A/N: I would have never expected this story to reach 50 chapters in length. Yet here we are. I am now pleased to confirm that after almost 6 years, Right and Easy will reach its conclusion soon. The final chapters are finally being written. I will not reveal how many are left, but I wanted to use this opportunity to thank every single person who followed and favourited over the years. This story would have never been finished if not for your support.
p.s While writing this segment, the song 'Placebo – Running Up That Hill' was being played on repeat. I think it's a good theme for the overall setting in this chapter.
Chapter 50: What is Easy?
He always found her wand beautiful. The gentle yet intricate Vine wood felt comfortable in his hand. He only ever had a few opportunities to use it. But Harry knew the wand was capable of incredible and beautiful magic, as was its owner. He took a deep breath, reminding himself to remain composed as he pocketed the wand and carried on upstairs.
Harry had already made rounds through almost the entire manor. Trying to find clues in every room. Now the only place left was their bedroom. The door was open when he entered. His eyes were instantly brought to the bed where a neatly wrapped gift stood out on top of the sheets. He grabbed it, holding it with utmost care, knowing she was the last person to touch it. He gently removed the wrapping, making sure to not rip anything. Underneath was a simple leather case. He opened it to reveal a magnificent silver bracelet. Embedded in the silver were glistening words and phrases. From a glance he noticed some which made his heart skip.
Harry. Hermione. Brilliant. Forever. Always. I love you. Mine. Potter. Granger.
The words danced along the silver making infinite loops. Without much hesitation, he removed the necklace from its case and placed it around his right wrist. It fit perfectly. Of course, it did. She would never have gotten the wrong size. That just wouldn't be Hermione.
His eyes stung. He was tired, broken and defeated. He knew that every priceless second that passed was a great sacrifice. However, being completely honest with himself. He had no idea what to do. Or where to go. He had cast the locating spell everywhere to no success. Whoever kidnapped her was well trained. They knew what they were doing. They covered their tracks. And yet, as he stood there near the bed, something made the back of his mind tingle. Some kind of warning. He pulled out the Elder Wand once more and whispered.
"Appare Vestigium Maxima."
A tiny silver glow erupted from the tip of his wand. It circled around him before trailing out of the room. Harry's pulse was racing now. It worked. A spell was cast here. He turned and moved out into the hallway. The trail was still shining brightly as it danced down the staircase. He followed it promptly, picking up pace. A tiny ray of hope starting to light up within his soul. The trail reached the entrance and flew straight through the main doors of the manor. Harry followed it outside into the cold. The trail was faint now. The glow was dying as it flew towards the outskirts of his property.
Surely enough, right at the very edge of the Manor's defensive perimeter, the trail died. The final slithers of light had been extinguished and lost in the darkness. Harry repeated the incantation once more, pointing his wand directly where the light was last seen.
Nothing.
He stood there for a while, claiming fool's hope for something to take place, knowing deep down nothing would. It was right in this spot where she disappeared. Where she was taken away. Harry could feel anger rising inside him again. Tension forming in his chest. He wanted to scream. And then he felt a slight vibration in his hand. The tip of the wand started to glow again.
The same familiar light started to erupt. It did a circle around his position again before stopping right in front of him. He stared at the light blankly.
"Please. Help me." He pleaded, feeling himself going crazy while talking to the glint of magic before him.
For a while, nothing happened. And then the light started moving closer to him. Levitating right towards his chest. He braced for impact, not knowing what to expect once it collided with his chest. But the light just flowed straight into him without causing any form of sensation.
Suddenly, images were flashing inside his head. He could see a house. An old house. He had never seen this house before. It was falling apart and covered in fresh snow. The surrounding area looked deserted. Just remains of other buildings. Destroyed roads with dead streetlamps. It looked like something out of a post-apocalyptic tale. He knew he had never been there before. He also had no idea where it was. And yet somehow, he knew exactly where to go. He closed his eyes again and breathed in deeply.
Pop.
He opened his eyes and saw the house right in front of him. Images from his mind were now reality as he looked around, already familiar with the area. The lion inside him was pacing with anticipation, ready to strike at any minute. He could feel his senses heighten.
