A/N: Wow, that took a while. Sorry about the delay. Finals and all took up my life for a while and the last chapter took me a while to finish. I changed it from what I originally planned on doing, but it made it easier for me to do this this way.
Chapter 7:
Training
"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him". Mark Twain
Hermione had been studying for a half-and-hour before Serge finally came to get her. She did not know where Harry was, but felt a sense of warmth flow through her as she thought about the upcoming bout. She would be fighting for Harry's love, with his love. Every time she thought of it like that, chills rolled down her spine.
She had looked up dozens of possible spells for the bout, and since it only was a wizard's duel, she did not worry about the physical aspect. She figured it she had to, she would use some of her "wandless magic" she had been practicing in the short time since she learned she could. It would be as a last resort, since she still did not understand it fully. But by the end of the summer, she would become an expert at it.
"You ready, Hermione?" Dumbledore asked, looking into the room. Hermione nodded and stood up, leaving the book on wards by the table. "Now do you know how you are going to do this?" She shook her head as the professor led her down the hallway. "Harry's very worried about you." She looked up at this, not surprised, but rather interested.
"Did he talk to you about…?" Her voice trailed off as the worry began to come back.
"Yes, and he was very concerned about making sure you were happy," Dumbledore said with a smile. "I do have a question for you, if you don't mind me asking, of course."
"Sure, anything," Hermione said, going back to looking at the floor in front of her.
"Do you like me being your Great-Grandfather?" Dumbledore asked as they walked. Hermione stopped in her tracks. "You don't have to answer it if you don't want to." Dumbledore said looking back at her.
Hermione stared at him for a moment. She never had any grandparents. Her mother's parents died when her mother was in her mid-twenties and her father's died when she was still young. Looking at Dumbledore, though, she could only feel the comfort a grandparent could give to a child. And she did the only thing she could think of; she hugged him.
"Oh my," Dumbledore said, being slightly taken back by the sheer force of the hug. "There, there dear, I will take care of everything."
"Thank you," Hermione said wiping her tears away. She did not realize that she had been crying and felt childish crying over something like this. "I would love to have you apart of my family." She said as she pulled out of his embrace. Dumbledore kept his frail hands on her shoulders though.
"My dear, there will come a time, when I will sit down with you and tell you everything that I know about our family," Dumbledore said with a smile. Hermione felt nervous as she thought about being alone with the professor. "And your precious Harry will be there to help you through your trials." She began to blush as he began to chuckle. "Now, clear those tears, Harry is just beyond those doors. He will be cheering for you and I will be silently as well." The door opened up slowly and he placed his hand on her back and pushed her through it.
The room was large and spacious. On the other side, Hermione could see Ginny being led into the room as well. But as soon as she saw Hermione a glare came from across the room. Hermione tried to avert her eyes and look other places. It. was then she spotted Harry, sitting in the middle of the room, looking at her with a smile. She could not help but to return it.
"This duel will last until the last one is standing," Serge said from his spot in the middle of the room. "The winner will win a date with one Harry Potter." Both Harry and Hermione glared at John. She did not know of this before hand, and Ginny looked ecstatic about the prospect. The younger girl must have been hiding something. Hermione would just have to keep one her toes then. "Now, bow." Hermione leaned forward, bowing before she got into a ready position. She watched as Ginny did as well. "Begin!"
"Expelliarmus!" Ginny yelled from across the room.
"Protego," Hermione whispered, scratching the air in front of her. She let the shield take the full blunt of the attack before she let a Jelly Jinx charm fly toward Ginny. She was hoping that Ginny would dodge to her left; she did. The spell hit the girl, causing her to stumble around the room.
"Expelliarmus!" Hermione cried trying to take advantage of the situation. Ginny must have stopped the spell as Hermione's hit the wall behind the youngest Weasley.
"Expelliarmus!" Ginny cried once more. Hermione easily dodged it. She looked over at Harry, who nodded at her. He wanted her to end this quickly. The look in his eyes gave her confidence.
"Expelliarmus!" Hermione cried, aiming at the one direction Ginny stood at. Then she quietly spoke. "Stupefy!" She whispered in another. "Petrificus Totalus!" She said in another. The three spells went toward Ginny who had no idea any of they were coming with the exception of the first.
"Protego!" Ginny tried once. The spell barely held the third charm and she had to dodge the second spell, but was hit by the first one. Ginny's wand flew into Hermione's hands and Harry had the largest smile on his face.
"This duel is over," Serge said, standing up from his seat.
"No it isn't," Ginny said, standing up from the floor. She stood with her right hand raised. "Expelliarmus!" She cried.
