Chapter 7- A Cold Cliff and a Warm Fire
Interestingly enough, the breakout didn't seem to consume a great deal of the students' conversation. They seemed only moderately interested when twelve Death Eaters escaped during the previous year. Having only two get out this time probably looked like an improvement. There was, however, one obvious exception to this phenomenon.
"Get out of the way, Malfoy," Harry said exasperatedly as the trio was leaving the Great Hall.
"What's the matter Potter?" Malfoy rebuffed. "Scared that my dad will finish what he started?" He sneered. "Or, perhaps you're scared for your precious little mudblood?" he added, glaring over toward Hermione. Harry wasn't sure which of them actually got to Malfoy first, but almost instantly he and Ron felt Hermione tugging on the back of their robes, trying to peel them off Malfoy - who was now pressed firmly against the wall. Ron had his wand out and Harry's fingers were wrapped securely around Draco's throat.
"It's not worth it! Get off of him, both of you!" Hermione hissed. "I refuse to allow any Gryffindor to lose house points over the likes of Draco Malfoy!" she said successfully pulling them back. As always, they knew Hermione was right; not that they would admit to being wrong.
"Thanks mudblood! Nice to know you have a leash on your pets!" Malfoy said, smiling.
"Don't be too impressed with yourself Ferret! If I actually cared what you thought, I'd let Harry braid your vocal chords," Hermione retorted, pulling Ron and Harry down the hall. Their encounter was soon behind them and Harry's spirits rose. It was time for Tonks' class.
He almost felt guilty thinking it, but he enjoyed Tonks' class even more than Lupin's. Although they were both outstanding, he really put Tonks' lessons to good use. Since beginning his evening ritual behind his four poster hangings, he slept better, slept longer, had few -if any- dreams he could remember. He also seemed to get through much of the anger that haunted him for the past two years. Plus, he seemed to have mastered Occlumency. He was even calmer during the day. His visualizations had helped him deal with his feelings for Hermione and the battle in his head ended weeks ago. If there was an O.W.L. to be had in guided visualization, he certainly felt he'd earned an "Outstanding." He was especially interested in today's lesson. Tonks was introducing something new.
"Good afternoon class!" Tonks said, waving her arm and knocking Ron's books to the floor.
"Good afternoon Professor Tonks," The class replied happily.
"Well, today we are going to move into the next N.E.W.T. skill for the Defense Against the Dark Arts…telekinesis." She looked at the perplexed faces before her and continued. "Even muggles are familiar with telekinesis. Most don't believe it's possible. Those who do think it's just that some muggles have the ability to use different parts of their brains than ordinary muggles. They are not entirely incorrect. Telekinesis is the magical ability to move objects with your mind. Not unlike your first-year `wingardium leviosa' charm, just without the wands or the words." The class looked entirely disbelieving now.
"Professor," Hermione began. "How are we supposed to levitate things without using wands or spells?"
"With your mind, Ms. Granger. This is a skill that anyone wishing to become an Auror must master. There will be times, in search of dark wizards and witches, where you may be unable to speak or use your wand. Without learning telekinesis you'll be rendered vulnerable; and vulnerable Aurors end up dead," she said flatly. "Now the time we've spent on techniques to clear your mind, such as guided visualization and such, are vital to your success."
Tonks continued explaining the finer points of telekinesis and its uses. The class took a bit of notes and then tried their hand at the practical application of the skill. Harry smirked as he thought what the Hogwarts High Inquisitor would've thought of Tonks' lesson. To the passer-by it appeared as though the whole class was merely staring, catatonic, at the small pillows set on each of their tables. Umbridge would've surely sacked Tonks over this.
And Harry would've gladly paid half the galleons in his Gringotts vault to see her try.
***
Christmas break was quickly approaching and the sign up sheet was as slim as ever for those staying behind at the castle over the holiday. For the first time in years, Harry was going to be there alone. Ron and his family had managed enough money to take a real vacation and Harry, while obviously invited, chose to stay behind. It was a bit too much of a family moment for him, and although Harry was considered part of the Weasley's, he wasn't one. Besides, a little solitude would suit him well. Or would it?
