Voldemort's Strongest Weakness

Viopathartic

(Vee-o-path-ar-tek)

Disclaimer: Yeah…we don't need that.


Chapter 4: The attic

Harry just couldn't understand Hermione Granger.

He was pacing in the attic, a place never discovered by Harry Potter whenever he visited the Burrow. The room was forgotten by its owners; only of few of the Weasleys' belongings were stacked away. Darkness and cobwebs occupied the space. He stood by the window with a clear view of the walkway to the house. The night sky was blanketed with stars that brightly shined. The silence gave the young wizard time to think.

Damn. I can't believe I'm going back to Hogwarts. Maybe I should runaway. I can't let Hermione and Ron get hurt, it's like everywhere I go, someone dies. I don't want that to happen to my two best friends. Or were they his best friends? Ron Weasley was certainly a brother to him but Hermione…he couldn't decide.

Sure all of these years, she helped them with homework and the famous Harry Potter's adventures--which could have killed her, by the way. But now as Harry stood there, occupied in his thoughts, he realized he and Hermione had never actually talked about anything besides the wizardry world and the wizard who seeked to kill him. Harry didn't know what Hermione liked to do besides reading and doing homework. He didn't know what she liked to eat and what she wanted to be once she graduated Hogwarts. Hell, he ddidn't even know her parents' names.

Ever since fifth year, they had drifted apart, getting into nasty arguments. Harry clearly remembered how mad he got at her whenever she nagged him. Now, he felt guilty for not treating Hermione like a friend--like his best friend.

Behind Harry, a sound was heard. Quick as a flash, he pulled out his wand for defense. A figure was seen in the shadow, creeping forward in steps. It moved closer and the moonlight cast some light on the person's face.

Harry breathed again. It was Hermione.

"Harry? Merlin, why do you have your wand out?"

"I-I thought it was Crookshanks," Harry mumbled as he lowered his wand and pocketed it in his pants' left pocket.

"You were going to stun my cat?"

Harry looked down and said sorry.

Hermione shook it off and approached him until she was face to face with him. He avoided her gaze as Hermione surveyed his face for some expression, some trace of the old Harry Potter she used to know. She knew about how hard it was for him to live his life after what had happen, but she didn't expect him to just shut himself from the people that care for him. His facial expression was blank but as Hermione read his eyes, they slowly let up how torn up he was on the inside and how all of his emotions were fighting to just break through. Anger, sadness, deprivation from love was all he was feeling.

"Harry, do you need a hug?" she asked, timidly. Harry recoiled, and he panicked as he gazed up at her. Without waiting for an answer, Hermione shyly encircled her arms around his neck and forcing him to come closer. She felt Harry stiffen at the contact but didn't let go. Soon enough, Harry relaxed and wrapped his arms around his friend's waist. Hermione smiled as her head lay on the juncture between his neck and shoulder but then frowned when she felt tears falling on her head.

Harry was crying.

She was shocked at the intensity of his emotions. She tightened her embrace on him. Harry shook violently as he sobbed away his sorrow.

"It's okay, Harry. It's okay," She kept repeating as she patted his back. She suddenly felt by overwhelmed with anger towards Voldemort and all of the evil wizards out there who were making her best friend's life a living hell. She began to cry as well. But it didn't feel wrong. They were there for each other, finally and it was okay to express their feelings.

They must have stayed like that four hours in time because once Hermione gently pulled herself away from Harry, the sun was out. She looked at him whispered, "Are you okay?"

Harry, who was wiping away any evidence of tears, gave her a nod. "Thanks, Hermione."

"That's what I'm here for, Harry. You have to know that you are not alone in the world even with Dumbledore gone. You have me, Ron, the Weasleys (she didn't mention Ginny separately), the whole entire Order of Phoenix and well there's a lot more but I can't name them all." she smiled. Harry continued to nod. Hermione decided he wouldn't cry anymore so she sat herself down across from him.

"So, where are we going to go after the wedding?"

"You haven't changed your mind?" asked Harry, disbelievingly, showing another emotion. Hermione knew he was about to argue, but she was ready.

"Bloody hell no! My mind is set. Harry Potter, Ron and I, your loyal friends who don't give a damn whether or not we die as long as we die along with you, will be there for you, no matter what. Any more protest Harry, I will seriously do things to you that will even make Voldemort scared!" Hermione said, fiercely, stopping only when she saw the most miraculous occurrence.

The corners of the mouth of the young man sitting across from her twitched and soon enough, Harry smiled. The smile was pure delight and his eyes were dancing with amusement at the ferociousness in his female best friend's voice. His whole face seemed to take a lighter turn and Hermione can finally see her old Harry Potter. His Hermione's eyes were blinded with tears and she couldn't help but jump on Harry and hugging him to death. He put his arms around her as well and actually felt happier, like his imminent death wasn't waiting for him and he was just Harry.

