The following morning they made quick work of exiting the forest, it wasn't even noon before the massive forest was nothing more then a dull green speck in the distance. Hermione was in such an elated mood that Harry felt if she grew any happier she'd explode. Hermione was full of energy, practically bouncing with every step, dancing circles around Harry like a little child in a candy store. She kept smiling and laughing out of the sheer joy of having her eye sight back, pointing out every little thing to Harry as if he was he was now blind.
Harry was now forced to endure a great pain for his kindness to Hermione, he was almost as excited as Hermione about the return of her eye sight, but such a feeling of joy clashed violently within him about his decision he had made the night before. Harry knew he would never be able to defeat voldemort if he held even the tiniest emotion for Hermione in his heart and he wanted desperately to destroy the dark lord. And yet, he also knew that he could not deny his love for Hermione, not due to the pain it would have caused him but because of the pain it would cause her. He knew that if he were to shut his heart from her it would devastate her. Harry could endure any magical torture ever created, but to see Hermione in pain because of him, that was his breaking point.
A final thought that plagued his mind was what he, Harry, would be if he truly did ignore every emotion except his anger and hatred. A shudder ran through his body as he realized the truth, if he were to really drop all his emotions in order to destroy voldemort, he would become another dark lord, another voldemort, heartless and utterly cruel. He was shaken from his thoughts by Hermione's excited shriek, he turned and looked up at the sky in the direction she was pointing, he saw several small twittery flying overhead. He saw the wide grin her Hermione's face as she shouted out what color the birds were, and he couldn't help but smile too.
"All right Herm's, enough with the birds already, we need to get to the headquarters for the resistance" He still didn't know where the headquarters was but he had an idea of how to find out. He laughed as Hermione gave a fake pout and they began walking again, Hermione hanging lovingly on his arm as they walked.
"Where are we going Harry?" Hermione asked after nearly a half hour of walking, she knew they were supposed to end of at the resistance headquarters but Harry had told her that he had no idea where that was. She stared at her for several minutes, it looked as though he was trying to think of an excuse for something. He finally turned his gaze down upon her.
"It's a surprise". Hermione nearly fell over out of shock, how could Harry be joking at a time like this. She glared up at him as she demanded an answer, but he refused to say another word, so they simply continued on, Hermione muttering at his side.
* * *
Back in former London, where voldemort had forged his castle, the now vile city was beginning to stir. The many death eaters that lined the streets were talking in excited whispers, a roaring trade of rumors coming from the many pubs in the filthy city, drunken guards and servants from lord voldemorts throne room clearly recalling the night of Draco Malfoy's departure. The city that looked as though it had died ages ago, was coming to life, wizards and witches from the lowest class to the highest nobility were rushing through streets and up to the castle, all wanting a commanding position for the rumored upcoming battle. For they had also heard from the guards, the return of the boy who lived, and every last death eater in London wanted to be the one to bring Potter's head to the mighty lord voldemort.
The many death eaters and dark wizards of London believed that their actions of rallying up legions of warriors to fight for lord voldemort would please the dark lord, they were sorely mistaken. Lord voldemort stood out on one the highest balcony of his castle, surveying the city with eyes of rage. He had not wanted for news of Harry Potters return to become wide spread as it was now, nor had he intended for Draco Malfoy's fate to be made common knowledge.
The resistance had been growing considerably from a simple thorn in his side to real threat, they had almost managed to overthrow his outpost at the former diagon alley.
Voldemort was aware that his city was full of spies from the resistance, but he was unable to pick them out of the swarming mass of wizards, so he tried to discourage the leaking of important news to the people. He cursed under his breath and turned, walking inside and taking a seat upon his throne, he felt very secure on the throne, the thought of Potter's return had unnerved him somewhat.
"WORMTAIL" he called out suddenly to the darkness, a strip of light appeared at the far left of the room as Petigrew opened his door and came scrambling into the throne room, kneeling at once before voldemort.
"What is it milord" he asked anxiously, his confidence had greatly improved since becoming the new lead general, but he was still terrified we he was before his master.
Voldemort chose not to answer right away, he starred off into space for a while, Wormtail waiting patiently at his feet. "Wormtail……." His tone shocked Wormtail, for the first time ever Wormtail was certain he detected a hint of fear in his masters voice. "Wormtail, it is time you take up your duties as my lead general." He paused for a moment as if still thinking upon what he was doing, "I want you to assemble an army Wormtail, can you do that? A simple task that even a brainless oaf like yourself can do" voldemorts tone had returned to its normal coldness by now.
