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Duel of the Hearts by Eternal Fire
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Duel of the Hearts

Eternal Fire

The day after the battle, Hogwarts looked much more like a holding center than a school. Several classrooms were being used as interrogation centers for the captured Death Eaters.

Outside the Great Hall, all the reporters were waiting anxiously. Inside, Lucius and Draco Malfoy were seated in front of the entire Ministry of Magic as well as Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Harry. When he'd been told that the Malfoys' hearing was to be this morning, he left Hermione in Ron's care and immediately went to see to it that they both got the punishment they deserved.

Fudge stood up from the center of the table and stared Lucius in the face.

"Lucius, you have been found guilty of conspiring with Death Eaters, being in possession of illegal magical artifacts, and conspiracy to commit murder. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Malfoy actually smirked at him.

"You old fools can send me anywhere you want, but I promise you that I'll get out, and when I do, each of you will learn what it means to cross my family."

Several members of the ministry visibly tensed at that statement as they knew how influential the Malfoy family was. Draco sat next to his father grinning from ear to ear; nobody got the best of his father!

"In your case, Lucius, we have agreed to allow a single individual to decide your punishment; it is a right that he has earned," Fudge stated.

"And which of you is stupid enough to take sole responsibility for this?"

The Minister of Magic smiled slightly and waved his hand for someone to come forward.

"We will not decide your fate, Lucius…he will…" and he pointed behind the dark wizard.

Turning his head, Malfoy's eyes widened to see Harry Potter strolling past him. He stood in front of the long table where the ministry members were seated, and he nodded his head in respect.

"Thank you, Minister Fudge, I have indeed decided upon a suitable punishment."

Harry turned to see both Lucius and Draco seething with anger, and he grinned widely.

"Go ahead, Potter, send us to Azkaban, but I promise you that I'll kill you the moment I get out."

"I know you would, Malfoy. Even if you were given a life sentence, you would still find a way to get out. No, I have something very different planned for both of you."

Harry had told no one of his idea for their sentencing. When Minister Fudge had offered him the opportunity prior to the hearing, he had immediately thought of this. It would drive both Malfoys far more crazy than being sent to Azkaban.

"So tell me, Potter, just what did you come up with? Or did you need your little, Mudblood slut to think of something for you?" Draco growled. Harry wanted to deck him for that comment, but the grin remained on his face.

"You two won't be sent to Azkaban…" he began, making everyone in the room gasp.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Fudge said in utter shock.

"…what is going to happen is this…"

Harry raised his hands and muttered a chant under his breath. He reached into his robes and drew out two, tiny vials. They held a dark burgundy liquid, and he clutched them tightly. Harry then threw them both at the Malfoys, and they spilled onto their robes and hands.

"How dare you, Potter? This is an outrage!" Lucius growled.

"What I've just done to you is the main part of your punishment."

Every member of ministry looked at Harry as if he were crazy, but Dumbledore began to see where he was going with this.

"I think you've finally cracked, Potter; that was pathetic," Draco laughed, but Harry's grin only widened.

"You may think so, Draco, but don't trust your eyes. What you two were just doused with was called a Power Stripping potion…"

Lucius' eyes widened in shock at the young man's words.

"…In addition, I also cast a spell, myself, that completely seals and negates any magic that either of you possessed. You won't be able to use a wand; you're won't be able to use magic of any kind!"

The two Malfoys gasped in horror at what Harry had just done, and Ministry of Magic was just as astounded.

"Harry, why have you done this?" Fudge asked in awe.

"The one thing that the Malfoys hate most is muggles and muggle-born wizards. What better punishment than if they were forced to live as muggles for the rest of their lives? Also, the second part is as equally important. The Malfoys' name is to be stripped from every wizarding text and archive known to man; there will be no record of their family or heritage. In short, they will be wiped from wizarding history; no one will remember their names."

Harry's eyes drilled the words in Lucius and Draco's face, and a look of utter terror came over both of their complexions.

"This can't be; you can't do this to me!" Lucius shouted and jumped to his feet. He raised his hand and aimed for Harry.

