A/N: I AM SO SORRY! I know it has taken me way longer than normal to update but I have a legit excuse. I have moved house and everything has taken a while to get organised. Plus I am away from home for three days due to my TAFE course and work placement. Anyway I hope you all forgive me and understand. Thanks for the awesome reviews and onto the story.
DISCLAIMER: Only Bridget, Sophie, Zack and Bailey, plus the plot to this fan fiction.
Chapter SeventeenHermione smiled with happiness as she looked at her reflection. Clean and tidy. Her hair was brushed and pulled into a ponytail and instead of wearing a thin toga she wore her favourite jeans and a red ¾ sleeve top.She exited the bathroom and sat on the lounge beside Ginny.
"Aren't you glad I packed some of your clothing?" said Ginny handing Hermione her red and white sneakers.
"I am," nodded Hermione, "Is Harry okay about sharing some clothes with Draco?"
"He's fine with it. And like me, he seems to think something is going on with you two."
Hermione blushed and looked down at her feet as she did her laces up.
"So there is then," said Ginny pushing for information.
"Yes," admitted Hermione sitting up right and looking at Ginny, her eyes shining with happiness, "I… I love him. He loves me. We are complete opposites in every possible way, but he can make me feel… like nothing else matters to him but me."
Ginny smiled and nodded, "That's love. Harry makes me feel the same."
"Are you okay with it?"
"What I think doesn't matter. It's your life, your heart. I can't change the way you feel. All that matter's to me is that you are happy."
Hermione hugged Ginny thanking her. Both stood up and left Harry and Ron's room. When the door shut Hermione wrote her name on it declaring it her room as well. The two females headed for the Great Hall catching up with Bridget and Sophie on the way.
"Bridget, Sophie, this is my bestfriend, Ginny Weasley. Ginny this is Bridget Dew and Sophie Sopchak. Bridget is in her sixth year and Sophie is in her… what year?"
Sophie smiled, "Third. Nice to meet you Ginny. I'm in Ravenclaw."
"Same," said Bridget shaking Ginny's hand, "We were told to go to the Great Hall."
Hermione nodded and the four of them continued on their way, entering the Great Hall ten minutes later. Hermione smiled at Draco sitting beside his mother. He smiled back and Ginny nudged Hermione to go sit beside him.
"You sure? I can sit with you," said Hermione worriedly.
"Hermione, I can sit with Harry and Ron," sighed Ginny smiling, "We can talk tonight."
Hermione nodded and headed around the table sitting down next too Draco. He too had showered and was dressed in Harry's jeans and a blue shirt.
"All refreshed?" asked Draco linking hands with her under the table.
"Yes, you?"
Draco nodded and both him and Hermione looked up at Narcissa who was looking at them confused.
"Since when did you two both talk civilly and hold hands?" she asked leaning in close so those around her couldn't hear.
"You didn't tell her?" said Hermione to Draco, "I've told Ginny… well her and Harry picked up on it in no time."
"That would explain Potter's comment of 'You hurt her and I will kill you' then," sighed Draco, "Mother, Hermione and I are… we are a couple."
Narcissa nodded a smile creeping onto her face, "I never once suspected that ever happening. Perhaps a friendship but nothing further then that."
Draco was about to reply when Lupin walked in wheeling in Tonks in a wheelchair, followed by Pansy and McGonagall.
"Tonks!" cried Hermione standing and running around to her as Pansy spotted Draco.
Draco stood and walked around to his bestfriend hugging her, smiling.
"Hermione," smiled Tonks weakly, "You're alright then?"
Hermione nodded smiling, "But you… I was so worried. How did you get away?"
"I waited until they went to bed and I left. I'm an Aurour; I've been trained to escape situations of danger… I would have come for you and Draco but I had no idea where the cells were."
Hermione smiled and hugged Tonks gently, "We're all okay now."
Tonks nodded and greeted Draco, who also hugged her. Hermione smiled at Pansy and went and sat back down. Draco followed and sat beside Hermione, wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Alright," said Lupin silencing everyone, especially Ron who was whispering furiously to Harry and Ginny, "Pansy has come to give us valuable information about Lucius' plans."
Everyone looked at Pansy who stood beside Lupin at the head of the table. There were well over half of the Order in attendance causing all to sit at the Gryffindor table.
"Well… Lucius' army is expanding everyday. He has two hundred and nine members. He is planning his war against the Order everyday. I'm sorry but that is all I could get out of him really," said Pansy before taking her seat beside McGonagall.
"That's more then enough. Our army is smaller but no doubt Lucius has young witches and wizards who lack in the defence department. We will strike on his home soil."
"No," said Narcissa firmly, "The Manor is mine. My grandmother gave it to me. Anywhere but there."
