Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Author's Note: I finally have the time to post this chapter. I had no other time this week until tonight.
Anyway this chapter was inspired by the song from The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus entitled "Your Guardian Angel". This is where things starts to reveal and the story will develop hopefully into something more exciting. Please leave reviews at the end. Thanks!
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Harry felt like his heart had stopped beating for a while. He looked at Hermione's honey brown eyes which were filled with hope. Draco and Pansy made their way to his side. They had talked about this before. As much as Draco had expressed his dislike on the probability that this would happen, Harry knew that he would be on his side. Harry looked at the other Weasleys. Fred and George were waiting anticipating and the others looked at him confusingly. Charlie shifted his eyes from Harry to Hermione.
Harry slowly removed his mask and revealed himself. Hermione's eyes welled with tears as she sobbed. "I knew it was you Harry. I knew it was you." She said. She moved closer to Harry and touched his cheeks. She then clung on to Harry and hugged him tight. Harry slowly wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her closer to him.
"I'm sorry it has to happen this way." Harry said.
"Merlin!" Mr Weasley said. "It's Harry."
"Harry my boy!" Mrs Weasley said and rushed to his side. Harry let go of Hermione and was immediately engulfed by her hugs. Tears were flowing freely down her cheeks and she covered Harry with kisses. Harry looked over at Hermione who was smiling at him. "Are you ok? Where have you been? Oh Harry it's been four years!"
Fred and George ran towards Harry and slapped him on the back. "You bastard! Where the hell have you been mate?"
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I kept my eyes on him as Fred and George ruffled his hair and kept on pinching themselves to see if everything that they are seeing was in fact true. I then looked over at the other two figures who still had their mask on. As if reading my mind, Harry got everyone's attention.
"I'm not the only one." Harry said.
The man lifted his mask and the familiar silvery eyes bored into mine. His blond hair was shorter than before. "Malfoy?" I exclaimed.
The lady lifted her mask and revealed the small face of the girl Hermione and Ginny despised in school. "Parkinson?"
"Is Ginny and Ron…" Mrs Weasley started, her voice quavering with hope. Harry nodded his head slowly and Mrs Weasley turned weak and dropped to the floor. Mr Weasley and Bill rushed to her and helped her to stand up again. Mrs Weasley began to cry loudly. I had tears in my eyes and so does Fleur. The four other Weasleys looked stunned. My heart started to race again. How could all of this happen?
"Harry you have take us to them. All of us want to see Ron and Ginny!" I pleaded.
"Of course." Parkinson said. "They have no idea that we were sent on a mission to protect their family." She smiled at me and I smiled back.
"Where is this place that all of you have been hiding? I want to know." Bill said turning serious. "I want to go there now."
"We have a hidden air base just a few kilometres from here. If we start moving now maybe we'll be there before dusk starts to break." Malfoy said.
He still had a little of bitterness in his voice. I could tell that he was hoping that none of this would happen. He was hoping that the truth would never be revealed. But why? We started walking and I wanted to ask Harry so many questions but he had walked ahead of Malfoy and Parkinson and I was wondering if he was avoiding me. Charlie walked by my side and we held hands. My stomach was churning and I didn't know why. We reached a small plane that could easily fit all of us. We were all very quiet and I know that thoughts were swarming in everybody's mind. We wanted answers to our never ending questions.
"I bet you wanted so much to say 'I told you so'". Fred whispered in my ear. I turned to face him and rolled my eyes.
"I told you so." I said in triumph. I took a peek at Harry who was sitting three seats in front of me. I was curious why he was distancing himself from me. I wanted so much to hear his voice again.
We reached a secluded area in almost an hour. Swamps and weeds were growing around the edge of the small air base. We followed Harry to a very small house, two storeys high. It looked run-down with weeds and dead flowers covering a small field in front of the house. When we reached the front door, Harry placed his palm on the door knob and we immediately heard a click.
"Wicked! How the hell did he do that?" George whispered in my ear.
Harry chuckled and turned to George. "It took me a little bit of training to be able to do that. But the door only responses to only the three of us." Harry said pointing to Malfoy and Parkinson.
George nodded his head sheepishly.
"Come on in." Harry said. All of us walked in to a warm house. The fireplace was burning furiously and the place was decorated with comfortable sofas and chairs. It looked nothing like the exterior. Something seems to be cooking in the kitchen asn I smell beef stew in the air. My stomach started to growl and I realise that I had skipped lunch that day.
