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December 19th, 2005
Ministry of Magic
"Draco." Harry greets the man while he walks inside the cafeteria.
Draco turns to look at Harry, his eyes so narrow they're practically slits. The blond man is adding spoons of sugar to his coffee and the silence stretches while he leans on the counter, moving his head in a slight nod to greet Harry. Not a word while he sips.
Harry tries not minding, but he does. A bit.
And as he moves to the counter to brew himself some coffee, he chews the insides of his cheeks while thinking what to say to the other man. They didn't get their chance at talking at Grimmauld yesterday or the day before. Harry left after breakfast and locked himself inside his flat, his mind going a million miles an hour coming to terms with all he heard and said while he filled his wall with more information.
"Look," He begins, sighing. Draco is by his side, looking at the entrance of the cafeteria while Harry has his back to it. He makes a face when he sips on the coffee. There's a long way for this to get close to the coffee he's used to drink in Rome. Draco looks at him sideways, waiting. "I don't think apologizing again makes a difference." He's murmuring. "What it's done is done and I can't be a hypocrite and say I wished I could take it back. It was do or die." He sips again, then pauses before continuing, "Even against all odds, I like you. And the best I can do is offer you my sincerity. I owe you. And I won't forget how much." Harry turns to look at him. Draco's expression is as emotionless as it gets. But he's listening, which is a start. "I only hope you can forgive me one day." Harry presses his lips together.
It takes a while for Draco to move or even breathe and Harry wonders if the man is actually fine, but then he exhales and says, "I appreciate your honesty." Harry nods. "And I hope I can forgive you one day too, Harry."
They stare at each other. Some kind of understanding between them. Draco understood his reasons because he would have done the same if he found himself in that situation, but it doesn't mean he has to be friends with his father's murderer.
And before Harry can say anything else, Asmodeus enters the cafeteria.
Harry freezes for a moment. If Pettigrew is back, Hermione also is.
He gulps, trying not to think how she intentionally ignored him. His thoughts weren't only consumed by his parents and everything else, Hermione also occupied his mind in an almost obsessive way. He sent her another message through the coin yesterday night and she didn't answer. She didn't even bother to warn him that she was back.
He sets his jaw. Pettigrew is greeting Draco, smiling. But he doesn't greet Harry. He only says his little trip with Hermione was successful and she's calling for a meeting in ten minutes.
Not wanting to hear another word, Harry exits the cafeteria with firm steps showing how clearly angry he is.
And the reasonable voice inside his head tries calming him: She owes me no satisfaction. He can't be angry about this, but after… after what they shared inside his parents' abandoned house his feelings for her grew. Immensely.
And again it seems that what they share barely matters to her.
Inevitably, words from Ron, Sirius and Sally come back to his mind.
Ron explicitly said he shouldn't trust Hermione. Not when their lives and purposes are so different, so directly opposed. Harry wants to destroy her family. She wants to protect them.
Sirius said Harry had no idea what he was doing with her, and in a way, he was right. Harry doesn't try denying to himself his feelings anymore. He feels strongly for Hermione. But exactly what these feelings are, he can't be sure. It's too damn hard to come to terms with it. It's not about physical attraction. It's not about wanting to keep his enemy close either…
But what she did to Sally… it bothers him. Hermione was extremely emotional talking about the Potters and how they were forbidden to live their love, but… hasn't she done the same with Sally and Longbottom? Wasn't she the one responsible in ending their relationship? Responsible for crashing their hopes of being together?
He's walking fast to a washroom. He doesn't want to face her before the meeting room because he knows that he might want satisfactions and he's not in such position to demand them.
He leans on the sink, his hands on the marble while he hunches forward, breathing slowly.
Hermione obviously had moments alone where she could have answered Harry, a simple 'okay' was all he wanted and yet-
Yet she was with her boyfriend. Investigating together and spending every minute with each other. He wished he could say he didn't care. But the only thing bubbling inside him is sheer jealousy. Get a grip. We made no promises to each other.
He groans internally.
Harry contemplates putting some distance between them… but now that he needs her to find the Aurors he just can't. This is more important. Whatever is happening with his feelings… with hers… it shouldn't matter. The investigation, the revenge, is his life.
And he's not throwing it away.
When he enters the meeting room, Ron and Hermione are talking inside. And they abruptly stop.
Not by his choice, his eyes go to her, roaming over her body and face.
She looks good. Calm.
But she doesn't smile at him. In fact, she barely moves. He frowns. What the fuck happened on this trip?
Sensing the tension, Ron breaks the uncomfortable silence. "Harry! Hey, mate."
Harry looks at Ron and opens a tight smile. Pocketing his hands he sits down slowly. "Ron. Hermione."
Their eyes meet. And he realizes how much he missed her. With it comes all his feelings and the slight anger at her for not minding to answer him at all. When Pettigrew was away investigating Harry's family, she kept in touch with him. She talked with Pettigrew every day. But when it comes to Harry-
"D'Angelo." She says slowly, her eyes narrowing, her voice strange. Harry is unable to decipher her expression, her eyes - that he learned how to read what lies underneath her words most of the times - show nothing. It's like the Hermione who left that day after they went through his parents' house is gone and another one entirely came back from Scotland.
He gulps and nods slightly.
Then Ginny and Draco enter the room and Pettigrew is right behind them.
Harry feels numb while he greets Ginny, his eyes on Hermione and the smile she so easily opens for Pettigrew, her expression changing to a softer one.
