Bound by a kiss
Chapter 7
A harsh battle cry sounded in Harry's ears, as soon as he landed. There was chaos around him, and Harry could do nothing but join in it.
He broke into a run, gathering a look at his surroundings. There were flashes of colors from familiar sticks and Harry sighed again in relief, feeling the magic thrumming in his fingers. He checked his face hoping not to feel any mask and to his relief, there weren't any.
"Yes," he yelled when he felt the familiar lightning bolt scar under his fingers. He was back in his world. But did he land himself amidst war? It definitely seemed so.
He groaned trying to take cover behind a pillar. He caught his breath and took a look at his surroundings. It was Hogwarts. So Ron and Hermione must be around.
His eyes moved among the faces, trying to spot his friends.
A large boom sounded and the wall above Harry exploded. A sharp pain shot across his forehead, as bits of the exploded wall hit his head. He felt the blood seeping down his face, blurring his vision.
"Harry, is that you?"
Harry blinked his eyes trying to get a better look at the person. "Luna," he gasped looking at his friend.
"It's an interesting look you're sporting. It could easily disguise your identity," she said with a concerned look trying to wipe the blood on his face with her wand. "But I'm sorry we'll have to save it for later."
"Yes, yes," Harry murmured looking at the gray streaks crowding her usual blonde hair. She helped him, by placing her hand under his arms and guiding him away from the ruins of the wall.
"Harry," another pair of arms engulfed him into a tight hug, "we thought we lost you."
"Professor Lupin," Harry breathed looking at the man who taught him his first defensive spell against the darkness. He was sporting his own share of battle wounds, but those weren't the things that disturbed Harry the most. The man looked old, worn out, and exhausted. Slowly, he began to understand the Gray streaks in everyone. This is another Universe and they are still fighting a war perhaps at a different time period where everybody seemed to be at an older age.
His voice turned stoic and turned to his Professor, "Where is everyone?"
"We understand your pain, Harry. But you are very important to us to win this war. We all want to avenge Hagrid, but without you leading us, we wouldn't know where to go. So please don't hurl yourself into danger. They're just waiting for that opportunity," Remus explained.
"Hagrid," Harry said his heart clenching. But Lupin took his shock as a sign of pain.
"Let's get back into the protected woods, your injury needs to be tended," Lupin said guiding him to Luna. "Luna, take him. I'll cover you, both."
Remus Lupin, even at that age, plunged into action firing various spells away, providing the needed distraction, as Luna and Harry rushed into the protection of the familiar woods.
Harry felt a wave of magic wash over him, as they entered the Forbidden forest. In their far eyesight, he saw various tents and people bustling around.
"Come on, let's get you fixed," Luna urged.
"Where are Ron and Her….?" His question was swallowed as the witch who had been his surrogate mother opened the flap of the nearest tent.
"In here, quickly," Molly Weasley hurried them inside. She immediately went to work on the wound on his forehead. He winced as a drop of dittany touched his wound. "Rest here for few minutes, before running back," she said brushing his messy hair away from the wound.
"Molly, wait," Harry managed to say. "Where is everybody?"
"Last I heard, Ron was near Astronomy tower," Molly said opening the flap and taking a look outside. "No word from him after that." A wave of darkness fell over her face as she turned to Luna. "Are you okay, my dear?"
"Yes, Molly and don't worry, Ron's safe. I can still feel my husband's aura," Luna said staring into space. Harry smiled at this new knowledge. It made sense Ron being with Luna. Hopefully, she brought the needed balance in his life. Looking at Luna, Harry's thoughts turned to the girl he was searching for.
"Mrs. Weasley, where is Hermione?" Harry asked. But he immediately knew he asked the wrong question. A dead silence fell upon the room.
"We don't speak that wretched woman's name here," Molly yelled her face fuming in anger. "There is no more Hermione in that monster." Harry was confused. He never expected her name would elicit this kind of reaction from Molly Weasley.
"That's enough, Molly," Lupin came back into the tent. Harry's eyes went wide looking at his bleeding shoulder. "Harry needs his rest. He just got hit on his head." But Molly continued to stare at Harry. "Go on, Molly. Madame Pomfrey was looking for you. It seems few more of the soldiers have come in."
Molly drew back from her trance and exited the tent.
"Harry," Lupin approached Harry. "I know you still believe there is a lingering presence of your old friend in that woman. But you're wrong. She's the Dark Lady. She's ruthless and she's out there to kill you to avenge her father."
Harry closed his eyes trying to process all the information. What kind of shitty world did he land in, where Hermione is the dark lady? And who the hell is her father? Definitely, Mr. Granger wasn't the Dark Lord nor he would kill that kind man.
"What about Voldemort?" Harry asked Lupin, as he missed the curious glances Luna was giving him.
Lupin spun around and stared at him with an incredulous look. "You're scaring me, Harry. I suspect the injury is much worse than I predicted. You need a good rest. I'll come for you later. Luna keep an eye on him will you?"
Lupin rushed out of the room and Harry became aware of the curious glances of Luna.
"So the Dark Lady huh?" he mumbled scratching the back of his neck.