"Oh Harry." Hermione said, like she had just won the lotto.

He smiled wider and she could feel it too. He stroke her hair, holding her for what seemed like an eternity.

He felt better solely because of the fact that Hermione was there for him. After a few minutes, they began to discuss where they'd go after the wedding. Harry sparked some ideas like staying at the Leaky Cauldron or at Godric's Hollow. Hermione suggested for all of them to go and talk to Headmistress McGonagall about their decision to return to school and their plans. Occasional trips out of Hogwarts in search for Horcuxes were hoped for from the both of them. Then a voice downstairs interrupted them.

"Harry! Where are you?" It was Ginny's. Harry froze and Hermione seemed to know what was going through his mind.

"You don't fancy her anymore, do you Harry?"

"No." he whispered.

"How come?"

"She's just too young…I mean not in age but in experience. I've been through a lot and I'm not sure Ginny can handle the terrors in my life the way you and Ron had handled it."

Hermione looked as if she was about to say something but Harry continued, "Last term, I broke up with her because I was afraid that Voldemort will use her to get to me and I thought I loved her, but weeks away from her made me realized that my life with her was all fake. It was like I was a different person." Hermione just nodded, not pulling her gaze away. Harry suddenly thought of what Ginny had told him when they broke up and said, "Ginny said you gave her some advice about me. You told her how she should date other people-"

"Oh, I'm so sorry for that, Harry! It's just, well, you don't usually have time to have a normal life that you deserved and I thought if I told Ginny to lay low, you would actually find that you like her more as a friend. But please don't be mad. I was just trying to-"

"Hermione, stop!" Harry assured her with a small smile. "That was actually a good thing. For the first time in my life it was like I lived a normal life."

Hermione looked at Harry sheepishly.

"But you're not normal." Harry rolled his eyes, unconciously copying Hermione's trademark expression.

"How bout you and Ron?" he asked, putting the pressure on her instead.

"Oh, honestly Harry…"

"What? Last year you and Ron were driving me crazy with your games, and it's about time for the two of you to start dating."

"I don't think Ron likes me anymore." she said sullenly.

"I'll talk to him." offered Harry.

"Oh no you don't! You better not! It'll ruin our friendship and I don't want that now."

Harry hesitated. She'll never have a chance if she acts this way. It's time I become the matchmaker.

"Fine, I won't."

"Good. For that, I won't tell Ginny where you are." Hermione smiled. She got up and shuffled from the room. He couldn't help but smile to himself. It felt good to smile again.

LATER

He counted his steps slowly as he walked down into the Burrow's kitchen. He wasn't quite sure how he should act around the Weasleys anymore. Yesterday he knew how he had been "stiff" towards them and now he doesn't what they think of him.

When he appeared in the kitchen, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were reading the Daily Prophet and sipping tea. Ginny was eating some waffles and staring daggers at "Phlegm" or in other words, Fleur. After a moment, they realized his presence and smiled politely. Harry gave a curt nod and poured himself some black coffee. Hermione appeared soon after and said hello to everyone.

"Hey, Harry."

"Morning, Hermione," he greeted, smiling at her. Surprisingly, Hermione noticed the apprehension he was feeling and gave him small hug from behind. Harry gratefully returned it. The family sitting at the table stared at the two teenagers. Ginny looked as if she was about to explode. Mrs. Weasley looked at Hermione sourly but said nothing.

"Did anything come for us?" asked Hermione, oblivious to everyone's reaction. She sat down across from Ginny and Harry sat beside her, nonchalantly drinking his coffee .

"Uh… no, Hermione." answered Mr. Weasley caught off guard.

"Harry, we have to go talk to McGonagall sometime later about you know what."

"About what?" asked Ginny sharply. Hermione jumped at Ginny's request, wondering why the young girl was on the edge today.

"Um-well-some stuff we have to do while we're at Hogwarts." she answered, nervously. Her eyes shot to Harry. He shrugged and took a bite of his toast.

"The wedding is tomorrow," noted Bill, cutting through the awkward moment.

"Really?" Harry commented, shocked. This was the first time he heard about the wedding. "Where is it going to be held?" Everyone blinked again. This was probably the most conversation Harry had held during this summer.

"Er…in our backyard. Mum's going to decorate it and everything. Would you guys like to help?"

"Oooh that would be delightful!" said Hermione. Harry nodded and agreed to help.

"When's everyone coming?"

"My family you mean," asked Fleur. "Zey vill come probazie this afternoon. You remember my little zizter, Gabriel. She vill be one of ze bridesmaid along with Ginny here." The young redhead flushed, being acknowledged.