"Ramusorte!" The words were spoken, but no spell was cast.

Lucius stared at his hand in shock. He said the spell over and over again, but nothing ever happened. Harry actually chuckled.

"As I said, Lucius, you have no powers anymore; you are now a muggle. And just in case you two think about finding some other way to kill me, even if I die that curse won't be lifted from the two of you. You will live your lives as the one thing that you abhor!"

The Ministry of Magic was astounded at the punishment that Harry had come up with. They'd never have believed that he could've made such a choice. He hadn't just sentenced Lucius; he'd destroyed his entire reputation and his family's.

"That is all I have to say, Minister Fudge," Harry finished and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Very well. The punishment has been chosen and carried out. Lucius and Draco Malfoy, you will be taken from here and never again be allowed in any wizarding establishment or anything connected to our world. Take them away!"

Draco was screaming as he was pulled out of his chair, but his father was stunned speechless. It couldn't be; he was muggle! The shame was too much to bare!

"I can't be a muggle!" he shouted.

"I'm afraid you are," Harry answered, "now, get him out of my sight!"

Once the Malfoys were escorted out of the Great Hall with flash bulbs going off everywhere, Harry once again faced the Ministry of Magic.

"This council accepts your decision, Mr. Potter, however unexpected it may have been. The second matter at hand pertains to the recent discovery of Cassandra Cross being Tom Riddle's granddaughter. We have determined that she was the last remaining relative of his family. I would like to thank you for your help in finally closing the book on that family's story."

"Thank you, minister, but it is Hermione you should be thanking. She was the one who fought Cassandra; I just helped a little bit."

"Indeed, Miss Granger handled herself quite well. As a reward, both you and Miss Granger will be given the Order of Merlin - First Class. In addition, your friend, Mr. Weasley and Miss Lavender Brown will receive awards of appreciation for aiding the ministry in capturing the last of the Death Eaters. I take that this meets with your approval, Harry."

"Yes sir, thank you very much," he said with a smile. This time, he would accept the award along with his friends.

"It is us who should be thank you, Harry. You have done quite well for yourself, despite your disregard for certain rules. I look forward to seeing what you become in the future - perhaps even becoming one of our Auror trainers."

"I'm still finalizing what I will do, but I thank you for the offer, Minister Fudge. And now, if I may take my leave, my fiancé is still in infirmary, and I wish to see her."

Harry nodded his head to each of the council members and then walked out of the Great Hall. Fudge looked at Dumbledore, and the headmaster was trying hard not to grin.

"That boy never ceases to amaze me," Fudge said and rolled his eyes.

"That's why he's Harry Potter," Dumbledore chuckled.

Harry didn't know whether he walked or floated to the hospital wing, but the smile would not leave his face. As he entered the infirmary, he saw Hermione sitting up in her bed. A large book was open in her lap, and she was reading intently.

"Harry, there you are," Ron stated from his seat next to Lavender. His girlfriend gave Harry a bright smile and squeezed the redhead's hand.

Hermione looked up from her reading, and her eyes glowed at seeing her fiancé. She would never get tired of seeing him. His profile alone could make her insides turn to butter, and his eyes would melt her in a matter of seconds.

"Hey love, where have you been? I was getting a little bored here all by my lonesome self," she pouted playfully.

"Right…that's why you were rereading 'Hogwarts A History' for the thousandth time."

"What took you so long?" Ron asked.

"I went to see the Malfoy's trial hearing."

His friends visibly gasped.

"Harry, why did you do that?" Hermione asked with a worried expression. He clutched her hand tightly.

"I wanted to make sure that they got the punishment they deserved. As fate would have it, Minister Fudge and the rest of the council awarded me the right to pass sentence on both Lucius and Draco Malfoy."

"Bloody hell, Harry, so what'd you do? Did you send to Azkaban for the rest of their lives? Did you ask that they be eaten alive by flesh-eating slugs?" Ron was nearly drooling in anticipation.

"No Ron, I don't have that kind of imagination."

"No one does," Lavender cut in, and she pecked her boyfriend on the lips.

"I gave the Malfoys their own, personal hell to live in."

