Author's Note: As there is a lunar eclipse tonight I thought it would be nice to update again. I hope you all enjoy this chapter-I had a lot of fun writing it. Merci beaucoup to Nitya and Kalie for taking time out of their extremely busy RLs to beta this for me. *huggles* You two are the best!
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
HIS NEAREST AND DEAREST
Neither Harry nor Hermione told Ron about what they overheard until the students who were going home for the holiday had boarded the thestral-drawn carriages the following afternoon. After they relayed the entire story to him, his eyebrows flew up so high that they disappeared underneath his bangs.
"She's been in Azkaban!" he cried. "What the bloody hell is she doing here then?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Harry said, frowning. "Why would Dumbledore allow her through his doors?"
"Maybe she isn't as bad as we think," Hermione said.
Harry and Ron turned to her, gaping. "Isn't as bad as we think?" Ron repeated.
"Come off it, Hermione, you know she's out to get me. Snape himself said she might have a worse grudge than he does," Harry said, sitting back in one of the cushy armchairs in the common room, which they currently had all to themselves.
"The question is why?" Ron said.
"Yes," Hermione agreed. "What could your mother have possibly done to make that Frost woman hate her so?"
"I dunno," Harry replied. "I wish I did."
Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, Harry, perhaps you just haven't gotten to that part yet."
Harry blinked momentarily before realization dawned on him. Of course! His mother might have written about it in her diary! Giving Hermione a small grin, he said, "No, I guess not. I'll work on it."
Ron looked between the two, confusion etched on his face. "Am I missing something?" he asked.
Harry shook his head. "Not at all."
"You sure?"
"Yes, Ron." He hated lying to him, but he still feared about what Ron would think if he knew that he, Harry, was reading his mother's diary. He did not want to hear Ron laugh or give him the looks of pity. The only reason why Hermione knew was because she was there with him when he found it, and she did not look at him any differently because of it. He was sure Ron would.
"Okay," Ron replied. "Well, there's nothing we can do about all of this now. Let's play some wizard's chess!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, Harry, play. I have some essays to do."
This time Ron rolled his eyes. "Come on, Harry. Let's leave the homework queen to the only thing she loves."
Hermione scoffed. "Shows how little you know. Have fun," she said, grabbing her bag and marching out of the common room.
*****
After two hours of being beaten by Ron in chess, Harry slumped down on his four-poster to, as he told Ron, relieve a headache. In reality, he was just finding an excuse to find anything that his mother may had written about Mara Frost.
He flipped through the pages, scanning as fast as he could. Suddenly, something caught his eye and he stopped.
17 November, 1973
Gryffindor House is cheering. Honestly, I will never consider Quidditch to be a wonderful sport, but I do understand the importance of this event. Gryffindor has finally taken down Slytherin in Quidditch. Now, why is this important? Well, according to Lupin, who was standing with me along with Black and Pettigrew, Slytherin hasn't lost a match in the past decade-decade!
What happens to be even more amazing about this feat is that Slytherin's Keeper, Mara Frost, was finally defeated. Frost joined the team last year, which is highly impressive considering Slytherin's reputation for not admitting second years or girls onto the team. Frost must be very good. According to Belinda and Black, who kept butting in, Frost shut out all three games she played in last year, meaning, according to Black, that no one has ever scored against her-until today.
Potter joined the team this year and, I must admit, he's rather good. Gryffindor was losing rather horribly when suddenly Potter got the ball, or Quaffle, and flew at Frost. With Black muttering to Lupin, "I bet you five Galleons she stops him," Potter threw the ball…and it went in! Poor Black lost some money.
Potter was excellent. He scored at least five more times, the only Gryffindor Chaser to do so. Finally, when the game ended, Gryffindor had won, bringing down Slytherin House at long last. Today is a day of celebration. I just hope Potter's head isn't too big about his victory. And oh, I hope Frost calms down. She looked extremely upset at her loss. Hopefully things will be back to normal by Monday. The only difference will probably be that most of the Slytherins will want to hex Potter, which actually might do him some good.
Lily
Well, that would be an explanation on why Frost would hate Harry's father, but it seemed that she didn't hate his father at all-she hated his mother. The question was boggling Harry's mind. From what he knew about his mother, no one could ever possibly hate her.
