Harry resolved to find Hermione before she Apparated away, following her hurried footsteps down the staircase. He could hear her muffled sobs, his feet carrying him swiftly as he rushed to her side. As Hermione reached the door, Harry's hand grasped hers and she halted, turning to meet his gaze. Harry's emerald eyes were brimming with regret.
"Hermione, please don't leave." Harry pleaded. Hermione regarded him for a long moment before relenting. She closed the distance between them, throwing herself into Harry's arms and burying her face in his neck, her body shuddering against his.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Harry whispered into her hair, his hands holding her tightly. The smell of her shampoo permeated his senses, the sweet and delicate fragrance sending shivers through his body as she clutched at him fiercely.
"Don't shut me out again. Promise me," Hermione implored, pulling back to gaze up at him, her face glistening with tears. Harry nodded in confirmation.
"I won't."
Hermione threw her arms around him again, resting her head against his shoulder, and they stayed like that for some time, their heartbeats synchronized with one another, each of them wrapped up in their own thoughts. He thought about her scathing words, how her cutting accusation had felt like a sharp knife in his gut, and he reflected on what he could have said to make her see his point. But there were no excuses. He had made his choice, and in so doing, he had inadvertently hurt another one of those closest to him.
Hermione's hands slid from Harry's waist to rest on his shoulders, and he met her gaze again, the distance between them minimal, their shared warmth spreading to each other's faces, their breathing synched, each one acutely aware of the other's presence.
"I'll never shut you out again. I promise," Harry vowed.
The corners of Hermione's mouth curved into a soft smile. "Thank you."
"Now," Harry said, releasing his grip on her as she did the same. "You don't have to stay here. You're welcome to go back to Ron."
Hermione let out a heavy sigh. "He's not the one all alone, is he? Ron will be fine."
"And I'm not?"
Hermione fixed him with a serious expression, "I didn't say that. I just want to be here for you. Is that so awful?" she sniffed.
Harry let out a deep exhale, "It's not."
Hermione frowned. "Then, what is it, Harry? Tell me whats been bothering you. Please." Harry turned away from her and went to lean his shoulder against the dilapidated wall.
"I-I'm not sure how to explain it," Hermione gave him a reassuring smile and took a step closer, her eyes brightening in the dim. "Shadows," Harry started to say. Hermione stayed silent, watching him as he began to open up to her, "the darkness, it-it's like- I can feel it. It's everywhere. Everywhere I go. And I'm just…they speak to me, Hermione. They tell me... things."
Hermione frowned and looked at him worriedly, "They? Who are they? And what are they saying, Harry?" Harry felt a cold chill run through him and closed his eyes to steady himself.
"S-Sirius... my parents, the Potters before them... and others ones I can't even identify. They tell me I'll fail. I hear their screams as I fall asleep. The pain... the terror in their voices. They blame me," he choked, swallowing a lump that formed in his throat. "I don't know if it's my imagination, or something else."
Harry was so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn't even notice when Hermione closed the gap between them until she put her arms around his waist and leaned in against him. Harry froze for a moment, the warmth from Hermione's body felt nice, and he couldn't help but put his own arms around her and return the embrace, "It's okay, Harry. You'll be okay. I'm not going anywhere." Hermione said into his chest. He hugged her tightly and sighed, letting go of some of the stress he was carrying, but also feeling guilty for holding Hermione to him when he didn't deserve to have her near him after everything he put her through.
"I don't know, Hermione... these voices, shadows..." He shook his head as he pulled back a little and looked at her, "it all feels so real. I think that's why I couldn't bear to open those letters. I was scared to hear what Ron and you would say."
Harry didn't know what to do. He just wanted to get it all off his chest and try to figure things out, "I thought about leaving," Harry whispered, and he could feel her body stiffen at those words. "I can't sleep. I'm having nightmares every night, I keep hearing voices calling out to me in my head," he confessed to her. He closed his eyes again, "I was thinking maybe if I went somewhere else, then maybe, I'd feel better."
