Story: War
Chapter: 26
Rating of Chapter: R
My other Fics: Stress, Wake Me From This Nightmare, Psychokinesis, Forlorn
Live Journal: Live Journal
Beta: Cheryl
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only things I own are the plot, any characters, spells etc that you do not recognize.
Author Notes: Thanks for the reviews, I know it was a bit of a shock but things will improve.
Chapter 26: Guilt and Discomfort
"What happened here?" inquired Dumbledore, his cool blue eyes probing Ron.
"I don't know, I went down the hole and saw that the Elixir was gone, but I picked up a small ball thing. Then Harry snatched it off me and his eyes went all black and then he just turned on all of us." Dumbledore nodded at the end of every word. He had instantly arrived when he had heard the news and was now trying to find out as much information as possible.
Dumbledore then approached the sphere and carefully picked it up, analysing it with great detail. "Hmmm, unusual, this dark magic is foreign to me." Dumbledore placed the sphere in one of the many pockets on his robe before approaching Hermione. "Miss Granger, how are you?" he asked softly.
Hermione glanced up at her Headmaster and tried to remain calm and steady but tears spilled quickly from her eyes. Dumbledore placed a hand on her back and half hugged her before calling Sirius over. "Sirius, I know this is very hard for you, but would you mind taking Miss Granger back to Hogwarts and Madam Pomfrey?"
Sirius nodded, but didn't speak. He led Hermione over to the cupboard.
"I'm sorry Sirius," said Hermione in a muffled voice.
"Don't worry about me Hermione." They then port keyed back to Hogwarts together.
"Mr Weasley, please run along too," added Dumbledore.
*
As the day darkened, seated upon the furthest point of the mountainous Hogwarts was a very confused and remorseful Harry Potter. Lost in thought, he relieved the horrific events of the early morning; he had murdered his favourite professor. How many young men could say that they had cheated death on numerous occasions, seen their godfather and best friend return from the dead, impregnated their girlfriends, killed a professor and broken just about every rule in one spell of school?
But none of that would matter now, this was it, this was the end. I can't go back inside that castle and look at all of the people there. I've killed one of the most important people in my life and beaten up my girlfriend! I'll get back to the train station later tonight, then I'll return to the Muggle world, away from all of this 'hero' nonsense. I won't have a reputation to live up to; I won't have to be on show twenty-four hours a day…sometimes I wonder why on earth I came here. 'Because you hate the Muggle world,' a voice deep inside his head reminded him. "Shut up!" shouted Harry aloud. "What do I have to stay for? Hermione will never want to see me again."
"That's not entirely true." Harry turned his head, before him was Hermione standing peacefully, admiring the mountains with an almost ethereal glow cast from the beams of moonlight. He turned away ashamed, she wasn't real.
"Hermione, what have I done to you?" Harry quietly muttered to himself. Sensing he wasn't alone he frantically looked around the hilltop - he was alone. Regaining his composure, Harry dropped to the ground as reality once again washed over him. "I'm-sorry-Remus…I'm-sorry-Her-mione." he choked out holding his head in his hands as a tear of anguish trickled down his distraught face. He roughly wiped at his eyes when he noticed the watch Hermione had gifted him last year. He read the watch face indicating Hermione's location as Gryffindor Prefect Common Room. Sighing with resolve, Harry paused a moment before standing up, clearing his throat and made his way to a small back entrance to the castle.
As he placed his hand on the knob it turned underneath his grip and it swung open, nearly sending him off his feet. Ginny then stepped out and eyed him, surprised. "Harry! What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
Ginny frowned and brushed past Harry, she was heading to the very hill top Harry had just vacated. Harry reluctantly turned to join her. "Truth is I just came out here to think, you know?" she looked to Harry, and continued "Things are strange, Draco was suspended. I don't even know why. Every professor I've asked will only respond with…'its private business.' "Ginny closed her eyes in frustration, "I'm his girlfriend, and don't I have a right to know?"
Harry gazed out into the clear skies, he'd been in similar positions to Ginny many times wanting to know the truth, and he could definitely relate where she was coming from. "Yes, you do have a right to know," he answered.
"Thank you, if only somebody who knew the truth would understand." Harry fell silent and began scratching at the non-existent itch on his forehead. "Do you know something Harry?" He scratched harder. "If you do, please tell me. Because this is all driving me insane."
Harry sighed and turned to Ginny, her face filled with despair. "Ginny, listen to me. I do know something, but I really can't tell you…I've caused enough damage today. I'm sorry."
"But-"
"Ginny, a lot has happened in the last twenty-four hours and I know how hard it is to not know the truth but I cannot tell you. Something happened last night, both intriguing and tragic. I promise you now that as soon as the truth is allowed out you'll be the first to know."
Ginny smiled and pulled Harry into a friendly hug before Harry rose to his feet. "I have to go, I need to talk to Hermione." Ginny smiled.