Much like the first time he saw them together.
Harry looks away.
And it's odd to realize that despite his jealousy, he doesn't even have the energy to be angry about it. It hits him that this is how things are going to be, regardless his revenge or anything else that happens between them. He doesn't know if her feelings changed. He has no idea if Hermione even- the only thing she said was that she was jealous of Sally. Nothing more. In fact, she made it pretty clear that whatever was this thing they were sharing had an expiration date.
Maybe Harry was a fool to ignore all of this.
"So," Hermione begins, sitting down by Pettigrew's side, directly in front of Harry. But she avoids looking at him. The wall above and behind his head is a thousand times more interesting, it seems. "We found Vernon Dursley. After a whole day of trailing him it became absolutely clear that he's as Muggle as it gets and for a moment we even doubted the information we got." She looks at Pettigrew. Harry crosses his arms.
"It seemed impossible for a man as dull as him to be involved with the attack that obviously had a lot of planning and layers." Pettigrew shrugs. "I was ready to come back and leave it at that, but of course our amazing Head Auror was sure we had to dig deeper." What Harry really wants is to dig a hole on the floor for himself when Pettigrew takes her hand on the table and gives it a gentle squeeze, his face showing all his admiration for his girlfriend. Hermione just smiles at him.
"Yeah, I mean, we were already there, Asmo, it would be silly to abandon the lead." She cocks her head to him and Pettigrew only smiles, rolling his eyes. Harry moves a bit uncomfortable and Hermione's eyes go to him. He sees how she discreetly presses her lips together, but soon she's talking again, her gaze moving to Ron, Ginny, anyone but Harry, "Well, Vernon Dursley is single and a solitary man, he would wake and go to work and then back to his house, not leaving after. At the second day we invaded his house while he was at work. It's a bit frustrating to say that there was nothing remotely close to wizards, guns, the Fair or anything like that. On the next day we decided to look around at his work. We charmed ourselves and easily entered the factory where we found out Vernon is Director. And that was when I was sure something was off."
"He's not from here if he has a whole life in Scotland, right? What was his involvement in the attack, then? Why him?" Harry says in a low voice, knowing exactly what Hermione noticed. She looks at him again. And it confuses him the way he sees pain in her eyes.
But, concealing it fast, Hermione shakes her head, "Exactly. We debated a lot what to do." Harry looks down. It should have been him with Hermione on this mission, not Pettigrew. "We couldn't be too obvious about it since we don't know who the traitor is and only we know about this lead. So, to keep things very discreet and low profile, we magically made the Muggles believe that Dursley went away to enjoy some well deserved vacations." Ginny gasps, and Hermione opens a tight smile. "Yes, he's here. We brought him here for interrogation. But he's hidden at the cells underground. I haven't talked with my father yet and we're only going to interrogate Dursley after I do. Is that clear?"
Harry hears the edge on her voice, clearly referring to when they went behind her back pursuing this lead. They all nod slowly.
"Good." Hermione says and sighs. "Now, I'm exhausted." She stands, Pettigrew does too. "We arrived a few hours ago and it was a pain in the ass getting Dursley inside without trigging all the alarms." She wets her lips, her eyes again going to Harry very briefly. "I'll talk with the Minister tomorrow. Today, however, me and Asmo will take the day off to rest. Ron, you're in charge."
Ron nods to her. There's a beat of total silence then.
Harry wished he could have a moment with her. Minutes, nothing more. Just a simple exchange of words. He wants to know how she's feeling. He wants to hug her. Kiss her. But Pettigrew is already taking Hermione's hand and she doesn't look back at Harry when she leaves the room with her boyfriend.
Harry clicks his tongue.
Ron, Ginny and Draco are looking at him. Harry shrugs. He has no idea what they expect him to say. He told them it was just sex with Hermione. He opens his mouth, but Ginny is faster.
"So, dinner later at my house?" She asks loudly, widening her eyes. Of course. It isn't that safe to talk there.
"Sure!" Harry says faking excitement and rolling his eyes. They stand from their chairs together, smiling. "Could you please make some fresh pasta tonight?" Harry asks in what seems almost a whine. He misses Italy.
Ginny snorts while they walk out of the room. Draco and Ron talking about buying some Firewhiskey. "Okay, D'Angelo, you win this time. Maybe Sally can ask Eleonora to make some of that lasagna."
Harry laughs as they reach the end of the corridor, "Please! I'll send a letter to Sally right now-"
He stops talking.
He just bumped into someone while turning at the hall. Hermione. She moves away from him as if he just burned her with actual fire. "Sorry." She says fast, her eyes still avoiding his. But she clears her throat and crosses her arms. Harry wants to hug her so badly he needs to check himself not to do it right there in front of all the Aurors. In front of Pettigrew who is waiting by her office's door, looking at them. "So, I expect you to go over some questions for our guest, okay?" She says in a low voice.
Ron, Draco and Ginny nod. But Harry is observing her. He can tell something changed. She's avoiding him in a way she never did before. He opens his mouth, but again he doesn't have the chance to complete his thought. Hermione nods to them and goes past him fast.
His only reaction is following her with his eyes, her smell lingering where she just walked by his side. Ginny is the one who brings him back to the moment. "So, do send Sally the letter." She says very loud and Harry understands why. Pettigrew is watching him with hatred in his eyes. He just saw how Harry looked at Hermione…
"Of course!" Harry says and as if nothing happened, they resume their walk to their desks.
