Author's Note: I hope you are enjoying! I told you more plot twists are coming!
Hermione stared at Harry, unsure of what to say. He stared back at her, a nervous look on her face, as though he were afraid she would say no.
"Oh, Harry," she finally said, putting her hand on her chest.
He didn't say anything, but he looked down, waiting for her response. She bent down and joined him on the floor, pressing her hands against his cheeks. Pulling his head back up, she pressed his lips against hers.
"My answer is yes," she said, pulling away. "Yes, I will marry you."
He flashed her a smile and kissed her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body tightly to his, trying to feel as much of him as possible. He broke away again, pulled her up, lifted her left hand up, and slid the ring on, staring at it in amazement as it fit her perfectly.
"Is it too tight?"
"It's just right," she replied, staring at it. She then pulled her head back up and pressed her lips against his.
"I love you," he said, as he broke away from her. "I know we're young-"
"-We're not young," she replied, shaking her head. "We've never been kids. Look at everything that we've been through."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. He laid his cheek on her head and wrapped his arms around her waist, not wanting to let go of her.
"I love you, too, by the way," she said quietly, closing her eyes. She then pulled away and pressed their lips together, pressing her body as close to Harry's as she could.
Her hands began to work on the buttons of his shirt, and she pushed it off of him. Her hands then traveled around his chest and lowered towards his stomach.
"Wait," he said, pulling away from her. He conjured blankets and pillows on the floor and gently laid her down on top of them.
His lips captured hers as he hovered above her. Her hands began to work on his belt before removing it and throwing it the side. His pants soon followed until he was just left in his boxers.
"The spell, Hermione," he groaned, not wanting to break away from her. She processed that for a minute before she grabbed her wand and it pointed it at her stomach. She said the charm and did the same to his before she grabbed the back of his head and pressed their lips together once again.
"Wow," she breathed out, as she ran her hands across his bare back. Harry stirred a moment later, climbing off of her to lay beside her and pull her in his arms.
"That was amazing," he agreed, trying to catch his breath. She laughed, lightly pressing their lips together as she did so.
"Where did you get the ring?"
He sat up, and she sat up with him. "Last summer, Sirius took me to get some money from my vault. While we were in there, he showed me some things that were hidden. My parents had left them for me."
Her eyes watered as she looked back down at the ring. His mother's ring.
"I'm wearing your mother's engagement ring?"
"Yes. When Sirius wasn't looking, I grabbed it and took it, because I was unsure if I could ever get back in there."
She stared at the emerald stone, still in shock that Harry had given her his mother's ring. He smiled at her, running his finger across the stone as he did so.
"There's no other person I would want wearing this ring than you, Hermione. I love you so much, and I know she would be proud of you wearing it."
"Oh, Harry," she sighed, pressing their lips together again. When they broke away she smiled, but suddenly had a bad feeling. "Are we going to tell everyone?"
"I think we should wait a while," he said, lifting her hand up to kiss the ring. "They won't respond well if we tell them."
"You're right," she said, pressing the sheet closer to her chest. "You know, Ginny is with Neville tonight. Do you want to stay with me?"
"I would love to," he said, flashing her a grin.
"You would have to leave before Ginny comes back."
"I'm pretty good about sneaking away," he said with a smile. She laughed.
They gathered their clothes, extinguished the fire and put the living room back to the way it was. Hermione then took Harry up to her room.
"Good morning, Ginny," Hermione said, having a hard time getting the smile off of her face. Ginny looked at her in confusion as Hermione stretched her arms above her head. Ginny's eyes went wide as she looked at Hermione's left hand.
"What is that?!" she squealed, grabbing her hand. Hermione let out a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Did Harry propose?"
"Yeah," she said, smiling again. "He asked me last night."
"Wow," she said, looking back up at her. "What'd you say?"
"I said yes immediately. I love him."
"You know the adults are going to flip out when they find out."
