A/N: ok here's chapter 19 enjoy.

The two-way mirror: Yes it was. Sorry it took me so long to update this time. What makes you think I'm gonna put Harry and Hermione together? I might, I might not. You'll have to keep reading to find out...

Zarroc: Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Keep reading

Romulus Magnus: Thanks. We'll see. Yeah, Hagrid has to come to grips with a lot of things...

The ORIGINAL Meathead: Thanks. Glad you like it so much. Here's chapter 19. Enjoy!

disclaimer: i do not own Harry Potter or any characters

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"What's that, Harry?" Hermione questioned, hoping it wasn't what she was thinking. Harry took a deep breath before answering her.

"I have to go fight Voldemort," he replied flatly. Hermione gasped in horror that her thought came true.

"No, Harry, you can't," she said. "You just can't. It's too dangerous."

"Hermione's right, Harry," Ron agreed. "I mean, he's stronger than you. He could..." Ron's voice trailed off.

"Kill me?" Harry finished. "I know. But I can also defeat him. I know I can."

"Harry," Hermione began, standing and looking him straight in the eyes, "you can't do this. I have no doubt in my mind that you'll win, but I think it's still too dangerous and I really don't want to take the risk of losing you."

Harry stood silent for a moment, gazing into Hermione's deep brown eyes. He was very tempted to stay if it would make her happy. But his mind was set, and he knew what he had to do.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," he said. "He killed my parents. I have to do this." Hermione looked into his eyes for a moment longer before turning and rushing up the stairs into the girls' dormitory without another word. Harry sighed. The last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt her, and now he has.

"I'm worried too Harry. But if you really feel you need to do this, then you should," Ron assured his friend. Harry smiled up at him, although feeling unsure now.

"Thanks, Ron."

The next day, Hermione got up early to make sure she wouldn't run into Harry or Ron. She was extremely against Harry going off to battle. She knew she had to stop it.

Hermione pulled on some clothes and hurried down into the common room and through the portrait to the hallways of Hogwarts. She made her way down a flight of stairs, her shoes clicking on the floor being the only sound. Quickly, she hurried down a hallway, beginning her search.

'I can't let him go through with this,' she thought to herself. 'He means too much to me. He's my best friend. I'm doing the right thing.'

Hermione rounded a corner and almost ran right into-

"Professor McGonagall!" Hermione exclaimed. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's perfectly all right, dear, but why are you in the halls this early in the morning?" McGonagall asked. Hermione took a deep breath while wondering if what hse was about to do really was the right thing.

"I really need to talk to you," she began. "You see, Harry's been talking and he's really serious about it-"

"About what, Miss Granger?" McGonagall asked.

"Professor, he wants to go after Voldemort and fight him to the end."

Back in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron had just entered from their dormitory, expecting to see Hermione.

"I wonder where she's at," Ron said.

"Maybe she's still sleeping," Harry suggested before setting his Herbology books down on the nearest table. "I have a major test today and really need to study for it."

"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed. "That's today?" Harry nodded. "Oh, shit. I really need to study too."

"Well-" Harry was cut short when the portrait swung open and Professor McGonagall entered, followed by Hermione who looked terribly embarrassed.

"Harry Potter!" McGonagall exclaimed. Harry stood and waited for the professor to reach him.

"Yes, ma'am?" he asked.

"I have just been informed of something terrible," she began and Hermione hid her face behind her hand as she began to blush.

"And what would that be, Professor?" Harry asked, although quite sure he already knew what Hermione had revealed.

"Mr. Potter, do you have plans on fighting the Dark Lord?" she asked and the common room grew quiet instantly; all eyes were on Harry.

"Yes, Professor, I do," Harry replied, firmly. Professor McGonagall was silent for a moment, and Hermione tried to keep her face hidden.

"Come with me, Potter," McGonagall instructed and turned to leave the common room. Harry followed without looking at Hermione.

The two of them exited the Gryffindor common room and began a walk that Harry had been on many times. They proceeded through many hallways that Harry vividly remembered, and continued walking until Harry looked up and was face to face with a large gargoyle. Professor McGonagall gave the password and the gargoyle Harry was looking at moved aside.

"Come on, Potter," Professor McGonagall said shortly, talking for the first time since they left the common room.

Harry stepped on the oh-so-well remembered staircase after McGonagall and they were on their way up. When they reached the top, Harry watched as Professor McGonagall knocked on the door of their destination: Porfessor Dumbledore's office.

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A/N: And that's that. I'll post chapter 20 soon. I hope you liked that one though. Review and let me know what you think.