Frowning, he continued to flip through the diary, hoping to find something that might answer his question. The next entry he found that dealt with Frost, however, did shine some light on the answer.
24 March, 1974
Nothing really interesting happened today. Classes were rather normal, except that all during Defense Against the Dark Arts, Mara Frost kept giving me dirty looks over her shoulder. I didn't understand why until I got to Charms class. I received the highest grade on our test out of all the third years! I'm so proud of myself. It does explain Frost's dirty looks…I honestly don't think she can stand it when people beat her in something. Obviously one can't be the best at everything, but I think Frost is of the opinion that she can. One of these days she will be in for a very rude awakening and I hope I'm not there to see it happen. I've heard about her temper. Yikes.
Lily
Harry continued on, finding offhand comments about Frost glaring at his mother whenever she seemed to get the highest grade in a class. What made him laugh, however, was when he read a passage out of an entry on the nineteenth of June, 1974.
We received our exam results back. I got the top grade in Charms yet again, yet Frost was glaring even harder at Severus Snape, who overtook her as the best third year student in Defense Against the Dark Arts. It makes me wonder why she doesn't glare at Potter so much, as he is the top student in Transfiguration, but she does glare at Black, who comes in second. But I'm sure she glares at Black for different reasons, like for the fact that he's a great big prat.
If Frost was as competitive as Harry was thinking, it came as no surprise to him if that was the reason why there was such an animosity between both Frost and Snape. Of course, it didn't take that much to loathe the man.
"I think I may have something," he told Ron and Hermione at dinner that night. The Gryffindor table held significantly less people. Besides Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, two seventh years, a small handful of fifth years, three second years, and four first years, including Hunter and Ally, remained for the holidays.
"What?" Hermione asked, leaning forward.
"D'you think Frost has a competitive side?" Harry asked.
Hermione's eyes widened for a fraction of a second and then went dark. Ron, however, looked bewildered. "Where did you get that idea from?"
"I-" Harry began, trying to think of something when Hermione cut in.
"I don't think that's the whole reason. There must be something else," she said.
Ron nodded. "I'm with Hermione on this one," he said and went back to his plate of shepherd's pie.
"Keep looking, Harry," Hermione whispered. "I'm sure the answer is in there somewhere."
*****
The next few days went by slowly. On Monday night, Harry stood in front of Dumbledore, his wand out, and his mind spinning. Dumbledore had just put him under an excruciating test, but the results made the old man grin.
"You are doing very well, Harry. It is not an easy task to drive Legilimens out of your mind. You have just successfully done so," he said and sat down, motioning for Harry to take the chair next to him.
Harry sat and murmured, "Thanks. It's leaving me quite dizzy though."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Within time you won't even feel light-headed. You'll be fine."
"I hope so," Harry said quietly. "Professor, did you really mean what you said last week, that you'd consider me for Head Boy if I fixed up my grades? You'd actually give me that honor?"
"One does not receive the honor of becoming Head Boy, Harry. It must be earned," Dumbledore said. "But yes, I did mean what I said. Now, it's getting quite late. You should head off to bed."
"Yes, sir," Harry said, getting up. "Good night," he murmured and left.
He rushed through the halls and gave the password to the Fat Lady before plowing through the portrait hole. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny looked up from their Exploding Snap game when he entered.
"What's up, mate?" Ron said, throwing a card in as Harry rounded around the sofa and grabbed Hermione's arm.
"Harry! What-"
"I need to talk to you," Harry said to her and practically dragged her towards the portrait hole and away from Ron and Ginny.
"Me? Why?"
"Because I need your help," he said quietly. "I need you to tutor me."
"Tutor?" Hermione gave him a concerned look. "Why?"
"I need to improve my grades," he said. "I want to improve my grades."
Hermione's eyes went wide. "Are you feeling okay?" she asked with a slight grin.
Harry frowned. "Hermione…"
She laughed. "I'm sorry Harry, but it's so…unbelievable. Why do you want to improve your grades? You've never really cared about them before."
Harry thought quickly. "I figure the more I know the better I can teach the D.A."
This time Hermione frowned. "This has nothing to do with the D.A. What's the real reason?"
Harry sighed and looked down at his feet. "Dumbledore told me that if I improved my grades he might consider me for the Head Boyship. I know it's a long shot, but I actually think it would be nice to be Head Boy, considering that Dumbledore did say I was originally supposed to be a prefect," he finished in a voice just barely above a whisper.
