Chapter Seven- Confessions in the rain

"Oh Harry, you're really stupid." Ron was staring at him, shaking his head. They were at the Leaky Cauldron, and Harry looked around. He drank from his glass deeply, feeling the firewhisky burning his throat.

"I had to do it," Harry said. "Otherwise, Remarque and Navitek will kill her. Remigius was just the beginning."

"Anyway, you hated me for cheating on her," Ron snorted. "Ironic? I think not."

"Shut up," Harry said miserably. "I still don't know how to handle things with Raven."

"Tell Raven that you're in love with Eris," Ron said lazily. "And so on. And talking about Eris… What's up with her?"

"Ron, are you honestly asking me that? I'm the most miserable on Earth right now," Harry said.

"Yeah, probably the most miserable man in the entire Universe," Ron mocked. "But I need some information on this girl. She's cute."

"You're a git," Harry sighed. "Well… I really don't know a lot about her. But she's quite nice, if you like the kind of woman that throws books to your face."

"Perfect," Ron said as he raised his glass. "Let's have a toast."

"What for?" Harry mumbled.

"To Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, The Chosen One," Ron said with a malicious twinkle in his eyes. "The-Man-Who-Comes-Up-With-The-Worst-Breakup-Lines-Ever. To you, my dear friend."

"Thanks," Harry said unhappily. "I wish I could… Forget it. I'm so tired, I should go home."

"Please do," Ron nodded. "I'll hang around for a little while."

"Bye," Harry said in a depressed tone as he left two Galleons on the table.

"Hey, my treat," Ron said as he pushed the Galleons toward Harry. "I still owe you like a million galleons."

Harry nodded and disapparated.

Two hours later, at Harry's apartment

Harry rolled in his bed, not able to sleep. He was still thinking in Hermione's teary face. He couldn't believe he was capable of so much pain.

"Can't sleep, eh?" Harry opened his eyes and sat up. He drew out his wand and he heard a chuckle.

"You wish I was Navitek, huh?" Raven said in the dark. Harry reached out for his glasses and saw Raven standing in his bedroom's doorway.

"Raven, what are you doing here?" Harry asked wearily.

"You owe me an explanation," Raven said as she sat on Harry's bed. "You fought with Hermione because of me."

"Oh." Harry didn't say a word and Raven shook her head.

"Are you still in love with me?" Raven asked. "Honestly."

"Honestly?" Harry asked. "No, Raven. I'm sorry."

Raven stared at him and sighed. "I knew it. You're an idiot."

"You're not the only one who thinks that," Harry muttered.

"I know. Why did you lie to her?" Raven asked. "Is this because of the photographs. Do you think that Navitek and Remarque will kill her?"

"They will stop at nothing," Harry said. "I fear for her safety."

"But you don't fear for mine," Raven said coldly.

"It's not like that…" Harry started.

"Harry, I'm not mad," Raven said. "I want to die. I don't belong here anymore, I was supposed to die that night for a reason."

Harry looked at her. "When I woke up, and realized that I was alive again, I freaked out. I need to die," Raven said, a pleading tone in her voice. "So if Navitek comes to get me, I won't hesitate. Do you understand that?"

"But Raven…" Harry said. "I don't want to lose you again."

"Hey, you survived the first time," Raven grinned. "You will survive the second one."

Harry sighed and Raven moved closer to him. "It's not worth it to lose the relationship you have with Hermione," Raven said. "Tell her the truth. Tell her why you broke up with her. She will understand, Harry. She loves you deeply, and she will understand."

Harry stared at Raven and realized that she was right. "But what about Navitek and Remarque? They will try to hurt her," Harry said.

"They won't," Raven assured him. "I have signed a contract with the Auror Office, and we will be working together to catch these two lunatics. We will have them in no time. Meanwhile, Hermione will be protected by a special protection squad Eris and I hired. She will be fine."

"Why are you doing all this?" Harry asked.

"Because I love you," Raven said. "And true happiness is found when you wish nothing but the best to the person you love."