"I understand Harry…and thanks."
*
Harry had made it through the castle pretty quietly until he reached the common room. Unfortunately he needed to pass through there to get to the Prefect room. He was met by several questions but ignored them all, his mind simply focused on Hermione. He didn't spot Ron, but only thought about it briefly. Harry entered the Prefect room and slowly crept towards Hermione's bedroom. He opened the door slightly and saw her curled up underneath her covers, sleeping, but appearing tense.
He would usually leave her but he had to talk to her at some point. He placed a hand on her head and she sat up sharply, her face panic-stricken. "Harry!" she gasped. For the next few minutes they just stared intently at each other, before Harry began.
"Hey."
"Hey," answered Hermione timidly. "W-Where have you been?"
"I needed to think."
"I was scared and worried about what happened to you earlier"
"I'm sorry."
"You could have come to me. Madam Pomfrey released me early because I thought you may come here." Harry sighed and sat down next to Hermione.
"Hermione-I killed Professor Lupin. And you know what? I don't even know why, I was pleading with myself to stop, but my body was controlled by something else. As soon as Ron showed me that sphere everything changed. I took Professor Lupin's life away in a heartbeat and then turned on you…" Harry buried his face in hands as the anguish yet again washed over him, "I'm-so-sorry-I-hurt-you."
"Harry, I know you were being controlled…" soothed Hermione. "A few bruises will heal. What happened today was unreal. We have to find out what happened, what that sphere was and what caused it - together. I believe in you. I trust you. I love you Harry."
Harry pulled his hands away from his face to look at Hermione, her expression full of love. Gently Hermione pulled Harry into an embrace. He tensed and tried to pull away, but Hermione held him tighter, ignoring her own pain until she felt him finally relax in the embrace.
Harry shifted a little causing Hermione to groan slightly. "Hermione?" asked Harry as he pulled back. She was in pain, pain that he caused. Harry pulled back even more as Hermione protested his movements. "Harry, don't leave. I'm fine. Come back."
Shaking his head, Harry moved to get up, "You're in pain. I did this to you. It's my fault. I have…I have to go."
"NO!" implored Hermione. "Don't leave!" She winced as she moved too quickly to stop Harry. He ceased moving as two gentle arms again wrapped around him. She loved him, despite everything he'd done. She loved him.
Harry looked intently at Hermione and then gently leant her back on her bed. He took a handful of her nightgown and rolled it halfway up her waist until it was just below her breasts. "Where does it hurt?" he asked. "The bruises," she responded. Harry gently caressed her abdomen with his hands. "Let me heal you."
Harry focused all his energy on Hermione then nothing, no yellow light, no surge of power, nothing. "I can't…I don't know…" choked out Harry. I did this to her and now I don't even have the power to take her pain away. I've failed her again.
Fearing that Harry would again try to leave, Hermione pulled Harry on top of her, pulling him into a passionate kiss. "I love you Harry." she said and kissed him again refusing to let him go. Harry closed his eyes to Hermione's touch. Slowly, Harry's apprehension gave way. Hermione's love and attention was freeing him and he responded to her.
"Hermione." She looked into those intoxicating green eyes, "You don't deserve any pain." Hermione opened her mouth to speak. "Please don't interrupt. I just want to say how sorry I am for everything I have done to you in the last seven years. Sometimes it's hard for me to protect you from everything, but that's all I want to do. I love you." Hermione pulled Harry up and captured his lips in a gentle, loving kiss.
"Harry, let me heal you." She pulled her nightgown over her head. Hermione then slipped down his robe and made quick work of Harry's shirt buttons, kissing his chest gently. Soon Harry was rid of his socks, shoes and trousers. Hermione moved back to Harry's lips and pulled him back down to a reclining position. Hermione welcomed the feel of Harry's weight on top of her and could feel his arousal against her thigh as she moved her kisses along his neck and collarbone. Encouraged by Harry's moan Hermione removed his boxers. She gently stroked his erection before positioning it at her entrance. No words were spoken as Harry slowly entered her filling her; they both sighed at the feeling of completion, it was home. Instinctively Hermione wrapped her legs around Harry's back encouraging him to move. He responded with gentle thrusts giving each other pleasure. As she reached climax she screamed out his name and he quickly followed her with his own release.
Harry and Hermione lay in each other arms, kissing and exploring each other's bodies. "I love you." they both said at the same time, and smiled.
*
It was well past midnight. A lone redhead was perched on the ledge of the Astronomy Tower balcony contemplating the events of the last 48 hours. "My life will never be the same," sighed the redhead to no one but the night sky. With another sombre sigh, the redhead pushed off from the ledge….
A loud thud caused Harry to break away from Hermione.
Author Notes: My beta played a big role in this chapter, so if you enjoyed then thank her as much as me because she deserves at least 50% of the credibility for her work in this chapter.