He doesn't see or hear from Hermione for the rest of the day.
December 20th, 2005
Harry's flat
It's exactly 5am when a Patronus invades his bedroom.
"D'Angelo," He perks up immediately. It's Hermione. "I need you at the Ministry as soon as possible."
And that's it.
Harry frowns and yawns, rubbing a hand over his eyes and trying to leave his comfortable bed. He moves slowly. He went to bed pretty late. If he slept two hours it was too much.
He had a great night at Draco and Ginny's again. Sally was there too and for the first time Harry was able to talk with them without fearing giving away too much information about himself. And it was amazing. Liberating, actually. Not just that but he understood that he really likes them. He genuinely wants to be their friend.
Which is something he never imagined would happen.
But well... there's a few other things he never imagined would happen.
His mind is taken hostage by Hermione while he goes through his morning routine, getting ready for a long day that he's sure lies ahead. Whatever happened that demands his presence at the Ministry at this hour isn't something that will resolve itself fast.
He splashes some water to his face and the moment he closes his eyes, the way Hermione kissed him outside his parents' house comes to him. She was worried. She knew something was off after the way he sent her away from his flat and she simply asked if he was okay. She smiled and kissed him. Made him feel good. She took his hand while they walked around the house. She fixed his father's glasses and cried for them.
He grunts, annoyed. Utterly annoyed.
What the fuck happened that changed her so much these past four, five days?
She barely looked at him. She immediately recoiled when they accidentally touched. And the pain he saw in her eyes…
Buttoning up his vest, Harry takes a long breath before heading to the Ministry.
Ministry of Magic
He was not expecting what he encountered when he stepped out of the fireplace. At all.
Dozens of Aurors are roaming around the Atrium and many more arriving. Harry walks slowly to the middle of the place, his mouth slightly hanging open. He can't believe his eyes.
The statue. It's destroyed. Almost obliterated by a strong explosion. Easily he spots Ginny, her red hair standing out in the crowd.
Harry stops by her side, pocketing his hands. "What happened?"
There are debris all over.
"Well, isn't it obvious?" She mocks him with a smile. Harry scowls at her.
"But what's the big deal? Aside the obvious that someone invaded and attacked the Ministry in a clear message." He points out before she says anything, "I mean, just magically put it back together and be done with it. Why all the commotion?" He gestures around, talking about the many Aurors and how they're registering the debris and the miserable shape the statue was left.
"Hermione is livid." She says in a low voice. "I haven't seen the Minister yet but I would bet all my galleons that he's too." She gives him a pointed look. "And to answer your question, from what I gathered they already tried putting it back together… is not working." She clicks her tongue. "Much like the magic placed in those bullets, no one knows what to do about this."
"So don't put it back together." He shrugs. "Just vanish with it and bring over a new one."
Ginny sighs, turning to him. "Harry, you're not understanding." She shakes her head. "The debris, the rest of the statue, its marble, no one was able to use magic on it. Any of it." He narrows his eyes. "Not even with their bare hands. It will stay like this until someone finds a way around it."
Harry cocks his head, trying not to actually laugh. Setting his jaw, he gives Ginny a knowing look. Was this their doing? But she discreetly denies with her head and in that same moment they hear Hermione's voice booming inside the place.
She's incredulous no one found a way of dealing with this.
He observes her as she comes from the elevators, her eyes filled with fury, her feet stomping the floor. She hasn't looked at him yet and he turns to Ginny. "She indeed looks livid." He says in a low voice.
Ginny shakes her head, her expression strange. "I think something else happened." It's all she says before they hear Sirius arriving.
"What the hell?" Sirius asks loudly, his arms open as he sets his eyes on the statue. He gives Harry and Ginny a look, ready to say something, but Hermione is finally there and she wastes no time.
"Sirius, my father wants you at his office. Right now."
The man only nods before heading to the elevators.
That's finally the moment she turns and her eyes set on Harry. She narrows them. He gulps. "D'Angelo. Took you long enough." She takes a few steps closer, her posture stiff. "Can you think of any spell that might set this right?" Her head motions to the statue.
So, not a hello, not a smile, nothing. Just a direct request.
"I'm not sure, but I can give it a try."
"Do it."
Fetching his wand, he avoids looking at her again while he rakes his mind after a spell that might be good enough… He closes his eyes and murmurs one his grandfather taught him a long time ago. He can feel the silence around him. Everyone who were trying to move the debris manually are quiet while they watch Harry. Even with his eyes closed, he feels Hermione's warmth just by his side.
He ends the spell and opens his eyes. Then he clicks his tongue. "Well." He says. "Not exactly what you expected, I gather." He turns to look at Hermione. There's a wrinkle between her brows and her arms are crossed, her jaw set. Harry was able to put back some pieces into the statue, but nothing that helped much.
"You were the only one capable of doing even the slightest." She says in a murmur.
And, at last, she looks at him. Really looks at him.
He lets out a slow breath, his heart beating faster.
I missed you.
These past days he missed her so damn much. And by the way she's looking at him, she also missed him. He notices Ginny moving away from them in tiny steps. Hermione barely looks at the other Auror.
They're lost in this particular moment.
"Come with me." She says to him.
And not waiting for an answer, she strides away. It takes him two seconds to follow her into a corridor. It looks like a maze and they don't talk while Hermione takes a few turns here and there.
She stops abruptly and he accidentally bumps into her. For the first time since she got back, she smiles to him. He smiles back.