As he passed the message board he saw Hermione writing her name on the parchment.
"Hermione? Are you staying over for the holidays?" Harry asked disbelievingly.
"Yes actually. My parents joined a charity medical trip to Zimbabwe and will be abroad for the holidays. But it's okay. I am desperate to get caught up on my homework. I'm afraid I've not been doing quite as well this term as before," she said, obviously embarrassed.
"Well, it's been a lot harder this term than in the past," Harry conceded.
Looking directly into his eyes, Hermione replied. "Yes, it's been much harder." There was an awkward silence which Hermione broke quickly. "Don't you have quidditch practice?" she asked.
"Don't you have Arithmancy?" Harry replied. They laughed quietly, smiled, and went their separate ways.
Harry spent the next few hours flying around the Quidditch pitch. He ran himself through several drills and practiced a new dive he'd somehow managed to miss in Quidditch Throughout the Ages. It was a bit more difficult than the dives he'd perfected thus far. It involved an inverse escape only feet from the ground that would allow a seeker to pilfer the snitch from directly underneath a challenger. Ron had come late to practice and caught up with Harry afterward.
"Hi`ya Harry," Ron said, changing out of his Quidditch robes. "I'm really impressed with that new dive of yours, but I'm also pretty sure there will be a Harry sized hole in the pitch if you sneeze at the wrong time." Ron sniggered. Harry just smiled.
"Did you know Hermione was staying at Hogwarts for the holidays?" Harry said while running a comb through his hair.
"She was," Ron said with distaste.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Well, I ran into her before coming to practice. She had gotten a letter from Vicky and he asked her to visit him in London for Christmas," Ron sneered.
"And she's going?" Harry yelped, temper rising. He hadn't admitted it to himself consciously, but he was truly looking forward to a nearly deserted castle and Christmas with Hermione. He finished changing his robes and stormed back to the castle, Ron looking on quizzically. By the time he reached the common room it was all he could do to not scream "flabberghast" at the unsuspecting fat lady. And while fuming anger was not unknown to Harry, this was the first time it was shared by someone else.
Harry and Ron stepped through the portrait hole to a crowded Gryffindor common room. They quickly received cautionary stares from Seamus and Dean. Ginny crossed the room quickly and stopped in front of Ron and Harry.
"Do yourself a favor and don't talk to Hermione. She didn't to too well on an arithmancy test and is one step short of hexing the whole room." Ginny pleaded. Unfortunately, Hermione saw Ginny standing with them both and figured out what they were doing.
"What are you three on about over there?" Hermione hissed. "Oh, Ginny just can't wait to tell everyone that I failed a test!"
"Hermione, don't take it out on me, I'm just trying to help," Ginny said softly as she walked off.
"Hermione-" Ron started.
"Don't! Don't even start Ronald Weasley! I don't want to hear any of your snide remarks today!" Hermione snapped before he could even get the sentence out. The room had quieted a bit to watch the show, and Harry had finally reached the boiling point.
"You don't even know what he was going to say Hermione!" Harry shouted. For a split-second she sat motionless, shocked that Harry even got involved.
"It's all right mate," Ron said quietly to Harry, seeming to beg Harry not to escalate this any further.
"What is that supposed to mean Harry?" Hermione barked. "I don't know what he's going to say…like I don't know anything, like I'm stupid or something?" She roared.
"Hermione, Harry didn't say-" But Harry cut Ron off this time.
"Well, you sure couldn't figure out Vicky was in love with you. It's obvious you don't have a clue what any guy is thinking!" Harry blasted. Hermione was on the verge of tears and the common room continued to turn their attention to the shouting match in the far corner.
