Author's note: Before you all begin reading with the chapter there's something that I've to say. I have made a small change in the last chapter: THE DA. The part from where Voldemort starts, I've made a change there. Instead of "That same evening" I've made it, "A week later." Well, I just screwed up the timings.
Maesde: Well, you're on the right track, but I won't reveal anything. Tune in for the surprise. Thank for your review. I'm really glad that you're enjoying the fic. Thank You!
o-WinterQueen-o: Thank you! Your review means a lot. Well, here's next chapter. Hope you like it as well. Looking forward for your review!
Starzinmieyez: Oh yes, it begins; the main part of the story. Thank you for the review!
…..
"Giants and werewolves? Are you sure Harry?" Ron asked, his face flushed and scared.
"Yes. That's what he said. That man Sebastian. He said they are facing some minor issues with them but they will be resolved shortly." Harry sighed as he sat down on the sofa next to Ron. They were in the Gryffindor common room late at night the next day. It was already past 1:00 am.
"You mean…he is…he is planning something big?" Hermione asked her voice trembling.
"That's the only meaning Hermione. Otherwise why would he bother himself with giants and werewolves?" Ron said, supporting Harry's thoughts.
"Ron's right Hermione. He is planning something." Harry looked over at Hermione. There were creases on her forehead and she was slumped rather gracelessly in her armchair.
"I think it is something else. You should tell Dumbledore." She said at last.
Anger flashed in Harry's eyes. "No." he said sharply. "And besides he is not there in school."
"But you need to tell someone Harry. You are not even supposed to know this." Hermione argued.
"But now I do and there's nothing I can do about it Hermione." Harry said, his voice raising with his anger.
"So, this Dolohov and another death eater left for the mountains, you said?" Ron asked diverting Harry's anger from Hermione.
"Yes. And if he isn't planning something then why would he send his own Death Eaters there? It's not like it's a very friendly place." Harry looked at both of them and then turned to stare into the fire.
"The giants are neutral." Hermione said suddenly.
Harry and Ron looked up at her. "What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Over the summer I was talking to Remus about it you know and he said the giants are neutral in the war. They are not taking any sides. But if…." Hermione trailed off, worry evident in her eyes.
"But what?" Ron pressed further.
"But if they are lured or promised something, they will take sides." Hermione finished. The idea of giants siding up with Voldemort in the war was very dangerous.
"Then that clarifies it, Voldemort is luring the giants to take his side." Ron said, horrified at the idea.
"And the werewolves are a no problem. Greyback is already his most loyal servant and acts like the leader of his whole community. Convincing the entire community to side up with Voldemort won't be that difficult for him." Harry concluded.
"But still the question remains Harry." Hermione said. Both boys looked up at her. She straightened up in her seat and said, "Why is he collecting forces?"
Harry altered his gaze from her and turned back to the fireplace. He half expected Sirius to make an appearance there and tell him something that is going on, anything at all. He wasn't sure what Voldemort was planning but he was sure it was something big because he had said, soon….very soon. He knew something was going to happen. But what? A war? Wasn't it too early for a war? He had just gained his body back and Harry had expected him to take at least a year or two to regain and reorganise his army.
There was nothing in the newspapers that got delivered at the early morning breakfast. No news about disappearances, kidnappings, killings, raids, nothing was reported so far. It was like Voldemort had never returned back. But Harry had a bad feeling about it. He was sure something was going to happen, something very disastrous and big.
-…..-
Next day's early morning breakfast proved Harry's suspicions right. Hermione spread the Daily Prophet in front of her after the owl who had delivered it to her had taken off. Her eyes grew wide as she scanned the first page of the newspaper. The loud chatter of the Great Hall had suddenly died down. Ron stopped eating as Hermione looked up horrified and scared.
"What is it Hermione?" Harry whispered.
"Look at this." Hermione pushed the paper in front of Harry and Ron. Both peered over the paper. Harry read the first headline on the top of the page.