The spell took Hermione by surprised. Her wand too flew out of her hands and both landed on the side of the room. Hermione stood there, in awe at Ginny. When did she learn to do wandless magic?
"Concede?" Ginny asked with an evil smirk. Hermione just shook her head. "Very well then." A spell came out of Ginny's hand once more. Hermione recognized it as her specialty: the bat-bogey hex. Hermione slid out of the way easily and watched Ginny. The younger girl had showed her trump card; but it was not quite the time to show hers.
"Glacio!" Hermione cried out. A deep blue charm flew out of her hand toward Ginny. She dodged it, but the wall behind her was spiked with ice. Ginny stared at it, but sent another hex toward Hermione. She dodged but Ginny was able to grab her wand. Apparently, the younger girl had only limited wandless magic power.
"Harry will be mine!" Ginny screamed sending hex after hex at her. Hermione felt her blood turn cold at this. Harry was hers, and only hers. She was never going to share him with anyone. Holding her hands close together, Hermione dodged the spells, and began to slowly build up a ball of ice. She did not know how she was doing it, only that the energy was flowing through her hands.
"Ginny, you forget that he has already told me he loves me," Hermione said in a calm voice. She stopped moving, waiting for Ginny. The younger girl look tired after the amount of energy she had been spending. Hermione felt calm and exhilarated still. Now was the moment for her trump card. "And I love him very much. If you choose to end this duel now, then I will not be forced to finish it."
"Never," Ginny said, holding her wand ready. She seemed to be waiting for Hermione to make the first move. Another trump card perhaps? Hermione could not take the chance with that.
"Just remember, you may win the duel, but I've already won Harry's heart," Hermione said, still adding energy to the ball of ice, as she pushed it toward Ginny. The ball of ice flew and hit Ginny's feet at an incredible speed. But as it hit her feet, the ice expanded to cover Ginny's body in ice. Hermione stood in shock as Ginny attempted to struggle. Harry hopped over the railing and ran over to her side.
Watching Hermione fight with such power was surreal. Harry knew she had a great deal of power behind her magic, but seeing her in action, on the sidelines, made it come together even more. It was a wonder how she was able to surmount that much power. The Weasleys were currently working on getting Ginny out of the block of ice. Harry just wanted to hold Hermione in his arms.
"You were wonderful," Harry said as she collapsed into his embrace.
"Did I hurt her?" Hermione asked. She did not want Ginny injured. She was like a sister to her, and really did not want this duel to be taken out of context.
"I don't believe so," Harry said with a smile. He kissed her lightly on the lips. He had his back to it all, but he could hear the breaking of the ice and Ginny stumbling to the floor. Hermione immediately left his side and went to help her. He let out a sigh and stood up from the ground; could she just enjoy a victory for once?
"Are you okay?" Hermione said, as she helped Ginny off the floor. The youngest Weasley looked at Hermione for a moment before smiling. She nodded once.
"Yeah, I guess you really do love him," Ginny said, as Dumbledore summoned a blanket for her. Hermione could tell she was shivering from being in the ice.
"I'm sorry about doing that," Hermione said as Harry walked up and wrapped his arms around her.
"Don't worry about it Hermione," Ginny said with a smile. "I guess it took a good hit in the head to see that you two were madly in love. Sorry about the way I acted." Ginny held out her hand for Hermione or Harry to take. Harry looked at Hermione asking her permission. She nodded once before Harry enveloped Ginny in a hug.
"You're family," Harry said, pulling Hermione with him. The three of the share the hug, laughing at the sight. "And family is everything to me." Harry said as he pulled back. "You have nothing to be sorry for." Ginny just shrugged her shoulders.
"Maybe I don't, but I feel better for saying that," Ginny said. "It's my brother you'll really have to knock some sense into." Harry nodded. Ginny turned and walked away for Dumbledore who had offered her a glass of hot chocolate before the next sparing session.
He had been thinking about everything that had happened in the last hour. He figured out how to use the katana as a wand, but it was not as powerful with the exception of the fire abilities he showed earlier. He had slightly improved his control and figured with his spare hand, if he concentrated hard enough, he might get something to happen with his specialist abilities. He had already talked to both Dumbledore and Mister Weasley. They had explained that no blood would be shed during the bout as they both would be using weapons. There would be, however, a charm over the blades to mark the skin and bruise it should the blade "pass through" the skin. He figured he would have several bruises by the time the mock-battle was over.
"Are you okay Harry?" Hermione asked him. She had him turn his head to fast her. The look in his eyes brought a worry to her heart, like he was unsure of the outcome of the upcoming sparing match. "You'll do fine."