"Head Boy? That's great, Harry!" Hermione said in an enthusiastically quiet voice, obviously realizing the need to not let Ron hear their conversation. She knew as well as Harry did that not having a chance at Head Boy would crush Ron.
"So will you help me?" he asked desperately.
"Of course I will," Hermione said, grinning. "You deserve to become Head Boy."
Harry felt his cheeks go red and he knew that Hermione meant what she said. Part of him wondered what she thought about Ron and his prefect position.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
"Harry!" yelled Ginny. "Are you done talking with her yet? It's her turn!"
"I'm coming, Ginny," Hermione said and grinned at Harry. "Day after tomorrow, in the library."
Harry nodded and they both emerged back into the common room. "What were you two talking about?" Ron asked as Hermione sat back down.
"Er-nothing too important," Harry said. "I'm going to bed-really tired. Besides, tomorrow's Christmas, so you all should head off to bed pretty soon too."
"We will, don't worry," Ginny said with a grin.
"Good night, Harry," Hermione said with a smile as she successfully played her cards.
"Damn!" Ron muttered. "That's the third game in a row, Hermione."
She simply shrugged, making Harry laugh as he turned and headed up to his dormitory.
*****
Harry and Ron were awoken the next morning when two people started pounding on the door to their dorm.
"Oi! You two! Get decent quick!" came Ginny's voice through the door.
"We are decent!" Ron groaned and rolled over in his four-poster. "We're wearing pajamas."
"Good," Ginny said and the door swung open, revealing both Hermione and Ginny with a handful of presents.
"Happy Christmas!" Hermione said enthusiastically.
"Happy Christmas yourself," Harry said, rubbing his eyes and then searching for his glasses. "What time is it?"
"Just after eight," Ginny replied and dumped her pile of presents on Ron's bed, causing him to jump.
"Ginny!"
"Get your lazy arse up then," she scolded and sat down.
"Here, Hermione," Harry said, shifting to make room.
"Thanks Harry," she replied and set her load down before climbing up next to him.
Ron yawned. "Well, come on. If I have to be up this early we might as well open our presents."
Grinning, they all started in on their piles. Harry opened up a rather lumpy parcel first, but before he could pull off all the wrapping paper, he heard Ron groan, "The infamous Weasley jumpers." Sure enough, Harry pulled out a red and gold jumper with a golden snitch on it. He chuckled.
"Oh wow! Ron!" Hermione said in awe, her eyes focused on a little box in her hand.
Ginny hopped off her brother's bed and looked down at the gift in Hermione's hand. "Earrings!" she said with a laugh.
"I thought you disapproved of my ears being pierced?" Hermione said, turning the gold earrings towards Harry when he tried to get a look at them.
"Yeah well," Ron said, his face a bright red, "I've gotten used to it."
Hermione hopped off the bed and gave Ron a peck on the cheek. "Thanks," she said brightly as Ron turned redder still. She plopped back down onto the bed next to Harry and then put the earrings on.
"Hey, thanks for the hair clips, Ron," Ginny said with a grin. "You're getting so sensitive."
"Sod off," he muttered, not looking at any of them.
Harry glanced at Ginny with a grin and opened up his next gift, which was from Ron. "Nice one, Ron," Harry said with a laugh. "Wizard's Chess: Quidditch Edition. Very nice."
"I was hoping you'd like it," Ron said as he unwrapped his gift from Hermione. "Oh God, a book-Highlights From the World's Greatest Quidditch Matches. Well, at least it's a good book. Thanks, Hermione."
She rolled her eyes. "You're welcome."
"Oooh! I forgot! I'll be right back!" Ginny said as she got up and bolted from the room.
"She's weird," Ron said after a moment and went back to his pile.
"Hey Harry," Hermione said, holding up a small velvet bag, "what's this?"
"It's a present," Harry said with a grin. "Ron has one too. In fact, so do I. Let's open them together, shall we?"
Ron rooted around for a moment until he found his little velvet bag. Then, together, they each opened their bags to reveal-
"A ring?" Ron asked, puzzled as he pulled out a rather large ring with a light blue stone.
Hermione, however, was grinning. "They look like class rings," she said examining hers.