"Where's Ron?" Hermione asked. Mrs. Weasley threw her a dirty look and answered, "He's still sleeping." By the look on her face, Harry wondered why Mrs. Weasley was acting so…cold to Hermione. It was just like the time fourth year. He'll probably have to talk to her later.

"So, let's go get dear Ronald," Hermione suggested to Harry. This time he blinked. There was something in her eyes...something dangerious and mischievious...

She pulled out her wand, and it was then when Harry realized her exact intention.

"Let's choose, Harry. There's the sonorous, levicorpus--even though I don't approve of it-- and old-fashioned cold water," she suggested.

"What do you mean, children?" asked Mrs. Weasley. Everyone was a bit confused.

"Ways to wake up Ron," Harry answered. "Um, let's go with the sonorous."

He began to stand up to his friend sat him back down.

"I'll do the honors." Hermione offered sweetly. In her eyes, Harry saw the uncommon glint in her eye that meant his friend was in for the ride of his life.

After a minute or so, Harry was left alone with the Weasleys, waiting for the signal that Hermione had completed her mission. Harry went over and casually poured himself another cup of coffee.

10…9…8…7…6…5…4..

"OH WON-WON----"

"HERMIONE!" Ron shrieked.

Harry spit out the coffee that was sloshing in his mouth and held the corners of the counter to hold himself up, feeling the need to collapse on the floor and laugh his ass off.

If only he could have seen it. A moment later, a disgruntled Ron shuffled downstairs with Hermione following him, giving Harry a thumbs-up. As he sat down in the middle of Harry and Hermione, the tall redhead grumbled inaudibly, "Women can't let a man sleep…I wouldn't do that to you…such a smart ass."

"And what are you going to do about it Ronald?" Hermione inquired pleasantly. She blushed when she saw Harry wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh yeah, Ron, me and Hermione were talking last night about you-" He began mischievously until Hermione behind Ron's head and gave Harry a nice smack in the back of the head.

"Don't you dare say anything!" threatened Hermione, who was giving him a death glare. She was blushing even more!

"Fine, fine…honestly any day now..."

"Here's your eggs and bacon." A plate was placed in front of him by a small hand that reached over his shoulder.

"Thanks, Ginny." Harry said, nodding at her. She seemed to react to this; her eyes beginning to tear up once more. Finally unable to take it anymore, she ran out crying.

"Oh, Harry…" Hermione said sympathetically.

"What exactly happened between you and my only daughter last year?" asked Mr. Weasley, sternly.

"Well, sir, me and Ginny were dating last year but-

Mrs. Weasley gasped and smiled, "Oh how wonderful! Why didn't you-"

"But we broke up." He finished, avoiding her eyes.

Sensing that he wasn't going to say much more, Hermione continued for him. "Harry felt the need to protect Ginny from Voldemort. He didn't want to hurt her or put her in danger in any way when he fights against Voldemort so he broke it off. He did like her still but then…"

"That's enough." Mrs. Weasley stood up abruptly and walked off.

"I'm sorry." Harry repeated to Mr. Weasley. He waved it off with a hand.

"Don't worry, Harry. She's just going through a phase. Ginny, I mean. She'll realize that you weren't her "true love" but just a fantasy crush for the four years she'd known you."

"I can't help the feeling that Mrs. Weasley hates me now."

"Duh." said Ron, obviously. "My mum thinks you and Hermione are dating." He had a waffle midway in his mouth when he turned to his friends. "Are you guys?"

"Yeah, me and Hermione are so in love. We've just been holding our love off for six years until now. Yesterday we were snogging our brains out behind the shed and we're possibly thinking of getting married and reproducing twelve children." Harry said, bitterly thinking why Mrs. Weasley cares about who he chooses to date.

"Harry!" scolded Hermione, turning pink. Harry looked down and didn't say anymore. Everyone ate in silence for awhile until things cooled down. Ron looked disgruntled as he returned to his breakfast.

"Why do you keep on wearing black?" Hermione asked Harryafter minutes of silence

He looked up from his meal and saw her smiling. He decided to play along.

"I think I look quite fine in black."

"It makes you look like the Grim Reaper."

"Don't you like the Grim reaper, Granger?" Hermione almost smiled at his use of her last name.

"No."

"Then you don't like me?"

"Of course."

"Then why have you been hanging out me for years?"

"You obviously need help."

"Help with what?"

"Everything."

"I don't need help with eating, so everything is not everything."

"You're dripping syrup on the table."

"Shut up, Granger." Harry growled.

"Why don't you, Potter?" She asked sweetly.

"You started it."

"Started what?" Hermione stared at Harry unblinkingly and smiled.