"I know, but I have to win," Harry said. "I have to show Ron that I can and will protect you from anyone." Hermione just shook her head as she looked through his gaze.
"You have to show yourself that you can protect me, right?" Hermione said, knowing the answer already. He had already voiced his fear to her earlier, and now it was coming back to haunt him. "Harry, do your best today; that is all I ask of you. You are not prepared for this like Ron is, physically or mentally. Others may not believe in you, but I believe in you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips lightly before pulling back. "I love you."
"I love you too," Harry said, thankful for her words. She was his rock, his constant that he could always rely on. "Will you watch?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Hermione said. Harry smiled back at her as he stood up, offering his hand to her. He needed her close for the final moments before his bout. He needed the reassurance of her love. Although he knew she believed in him, years of lack of belief still goaded his mind. This bout, whether he won or lost, was the first step in ensuring his mind of what his heart already knew.
"Harry, good," Serge said walking toward them. "Hermione, excellent job. Your skills are much more refined then I initially thought." Hermione began to blush at the this compliment. "You may not need as much training as we planned. Oh well, there is always something else we can think of." Harry did not like that smile on Serge's face. He was planning something.
"I think training will be fine," Hermione said, leaning back into Harry. She felt him relax and she let out a breath she had not realized she was holding. "So what are Harry's chances?"
"With theses recent developments, forty-sixty," Serge said. "That is why I wanted to show you something. May I see your katana?" Harry removed it from the scabbard and handed it to the older man. He held it out for both of them to see, showing them specifically the ruby at the top of the hilt. "This will be the key to you winning your little fight. It will follow your innate, your soul of magic if you will."
"But how can he be a specialist with lightning magic if his innate is red?" Hermione asked after a moment of silence. Harry had begun to wonder the same thing since their talk in Dumbledore's home office.
He had by now surmounted a decent amount of control over the lightning and could call small amounts of it if necessary, but it did drain him quickly, as he found out practicing in the office. He would rely on other spells that he could use through the katana.
"That is what has me troubled," Serge said. "I do not understand fully why, but your innate is red, Harry. That means that such orbs as these," he pointed at the ruby, "are an extension of your soul. You, Hermione, will find your extension with in something similar to a sapphire." Serge handed the blade back to Harry, who sheathed once more. "Here," Serge went into a small pouch on his belt and pulled out three red orbs, no larger than the one in the sword. "This will aid you today. Remember what you did with the orb I gave Guile." Harry nodded, thinking back to the painful night. Harry took then carefully and held them out in his hand. "Concentrate through the orb and you will find your strength will grow and expand from within." He gave them a furtive smile before departing.
"Do you know what he meant?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry. He slid the three orbs into his pocket before looking back.
"I have an idea," he said. He kissed her lips lightly. "But what I need more is you being there for me." She nodded, understanding how deeply that statement sunk. "You are walking in there with me and I'm walking you to your seat, understand?" Harry asked.
"Who says chivalry is dead?" Hermione leaned once more into his embrace. "Now, lead the way, kind sir."
"As my lady wishes," Harry bowed and kissed her hand lightly. Hermione tried to stifle a giggle, but she found herself embarrassed at the simple gesture. He stood up and took her hand in his, and led her to the next room. She by now could guess that everyone was waiting for them. As always, she was right., .
Harry knew what lay beyond the doors in front of him; he just purposely took his time getting there. It did not matter to him the looks he received from Ron, the smile from Ginny and the rest of her family, or the smirk coming from Serge. But the biggest surprise came from Dumbledore who gave Harry a very large, yet old smile. Harry led Hermione calmly to her seat next to Dumbledore and walked slowly to his spot across from Ron. He stood with his wand in his right pocket, his katana strapped to his back. Ron stood across from him, his wand no were in sight. There was however a rather large axe strapped to his back. Before Harry could ask what was going on, Serge stood up from his seat.
"As you both well know, the winner of this bout will proceed on a date with one Miss Hermione Granger," Serge said, avoiding Hermione's and Ginny's glares. "The rules are simple. You both understand the event of contact upon the skin with ones weapon?" Both of the boys nodded but neither left the other ones gaze. "Now, not hits below the waist line, especially in one area. This is practice, and if one of you does hit `below the belt,' Serge's glare may have melted a stone wall, `I will personal castrate the one who hits below the belt. Now, wands are not allowed, and first one to become unconscious loses." Serge looked at both of them, and they nodded once more. "I want you both to bow, wait ten seconds, not nine or you will have to fight two opponents, the other one and myself. Begin." Serge spoke sternly almost daring one of them to oppose him.
