(A/N: Again, a splendid response!!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you! You guys blow me away…Here's some good news for you all. I spent some time during my phys/chem. Class making a final studying calendar thing (sounds dorky I know but what can I say? Lol) where basically I picked two subjects every night to study for. This way I have more time to write, and I can really spend a lot of time concentrating on those two subjects, yet not get bored or slack off on them later in the week. So yes, I was rather pleased with myself because today when I just had the writing juice, I actually had the time to put my thoughts on paper! Yay! I like this chapter a lot better than last chapter and it's the start of my real plot so I'm very excited about that. Um, I don't think I have anything else to say. Thanks again and I hope you enjoy! Hugs! Haystack)
dancerrdw: So glad to hear from you again! Hopefully the update was good for you, thanks for reviewing!!
SlytherinRoyalty: haha…well I'm very glad I could help ease your terribly long Monday and if I may say so you made my Monday better too!! I'm really glad you brought up the title of my story cause I don't think I said what it meant at the beginning like I usually do (oops!). It means "Final Dreams" in French of course, the only language I know anything in (besides obviously English) but I realized after checking over my translation that my accent é was wrong and that it should be a ê and fanfiction wouldn't let me change it. So hopefully no one'll be offended by it, though personally I think they're silly, I mean, I don't think they change the meaning of the word but then again I don't know so…lol thanks for reviewing!!!
ShimmeringEvil: lol I'm glad you thought it was cute! Thanks for reviewing!!
AmyChris: aw, your reviews are always so cute! I love them! Lol….. Yes I agree, I didn't like Hermione being all by herself for too long, which is why I kind of skipped a month on purpose (I hope no one minded) I like her with Ron! Thanks again, your such an encouraging reviewer!
Smiles28: A very encouraging review, as usual, but in more ways than usual this time. Your little 'good luck on finals' thing was very sweet and I needed it cause I was trying to study for French, something I find incredibly difficult so yea thanks for that, I appreciate it! That's great that you could feel that the last chapter wasn't as good as nine, cause I wasn't very happy with it, I guess you're getting to know me better! Lol Thanks again for everything!
Blake-Tori88: Well hello there! So nice to meet a new reviewer!!! Your review made me laugh, and that was finally when I decided to finish it up, so thanks for the extra push! Lol Thanks for reviewing too!!
cumbacksirius: aw I almost made you cry? I told some ppl in last chapter this…yay! It's what I strive for even though that sounds really depressing and stuff. So thanks for letting me know that! I can't wait till finals are over too! Thanks for reviewing!!
Legofiance: Hahaha…your review made me laugh. Glad you thought it was cute. More fluff you say? Alright POOF! Your wish is my command! Read on!! (lol ooh that was fun to say)
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CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE DAY BEFORE THE NIGHT
It was a beautiful afternoon. The sun was shining it's brightest, the sky was a clear pale blue and the Hogwart's Grounds had never looked more pretty. Trees had lost their nakedness; now flourishing with breathtaking blossoms covering every inch of them. The grass was lush and green and though a cool breeze was making it's way through the land, the warm air did wonders for the students lying out, soaking up not only the sun but relishing in the wonderful feeling Saturdays brought.
Hermione, who had spent many days outside in the past two weeks, closed her eyes and smiled, stretching arms out as she laid on the grass. "Mm…it's so lovely out today"
"I know" Ginny agreed, her eyes closed as well, lying with her back against a tree, the sunlight hitting her at a perfect angle; reflecting the gorgeous color of her hair in such a way that even made Hermione jealous.
"I'm just glad the Professors took it easy on us this weekend." Harry mumbled, the perfect weather making him drowsy.
Ron let out a rather long snore, one that resembled a snort, in agreement.
Hermione and Ginny made eye contact before bursting into laughs and before long, even Harry was laughing along with them.
"Ron!" Harry called out before breaking into another laugh
"Ronnn!" Ginny called, still giggling, pushing him in the shoulder "You lazy git wake up!"
"Hm?" Ron said in his sleep
"I said WAKE UP" Ginny shouted as she punched Ron in the side.
