Chapter 5: Bad News and a Sad Song

He was 30 minutes late and she was getting impatient. Another hour later she spotted messy black hair rushing fast into the café. She saw Harry with the guiltiest look on his face practically run to the seat beside her, "I'm so sorry 'Mione. The meeting ran a bit long." He kissed her cheek but she just glared at him.

"A bit? You're an hour and a half late!" She was furious. He had promised it would only be a few minutes. He should have told them to piss off and let them have a nice anniversary but he didn't and she was mad.

"I know and I'm sorry. They… they had something to discuss and we got into a… argument." He made it sound like more and Hermione's anger was replaced by curiosity.

"An argument about what exactly?" She saw that Harry was avoiding her gaze and this made her angry again. "Harry James Potter, tell me now!" His head snapped up as he looked into her eyes. She could tell by his uneasy expression that he was debating whether to tell her the truth. Hermione put a hand on his on the table to ensure that she wouldn't be mad at him anymore.

"Harry you can tell me. I love you and nothing will change that." She searched his eyes for a sign that he believed her. She didn't find it. "I know Hermione…but…" She interrupted him with her finger on his lips. She leaned in a kiss him. Soon enough their tongues intertwined and tangoed. She pulled away slowly and said, "Now tell me."

Harry licked his lips nervously. He sighed that can't be good. "Voldemort is attacking." He said simply. Hermione drew in a sharp breath and let in out just a quickly. She was hoping it was no big deal but here he was saying that you-know-who was surfacing in violence. "He's attacking muggles and wizards alike and they think that he may attack Hogwarts in search for me."

"What does this mean?" Hermione asked although she was certain of the answer. "It means…" Tears formed in his eyes as he said this. "It means that I have to leave. It means I have to face him myself before he kills anyone else. I have to defeat him once and for all. Alone." He tried to make it clear that he was facing the most evil wizard of all time by himself without any aid.

"NO!! I won't let you leave me! You can't go face the most powerful dark wizard of all time. You'll get killed!" Hermione stood and stormed out of the café. Once a safe distance from Harry calling after her she apparated(spelling?) to her room. How could he agree to face Voldemort ALONE!? How could he love her then leave her to face the world without him?

Ron knocked at the door while Hermione was still in angry tears. She said to come in. She needed someone to talk to anyway. Ron walked in and took a seat at the side of her bed. She sat up and crossed her legs, leaning against her pillows that were now damp.

"Harry told me everything. I can understand why you're upset. I really can but… you can't waste the little time you have with him being mad at him. He doesn't leave for another two months. Take advantage of those months while you can. You love him don't you?" His words cut deep. How could someone as thick as Ron be so deep? She thought about what he had said.

"Yes, I love him deeply. It's just the thought of him out there alone, knowing that he may not come back to me. I can't be left alone again." Ron hugged her trying to comfort her. "I know Hermione, but he will return to you. Why don't you go talk to him? He's waiting for you downstairs." Hermione nodded but quickly added, "I think I should clean up first though. Tell him I'll be down in a minute."

Ron nodded and left her room. Hermione stood and changed out of her wrinkled cloths into short sweat pants and a dark blue tank top. She walked up to the mirror and still saw he red eyes and tear streaks. She got a towel and wiped her face and tried everything she could to cover up all the signs of her crying session, even a few spells.

She walked down carefully to the common room and spotted Harry sitting on the couch, very tensely, staring at the dancing flames in the mahogany fire place. As if sensing her presence he looked up at her and jumped from his perch to take her into his embrace. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered sorry in his ear.

"No, I'm sorry Hermione. I should have told you in a different place or something… honestly I didn't want to tell you but you deserved to know… I don't want to leave either but… he's killed so many already…"Hermione cut him off with a passionate kiss. Ron was right, she didn't want to waste the little time she had with him and the ball was in three weeks so she was glad to know they could at least share that night.

She pulled away to see Harry's face lit up and smiling. "I understand completely. I love you and I don't want to waste any time being mad at you for something that is out of your control." Harry's smiled widened as he kissed her cheek, "I love you 'Mione." Hermione chuckled and went over to the couch with Harry on her heals. He sat down before she could and pulled her into his lap. He wrapped one arm around her waist and the other played with her hair absently. He leaned against the arm of the sofa and she leaned into him. Her arms wrapped around his arm on her waist and they stared into the fire talking. Ron and Luna soon joined them on the sofa next to theirs.

"Glad to see I said the right thing this time." Ron remarked making everyone laugh but Harry. He had no idea what Ron had said.

(A month later…)

Hermione was sitting in her room starring at the mirror. Ginny stood behind her doing her hair and makeup. The Masquerade Ball was tonight. It was 5:30 so they had an hour and a half before the ball was to start. Hermione was already dressed as for Ginny, Luna, Lavender and the Patil sisters who were all in her room to get ready together.

All the girls looked absolutely beautiful but Hermione had doubts about how she looked. Harry had said she was beautiful countless times but he's her boyfriend, he's supposed to saw that. Hermione thought that fact discredited his opinion. She never felt good about herself and it showed. She always wore very modest clothing to Harry's dismay, and she never like to where any makeup.