Harry and Ron bowed and Harry mentally began to count down. He still did not understand why they were fighting and without wands. 10...9...8... He did understand one thing throughout all of this. 7...6...5... He understood that his love Hermione had remained the constant through the last few days. And this constant would be what saved him today. 4...3...2... Ron was beginning to look anxious, and he had rose to the handle of his axe. Harry's hand followed suit and reached for his katana. 1!
Ron's motions slowed down and Harry felt like he was speeding up. He removed his katana and watched Ron move forward, left, then right, then left again. Harry watched Ron's feet and his arms alternatively, looking for the point when he would flow some of his magic through the sword to help block Ron's blow. Ron's axe looked huge compared to his katana, but as he neared, Harry could see his opening.
"Arrgghhh!" Ron swung his axe downward. Letting his magic flow, Harry parried the blow before moving his left leg upward, into Ron's gut. He grunted once and Harry used his preoccupancy to move away. "Nice move," Ron looked up and Harry could see the red snake moving around in his eyes once more, slithering in a circle in one before moving to the next. "Mine are better." Ron's speed picked up and Harry felt himself dodging the swinging axe, barely jumping out of the way.
"Stupefy!" Ron cried, pointing the axe toward Harry. He was back against a corner, still holding the katana tightly in his right hand.
Even now, things seemed slower. Harry could not hear Hermione's screams, but he saw the look of horror on her face. Grasping his katana by two hands, Harry stood in a similar stance to the one he held in Dumbledore's office. His left foot was slightly back and his right foot forward. Both of his hands were upon the katana. As the spell neared, Harry did the only thing that came to mind; he moved his sword to parry the spell. It had an unexpected result.
The spell, instead of disappearing like he expected the spell reflected off of Harry's katana and sped toward the ceiling. Everything stopped moving. Ron's face was of shock and it was similar to that of the rest of the room. Harry looked back at Ron and saw the more determined look in his eyes, as well as the growing red snake.
"Shit," Harry whispered getting away from the wall as Ron swung his axe once more.
His mind began to go into doubletime as the ever present Hermione-like conscious was there trying to lead him through this all. `Alright, how do I fight him when he is like this?'
`How would you normally fight him?' It even sounded like her.
`I wouldn't.' Harry thought as he parried the blade of the axe before getting a good swing in with his left hand. He watched Ron stumble backward, and it only seemed to agitate him more. `That did not work. Shit' He began to parry more and more aggressive attacks trying to find a way around this.
`Are you not a bloody wizard?!' Hermione's voice echoed through his head and he could not help but look at her for a moment. She gave him a quizzical looked before his mind went immediately back to the bout at hand.
`I'm a wizard,' he realized, as his mind went through his vast list of spells. He had one to give him a short advantage, but doubted its results.
`Use it.' The voice seemed very forceful about this.
"Here goes nothing," Harry muttered underneath his breath. With a quick parry he rolled around Ron and held his katana level to the ground, pointing it directly at Ron's head. "Solaris!"
A great burst of light came forth from Harry's wand. It was one of the spells he had learned while studying before hand. It was an advanced form of Lumos that momentarily blinded an opponent. And he liked the results.
As the spell ended, Harry moved around to Ron's back side once more. Ron had turned into the spell and could not block it like Harry blocked his. But the best part was the dazed and confused look in Ron's face, and his eyes, almost completely blank. But even now he could see the snake growing larger as Ron swung angrily around.
`What is that snake thing?'
`I don't know, but it has to be what is controlling him,' the voice responded.
"Where are you Harry?" Ron asked in a voice that was not his own. "Using some expensive technique to blind me?"
"What kind of superficial idiot are you?" Harry moved behind Ron once more and hit him in the back with his hilt. Ron stumbled and swung his axe low as he tried to regain his balance. Harry moved out of the way, but was not quick enough this time. One blade went through the front of his left calf.
"Aaaaaaaaaah!" Harry screamed. He half jumped and half limped away as Ron swung his axe once more. He looked down at his leg. Although there was no blood, the pants he was wearing now held a large gash in them. His entire leg felt like it was on fire and he began to limp around. Whatever advantage he held over Ron in speed was gone. He'd have to get at least one full attack in, possible two.
Ron was still blind. The spell had lasted longer than Harry expected and that gave him his chance. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Harry pointed his katana at Ron and despite the redhead's efforts he was lifted off the ground. He limped his way toward Ron. As much as he disliked the idea, it was the only one that came to mind. He let Ron drop to the floor, and in the moment when he friend was still unsure of where he was, Harry gave two quick swipes with his katana: one through Ron's left arm and one through his right leg. Both attacks had been more complete then the one Ron tried against Harry.