"Lumos" Harry whispered, illuminating the path ahead. It seemed like even a simple illuminating spell was more impressive when executed with the elder wand; Harry noticed the glow from his wand was so much brighter and potent compared to other wands he tried it on. The door to the house was completely broken off the hinges as he stepped over it and entered. There was an overwhelming stench of mould and damp as he traversed the hallways carefully, being very vigilant about the amount of noise he was making.
"Homenum Revelio" He whispered. And his eyes widened as a light erupted from his wand once more and shot straight into the ceiling.
Someone was upstairs.
"Nox." Harry whispered, as his grip on the wand tightened and he made his way up the stairs very slowly in total darkness. He wanted to call out her name. To let her know he was coming. And yet the lion was wary. It told him to remain silent as he carried on, wand aimed at the ready. A part of him now finally felt it. The Déjà vu. This has happened before. He's seen this already. He was outside a familiar door. And he braced for what he would find inside, already knowing the answer. His body was on fire as he grabbed the small rusty handle.
For a moment he couldn't see anything. There was some kind of black mist masking the air around him. But as he stepped inside, it started to clear, almost welcoming him, as if aware of the visitor. He was greeted by all the similar paintings he had already seen in his dreams. And right there in the centre of the room, was the body. Right in front of a large wardrobe. Almost as if it had fallen out. Although he had seen all this already, his eyes were taking in much more detail he had seen before. The corpse was lying in a pool of dark blood. He approached it very slowly, as if every taken step could be his last. Until finally he was close enough to make out its features.
"No." He whispered as he fell to his knees.
He brushed a handful of bushy brown hair out the way and saw her pale, lifeless face.
"Hermi…" He whimpered, as he brushed his thumb against her cold cheek.
In that moment, nothing made sense anymore.
There was nothing. No pain. No anger. No hope. He was empty. Everything that made him alive was gone with the corpse he now held in his arms. As far as he knew. There were two corpses in this room. There was nothing. No hatred. No sadness. No memory. He was gone. Eighteen years of life was all he'd been given. That was gone now. She was gone. He wanted to call her name once more. To try wake her. To see those beautiful chocolate brown eyes just one last time. But he knew those eyes had no spark in them anymore. There was nothing. No life. No desire. No feelings. No senses. Just death. Harry Potter was dead.
The lion started to growl, trying to warn him. The wolf pounced around in his head, trying to wake him from this nightmare. He could hear movement behind him. Footsteps were getting closer.
"Avada Kedavra!" Came a loud scream. Green light illuminated the room. The light hit the cupboard, missing Harry by the smallest fraction of an inch as he pounced out its way just in time.
"How?" Was the only thing he hard before raising his own wand.
"Sectumsempra!" Came Harry's voice. And a whirling slice of silver burst out of his wand and connected with the intruder's chest.
The death eater fell back with a grunt of pain. Harry shot to his feet and advanced on his attacker, towering over him. "Where are the rest?" He asked calmly.
The death eater spat out blood as he spoke, "You are no match for us. Surrender before-" Before he could finish Harry yanked him by the collar and brought him closer. "Tell me now and I will make sure your suffering ends."
The death eater studied his face for a while, and Harry could see his expression change. Becoming one of fear. They were expecting a boy. Once again, they underestimated Harry Potter. Once again, they made a mistake. Just like their former master. "Never."
"Crucio!" Harry uttered, as his attacker started writhing in pain. He could feel his heartbeat again. Blood was running through his face. This feeling. Revenge. It was bringing him back to life. Just for a little while longer. He had business to conclude.
Harry broke the curse. It was strange to describe the sensation of using the unforgivable curse. He could almost feel the pain he was causing. He could sense the scale at which the elder wand amplified its effects.
"Please stop. Stop!" The death eater cried. Harry only now bothered to realise he couldn't even recognise the intruder. That was when his senses took over again, there was someone outside, waiting for him.
He studied his enemy one last time, as he noticed the pool of blood which was slowly forming beneath the death eater. It was soaking through his dark uniform. The half-blood prince's hex was doing its job. This man was a talking corpse. Harry knew there was no point torturing him anymore. He would be dead in minutes. He steadied himself and made for the exit. As he approached the house's entrance, he noticed at least a dozen of dark cloaks waiting for him. Silver masks standing all around the street, wands pointed right at him. Macnair leading the small army.