Not even noticing, he leans to her, but one hand at his chest stops him. She raises an eyebrow. Then she puts her other hand above the wall and right before his eyes he sees a door manifesting itself. Hermione swiftly turns the knob and pulls him inside.
It's a storage room.
He chuckles. "Why you keep bringing me to storage-"
But he doesn't finish because her lips crash on his. She's kissing him so hard he takes a moment to adjust to meet her hunger.
Her hands run through his hair, her body on his, her tongue assaulting his mouth in a way that makes him shiver in anticipation. He grabs her ass, squeezing. She lets out a soft moan against his mouth and Harry bites her lips, his tongue darting out to her mouth. Hermione presses him against the door, dominating him completely.
Harry would never complain in being pressed against a wall and dominated like this by her, but he can tell - feel - that something is off. He gently tries moving back, one of his hands on her nape. Hermione resists, groaning, angry, kissing him, bruising.
"Hey," He tries saying between kisses and heavy breaths. "Hermione." She's not listening, "Hey." He tries again, gently moving away, but she fists his hair, one of her hands bringing him to her again. They kiss desperately. "What's-" She tilts his head to deepen the kiss.
And then Harry feels it, a wetness. Tears. Against his cheeks. Running down her face.
A bit more roughly he puts some distance between them, opening his eyes to look at her. She's making a face of complete shame, trying to brush away her tears. He grabs her hands and pulls her back to him, hugging her. He tries moving her chin up to look at him, but she shakes her head, burying her face into the crook of his neck, breathing him in and sobbing.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
She cries silently in his arms, her own squeezing him so tight it's almost painful. He lets her. He would let her do anything with him.
Harry kisses her temple, his hands on her back in a smooth caress. "Tell me." He says and she sobs one last time before pulling back. He smiles to her, his thumbs seeking her cheeks, brushing away her tears.
Hermione sighs and lets out a snort. She moves again to hug him, this time with her eyes locked on his. "I missed you. Very much." She says, kissing his jaw.
His heart swells at her words. "I sent you a few messages but-"
"I'm sorry about not answering." She says fast. "There's something I need to tell you, Harry."
He observes while she purses her lips and wandlessly summons an armchair for them. Hermione takes his hand and makes him sit. Then she settles herself on his lap, her body turned to his. He embraces her by the waist, closing his eyes and nuzzling her neck.
She sighs. One of her hands goes to his hair in a caress. And then she starts talking, "I thought it was too risky to talk to you while I was with Asmo and no way of being completely alone." He grunts at that, annoyed.
"It was supposed to be our mission." He says through gritted teeth and she nods.
"I know. Regardless, Harry, we do need to be extra careful now because…" She trails and he makes a face at her, his eyes searching for a clue of what might be happening. But she hides it pretty well, her whole face and expression strange, pained.
"Whatever it is, tell me. You're suffering."
He gently kisses her neck, squeezing her middle.
She inhales deeply, gathering some courage and-
"Asmo proposed."
Harry stills. He feels cold. And suddenly it's hard to breathe. His mouth is dry. His stomach churns. Hermione doesn't move, she's watching his reaction, her hands on his nape and hair. "And what did you answer?" His voice is barely there.
She gulps. "You know my answer, Harry." He numbly nods, closing his eyes and leaning back at the chair. There's nothing he can say or do. They already knew this was going to happen, but even so… even so he hoped she might- "We'll make it official at Christmas." Her voice is low, thin, cracked.
He grits his teeth. "Well. Congratulations." His heart aches.
She tugs at his hair, forcing him to look at her. "It doesn't change things between us."
He actually laughs. But it's bitter. Harry shakes his head. "It does, Hermione." He says pointedly. "And you know it. It's your choice, after all."
She sets her jaw. "You know it's not that simple."
He moves, wanting to stand, wanting to put distance between them. She doesn't put up any resistance and they stare at each other with a few feet separating them. "Why are you telling me this?" He asks.
She blinks a few times. "I- I wanted you to know before anyone else."
"Why?"
"Because we-" She stops herself, crossing her arms.
"We what?"
She shakes her head, pressing her lips together. He sees some tears running down her face again. But then she brushes them away with more force than necessary and puts on her face of badass Head Riddle and Harry knows this is over. He knows she won't say the words he imagines come close to what he's feeling. Instead, she says, "It's not the time nor place to have this conversation. I just wanted to warn you in consideration." He snorts. There's a billion things he wants to say to her. "I'll-"
She doesn't finish because a memo slides under the door and reaches Hermione. She reads it swiftly.
"What is it?" Harry asks. He still wants to talk about this, but it's really not the place-
Not answering, Hermione storms out of the room without turning back even when he calls to her. Harry has no other choice than to follow. He's amazed by how fast she's going and he picks up his pace not to lose her inside these corridors.
They reach the Atrium pretty fast and she moves even faster to meet Pettigrew. Harry hesitates for a second, but when Ginny, Draco and Ron approach them, he does too.
"It can't be." Hermione is saying when he's close enough to hear. "Fuck, this day is getting worse by the minute."
And not waiting, again, she strides to the elevators. They all follow. Harry silently asks Ron what's the problem.
"Something about the Muggle." It's the man's low answer.
Harry gulps and tries not showing all his discomfort when the six of them enter the elevator. Pettigrew is at the back with Hermione and Harry turns around so he doesn't have to look at them.
'Asmo proposed'. The phrase echoes inside his head.
And she said yes.