It was now Harry realized the dark cloud forming underneath Ron. And the people in the room with them were no longer in sight.
"You want to play rough?" Ron said with a slight hiss to his voice. His eyes had turned blood red now, and it gave him a more sinister look as he stood and the black cloud began to form around them. "Then you've found it."
"What are you?" Harry asked as the person he knew as Ron began to change.
"Don't you recognize me?" Ron asked. His skin began to turn paler and the red eyes just turned darker. "You don't know your old friend Tom?"
"Why?" Harry asked, barely getting it out. Whatever Ron had become, he still was affected by the two blade swipes. He limped about, but it was not as severe as Harry's.
"Well your friend was the easiest target," Tom said laughing. "And the fool that you are believed that he would accept you answer. He still doesn't. He has been in control all this time; I've just fed him some more appropriate emotions." He looked over at Harry and laughed once more. "To think he actually was going to apologize. Pathetic."
"How did you do this?" Harry asked, trying to stand tall. But a gripping fear seemed to be pulling him down and the ever familiar screams of his parents began to ring through his head. Hs right hand on his katana, held tightly. He still had it pointing at Tom, but that did not stop him from reaching for the three orbs in pocket.
"And spool all of my fun by telling you, not a chance," said the high pitched voice. "Now, this seems a bit too heavy for my liking." Tom waved his hand and the axe shifted to a sword, one a great deal thicker than Harry's. "Much better to kill you with."
"No spells?" Harry asked, stalling for time. He held one of his orbs in his hands and glanced down at it. Vaguely he saw a red wolf? running about in it. He did not have time to look any further. Tom came charging at him, a green flame engulfing his sword. Harry parried it, the magic flowing into his sword once more, and brought forth the red flame.
"I've found that more sorrow comes from a death long and painful," said the cold voice. "Now, prepare to die." Harry's hand reached back into his pocket and pull out another orb. Grasping it in his left, Harry swung his katana in his right, forcing Tom to return, but the flame on the blade grew and followed the dark lord. The screams became louder and louder as they fought.
"What kind of magic is that?" Tom asked with a laughed. The orb in Harry's hand had dimmed; he dropped it to the floor and he reached once more into his pocket. He pulled out the remaining two, and there was a fireball dancing in one and the red wolf in the other. The wolf shook his head, and Harry could only guess what that meant, because Tom had taken the time to attack Harry once more. This time, the blade did not hold the green flame to it but Harry still managed to get hit by.
There was no passing through his skin this time, the blade cut deep into his left arm, and it took a great amount of will to hold onto the orbs. Concentrating on the fireball, he raised his left arm and felt the fire that was there before grow and extend toward Tom, who just laughed at him.
"Pitiful attempts, child," spat Tom. "Avada Kedarva!" The green spell came faster than Harry expected. But before he could do anything else, with his left hand still raised, a large veil of flames appeared. "What is that?" Tom stumbled as the veil took the spell without dispersing.
Harry stood in awe as he watched a man made of flames step out of the veil. But that was not what surprised him the most. It was the face of the man.
"Sirius?" Harry asked, holding his left arm in his right hand.
"I told you I would protect you," the figure of flames said with a smile. The figured turned toward Tom who stood in shock still.
"You can not harm me," said Tom as his face turned stone cold once more.
"You harmed my godson," Sirius said and as he ran toward Tom, he transformed into the large dog, Harry would have killed to see once more, made of flames. And Padfoot began to run around Tom, building a circle of fire. Tom became trapped in the circle, but that did not stop the screams from ringing in Harry's ears.
"Fight it Harry," Sirius's voice said. "Remember what Moony taught you about Dementors; use it here, Harry."
"Sirius," Harry looked as the man's face appeared in the flame.
"Use it Harry," Sirius said with a smile. "Just remember three bursts of flames and I'll be there to protect you." Harry nodded holding back the tears. "I love you Harry. I'm always watching over you, and you've done a fine job, son."
"Bye Sirius," Harry said, wishing to hug the best friend of his father, his close friend.
"Goodbye Harry," Sirius said as he face disappeared once more into the flames.
Harry took hold of his memory of Hermione's and his first kiss and raised his right hand. The pain in his left had not died down, nor had the bleeding stopped. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
The brilliant white stag burst forth from Harry's wand and stomped the ground twice. Almost immediately, the screams died down, as did the shadow dome around them. Harry dropped his sword and fell to his knees, grasping his left arm. The flames died down as well, and by the time the dome had fallen, so did Tom, or Ron as he was back to normal.