"OW! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WAS THAT FOR?!" An overly tired and very confused Ron asked as he grabbed his side. Hermione and Harry simply burst into a second set of laughter.
"What's so funny?" He asked, thoroughly confused
"Ha Ha Ha Nothing" Hermione smiled
"You were snoring" Ginny clarified
"So what?" Ron asked, though his ears were burning red
"It was so loud Lavender and Parvati were giving you strange looks." Ginny said, pointing to the two girls, on the other side of the lake.
"Oh" Ron said, "What time is it? How long was I sleeping?"
"It's four. Not long." Harry said checking his watch
"Good. We've still got two hours till dinner." Ron said, stretching out on the grass and then sighing contently. "Today would be a good day to go flying don't you think Harry?"
"Yea. Maybe we should later."
Ron nodded. "Let's"
"Well if they're going flying then what should we do Ginny?" Hermione asked
"Why don't you come with us?" Harry asked, looking at Ginny as he spoke.
"I'd love to" She replied smiling "What do you say Hermione?"
Hermione bit her lip. "Um…well I suppose I do have a book to read. I'll just watch this time."
"Read? Are you kidding? On a day like this?" Ron asked
"Come on Hermione, I'd feel terrible if you sat out" Ginny urged
"Why should you? It's alright, really. I don't mind"
"You always sit out!" Ron whined
"Well maybe I have a good reason to!" She snapped
"What's your reason then?" Ron asked, grinning
"I--"Hermione started, flustered "That's not the point. The point is that I'd rather read."
"What are you afraid of?"
"Nothing. I'm not afraid of anything."
"Oh really?"
"Yes"
"Then why won't you go flying. Give me one good reason"
"Because it's a dangerous sport."
"Flying, 'Mione. Flying is much different than Quidditch."
"I don't see the difference." She replied stubbornly
"Flying is calm. You go up high and look around. I mean you can go fast if you want to but that's beside the point. You're afraid of heights; we all know that. I just want to hear you admit it."
"I will do no such thing."
"Harry when you and Hermione rode Buckbeak in third year, did Hermione enjoy it?"
"Don't bring me into this Ron, I've told you before"
"Just answer it."
"No. She was screaming her head off, squeezed my waist so tight I couldn't breathe"
Ron and Ginny laughed. Hermione smiled sympathetically at Harry but scowled at Ron. "I'm sorry about that Harry."
"It's okay." Harry smiled
"See?" Ron said eagerly "You do hate heights!"
"Alright fine I give in, yes Ronald. I'm afraid of heights and the prospect of flying has never appealed to me. So for these reasons, I'm going to go get my book and I'll meet you three at the Quidditch pitch." She said as she got up from the grass.
"Alright we'll see you there 'Mione." Harry said as she walked away. "Come on" He said to Ginny, let's go get my firebolt"
"Okay, I'll grab my broom too" Ginny said as she followed Harry.
Ron stared at the retreating couple and almost laughed when he saw Harry grab Ginny's hand, both unaware that anyone was around. Still smiling, he turned around and started running towards Hermione's disappearing figure.
"Hermione!"
She turned around and sighed impatiently. "What Ron?"
"Come on. You're always the one who lectures me on overcoming my fears. When have you ever overcome one of yours?" He asked softly
"First Year. Second Year. Third Year. Fourth Year. Fifth Year. Sixth Year." She snapped
"Okay, well besides the fear of Harry or I dying." He added
"I don't know off the top of my head. Ron why are you doing this?" She asked quietly
"I wish I could tell you how amazing flying is but I can't. You just have to trust me on this one." He said in a gentle tone "C'mon! Harry, Ginny and I would be there. It's not like anything could happen to you. And bloody hell, even if you do fall, Harry is a seeker, He's used to catching free falling objects!"
Hermione stared at him horrified for a moment before she finally caught onto his smirk. She laughed as she left out a breath and punched him in the shoulder. "That, Mr. Weasley, was not funny!"
"Oh but if you could have seen your face, you would have found it very humorous I'm sure." Ron replied cheekily, throwing her one of his famous lopsided grins.