"You're not Harry," Luna stated and Harry knew it wasn't a question.
"Of course I am. I'm Harry Potter cursed to make things right," he muttered in anger.
"Hmm, maybe. But that's not what I'm asking."
Harry looked up straight into the deep blue eyes of hers. They weren't filled with doubts, questions or judgments. They were calm, serene and completely Luna. She once comforted him to be himself and accept his friends. Today he was going to follow the same advice. He nodded his head, "Yes, I'm not your Harry."
She smiled at him. "I thought so. It's been a long time I've seen nothing but hatred in our Harry's eyes. Today I saw something else. It felt good to see some worry, compassion, and even love. I think that's what we need to end this war." Harry blushed red at her words, but Luna, oblivious to his discomfort continued.
"What do you mean?"
She came closer to Harry and took away his glasses. She started wiping them with her dress. "Our Harry fell in love with his best friend, Hermione. Then her father took her away. He didn't see her for a very long time. And when Harry saw her after many years, it was when he plunged the sword into her father's gut."
"Who's her father?" Harry asked in a trembling voice.
"You already know Harry," Luna said with a smile.
"Voldemort," Harry confirmed.
Luna nodded. "Voldemort saw how much she meant to you and he thought if he had taken her away, it would destroy you. We don't know what he had filled her mind with. She was your shadow, anchor, and guide. And then he took her away and claimed she was his daughter."
"That doesn't make any sense. Hermione would never do that," Harry protested.
"Yes, we all know that. But something changed in her. She ceased to be the ardent girl we all knew. She became a wraith and started devouring everything in her path. Voldemort destroyed the love in her and turned her into this killing machine. From then onwards her aim's been only one thing, to reach you and destroy you," Luna said with a sigh. "Until now."
"What do you mean?" Harry's spirits started to lift at her words.
"I saw her, not long ago. She was scared. I could see the fear in her eyes."
"Hermione," Harry said with a relieved smile.
"Yes, I believe she is your Hermione. Did you come to rescue her?"
"We're both rescuing each other," Harry said with a determination in his mind. He slowly began to understand the meaning of these travels. In all these worlds, when he met with their counterparts, all the meetings ended with a common factor, their reunion. One point had started to become very clear. If Hermione or he hadn't gone to all those Universes, there wouldn't have been any kind of relationship between them. It may be friendship or true love; a bond was initiated between their correspondents because of these odysseys. But why were these bonds so important? Hermione would have some answers.
According to what Luna said, there was a fair chance that it was his Hermione on the other side of the forest. If he had to meet her, he should head to the battle. He wanted to ask about Ginny and many others, but knowledge about them didn't seem like a wise option.
"Thank you very much, Luna," Harry said pulling the girl into a hug.
She smiled and hugged back. "I have a positive feeling that tomorrow is going to start with a new dawn. Go, Harry. She's waiting for you." She nudged him towards the flap and said, "If we don't get a chance to meet again, please know that you're the bravest and kindest and noble person I've ever met. I can see it in your heart."
Harry with a smile slipped outside the tent. Chaos surrounded him. He could see the shields protecting the forest, shimmer against the force of enemy's attacks. They couldn't hold the Death Eaters any longer. Before that, he needs to find his soul mate.
"Harry," Ron came towards him panting. "They're moving in. We can't hold them any longer." Harry's heart perked up a little looking at his best friend. The old matured look suited Ron. A warm feeling started to spread through his heart.
"She's out there, waiting for you. I saw her," Ron said tilting his head backward. "She looks different," Ron said bunching his eyebrows.
"Luna told me."
"She did huh. Luna still amazes me. Can you believe that? It's been 13 years I've been married to her, but there doesn't go a single day, I'm not awed by her wisdom," Ron said with a sheepish smile, but soon it turned into a frown. "I just wish I can protect her before the war claims another innocent life. We already lost so many."
"I have got a feeling, that this could be our final confrontation," Harry said squeezing Ron's shoulder. "I'm ready to meet her."
Ron's eyes went wide. "Don't even think about sacrificing yourself. Let me deal with her."
But Harry stopped him. "It'll always be me, Ron and you know that. She's waiting for me."
Ron nodded solemnly and took a step back. Harry with a smile at his best friend strolled towards the edge of the forest. The loud and hoarse war cries were much more evident as he came out of the protection wards.
He didn't know who fought for whom, but all of them stilled as Harry stepped into the view.
"Harry, no. Get back inside," Lupin cried who was fighting despite his injuries.
"Remus, please. I have to do this. I can't hide anymore. It's me who she wants. You go and join the others. But be ready, if things get out of control, you've got to get the others out of here," Harry cautioned his old Professor. Lupin agreed with reluctance and joined the others.
Harry recognized many faces as they looked at him with panic filled eyes. But Harry didn't stop on one, as he continued to search for Hermione. Harry narrowed his eyes as he saw Draco Malfoy sneering at him. He spat blood and raised his chin at Harry. Clearly, he was not on his side. Harry smirked and continued to move his gaze.
To his surprise nobody attacked him. As the sky turned purple, Harry proceeded further into the enemy's territory.