"Potter! Finally! I was worried our scout had taken you out." Macnair exclaimed. Harry could hear the excitement in the dark wizard's voice.
"Is this all of you?" Harry asked, his voice emptied of any life. His pulse was starting to die again. He needed to start this soon. He wanted blood.
"It hasn't been easy unifying the last of the Dark Lord's army. But seems there are still some who wish to finally bring you to your rightful end."
Harry breathed calmly. This sight would usually bring great terror to him. Naturally, he'd be completely outnumbered and defeated. However, there was one difference on this occasion; he didn't care if died. The fear of losing his life was completely gone. He couldn't care less if he was killed tonight. Without her, it was an empty life anyway. And so, he wasn't scared. Without fear, he had the full potential to consider his strategy, to fully focus on planning out his attack. Without fear, he had the freedom to study each and every single one of his opponents. Without fear, he was unstoppable. He was calculating every wand pointed at him, some were shaking. He knew they all heard the screams coming from the house. They were worried.
"Well. I promised Yaxley I'd leave you for him as he has a bit of a personal thing against you. He's still a little upset about the whole Ministry incident. But I'm sure he'll understand if I end you myself. Afterall, you're only our first pit stop. We have a ministry to take back." Macnair informed.
A tiny smile appeared on Harry's face. Macnair noticed it and looked visibly bothered. "Finish him!" He shouted.
Harry tugged at his wand, waving it smoothly across his chest. The protego charm erupted, catching seven spells at once as they flew straight at him at bullet speed.
Usually, a normal protego spell could shield a wizard for only a couple spells at most. But with this particular wand, it was never going to be an issue. Harry used the opportunity and started returning spells of his own.
"Bombarda!" He yelled as a large explosion erupted right in the centre of the group. Death eaters were blasted into the air, some losing limbs in the process. Harry could feel his excitement rise again. The death eaters started dispersing, trying to prevent Harry from doing that again. "Confringo!" He called as another wizard was set ablaze. He noticed the protego charm was starting to fade as another spell collided with its shield. He waved his wand again and topped up the protective enchantment.
"How is he doing this?" Harry heard someone call.
He was throwing spells without even naming them now. Waving his wand furiously and dodging anything too powerful to catch. A couple killing curses flew over his head as he pounced around, forming cover from the rubble around him.
"Avada Kedavra!" he heard Macnair's voice. Harry was ready for it as he levitated a street bench right in front of him, allowing for it to take the impact of the curse. "Expeliarmus!" He cried as Macnair's wand flew out of his grip. He saw the death eater panic as he stood there, defenceless. There was only a few of them left now.
"Imperio!" Harry called. As the curse collided with Macnair, he charged at one of his fellow allies and tackled them to the ground, striking at them furiously with his fists.
Harry dealt with the last couple soldiers quickly but made sure to enjoy himself as he shredded them to pieces. It truly was quite the spectacle if he could say so himself. Before approaching Macnair, he allowed for him to beat his ally to death with his bare hands. Until there was nothing left but red mush. Macnair stood up, took a deep breath, and turned to his new master. Blood dripping from his broken knuckles.
"Where is Yaxley?" Harry asked. His voice returning to normal after he caught his breath. No one would have believed him, but he was having fun.
"Little Hangleton. The Riddle House." Macnair told him.
"Take me there." Harry ordered, extending his arm.
Macnair took Harry's arm without hesitation and apparated them straight away.
Pop.
It was like Déjà vu again. Harry had never stepped foot in this house himself. But he'd already been here in his dreams. Both before and after Voldemort.
"This is it." Macnair confirmed.
"Thanks." Harry answered, before flicking his wand at the Death Eater, blasting him into a nearby tree. He could swear he heard each individual bone crack in Macnair's body as he collided with the log.
The Elder wand was making things way too easy. But Harry was addicted. He couldn't stop now. The little scuffle he had with that so called 'army' moments ago only made him want more. At this point, he feared he'd never be sufficed.
He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing for the icy sharp air to fill his lungs. And that's when he felt it. That same surge of magic which entered him back at the manor. It was guiding him forward. Towards the Riddle House.
"Macnair should have contacted us by now. Something is wrong." Rowle whispered to Yaxley. They were debating back and forth in hushed voices.
"It matters not." Yaxley answered, glancing over at their prisoner from across the room. "As long as we have her, we still have the advantage."