"We weren't going to tell anyone," she responded, looking away as she did so.
"I won't tell," she promised. She then let out a grin. "So, does this mean I get to be a bridesmaid?"
Hermione laughed, shaking her head as she did so. "I just got engaged last night and you're already talking about the wedding?"
"Of course!"
Hermione shook her head again and grabbed for her wand, pointing it at the ring as she did so. She said the spell and watched as nothing happened before looking back up at Ginny.
"Can you see it?"
"No. What'd you do?"
"I put a charm on it so only I can see it. That way I can still wear it and no one will find out about it until Harry and I are ready to tell them."
She nodded, hugging Hermione as she did so. "Congratulations. I'm so happy for you!"
"Thank you," she replied, breaking away.
"You don't regret anything, do you?" Hermione asked, looking over at Harry after a few minutes of silence. He looked up in shock.
"Of course not. Do you?"
"Not at all."
He smiled. "I meant every word I said to you. I know we're young, but we're not getting married until he's gone. That's still quite a while at the rate we're going."
"I've been looking at Dumbledore's journal, and the accidental Horcrux has my attention. What would he have made by accident?"
"It's hard telling. I'm more focused on the other three we can't seem to find."
"Something of Ravenclaw's, Hufflepuff's, and possibly Gryffindor's."
"His snake is one as well," Harry said. "That'll be the hardest one to get."
"We couldn't get to the snake until you fight Voldemort."
"And still no leads," Ron said, entering the kitchen as he did so. He sat down across Hermione and ran his hands through his hair.
"Something of Ravenclaw's that's been lost for quite some time," Harry muttered, thinking in his head.
"And Hufflepuff's as well."
"Tonks might know," Hermione said, popping her head up. "She was a Hufflepuff student. Maybe she would know."
"Let's go ask her," Harry said, standing up. Ron and Hermione followed him to the formal dining room where she, Sirius and Remus were sitting. "Tonks, we need your help."
"With what?" she asked, looking at them in concern.
"You were a Hufflepuff student, weren't you?"
"Yes."
"Is there something that was ever stolen from Hufflepuff, or something that may have gone missing?"
She thought about it for a minute. "Well, I'm not for certain, but there were rumors going around that someone stole Hufflepuff's cup a long time ago."
"A cup?"
"Yes. It's a gold cup."
"Do you know how long ago it may have been taken?"
"I don't."
"I'm assuming you three found a lead," Sirius said, looking at them. They nodded.
"Dumbledore wrote that he believes that Voldemort took items from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. It makes sense since he had Slythern's locket as well."
"He stole from each of the founders," Remus said in amazement.
"So that's four automatically, Riddle's diary, and Gaunt's ring. What's the last one?" Sirius asked.
"His snake, I believe," Harry replied.
"Hermione, reread Hogwarts, A History. See if you can figure out what the Gryffindor's and Ravenclaw's items may be. Help her if you can, Remus and Tonks. Harry, Ron and I will start looking for leads on the cup."
"What's the matter?" Hermione asked, as she followed Harry out of the library. He remained silent until they reached the formal dining room before turning to her.
"We have tried to figure out where the cup is and we have nothing. Did you find anything?"
"No," she said, shaking her head. "Tonks and I have been looking all afternoon. We haven't found anything about Hufflepuff's cup, or anything about Ravenclaw or Gryffindor."
Harry ran his hands across his face, letting out a frustrated sigh as he did so. "We're running out of options."
"We'll figure it out, Harry," she whispered, putting her hands on the side of his face.
"I have an idea," he said, looking straight at her. "What if I break into his head, and see if I can figure it out?"
She pulled away, anger written all over her face. "No way!"
"He can break into mine, I should be able to break into his."
"I'm not letting you do this!"
"We can figure out the Horcruxes! We can finish this!"
"You're not thinking straight!"
"I am too!"