Hermione stayed silent for a long time before she responded, "But you didn't. And, I'm glad you didn't," she told him with a small smile, "Someone needs to answer for placing you in this dreadful place after what happened last year, and I have an idea who that someone might be. In the meantime, I need to go to the Burrow."
Harry looked at her with surprise, "You need to go there? Now?"
She nodded, "Yes, Harry. You see, a girl like me can't be caught wearing the same pair of clothes every day for two months straight, now, can she?" Hermione raised her eyebrow, waiting for a reply. Harry stared at her with a blank look on his face until she sighed loudly and rolled her eyes, "Harry, I have nothing to wear."
"Oh, er... right."
"Right," she repeated with a huff, "I'll only be a few minutes... you won't go anywhere, will you?" Hermione asked with a hint of a smile. Harry gave a quick shake of his head.
"Good."
With that, she was gone.
Harry retreated to his room as Hermione spent nearly thirty minutes collecting what she needed, before reappearing with an assortment of dresses, skirts, jeans and tops hanging over her arm and a small trunk in her free hand.
Harry offered his help, "A few minutes?" he questioned, amused, as Hermione laid the garments out on his bed.
"Yes," she confirmed, "it's rather challenging when I've left the vast majority of my clothes at the Burrow, but it'll have to do," she concluded, and Harry couldn't help but stare.
"Er, Hermione, why are you unpacking your things in my room?" Harry questioned.
Hermione halted for a moment before turning back to look at him, "Because you need someone here with you."
"What? What are you talking about?" Harry asked, his brows furrowing.
Hermione straightened and turned to face him, her expression resolute and unwavering. "I'm not allowing you out of my sight, Harry. Not when you're plagued by these... voices. And there's the potential that this is another one of the Dark Lord's schemes. My decision is final, and that's the end of it.""
Harry's brows rose high, his heart thudding as she said the last word with emphasis. He knew better than to argue with her. "The end of it? What about the Order? W-what about the Weasleys? Ron?"
"Well, that's what locking charms are for, aren't they? Besides, no one needs to know," she countered matter of factly.
Harry sighed in resignation, "Er, okay, if that's what you want," he relented before grabbing a pillow and tossing it on the ground, followed by a thick blanket.
Hermione took a look at his makeshift bedding, "What are you doing?" Harry looked up at her confused.
"Er... I thought you should get to have the bed."
Hermione folded her arms. "That's absurd, you can't sleep on the floor. I will."
"No, Hermione," Harry sighed and ran a hand through his messy black hair.
"It's fine Harry. You should sleep in the bed," she asserted with a shake of her head and grabbed the pillow from his hands and tossing it back onto the bed before looking at him, "or, um... we could share."
Harry froze as Hermione's words hit him like a brick wall.
Share... as in sharing the same bed, he thought, trying to figure out what she had just suggested.
"O-oh, you mean you want me to... we both sleep in the bed?" he finally managed, his cheeks feeling as if they were on fire.
Hermione nodded, "It's big enough," she gestured to the four-poster. Harry looked at it. She was right. It could easily sleep five adults.
"Oh, um... yeah, it's pretty big," he mumbled, his palms suddenly sweating.
"You can change your mind. I don't want you to be uncomfortable," Hermione added.
"Oh no. It's fine... it's just I-er never slept in the same bed with a girl before," Harry admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck as his cheeks heated.
"Oh..." Hermione stared at him for a long moment.
"Unless you don't want me to. I mean I can stay down here."
"It's okay," Hermione's eyes lit up with understanding, "You don't have to be scared. I promise not to bite you," she smiled, before grabbing her clothes and placing them inside the wardrobe. Harry just nodded and let out a relieved breath.
He quickly went to wash up before returning to the bedroom. He glanced over to the bed where Hermione had just changed into a long white cotton nightshirt. He paused when he saw the hem of her night shirt stopped just a few inches below her bottom. He quickly looked away, trying not to look at her bare legs, "S-should I close the curtains?" he stuttered.