"Well, sort of," Harry replied. "Consider them friendship rings."
"The stones must be our birthstones," Hermione said. "Oh neat, the little emblems on the side…and they're engraved with our names!"
"Hey, you had them engraved on the underside too!" Ron said, examining his ring rather closely.
Harry nodded. "I had to keep it short, because these things were getting rather expensive." He flipped his own ring over and read the inscription:
Friends for Life
"Hey," Ron said, looking over at Hermione's ring, "how come her ring is smaller than ours?"
"Because I'm a girl, Ron," Hermione replied. "It's meant to look more elegant." With that, she slipped the ring on her right ring finger. "Perfect fit."
"It's charmed to fit the first finger it is slipped onto," Harry said, also slipping his ring onto his finger, Ron following suit.
"Nice," Ron replied and then went back to his pile.
"Lovely gift, Harry," Hermione said with a smile.
"I'm back!" Ginny announced as she rushed back in and thrust a parcel at Harry. "Happy Christmas."
"Thanks Ginny," Harry said, accepting the gift and immediately unwrapping it reveal a pair of Quidditch goggles. "Whoa-really thanks," he said with a grin.
"You're welcome. I figured you could use them-beats having to charm your glasses every time it rains," Ginny said, sitting back down.
"Ginny!" Hermione squealed suddenly. "Thank you!"
Ginny laughed. "No problem. You said you wanted Ancient Mysteries, so I got it for you."
Hermione bounced happily on the bed, causing Harry to bounce with her. "Hermione…"
"Oh! Sorry," she said sheepishly.
Ginny laughed. "Hey Harry, thanks for the Snackbox," she said with a wink.
"A Snackbox? Harry!" Hermione scolded.
"She may need it," Harry said as he set his present from Hagrid down-a large plate of treacle fudge.
"Wicked!" Ron exclaimed, jumping up off his bed and examining a pair of orange Quidditch robes. "Thanks Harry! Chudley Cannons robes…wow!"
Harry laughed and reached down to grab his last present, which was from Hermione. After unwrapping it, he pulled out a large knitted blanket. "Did you knit this yourself?" he asked her.
She nodded. "Do you like it?"
He grinned. "Do you know how warm this is going to keep me? Thank you."
"You're welcome," she said and blushed slightly as she grabbed her last gift. "Another one from you, Harry?"
"Yeah. I went a little wild this year," he said with a sheepish grin.
She smiled and opened her present. Suddenly, her smile was gone and he could feel her stiffen. "Oh my God," she whispered and looked at him with tears in her eyes as she held the music box that he had found her standing in front of during their first Hogsmeade visit of the year. "I can't believe you bought this for me."
Harry wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. "I just wanted to-"
"Thank you so much," she whispered and leaned in to embrace him.
"You're welcome," he murmured. "Happy Christmas."
Over on Ron's bed, both Ron and Ginny were giving each other bewildered looks, but Ginny just shrugged and grinned.
*****
That afternoon, the four of them went outside and trudged down the snow covered grounds to where those who were staying were building snowmen and having snowball fights. Suddenly, Harry felt something very cold and wet hit the back of his head and as he turned he saw three other snowballs hit Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
"Got them all, pay up Crabbe," came Malfoy's drawling voice from them. "Extra for hitting the Mudblood."
"There goes my Christmas," Ron muttered angrily and turned to face Malfoy. "Is that the best you've got?"
"Ron, stop," Hermione said, but her face was red with anger.
"No, Weasel King, I can do a lot more," Malfoy said with a smirk.
"Why are you even here, Malfoy?" Ginny asked sardonically. "Didn't the escaped convict want to see his son?"
That wiped the smirk right off of his face. "You little-"
"Eat dung," Ginny murmured and turned away.
Harry and Hermione made to walk away with her when Malfoy snatched his wand and cried, "Reducto!"
Harry's hand had already dived for his wand and before it was completely out of his robe's pocket, he had cried, "Accio branch!" causing a large branch to flying towards him and thus Malfoy's curse. They hit head on and the branch exploded into a thousand little splinters.
By now Ron had his wand out and trained on Malfoy. "You're going to pay for that, Malfoy. I mean it this time."
"I'm so scared, Weasley," Malfoy sneered. "One of these days, you'll all get what's coming to you, that is a promise."