"What if he discovers that you're in his head? He figures out that we're hunting his Horcruxes? He'll hide them for good and this is over!"
"I can do it, Hermione, I know I can!"
"Harry, listen to me," she said, putting her hands on his arms. "You need to think a little more clearly. You can't break into his head without him knowing."
'Are you sure?' his voice rang inside her head. She jumped back in surprise.
"How did you do that?"
"Dumbledore had been teaching me legilimency before he died."
"It's still risky. Please, don't do this."
He stared at her before letting out a defeated sigh. "I still think it would work."
"And I don't."
He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head. 'I love you, Hermione. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, then I won't either.'
"Thank you," she said, pulling away from him.
"Are you two snogging again?" Ron asked, pretending to gag as he left the dining room. Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
"Are you ever going to grow up?"
"What's the fun in that?" he asked, throwing her a grin.
"What'd you find out, mate?" Harry asked, throwing a nod in his direction.
"Sirius believes that Voldemort would have left a Horcrux either in his sights, or in the sights of one of his trusted allies. That still doesn't explain the other two."
"Let me see this," Harry said, taking the journal from Ron.
"What are you three up to?" Ginny asked, as she and Neville walked down the stairs. Harry hid the journal behind his back.
"Nothing," they answered in unison.
"That sounds rather suspicious," she replied, squinting her eyes at them.
Hermione gently bumped Harry's arm, and he let out a sigh. He passed the journal to her.
"Neville, I need to talk to you."
"Ok," he said, following Harry to the living room. Harry put up a silencing charm before nervously turning back to him. "Is everything alright, mate?"
"No," he said, sitting next to him. "I don't know how to begin with this, because I know how angry you're going to feel."
"Harry, what's going on?"
Harry closed his eyes and bowed his head. "There's a reason why your parents are the way they are."
"I know, and her name is Bellatrix Lestrange."
"She's not the reason why it happened, she just caused it to happen."
"What are you talking about?"
"Before you and I were born, there was a prophecy made. A prophecy about Voldemort and the one who's supposed to stop him."
Neville pulled back, looking at Harry with interest and confusion. Harry put his hand over his mouth.
"I don't understand."
"Listen to what I'm about to tell you, and you'll understand." He waited for a minute before he began to talk again. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."
Harry refused to look at Neville, whose face was lined with shock. "Because of this, my parents are forever stuck at St. Mungo's?!"
"I'm sorry, Neville."
Neville stood up and angrily paced the room. "Is it about me?"
"No," Harry said, keeping his head down. Neville turned and looked back at him.
"Then why did it happen to them?"
"Because, in 1980, there were two infant boys who fit the profile."
Neville quickly grasped the concept and turned back to Harry in shock. "It's you!"
"At the time, Voldemort didn't know which child it was. Because he couldn't be in two places at once, he had to choose which one. He, for some reason, chose me, and he sent Bellatrix after you and your parents."
"So, your parents are dead, and mine are in St. Mungo's, because of this?" he asked bitterly, feeling tears in his eyes. Harry remained silent.
"I'm sorry, Neville. I just found out last year. Please don't tell anyone, especially Ginny. This has to stay between us."
Neville didn't say anything, but turned and walked out of the room. Harry kept his head bowed, hoping Neville wouldn't take the news too badly.
"How he'd take it?" Ron asked, looking at Harry in concern.
"About as good as I did," Harry replied bitterly.
"You did the right thing," Hermione said, rubbing his arm as he sat next to her.
"I know."
"I miss Quidditich," Ron said, looking out into the dark sky, while attempting to change the subject. Harry nodded in agreement.
"I do, too. I miss going outside period. I hate being stuck in here."
"This will be over soon," Hermione said, smiling sadly at the two.
Ginny walked in, looking mad as she did so. "What did you say to Neville?"
Harry dropped his head. Ron turned to his sister.
"It's none of your business, Ginny."
"He's my boyfriend!"
"What?" Ron hissed. Ginny closed his eyes.