"Why don't you all get comfortable…and relax." Parkinson suggested. "Harry will be here to assist you with anything." I cringed at the way she said 'Harry'. I was used to her calling him 'Potter' that it sounded foreign when she called him by his first name. "Draco and I will get Ron and Ginny for you."
We all reluctantly sat down and I took off my heels and rested my feet on the carpeted floor.
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"Seems like you have nothing against this." Draco said angrily.
"Draco, aren't you happy for Ginny? You know how much she misses her family. She talked about them every night without fail." Pansy answered.
"But what about our identity? It's ruined!"
"I trust the Weasleys."
"That's because you're in love with one of them!"
Pansy froze in her tracks. She clenched her fists tightly. "That was so uncalled for Draco!" She said and her voice quavering slightly. "Look who's talking. Aren't you in love with a Weasley too? You know what? Sometimes I wonder why the hell Ginny is with you!" She stomped off angrily and made her way to the Headquarters.
Draco chased after her. He realised that he had gone way above the limits. "Pansy! Come on! I'm sorry alright? I didn't mean that."
Pansy turned around and faced Draco. "Oh really? I should have known that guys like you didn't think before you say anything." Pansy's features soften when he saw Draco looking at the ground, obviously embarrassed at how he had talked to her earlier. She turned back towards the Headquarters and walked away from Draco. Draco hastily walked towards her and when he reached beside her, he slowed his steps.
"So did you tell him?"
"Tell who what?"
"Pansy you know what I'm talking about."
Pansy sighed. "No I have not. Draco you have to keep it a secret between us. Only Supernus and you know about it."
Draco's eyes shifted to the ground. Pansy grabbed his arm and squeezed it lightly. "Please." Pansy begged.
"Until when Pansy?"
"Until I'm ready to tell Ron."
"Alright…alright." Draco sighed.
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"Are you ok?" I opened my eyes and turned to Charlie. I smiled and nodded my head.
"I just need to go to the ladies though."
"I'll follow you." Charlie quickly said. I chuckled at his words and his ears slowly turned light pink. "I mean…"
"It's ok." I stood on tip toes and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I'll be fine." I said.
I made my way to the kitchen where Harry was. Everyone was quite hostile towards Harry especially Bill and Charlie and I found it unfair. I'm sure he didn't chose for everything to end this way. He had an apron on and was stirring something in a pot.
"Hey." I greeted.
He looked up from the pot and when his eyes met mine he smiled. "Hey."
"Is that the only word you can manage after four years missing?" I asked him teasingly. He chuckled lightly.
He stopped stirring and motioned for me to sit with him at the dining table. We sat opposite each other. "How are you?" He asked.
"Pretty good. You?"
"I'm doing quite well."
"This is surreal. I know it was you. Thanks for saving me last week." I saw him blushing just a little and it was so unlike Harry.
"Couldn't have done it without Draco and Pansy." He said humbly.
Visions suddenly flashed through my mind. I remembered the days when we were so carefree and we did not have to worry about anything. The way we had sought solace in the comfort of the Gryffindor common room and the times we rushed through Hogwarts to get to our classes had warmed my heart. We had always thought that being in Hogwarts would keep us safe but it was threatened as soon as that scornful Dolores Umbridge started to take over.
I remember the days when Ron, Harry and I would just sit beside the lake with a sandwich or two for Ron, in our hands and just laughed easily at everything. I remembered the days when Harry would stay late with me in the common room to study for our exams while Ron slept on the floor, snoring lightly. Everything had been so innocent but one monster had snatched all of that from us.
There was a moment of comfortable silence but I broke it. "You have no idea how much I miss you Harry. You, Ginny and Ron. I was left alone after the war and it was pretty hard."
"I'm sorry it had to end that way Hermione. You know I would have done anything I could to change the outcome. We all miss you too." He said. "You know that I do whatever it takes to keep you safe…even if it kills me. "
"Harry, don't say that." I felt my heart swell and was overcome by the feeling. I wanted to hug him and tell him that life was lonely without him. We heard the door open and then Mrs Weasley's cries upon seeing Ron and Ginny.
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Ginny hug her mother tightly and tears were constantly flowing down their cheeks. Ron was embraced in a hug with Mr Weasley and his brothers gathered around him, waiting for their turn.