"What do you mean, Harry?" Hermione asked, now seriously curious.

"Well…I took a page out of your book, sweetheart. I dowsed them both with a very special potion."

"A potion…Harry, that's so lame," Ron groaned.

"Wait a minute, Ron, just what kind of potion was it, Harry?"

"It was a power-stripping potion. It stripped both of them of any magical powers they had. I also cast a seal on both of them so that there is no way that they can ever use magic again. They're going to live as muggles for the rest of their lives!" he said proudly.

Just like the ministry, his friends were shocked speechless.

"Harry…that was bloody brilliant!" Lavender said happily.

"No way! You mean, Draco and his dad are really muggles! That's fantastic!" Ron laughed.

Hermione was smiling brightly at her beloved.

"I can't believe you came up with something like that, Harry. How did you do that?"

"Well Herm, I remember all the bullshit Malfoy put you and the other muggleborns through for the last seven years. His family hated you with a vengeance, so there was no worse punishment than if they were both forced to live as a muggle. In addition, their family name is to be erased from every wizarding archive and book. The Malfoys will never have existed in wizarding history."

"My gosh, Harry, you steamrolled right over them," Lavender said while shaking her head.

"Yeah, you bypassed everything and went to a good, old-fashioned ass-kicking!" Ron said with a cheeky grin.

Harry grinned as well then turned to face Hermione again.

"Also Herm, there's something else. The Ministry awarded you the Order of Merlin - First Class for your skill and courage when you fought Cassandra."

His fiancé's mouth dropped open, and Ron nearly fell out of his chair.

"I don't believe it! I've never heard of a muggleborn receiving such a high award before!"

"Harry…I don't what to say; I don't deserve it. You helped me so much."

He gathered his Hermione into his arms and kissed her forehead.

"All I did was show you what you could do, Hermione; you had to execute and follow through with it. In addition, Ron…you and Lavender are also getting an award. Fudge gave you each a special recognition for helping to capture the last of the Death Eaters."

"Well…all in a day's work," Ron sighed and puffed out his chest.

"Oh, you're just a bundle of humility," Lavender jibed.

Harry smiled at his friends and pulled Hermione closer to him. He rocked her in his arms, and she burrowed into his chest.

"Harry…" she cooed softly.

"What is it, beautiful?" he whispered soothingly.

"We have to study for the NEWTs." Harry should've known she would say that.

"Hermione, talk about breaking the mood," Ron groaned.

"Hey, just because we're all heroes doesn't mean we can slack off," she reprimanded.

"You heard her, Ron, always do what Hermione orders," he chuckled.

"Very funny, Harry," and he received a playful nudge in the ribs.

"Herm?" he asked and tilted her chin up.

"What?"

He looked down into her eyes and cupped her cheek.

"I need something to last me till dinner," and he crushed his mouth against hers.

Hermione went limp as Harry stole the breath from her lungs and the will from her body. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and his tongue masterfully toured the inside of her mouth.

"That wasn't fair," Hermione groaned when he let her up for air.

"What wasn't?" Harry said innocently.

"Now, I won't be able to study without wanting you all day."

Ron and Lavender gawked at her blatant admission, but Harry just grinned.

"Don't worry, love, as you say, we study first…and play later," he whispered in her ear.

Her body thrummed in anticipation. Oh boy, she wanted him right now! That was it; it would be no-holds-barred tonight! Her ribs were doing much better, and she had just about all of her strength back. It was time for her and Harry to do some serious making up.

Harry walked into the library and covered his mouth as he yawned loudly. A soft giggle escaped Hermione as she stood next to him. Hmm, they had definitely done some making up last night; she'd barely let the poor, young man sleep!

"Tired, honey?" she asked with a wide grin. Harry rolled his eyes and pulled her into his arms.

"Well…considering you only gave me an hour of sleep last night, I should be. However, anytime you want to resume our 'activities', please let me know," he replied with his own crooked grin.

"Sounds interesting, maybe after lunch," Hermione cooed and licked her lips.

Harry couldn't help the groan that left his mouth. Dammit, he couldn't stand it when she did that - especially since he knew what she could do with those lips.