"I agree," said Hermione, "We will then be playing by his rules. We need an even battlefield. A place where everybody has an even chance."
The Order member's murmured in agreement as another group of members arrived. McGonagall quickly stood and gestured for them to sit at the Slytherin table beside the Gryffindor one.
"Where then?"
"Hogsmeade," spoke up Harry, "No muggles will be there. Wee can send word to Rosemerta for her to evacuate the town. Then make Lucius think only a small group of us will be there."
"How?" asked Ginny frowning.
"Me," said Pansy, "I could say I was asked by Draco too meet him in Hogsmeade. Lucius will see it as a perfect opportunity to kill his son and wife for once and for all."
"He'll never suspect you," said Draco with a nod.
"Alright. Harry, compose a letter to Rosemerta now. Tomorrow we begin this war," said Lupin firmly, "In the morning we will plan the battle."
"Wait!" cried McGonagall, "What about the students?"
"The seventh year students want to fight," said Harry quietly, "All of them have been taking my defence lessons. The sixth year students will look after the younger years. I know where to hide them throughout the battle."
"Where?" asked Hermione looking at Harry curiously.
"The Chamber of Secrets. Its underground and you can only go in if you speak parselmouth. I will take the students down there and we can have the house elves make them enough food to last them a week."
McGonagall nodded in agreement and left the hall to inform the elves of what they must do. It was all happening so fast. Hermione looked at Draco worriedly but he just smiled, as though telling her everything would be fine.
The meeting was dismissed. Pansy left after speaking to Lupin a bit to tell Lucius her 'news'. Hermione stood, holding Draco's hand. He would be staying with his mother and Sirius. As they headed out of the Great Hall Ron stormed over to them.
"What's this?" he demanded gesturing to their hands.
"Ron!" cried Ginny running over to her brother, "Calm down."
"They are holding hands… all night they have been all over each other!"
"Ron, Draco is my boyfriend," said Hermione, "Please don't hate me… we haven't been together for six months and I love him."
"You love him?" said Ron frowning before looking at Draco, "Do you love her?"
Draco nodded pulling Hermione a little closer, "Is that a problem?"
Ron remained silent with Hermione, Draco and Ginny looking at him. Ron sighed and shifted his weight on his feet.
"Right… you hurt her and I will kill you," said Ron warningly, not knowing he'd echoed Harry's words, "Herms… just as long as you are happy… I'll be fine with it."
Hermione grinned and hugged Ron before turning to Draco smiling, "See? Not everyone hates you."
Draco smiled and him and Hermione headed for the rooms talking quietly to each other.
"Are you sure you are fine with it?" asked Ginny standing beside Ron as they watched the two walk away.
"Yeah," said Ron truthfully, "Besides… I've told Luna I'll take her out to dinner when this war is over."
Ginny smiled, "I told you she was nice."
Ron nudged Ginny in the side smiling, "So did Harry."
HD
"Severus says you come to bring me news," said Lucius handing Pansy a glass of fire whiskey.
"I do. I got a letter from your son," said Pansy, "He wishes to meet me alone in Hogsmeade tomorrow afternoon."
"Is that so?"
Pansy nodded seriously, "I thought you would like to know this. I figured after reading the letter he must have escaped from here somehow."
"Yes he did," snarled Lucius, "He escaped with that mudblood Granger. Together they got away taking the salves with them!"
He angrily slammed his glass on the table causing a crack to run up the side.
"I will meet my son tomorrow. But I will not come alone," he said turning to Snape, "Send the letters out. Tomorrow the war begins."
HD
The students looked at the mass of people standing around the hall talking amongst them selves. Word had spread through the school that the war was to begin anyway. Many students were standing with some of the people, as they were family members or family friends. Finally McGonagall stood and tapped her glass. Students fell silent or rushed to their house table. They all looked up at their Head Mistress in awe. She was dressed in dark blue robes instead of her emerald green ones.
"As many of you are aware of the battle will begin today. But my concern lies with you all. I worry of your safety. Thankfully Mr Harry Potter has an answer to keeping you all-safe. Students in sixth year downwards will be going to stay in the Chamber of Secrets. Mr Potter assures me only people who speak parselmouth can enter. It is deep underneath the school so I can assure you all you will be safe. The monster no longer exists as Mr Potter himself defeated it in his second year. As for food the house elves will bring it too you during mealtime. The sixth year students whom are prefects are in charge. All of you stand and line up at the Great Hall doors. Mr Potter and his assistants will take you to your new home until this battle ends."
Standing at the doors was Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Sirius, Charlie and Bill.
The students lined up talking quietly. All were nervous. The seventh year students remained seated looking at their fellow students anxiously. Colin gave his brother Dennis a hug before sitting down at the Gryffindor table.