"He was thousands of miles away! How was I supposed to know Victor was in love with me?" She screamed, and before Harry could stop himself he barked right back…
"That's no excuse! I'm standing right in front of you and you sure haven't figured out that I'm in love with you!"
It wasn't until he realized the common room had fallen deafeningly silent and eyes bored into him from all directions that Harry understood what he had just said. Hermione stood in shock, mouth opening and closing, obviously searching for words that weren't coming. Harry turned to Ron who was shaking his head equally dumbfounded as Hermione. Ginny had her hand clasped over her mouth trying to hide a smile, eyes seeming to water. Harry suddenly felt like a circus animal on display. He had to get out of there. With one motion he spun and opened the common room door and swept out. As the door closed behind him he heard only Hermione's voice calling his name.
***
Without thinking about what he was doing, or where he was going, Harry set off on his Firebolt. He found a spot overlooking the lake, Hogwarts a distant speck across the cold water, and set down. It was quiet, it was cold, and it was secluded. That seemed to fit Harry's mood perfectly. He had no idea how long he sat thinking about what had just happened.
He had totally lost control, he let everything slip. He didn't just tell Hermione he was in love with her; he shouted it to the entire Gryffindor common room! Short of the time during his second year when everyone thought he was the Heir of Slytherin - he had never wanted to run away from Hogwarts more in his life.
"You never cease to amaze me Harry," drifted the soft voice of Albus Dumbledore. Harry nearly fell off the cliff he was perched upon and jumped up to see the headmaster looking kindly toward him.
"Your father used to come to this exact spot every time he was having problems with your mother. Not unlike Ms. Granger, your mother was a bit…strong-willed I should say." He finished with a wink.
"How did you know I was here? Do you know what happened?" Harry asked; his heart pounding. Dumbledore merely lowered his head and peered at Harry over his half-moon glasses with a knowing stare. Harry, remembering who he was talking to, flopped back down on his perch and gazed over the lake.
"Harry. What I haven't known is why you've not done this sooner," Dumbledore asked, sitting on a rock outcropping beside him. Harry couldn't believe his ears.
"You of all people should know why I've not said anything!" Harry scoffed incredulously. "It's not safe! She's not safe," he added, feeling the need to explain the obvious.
"I should've thought you would've learned more from Professor Trelawney," Dumbledore said quietly. Harry merely stared at him.
"Sir, I'm talking about Professor Trelawney. About the prophecy, and everything that's happened so far. Everyone, everyone, I have ever loved has ended up dead. That will not happen to Hermione!" Harry cried. He was simmering.
"Harry, I'm not talking about the prophecy, I'm talking about divination. You and Mr. Weasley learned well enough that you could simply make up predictions and have an equal chance at being correct. You are no more adept at telling the future now than you were last year," Dumbledore added. "You don't know what the future holds."
"I know I have to face him again. You told me that. I know I have to kill him or be killed. I know that he has no qualms over killing anyone or anything in order to get to me. It's just a matter of time. How can I let her in, just to watch her die; or worse, have her watch me die?" Harry said calming a bit.
"Harry, when your parents got married, and when they became pregnant with you, they knew about the prophecy. They had to make a choice. They could choose to hide away, and live in fear, or they could merely choose to live," Dumbledore said softly. "They were everything that Gryffindor embodied. They chose to live their life, and to love you, as completely as possible, for as long as possible. They chose to deal with Voldemort on their terms, not his," he continued. "I see that you have to make the same choice."
Harry looked up at Dumbledore grateful to finally be able to talk about this with someone. He noticed Dumbledore, so different from last year, never seemed to take his gaze from Harry's eyes.
"But," Harry added at a near whisper, "I'm…I'm scared sir."
"Of course you are Harry. I'd be concerned if you weren't. But you're also not thinking of the entire prophecy."
"What do you mean?" Harry inquired.
"Harry, the prophecy indicated that a child would be born in the end of the summer…with powers the Dark Lord knows not. By now you should surely know what that power is." Dumbledore said flatly.