MOVEMENT REPORTED NEAR THE MOUNTAINS
A heavy movement was reported near the mountains yesterday. Several muggles claims to have heard huge bellowing and shouting coming from the mountains where the giants reside. The reason for such disturbance is yet unknown but it seems the giants had a severe fight, as traces of a fight can be seen near the foot of the mountains. The fight was huge as Dementors were seen late into the night hovering above the forest. Ministry has denied ordering the dementors there. So why and on whose orders did the Dementors attack the woods and what caused the giants to fight amongst themselves? Is You-Know-Who really behind all this?
Several sources inside the ministry reveal….
Harry's attention was caught by another news.
DEATH EATERS RAID MUGGLE AREA. WHAT IS THE MINISTRY DOING?
The Death Eaters raided a small village near Branton located near Liverpool. Many known Death Eaters were spotted torturing and killing women and children. Among the spotted were Antonin Dolohov, Bellatrix Lestrange, Gibbon, Evan Rosier etc.
A total of 500 people were reported dead in this raid while many are reported to be seriously injured, the number is still in the counting. The ministry is yet to give a public statement regarding this. Minister's personal assistant….
Ron nudged Harry with his elbow and pointed at another disturbing news.
WEREWOLVES CHOOSE SIDES ATLAST?
Last month the Daily Prophet had reported that the werewolves community has refused to choose sides, but last night it seems the community of half breeds has finally decided to side up with You-Know-Who as many known werewolves participated in a Death Eater raid near Branton…
Harry couldn't read any further. He slumped down in his chair and Hermione folded the paper. The atmosphere was glum and everyone looked tensed and uneasy as if they could feel the coming danger. Harry looked up at the Head Table. Dumbledore had still not returned; McGonagall had tears in her eyes. Harry's eyes met Umbridge's and she smiled venomously at him. She then gestured towards her copy of the Daily Prophet and gave him a satisfying smile. Anger boiled inside Harry, he got up roughly from his seat, swung his bag over his shoulder and left the Great Hall fuming in anger.
-…-
That night's DA practice led them towards a new beginning. It wasn't as enthusiastic as the last four meetings were. They had finally mastered the basics and had moved over to their syllabus.
"This is ridiculous." Anthony Goldstein said, withdrawing his wand. "I can't concentrate." He then went and sat on an armchair near the fireplace.
"Anthony's right. It's difficult to concentrate with what happened yesterday…" Luna said joining the already sitting Nigel on the couch.
Harry didn't stop them. He knew how difficult and hard it was for them to concentrate right now. He decided to end the meeting then.
"Alright." He said, his voice echoing off the walls. "We'll all stop for the night." Harry glanced at Hermione and Ron and then back at everyone else. "Go back to your dormitories and take the night off. There's a lot to digest." Harry sat on the podium and Ron joined him. Ginny, Fred, George, Dean, Neville and Seamus joined him. They sat in silence, like words had suddenly become meaningless and as if their silence conveyed the grief and worry they were all facing.
None of the DA left, instead they all stood looking at Harry with expectant eyes, as if they got reassurance from just looking at him. Hermione summoned some chairs and sofas for everyone to sit. And they sat, all of them, discussing the dangers of tomorrow.
Nigel was the most scared of them. He was still in his second year and had joined the DA two meetings ago after Umbridge had given him The Blood Quill detention for failing a test with just 20 % marks. Harry had seen Nigel crying on the stairs of the third floor and invited him to join the DA.
"Harry is it true that there will be no tomorrow for us, if You-Know-Who wins?" he asked in his childlike voice. The question caught Harry off guard and he looked at his fellow team mates and their expectant faces.
"Only if we lose Nigel and I don't think we'll." Harry said, trying to reassure the kid.
"But we are not fighting back are we? I mean we'll only win if we fight and I don't see it happening. The Ministry is doing nothing." The question hit Harry like a brick in the face. He turned his gaze to Hermione and then at Ginny and then at all of his DA.