As usual, that particular smile worked wonders on Hermione and she felt herself caving in.
"Come on, say you'll come with us"
She bit her lip in thought. "I don't have a broom," She said finally.
Ron pondered this for a moment before finally crying triumphantly "You could use mine"
"Ron, you need your broom to fly"
"No, what I mean is, you could ride with me"
"With you?" Hermione repeated, her heart skipping a beat as she did so.
"Yea and this way it would be easier for me to help you. You wouldn't be able to fall off, and you could tell me if you wanted to get down. It makes sense."
Hermione Granger was never one to overrule logical ideas and that last sentence of Ron's won her over more than anything else he'd said. But it was her emotions that kept sending a bright red sign through her mind. No way on earth would it be a good idea for her to ride on a broom with the boy she secretly was in love with. He would be holding her waist, leaning over her, sending his hot breath over her face, she would be able to feel his muscle's in his chest constrict against her back…
"Okay" She heard herself say
Okay? Okay?! NO! NO! NO! That's what you were supposed to say! You're going to regret this! She shouted at herself
"Really?" Ron asked, his whole face lighting up
"Yes. Let's go before I change my mind." She said as she began to jog towards the Quidditch Pitch.
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"Flying is really easy. You kick off from the ground to start. You move the handle of the broom down to go down, right to go right, left to go left., you get it. The only thing that makes it difficult is your control of it. All your movements have to be gentle." Ron said as he mounted the broom. "Make sense?"
"Yes" She said nervously, looking up in the sky at Harry and Ginny who were already flying about, playing some kind of game with each other.
"Okay. I'll go first and then I'll let you do it once we're in the air. Sound good?"
"Yes." She said, making her way towards Ron, her heart beating fast despite her cries to remain calm. She swung her leg over the broom, gripping it tightly, her breath hitching as Ron's arms came to rest at her hips.
"Ready?" He asked softly "I'm going to kick up from the ground and I want you to do the same."
"Okay"
"One…Two…" Hermione squeezed her eyes shut "Three!" There was a sudden whoosh in her ears as air whipped by. Hermione felt a slight pressure on her lungs as they continued speeding upwards, she was shaking she knew.
"Relax" Ron's gentle voice said in her ear as they slowed to a stop, now eye level with Ginny and Harry who were cheering them on.
"See it's not that bad is it?" Harry asked as he zipped around them
"N-No not that bad." She said, her voice shaking as well.
"Now whatever you do, don't look down." Ginny said, "You'll freak out. But remember, it looks a lot higher than reality"
"No it doesn--" Harry began but was silence by a glance of Ginny's. "Oh yea. That's right…it looks higher than it really is."
Hermione nodded nervously and diverted her eyes as best as she could away from the ground. But it was almost as though her eyes were attracted downwards and before she could fully comprehend what Harry and Ginny had just said, she looked down and screamed.
"RON GET ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!!!" She demanded, her entire body shaking with fright. She couldn't breathe…they were higher than Gryffindor tower! And that was more than 200 feet above the Grounds; she of all people knew, she hadn't read Hogwarts: A History for nothing! "RON I'M NOT KIDDING! PLEASE!" She cried, tears coming to her eyes, she wanted down so badly.
"Sh…it's okay," He said, tightening his grip on her
"NO IT'S NOT!"
"What do you think is going to happen to you right now?" He asked in a soothing tone
"I could tip over right now and bring you with me!!" She said hysterically
"Maybe. But that's unlikely."
"Please Ron…" She moaned.
"Look at me." He said, twisting a bit on so he could see her face. She obliged, trying to blink to hide her tears. "If you honestly and truly are so scared that you want me to go back then I'll do it. I don't want to force you to do something you don't want to. But if not, then just hold on tight, relax, and trust me."
"I trust you Ron. I-I'm just so scared"
"Well don't think about it. Don't think about how high up from the ground you are; focus on the things around you. How often are you able to look down on the trees? How often are you eye level with the clouds? You love new things. Soak up all the knowledge you can get from being up here. You're brilliant at that."