The elevator moves with a strong tug. Down. And down. Fast, insanely fast.
No one says a word inside the metal box until it stops with an abrupt jolt. Harry holds his ground and exits first.
The floor wasn't announced and he has no idea where he is. Ginny stops by his side while they wait for Hermione to lead the group. And she walks fast, determined, Pettigrew by her side. Always him. The man who will be her husband. Give her his name. Build a family with her.
Setting his jaw he shakes his head to dismiss the thoughts. It's what she wants. Otherwise she would have said no. It's a tough pill to swallow.
They keep going through a narrow and stony corridor. There's barely any light and Harry understands they're heading to the Ministry's dungeons. To the cells where they keep whoever they please before interrogation or waiting for a sentence or Azkaban.
The place is humid and cold. It gives him chills.
Hermione finally stops and Harry can't see yet the cell she's looking at with an open mouth and wide eyes. But he'd already noticed the smell and he knows what to expect.
When he stops and looks through the heavy bars, he sees the Muggle.
Vernon Dursley is dead.
And the scene is brutal.
Someone opened him up all the way from one side to the other, his insides hanging from his body while he was left there hanging to the wall. There's blood all around.
Hermione lets out a sound of sheer indignation and disgust. Ginny turns around, holding her stomach and Ron actually vomits. Draco is frozen on the spot. And Harry acts. He moves his wand to mask the stench from the body and he takes a step to Hermione, but Pettigrew is there, firm on her side, one of his hands on her arm.
Harry stops.
Hermione seems to be in total shock, unable to do anything.
He decides doing it for her then.
He opens the cell's door with a spell and moves inside. No one tries stopping him when he crouches in front of the body, his eyes leveled with the man's belly, with the insides hanging out and down. It's not like it doesn't affect him, but he went through a lot of similar situations in his years as Head Auror. Muggle hate in Italy is not that strong, but there are at least three Wizarding Mafias that enjoy killing members of each other's day in day out. He can't even remember how many times he had to investigate a murder like this.
Which obviously strikes a chord on him while he observes the cut that was made.
Mafia crimes were always filled with hate and personal motives. And Vernon Dursley went through something similar.
He moves a bit to the side.
The difference is that… this cut was made by a knife. Or even a sword. There's no indication of a spell. He swallows hard, chewing his cheeks. He can't see any other clue or lead. Nothing unusual. Of course they'll find out the estimated time of death and Harry is sure it'll be close to the same hour that the statue was destroyed.
Just a wizard would be able to destroy the statue, to enter the Ministry. But if the invader and the murderer are the same person, they chose to use a muggle method to… kill a Muggle. Harry stands fast, putting distance between him and the corpse. He still remembers what Lucius said that night… 'nothing more fitting than dying like a Muggle'.
When he finally turns, Hermione is closer now, inside the cell, her eyes on his. Harry can see the question there and he answers, "It was some blade. A knife or a sword. Not a spell. In fact there's no indication of any spell being casted here."
She nods, that wrinkle between her brows showing how hard she's thinking. But when she opens her mouth to say something, a roar bellows in the corridor:
"HERMIONE!"
Harry stiffens.
It's Tom Riddle.
They all freeze. He's coming fast, his steps echoing on the corridor. Harry wants to take Hermione's hand, embrace her, protect her in any possible way-
She gives him a pointed look. He understands. And just before Riddle arrives at the cell, she says to him in a voice only he can hear, "Stay out of this, please."
He nods faintly, his heart squeezing inside his chest.
And fast enough Tom Riddle is standing there in front of the cell. The others move to give him space. He looks insane, almost lunatic.
And Harry immediately fears for Hermione.
However, deep down, he knows she can take care of herself. She's been doing it for the past twenty-six years without him.
For long minutes there's only silence. Harry does his best not to break it. Riddle is observing the gruesome scene behind him and Hermione. And if Harry is right, Hermione didn't have the time to talk with her father, so, he doesn't know who this man is, even less why he's dead and they're all there.
Then something shifts in the air.
Riddle stands straighter and changes his expression, one of pure control taking over his features, that impenetrable mask of coldness able to make people shiver in fear. Riddle pockets his hands slowly, narrowing his eyes to Hermione.
"All of you, leave us." Riddle says, his tone sharp and menacing. Harry watches while Ron strides out followed by Draco and Ginny. Pettigrew lingers a bit, his eyes on Hermione, but he goes nonetheless.
Harry knows he should move. Knows he should be running away from there, but he feels a need - so strong it's almost physical - to stay there with her.
"You too, D'Angelo." Riddle grits his teeth, his lips pulling up into a snarl of anger directed at Harry.
Harry still doesn't move.
And he knows he's being stupid. So utterly stupid. But the only thing he does is step closer to Hermione. He feels her warmth and the way she relaxes the slightest with his proximity. But before Riddle or Harry himself can say anything, Hermione fully turns to Harry, giving her back to her father.
She purses her lips, wanting his attention and Harry looks at her. "Leave." She says firmly, her eyes certain. He sets his jaw. How hard it is for her to understand that he doesn't want to? "Now."
"Hermione-"
"Leave, D'Angelo!" Riddle yells. "Who do you think you are?"
Harry gives no answer. He has no intention in moving.
Perceiving his insolence, Riddle draws his wand.
