared!" Harry said tormented. "She just went up in smoke… and she's gone."

Ron gave Harry an awkward pat on the back.

"Harry, Ginny's gone too," he said. Harry's head snapped up.

"What did you say?" Harry's voice was suddenly hard.

Ron looked uneasy.

"They took Weaslette too, it seems Hermione went afterward," Draco said looking out the window. It was snowing again.

"Hermione…? I don't want you to ever say that again," Harry said harshly. Draco looked at Harry with pure hatred in his mercilessly beautiful grey eyes.

"I will saw whatever pleases me, damn you, and I won't allow you to speak to me like that," Draco said venomously.

"Watch your mouth Malfoy!" Ron said angrily.

"Oh, shut up Weasley. You're not even in this fight anymore," Draco said coldly.

Harry and Ron were somewhat confused.

"Gentleman, I think there are other things that take precedence. You both may have information as to the whereabouts of Miss Granger and Miss Weasley. And Draco, I do believe you are being called," Dumbledore said calming everyone down. Draco rubbed his forearm and nodded.

"I'll be back later," Draco said before walking out of the Hospital Wing.

Harry wanted to rip Draco's body to shreds and save Hermione but Dumbledore stopped Harry's murderous thoughts.

"Harry, how, exactly, did Miss Granger disappear?" he asked.

"In some cloud of black smoke, I don't know! Look Professor, why is this important? Hermione and Ginny need my help! They might be in danger! Something might have happened to Hermione and…!"

"Harry, Harry, calm down. You know what has happened when you have become riled in the past. Draco is going to give us information when he returns. How do you intend on saving your friends if you do not know where to first, search?"

"But Hermione might be hurt! I can't sit here and hope she's okay!"

"Keep a calm head Harry and figure things out before you launch yourself into battle! I doubt, very much, that Hermione Granger would like it if you didn't listen to advice before going off to save her. We all know she's a very sensible girl Harry…and she matches your desires accordingly. But Harry, you don't want her getting hurt anymore than she wants you, or Mr. Wesley getting injured."

"But…Hermione…"

"Yes, Hermione, we know, Harry!" Ron said shaking Harry slightly. "Listen for once will you? She was right! You do have a 'saving people' thing!"

"I do not have a 'saving people' thing!" Harry said murderously. "Damn it all! Hermione isn't just 'people', Ron! She's our best friend!"

"You should listen when people talk to you Harry," Dumbledore interjected.

Harry ignored him.

"And what about your sister too, huh! She's in trouble!"

"Harry shut up! For Merlin's sake! We are going to save them!"

Harry folded his arms furious. Ron didn't understand at all… he didn't understand!

"Now that Mr. Potter is sulking I do believe I can take my leave, I shall summon you to my office when Mr. Malfoy comes back," Dumbledore said smiling. His eyes were twinkling. Harry and Ron watched him leave. There was silence between the two boys. Finally Harry spoke up knowing both knew what to say.

"I'm sorry, mate, it's just so bloody frustrating sitting here and wondering if she'll be alright! I mean, I can only hope she will still be alive when we find her! And how can we know to trust Malfoy? He can turn on us in a second, the cold-hearted bastard…"

Ron looked thoughtful as Harry groaned in frustration.

"Hermione seems to trust him," Ron finally said after a few seconds of Harry's angry noises.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked after looking up at Ron.

Ron shrugged.

"Don't you think Malfoy's casual use of the name would mean the two of them had some form or another of contact this year? And if so, since Malfoy isn't mauled yet, wouldn't that mean Hermione trusts him a little?"

Harry stared at Ron awed. He knew Ron was fooling them all when he acted imbecilic!

"How much thought have you been giving this?" Harry asked surprised.

Ron grinned sheepishly.

"Since Malfoy said it…" Ron replied.

Harry grinned. He felt a little better, but he so desperately wanted to save Hermione.

Harry and Ron were summoned to Dumbledore's office after dinner. They said the password and eagerly climbed up the stairs. When they were allowed admittance the two Gryffindors were in the circular room in a flash. Malfoy was sitting in a chair waiting patiently for the two other boys. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, his expression was unreadable.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, please sit," Dumbledore said kindly. Harry and Ron acquiesced.

"Mr. Malfoy, I daresay these young gentlemen would like to know exactly what is going on," Dumbledore said smiling. Mr. Malfoy scowled. He was a far better mood earlier this morning.