A perplexed look crossed Harry's face as he thought about the past several years. "Love?" he asked. "That's not really a power Professor."
"You're wrong Harry. Love is more powerful than any spell or incantation. It has been your sole protection for the majority of your life. Spells, incantations, even people do not last, but love does - your mother is the perfect example of that. Your love for Sirius is what helped you defeat Voldemort last year," Dumbledore said matter-of-factly.
"You defeated Voldemort last year - I would've been dead if not for you," Harry said gratefully.
"And my love for you helped me accomplish that task," Dumbledore said, finally looking away from Harry.
"I do love Hermione, more than anything. I've never felt like this before. And maybe if I thought I was strong enough to defeat him myself I would…I don't know…I would…" Harry trailed off.
"Harry, do you realize how strong you've become?" Dumbledore asked. "More importantly, do you not realize that over the last six years, Ms. Granger is in large portion responsible for your growth as a wizard?"
Harry thought about the last few years and his encounters with Voldemort. She had gotten him through Snape's enchantment to reach the stone. She had brewed the polyjuice potion and solved much of the mystery surrounding the basilisk. She had used the time turner and led him through that bizarre night ending in Sirius and Buckbeak's escape. She'd worked tirelessly with him during the Triwizard Tournament to help him through the tasks. She organized the D.A. and got him to teach their friends - without their help he never would've made it past the 12 Death Eaters they faced together. While he only ever seemed to face Voldemort alone, he never would've gotten nearly that far without her.
Dumbledore realized the progression Harry was going through in his head and as Harry raised his eyes to the Headmaster's a warm smile spread over Dumbledore's face.
"Harry, you need Hermione. You always have," he said simply. "You've progressed so quickly this year, and all your progress can be attributed to Ms. Granger."
Harry thought about that for a bit. He had mastered Occlumency for the sole reason of keeping Snape away from his memories of Hermione, he stood up to Malfoy and tried dangerous Quidditch maneuvers all because he had felt stronger all year. Could his love for Hermione, and the unspoken hope she loved him, be the strength he had felt since the summer?
"It seems to me, you have a choice to make Harry. You can continue as you have done, or you can choose to live and face Voldemort on your terms," Dumbledore said getting up. "I would ask that you remain here only briefly. I don't like for my students to be so far from the grounds after dark." And with a smile, Dumbledore was gone. Harry had no idea how long he had mulled over their conversation in his head. But the arrival of Fawkes, some time later, seemed to be a rather strong indication Dumbledore wanted him back in the safety of the castle. He climbed on his Firebolt and flew back to the castle, Fawkes at his side.
It must've been sometime past midnight as he climbed the stairs to the common room. His only desire was to open the door and see it deserted. He truly wished he could pull out a Lockhart memory charm on those who witnessed his outburst. He took a deep breath and with a pounding heart said, "Flabberghast."
The obvious giggling of the Fat Lady did not make him feel any better as the portrait hole swung open. Thankfully, he had gotten his wish. The common room was completely empty. He heaved a sigh of relief and walked in. He wasn't quite ready to tempt whether Ron, Dean, Neville, and Seamus were all asleep and walked to the fire, flopping into his favorite squashy chair. He let out a sigh of relief…one breath too soon as it turned out.
"I've been really worried about you," Hermione's soft voice floated across the room. Harry leapt up from him chair and spun to see her sitting in a dim corner of the room near the window.
"Listen…Hermione…about tonight…I er- I." Harry stammered.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, getting to her feet. "Why did you go so far to act like you didn't love me?" she demanded -seeming to have apparated across the room.
"It's not that easy Hermione, there are things about me you don't know," he explained.
"Only because you won't tell me!" Hermione rebuffed.
"Well, it doesn't matter. None of it does. You're in love with Victor anyway," Harry began.
"What?! Oh! For being such a great wizard, you haven't got any common sense Harry. I am not in love with Victor. I never have been." She looked into Harry's emerald eyes. He couldn't take it and looked away almost immediately.