Harry stood at the head of the line while the other Order members coming with him spread themselves along the long line. With a look at the line, Harry turned and led them out of the Great Hall. He made his way through the castle taking two shortcuts to Moaning Myrtles bathroom. He pushed the door open when a boy yelled out.
"We can't go in here!" he cried.
Harry turned as Ron found the boy.
"This toilet has the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets inside it," explained Ron annoyed, "If you know where to go then by all means take over and show Harry where to go."
The boy fell silent. All were on edge about the battle and the fact that they could die. Harry turned and walked in over to the non-working tap. He looked at the snake scratched onto the side of the tap. He tilted his head to the side till it looked real to him.
Clearing his throat he hissed out, startling the students, "Open up."
They all gasped as the sink sank into the ground revealing a pipe. Harry turned around to the students.
"I will go down first. Hermione, when I shoot up red sparks I want you to send down one student at a time… keep a five seconds gap between each one," said Harry, "Oh and Sirius don't forget the rope."
Hermione stepped forward nodding. Harry jumped down the pipe. Just like the first time all those years ago it was terrifying yet at the same time exciting. He hit the ground with a soft thud. He stood up and shot up red sparks.
Within ten seconds the first student came down followed by another. The Gryffindor's came down first with Ginny coming after them, next came the Slytherin's followed by Charlie, then the Ravenclaw with Bill. Finally after twenty minutes the Hufflepuff came down last with Ron and then Hermione. Sirius slid down afterwards unravelling a rope he had tied around a toilet.
"Alright," said Harry him plus everyone else lighting their wands, some first years struggling to make the spell last, "This way."
They headed through a dark tunnel. Everyone tried to avoid touching the slime covered walls but it was difficult with their being so many. Finally Hermione forced Harry to stop and get the students into two lines. After that it was easier.
"What is that?" asked Hermione walking beside Harry and seeing something large ahead of them.
"Basilisk skin," replied Harry, "I'm surprised it's still here."
"Are you sure its not a new one?" asked Hermione worriedly, "Maybe that thing laid eggs."
"Look. I will go in there first and check it out," said Harry too Hermione. If it isn't safe we will get the students out of here and somewhere else. Okay?"
Hermione nodded feeling a little anxious still. Harry swore softly as he saw the rock fall. Hermione stepped forward and pointed her wand at it, shifting the rocks to make a safe archway through the middle.
Harry walked through it first, thanking Hermione. Students behind them were beginning to panic thinking they were now lost underneath Hogwarts. Hermione glanced at Harry worriedly but he remembered where he was. So did Ginny who was walking beside Ron, gripping her brother's arm. The place brought back memories she didn't want. Finally they came to another door with the eerily real looking snakes.
"Keep them all here," said Harry firmly to Hermione before speaking in parsletongue, "Open up."
The door opened and Harry crept through. The dead basilisk from second year remained giving off a rotten smell. Harry almost gagged as he cleared it away with a spell. He walked in seeing McGonagall had arranged sleeping bags, pillows, book and other things to keep the students occupied.
"Come out, now," hissed Harry walked around the Chamber spotting the dried ink from Riddle's diary. He cleared that away as well, not trusting it to remain in the Chamber full of students. The statue of Salazar Slytherin remained motionless, "Children of the dead Basilisk come out now!"
Still nothing happened. Satisfied, Harry turned and walked over to the door opening it.
"It's safe," he said, "I cleared away the dead Basilisk and Riddle's ink from his diary."
Hermione nodded looking satisfied, "Everybody follow me in, slowly. We have to step down a small ladder."
Harry stepped down it and stood back as the students and Order member's came in. All looked at it awe, while Ginny looked pale and scared to death at the sight.
"Will we be safe here?" asked Bridget looking from Hermione to Harry.
"You will," assured Harry, "Its deep underground. Under the school lake even. No one will find you here. Only we know this place is real."
Bridget nodded and went off with the other students. Prefects were gaining order, having beds set out so that was out of the road. Satisfied that all would be fine, the Order turned and left to go face their own battle.
HD
The seventh years and Order remained in the Great Hall talking as they ate morning tea. Everyone kept glancing at the door for the return of the Order members who went to take the students to safety. They had left at 8:30am and it was now 11:30am. Draco was growing impatient, his worry about Hermione increasing with every hour that passed.
"Calm down," said Narcissa patting Draco on the shoulder.
"Mum," said Draco seriously, "Father used to always joke about not really being at the battle when it would happen. Is that even possible?"
Lupin who had overheard the comment turned to Draco frowning, "That is possible. When did you hear this?"
"At the last meeting before he found out I wasn't really on his side."