"Don't worry Hermione you look sexy. Harry is going to fall on the floor when he sees you." Ginny's statement sound matter-of-factly so Hermione took some comfort. She stood in front of a tall, full body mirror when Ginny was finished with her makeup. She thought she looked presentable. The dress showed more than she was comfortable but she was covered. As soon as the clock struck 7:00 the girls practically glided down the grand staircase into the Great Hall, except for Ginny and Hermione.

"What if he thinks I'm some vintage whore?" Hermione asked with worry in her voice.

"You have a right to look hot, Hermione. He won't think anything other than 'Oh my god. Who is that goddess in front of me?' I promise." Hermione nodded and begun to walk down the stairs catching Harry's stare.

Harry was left alone with Dean for all the other girls had already come down and left with the other guys. Then Ginny had come down. She was very pretty. She quickly grabbed Dean's arm and gave Harry a quick wink before leaving into the Great Hall. Harry was getting impatient and worried. What if Hermione bailed? She didn't want to come anyway. His doubts were smashed by the look of pure perfection walking down to him. He rubbed his eyes, yes it was Hermione. She looked at him and even though he wore a white mask she knew it was him. She saw his emerald green eyes.

She had a small black mask that sparkled and only covered the bridge of her nose, her eyes (not completely of course) and a few centimeters up her forehead. She was wearing a dark red with black lace. The black lace made flower figures. The dress had no sleeves at all and it hugged her curves perfectly. It flowed down to her ankles as Harry got a glimpse of black high heels with ruby rhinestones. The dress looked like something from the olden age in the deep west. She was absolutely stunning. Her face was the obvious work of Ginny Weasley. She had red eye shadow and light blush. Harry's eyes landed on her dark red lips. They were curled into a soft, warm smile as she approached him. They were so delicious and inviting.

Harry then noticed how low-cut the dress was. It made a deep V and Harry noticed she wasn't wearing a bra. Shaking his head to rid himself of such thoughts he saw the slit on the side of the flowing skirt of the dress showing her right leg up to her mid thigh. Was she trying to kill him? He felt that at any moment he could lose control or crash to the ground. Harry grinned stupidly and closed the space she had yet to walk to meet him.

"Hello Harry." She said with a grin. The moment she saw his face when he saw her she knew the power she now held over him. He looked at her with more lust then she had ever seen in his eyes. He was breathing loudly. He calmed down a little and kissed Hermione on the cheek.

"You look… absolutely amazing… I thought I was going to fall over." Harry chuckled at his confession. Hermione grinned even more and leaned up to kiss Harry hungrily on the lips with enough passion to make them both dizzy.

He broke the kiss and held out his arm that she took eagerly. He led into the Great Hall and Hermione gasped at how much it resembled a dungeon. The chandeliers were black with large flames replacing the candles. It was slightly dark but only to the point of the menacing theme of the dance. There were black lamps leaning out of the walls with dull fires. The usual large tables for the houses were replaced by numerous round tables with cushioned black chairs and red table cloths. Hermione's eyes widened when she saw that the teacher's were no where to be found.

"Wow…" Hermione whispered under her breath but Harry heard her. Hermione spotted Parvati, who was the head of the decorations committee, walk over to them with her date by her side. She had a devilish grin on her face as if she was up to no good. "Hi Hermione, Harry!" She beamed at them when she saw their hands entwined.

"Hey…" Harry asked confused. She just smiled at him and continued, "Well as you know I'm head of the decorations committee. And since you two are SO cute together I thought you deserved to know a little detail."

Harry nodded for her to continue but she waited for Hermione to pipe up, "What is it?" Parvati smiled again, "We designed this place to fulfill specific needs…" She leaned in further as her voice dropped to a whisper, "We put in a few nooks and crannies for couples who want to…err… get away for some… alone time." She chose her words carefully. She straightened up as her voice returned to normal volume. "Just so you know. You never know when something like that could come in handy. Just be safe." She said that last part more to me than to Harry then she walked off.

Hermione blushed furiously and looked at Harry who was grinning awkwardly. "Uh…Wanna dance?" He stuttered. Hermione smiled and took his hand; "Duh" Harry chuckled and led Hermione to the dance floor. A slow song had just started…

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
Till it was a battle cry
I'll come back when you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to war
Pick a star on the dark horizon and follow the light
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye

At this point in the song Hermione had started to quietly sing along. There were no more vocals but a beautiful symphony of many instruments as both Hermione and Harry felt the lyrics sink in. Hermione could relate to the song completely. She knew Harry would come back to her, he had to. Hermione was just humming softly into Harry's chest but then the vocals started again and she sand along, this time louder so Harry could hear her. Her beautiful voice brought tears to her eyes.


Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it, too
Doesn't means that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
Till they're before your eyes
You'll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye

The song slowed and then ended. Harry and Hermione pulled apart and headed to a table. Harry was in front of her and as they got to the table that Ron and Luna was at Hermione yanked on Harry's hand making him turn around. She pulled on his hand and her other hand gripped his tie dragging his lips down to hers. She kissed him with a fiery passion like he was about to walk blindly into open fire of a World War. She calmed down and released him.

"I love you…" She wrapped him in her gaze and gave him a small smile that he returned. "I love you too 'Mione. I will come back to you." He answered the question that she had been thinking since she heard that song. She was so certain that their love could conquer all and she didn't care how sappy that thought sounded.

Please let me know if the lyrics are messed up. I know you may have to double space things for this website. If they are messed up I'll fix it a re-upload the chapter ASAP. Thanks for all your reviews!