"When you start looking like a great white, ugly snake, perhaps then I'll be afraid of you, Malfoy," Harry said.
Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "So you're afraid of the Dark Lord? You must have received a brain this morning for Christmas, Potter. It's about time."
Laughing, he, Crabbe, and Goyle walked away.
"Are you afraid of You-Know-Who, Harry?" Ron asked as he slid his wand back in his pocket.
"No," said Harry defiantly. In truth, part of him was.
"I can see this becoming a vicious rumor around school," Ginny said. "Thanks for the branch thing, Harry."
Harry shrugged. "No problem."
"Little creep," Ginny spat. "Attacking girls…"
"Quite the gentleman," Hermione said sarcastically. "Come on, let's try to enjoy our day."
"Oh, I will," Ron replied, "the moment I get Malfoy back. Stupid asshole."
And suddenly, the perfect idea dawned on Harry. "Thank you, Ron," he said with a grin. "You've given me an idea." With that, he took off running for the castle.
"What?" Ron said, looking at the others, trying to get some idea of what Harry meant. "Wait up, Harry!"
Shaking their heads, Hermione and Ginny followed both Harry and Ron back inside.
*****
"Fred and George are geniuses. Big helpers for mischief makers; pains in the arse for you prefects."
"Shut up, Ginny. I completely forgot they gave that stuff to you for your birthday, Harry."
"D'you think Dobby would really do it?"
"Dobby practically feels like he's in my eternal debt. Plus, who wouldn't like getting back at their abusive former masters?"
"Isn't that the truth!"
"You three are going to get into so much trouble," Hermione scolded from her seat near the fireplace. Harry, Ron, and Ginny sat at a table examining the bottle of L'eau d'âne that Fred and George had given Harry for his birthday.
"It's about time we paid him back," Ron said fiercely.
"Yeah, like for all those times he called you a Mudblood," Ginny said.
"Like I actually care what he calls me. Ron-you're a prefect and Harry-this is no way to behave if you want to succeed," Hermione said harshly.
"Sorry, Hermione, but we've made our decision. You'll just have to live with it," Ron said.
"You're not going to put us in detention, are you?" Harry asked with a grin.
Hermione frowned. "No, I would never do that."
"Great, we're good to go then," Ginny said happily. "Ready to go to the kitchens?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah. Are you coming with us, Hermione?"
"I do not condone what you are doing," she said flatly.
Ron grinned. "We'll take that as a no. Come on."
It took awhile to get Dobby to agree to go along with their plan. "You's are sure Dobby won't gets in no trouble?"
"Absolutely, Dobby," Harry said gently. "Don't worry. There won't be any proof. Just pour a tiny bit of this into the goblet Malfoy will be using and dispose of the bottle."
"That's quite a waste, Harry," Ron said from beside him.
"It will be worth it," Harry replied.
"Dobby will do what Harry Potter asks," Dobby said, but he was wringing his hands.
"Just keep your secrets with your silence," Ginny said with a wink. "No one's going to get in trouble."
At that, Dobby grinned. "Miss is right. Dobby wishes you all a Happy Christmas and here," he said, shoving a lumpy parcel into Harry's hands, "a present for Harry Potter."
"Er-thanks, Dobby," Harry said and forced a grin onto his face. "We'll see you later."
"Happy Christmas, Dobby," Ron and Ginny said, grinning.
"Bye…Happy Christmas!"
"You've got to love that elf," Ron said after they left the kitchens. "So what did he give you, Harry?"
Harry, who had just finished unwrapping his present, held up a bright red wool hat. Ron and Ginny laughed.
"Yeah, you've got to love Dobby."
That evening at dinner was one to remember. The moment Malfoy took a sip of his drink, he started choking until the ears of a donkey sprouted from his head and a tail ripped open the seat of his pants. Then, with the loud and sputtering, "Hee-haw!" he ran from the Great Hall, Crabbe and Goyle on his heels. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and even Hermione had to cover their mouths to stop them from sniggering too loudly.
"That was excellent," Ron said happily and went back to his leg of lamb. "Awesome."
"Remind me to send a letter to Fred and George, telling them how well it worked," Harry said, grinning as he took a sip of his pumpkin juice.