Her eyelids felt heavy. She wanted to sleep. But she knew she couldn't. She had to stay awake. She needed to take in every detail. Her mind was still racing, trying to calculate an escape route. Any kind of strategy to help her out of this mess.
"I wish I could have seen the look on his face when he saw the boggart. I bet it was magnificent." Yaxley added.
All eyes turned to her in that moment. Yaxley huffed and approached her, "Tell me, girl. Does Potter truly care for you? How do you think he would have reacted?" A smile formed in the corner of his lips.
Hermione looked him dead in the eyes, spitting venom. Yaxley saw it and his smile widened, "Oh now I'm certain it must have been a sight to behold. I wonder how he'll react when he realises that you're still alive, and that he'll get to see you die instead." He knelt down beside her and removed the piece of tape covering her mouth. "Tell me, do you think he'll come looking for us? Does he care enough for you that he'll want revenge? Is he stupid enough to try and hunt down those who wish to murder him?"
Hermione took a moment before she spoke, "I'll die before I say anything to you." She informed. Yaxley didn't like her response. His smile was replaced with anger as his hand came flying down straight against her face. It stung, but Hermione made a great effort to not satisfy him with a pained reaction. "You really consider yourself strong, eh? I must admit, for a nasty mudblood you seem full of fight. Perhaps a little persuasion will loosen your tongue." Yaxley pulled out his wand and pointed it right at her. Hermione could feel her heartbeat freeze.
"Cruci-"
The door to the cellar slammed open, and a death eater came barging inside, his eyes frantic with fear, "He's coming! He killed them all. He's coming here now!" The wizard cried. His voice was shaky and uneven, as if he had just seen the worst of all horrors.
Her abductors were clearly thrown back by this news. "What? How!" Rowle shouted.
"There was well over a dozen of you, how did you fuck this up!" Yaxley screamed.
The death eater fell to his knees, trying to find his voice, "He's… too… powerful. We had… no chance." He informed in between deep breaths.
"But… he's a kid. He's just a bloody kid!" Rowle complained.
The death eater shook his head, "The spells he was casting. It was unbelievable. We had no chance. We showered him with hexes, and he just rebounded them like they were nothing. His magic was unstoppable."
Hermione's heart lurched and jumped in her chest. Harry was coming. He was coming to get her. Panic rose within her as she tried her best to undo the binds on her hands once again. She was tied to an old radiator in the corner of the basement. Her mouth was covered with a piece of tape. She wanted to scream so bad. To warn him it was another trap.
"Very well." Yaxley spoke finally. "Let's move upstairs. If we can't face him head on. We will ambush him. Spread around the house. We lead him through in this room. The sight of the mudblood will be enough to surprise him. It will give us a window to strike. He won't have a chance to fight back." He didn't wait for anyone to debate and made his way out. Rowle and the other masked death eater followed suit.
Then Greyback appeared out the shadows from the other far corner of the basement. "Greyback. You stay with the mudblood. Don't let her out of your sight. And remember. Once the boy is here, feel free to kill her." Yaxley instructed.
A smile formed on Greyback's hollowed face. He looked excited as he glanced over at Hermione, making her pulse freeze again. He slowly approached her, enjoying the moment as his companions fled the room. He was revelling in this.
"I was going to kill you straight away." His gruff voice informed, "But come to think of it, we need to make sure the boy is very surprised by what he sees when he enters here."
Hermione was tugging on the binds as hard as she could, she could feel her wrists bleeding as she struggled against the rope.
Greyback was now towering over her. He grabbed her tightly by the throat with one hand and flicked his wand with the other, slicing the rope, freeing her. Hermione didn't have any time to react as he lifted her and then pinned her against the wall, lowering his head towards her and breathing in her scent. His claws had pierced the skin on her throat. Soon enough the cut started to bleed. Greyback's eyes glistened with excitement as he neared closer and licked the blood off, his smile widening.
"Even with blood this filthy, I still don't think I can help myself from a nice meal. And maybe just a little bit of fun." He told her as he ran one of his fingers across her face.
Hermione's breathing was out of control. She wanted to scream, cry and spit at him all at once. But it was once his hand had touched her chest when anger erupted inside of her, setting the blood in her veins on fire. Before Greyback could do anything else, the captive in front of him had transformed into a lion.
