Chapter 20- Man or Wolf pt 2
When Hermione finally realized that Harry was carrying her off she started to protest against his strong arms. "Put me down Harry. What's going on?" He stopped, and gently set her feet on the floor.
"I'm going to get something to eat, then we're leaving." He said taking her hand and leading her further down the hall towards the kitchen. She shook her head and pulled her hand from his grasp.
"Harry, what was that back there? You could have hurt someone! Besides, you should be resting." She said. Harry turned back to her, a growl coming from deep within his chest. It scared her enough to back up against the wall.
"They were trying to separate you from me. I will never let that happen. You are safe, as long as you're with me." He said, stepping closer.
She finally noticed his eyes. The normal green was gone, and replaced with a pale yellow. It sent shivers down her spine. He wasn't her Harry anymore. "I don't feel very safe." She said.
He stopped dead in his tracks and shook his head. What was he doing? He was acting like he was stalking his prey, Hermione being the prey. He needed to get control, and fast, before he hurt someone else.
Hermione watched him closely. He was acting like he was fighting himself, the way he was rubbing his forehead and squeezing his eyes shut. When he did open them again and look at her, there was more green. Harry must have gotten back some control.
"Hermione, I'm sorry. Something's wrong with me. I can't seem to stay in control, I want to act more like an animal." He said. She reached out and touched his arm, and she saw him physically relax. As if her touch brought him peace.
"It's okay Harry. It's obvious you need to avoid a lot of people right now. Lets just get you someplace quiet, where you can relax." She said softly, rubbing his arm.
His body tensed and he looked down the hallway, a look of confusion, then anger, on his face. "What is it?" She asked.
"I can hear them. They're still in the great hall, but I hear them." He said, focusing. He growled and continued down the hall till he reached the painting of the fruit basket. He rubbed the pear and the door swung open.
"Master Harry Potter and Mistress. Granger. We is pleased to see you in the kitchen once more. What can we get for you?" A house elf greeted them, his arms full of dishes. Hermione offered to help but he refused.
"I need meat, enough for a few days. Along with some food for Hermione. Were going away and need supplies for a week or so." Harry said. The house elf nodded then hustled further into the kitchen.
Before Hermione could ask what was going on he turned to her and again he sent shivers down her spine. "I overheard them talking about sedating me and locking me up. I can't let them do that. I can't let them take you away from me." He said running his hand through his hair making it even more messier than it was.
Hermione stayed quiet and thought about what was going on. Why was Harry so concerned about them being separated? Until she started to put the pieces together. He fought off Draco and Ron when they got near her, and now he was getting them away from here because he didn't want them apart. Harry was acting more wolf than man at the moment. Had he chosen his mate?
The house elf returned with two backpacks full of stuff. "Here Master Potter is a week worth of supplies and food for you and Mistress Granger. Safe travels to you both." Harry grabbed the backpacks and handed one to Hermione while he placed the other on his back.
She took the bag and put it on as well. "Do you have your wand?" He asked. She nodded as he opened the portrait for her. They stepped through and Harry's head snapped to the left again. "They're coming. Hermione, I giving you the option to come with me. Please."
She looked at him and saw the honesty in his sharp green eyes. He really did want her there, and not because his werewolf instincts were telling him so. She nodded and he scooped her up into his arms again. Truth be told she was beginning to like being swept off her feet.
With a final look down the hall, he took off in the other direction. Hermione struggled to hold on as he moved super fast. They were out of the castle and half way down school grounds before she realized he was using werewolf speed. Question was: Where was he taking her?
"Sorry Remus. They're gone. The house elves mentioned they stopped by for food and seemed normal to them. No 'wolf-Harry' so to speak." Draco said as he and Ron returned. The rest of the group sat around the great hall discussing tactics for the next death eater attack.
Remus sighed and sat down. Tonks looked over and could see just how upset he was. She excused herself and walked over to where he was sitting. "Hey, how are you feeling?" she asked sitting next to him.
He looked up, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. "I'm worried about Harry." He simply said.
"You said he's chosen his mate. He won't hurt Hermione will he?" she asked leaning forward so they could keep their conversation private.
"It normally depends on the caring nature of the werewolf's human aspect. However Harry is a different case. He's gained control over his werewolf half spiritually but physically it's a different story. Which explains why he's stuck in the middle right now. We can only hope Hermione is safe from him." Remus said, sighing in frustration and more than likely exhaustion.