"I failed my Arithmancy test because of you," she said quietly.
"What?" Hermione-" Harry began to argue.
"That's not what I meant," she said waving her hand to calm him. "The major question involved a scenario in a forest and I couldn't stop thinking about that morning at the Burrow. I couldn't concentrate, I never answered the question."
Harry snapped his eyes to hers. Before he could respond she added, "I'm in love with you Harry. I've known it for months. I've just been too scared to say anything." She turned, face reddened, from him and walked to the other side of the fireplace.
"Hermione," Harry began quietly. "Please think logically about this for a minute, please," Harry implored. "Think back to the time you've spent with me. You've nearly been eaten by Fluffy, entangled in devil's snare, petrified! You've been attacked by hundreds of Dementors, almost drowned, and nearly…nearly…killed," he said at a whisper. Noticing she had turned to face him he continued, "I'm not safe Hermione. You're not safe around me."
"Isn't that my choice to make?" she asked, looking somewhat put off. "Harry, in each of those situations, you were there, you saved me!"
"I can't promise you that I'll be able to save you again," Harry interrupted. "Hermione you just don't know what I'm up against," Harry said, looking back into her chocolate brown eyes. She stepped toward him and took his hands in her's; they were still freezing from the time he spent on the cliff.
"Harry, I have been miserable since this summer. All I've wanted to do is be with you and I haven't been able to do that. I can't live like this. I don't care if you can't save me the next time; my life is meaningless without you in it. I'd rather have only one night like this than a thousand of the ones past." She was still moving closer.
She looked up into Harry's striking green eyes and he felt himself melt. He couldn't, or wouldn't, fight this any longer.
He felt her hands softly touch his hips. He slid his right hand around the nape of her neck and drew her closer. Every sense he had seemed to be in overdrive. All he could hear was the softness of her breath, all he could feel was the smoothness of her skin, and all he could smell was the intoxicating essence of her perfume. He closed his eyes and pulled her closer. There was a sudden dance of light behind his eyes, his legs seemed to turn to gelatin and he was clearly surprised he hadn't collapsed to the floor. He wrapped his left hand around her waist and finished what they started on the trail.
He could've stayed forever trapped in this embrace… locked in this moment… lost in this kiss.
***
Harry was surprised when he woke the next morning to find it wasn't morning at all. It was sometime along in the early afternoon and the dormitory was completely deserted. The Christmas holidays had begun and his roommates had managed to pack and leave for their respective vacations without stirring Harry from the deepest sleep he had experienced yet. He lie awake, in his four-poster, fondly reliving the events of the night past in. Even the dull tingling in his scar, which happened so frequently he rarely noticed at all, could keep him from smiling. He reached to his bedside table to get his glasses and noticed a piece of parchment had been placed underneath them. He put on his glasses and unrolled the note, not surprisingly it was from Ron.
Hi Harry,
I was going to wake you to say goodbye but I didn't think you would want to be woken from the dead sleep you were in, so I left you this note instead. I haven't gotten your Christmas gift yet, I'm going to bring something back for you from our trip - I still wish you'd come with us! Anyway, I'll expect Hedwig with all the details of what happened last night, and I mean ALL of them.
Happy Christmas,
Ron
From the tone of the letter Harry wondered if Ron had some idea of what happened between him and Hermione last night. His toothy grin vanished quickly with the thought that Ron might've been hiding out under his invisibility cloak. But the smile reappeared as he imagined Ron trying desperately to get past the locking charm Harry had put on his trunk. Friends or not, the invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map had to be safeguarded when he wasn't there. Feeling better than he thought he ever had, he jumped up to tell Ron all the details he cared to share.
Hi Ron!
I should probably apologize for not having been honest with you to begin with. I had a lot of time to think about what was really important and came back to the castle. Hermione was waiting for me in the common room and we worked things out. I'm not quite sure what to do now - I've never really had a "girlfriend" before. Anyway, I hope you have a good holiday with your family - tell your mum I might take her up on her offer, she'll know what I'm talking about.