The werewolf jumped away, clearly thrown back by the sudden shapeshift of his prisoner. The lioness wasted no time as she pounced on Greyback. The werewolf managed to block his throat with his arm, as the lioness sank her teeth into it, making him scream in pain. He spun around, throwing her off at once. Blood splatted over the wall to which she was pinned against just moments ago.
"That wasn't nice." Greyback added, as he bared his teeth. Suddenly, he started to transform, growing even larger. His clothes ripped as his muscles expanded and grew out fur. His eyes turned golden yellow, and claws spurted from his hands.
The lioness took a moment to steady herself and then launched again, lashing straight at his face, hoping to add yet another scar to it. The werewolf was ready this time as he clawed at the air, catching her mid-flight. She flew straight into a wall and could feel at least one of her ribs crack at the impact.
"You're dead." The werewolf sounded in a voice which no longer had any human resemblance. Before he could round on her again, the door behind him was blasted open with an explosion. The door had flown off the hinges and smacked the werewolf right in the back of his head, making him fly into nearby racking with a crash.
Yaxley fell on the floor where Greyback stood only a second ago, blood spurting from his mouth. Hermione was in her human form again; she was in so much pain she couldn't even see straight. She looked up towards the basement entrance, trying to get sight of what was happening. Her eyes rested on a dark cloaked figure standing right on top of Yaxley.
"Well, well." Yaxley coughed, "Looks like the dark lord has been replaced. Oh, you are magnificent alright. Yeah. Lord Voldemort would have been proud." He exclaimed.
The cloaked figure didn't answer. He stood there for a little while longer, staring down at the hopeless death eater.
"Tell me. With all that power and knowledge. How didn't you spot a simple boggart? Is that all it took to topple the great Harry Potter?" Yaxley asked in a mocking tone. It seemed he was certain of his doom and decided to keep his pride rather than beg.
Hermione's eyes widened in shock. She stared as the cloaked wizard raised his wand and pointed it down at Yaxley.
"Avada Kedavra." Green light filled the room. Hermione looked down to see Yaxley's lifeless corpse.
Somewhere in the corner she could hear rubble being moved and Greyback came into view, limping towards Harry.
"Finally, a worthy opponent." Greyback spoke, still in full werewolf form, towering over his supposed prey.
Harry flashed a smile before shifting into the black lion, making Greyback stumble. The lion roared. His cry was so loud it made the entire house shake.
Before the werewolf could even properly study his new opponent, the lion was already at his throat. For a long moment, all Hermione saw was mere flashes of grey and black shifting all around the basement. There were growls and roars heard occasionally as more furniture was smashed and walls collided with. Eventually their stumbling stopped, and the lion came out on top of the werewolf. Greyback's entire body was covered in deep cuts from Harry's claws.
Hermione had to keep herself from throwing up as the werewolf's head was ripped clean off his body, separating his now dead carcass into two.
A couple moments passed before anyone moved. Hermione was frozen on the spot. She couldn't move even if she wanted to. After shifting back into human form, the cloaked wizard approached her slowly. Her vision was clearing now as the pain became more constant and not as sharp. And she could now make out the features of her boyfriend. She gasped as she took in the details of his face. His eyes. They were no longer green. Instead, they shone bright scarlet. Almost glowing as if they were on fire. Harry picked her up gently and effortlessly, before carrying her out of the cellar.
As they slowly made their way out of the house, she spotted two corpses. One Rowle's and the other belonged to the death eater who came to warn them earlier. She closed her eyes when she noticed one of them was dismembered, with organs hanging out his midsection. She didn't even dare breathe at the fear of retching into Harry's chest. Eventually, they reached the outside and fresh air made its way into her lungs. She could finally breathe again. She felt dizzy and feared she might pass out at any moment. Yet the sharp pain in her ribs kept her awake.
"H-Harry." She called weakly.
He didn't answer as he trotted on through the snow. She didn't know when it happened, it must have been in between one of her longer breaths but at one point she heard a pop and when she opened her eyes again, they were right outside St Mungo's. She was trying her best to speak again. She wanted to open her eyes again and look at him once more in hopes to see his face. But she couldn't fight anymore. Darkness finally took over. And then she was gone.