"Don't worry Remus. We all know how much Harry loves Hermione, even before he became a wolf. In fact, she's probably the only thing keeping him sane right about now. Besides, you should let the people who love you do that for you, no matter the risk." She said.
Remus looked up at her and made eye contact. She wasn't just speaking about Harry and Hermione.
Harry stopped when they reached the outskirts of Hogsmead. They were at the old cave where Harry met Sirius while he was still in hiding. He gently set Hermione down again and leaned against the stone wall. He was covered in sweat and hunched over trying to catch his breath.
Hermione reached out and touched his shoulder. "Harry, where do you plan on taking us?" She asked. He looked up and stared into her chocolate eyes. He heart calmed and his breathing eased. Overall he felt better just by being with her. He couldn't quite figure it out. His senses were flooded with her. He knew he cared for her deeply, but why allow it to take over him completely?
"We need to go to Riddle's house before we go to Godrics Hollow. Hopefully I can find information as to the next…I need you to make the portkey." He said. She looked at him like he was crazy.
"Harry, we can't. Voldemort might be there and we wont have any back up." She said. He grabbed her shoulders and tried to calm her down.
"I understand it's dangerous, which is why I'm leaving you here until I return with what I need. Look, I wish we have time to simply go at everything one at a time but Voldemort is gaining followers and we still have the items to destroy." He said.
She stepped back and turned from him. She couldn't look at him and make a wise decision without him affecting her choice. He was right however. They needed that information and Godric's Hollow would be a good place for them to hide out. She had found its location and everyone believed it to still be in shambles. It probably was but between the two of them they could fix it up and use the location to destroy the Horcruxs.
"Fine but I'm coming with. I'm not afraid of Voldemort, but I am afraid of losing you. I'll feel better if I'm there to protect you." She said. Harry shook his head no and stood tall.
"I will not put you at risk. You mean to much to me." He said.
Hermione wanted to scream out in frustration. "I won't send you off where you could be killed Harry! I can't stand the though of losing you. The year without you was hell on earth, and I won't let you keep me from danger when you valiantly walk into it. I couldn't survive it this time Harry."
She was on the verge of tears as he grabbed her shoulders and held her only a breath away from him. He could hear the heartbreak in her voice, see the tears ready to fall. All for him, and he wouldn't be able to bear the sight of her crying over him.
"I love you Harry. Don't leave me again." she said the tears starting to fall.
At those words his heart swelled. "Hermione," She looked up at him. Their eyes locked and he leaned forward. He captured her lips with his. It was slow, meaningful. He was telling her he was hers and she was his. His mate.
He pulled back, ending their lip-lock. Her eyes were closed, her lips swollen and red. "I love you too." He said them, those three words that bound him to her. He pulled her into his chest and closed his eyes, allowing his senses to soak her in, all of her.
"Harry, what does this mean?" She asked against his strong chest. She took in a deep breath of his scent. He had a distinct smell of summer, and wind. It was calming and she felt at home in his arms.
"You mean us?" He asked, feeling her nod against his chest. "Well, one thing is for sure. I'm not going anywhere without you. I do know that the wolf in me is claiming you as it's own. As much as I like the feeling that I'm having, I do know that I'm yours. However the question is: are you willing to be with me and all my flaws?" He asked, praying her answer would be yes.
"Harry, I don't care if your half wolf or half cool whip. All that matters to me is if you're you and I'm with you. I'm by your side as long as you want me there." She said.
Harry wanted to dance in the rain, jump up and down and shout it to the world. Hermione Granger was willing to be his girlfriend and that she loved him. Bring on the world, bring on the war, bring on Voldemort. Nothing could stop him now.
He smiled down at her and pulled back. "I hate to kill the mood, but the sooner we get this war over with the sooner we can snuggle up on a cozy couch and a warm fire."
She smiled at the thought then got to work making a portkey to the riddle house. Hopefully the place would be empty of people, but full of the information they needed.
Remus and the rest of the leading Order members sat around great hall still talking. The other members and the younger ones had all retired for the evening.
"Remus I understand that Harry is going through something right now and you feel its okay to leave him with Hermione. Lets hope you're right." McGonagall said.
"Don't worry. Hermione will be safest with Harry. He loves her and has chosen her as his mate. He'd die before any harm comes to her." Remus said, easing everyone's worry's.
"What do you think they're up to?" Madeye questioned.
"Harry will be wanting to continue with his mission. More than likely they're working on that." Tonks said.