He knew the innocent question which Nigel had asked was true; he knew they won't win if they don't fight back. But how are they going to fight back? What can a bunch of school kids do? Anything they want. A small voice inside Harry replied. And suddenly he knew what he was supposed to do.
"All right." he said, jumping down from the podium with new found energy. Everyone stood up silently following his lead. "We'll fight. We'll fight till the end. We'll win and secure us a safe and a happy future." Harry said turning to look at everyone before continuing. "And we won't be able to do it without each other's help. So, all I ask is your help, your determination and your will to survive."
Hermione looked at Harry with shock while Ron nodded his head already agreeing to whatever Harry was planning. "We'll do it, we can only if you all agree and give yourselves a chance. A chance is all we need to prove that we can fight shoulder to shoulder with the Aurors because it is not only their but also our home and future." The hair on back of Harry's neck stood up.
"We'll rearrange the DA into a defence unit. I'll train every one of you to fight equally only if you accept the danger and the risk. So are you all ready to take that risk and face danger? Are you all ready to give yourselves a chance to make a difference in this world?"
A loud cheer rose for the group as everyone shouted their approval. Harry looked at the determined faces of everyone. After everyone had calmed down Harry spoke again, "All right give me some time to rearrange everything. I'll let the date of the next meeting out as early as possible. But before we leave, I'll say one more thing. We'll need more people. So start talking to your friends indirectly…mind you not about the DA but indirectly about the importance of learning defence and fighting for yourselves, because in the end no one is going to fight for you…not the Aurors, not the Ministry, no one; but you, only you can fight for yourself and demand a place in the future."
Everyone applauded as Harry finished and Hermione hugged him fiercely. Many people patted him on the back; many thanked him for encouraging them in this time of grief. So the new DA will bring a new meaning and new a fight, Harry thought as he left the room with his friends.
-…..-
"Hey, I was looking for you in the library." Hermione said closing the door behind her. Draco sat near the window of the empty classroom on the third floor. He did not reply but continued to stare out of the window into the bright sunlight. It was two days later after the disturbing news of the raid had come.
"What's wrong Draco?" Hermione asked quietly as she deposited her bag on one of the benches and walked towards him. He still did not reply but he turned and faced her as she sat down near him.
"Are you all right?" she asked as she took in his appearance. He looked devastated and broken just like he had when they had first talked in the corridor.
"Draco…" she began and stretched her hand to touch his arm but he snatched her hand before she could touch him and pulled her towards himself.
She collided with his strong chest and looked up at him, shock evident on her face. He circled his arms around her waist and held her tightly as if his life dependent on it. She was on his lap and he refused to let her go. Something had happened, Hermione was sure of that; otherwise he wouldn't touch her like this, not after the agreement they had made about their relationship. So instead of pushing and attacking him, she lay silently in his lap, her head on his chest and his arms circled around her tightly holding on to her.
After what left felt like an eternity, Hermione stirred in his lap when she was sure he wouldn't say anything. Draco's grip on her loosened and she sat up straighter in his lap and turned to face him. His eyes were ghostly, haunted and he was in pain. Hermione got up from his lap and he did not protest but let her. She settled down beside him and turned his face towards her, he gave in to her touch easily as if he had surrendered himself.
"What is it?" she asked again, quietly her voice barely a whisper.
"It's over Hermione, it's over for me." he said quietly, meeting her worried gaze.
"What are you…?" Hermione began but he cut her off.
"My father sent me another letter." he said, his face empty of any emotion. He took out a crumpled paper out of his pocket. It was similar to the previous one. Her hand trembled as she took his letter in her hand. She straightened the paper and shivered lightly.
Draco,
Christmas is nearing and I hope you haven't forgotten the importance of this Christmas. The Dark Lord needs your assistance in something important which he has assured me only you could do. So the date of your marking has been preponed* as The Dark Lord is getting impatient with his desired mission. So you'll get your mark on the day you come back for the holidays instead of The Christmas Day.
L.M.
Hermione looked up at him. She didn't know what to do or say. She was shocked and words failed her.