"Oh Merlin, Ginny, my daughter. I miss you, you know that?" Mrs Weasley cried. Ginny nodded enthusiastically.
"I miss you too." Ginny managed between tears.
As soon as Ginny's eyes spotted Hermione, she ran up to her and jumped into her opened arms. Hermione almost dropped to the floor but Harry managed to hold both of them by the waist and laughed lightly at their antics.
In the corner of his eye, Charlie flinched slightly at the sight of Harry's hands around Hermione's waist. He was afraid as soon as Harry revealed himself. He was afraid that he might lose Hermione.
"Oh Hermione I miss you so much."
"I miss you too. What were you thinking not owling me all those years?" Hermione asked and they both laughed loudly.
Ron was greeted by Hermione as she jumped into his arms. "Ow!" Ron said but hold on to Hermione as tight as he could and twirled her around. "Come on Hermione I want to take a good look at you…hmmm…you look different. Your hair is definitely more tamed now."
Hermione slapped his arm tight. "Don't be such a jerk."
Ron laughed and hugged his best friend again. "I miss you Hermione. I really do."
"I miss you too."
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That night, after dinner, all of us had a good chat. Harry had promised us that he would tell us everything that had been going on since after the war. Ginny and Ron couldn't stop talking about their adventures around the globe. Malfoy was sulking the whole time and Parkinson was smiling and I saw that she was sincerely enjoying herself.
At 11PM, Ginny and I went into the room that was well-made for me. There was a big comfortable bed that I slowly sank myself into. Ginny lay down with me for a while before she had to go back to somewhere she called 'The Academy'. When she showed me the huge diamond ring on her finger, I screamed in delight but immediately frowned when she told me it was Malfoy.
"He's changed Hermione. He really did change."
"Well he was definitely the old Malfoy today. Sulking like he was better be dealing with something more important than being supportive that you finally meet your family."
"He is really passionate with what he is doing at this moment Hermione. You know, saving people." Ginny tried to reason. I rolled my eyes. "He really wanted our identity to remain a mystery but I guess you were too smart. You noticed straight away that it was Harry did you? I promise you that when he finally comes to his senses, he will be the man that had captured my heart." Ginny said dreamily.
"You're disgusting!" I said and was immediately hit by a pillow.
"Well stop talking about me. Let's talk about how you end up with Charlie." Ginny asked excitedly and I could somehow see a mixture of confusion, happiness and disappointment in her eyes.
"Well…it just kind of happen you know. Like I said, we were working practically together everyday since he started in Gringotts and well…it just happened." I said.
We heard someone knocking on the door and it opened slightly. Malfoy peered inside. "Gin we have to go. We'll come back tomorrow afternoon."
"Just five more minutes. Please?" Ginny begged.
"Alright." Malfoy gave in. "Harry, Ron, Pansy and I will be waiting for you downstairs."
Ginny turned her attention back on me and smiled. "We'll talk some more tomorrow, I promise. But Pansy and Harry would be here in the morning. Harry said he wants to cook you guys breakfast and oh he also tells me that he will be making some chocolate pudding for you. It's your favourite isn't it…he noticed."
I was surprised. I have never told Harry or Ron what my favourite dessert was but Harry had somehow come to know. "Erm..yeah."
"Well goodnight Hermione and don't tell mum that I'm engaged to Draco…I want to tell everyone myself. Promise?"
"Promise." I replied and we both hugged and said goodnight.
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Harry went around the kitchen to prepare the Weasleys a big breakfast. It had been so long since he made breakfast. Long gone were the days where he was forced by the Dursleys to wake up early in the morning and prepare a breakfast for them. Orders were barked at him to no end and he had never enjoyed making breakfast for them. Pansy walked into the kitchen a little later and helped Harry out. They worked in silence until Pansy decided to speak.
"I didn't know you have such an acceptable culinary skill."
"You never asked."
"Well, you certainly don't have cooking books lying around your room, how would I know?"
Harry shrugged and continued to fry the bacons.
"Harry…" Pansy whispered.
"Why are you whispering?" Harry whispered back.
"Because I don't want anyone else to hear our conversation!" Pansy hissed.
"What is it?"
"Well, I think you should go tell Hermione."
"Are you mad?" Harry countered.
"Harry, she's not married to Ginny's brother…what's his name again?"
"Charlie."