Hermione is holding her breath and Harry firms his feet on the floor, bending his legs slightly. His wand is just in reach-
Riddle utters a hex his way and Harry is fast enough to shield the spell. If Tom Riddle thinks he can intimidate Harry, he might think twice-
Another hex comes his way and this time… a powerful shield rises in front of Harry before he can even think.
Hermione steps in front of Harry, facing Riddle, clearly making a statement to her father.
There's a moment where no one dares even breathing. The pieces on the board waiting for the next move.
Then her arms seek Harry's, holding him behind her. Riddle presses his lips together in an ugly face. Disappointment written all over it. His focus on Hermione, on the way she's standing and how she's defying him. "There's no need for this, father." She says in a dangerous tone. And then her left hand slides down Harry's forearm until… until it finds his left hand.
The tingle.
It's exhilarating.
Harry interlaces their fingers, squeezing her hand. Riddle can't see exactly how they're holding hands since the three are pretty close and Hermione has her hand behind her back.
The contact gives him peace. And courage. Hermione relaxes even further. He can see the tension leaving her neck. She squeezes his hand back.
Whatever this tingle is… it's bizarre.
Harry feels all his emotions towards her on the edge. He could burn down the Ministry if she asked him to. He could run around the world. Could seize the moon for her. Could-
"Go, D'Angelo." It's her only request, though.
He clicks his tongue, resigned. He knows that he already dig a hole for himself just by trying to stay. But he finds it impossibly hard to care.
Regaining some of his wits, he says. "Sir, I'm sorry." He bows his head, slightly, his hand releasing hers. She immediately tenses back and he plays with the absurd idea of trying to stay again, but it's not what Hermione wants. And he finds it hard not to do what she asks of him, "I think the whole scene left me a bit shocked." His voice is calm, firm, certain, "I'll leave you to it." He bows curtly again and even smiles tightly to Riddle.
The Minister only sneers at Harry, waiting for him to leave.
Each step he takes away from Hermione he feels heavy, broken. And when he finally reaches the elevator, it's like he left a piece of himself with her in that cell.
Grimmauld
They're all there. Sirius and the others. All talking about the hellish day they had at the Ministry. Again, the only ones that never participate in these kind of gatherings are the Riddles. Harry doesn't care about Tom or even Bellatrix. But he wished Hermione could be there. He wished he could ask her how she is. Hug her. Talk to her about everything that happened and what might happen now…
If he could he would ask her about what happened when he finally took the elevator back to the Atrium. For a long while Hermione and her father were down there and when they finally appeared, there wasn't a hint of a fight or discussion between them. It seemed like everything was fine apart from all the crazy events of the day.
For the rest of the day they tried to fix the statue. Harry even performed that one spell again but nothing happened. Eventually, they gave up.
And the statue stayed that way, completely destroyed, its debris all over. A huge mess the moment you enter the Ministry. A mess that will linger until someone discovers how to get rid of it. Harry considers it fitting. Incredible, actually. He should have thought of that.
But this brings them to a point none understand. What kind of magic is being used that no counter spell or charm or anything else is capable of undoing it?
He sighs, leaning on the couch he's sitting on. He's trying to ignore the ache in his chest that has been bothering him since Hermione said she's marrying Pettigrew, but it feels worse now. It's like a knife entering his heart.
Slowly entering his heart and taking his breath away.
Harry never imagined he would feel something like this. Such hopelessness. Such hurt.
When he caught Chiara cheating on him, his only emotion was anger and a sense of betrayal, of broken trust. But it didn't make him want to… give up. Of course it broke him, he can't deny it, but...
But just knowing, just being sure, that he's losing Hermione forever is-
He sets his jaw. That tingle. What was that?
Whatever it was it felt good.
In that moment Harry was sure they had a strong connection, sure it was unbreakable and more important than any other relationship. He felt safe. He felt ready to protect her at any cost. The same way he would have done anything she asked of him. And he can't help wondering if she felt the same.
"What's eating you from inside out?" Ron asks as he settles down by Harry's side, eating a big sandwich and chewing with his mouth half open. Harry chuckles.
Then he considers opening up to Ron… "Hermione." He says in a whisper. Ron sits up, his expression changing. "I mean, what do you think happened between her and her father today? Riddle looked ready to murder someone."
"Well," Ron looks to the others chatting in the living room, his eyes lingering on Luna and a smile playing on his face. But then he puts his sandwich down on the nearest table and turns to Harry, his voice is also low when he says, "I've seen Hermione and her father having huge fights all their lives. Their relationship was never easy, never those of father and daughter that is filled with love and teaching you how to ride a broom and stuff." Ron shakes his head, "No. Hermione went through a lot and I don't even know if I should be telling you this, Harry, but since I can see how you honestly care for her…" He trails and shrugs, a bit hesitant.
Harry feels like a sponge, ready to absorb any information Ron might give him about Hermione. It's true they got insanely closer, especially on that week when they shared a bed every night, but whenever the conversation between them took a turn to her parents, Hermione would shut it down immediately. There's a line there that she refuses to cross. Her childhood. Her parents. What it means to be a Riddle.
"Hermione's childhood wasn't normal, mate. At an early age she showed powerful magic and Riddle thought it would be a waste not to… explore this side of hers." Ron makes a face.
"What do you mean?"
Ron looks down and away, then he clicks his tongue. "He experimented on her."
Harry opens his mouth, a coldness taking over his limbs. "Experimented?" He gulps.