Hermione let out a long breath and leaned back against Ron. "Okay" She whispered
"You're okay?"
"Yes. Let's go higher"
"You're not serious are you?"
"Of course I am. I've never felt a cloud before."
Ron laughed and grinned at Harry and Ginny who had watched the scene with interest. "All right, let's go!!"
"Yes!" Ginny said, whipping her broom around and zooming up into the air. Harry followed her and Ron directed the broom upwards after Harry.
"Woooo!" The four friends cried all the way up until Ginny stopped the procession, right before the clouds.
"Why did you stop?" Harry asked curiously
Ginny sighed contently, one of those sighs girls often make when they catch glimpse of an attractive boy. "Look over there"
The trio looked to where Ginny was pointing only to be greeted by the most miraculous sunset Hermione had ever seen.
The sun, a fiery yellowish orange color was bright, causing shadows of all intensities to fall across the ground. The sky was bursting with such vibrant colors; it took Hermione's eyes a while to get used to them. It was like an artist's easel, splashed with every color from his pallet. It was like an actor, excited to put on a show. It was beautiful; and it took Hermione's breath away.
"Oh wow…" Harry muttered beside her. Hermione turned to look at him.
He was staring at the sunset as though it were the most precious thing in the world. A playful smile playing in the corners of his mouth, his raven hair tousled handsomely from their flight, his emerald eyes shining with something Hermione couldn't exactly place; it had been years since Hermione had seen him like this. Peaceful, content, and in love with the world instead of angry at it. She smiled at him and he winked and smiled back.
Hermione's gaze fell on Ginny, just above Harry. The girl was so comfortable, she had her elbows resting in front of her, in the same position she'd seen her in when she watched TV at Hermione's house. The girl's hair fell onto her shoulders and flew in her face a bit with the wind, Ginny scrunching up her nose, trying to flip it behind her. Her cheeks had a rosy color to them from the journey here, her classic red hair and brown eyes accented beautifully in the light. She had a bright smile on her face, and her eyes lit up with excitement and joy. Smiling at her, Hermione moved on to Ron.
The boy sat on the broom, with his arms wrapped around her waist protectively even though they were no longer moving. His blue eyes shone with nothing other than simple happiness and contentment. His red hair resembled Harry's, standing up in different directions. Hermione thought it looked adorable as his freckly face turned towards hers.
"What are you looking at?" He asked quietly, not wanting to ruin the mood
She smiled and shook her head. "Nothing. It's pretty isn't it?"
"It's brilliant, I've never seen one from this point of view before."
"Me neither." She said, "Ron?"
"Yea?"
"Thanks for bringing me up here. Convincing me and then not letting me go down when I wanted to. You were right, it really is amazing."
"I thought you'd like it. But your welcome."
"You two ready to go down yet?" Harry asked them
"I'm ready if you are" Ron said to Hermione
"I'm ready."
"You want to steer?" Ron offered
Hermione shook her head. Taking his face into her hands, she smiled at him, "It's alright. I trust you"
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It was the perfect ending to an already perfect day in Ron's mind. He really hadn't expected Hermione to agree to go, but now he was so thankful she had. The four of them raced back to the ground; Harry winning, Ron coming in second, and Ginny in third, the trio teasing her all the way back to the castle. Ginny had then proceeded to tackle Harry to the ground, resulting in a tickle fight between the two; something he and Hermione had watched with similar reactions and exchanged glances about all night.
Dinner tasted extra good that night, for what reason Ron wasn't sure but all he knew was that after he and Harry bid the girls good-night and he finally fell into bed, he couldn't have been happier. And for the first time in a long time, Ron fell asleep immediately, a smile still on his face. Dripping in and out of a deep slumber until…
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Ron awoke to screams.
Someone was shaking him shouting incoherent things at him. "Harry?" Ron squinted
"Ron! Get out of bed!"
"Why? What's wrong?"
"It's Voldemort, Ron," He said as he began to dress frantically
"No" Ron shook his head, unable to comprehend what Harry had just said "I-It's too soon. It's can't be"
"You didn't feel the castle shake?"