"Yes Charlie, and besides they have only been dating for a few weeks. If you ask me I say Hermione feels the same way too!" Pansy said defiantly as she began to mix her pancake batter more vigorously.
"What makes you think so?"
"Didn't you realise? She keeps looking at you during dinner last night."
"Well that's because we have not seen each other for four years."
"You were doing the same thing too and I know that's it's only because you're in love with her."
"Pansy stop being childish alright? I don't want to talk about this and at this rate, if we start shouting at each other, people might hear us!"
"Whatever." Pansy said and started to make the pancakes. A few seconds later, Hermione walked into the kitchen.
"Something smells good." Hermione commented.
"That's because Harry is the cook." Pansy complimented. "You know what I need the ladies now…so the two of you...chat." She exited from the kitchen quickly and Harry knew what she was trying to do.
Once she was out of sight, Hermione stood closer to Harry. "You know, it's really very weird to listen to her calling you 'Harry' and you calling her 'Pansy'…it's just weird."
Harry chuckled. "They are really nice people Hermione...Draco and Pansy. You just need some getting use to."
"That's what Ginny told me too." Hermione said laughing quietly. "I guess I'll try."
"Thanks." Harry said.
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Ginny had came in a little after breakfast with Malfoy to tell everyone of their engagement. Malfoy was uncomfortable all the while and it was nice to see him squirm. As soon as Ginny announced, the only person that congratulate them was Mrs Weasley. She had given both Ginny and Malfoy a hug. Mr Weasley, Bill, Charlie and Fred and George were expressionless but I knew all of them hated the idea of Ginny and Malfoy being engaged. They just sat there and refuse to say anything. Fleur and I stood up and gave Ginny a hug. I only managed to shake hands with Malfoy.
In the afternoon, we anxiously waited in the living room. Mrs Weasley had her hands wringing tightly around Mr Weasley's. Bill, Fleur and Micah were seated so closely together on a two-seat sofa. Fred and George both had their arms crossed and Charlie and I linked our arms together in anticipation. Harry and Parkinson told us that Ron, Ginny and Malfoy will be arriving with the person who was responsible for all these. I could hardly wait. Is this person someone we all know? Someone we thought we had lost in the war but were up and alive, protecting the Wizarding world? A lot of questions had to be answered.
About fifteen minutes of waiting was finally over. The door opened and in walked Ginny, Ron and then Malfoy. A tall figure stood at the door and we all took in a huge breath. He looked so familiar but certain features differs him from the person that we all had in mind. His arms were longer and so was his face but his long white beard were all we needed to see if he was really who he was.
"He looks like…" Fred said.
"No, he couldn't be." George said in awe.
"Albeforth Dumbledore?" Mr Weasley asked.
The man in front of us smiled appreciatively.
"Who?" Charlie asked when he whispered in my ear.
"Alberforth Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore's brother." I said and eyed the man carefully.
"I'm glad that Invictus here had decided to bring all of you here." He said pointing to Harry.
"But how…this is…" Mr Weasley stuttered.
"Everything will be explained Arthur. I assure you. But for now, I want all of you to stay right here. Arthur, your family is in quite a great danger. Ferox and Imperiosus will tell you why. Meanwhile, I have make arrangements that all of you will get your needed and valuable belongings from your house. Callide and Invictus will be following your family back to your house." Alberforth said to Mr Weasley. "And Ms Granger, Eversor, will be the one following you to get your things from your apartment."
I looked at Malfoy who was smirking at me. I was about to protest when Charlie reached for me and hold me before I lunged at Alberforth. I was practically fuming. This Alberforth surely didn't know that I did not have a good history with Malfoy. How was he supposed to be guarding me while I collect my stuff when he could practically jeopardise my life on purpose? This was insane!
"I will meet you all once again as soon as you come back.
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"Charlie I will be fine." I assured him. "I don't think he will do anything to me. Ginny has assured me that and she also said that Malfoy will never endanger his job for anything. So I guess I'll be alright."
"You don't sound sure yourself Hermione so what make you think that I should not worry?" Charlie asked.
"Look at me." I said and Charlie brought his eyes to mine. "I'm going to be fine and before you know it, I might just be cuddling next to you in like an hour." I teased and he chuckled at that. "You like that idea don't you?"
"Alright alright. I'll see you later." He said and kissed my forehead. He turned to join his family and just a few steps later, he turned to me. "Keep your wand handy. Hex him straight if he does anything stupid." He advised.