"I'm going to be given the dark mark Hermione, don't you have anything to say to me?" he asked, taking the letter from her hand and crumpling it once again.
"I….Draco…I don't want you to." She said in a small voice.
"Do you think I want?" he asked his temper rising. She shook her head.
"I don't really have a choice there."
"You do." They were back to arguing about the same thing; choices and decisions.
"Hermione…" he began but Hermione stopped him with a hand on his chest.
"Do you have to give in? Can't you fight back?" she asked desperately.
He gave a mirthless laugh. "Fight back? You want me to fight back Hermione?" she knew telling him that was stupid but she couldn't think of anything else. She wanted him to say 'no', she wanted him to run away no matter how cowardly that sounded. At that moment she wanted nothing more than for him to be away from his parents and The Dark Lord and all those problems, and if running away was going to solve that problem so be it that way.
"There is nothing I can do Hermione, my fate's reserved." He said, placing his hand over hers.
"No it isn't Draco." She said. "Tell me, do you want it? Do you want to be a part of them?"
"Of course not." He half shouted at her.
"Then, that's it. Don't be one. Don't go back." She pleaded.
"You want me to hide here, like a coward?" he asked disbelief etched in his voice.
"If it's going to keep you safe than bravery be damned." She said sternly.
He laughed. "I would have never dreamed you of all people to say that to me Granger."
"I don't care. I don't want you to go." She said softly not daring to meet his eyes.
He titled her chin up and forced her to look at him. "I would lose you if I go, won't I?"
She couldn't say it, so she nodded her head. "I don't want to lose you Hermione. But there's nothing I can do about it."
"There is." She said, holding his hand tightly in hers. "I don't want you to be a part of them. Nothing will hurt me more than that Draco. But you have changed and I like this Draco. I don't want to see it getting destroyed." Tears welled up in her eyes.
"What should I do? What can I do Hermione? I should have stopped myself from falling for you in the first place." He muttered silently. "I can't protect you, I can do nothing to assure you, I have got nothing to give you, nothing that I can do or say will help you Hermione. I can give you nothing but hurt and pain and still I don't want you to go away from me. Still, I want to be selfish and hold on to you till the last breath of my life."
Tears fell from his eyes but he did not care. She cried too as he lay down in her lap and buried his face, shielding himself from the unfair world. He did not care that she saw him vulnerable and broken, he did not care that she saw his tears or that she saw him at his weakest point. He did not care because he had finally surrendered himself to the reality and accepted the truth that his fate i.e. his father had reserved for him. His pride had melted the moment he had realised he had fallen for her, he did not care about his pride or his ego, he cared about nothing but Hermione and the pain of losing her.
She bent forward and touched her forehead to his temple and they cried together for the future they could never have together. She felt his body trembling beneath her and she held on to him even tighter. She couldn't lose him, she couldn't afford to. She knew, after she felt him trembling and shivering underneath her that she had to save him, had to save his soul, his mind and his body and she was ready to pay any price for that.
She straightened up and guided Draco in a sitting position. He wiped away his tears as he drank her in.
"This is not the end Draco, not so soon. I'll find a way for you out of this, a way out for both of us." She said firmly as if trying to convince herself more than him. He didn't say anything but just nodded his head for her sake.
She collected his hands in hers and said, "Go and sleep Draco. I just want you to do one thing for me. Just try and think; if you chose them, you know you'll lose me. But if you survive the war tomorrow will you be happy then? Will you be at peace when you knew you had a chance at both; me and the future? Will you be able to live a guilt ridden past?"
She got up slowly and he stared at her dumbly. Her questions left him speechless. She collected her bag and left, the door closing softly behind her.
-xxxxxxxxxx-
Done! Yup, it's a new beginning for the DA now and for Draco and Hermione too. Hope you'll enjoy the new DA.
Note: *preponed - means to reschedule for an EARLIER time. It's an Indian word.
NEXT CHAPTER: Harry's meeting of the rearrangement of DA.