"And what mission is that?" Mr. Weasly asked.
"An important one that will give us the advantage on Voldemort. I don't have the authority to give out any details." Tonks said.
"And who does?" Molly asked.
"That would be Dumbledore and Harry." Remus said.
Hermione finished making the portkey for the riddle house. She had found an old shoe further in the cave. Perhaps it had been a chew toy for Sirius but she wasn't going to mention that to Harry. He finally seemed to have his emotions under control and thus control over the wolf inside. She could only imagine how going to Godrics Hollow was going to affect him.
"All set Harry." She said walking over with the old shoe. Harry stood and gathered their bags. He'd just finished eating some meat. She hadn't noticed if he'd cooked it or not. She didn't want to know.
"Okay then, lets go." He said reaching out and grabbing the shoe. He felt the familiar pull at his naval and they were off. Seconds later they landed on some soft grass, cushioning their fall.
The old mansion stood tall and run down. The grounds were overgrown and the old cemetery , from what Harry could see, was still busted up by his fight with Voldemort. Hopefully the information was still here. Harry stayed close to the ground and made sure Hermione was behind him for cover.
He didn't hear or smell any other humans. They made their way to the back door, which was covered in ivy vines. He pushed open the door, which creaked in response. The old kitchen was covered in dust, and the cabinets were falling off. They softly stepped through the old kitchen and living room. Any information they could use would be upstairs or downstairs in the basement.
"What do you expect to find?" Hermione asked.
"Voldemort's father lived in this house. In fourth year, Voldemort used this as a base, even had me portkeyed to the back yard where the old cemetery is, where his father is buried. However Voldemort hated his father and thus wouldn't be associated with this place. So where else would he hide the information or location of one said valuable object." Harry said, starting to go upstairs.
Hermione agreed with him. The one spot no one would look would be where you despise, so why not hide it here? Hopefully, he was right, and they'd find a valuable clue. The old stairs creaked as they went up. Their feet rose the dust and caused her to sneeze.
They reached upstairs and found the old room at which Voldemort and Wormtail had set up shop. Harry began to search the room and Hermione followed suit. They looked under every surface and under the rug. Harry found a loose board under the rug and lifted it. Inside was a leather bound book. Harry pulled it out,
"Found something." He said, gathering Hermione's attention.
"Don't open it just yet." She said. She walked over and pulled out her wand. She checked it, without finding and traps or hexes placed on it. She nodded and he opened the cover.
Dear Harry Potter,
Hopefully you listened to my advice and found this journal. Inside is a collection of notes on what Voldemort has been up to and will hopefully guide you to his defeat. Take this information as my way of making everything up to you. I still owe you my life dept and will repay you.
Wormtail.
Hermione read over his shoulder then looked over at him. "He told you this was here?" She asked.
He nodded, "He said something about the Riddle house, but couldn't give too many details." He continued to flip through the pages until he found a map. Hogwarts had a book, the cave had an amulet, and other locations had other items. The items that he believed to be the Horcruxes. But where were the locations?
A cup was on what appeared to be a house or cottage. The other item was a snake with a green skull, it looked like the dark mark.
"Looks like I've found a map. This also has information on what Voldemort has planned and is doing, as well. This information is good up until the end of sixth year." Harry said. Hermione took the book and over looked the pages.
"This talks of an army of creatures. But we already know about the dementors. He does mention the recruiting of trolls and werewolves. Some of this may be useful." Hermione said as Harry continued to search the room.
The search continued for an hour but they didn't find anything else but dust and dirt. "You ready to go?" Hermione asked holding up the old shoe. Harry joined her, putting the journal in his pocket.
"I don't know. This is my 'home' were talking about. The place where my parents were killed." He said. Hermione touched his cheek trying to soothe him.
"Harry, I know this is going to be hard. You believe it will be a safe place for us to go and stay long enough to find the missing horcuxes. Besides, you really don't need to be around people." She said.
Harry leaned into her palm and breathed heavily. "Yeah, besides I was bound to go back eventually. Why not now?" With that he grabbed the old shoe and felt the familiar pull at his naval.
Authors note: Okay so here's the next update and it's a rather long one. I went and saw the Harry Potter movie tonight and it rocked. I loved it, and speaking of videos, I have a video for this fan fiction. It can be found at youtube "Harry Potter and the Blood Risen Moon" by nothinginyourface. I can't wait to hear back from you all. I always enjoy your reviews weather they be bad or good.