Wormtail looked up at his master in a plain state of confusion, before he could stop to think the words came flying from his mouth, "But master, your army is still here, all the death eaters that fought with you two years ago still dwell here in your kingdom".
Voldemort glared down at his servant with eyes that could kill, "Do you consider me a mindless fool such as yourself!" he asked with a shout as Wormtail shook his head furiously. "I know that I have a powerful force built right here it my kingdom, but the resistance has proved themselves a bit more feisty than we wanted. And if Potter does join them it will double their efforts and their strength, I want you to go out into the far reaches of my realm and bring forth every loyal citizen who can fight in my army. Go to every outpost, every prison, every dungeon, gather every being within my control, everything from my dementors to the beggars on the street. We will hunt down the rebels and destroy them all in one swift blow" voldemort gave a sickening grin as he spoke. Wormtail rose nervously to his feet, bowing quickly to his master before he turned to leave, but just as he reached the door he was halted by his masters voice.
"Wait Wormtail", Peter slowly turned to face his master once more, voldemort had an amused grin on his face. "Send your second in command to gather my forces, I have another job for you, one that will help insure Potters demise." Wormtail shuddered involuntarily as he heard the deadly whisper from his master, he wasn't sure he wanted to be part of voldemorts plans.
"W-w-what do you wish me to do milord?" Wormtail braced himself for the command to go and face Harry, but that wasn't what came.
"Do you remember the prize that young Malfoy sought?" Wormtail nodded, not entirely sure why he would be asked such a question. "I think I have changed my mind about what I told Malfoy, I may have a use for the little mud-blood after all" he gave a sadistic grin and let out a sickening laugh as Wormtail finally understood. "You will take her from Potter Wormtail, and send her to my dungeon in the north, make sure you tell Potter that's where she'll be." Voldemorts dungeon near the northern part of the continent was one of his most secured, it was guarded by both death eaters and all manner of creatures; giants, trolls, dragons, and had a rotational guard of werewolves placed at the entrance at every full moon.
Wormtail bowed and exited the room, as soon as he was gone all the anger, rage, and hatred left voldemorts eyes, and it was replaced by fear. He sat in his throne for some time before he spoke, "We will see just how strong you are Mr. Potter, wont we". He rose from his throne and strode back onto the balcony, looking out over the castle walls at the land beyond, he was out there somewhere, the second wizard ever to be feared by lord voldemort.
* * *
"Its getting dark Harry, shouldn't we stop" Hermione asked as she watched the sun setting off on the horizon.
Harry looked down at her and arched an eyebrow, "Dark, I don't see why that should matter, didn't seem to matter to you whether it was light or dark until yesterday." Harry received a punch in the arm for his somewhat rude comment. He laughed and decided that they might as well set up camp, he made quick work of setting up the wizard tent and producing a cooking fire and had two steaks sizzling within a few minutes.
They ate in silence, which surprised Harry somewhat since he expected her to continue points out things that she could see, but she seemed somewhat subdued as she ate. He chose not to ask her what was wrong, after they had finished eating Hermione asked Harry if she could have the small mirror he carried. Harry watched her stare into the mirror for almost an hour before he finally decided to ask.
"Hermione, is something wrong?" She turned her gaze upon him and he was shocked to see that her eyes had tears in them. "Hermione?" he asked in an awed voice. Hermione, however, gave him a small smile and suddenly threw her arms around him, leaving Harry more shocked than ever.
She looked up into his dark, emerald green eyes as he gazed down into her now violet eyes, slowly it began to dawn on him what was wrong with her.
"You gonna be ok Hermione?" he asked, his voice very gentle as if dealing with a small child.
Hermione gave a small shrug, "I just miss my old eyes, when I look in that mirror, its like im looking at another person, those eyes are just so unfamiliar." She buried her face in the chest of Harry's robes, hoping he wouldn't think she didn't like having her sight back.
Harry grinned and placed a hand under her chin, lifting her gaze to meet his once more, he starred into her eyes for several hypnotic moments before speaking in a low, husky voice. "If you really are a different person, Hermione, I think I'd like to get to know you better".
Hermione didn't miss the suggestive tone in Harry's voice as he spoke, she smiled slightly, her cheeks burning red as she blushed from his words. She didn't have time to respond before she felt Harry's lips descend upon her own.