Happy Christmas!
Harry
He wasn't quite sure why he left out certain details.
Yes, you are. You're not stupid Harry; you saw how he looked at her during the Yule Ball too.
He was just being protective.
Oh, Hang it Harry. You're afraid of the competition.
I am not.
He certainly wasn't going to tell him how his night ended, but he didn't feel right telling him about Dumbledore either. There was no way he could explain their conversation without telling him about the prophecy and he just wasn't ready to do that yet. It wasn't the first time he had kept certain information close to his chest, he never betrayed Neville's secret - even when Neville didn't know Harry knew about his parents - and he still hadn't told anyone that his wand and Voldemort's were brothers. As he sat thinking about these secrets, the thought of the prophecy returned to him.
Since the summer he had been struggling with the notion of telling Hermione. Now everything had changed. He didn't see how he could be honest with her without telling her his destiny. That seemed more important to him now than anything. If she was going to decide to be with him, it was necessary that she know the truth. He had no idea how he was going to breach that subject. Beginning the conversation in his head, about fourteen times, he absent-mindedly got dressed and headed for the common room.
As expected, the common room was deserted. He could smell turkey wafting from the Great Hall and realized it was time for lunch. He decided to send Hedwig to Ron before heading downstairs to eat. As he climbed the stairs to the Owlery he continued to start and re-start the conversation in his head.
How was he going to tell her? How do you tell the girl you love that you're destined to kill, or be killed, by the most evil wizard of the age? The cold blast of air as he opened the Owlery door shook him from his thoughts.
The Owlery seemed a bit deserted as well. Most of the students took their owls with them for the holidays. However, the floor was just as littered with straw and droppings as usual. Harry peered through the rafters in search of Hedwig. Another owl found him first.
"Pig! Go away!" Harry said waving his arms at the seemingly psychotic miniature owl buzzing about his head. He was not the least bit surprised Ron hadn't taken him on vacation with the family. The various rodent carcasses strewn about the floor drew Harry to the opinion that Hedwig was likely out hunting. He stuffed the letter to Ron in his pocket and headed for lunch.
The Great Hall was decorated exquisitely for the holidays. Today was Christmas Eve and each of the twelve enormous trees seemed to glow with dancing candlelight. The ceiling reflected not only Harry's mood but the brilliant sunshine dancing off the snow drifts outside. If it was possible for Harry's heart to lighten anymore, he looked down the Gryffindor table to see Hermione pouring a glass of pumpkin juice. She seemed to feel him looking at her and snapped her head in his direction, unfortunately for her she also forgot to stop pouring.
"Here," Harry said trying to hold back his chuckles. "Let me help you with that." He took the towel that magically appeared on the table and began sopping up the spilled juice.
"You're finally awake," Hermione said smiling.
"Yeah," He replied, sitting down on the bench next to her. He glanced around quickly to see if any of the Great Hall's sparse inhabitants were looking, and seeing that the coast was clear leaned over and gave her a warm kiss on the cheek. "Best I've slept in months."
Hermione blushed as her eyes darted around the room. "So did you just wake up?" she asked in the calmest voice she could muster.
"No actually, Ron left me a note and I wrote a reply but Hedwig wasn't in the Owlery. She must be off…what?" He stopped seeing a concerned look on Hermione's face.
"Oh, I really hope you don't mind, but I had to…well, I needed to…" she stammered.
"What?" Harry pressed.
"Oh, okay. I had to send a letter to…well, you know, and explain things to him a bit. When I went into the Owlery Hedwig just about nipped me to death. She seemed desperate for a task so I let her take the letter to London. I guess she's been a bit bored, not having as much to do this…" she trailed off looking up at Harry disbelieving what she just said.