Hermione smiled as she slid beneath the covers, "That won't be necessary. Goodnight, Harry."
He mumbled his goodnight before stripping down to his boxers. He usually slept in just his underwear. But since he wasn't alone, he opted to put on a shirt, though it wasn't one of his, as he noticed, looking down at the Hogwarts crest on his chest.
He was almost ready to climb into bed beside Hermione when his gaze fell upon his wand, resting on the desk. He briefly contemplated adding an extra warding charm for their safety but quickly dismissed the idea, feeling a twinge of guilt at the thought of resorting to such magic, knowing well that she would disapprove.
After ensuring the room was shrouded in darkness and the door was securely closed, he moved around the bed and slipped beneath the covers. Hermione lay on the side closest to him, and she stirred slightly as Harry nestled under the soft duvet.
Harry gazed up at the ceiling, the soft illumination from the bedside lamp casting an amber hue throughout the room. He lay still and somewhat uncomfortable for a while, until he became aware that she was watching him. Harry shifted his head slightly, finding Hermione's intent gaze directed at him.
"Um... sorry, I don't usually have others in my bed," he offered, his heart quickening at her intense scrutiny. "It might take some getting used to," he confessed, hoping that his admission wouldn't create any awkwardness between them.
"Don't apologize, I completely understand."
"Goodnight Hermione."
Hermione smiled and turned her body towards him. Harry tried not to panic when he felt Hermione's foot slide over and brush against his, before resting her head against the pillow next to him and closed her eyes. Harry stayed as still as possible until she finally settled down beside him and began to breath softly. Her rhythmatic and steady breathing soon became a melody to Harry's ears as he finally relaxed, his own breathing matching hers as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Distorted noises and voices invaded Harry's subconscious. The sounds echoed around him. They were everywhere, closing in around him, as he tried desperately to fight his way through them, but no matter which direction he ran, or what path he took, they followed.
"Run" A distorted voice hissed as he was tossed from side to side like a leaf on the wind. He spun around, searching for the owner of the voice.
"Join me, or die."
"Failure."
"Pathetic"
The voices whispered all at once as they surrounded him, their words blending into a chorus of meaningless noise, filling Harry's head and threatening to overwhelm him.
"Kill her. Kill her now."
A sudden pain shot through his forehead and he doubled over with a groan as he tried to block out the voices and focus on a single thought. He concentrated hard on a memory, trying desperately to ground himself back to reality.
"Harry?" He heard a voice whisper his name, a voice he knew was Hermione, "Harry, wake up, you're having a bad dream."
His eyes flew open. He gasped for breath. Sweat soaked the front of his t-shirt and dripped down his neck as his head fell back against the pillow. The pain subsided slowly as his body shook with tremors. His eyes slowly came into focus and he blinked.
He heard the voice again and turned his head, looking through his sweaty hair that covered his vision, "Harry, it's just a dream. It's over. It's okay, just breathe."
Hermione helped him to sit up, and handed him the cool glass of water from his nightstand before handing him his glasses. Harry placed them on the bridge of his nose. He took several deep breaths, trying to control his ragged breathing and his trembling hand that nearly caused him to drop the glass before finally managing to drink the cool refreshing liquid, soothing his parched throat.
He gave the empty glass to Hermione who set it down before sitting in front of him with a look of concern. He didn't know what to say to her, baring his soul to her about the voices, his dreams, and everything else wasn't easy for him. He winced before running a shaky hand through his sweaty hair, trying to calm the jumbled mess in his head, but he was not able to help the sob that escaped his throat as he doubled over.
"Shhh... come here." Hermione whispered softly before gently taking his hands and pulling him to her. He resisted at first, feeling too weak, too exposed, and too ashamed of himself. He wasn't ready. He wanted to curl up and hide. He just wanted the nightmare to end. But then he saw her warm smile, heard her comforting voice once again, and it was then he gave in. Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione and pulled her close to him. Her embrace was soothing as he buried his head into the crook of her neck, his tears slowly soaking the thin cotton fabric of her shirt.