Lupin frowned, "He could create a holographic vision of himself, but that alone takes great power. We could think we have killed him… when really we haven't."
"Do you think he could do it?" asked Narcissa.
"It takes weeks to prepare. I doubt he would be able to do it."
Draco frowned. He knew Lucius was capable of anything and if he wanted to do something he would. Turning away to hide his face he saw the group of Order members walk in looking tired and dirty.
"Hermione!" cried Draco alerting everyone of their return. He stood and ran over to her, hugging her tightly, "Is everything alright?"
Hermione smiled and nodded before kissing him gently, "It took an hour for us all to climb up that rope. My arms feel like they are going to fall off."
Draco laughed and kissed Hermione again.
"I think I'll go get changed… these clothes stink," said Hermione pulling a face.
Draco nodded and watched her leave with Ginny to get changed. The other guys were having a butterbeer before getting changed themselves. With a sigh Draco decided to go for a walk and mull over his thoughts. It was odd walking through such a quiet school. The normally noise filled corridors were full of silence. Even the paintings were looking around them lost without the normal noise.
Draco turned the corner and almost collided with a mess of shawls. Stepping back he saw the shawls were actually Professor Trelawney.
"Sorry Professor," said Draco preparing to step past her, instead she reached out and grabbed him tightly by the shoulder.
Her head was rolled back and her eyes staring blankly in front of her.
"The one they seek will escape. Through death a heart will break. Death though, will deceive them all. The battle will end with tears. For years peace will live. Until the past becomes unravelled," she croaked before shaking he head, "Oh sorry Mr Malfoy."
"Yeah," said Draco watching the witch walk away, "The one they seek will escape?"
He knew he had witnessed a prophecy having had an Aunt who used to do them once a year or so. But who would escape? They all seeked him…
"Lucius," said Draco before cursing. Lucius would be the one to escape.
Draco cursed again. How was he to stop that? He wouldn't be allowed to go to the manor, that much he knew. Forgetting the rest of the prophecy Draco formulated the plan in his head as to how he would get to Lucius and end the battle once and for all.
HD
"We will have five people standing in the centre of town," said Lupin as Draco walked into the Great Hall.
Hermione gave him a questioning look as to where he had been. Draco ignored it and sat beside Hermione silently.
"Draco has to be one of them," said Harry looking down the table at the young silent Malfoy, "I'll go with him."
"So will I," said Hermione ignoring Draco's look of disagreement.
"Me too," said Ron.
"And me," added Ginny, "That's five. Where will everybody else be?"
"In the forest heading to the Shrieking Shack. It will be dark enough to hide us all," said Lupin, "We do not attack until they give the first strike, "Has everyone got a wand?"
"No," said Draco.
"Yes you do," said Tonks reaching into her robes and extracting his black wand, "I found it on the mantelpiece and I knew it was yours thanks to the engraved initials DM."
Draco smiled in thanks as he took it.
"Now, not all seventh year students will go to Hogsmeade. We will need a group to remain here for injuries. I have chosen the students with best-known healing skills. They are the following twenty students," said McGonagall unrolling a list, "From Gryffindor: Colin Creevy, Merle Donaldson, Richard Cunningham, Melissa Hunter and Destiny Samson, from Ravenclaw: Jenny Lawson, Luna Lovegood, Lisa Purnell, Benjamin Cheney and Cody Wilcox, from Hufflepuff: Brooke Hampshire, Kate Johnson, Emmanuel Donaldson, Becky George and Hayden George and from Slytherin: Melinda Harper, Jessica Codsworth, Kelly Lesley, Harold Wilcox and Ivan Richards. Will those students please head to the Hospital Wing now with Madam Pompfrey and Miss Tonks."
Tonks wheeled herself out in her wheelchair after kissing Lupin goodbye. She was still too weak to walk and Pompfrey was even beginning to question is she ever would walk again.
Every fell silent as Lupin stood, "Draco, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny. It is time for you to go to Hogsmeade. We will follow but will go a different way. Remember do not attack unless Lucius or one of his followers attacks you first."
Draco remained silent knowing Lucius would not be at the battle at all. Only a solid hologram version of himself. Basically a carbon copy who could attack and be attacked.
Hermione slipped her hand into his as they walked out of the Great Hall a team of five.
"Here we go," said Ron taking a deep breath as he spoke, "It's all built up to this one big battle."
"It sure has," said Hermione remembering the punishment she went through for the world.
Draco squeezed her hand again as they climbed into the carriage that would take them to the edges of Hogsmeade.
A/N: Well here is where I leave you and here is where I will pick up from with the next chapter. But if you want that chapter you all have to review for that chapter. LOL. Anyway… please do review.
Until next time…
Love yas!
Love Coz!