When the light finally came back, she was looking at an unfamiliar ceiling. It wasn't her master bedroom in the potter manor. It wasn't the bedroom at her parents' house either. She studied the slight details of the paint and dim lights before memory finally started to flood back in waves.
She could remember the pain of hitting that wall. The feeling of Greyback's cold hand around her throat. The flash of green light. And those red eyes staring right at her.
"Hermione." Came her favourite voice. It was the only voice she'd ever want to hear. The voice she would want to wake up to. A voice she'd want to hear right before going to sleep. The voice she always heard in her dreams. She looked around trying to find its source.
There he was.
"Harry." She called back. His face was tired and pale. His eyes had horrible looking dark circles, it almost looked like eye shadow. His eyes. They were no longer red like before. They had turned to a dark brown. They looked a little like hers but not as bright. There was so much darkness there. It was almost overwhelming to keep looking. And yet, as they continued to stare at each other, Hermione could swear she could see the tiniest hint of green forming on the edges of his pupils.
"How are you feeling?" He asked. His voice was raspy and broken. She had no idea how long she was out. But she already knew he had not slept even a second since she had been taken.
"Better now." She answered, extending her arm towards him.
She saw a struggle form inside him, he was contemplating something as he stared into her eyes. Eventually however, he gently placed his fingers around her hand. His hand was cold and rough. She could feel bumps and cuts on his palm. It made her wince.
"Does something hurt?" Harry asked, alarmed.
Hermione shook her head, "No. Harry I-" She didn't get a chance to finish as the door to the hospital room flew open and Emma Granger burst in, Dan following closely behind.
"Oh, thank god!" Emma cried as she came to sit beside Hermione, cupping her face in her hands.
"How are you feeling dear?" Dan asked, worried.
"I'm okay guys. Really. I don't know what the healers did, but I can't feel anything. I'm just a little stiff." Hermione explained.
As she said this Harry stood. He was still dressed in his black outfit. Hermione noticed dried stains of blood on his cloak and collar. "I'm going to give you guys a moment." He announced, making his way out.
"Harry…" Hermione called but he didn't turn again. He just left. And just like that, she could feel pain again. But it wasn't her ribs. It was deeper than that.
"Hermione, honey. What happened? Harry completely refused to give us any details." Emma explained.
Hermione found out everything that happened while she was gone. How McGonagall came to their house and informed them she was kidnapped. How half the ministry geared up for another war. Aurors were spread all over the country, hunting for any sign of death eaters they could find. But the part that struck her the most was Harry. How he refused to leave her side the entire time she was out. She had been unconscious for twelve hours. And he sat beside her the entire time, only muttering brief responses to the healers and to Hermione's parents. She also learned the Weasley's stopped by. That Kingsley himself came to St Mungo's to congratulate Harry on his victory over the small army of death eaters. But Harry refused to see or speak to anyone other than her parents and the healers.
"Honey, Harry's eyes. Why are they like that?" She asked.
Hermione remembered the bright scarlet. Harry's voice calmy uttering the killing curse right at Yaxley. The memory ran daggers through her spine. She wasn't sure how to answer, and yet a part of her knew.
Then she was greeted with another welcome sight as Beamey burst into the room. "Oh Beamey was so scared. Hermione is okay! Hermione is okay!" The little elf chanted as she jumped up on the bed and hugged Hermione. More guests poured in as the hour went by. It mainly included almost all the Weasleys, Neville and Luna. Hermione was happy to see all of them but knew that her mind would only be fixated on one person for the time being.
He placed the wand gently on his office desk. As the elder wood left his palm, he could feel the sheer volume of energy escaping his body. He felt like he was going to pass out. It seemed like the wand's power was almost a conduit of strength for him this entire time. He undressed slowly, almost worried that if he did it too quickly, his body would crumble apart. With every layer that came off, he felt lighter and even more tired.
After leaving the Hospital, Harry had finally travelled to the ministry upon Kingsley's urgent request and spoke with the minister. As far as Harry could tell, it was more of a briefing rather than a conversation; Harry gave him an almost soldier like report, after which Kingsley dismissed him, but not before thanking him again and explaining that the wizarding world will be informed of Harry's bravery. This was all much to Harry's distaste, and it only soured his mood.