"It's okay Hermione. She has been bored to tears this year. I haven't had too many letters to send since Sirius is gone. I don't mind that you used her. Pig is up there, I'll use him to send Ron's letter." Hermione reciprocated his smile, clearly relieved Harry wasn't angry that she sent Hedwig to Victor Krum.
"So what did you tell him?" Harry asked nonchalantly.
"Well, just that, I was flattered by what he said and that I hoped I hadn't led him to believe anything, but that I just didn't feel that way about him," She said flatly.
"Wow, you said it like that?" Harry asked looking stunned. "You didn't mention me did you?"
"Of course not Harry, I just said that there was someone else I felt that way about and hoped we could still be friends," She said grabbing another muffin. "What?"
"Well, it's just a bit harsh isn't it? I mean the guy does love you," Harry said, suddenly feeling sorry for Krum, and hoping Hedwig wouldn't return plucked of all her feathers.
"I tried to write it as nicely as I could," Hermione said looking concerned. Obviously wishing to change the subject she added, "So what are we going to do today?"
They both smiled at each other.
Harry and Hermione spent the day with each other doing absolutely nothing it seemed. They walked around the lake at least four times, talking and holding hands. They stopped occasionally to rest and spend a bit more time engaged in more personal activities. In between conversations, and kisses, Harry continued to mull over how to tell her about the prophecy. He never seemed to come up with exactly the right words. They ate a quiet dinner together, secluded at the end of the deserted house table, and decided to spend the rest of the day in front of the common room fire, doing exactly what they'd done all day…nothing. Harry thought even his guided visualization routine didn't relax him nearly as much as this day had. But the time had come.
"Hermione, you were right last night," Harry said using the best introduction he had devised all day.
"Right about what?" She said looking up at him, the warm glow of the fire on her face.
"I haven't told you everything about me, but I think it's important to be totally honest if you are to make an informed decision," Harry said gazing off into the fire.
"Decision about what?" Hermione said, now looking perplexed.
"About me…about us," He answered looking away.
"Harry, I think it's pretty clear that I've already decided that," she said with a smile.
"Hermione, I'm being serious. What I'm about to tell you I've not told anyone. The only people who know are Professor Dumbledore and members of the Order." An obvious look of concern was beginning to cross Hermione's face.
Harry took a deep breath, half disbelieving he was about to tell her any of this, "Last year," He began. "Do you remember all of the orbs on the shelves in the department of mysteries?" He looked at her, shifting a bit along the floor.
"Of course I do," she said, still holding his gaze.
"They are records of prophesies made by seers. The only people who can remove them from the shelves are the people the predictions are made about. That's why I was lured there. Only Voldemort or I could take it." Hermione quickly clued into the meaning of what Harry said.
"Someone made a prediction about you and Voldemort?" Hermione said in shock.
"Yes. He knew about the prophecy but didn't know all of it. That's why he wanted it last year. He wanted to hear it in its entirety," Harry continued.
"But I thought Neville broke it?" Hermione asked with a furrowed brow.
"He did, and it was too loud in the room to hear what it said." Seeming to answer her question before she could ask it, he continued, "but, I know what it said. The prophecy was made to Dumbledore, and after it was all over, he told me the whole thing," Harry said looking down at her hands, held firmly in his. She squeezed his hands, drawing his attention back to her face.
"What did it say?" Hermione asked cautiously.
He felt it would be easier to just tell her all at once, so he drew a large breath and began to talk. "It foretold of a child to be born in the end of the summer to parents who had defeated Voldemort three times. It said this child would have powers he did not realize, he would mark him as his equal, and that the child would be the only person that could bring about Voldemort's demise." Hermione's eyes had grown wider with every word Harry spoke.
"Oh my, your scar!" she said softly, seeming to understand.
"That's not all," Harry shifted uncomfortably, grasped her hands even tighter and looked into her eyes. "It also said that neither of us can live while the other survives."
Hermione stared at him with her mouth gaping. "What does that mean?" She added, not seeming to want to believe what her unqualified logic was telling her.