I laughed and nodded my head. I knew that he does that to make sure that I would take good care of myself. He regards Malfoy as a potential enemy at that moment and I had to agree. I walked towards Malfoy who had his arms folded across his chest, tapping his feet impatiently on the ground. As soon as he saw me, he went over to the driver's seat and started the engine. I just had to find it hilarious that Malfoy was going to drive a muggle vehicle. As far as I could remember, he hates anything muggle. I got in the car and fastened my seat belt. He drove in silence and I kept my lips tight. My hand was inside my pocket, fingering my wand, getting myself ready just in case anything happens.
"You know, you can keep your hands off your wand and just relax." He suddenly said. I startled and looked at him. "I'm serious."
"Oh what makes you think I shouldn't have thoughts of protecting myself against you?" I asked.
"I'm just saying that I had a plan in my mind to do whatever Supernus have sent me to do…to protect you and that's exactly what I'm going to do."
"Come on Malfoy, do you think it's that easy? So what if you had turned to the good side before the war. That doesn't explain anything. For all I know, you might just be a coward and decided to turn to us for protection." I spat.
Malfoy knuckles turned white as he tightened his hands around the steering wheel. I definitely had triggered some anger. "Just so you know, I'm trying so hard to be patient here and not get angry over your stupid and childish ranting. Ginny told me you will be tough…but like I didn't know…so I would appreciate it that for the remaining hour that you are going to be seated right here with me, you could just keep quiet and just relaxed." He said calmly and turned to stare at me right in the eye. "Understood Hermione Granger?"
I was not going to let that steely grey eyes scare me. They never had. So I stared back at him and smiled sweetly. "Of course Draco Malfoy…understood fully. I'm doing this for Ginny."
"Of course, I'm doing this for her too." He said defiantly.
I crossed my arms angrily and stared out the window. I can't help but saw the fact that he does really care about Ginny. He looked like he was sincere about his feelings towards her. I tried to relax and ignored him for the rest of the ride. I fell asleep for the rest of the journey and was rudely awaken by him.
"Get up! We're here." He said pushing my arm. He smirked when I stared at him. I rubbed my eyes lightly and got out of the car. He was right behind me as I walked up to my apartment. I was aware that he was scrutinising every inch of my comfort zone and I dislike it. He was eyeing my kitchen, my living room and even my bedroom.
"Quite a nice place you got here." He said and I was shocked he said that but I remained quiet so that we would not get into another argument. "So Ginny told me that all your neighbours are wizards and witches?"
I nodded my head.
"Cool, so I guess I can just start to fly curses around the house and they won't suspect anything right?"
I stopped packing and turned towards him. "What does that mean Malfoy?"
He sighed patiently. "I'm just saying that if any attack were to happen, I guess it is ok for me to fight without caution. Hey I really mean it when I said that I will protect you alright."
"Fine. It's noon anyway, the place is deserted at this time, and everybody's working."
"Then I guess this will be fine." Malfoy and I turned towards the voice and were greeted by a curse that was directed towards them. Malfoy pulled me aside and dragged me towards my room.
"Who was that?" I asked getting panic.
"Enemy." Malfoy simply said. "I want you to go hide somewhere safe while I fight these wizards."
"I want to help!" I said defiantly.
"No! Didn't you hear what I said? GO NOW!" He persistently said.
I ran away and hide in the closet in the guest room. I cast a protection spell around the room to prevent from any break-ins. I sat down on the floor in silence as echoes of curses and screams filled the tiny closet. My heart jumped at the sound of anguishes and screams of pain. There seemed to be more than one of them and Malfoy was all alone, fighting and…protecting me. He was true to his word and if he didn't get out of this alive, I swore that I would not forgive myself.
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REVIEWS PLEASE!!!
sam: Oh i have been waiting for your arrival...LOLX! I'm happy to find out that you thought this story has an exciting plot. I wasn't sure that it would go well but I'm just gonna post it anyway.
fleeting.ideas: You are always cracking me up!!! Well i thought i should include Ron lovey dovey story this time coz my last story have nothing much about Ron except he met an original character and fell in love. So i thought this time, i want him to have a story with one of the HP characters. Keep on reading!!!
NaughtyBunny: Thanks...do keep on reading and tell me what you think is good or bad.