Whatever beast that was inside of Ron was gone. And the world began to move slowly once more. He watched as Mister Weasley and Serge began to rush over to Ron. Hermione was by his side already, and Dumbledore walked purposely over to him.
"Well done Harry," Dumbledore said with a smile. Hermione took one look at his left arm, touching it lightly. He winced and she nearly clobbered him with a hug.
"Please don't cry Mione," Harry said, still holding onto his arm. He began to feel lightheaded. She placed her hand over the cut once more and he winced again, but she kept the cooling touch on his hand. The pain began to melt away as she held her hand there.
"Don't move Harry," said Hermione through her sniffles. "I'll fix it." She wiped one of her tears with her free hand as she held his left arm. There had been an overwhelming urge to just hold his arm and let her magic mingle with his. And as she held his arm, she began to realize what Guile had truly meant when he told her that she had the healing touch. The wound on Harry's hand was closing up and it was she who had fixed it for him.
"Hermione, what? How?" Harry asked as she let go of his arm. The arm was still caked in his blood, but the pain was no longer there, neither was the wound.
"It seems Hermione has taken another step into her powers," Dumbledore said with a chuckle. "As have you. One that was expected, but a surprised nevertheless."
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked as Hermione crushed him once more.
"You were moving so fast," said Hermione. She buried her head in his neck, needing to be closer to him. "Ron looked like could barely see you, and then you used that spell-"
"Solaris," said Harry. He could not help but smile at her as she moved further into his embrace.
"Yes, and then he could not see you at all," said Hermione. Harry just shook his head as she continued to explain the battle from her view. And with every word, a greater fear at how close he came to losing. Hermione told he how skilled Ron was as a fighter, and how if not for his speed, Harry would have lost. That was until he caught Ron off guard and levitated him. "How did you do that with your sword?"
"Katana, Mione," said Harry; he stroked her head as she hugged him tighter. "And I guess that it worked as a wand as well."
"Magical weapons do have that ability, Harry," Dumbledore said with the twinkle in his eyes. "I believe you still have a fight to finish." They looked over at Ron who staggered to his feet.
"No, they've been through enough," Hermione said, clinging to Harry. She almost lost him to that dome, and she was not going to lose him again.
"Rules are rules," said Serge. "And they must follow them. Everyone but you two off the field." Harry stood up, but kept his arms around Hermione.
"Angel, you've got to let go," said Harry. "I need to finish what I started." She nodded but did not let go. "Mione, I love you and yours is the voice that saved me." She looked out of his chest, a blushing but puzzled look on her face. "I'll tell you when we are done." He gently handed her over to Dumbledore. With only his kind eyes, Dumbledore promised Hermione Harry's safety.
"Ron," said Harry. "Let's finish this sportsman's like."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked, not looking at him. He held his axe once more in his hands and looked like he was having a difficult time standing.
"No weapons, no wands, man-to-man," Harry said, dropping his katana. "Like God intended."
"Alright," said Ron. He dropped his axe and stood slightly taller. "Fists against fists?"
"Yes," Harry said, rolling up his sleeves.
"Wandless magic?" Ron asked as he copied Harry's moves.
"If you can," said Harry. He could not help but smile. He could win easily if he wanted to use wandless magic. But something told him that he would not have to do that to have a good fight. A fight that both would be happy with the outcome. Ron nodded once and began to walk toward him.
"You may begin at any time," said Serge. Both boys nodded and Harry began to walk forward. Once they were within a foot or two of each other, Harry raised his arms in a defense.
The world had slowed down once more and Harry watched as Ron began to swing. Dodging, barely, out of the way, Harry took a swing to Ron's gut. Apparently Ron was not trained in hand-to-hand combat. And having little to no experience in the department himself, Harry felt rather good about it at the point. That was until Ron swung, connecting with his jaws. The world had sped up to the normal speed momentarily as he was hit.
Harry stumbled backward, and spit the blood from his mouth onto the floor. He could not help but smile, and Ron returned it. Standing back up, Harry dodged Ron again, this time with more ease. Harry swung this time, and his Ron in the gut once more. Ron doubled over at the force. Harry stepped back as he waited for Ron to stand up.
"You get everything don't you?" Ron asked as he stood up.
"What are you talking about?" said Harry as they circled around the room.
"The fame, the fortune, and most of all you have Hermione," said Ron as he swung at Harry once more. The sudden motion caught Harry off guard and connected with his left eye. But as Ron swung, so did Harry. He managed to connect once more to Ron's stomach. Ron coughed up blood onto Harry as he stumbled backward.
"The only thing I ever ask for was Hermione," said Harry. He gently touched his left eye. He could barely see out of it now, and winced under touching the pieces of glasses embedded in the side of his head. If he had any luck, none would have entered his eye.