"I don't know much about it. Mum was the one who told me this… Hermione never, and I want to remind you that we dated for a whole year," He points out, "She never opened up to me about this. She refuses to acknowledge that her father did something this awful with her and that her mother wasn't strong enough to protect her." Harry runs his hands through his hair. He wants to go to her. But he stays put, listening, "Riddle used to keep her up the whole night in a way of making her reach a state of exhaustion just to see if her magic would react in any way. From what I heard it kinda of worked, I mean, she used to have burnouts from using her magic but she became insanely more…" Ron snaps his fingers, searching for a word, "How can I say this?" He asks himself. "Her affinity with her magic grew. That's why she's able of doing things most us aren't. From what I know, experimenting with a child's power used to be a common practice that became forbidden, but for Riddle there's no such thing."
"I can't believe this." Harry fists his hands. He can see himself killing Tom Riddle with more pleasure than ever before. Exactly what kind of monster is this man? "Do you know…" Harry swallows hard, "for how long he did this to her?"
Ron opens a sad smile, resigned. "Since she was two until she was eleven or so." Harry grits his teeth so hard he's afraid of breaking them, "Finally when she was at Hogwarts she would learn stuff on her own, and he obviously wouldn't have easy access to her, so, he stopped. But Hermione paid a price for this, she can't even-"
"She can't even sleep alone." Harry completes for him. Ron looks at him with a knowing look. Suddenly Harry feels like crying. She didn't deserve this. "Do you… have any idea what other things he did to her?"
"I don't. Nor do my parents. Because when they found out about the whole thing, they tried interfering and Riddle shut them out. So, he hid mostly of what he did to her. Only Hermione truly knows what she went through."
"Fucking bastard." Harry holds his face with the palm of his hand, his elbow on his knee, his mind thinking of little Hermione and whatever that monster did to stop her from sleeping. "And even so you tell me that she'll side with her father no matter what?" Harry asks because he can't understand. Why isn't she there with them? Seeking revenge on this awful father?
"Come on, Harry. Even if she understands how cruel he is, he's also her father in many ways. No one is solemnly one thing. And her biggest fear is disappointing him, mate. Not to say that she loves her mother with all her heart and Bellatrix loves Tom so much it borders the insane. It's a nasty web of affection that I'm sure she can't find a way out." Ron shrugs. "That's just Hermione. She's loyal. She's serious and logical." Ron sighs. "And that's exactly why I have a hard time understanding this thing between you two." He shakes his head. "She's dangerously cheating, both of you are walking on a thin line here. I mean, the consequences if this blows up, mate..." His tone is one of warning.
"I know." Harry says, that same ache throbbing on his chest. The knife being shoved inside him. "There's something… between us that I can't explain."
"I know you said it was only physical, but, mate… are you in love with her?"
Harry widens his eyes at the blunt question. He chuckles from sheer nervousness. "No, no. Of course not." He says fast. Ron narrows his eyes. "No way, no." He holds his tongue. The more he talks more awkward he feels.
"Okay." Ron says slowly. "Maybe it's for the best. Not having feelings. Because, mate, as you said, she's marrying Asmodeus, I have no doubt of it."
Harry purses his lips and nods. I fucking know. "I wish them nothing but happiness."
He sounds bitter. He knows. Ron knows. But they let it go.
And to Harry's relief, Sirius sits right in front of them. "So, from what I understood," Sirius begins, "An important file was stolen from Riddle's office."
"What? How?" Harry asks, his tone a pitch higher.
"I have no clue." Sirius says, his face one of incredulity mixed with fascination, "but I have a theory." He leans forward. "The person who exploded the statue might be the same who stole the file, but not the same who murdered the Muggle."
Harry knits his brows. "Which file was stolen?" He asks.
And then Sirius smiles. An almost wicked smile. "That's the part I'm loving… the file on the Potters' Persecution vanished."
Harry widens his eyes. "Cazzo." He curses under his breath.
"But well, I think you might benefit from it, Harry." Harry tilts his head. "I think Hermione stole it."
"Please, Sirius, she would never." Ron says.
Harry is too shocked to react. Sirius raises his hands in the air. "It's just a theory."
"If she did…" Harry begins, thinking. "I'll find out soon. She might tell me. But I don't think she destroyed the statue." He shakes his head. "Maybe the same person who destroyed the statue killed Dursley."
"No." Sirius shakes his head. "Whoever killed Dursley hates Muggles. You saw how he died, Harry. Don't you agree?" Harry chews the insides of his cheeks, "And destroying the statue is a clear sign of hatred towards Blood Supremacy. These two go directly against each other."
"Maybe there was a third person." Harry says.
"Maybe." Sirius agrees.
"Who?" Ron asks.
"Well, that's an answer we still don't have." Sirius says and sighs. "Well, boys, I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed. We can mull over this later."
Despite wanting to fill his mind with other matters than what Ron told him about Hermione, Harry agrees with Sirius. He feels drained. He needs to sleep.
So, bidding his goodbyes, soon he apparates to his place and falls flat on his bed. He tries not thinking of her, but his hand automatically reaches for the coin inside his pocket. Nothing from her. He knows she's with Pettigrew.
And that's something he needs to accept.
December 21th, 2005
Ministry of Magic
After the craziness from the previous day, the Ministry is a sea of calmness today. Harry walks slowly by the statue. He wants to smile at the sight of it. If Hermione was the one who did it… A tiny smile appears on his lips but he stops himself from entering this line of thought.
Yesterday he did his best not to think of her. And the best way was downing a sleeping potion. He knew he wouldn't sleep imagining every atrocity Riddle might have done to her and her magic.