They finished their dinner, bantering on and congratulating themselves and went back to the common room. After being soundly defeated by Ron several times with his new Quidditch edition wizard's chess game, Harry went to bed, having had the best Christmas of his life.
*****
The next morning, however, was not at all pleasant. No sooner had he started on his bowl of porridge did Hermione gasp at the first headline in the Daily Prophet.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"There's been another attack. Listen…
CHRISTMAS ATTACK IN EDINBURGH
It has been over a month since the infamous Azkaban breakout and now You-Know-Who has finally struck again, this time in Edinburgh, Scotland. Wizards and Muggles alike, enjoying their Christmas, received a huge shock around 9:00 in the evening when over twenty Death Eaters and a swarm of vampires attacked a section of the city.
"There had to be at least three-hundred of those blood suckers," Gaius Slothby, a survivor from last night's attack, told the Prophet.
The death toll is catastrophic. Over 100 wizards are dead, as are at least 350 Muggles. Ministry Aurors arrived too late, but it has been reported that there are at least 5 confirmed dead vampires. No Death Eaters were captured.
The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was not available to take questions.
"My God," Hermione whispered and looked up at Harry. "Did you know? Did you have any dreams last night?"
Harry shook his head. "No, I didn't. You would think that I would, but not even my scar hurt."
"The Occlumency must be working then," Hermione said and looked back down at the paper. "All those people…"
"They're in Scotland now," Ron said, his eyes full of fear. "You don't think they're…" he trailed off.
Harry quickly looked up to the head table, but he did not see Dumbledore amongst the remaining staff members. "I'll see you guys a little later," Harry said, getting up.
"Where are you going?" Ron asked.
"To Dumbledore's office," Harry replied and walked away.
He walked quickly down the corridors and to the stone gargoyle that blocked the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Absently muttering the password, he rode the stone steps up to the door and then knocked on it urgently. Just as he was about to knock on it for a second time, it opened to reveal Professor Dumbledore standing behind it.
"Harry? What's wrong?" he asked and stepped aside to let him in.
"I just read about the attack, sir-the attack in Edinburgh," Harry said.
Dumbledore frowned. "I had warned Minister Fudge to extend every caution for Christmas day. Voldemort loves wrecking havoc on what should be happy days. Sadly, he didn't heed my warning."
"The Aurors didn't make it in time," Harry said quietly.
"No, they did not," Dumbledore said and walked over behind his desk and sat down in his chair. "They were all enjoying Christmas at home, just as Voldemort, I can only assume, planned. But I do not believe that the attack alone has brought you before me. What is troubling you, Harry?"
"There was no warning," Harry said indignantly. "Professor, I didn't see it!"
"No? Then it appears that our efforts have not been in vain. You are keeping Voldemort out of your mind, and you likewise are out of his," Dumbledore said.
"But…but…" Harry sputtered, "but I was able to warn the Aurors before. How many lives were saved in Winchester? How many lives could I have saved last night had I had the ability to enter Voldemort's mind and see what he was about to do?"
"There is no guarantee that you would have seen it, Harry," Dumbledore reminded him.
But Harry was too angry to listen. "I bet I would have! I bet I would have seen him order his Death Eaters out with those vampires! I would have seen it! It's these Occlumency lessons that are stopping me!"
"Yet those Occlumency lessons are also keeping you from being tricked again, Harry," Dumbledore said evenly, causing Harry to go silent. "It is in your best interest for you to be proficient in Occlumency. If Voldemort can enter your mind and control you, the world is in great danger."
Harry stared at the floor, his fists clenched. "I still don't see what I have that he doesn't," he said quietly. "I don't see how I will be able to beat him."
"Within time, Harry, you will."
"But the world doesn't have time," Harry said harshly. "I can't be their blessed savior." Dumbledore only frowned. "I'm not what everyone thinks I am," he finished and he left, leaving Dumbledore frowning still.
He stalked up stairs, through corridors, down passageways until he finally found himself in front of the Fat Lady.
"Red nose," he said rather aggressively and bounded into the common room when she opened up for him, making the three second years who remained for the holidays jump. Hermione was also there, sitting at a table with her homework spread out around her. She gave the second years a look and soon they scattered.
Harry plopped down on his favorite chair in front of the fire. He sighed heavily, his thoughts on Dumbledore's words. He didn't even notice Hermione close her books and sit down in the chair next to him.
