Chapter 22

They say that an animal is at its most unpredictable when it is injured or on the brink of death. This was the case here. In this case the animal was Albus Dumbledore. Why are they at their most unpredictable state? Because they have nothing left to lose.

These are the thoughts that were crossing his mind whilst he was walking towards the holding cell where Dumbledore was being held. He had after much deliberation had decided to go alone so that he could keep up the appearance. He was directed into the room where he found Dumbledore sitting on one of two wooden chairs. He looked up at Harry with the ever famous twinkle in his eye.

"Harry my boy thank you for coming" He said gesturing for Harry to sit down

"What do you want Albus" Harry said still standing

"I had intended on giving you this information later on in the year but I feel that now I have no choice but to tell you. Harry, I once knew a young boy who made all the wrong choices in life; his worst mistake was to carry out a ritual of the blackest magic. Tom Riddle had found a way to break his soul into pieces and then place part of that soul into an object. These objects are what are known as horcruxes"

Harry had to hold back a snicker as Dumbledore continued

"Harry you need my help as only I can find these horcruxes they are being guarded by a variety of different things and no one knows exactly what they objects are" Dumbledore finished with a grandfatherly tone. Harry couldn't resist and burst into laughter

"Oh Dumbledore did you seriously believe that would work? Telling me what I already know? And please don't try and pull that you need me speech because the fact is that I do not need you. Allow me to bring you up to speed. The horcruxes are as follows. Slytherin locket, Hufflepuff cup the lost diadem of Ravenclaw, Voldemort's familiar Nagini. Marvolo gaunt's ring and oh and of course my scar. Don't worry though they are only two horcruxes left to destroy. So thanks for telling me a great piece of fiction but please spare me the actor's speech"

Dumbledore was flabbergasted to say the least his was rapidly running out of options.

"It seems as if I failed again" He said solemnly

"What do you mean failed again?" Harry asked sarcastically

"I vowed that I would never allow another student to fall into a dark path such as Tom Riddle did it seems as if I failed in my mission" Harry was flat out on the floor laughing

"YOU THINK IM TURNING DARK! Oh you really are deluded in your old age old man. I am not nor shall I ever go down a dark path. I have something that Voldemort doesn't which allows me to stay on the path of good and not in your 'for the greater good' nonsense. The actually sense of good and evil. No you see I have something worth fighting for and because of that reason alone I know that I can beat Voldemort and above all I can control my own life, something you seemed to always have a problem with" Harry walked towards the door and banged on it in order to be let out

"Harry you need my help" Albus whispered

Harry turned around "The only thing that I would have ever needed your help with you failed to do so why should you think that I need your help now? Good Bye Dumbledore"

Harry left the ministry in good spirits after a quick catch up with Tonks he was on his way back to Hogwarts he appeared out of the fireplace in Professor McGonagall's to see the headmistress waiting for him. Her face was solemn and content

"What's wrong?" He asked automatically

"Mr. Potter it's Miss Granger... she's in the hospital wing" She never managed another sentence as Harry was out the door and sprinting towards the hospital wing.

Throwing the doors open he found Madam Pomfrey tending to Hermione who was unconscious

"What happened?" He asked

"Poisoned. Miss Granger and Mr. Longbottom went to see Professor Slughorn for a cure to some love potion afterwards they were offered some mead that the professor had Hermione took a sip and fell to the floor convulsing. If Mr. Longbottom hadn't acted quickly with a bezoar then I'm certain that Miss Granger would be dead" She said before finishing her spell diagnostics

"Why would Professor Slughorn have poisoned mead?" Harry wondered to himself

It was at this point that Neville and Luna came through the doors of the infirmary.

"Oh Harry thank goodness your back" Neville said. Harry stood and walked over to Neville and grasped the Longbottom scion in a hug

"Thank you Neville. You saved her life I owe you a great doubt" He said before releasing him.

"I only did what Hermione would have done for others or yourself for that matter think nothing of it" Neville replied taking hold of Luna's hand

"I won't forget this Neville you have my word" He said before returning to Hermione.

They stayed for another hour watching Hermione rest.

"She should be awake soon the wrack spurts are already returning to her" Luna said Harry was about to comment when Hermione stirred

"Hermione?" Harry said grasping her hand

"H...Ha...rry" She rasped

"Don't try and speak my love rest and get your strength I'm here don't worry I'm not going to leave your side" he whispered

"Lov...Y...ou" She said again before falling asleep again

"I love you too Hermione more than you will ever know.

Madam Pomfrey came over at this moment "Visiting hours are now over although something tells me Mr. Potter that all the forces of hell couldn't get you to leave so I shall allow you to stay with her tonight. She should regain consciousness tomorrow morning"

Neville and Luna bid Harry a goodnight and left.

Harry stayed awake for as long as he could that night her hand still firmly in his hand. He was unaware of what time he lost his fight with sleep.

He stirred to someone running their hands through his hair. He opened his eyes to see Hermione's brown eyes staring directly at you.

"Hermione your awake" He whispered

"Which is more than I can say for you Harry, what did you do stay awake all night?" She asked

"Pretty much, I didn't want you to be by yourself" He said kissing her hand

"Your adorable do you know that?" She said

"Do you remember what happened?" He asked rubbing his eyes

"Let's see, I had to take Neville to Professor Slughorn as he had eaten some chocolate that had been laced with love potion. The professor gave him a quick flushing potion afterwards Neville was embarrassed but Professor Slughorn told him it happened to the best of them and offered us a drink of mead. Next thing I know I'm here" Hermione finished

"Love potion. This has Weasley written all over it!" He growled he went to stand but Hermione pushed him back down

"Don't. Just don't please, I just want to forget about Ron and Ginny, don't start anything else please" She pleaded

Harry was about to reply but he saw the tears in Hermione's eyes. So instead he nodded and kissed her forehead. It was at that moment that Dobby appeared next to them

"Dobby is glad that miss Mione is feeling better. Dobby did as master Harry instructed. The young Malfoy left the Room of requirement 15 minutes ago" Dobby said before disappearing again.

Hermione looked at Harry "Go. Go and find out what he's doing, take Neville with you" She instructed he was about to reply about not wanting to leave her on her own but she beat him to the punch "I won't be alone, I'll ask Luna to come down here"

A quick message from Dobby and Neville and Luna showed up in the infirmary

"Hermione your awake!" Luna clapped for joy as she ran over to her bed to give her a hug. Neville followed behind her. She looked at him and smiled

"Thank you for saving my life Neville" She said before pulling him into a massive hug and kissing his cheek

"Anytime Mione" He said blushing.

"Neville I need you to do me a favour, I need to find out what Malfoy was doing in the room of requirement. Could you come with me whilst Luna stays here to keep Hermione company?" Harry asked

"Sure lead the way Harry" Neville said gesturing with his hand. Harry looked at Hermione and kissed her gently

"Love you" he smiled

"Love you too, now go and be careful" Hermione said slapping his bum as he turned

Harry laughed and pouted "Yes dear" he then led himself and Neville out of the infirmary

Luna and Hermione both looked at each other before saying in unison "Boys" They quickly became engrossed in a debate about wrack spurts and Nargle's after that.

AN: Sorry about the delays guys been busy. Quick shout out to someone who quickly became the funniest reviewer ive ever had

JazzGirl123 and of course Random Guy! Don't worry I often burst out in maniacal laughter as well! I add the ever popular Mr. Burns from the Simpsons hand motion and the evil "Excellent" lol

Keep the reviews coming amigo's!