"You stole her from me." Ron swung angrily at Harry. He connected with Harry's face once more, the jaw again. The iron taste filled his mouth as Harry stumbled back.
"I love her, Ron," said Harry as he stood up. "And your superficial ideas of how life is supposed to be are not going to stop me from loving her." They circled around once more, not taking their eyes off the other. He was beginning to lose all of his sight in his left eye, and had to tilt his head to look at Ron.
"You're not winning this time!" Ron moved quickly into the ever growing blind spot in Harry's vision. "She will love ME!" Harry stumbled at the impact of Ron's hand to the side of his head. It quickly was followed by four to five hits to his ribs. He fell to the ground, coughing up blood. Shaking his head once, he tried in vain to gain some more control over his sense and climb fully back to his feet. Ron had moved back into his range of vision and was talking, but Harry could not hear a word he was saying. He did however make the words out "Hermione" and "love me."
With a primal roar, Harry tackled Ron. Ron weakly tried to block the fury of punches that Harry laid upon him. "I LOVE HERMIONE!" Harry roared as he felt the fury grow in his heart. How dare this man try to steal his love? How dear did this man attempt to take over his Mione? Harry watched as Ron's lip slip open and his eyes began to turn purple, but he did not stop. He did not stop as his hearing returned and he could hear Ron's pleas. No damn sound would stop him, not even that dam buzzing sound growing louder and louder. He was going to beat it into Ron's mind if he had to: Hermione was his.
"Harry, stop," Hermione yelled. Harry had his left fist raised and looked up at her, then back at Ron. Harry flinched backward and tried to crawl away as he saw what he had done. Two stronghands on his shoulders stopped him.
"Relax, chief, its over," Serge said, stopping Harry from moving any further. Hermione came running over to him as he watched the Weasleys go over to Ron. "You've won." Hermione surrounded him in a hug and held him tightly, causing Harry winced underneath the pressure.
"Best get you looked at by Madame Pomfrey," Dumbledore said as he walked over. Harry vaguely saw Dumbledore's gaze turn to Serge. "And you best get on your journey. You know where they are?" Serge must have nodded because Harry heard neither an answer nor a response from Dumbledore. There was another moment of silence and the sound of footsteps approaching. "Madame Pomfrey is currently taking care of Ron, but we do have another healer who has appeared for a few short hours."
"Harry, don't move," said Guile's voice. "I'm going to hand Hermione a potion that she will apply to your chest and your brow. While she is working on the chest, I will be removing the pieces of glass from your eyes. I'm taking your glasses now, so it may be fuzzy for a while." Harry nodded and felt Hermione shift and his shirt lift up. "Don't speak while were doing thing Harry." He nodded once more. "I won't lie to you, this will hurt. Bite down on this." Harry opened his mouth and bit down on a round wooden cylinder that soon tasted of iron. He shuddered in pain as he felt two sharp and sudden pains surround his left eye. It soon was followed by two more, but a cooling relaxing sensation overcame him as he felt Hermione's hand on his bruised ribs.
Harry relaxed and winced alternating as the two of them worked. He could make out only Hermione's face and the concentrated look upon it. She was biting her lower lip as she worked, and he could not help but feel better just by knowing that she was helping him. Another figure stepped out into his vision but remained blurry as the two tirelessly worked.
"Thank you Harry," said Mister Weasley. "Thank you for removing that demon from my son."
"What are you talking about? Was it that thing that escaped from Ron's chest?" Hermione asked.
"We have believed for some time, that after a trip to Diagon Alley, Ron was taken under the control of You-Know-Who," said mister Weasley. "We did not fully understand it at the time and still do not. We had no idea how the demon gained control of his or how long it has been brooding within Ron, or how to remove it. I have feared for my son for so long, Harry, because of th-th-that demon, that thing. It changed him. And we could do nothing to stop it Harry. When that dome came up, I knew that only you could remove it from my son. We saw it dissolve Harry, screaming in pain; it flew out of the Ron when he was on the ground. Dumbledore captured it and as of now, it is safely being held captive in his office for further studies. Thank you for bringing my son back to me, to my family; I am eternally in your debt." There was a crack of emotion in Mister Weasley's voice. Harry would have said something in response, but a long, sharp pain overcame his head. He bit down onto the cylinder as hard as he could. Not even Hermione's cooling touch that over took it soon could remove his mind from the pain.
"Done," said Guile. "Now, I want you to lean back. I'm going to be pouring a solution on both of your eyes to help correct any damage that may have occurred in that one as well from your spell. I'll take that." He took the wooden cylinder and Harry felt himself being pushed back by a force on his chest.