Her mind didn't seem to want to work, she couldn't think of anything except for how wonderful it felt to be kissing Harry, she groaned like a child who had lost their favorite toy when Harry slowly pulled away from the kiss. She starred up into his piercing green eyes as she wondered how he could have this kind of effect on her; she began to feel hot, as if her whole body was blushing, her mind was reeling, her aurors robes suddenly felt so confining, and the only thought she could muster was how sweet Harry's lips tasted.
Harry was feeling the exact same way, it felt as though a furnace was heating him from the inside, making his blood boil, his mind was racing, he couldn't hold a single thought for more than a second. He suddenly began to notice the way Hermione's robes hugged her womanly curves, his own robes starting to feel far to small. Harry felt a sensation from deep within that he had never felt before, it was a blinding emotion that sent his senses haywire, it was a desire so overwhelming, a desire for this girl that he was holding in his arms.
But there was another emotion, rising next along with his desire, it was a pacifying emotion to his desire, it slowly began to take control and he realized what it was, his love for Hermione.
I guess I know what choice I'll be making, so much for using dark magic against old voldemort. He thought to himself. He starred down at Hermione for longest time, both simply starring at each other, as if waiting for some sign of what to do next. After several minutes Hermione gasped as if waking from a dream and pulled back from Harry, quickly rising to her feet.
Harry slowly climbed to his feet to stand next to her, she starred down at the ground as if embarrassed. She slowly raised her eyes to look up at Harry, she seemed to terrified to speak, Harry couldn't figure out what was wrong.
Harry took a cautious step towards Hermione and she looked as though she wanted to take a step back, whats wrong with her, he wondered anxiously. Harry slowly slid his arms around her in a soft but comforting hug, Hermione slowly relaxing into his embrace.
"You okay Hermione?" he asked nervously.
"I'm sorry Harry" she muttered quietly at she collapsed against him, overcome with a sudden exhaustion. Harry gasped at this, thinking something might really be wrong with her, he quickly lifted her in his arms and carried her inside the tent, setting her down in the bed.
She had passed out yet, but darkness was creeping into her vision as she starred up at Harry's anxious face. She tried to speak to tell him that she was alright but she couldn't find the energy to open her mouth, she felt weak and totally without energy as she closed her eyes and let sleep overtake her.
Harry didn't know what to do, he simply stood over Hermione, watching her for several minutes wondering if she was alright. He sighed and kneeled next to the bed, slowly reaching out and running his fingers through her dark curly hair.
He remained kneeled next to her bed for almost an hour, almost in a trance as he starred into her sleeping face, he couldn't help but think of how beautiful she looked and at the same time he worried about why she had simply collapsed. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at the tents opening, muttering a spell to magically seal the tent from any possible intruders and lay down next to her on the bed.
He didn't want to leave her alone tonight, or maybe he just didn't want to be alone tonight, he didn't care which was which, he simply lay there in the bed with Hermione held securely within his arms. He didn't know what it was, but something seemed to be calming him about Hermione's collapse, just before he fell asleep he thought he imagined a voice speaking to him, telling him that she was alright.
Harry fell into a peaceful, dream filled sleep, his dreams not darkened by images of the dark lord, but dreams filled with Hermiones smiling face. Harry dreamed of what life would be like after he faced voldemort, he saw himself and Hermione together, with their children, Harry grinned in his sleep as these images past through his mind. It was too bad for Harry that in a few days time any hopes of the dream coming true would be violently torn from his grasp, for he was not aware of the dark lords plan. Indeed Harry may have chosen to follow his heart instead of trying to use his dark powers to their full power, but he was not the only person who had made a decision.
* * *
"Oooohhhhh" Harry groaned the next morning, he had severely not wanted to awaken from his peaceful dreamland, but awake he did. Harry slowly opened his eyes, wondering vaguely where the curly brown hair, that was supposed to be the first thing he saw, was. He blinked a few times, trying to get the sleep from his eyes, pushing himself up on one hand and looking around the tent, the whole ground suddenly shook and Harry toppled off the side of the bed, landing hard on the floor.
"What the…!" he yelled as he jumped up from the floor, snatching his wand from the night side table and rushing out of the tent, now extremely worried why Hermione hadnt been next to him when he awoke seconds ago. As he rushed out of the tent the source of the disturbance quickly became apparent, not twenty feet away from the tent somebody was firing off massive spells with their wand, spells capable of great destruction at that. Harry simply starred for a few moments, watching the spell caster with great interest, before he finally cleared his throat, getting the attention of the spell caster.