"No"
"They hit it with something. All the girls started screaming, that's where the other blokes are right now, trying to calm everything down before McGonagall gets here. Go look outside the window."
I'm dreaming! Ron thought to himself as he left the safe haven his bed had always provided for him, putting his feet on the cold floor and shuffling to the large window. As he glanced out, Ron rubbed his eyes. Thousands of men, or at least Ron could assume they were men, surrounded the part of the castle he could see. They all carried torches and were shouting. Some were trying to knock down the big oak door with a tree, but most were standing idle, obviously waiting for orders. It was unlike anything Ron had ever seen and he had to pinch himself to make sure it was real.
He paled and sat down on the edge of his bed "It's really time isn't it Harry?"
"Yea. It is" Harry said sadly, handing Ron a knife.
"What's this?"
"I've been saving them Ron for when the time came. It might save your life. Now come on, get dressed and dress right! We're going into battle"
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Harry hadn't been the only one prepared. When Ron caught glance of Hermione, she was pale and it was obvious she had been crying, but she was wearing proper clothes to fight in, her hair pulled back like Mad Eye Moody had always suggested.
"I'm glad you remembered what I told you" Harry said quietly as she approached them.
"You both have your wands?" She asked
"We wouldn't go into battle without them," Ron said
"Good"
"Here." Harry said slipping something covered in a cloth to her "In case your wand gets snapped"
"What is it?"
"A knife" Harry whispered
Her eyes widened. "Harry I couldn't--"
"Just in case" he hissed
"Attention!!" A very haggard Professor McGonagall shouted. The room went silent except for the sounds of crying. "As you know we've been attacked by Voldemort and his followers. The staff and I are trying to secure as much of the castle as we can. For now, we are going to lock you all into Gryffindor Tower. Under no circumstances are you to talk, for if the Death Eaters get into Hogwarts, they'll attack anywhere they think students are."
"How did this happen?" A fourth year boy asked
"What do you mean get into Hogwarts?" A third year girl shrieked
"What are we supposed to do?" A sixth year boy asked
"Those of you who want to fight, you may. But only those sixth year and above. The rest of you will remain here. For now, I need Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger"
The common room went completely silent and everyone turned around to stare at the trio who lifted their heads determinedly.
"Don't leave me," Ginny whispered, fear evident in her face.
"We have to Gin" Harry whispered back
"No" She moaned, her eyes darting between the three of them.
"I'm sorry" Hermione said, her eyes filling with tears. "We'll see you on the battle field." She said as she embraced her. "Good luck" She whispered as she squeezed her hand.
"Ron…please" Ginny begged, "You're my big brother it's your job to look after me."
Tears flew to Ron's eyes with this statement. "I-I'm sorry Gin. I want to, but I've got another job as well."
"Ron please don't leave me"
Ron simply gathered his baby sister up in his arms, unsure if it was the last time he would do so and rubbed her back as she began to cry, just like he used to when they were little. He kissed her cheek "I love you Ginny."
"Don't get yourself killed Ron or so help me God I'll--"
"Don't worry I won't. You be careful too"
"I will"
"Ginny I told you" Harry said softly as Ron and Hermione took a few steps away to give them some privacy.
"I know Harry. But hey it was fun while it lasted wasn't it?" She laughed through her tears
"Yes it was. You're an amazing girl Ginny."
"I love you Harry," She blurted out
Harry blinked a few times, unsure if he'd heard the right thing. But finally he smiled, his eyes reflecting his happiness. "I love you too. Take care."
"Come back to me."
Harry's eyes flashed with pain. "I want to. But I can't promise you that. Good-Bye"
"Bye" She said as Harry lent down to kiss her, both aware that it could be good-bye for life.
"Come on Harry" Ron said, pulling Harry away, and giving his sister a wink despite the situation.
Together, the trio walked through the human-made aisle, watching the faces of their childhood friends and classmates roll by, as they held hands, took deep breaths, and raised their heads determinedly, prepared to face their destinies.
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(Heeheee…tell me what you think! Hugs, Haystack)