"Harry, relax," said Hermione as her fingered tapped on his ribs. "He's helping you.
"Yes, Mione," said Harry, as the weight shifted on his chest. "You just have to stay were you are."
"Now, I'm going to pour this solution in on," said Guile. "Hermione, his initial reaction will be to sit up, stop him. He needs to stay lying down in order for this to work properly."
"Alright," said Hermione. He felt her sitting up, but she kept her hands on his chest. Harry reached his hand up, tracing Hermione's lips. She began to giggle and he started to smile until someone slapped his hand away. He thought it was Hermione until Guile spoke.
"Harry, I need you to relax," said Guile forcefully. "You two can get back to your teenage hormones in a few minutes. If you ever want to see again, let me work." Harry moved his arms to Hermione's waist, lightly tapping her sides causing her to squirm. "Here it goes. Close your eyes."
Harry felt something cold dripping on his eyes and had the urge to sit up, but Hermione held him down. The solution began to fill up his eyes like tears and run down it. He had never felt something as cold as that before. In fact, cold was an understatement. He felt like his eyes were frozen shut and that the solution had frozen to his cheeks. But slowly, it all ran off, forming a wet puddle around him. He felt his head being lifted and something being wrapped around his eyes.
"For this to work, Harry, the eyes need to heal on their own as well," said Guile as he worked on the bandage. "I want you to keep this one for the remainder of the day and until lunch tomorrow. So about twenty-four hours." Harry nodded as he sat up, but kept his hands on Hermione's waist.
"You'll have to be my eyes then Mione," Harry said to her. She giggled as he began to tap her sides lightly. He turned serious as he heard a moan across the room. "Will Ron be okay?" Harry asked.
"He'll be fine," said Dumbledore. "Madame Pomfrey is working on his right now. Most of the external wounds have been taken care of."
"That reminds me, Harry drink this," said Guile. He must have handed something to Hermione, because he felt her hands on the back of his neck and a vile at his lips. The cool liquid had no taste to it, but that was taken away by the blood in his mouth. As the liquid was drained into his mouth and he swallowed, Harry felt the cuts healing inside his mouth. "Your mouth may be hoarse for a while, so Hermione while have to speech for you as well." There were chuckles all around him, but that did not matter to Harry at the moment.
With his hands, Harry searched for Hermione's face. He found her bushy hair and softly ran his fingers through it, attempting to find her face. She must have sensed his need because he felt her hair turn away from him, and his fingers met with her nose. With her face looking at him, he moved his hands back around her head and leaned in to capture the prize he had wanted for the last few hours. When he felt Hermione lean further into the kiss, he only deepened it.
"Harry, although you may not be able to see, the people around you still can," said Dumbledore. Harry pulled away and felt his face heating up. He muttered a sorry as he felt Hermione lean into his chest. "Lunch will be served shortly, you two, and then you may return to your room."
Harry wanted to ask the headmaster about Ron, but when he opened his mouth, it was too hoarse to do so. Somehow, Hermione voiced his question for him. "Will Ron be alright?"
"From the small fight that Harry and Mister Weasley had, he is doing remarkably, but it is what that spell or creature did to him that has us all worried," said Dumbledore with sadness in his voice. "For the most part, I believe that the immediate danger of it is out of the way and we will have no more worries, but it is the long term affects that have me worried. I'll tell you more once we know more."
"Thank you professor," said Hermione as she stood up from Harry's lap. Harry needed her more than ever at the moment, and she was not going anywhere without him. "Come on Harry." She picked up his hand in her own and helped him stand. He squeezed her hand lightly as he stood up off the floor. He wrapped his arm around her waist like he did when his head still hurt, and slowly, Hermione led Harry from the room and to the dining room.
Harry felt awkward being led everywhere and being helped into his seat. He did not like the fact that he could not speak or see for that matter. And he liked to be the one taking care of everyone. That was his job. He vaguely heard Hermione say something and felt a sudden change in his chair. It was longer and felt a huge empty space next to him now. He felt Hermione slide up next to him and lean her head against his shoulder.
"I don't think Dumbledore will mind," said Hermione, answering his question. He gave her a questioning look, figuring she would get his message. "Harry, I can read you like a book. And I know you can read me just as well. You may not like it, but for the next day or so, I'm taking care of you." He nodded, but did not like the idea. "After that, I'll go back to letting you pamper me." He kissed he lightly at that, feeling the smirk on her mouth. "Now, let me put some food on your plate, so you could at least you can eat yourself." If he could have laughed, he would have.