"Hermione," Harry said with a knowing stare. They both knew she was cleverer than any other witch when it came to deciphering riddles.
"You don't believe that rubbish do you? Please, some loon with a crystal ball predicts your fate as a murderer and you buy the whole story?" She scoffed.
"Hermione…"
"Next you'll be telling me that nutcase Trelawney is the one who predicted the whole thing!" Harry averted his eyes. That was enough of an affirmation for her. "Harry! For the love of Merlin!"
"Hermione, this wasn't some silly tea leaf reading in the North Tower. This was a genuine prophecy. Dumbledore believes it, the Order believes it. Hell, Mr. Weasley nearly died protecting it!" Hermione's tough demeanor was cracking with every point Harry made. When he finished she stared at him, not wanting to believe any of it, but oddly resigned to the truth.
"Oh, Harry." Her eyes seemed to be glistening. He knew from the look on her face that she understood what it meant. He let go of her hands and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. They sat speechless, motionless, watching the fire crackle and pop. Harry kissed her forehead, holding her tighter, as he realized the slight quivering coming from her shoulders was her best effort at fighting back tears. Somewhere in the distance a clock struck midnight.
"Oh!" Harry said jumping up and leaving Hermione by the fire. He raced up the spiral staircase to his dormitory hearing her shout something about Cinderella as he climbed out of view.
It was Christmas and he had a gift to give her. He darted for his four-poster and reached for the velvet box that has resided under his pillow since the day he bought it. He raced back downstairs to see her now standing by the fire completely confused.
"Harry Potter! What in the world has gotten into you?" she said curtly.
"Well, its Christmas and I have something I've been dying…" Hermione shot him a horrified look, "well…something that I've really wanted to give you." He pulled the box from behind his back and handed it to Hermione.
"This is what you bought at Diagon Alley!" Hermione gasped. "It was for me!" She gave him a quick look and unsnapped the box. Harry's smile grew as wide as Hermione's eyes.
"Harry!" she gasped. "It's absolutely beautiful!"
He explained excitedly. "It's an enchanted ruby, it changes color with your mood. And the setting is a…"
"Hungarian horntail," she finished, looking up at him with misty eyes. "I don't know what to say," she added quietly.
"That's the beauty of it," Harry smiled. "You don't have to." He pointed to the inset in the box top that described the stone's brilliant red hue as the color indicating love. He took it out of the box and slid it onto her finger - holding her hand to look at the finished product. Then they looked up at each other and she moved in to thank him properly.
It had only been twenty-four hours since he stood in this very spot, kissing Hermione for the first time, but he thought it was a sensation he would never get used to, or tired of. His heart was pounding, his face was flushed, his breath grew more rapid…and suddenly it was all replaced by another familiar sensation…pain.
A searing pain shot through his forehead. It felt like someone was piercing a white hot blade through his skull. It was excruciating and Harry fell to his knees, dragging Hermione down with him. His stomach lurched, his eyes were watering and he saw only white spots. As he stay crouched on his hands and knees, a distant question passed through his mind. Where was Hermione, and why wasn't she trying to help him?
He blinked several times and looked up, searching the range of his vision for Hermione. She was right in front of him, writhing on the floor, gasping for air. As the pain began to subside (nearly as quickly as it came) he crawled to her side.
"Hermione, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to pull you…" he stopped. He realized with a horror he didn't quite understand that she was lying on the floor clutching her forehead. She was as pale as Sir Nicolas and her eyes were watering.
"Hermione, are you okay?" he asked, nearly panicked, pushing the residual pain out of his mind. "Hermione, please answer me," he said, the panic rising in his voice.
"Oh, Harry," she said, still short of breath. "Does it always hurt that much?"
Harry was stunned. He sat hovering over her, mouth gaping open - at a total loss for words. She continued to rub her forehead and he helped her to a sitting position. Harry was speechless. Hermione however found one last sentence that took his breath away.
"What is he so thrilled about?"