"I take it your visit to Dumbledore's office didn't go so well," she said.
"No," he replied flatly before adding, "Where's Ron?"
"He went up to the Owlery with Ginny to write a letter to their mum," she told him.
"Oh," he said indifferently. "I hope he tells her we said hello."
She eyed him carefully, making him squirm slightly. "What?" he asked her.
"What are you hiding?" she asked quietly.
"Hiding? What makes you think I'm hiding something?" he asked.
"I can tell, Harry," Hermione replied.
"I'm not hiding anything," Harry said defensively.
She frowned. "You are a terrible liar. You've been hiding something since that night in the Department of Mysteries. Is it about Sirius?"
"No," he snapped.
"Why are you being so difficult?"
"Why are you being so nosy?" he shot back, his temper rising faster and faster.
"Because I care," she replied.
"Well you shouldn't!" He jumped up and started to pace around the common room. "You shouldn't worry about what the hell's going on in my life."
"And why not?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest.
"Because I'm not worth it," he answered and settled by a wall.
"Not worth it?" she repeated. "What on earth does that mean?"
"Just don't worry about me," he muttered.
She eyed him angrily. "This does have something to do with Sirius."
"Leave Sirius out of this," he growled.
"Sirius is a part of you, Harry. You haven't been right since he died. You know, you had me going there for awhile. I thought you were doing better."
"This has nothing to do with Sirius!" he roared.
"So then it's Voldemort," she stated matter-of-factly.
He breathed out a slight laugh. "You're fishing."
"I am not. It's either one or the other for you. Sirius or Voldemort. You may act like you're fine around everyone, including Ron and I, but I know that you think about both of them often," she said.
"You don't think I should worry about Voldemort, especially when he's killing innocent people?" he asked, stepping away from the wall.
"Of course n-"
"You have no idea what I know. No idea! If you did you'd know that it's either kill or be killed."
"What?" she breathed, her energy leaving her as she slumped further down into her seat.
"You wouldn't understand one bit," he raged on, not hearing her. "You've never had a prophecy with your name on it."
Her head snapped up. "But I thought the prophecy was destroyed?"
"It was, but Dumbledore knows it. He was the one who originally heard it. A.P.W.B.D.…Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. He told me, so now I know the truth."
Hermione stared at him. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Us?"
"Ron and I."
"It's not your problem."
"Yes it is!"
"No, it's not!" he yelled. "You aren't the one the prophecy's about!"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes!" he said. "Yes! You won't die!"
All of the color drained out of her cheeks. "What are you talking about?"
He was walking dangerously closer to her. "'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but He will have the power the Dark Lord knows not…' "
Hermione was silent for a moment, then, "You. Your parents…you were born on July 31st." Her eyes lit up. "Marked…your scar."
Harry nodded. "'And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.' "
Hermione gulped. "You've got to kill Voldemort…"
"Or he has to kill me," Harry finished. "It's either kill or be killed."
"Oh God, Harry," Hermione groaned, rubbing her forehead.
"So the question is," he said, resting his hands on the arms of her chair and learning forward, so they were face to face, "can you be best friends with a murderer?"
She closed her eyes for a moment before reopening them and looking directly into his eyes. "If it's you, Harry, yes."
It wasn't the answer he had expected. He stared at her, his anger evaporating and before he knew what was happening, he closed the gap between them and placed his lips gently on hers.
It was over before he had a chance to comprehend what he was doing. He continued to look into Hermione's eyes, however, as he straightened himself and sat back down in his chair.
"Hermione-"
Suddenly, Ron and Ginny entered the common room. "Hey you two," Ron said. "I just sent Pig off with my letter to Mum-told her that you two said hi." He examined both of them. "You two okay?"
"Hmm? Oh yes, Ron. We're fine," Hermione said, not looking at Harry.
Harry nodded slightly. "Nothing to worry about," he said. "So, what did you tell your Mum?"
Ron settled down into a seat along with Ginny and began to tell them about what he wrote in his letter. Harry wasn't paying much attention to him though. Instead, his mind was reeling with what had just transpired between himself and his best friend. Glancing over at Hermione, he noticed that she determinately wasn't looking at him but was also lost in her own thoughts.
Great, he thought. I think I just lost one of my best friends.