Both upon entrance and exit at the ministry, he was greeted with a great deal of gasps, praises, and even celebratory chants from the ministry crowds. He hated every second of it. People were still not quite over his defeat of Voldemort, and once the news of him finding and killing sixteen death eaters all alone would spread, it would surely remain massive news up until the start of the new year, if not longer.
It took a great level of willpower to force himself into the shower. The water stung as it washed over cuts and bruises on his face and body. He looked down and saw a mixture of dirt and blood flowing down the shower waste. It made him feel sick. But as he stood under the hot stream, the warm water massaged his joints. It made him increasingly tired. He washed himself quickly, wincing every time he pulled something solid out of his tangled hair. Steam escaped with him as he exited the bathroom, with a towel wrapped around his waist.
Then came a knock on the door. Harry looked over and his eyes widened as he spotted Hermione in the doorway. "You should be in the hospital." He ordered.
Hermione almost winced at the roughness in his voice but entered after a moment. "I'm an adult. I can check myself out of the hospital whenever I want. Besides, my ribs are completely healed. I'm fine, Harry." She told him.
Harry studied her for a moment and then sat down on the bed. He could feel his muscles unclench as he finally relaxed his body for the first time in over a day. Hermione came and sat next to him. She was also studying him. Her cheeks were slightly flushed. She still couldn't get used to how good he looked naked. However, it was bittersweet now as she assessed all the bruises on his body. She also felt ashamed to have been having such thoughts in current circumstances.
"Harry. Can we please talk?"
He looked over at her but didn't say anything. Hermione took it as a 'yes'.
"You saved me. How did you manage to even find me?" She asked.
He looked at her for a while, clearly searching for the right answer. Then he sighed, "It wasn't easy. But it doesn't really matter. I found you. And you are safe now."
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. What happened to him? This wasn't her Harry.
"Harry. Please. Can you just tell me-"
"There's nothing to say Hermione!" He burst as he got up from the bed and turned back at her. She wasn't ready for his outburst and visibly jumped at his raised voice. She could never admit to herself, but it scared her. Harry had noticed her reaction and took a moment to calm himself.
"Look. I did what I had to do. I found you, and you are safe now. Please. Go home. Your parents must be very worried. Spend some time with them." He told her.
Hermione was shocked. A lump formed in her throat and her eyes warned of tears. "But Harry. I- I am home am I not?"
Harry's face broke for a moment. She could see him struggling internally with something again. He looked pained. "I don't think you should be staying here anymore. I think it's best if we... take some time apart."
In almost any other case, Hermione would have had trouble understanding his intention, but she knew what he was thinking at once. She shook her head. "You are not doing this to me. To us."
Harry was confused, "I'm sorry. Have you actually taken a moment to realise what just happened? Hermione you were kidnapped! They took you. From right under my nose. From my own house!" He roared. "You almost died because of me!"
She stood up to meet his eyes, "You really want to blame yourself for all of this? For everything that happened. This was none of your fault. If anything, it was mine. If not for that argument, we would have never gotten separated. We could have fought Greyback off together. If it was anyone's fault it was mine!" She countered.
Harry shook his head, "It really doesn't matter what you think. I don't want to talk about this anymore. Please… leave." Tears formed in his eyes as they swelled. Both of them knew this wasn't what he wanted. What he needed.
Hermione made a great effort to remain composed as he said this. At first it stung, but then as she looked at him, she noticed the silver bracelet on his wrist. And soon enough she shook her head, "I will not."
"And why?" Harry asked, "Only last night you had told me you think we'll break up one day anyway. Why waste your time with someone who continuously puts you in danger. Who makes you feel so scared and lost? Who puts you in harm's way and then breaks your heart?" He complained.
He was defeated. And this was his way of self-destructing all the way. He wanted her to be safe of it all. He wanted to spare her the tragedy. But it was too late. Years too late. Hermione knew she would never leave his side. That was decided a long time ago. Back when she jumped into the hatch under the three headed dog. When she went back in time to save Buckbeak and Sirius. When she entered the department of mysteries. When she obliviated her parents. Harry's life and danger was also hers. They shared this path together. And he had no say in it. Not anymore.