"Oh, your up then are you? I've already made breakfast, there's some left over if you like" Hermione flashed a dazzling smile at Harry, her beautiful violet eyes now sparkling brightly in the morning light, Harry only continued to stare at her for the longest time, causing Hermione to giggle at her dazed expression. She tucked her wand back into the front of her robes and crossed her arms as she starred back at Harry. "I do believe I mentioned before that I am fully capable of taking care of myself, perhaps now you'll believe me" she gave a rather superior grin at the dumbfounded look on Harry's face, indeed he hadn't thought Hermione capable of such powerful spells, though now that he considered it he really wasn't too surprised. Harry simply rolled his eyes and took a seat next to the fire, grabbing the plate that Hermione had left for him, Hermione took a seat opposite Harry and starred at him from across the flames of the small fire.
"So when do we start off today, if we're going to the resistance we need to get there as soon as possible don't we?" Hermione seemed very eager to get going this morning, in fact she seemed much more energetic than Harry could ever remember.
"You feeling ok this morning Hermione?" Hermione looked a little puzzled by the question as if unsure why he would bother to be asking, though she did nod just to reassure him. "What was up with you last night, you just suddenly……collapsed on me" Harry had not forgotten his concern nor his fear about the events of the past night and he wanted to make sure that Hermione was all right.
"Oh that, I think it actually had something to do with you giving me my sight back to be honest" Hermione had been up since before dawn and had been trying to think of why she had collapsed last night, after several hours she had managed to work out a theory of which she was more than happy to share with Harry.
"Why would me giving you your eye sight back make you just collapse like that" Harry certainly couldn't find any connection between Hermione getting her vision back and suddenly collapsing and scaring him senseless. Harry finished with his breakfast and set his plate on the ground, starring at Hermione, waiting for her to continue with her explanation.
"Oh alright, I'll tell you" she said as if she were giving into some sort of interrogation, Harry smirked at this, it was obvious she was dieing to tell him. "But before I tell you lets go ahead and pack everything up and get going, it's already past noon and we need to try to find the resistance. Harry reluctantly agreed, it nearly a half hour to pack everything back up and to pick a direction to head in. Shortly after starting off Harry starred over at Hermione, waiting for her to tell him the rest of her idea, of course she pretended not to notice him starring at her, she was feeling exceptionally upbeat this morning and teasing Harry like this was making her want to burst out laughing, she finally gave in and started to explain about her theory as to what had happened to her.
"When I was first blinded I didn't know what to do, I used to use so much concentration on my surroundings and using my senses to be able to detect what was around me. And you know, of course, that powerful magic takes a great deal of concentration" Harry nodded at this and listened very carefully as Hermione continued to explain her theory. "When Alice first started helping me to start using my magic again I often found that even the simplest of spells drained me of a lot of power for some reason, I figured that the spell that death eater used on me must have something to do with it, but Alice gave me another idea as to why I couldn't perform basic spells without tiring myself out." Hermione's theory had indeed come to her when she was remembering her time spent with Alice at St. Mungo's.
"She explained to me that because of my blindness the rest of my senses were working harder than usual and that I was using to much concentration on my senses rather than my magic. She had me test the theory for her, I just relaxed and completely ignored my senses, if I only concentrated on using my magic then I could do so a lot easier, but I still felt drained, even if my magic was the only thing I was concentrating on."
"Well, when I had the stealth alarm spell network set up at Alice's mansion back in the forest I could use my magic easily, though I do suspect that was due to the fact that a network of magic was passing through my body most of the time, so I was able to use some the power from the spell network. Anyway, last night when I collapsed like that, I think it was because I got my eyesight back, now I don't have to concentrate at all on my senses, its just like before I was blinded….I mean, you saw me this morning performing magic, and I didn't feel the least bit drained from those spells." Harry nodded and finally began to understand Hermione's theory.
"Last night, just before I collapsed, I felt like there was something swelling up within, something warm and powerful." Hermione paused her as she remembered the sensation she had gotten, it had felt as though something had been heating her from deep inside, "It was like all my old power just suddenly returned to me……and it was just so over whelming and I just, well, passed out from it" Hermione finished her explanation and starred over at Harry as if expecting him to smirk or laugh at the idea. Instead he just gave a knowing nod and starred out at the seemingly endless land infront of them. Hermione heaved a sigh as she thought of all the walking they would have to do.