"They've been dating clueless!" Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"Not that it's any of your business, but, yes, he's my boyfriend, and he's really mad. What did you say to him, Harry?"
"That's between him and I," he replied quietly.
"You're not going to tell me?"
"No."
"Great," she hissed, glaring at Harry.
"Just give him some time, Ginny. I'm sure he'll be ok."
Ginny glared at them before she turned and left the room. Ron turned to Hermione.
"You knew they were dating?"
"Of course I did. Why do you think she wanted Neville here?"
"They're practically living together!"
"As are Harry and I," she pointed out. "Don't get involved, Ronald."
She turned and walked out of the bedroom behind Ginny. Ron turned to Harry.
"Women," he replied, shaking his head.
"I think now would be a good time to go to bed," Harry said, climbing into his bed as he did so. Ron turned to him.
"You knew, too, didn't you?"
"Hermione told me."
"Great," Ron said, climbing into his bed. He threw the covers over himself and angrily blew out the candle.
"Thanks for helping me," Hermione said, pulling a book off of the shelf. Behind her, Tonks smiled.
"No problem. If I have to be stuck here, too, I may as well help out."
"Why are you stuck here?"
"The Ministry's getting taken over," she said sadly. Hermione let out a sigh.
"Harry's going to be mad."
"He can't keep blaming himself for this," Tonks replied. "He's doing everything he can. Things like this take time."
"That's Harry's specialty-blaming himself."
As Hermione was talking, Tonks suddenly felt dizzy. Hermione, noticing this, quickly went to her side right as Tonks fell.
"Tonks!" she cried, grabbing onto her. She gently sat her down on the couch in the library and watched as she shook her head.
"I'm ok," she replied, gently smiling at Hermione as she did so.
"You don't look good. Should I go get Mrs. Weasley?"
"No," she said sternly. "I must just be getting hungry, is all. I get a little out of it when I don't eat."
"Do you want me to get you anything?"
"No, we'll be eating soon. I'll be fine."
Hermione, still worried, nodded in agreement before returning to her textbook. Tonks closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before she moved to sit beside Hermione, staring at her for a moment before flicking her wand at Hermione's left hand. A second later the ring appeared.
"You're good," Tonks said, shaking her head while smiling, "but you're not good enough for me."
Hermione looked up in shock. "How did you-"
"-You don't think I haven't noticed the difference in you and Harry? You're both happier than I have seen in quite some time. I knew either you were getting some, or you got engaged, or both."
Hermione blushed, not believing that Tonks just said that to her. Tonks, on the other hand, grinned at her.
"Don't be embarrassed."
"He asked me Christmas night and I said yes."
"Congratulations."
"You're not going to say anything?"
"Why would I?" she asked, looking at her in confusion.
"I was expecting "you're too young", "you said wait", anything along those lines. That's one of the reasons why we haven't told anyone yet."
"I'm not here to judge. What you and Harry do is your business. If anyone understands that, it's me."
Hermione stared at her in confusion. Tonks smiled slightly.
"Please tell me that you and Harry are using protection."
"Yes," she replied nervously.
"Look, I'm not trying to be your mum," she said, placing her hands on Hermione's arms.
"You have been though," Hermione replied. "You and Remus took care of me after my parents were killed, and you're still taking care of even though I'm of age. You have been the best, and you continue to be the best. You're always there when I need to talk to someone. Thank you, Tonks."
Tonks gently wrapped her arms around Hermione as she felt her eyes begin to water. Hermione hugged her back.
"If you or Harry ever need anything, you come to me. Understand?"
She nodded. "Thank you."
"By the way, you have my blessing."
Hermione smiled at her before the door opened and Ron came through, telling the women that is was time for dinner. Hermione redid the charm on her ring before following him, leaving Tonks alone in the library.
"If anyone understands that, it's me," she said quietly, placing her hand on her stomach as she did so.