Then he woke and trained his mind in only one subject: He'll ask for a leave for the Holidays. He wants to spend Christmas and New Year in Italy. With his family. With his grandfather. Not to mention that the results from the Ministero's election will be announced on December 30th. He wants to be there regardless the outcome.
And now, more than ever, he's eager to know what Matteo might be planning.
So, as soon as he steps into the Auror's floor, he heads to Hermione's office.
Not thinking, he knocks. He doesn't even know if she's there, but-
"Come in!" Her voice comes from inside, strong, firm.
He sets his jaw and enters her office. It's a fair mess inside. He never saw the place like this and Harry stops for a second to observe.
She's wearing her uniform, her hair tied up in a bun. But she's searching for something behind her desk, leaning to the floor and he can't see her face.
"Looking for something?" He mocks her.
She looks up at him from her desk. She was going through a drawer. "Harry." She says softly. A small smile on her face.
And he has no idea what is it but…
When he notices he's already walking to her. Hermione moves, standing and moving her wrist to lock her door. In a beat he's hugging her. Very tight. He breathes her in. She does the same.
Hermione moves back and kisses him gently, he corresponds the same way. It's like the whole 'I'm marrying Asmodeus' thing never happened.
"Are you okay?" He asks while bumping his nose on hers.
She nods. And smiles. "I am." Hermione kisses him again. "You did something incredibly stupid yesterday, Harry."
"I know." He kisses her cheek. "I don't regret it, though."
She shakes her head. One of her hands finding his hair. Harry already noticed how much she loves his hair. Hermione never loses an opportunity to run her hands through it. And he melts at her touch.
They share a slow kiss.
But she breaks it, really putting some distance between them and raising an eyebrow. Harry can almost hear her saying 'we need to be careful'.
Sighing and rolling his eyes he moves away, to the other side of the desk and crosses his arms. "So, lost something?"
"I actually did." She says with a sour expression. "I don't know if it was stolen yesterday, I mean, it was madness and maybe someone took the opportunity to seize it."
"What was it?"
She shakes her head and moves her hand in front of her face. "Doesn't matter. So, tell me, what is it?"
He tries not minding the fact that she doesn't want to share what was probably taken from her. Or what happened between her and Riddle inside that cell. But Harry decides it's not the time to talk about this.
"I want a leave."
She widens her eyes. And then frowns. "Oh?" She reacts, surprised.
"Yeah, I want to spend Christmas and New Year in Italy. Is that possible? Do you need me here?"
There's another reason why he wants to go but he won't say it aloud. Remus told him yesterday that every year Riddle throws a Christmas dinner at the Manor and they are all obliged to go. That's probably the moment Hermione and Pettigrew will announce their engagement and Harry wants to be as far as possible from them.
Hermione bites her lower lip. "No. Of course you can go. I mean, things are crazy right now, but from my experience, they tend to calm down." Even if her tone is friendly, she cocks her head, her eyes sharp. "Are you going to talk to you grandfather?"
"Yes. I want to be there when the results come in." He says simply.
She nods. "When are you coming back?"
He makes a face. "I was thinking… January 2nd?"
She purses her lips. "Are you leaving tomorrow?"
"Tonight."
"Are you… taking Sally with you?" She says it with a forced expression of coolness.
Harry shakes his head. "No. She'll stay here with her family. And-" He stops.
"What?"
He clicks his tongue. "Chances are high that I'll encounter Chiara. I don't think it's a good idea taking Sally." He shrugs.
Hermione shows some reaction now as she raises her eyebrows. "Why? Would Chiara make Sally's life miserable?"
"Probably." Harry snorts. "Certainly. Sally doesn't deserve it." Hermione sets her jaw.
"How can you be so sure you'll see her?"
"Her family is close to mine, Hermione. I told you. I barely remember a moment of my life where she wasn't there."
"And are you fine with that? With meeting your cheating ex while spending the Holidays with your family?"
He narrows his eyes. "Am I being interrogated here?" It sure looks like he is. Like she wants to know- she wants to know if he still feels something for Chiara. He blinks.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, Harry. I'm just curious." Her voice is strained and she looks down.
He sighs. "To be honest," She looks back up at him, "I have no idea what it will be like. Seeing her again. It's… there's a lot of history between us. So I guess I'll just have to deal with it."
Hermione slowly nods. "Well, I hope things go smoothly at least." She says.
Harry chuckles sincerely. "There's no such thing when it comes to Chiara. But well, who knows." She doesn't look pleased by the face she's making, but he continues, "So, I'll be gone but… you can reach me whenever you feel like it, you know this, don't you?"
She smiles.
Such a bright smile.
He wants to kiss her again.
But before she answers there's a knock on the door and her face changes, she discreetly unlocks the door and allows whoever is out there to enter.
To Harry's utter irritation, it's Pettigrew.
He sets his jaw.
"D'Angelo." Pettigrew greets him.
"Pettigrew." He says in a clipped tone. "Hermione," He says fast, now wanting to bolt from the office. "See you next year." He nods curtly and she nods back to him.
He's ready to exit the office, his eyes briefly going to Pettigrew who is approaching her, but Hermione says, "I hope you do come back, Harry." He frowns, "You're an amazing Auror and we do need you here."
Harry sees Pettigrew freezing on the spot, anger emanating from him. Harry smiles to her. She purses her lips. Amused. He only nods again and then, he's gone.