"I daresay you can tell them. I told you everything already," Draco muttered. He was definitely in a better mood in the afternoon.

Dumbledore smiled.

"If you insist, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said smiling. "It seems there is some good new, and bad news. The good new is that Miss Granger and Miss Weasley sustained little injury, thanks to Mr. Malfoy. However, it is unfortunate that Lord Voldemort would want to implement his plan quite soon. It seems that Voldemort has in mind to come into the school. We do not know what day, but we need to be on our guard. Mr. Malfoy has also been kind enough to show you where Voldemort and his followers have been hiding. However you will be most surprised…."

Harry was on the edge of his seat. Ron was looking anxious.

"It seems that Lord Voldemort…is in this very school," Dumbledore said somberly.

Harry jumped out of his seat shocked.

"What!" he growled. "That can't be true!"

Harry stared wide-eyed at Dumbledore while Ron looked at Draco in disbelief. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Don't get too comfortable Weasley," Draco muttered.

"Are you serious…? Is he really here? How'd he get into the school!" Ron yelled angrily. Malfoy shrugged.

"I had no idea until, Granger told me where we were," Draco said gritting his teeth. "She was awake by then, and had an awful long time to figure things out while she was tied up down there."

"Tied up! Whaddya mean tied up!" Harry roared. "If you touched her…"

Malfoy smirked.

"Please Potter, keep your fantasies to yourself," Draco said disgustedly. Harry's cheeks tinted pink but he still looked homicidal.

Dumbledore seemed to enjoy the show displayed in front of him but he knew better than to let it get out of hand.

"Gentlemen, please," he said gently but firmly.

Harry, Ron and Malfoy all huffily took their seat and stared determinedly at the Headmaster.

"Thank-you, now, there is more to be said. Mr. Malfoy has agreed to take you Harry, to save Miss Granger and Miss Weasley--"

"But what about me?" Ron yelled upset.

Malfoy made a noise of disgust.

"I can't take both of you, and you'd just get in the way, Weasel," he said.

"What Mr. Malfoy means is that we need someone to keep watch in the castle why he and Harry are away. It will not be for long Mr. Weasley and I doubt you will have nothing to do," Dumbledore said before Ron could say anything else. "Harry, are you alright with this?"

Harry nodded. If it meant saving Hermione, Harry didn't care what he had to do. He would endure Malfoy's company for a little while. Harry and Ron left Dumbledore's office an hour later. In a few days time, the most of the Death Eaters would be away, Draco was one who was staying and that would be opportune for when Harry chose to save Hermione and Ginny. Harry hoped Malfoy wasn't tricking him, because if he was Harry would personally kill him. Harry was anxious to save his girlfriend, he was frightened for her. Was she alright? What injuries did she in fact sustain? Dumbledore said she had little injury, but that was still something! Was he saying that to lessen the impact or was it for real?

Harry clutched the lion necklace around his neck. Hermione would be safe…he was sure she was wearing the necklace. Ron was looking up at the ceiling. Worry was etched on his face. Harry felt a pang of guilt. He was being selfish. Ron cared for Hermione too, and he had a sister missing too. Harry placed a hand on Ron's shoulder.

"It'll be fine right?" Ron asked still unsure.

Harry nodded.

"Sure, I'll save Hermione and Ginny, and then you can kick the Death Eaters' arses!"

Ron chuckled.

"That sounds about fair," he said. "What do you think will happen after you save them? Do you reckon Voldemort will be pissed enough to go attack the school?"

Harry shivered.

"Don't even remind me about that," he said. "I'm still bothered about that! I mean Voldemort could have killed me all along!"

Ron nodded his face grim.

"I think it is time, you ended all of this," Ron said seriously.

Harry remained silent. He and Ron walked down the corridors in the direction of their portrait. Harry's mind was buzzing with ideas and fears. He knew Ron was right, it was time all of this ended, and it was time either he or Voldemort would be killed. When the two boys reached the portrait Harry turned to Harry and nodded.

"Yes, you're right."

Harry walked into the opened portrait hole and Ron followed him. It was time, was right.

A/N: How'd you like that? I know, I KNOW! It's short and it sorta a cliffy but you'll have to live with it! And if you liked the story so much why can't you review? Why is it some author have like THOUSANDS of reviews! I think that's amazing! But I'm glad you like it enough to read it! I won't be updating this one anytime soon… you do realize. That just happens to be my, unfortunate, style. Hahaha, sorry loves! Cheers!