He closed his eyes and let it all go. Hermione held him tightly as she gently rocked him back and forth. His body shuddered as he let his sobs out. He didn't care what she thought or felt. He needed someone. He needed comfort, and right now, Hermione was all he had.
After what seemed like forever, Harry finally composed himself. Hermione pulled back from him with a tear streaked smile and Harry immediately felt the loss of her embrace, but felt comforted as her hand reached out to brush a wet strand of hair off of his forehead before resting her hand against his cheek, cupping it in her warm palm.
Harry closed his eyes and sighed with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. Hermione's fingers slid up and traced the scar on his forehead, causing his breath to catch in his throat. "Are you alright?" she whispered softly. Harry opened his eyes and stared into Hermione's soft brown gaze. She was still looking at him, waiting for him to reply. He gave her a slight nod. Hermione smiled and lowered her hand back into her lap before shifting her gaze to look down at her hands, fidgeting slightly with a loose string from her night shirt before looking up to meet his gaze again.
"Would you like to talk about it?" She asked him tentatively, her voice just above a whisper as if afraid she would scare him.
"Kill her. Kill her now." the voice whispered.
Harry grimaced as if struck by the cruciatus curse, his eyes squeezing shut.
"Kill her. Kill her now," The voices whispered all at once, repeating the same words.
Harry winced at the sharp pain that shot through his skull, "No! Stop!" he yelled and Hermione immediately stilled.
"Kill her, Kill her now."
The voices hissed louder this time. The words seemed to bounce around the walls of the small room, growing in volume. "Harry...what's wrong?" Hermione whispered with wide eyes, as Harry covered his ears, his brows knitted tightly.
"Stop. Stop please," Harry groaned through gritted teeth. The pain grew more intense as he screwed his eyes shut. "Make them stop... Make it stop... please." he begged, not caring if it made him seem weak. The voices grew louder. They filled the room with their terrible sound. Harry couldn't take it anymore. His head felt like it was splitting open. He let out a cry.
Hermione stared at him in confusion, tears streaming down her cheeks, "What are they saying, Harry?"
Harry groaned as the pain increased.
"Harry, tell me, please?" Hermione cried.
"Alohomora!" A muffled voice shouted outside the room as the bedroom door swung open, "Hermione?" Remus' voice cut through the dark hallway as the werewolf rushed toward their bed. "What's wrong?"
"I...I don't know." Hermione replied shakily. "Harry... he's in pain."
Remus stopped in front of the bed and knelt down on the floor.
"Harry... are you all right?" Remus asked, "Harry!" Remus exclaimed in a loud voice. Harry blinked a few times, then he felt hands shaking him roughly. Remus was right next to him now. Hermione had backed up, looking frightened, with a hand over her mouth. Tonks jogged over toward Hermione in a purple nightrobe, placing her hands over her shoulders in a comforting gesture.
After a moment, Harry seemed to regain his bearings and glanced around the room as if confused. "Harry? Talk to me." Remus said softly, shaking him slightly to get his attention. "What happened? Whats wrong?" Remus asked gently. Harry swallowed and tried to answer. His throat was dry and his voice cracked. He tried to form a response, but nothing came out. He didn't know how to explain. He was afraid. Afraid he had somehow done something terrible, that he'd done something wrong. Hermione!
He turned to look at her, his eyes still wide with fear, and noticed her concerned expression, "Did... did I... Did I hurt you? Are you okay?" he asked. His voice trembled, sounding so small and helpless.
Hermione shook her head. She looked just as terrified as he felt. Her eyes were red from crying and she still held her hand to her chest in a protective stance. She stared at Harry intently for a moment before replying. "No. You didn't hurt me. You just scared me."
"What happened Harry?" Tonks asked. She was standing at the foot of the bed now, leaning against the frame with a look of concern on her face.
"I... I had another nightmare," Harry mumbled.
Remus gave him a knowing nod. Harry hated himself for what he was about to say next. His voice cracked as he spoke again, "Remus, send Hermione back to the Burrow."