"Oh why cant we just apparate?!" she asked angrily inside her head, though the words somehow came spilling out of her mouth. Harry stopped and watched her for a moment with a questioning look on his face. Hermione blushed slightly and muttered something about not meaning it.
"Oh, so you can apparate can you?" Harry slung the pack containing all their supplies from his shoulder and set it on the ground and gazed at Hermione, "You should have said something before, if I knew you could apparate we wouldn't have had to waste all this time walking" Harry look slightly annoyed as if Hermione had been purposely keeping this information a secret from him.
"You mean we could have just apparated to where ever it is your leading us?!" Hermione nearly shrieked at him, she would have thought it obvious she would be able to apparate, she was a grown woman after all. I mean com on now, she thought angrily, who doesn't know how to apparate nowadays.
Harry muttered vaguely for a moment but grinned after a while, suddenly finding the situation very funny. Hermione glared at Harry for several moments as he just continued to laugh, "I certainly don't see whats so funny" Hermione muttered angrily as Harry finally managed to stop laughing. He grabbed the pack of supplies and slung it over his shoulder once more, still grinning he took Hermione's hand.
"Do you know how to do a joint apparation" Hermione nodded and closed her eyes. A joint apparation wasn't a very difficult thing to do as long as everybody involved could apparate alone, a single person would think of the destination they all wanted while everybody else simply concentrated on the mental image of the one performing the apparation. Hermione was able to form a very clear picture of Harry in her mind's eye, she suddenly felt as though she were being lifted and then slammed back to the ground, though not as hard as portkey transport though.
"You can open your eyes now Hermione, we're here" Harry sweet voice interrupted her concentration and she opened her eyes and gasped at what she saw.
"It cant be" she muttered, her tone a mixture of both excitement and the utmost horror. "D-d-d…..do you mean that this is the headquarters for the resistance?" she asked disbelievingly as if Harry must have made a mistake in the apparation. But Harry just nodded and started up an old path toward the building that Hermione was still staring at; A building that was in ruins, great walls charred black from battle spells, towers that had long since fallen and were no more, a great building that Hermione had not seen for years but recognized perfectly well. She was starring, teary eyed, at what remained of the old Hogwarts castle.
"C'mon Mione, their probably expecting us by now" Harry called back over his shoulder, shaking Hermione from her daze as she quickly made to follow Harry up the ancient path toward the entrance hall of the old, tattered castle. Harry gave the rusted from doors a great kick and the burst open, the two of them walking inside quickly and shutting the doors once more. Hermione starred along the entrance hall of her old school, tears now threatening to fall as she saw now the horrors that the poor school must have face.
Harry led her to the Great hall and pushed open the doors quickly, before either of them could take could get a glimpse of the great hall there was a great rustling of chairs and well over one hundred wands were suddenly trained directly at Harry and Hermione.
"Well well well, it looks as though we have an intruder at the headquarters of our noble resistance" a voice called from amid the massive group of witches and wizards that had their wands on Harry and Hermione, the person was shifting through the ground trying to get to the front to see who had just come into the great hall, "Whatever shall we do with the spies of Lord Vold………it cant be!!!" the voice ended in an almost fearful whisper.
"It isn't possible……….H-Harry?!"
Harry grinned and gave a soft chuckle, slowly approaching the figure as everybody lowered their wands as if just recognizing who Harry was. Harry stood only a few feet apart from the apparent leader of the group who had been speaking seconds ago, "An intruder upon the great and noble resistance against voldemort am I? A treacherous spy of the evil Lord Voldemort? Dear me, does that me im no longer like a son to…….Remus?" Harry starred at the expression on his old professor's face, tears forming in the aging man's eyes as he seized the young boy before him and crushed him in a hug, whispering all the while
"Its true, Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts…………………."
A/N, ok seriously now, who didn't see that coming, hogwarts as the HQ for the resistance I dropped a hint in chapter three remember? Well anyway, I shall do as always now, beg you to review. Please please please please please please please please Please please please please please please please please Please please please please please please please please Please please please please please please please please Please please please please please please please please Please please please please please please please please Please please please please please please please please review now, I really, really need you guys to review, review are the only reason I bother to write my fanfiction