Raven moved closer and kissed Harry softly on the lips. She drew away and sighed. "Now, go and look for your girlfriend and tell her everything."

Harry grinned and got out of bed. He got into his bathroom and got dressed quickly. He left the bathroom and walked to the living room, where Raven was waiting. "The Protection Squad will arrive at Hermione's apartment tomorrow morning at four am. It would be nice if you tell her that before she wakes up and finds four huge guys in her kitchen."

"I think it's a good idea," Harry chuckled. He looked at his clock and frowned. "It's midnight. Maybe I'll wake her up."

"Considerations apart, Mr. Potter," Raven grinned. "Go and tell her."

"Yeah…" Harry walked over to Raven and hugged her. Raven hugged him back and pushed him away gently. "Now, go," Raven said, her voice a bit croaky. "Before I change my mind and become an evil witch."

Five minutes later, at Hermione's door.

Harry knocked three times but nobody answered. He knocked again. "Hermione, it's me, Harry!" Harry yelled, but still no answer. Harry started to get worried, and drew out his wand. He opened the door and entered the apartment.

"Hermione?" He asked and silence greeted him. He searched all through the apartment and there was no trace of Hermione. He felt nervous and looked through the window on Hermione's living room. And he saw her.

She was walking toward the building, and Harry disapparated. Hermione screamed as Harry appeared in front of her and she punched him right on the face.

"Harry?" She asked as Harry buried his face in his hands, moaning in pain. Harry took his wand and pointed it to his nose, and the pain stopped.

"I'm sorry about the punch," Hermione said coldly. "But if you excuse me, I have to get some sleep."

"Hermione!" Harry called, as Hermione walked away. It started to rain, and Harry blinked constantly to keep out water from his eyes.

He finally reached Hermione, and grasped her arm gently. "What? What do you want?" She said, her voice very weak.

"I'm not in love with her, Hermione," Harry said. "I'm not in love with Raven."

"But… you said…" Hermione croaked.

"I lied," Harry said. "I had to, so everyone could believe that I was over you. So you didn't get hurt. I wanted to protect you."

"You could have told me, Harry!" Hermione cried. "Instead of breaking my heart like this! I don't care if a million dark wizards are after you, I will always be by your side! Why can't you understand that? Why do you have to play the hero, Harry?"

Harry embraced her tightly and Hermione clung to him, sobbing her heart out. "I love you so much, Hermione," Harry breathed. "I'm sorry for causing you so much pain."

"It's okay," Hermione said as she drew away and looked at him. "But I love you more than anything, and I understand the things you do. But you don't have to do that kind of things to protect me."

They were both soaking wet, and the air was suddenly cold. Harry kissed Hermione's forehead and drew away slowly. They kissed passionately, not caring about the cold rain.

They drew away, and they both burst out laughing. "I can't believe this," Hermione said. "To be here by your side, right now."

Harry smiled and thought of something. He realized he wanted to be with Hermione for the rest of his life. He wanted to marry her. And this was the right moment to tell her, it didn't matter that he didn't have a ring in that moment. He had to tell her.

"Hermione would you…?" Harry started. But suddenly they heard a piercing scream coming from an alley and Hermione pushed Harry away.

"Did you hear that?" Hermione gasped. And Harry realized that he had heard that screaming before.

"Eris," Harry muttered as he ran to the alley. Eris was still screaming her heart out, and Harry finally arrived to the alley. He heard Hermione stopping behind him, and he peered through the darkness.

"Potter!" Eris toppled into Harry's arms, and Harry saw that her curly hair was soaking with… blood.

"Eris! Oh no, Eris!" Harry said as he carried Eris away. "It's my fault, Potter," Eris croaked. "My fault."

"No, Eris, no," Harry said. "We'll take you to St. Mungo's immediately."

"Don't help me… I'm your enemy," Eris gasped.

"Of course you're not," Harry snapped. "Calm down, we'll be at St. Mungo's in no time."

Eris started sobbing hysterically and Harry pulled her closer.

"Potter, listen to me," Eris pleaded. "I work… I worked for Remarque and Navitek."