"Hermione," he whispered as the crowd parted for him. There she stood covered in a dark cloak. She looked terrifying. She was sickeningly pale and instead of her usual warm eyes, there were frightening red slits in that place. "Oh, Hermione! What've they done to you?"
Her red eyes flickered at his sight. She trembled and stumbled in her step as she walked towards him. "Harry," she mouthed with hesitation and he couldn't help but nod his head.
"Catch him," somebody yelled and Harry saw people ready their wands at him.
"No," cried Hermione. "He's mine," she said stalling all their efforts.
"No, my lady. He's tricky and dangerous," Draco Malfoy spoke loudly. "Let me take him down."
"Silence," Hermione said in a deadly cold voice, that made even Harry shiver. "Don't you think I can handle Harry Potter, Draco? Do you underestimate my powers? Do you need a demonstration?"
"No, of course not," Draco mumbled lowering his wand. Harry smirked at her words. That's the Hermione he knew, who wouldn't hesitate to put everybody back in their places.
Hermione then turned to Harry. "Harry Potter. I've been waiting for you." He didn't miss the relieved smile in her red slits of her eyes.
Harry chuckled inwardly. They both were waiting for this moment. He understood the purpose of his visit to this Universe. The Harry in this world had to bond with his Hermione to end the war. Until they bond, they can't get out of this world.
"At last we meet," Harry said letting the happiness take over his eyes.
"Harry Potter, come to meet his end," Hermione said mirroring his happiness.
Harry could sense the confusion that started to creep on the faces of the people around him. He waved his wand and established a protective shield around them. He wouldn't risk Hermione's protection. Hermione shivered at the warmth that enveloped both of them, keeping everybody else out.
"No one can hear us," Harry whispered looking at her as he approached her.
"I don't know what's happening here," Hermione said in a trembling voice.
"It's going to be okay, Herms. I've got you," Harry said coming closer.
"They said I've to kill you," Hermione said with wide eyes. "I'm terrified, Harry."
They were standing eye to eye, with nothing but a thin layer of air to separate them.
"What do we do, now?" Hermione asked as the agitation around the shield started to rise.
"If we don't do anything soon, they're going to get mad," Harry said with a chuckle, stepping a bit closer.
As the distance between them became next to nothing, a familiar hum started to surround them. They smiled as the blue light that guided them, started to surface.
"You know what to do," the words echoed in their minds.
They didn't need to be told twice. Their eyes met, fingers entwined and lips collided and everything turned black. They didn't hear any protests or saw any spells fired. It was just the two of them. They could feel each other's thoughts, fears, and emotions. It was pure magic.
They broke apart and slowly opened their eyes. A beatific smile spread through their faces that erupted into a full-blown laughter. She melted into his caress and let out the tears that were held until then.
"It's going to be okay, Herms," Harry conveyed in a soothing voice. "See it's over," he said pointing to the blue column that enveloped them, now.
Hermione burrowed into his chest and shook her head.
"Trust me," Harry said brushing her hair to a side. She took a peek at the warm glow around them and relaxed against him. "We're back in your wormchannel."
She chuckled against his heart. "Wormhole," she said drawing back. Harry's mind relaxed looking at her. She was back to her normal self. The same mass of hair that tickled him, the same warm eyes that looked out for him and same mouth that didn't hesitate to put him in his place. He placed a kiss on her forehead, then her eyes and finally her lips.
"Do you think, it's over?" Hermione asked. "I can't take it anymore. Who plays such kind of a trick? It was exhausting."
"I think this is it. All the other times, we were thrown into a different dimension without being given a notice. But we are back in here. Something tells me it's over," Harry said hugging her tightly. "But I agree with you. It was exhausting. I just don't want to stay here. I'll never let you get away from me."
They stayed together in each other's embrace, relishing the contentment, they longed for.
But they knew their main challenge lied ahead when they returned to their world.
"Harry?" Hermione started to voice her doubt.
But he stopped her. "Not now. I want to enjoy this moment."
But pushing their happiness aside, the blue column began to vibrate. They clutched each other's hands, determined to stay together.
"I'm scared," Hermione, echoed the words that resided in both their hearts.
"Just close your eyes and stay with me."
Slowly, the column of light stilled and their journey came to an end. They both landed in the middle of a large living room with a gentle thud.
In the warm light of the room, two figures approached the pair, as they struggled to stand. Harry and Hermione were then gently lifted up to their feet.
Harry pushed them away, pulling Hermione's to his side, protectively. "Who the hell, are you?"
An elderly man with a long mane of hair smiled and welcomed them. "Harry Potter and Hermione granger, welcome to my abode," he said in a kind voice. "I'm Nicholas Flamel and this is my wife Perenelle Flamel," he affectionately pointed to the woman beside him. "We have a lot to discuss."
A/N: My heartfelt thanks to all those people who followed and marked this as favorite.
Special thanks to all those who reviewed. Arnold DeVillena, starboy454, pawsrule, Cheryl, Beyondthesea16, LuckyMascot, BrightSkywalker, the-power-of-love, LeeArt