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Endings and Beginnings by Eternal Fire
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Endings and Beginnings

Eternal Fire

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Harry Potter. They are the property of J. K. Rowling.

Harry Potter had never been so miserable in his whole life. He sat through his classes - one after another, thinking about how it would be the last time he was there.

What he was dreading the most was having to tell his friends…Ron and…dear God, Hermione. What was he supposed to say to her? Finally, he decided; he would tell them both this afternoon - in private.

The trio was heading down to Snape's dungeon for Potions class when Harry heard a sadistic laugh.

"I told you, Potter. See what happens when you mess with me?" Malfoy smirked. The students in the hallway immediately stopped in their places.

"Shut-up Malfoy, I'm not in the mood for bad jokes!" Ron answered.

"Stay out of this, Weasley, or you'll be expelled just like Potter!" The entire hallway let out a gasp.

"What are you talking about?" Hermione demanded. Malfoy's smile only widened.

"It's quite simple, Mugblood, your 'legendary' boyfriend was expelled this morning - by none other than Minister Fudge himself."

Hermione couldn't believe it. No…no, it couldn't be true. She looked at Harry, begging him to tell her that it was a lie, but his eyes gave her the answer.

"Harry, he's kidding right!" Ron said with a smile.

"No." It was simple word, but it made everybody within a hundred feet gulp.

"Harry!" Hermione gasped and looked into his eyes. "Why? Why were you expelled?"

"It's simple, Mugblood, he messed with my family, and anyone who does that is eliminated," Malfoy said proudly.

"You're wrong!" Harry shouted. "I was expelled for two reasons."

"Oh really, well tell us Potter, what are they?"

"The first is because I stood up for someone that I cared about, and the second…" Harry moved Hermione away from him and walked right up to Malfoy's face.

"…The second reason is because you did exactly what I said you would Draco. You were unhappy so you ran to daddy, just like the spoiled brat that you are!"

"Why you…" Malfoy grinded his teeth together.

"I knew that you would Malfoy; you can't do anything without daddy watching out for you. What'd you do…send him a message right after you got back to your room? Or was that after you spent an hour crying." People were snickering all around, and Malfoy was ready to explode.

"You're going to pay for this, Potter."

"Oh really, Draco, well like I said, try me. But think about this, since I already know that I'm being expelled, that gives me free reign to do anything I want…to you." His green eyes burned into the blond young man's face, and you could hear Malfoy gulp.

Harry turned around and walked back to his friends.

"Ron…Hermione…let's go." The two followed him without hesitation, leaving Draco Malfoy seething once again.

Once they were out of earshot, Hermione grabbed Harry's arm.

"Harry, please tell me it's not true?" she nearly begged.

"I'm afraid it is, Herm."

"But how, you're Harry Potter; they can't expel you!" Ron gasped.

"That didn't matter to Minister Fudge; he said rules were rules. I've got three days before I have to leave."

"Three days?" Hermione was almost shivering, and Harry took her in his arms. "This has to be a bad dream. Tell me this is a bad dream."

"Shh." Harry smoothed her hair with his fingers, and she put her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll get through this. I promise." Hermione nodded in reflex, but her heart broke at the thought of him leaving her.

Harry spent the next three days saying goodbye to his friends. Hagrid had spent ten minutes cleaning out his ears just to make sure that he'd heard right. Pavarati and Lavender were stunned to say the least, and Neville and Seamus weren't much different. Even Professor McGonagall was sad to see him go. Not to mention that his fellow quidditch team members were mortified as his sudden departure.

Above all, Harry made sure to spend as much time as he could with Hermione. They'd sneak out at night and spend hours outside stargazing. She would lie in his arms, and he would kiss her hair as she hummed under her breath.

During his final day at Hogwarts, Harry was once again summoned to Dumbledore's office. He made sure that his trunk was packed, and his things in order. Making his way passed the gargoyle statue, his emerged in the familiar room.

"Yes Professor?" Dumbledore stood up from behind his desk.

"Harry, I know that we talked about this, but I'm sure that it still hurts."

"Like nails on a chalkboard, sir." Dumbledore reached into his robes and handed Harry a piece of parchment.

"When you arrive in Hogsmeade, go to this address. As I told you Harry, we must prepare for what is ahead - you most of all."

"What is this for sir?"

"You may be expelled from Hogwarts, Harry, but not from learning magic. You're going to train. I've contacted some old friends of ours; they will meet you at your final destination."

"Harry, listen carefully, you are going to learn things that no other Hogwarts student will know. In fact, you shouldn't even be learning them for another twenty years. You must promise that you will tell no one of what you learn; it would be very dangerous."

"You have my word, Professor."

"Good. Well then, until we meet again, goodbye Harry and good luck"

"Thank you, sir, I will always remember this place as my home." Harry walked out of Dumbledore's office for the last time.

That afternoon, it was finally time to say goodbye. Harry walked out the main gates one last time and turned to look up at the castle that held so many memories for him. He looked at the small group that followed him. He realized that these people had become his family.

After saying goodbye to almost everyone, he came to the last three: Hagrid, Ron, and Hermione. Harry hugged his old friend, and the half-giant had tears streaming down his cheeks. He felt like he was losing a son.

"Now Hagrid, behave yourself while I'm gone. No more escapades with exotic creatures okay?" Harry teased. Hagrid sniffled and nodded his head. Next came Ron.

"C'mere." Ron grappled him in big, bear hug, and Harry held onto him with all he had.

"Okay air!" Harry gasped.

"Don't worry, Harry, we'll get you back in, somehow," Ron said firmly.

"That's okay, but thanks for the kind thought. Look after the place for me, okay?"

"You got it, buddy."

One last person…

Harry looked at the young woman who had stood by him through thick and thin - through hell and high water. He lifted his hand and faced his palm up. Hermione already had tears pouring down her cheeks, but she reciprocated and placed her palm over his. Their fingers entwined, and Harry tugged her into his arms.

"Harry!" she cried and dove into his arms. She bawled her eyes out, and he couldn't help but feel his eyes moisten as well.

"Don't worry, sweetheart, we'll see each other again real soon. I promise you that."

"You mean it?" she asked as her head popped up. Harry cupped her cheek in his hand.

"With all my heart, Hermione."

"I love you, Harry Potter." She poured all of her heart into that statement.

"And I love you, Hermione Granger," he replied, sending her his heart in return. No more words were needed as their lips came together.

Harry clutched her in his arms, and Hermione hung onto his neck for dear life. The two teenagers pressed up against one another, wanting to implant this in their mind for the rest of their lives.

Finally, they separated, but Harry did not release her.

"I left Hedwig in the owlery, Hermione. If you need to find me, send her, and she will." He kissed her one last time and let her slip from his arms.

"Until next time." Harry gave his friends a warm smile and boarded the longboat that was waiting for him. Hermione's hands were trembling, and Ron put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Slowly and steadily, the boat made its way out onto the lake. Harry watched as his friends grew smaller and smaller. He squinted trying to catching a last glimpse of Hermione. He saw her, and she mouthed a single phrase 'My heart is with you.'

"And mine is with you," Harry said out loud. He watched until she and the others were completely out of site then turned around and sat down until he reached Hogsmeade.