"I told you this many times already and I will say it again, Harry James Potter. We are in this together. And I don't care what you say or do. I will never leave your side. Even if you hate me. I will always love you. I will always be here to help. To talk or just to keep you company. I will always be the annoying, controlling know it all bookworm who tries to keep you out of trouble. And there's nothing you can do about it." She told him as she stood her ground, and it was the most powerful she had ever felt.
Harry stood there for a long while, staring right at her. She knew he was strategizing. Thinking of what else he could say to make her leave. But then he didn't. Hermione winced when a tear rolled down his cheek. He stumbled and then fell to his knees. Crying. Sobbing. She knelt down beside him and took him in her arms. He pressed his face against her shoulder as he cried. She put her fingers to the back of his head, tangling them up in his hair. He slumped against her as he cried harder, releasing every stress and shred of agony that had bottled up inside him. He had been so brave. Held it in for so long. And even after everything that happened, he kept strong for her. He tried to make her leave to keep her safe, and even that didn't break him. Not until he realised how loyal she was. How devoted she was to him. That nothing could make her leave. It was him and her. Until the end.
The green light had finally faded. Only then did he bother to analyse the room in which he found himself. And right there, by the cracked wall, he noticed a familiar face. One which he knew very well. One which he studied for years. One which he worshiped.
He was distracted by the approach of the werewolf. A part of him wanted this over with quickly. To give his wand a simple tug and relieve the monster of its head. But then he felt the Lion's desperate call for blood, and he couldn't deny such a longing request. Everything was a blur during the fight. All he could remember was incredible rage as he slashed muscle with his claws and pierced bone with his teeth. After it was finally done, his eyes once more returned to the body near the wall. He moved towards her slowly. Not wishing to fall for any more trickery. And yet as he neared and knelt down to study her properly. He realised it really was her. She was alive. In that moment all bravery was gone. His anger was still present. Every little cut and imperfection caused to her was a result of his weakness. Of his failure to protect her. Oh no, anger would not fade so fast. His picked her up and focused all his energy to not break down as his arms wrapped around her. She was ALIVE. Nothing else mattered.
He woke with a start, making Hermione recoil slightly at the sudden movement. She wasn't sleeping.
"Shhh-shhh" She uttered under her breath into his ear, patting his back. His face was buried in the crook of her neck as he breathed slowly, trying to forget his dream. There was pain in his chest. His eyes still stung, and his throat still hurt.
He couldn't remember how long he cried in her arms, but he could remember that eventually Hermione led him into bed where he collapsed on top of her and continued to sob until he passed out. She was there with him every step of the way. Holding him, comforting him, protecting him. Like a mother would her own child.
"How long was I out?" He asked.
"Only a couple hours." Hermione informed; she was pressing her palm against his back with her free hand, massaging him gently.
"Did you sleep at all?"
Hermione smiled, "I just slept for twelve hours, Harry. I've had my share for now. Besides, I wanted to keep an eye on you. Just in case."
A part of him didn't like this. She didn't have to do this. It wasn't her job to provide him with this sort of comfort. But as they continued to lie in silence, he couldn't help but be ever so grateful for meeting Hermione Granger. It didn't have to be said, but during that night, Hermione had become something much more to him than before. She truly was no longer just a girlfriend or a partner. It had transcended to something so much bigger and so much more important, and Harry was certain he would never find the word for it.
"You should sleep, my love. You've been up for so long. You need to rest." She told him.
"I'm scared." He answered. "Of what?"
"Of what I might see when I close my eyes."
She kissed him on the forehead, "Dreams can't hurt you anymore, Harry. And if they try, I'll be here. And I will never let you go. Just like how you never let go of me during my nightmares."
Hermione's nightmares felt like decades ago now. He wished so much to be back in Australia with her. Away from all of this. Far away in the opposite corner of the world where they couldn't be bothered ever again.
"You promise?" He asked.
She smiled and this time leaned down to kiss him on the mouth, "I promise."
It took him a while, but sure enough, he started to relax again. "Merry Christmas, Hermione." He managed to mumble into her neck.
"Merry Christmas, Harry." She smiled.
Soon enough, Harry fell asleep again. He was no longer twitching; his brow didn't furrow. Finally, a peaceful rest. He deserved it. She couldn't help but dose off herself. There were so many things to worry about. So many things to talk about. But they both knew there would be time for that. Right now, they both needed this. They needed time. And they needed each other.