"I swear, I'm the luckiest wizard in the world," and guided her to a back corner of the library.

"Why's that?" she inquired and set her things down on the table.

Harry leaned over her shoulder and growled softly in her ear.

"Cause I have the most amazing woman in my life."

They both sat down, and Hermione stared at him intently.

"Please elaborate," she said with an arrogant smile. Harry slid closer, and his arms slinked around her.

"Well…she's a bit of a bookworm, but I like that about her. She's smart and beautiful, and she has the most wonderful heart."

Harry's hands slid inside her robes and cupped her breasts, making Hermione gasped in shock; she couldn't believe he was doing this here!

"Harry…"

"Plus, she's got this hot, little body that drives me crazy. She's so good…the way her breasts tremble under my hands…" and squeezed the soft mounds. One of his hands glided down to her legs.

"…and she's got these sexy legs that feel wonderful when they're wrapped around me while I'm inside her. And she's got these amazing lips that are as soft as a rose. She's my angel, and her name is Hermione Potter."

Her face was beet red, and her body was buzzing with need. Damn him, his voice was too sexy for his own good; he knew she couldn't handle him talking in her ear like this.

"Harry…this…isn't fair…"

"What's wrong? Am I bothering you?" he snickered.

Hermione tried to glare at him, but his grin was too stupid looking. Her eyes flashed around to see if anyone was around. She couldn't believe she was about to do this, even after last night, but she needed him badly.

"When are Ron and Lavender meeting us?" she croaked out.

"About twenty minutes, why?"

Harry suddenly found himself hauled to his feet, and Hermione dragged him further back into the library. She pulled into one of the long aisles of books and almost slammed him into the shelves.

"Hermione…what…" he couldn't speak as her tongue jammed down his throat.

"Harry…shut up…need you…"

She grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts. Harry was shocked. He'd never seen such a lust-crazed Hermione before, and to be frank, he liked it. He pressed her up against the opposite shelf and ground his hips against her.

"Hermione…you sure about this? If you're nervous…"

In a flash, she grabbed her wand and tapped them both on the head.

"There. Now, no one can see or hear us," she said smugly.

"Still Herm, if you don't want to, we can always…" his voice was concerned despite being so husky.

Hermione took one of his hands from her breasts and guided it downward. She brought it up under her skirt and placed it on her junction.

"Harry…do you feel how hot I am…that's because of you, you git! I don't care where we are; I need you in me now!"

Hermione let go of his hand and quickly unzipped his pants. Her hand searched for its target and found it waiting for her. Harry growled as she stroked his now throbbing erection.

"The hell with it…" and Harry hiked up her skirt.

She wrapped her long legs around his waist, and Harry pushed her panties out of the way. Hermione lined him up, and he slid home in one stroke.

"Harry…do you feel it…how wet I am. That's for you; it's only for you."

"Yes, my angel, I can feel it; you're only like this for me," he said smugly and slammed his hips into her.

Hermione shrieked as he struck a spot deep inside her, and Harry praised the invention of silencing charms. He loved it when she screamed for him. He buried himself within her sweet depths again and again, taking from her and giving to her all at the same time. Harry could hear her mumbling in his ear of how much she loved him, and he caught her mouth for a hungry kiss.

Then, something strange happened. Hermione stopped moving and evicted his member from her silky depths. He stared at her in shock, but she just grinned and turned around. Hermione leaned forward and thrust her rear end out for him, presenting herself to him wantonly.

"Harry…" she cooed and looked at him over her shoulder.

"Um…yeah?" he said and gulped. What he heard next would cause him many sleepless nights in the future.

"Fuck me, Harry, fuck me now!"

Before his brain could even contemplate her words, his body sprung into action, and he buried his shaft deep into her inner recesses. Oh man, she was so hot and tight today; he was certain his head was about to explode. She'd lost it, and he followed right along with her. Harry leaned over her back and reached under her to cup her breasts once again.

"I'll fuck you, Hermione, deep and hard."

Their bodies clashed together over and over again as they allowed their unrestrained lust for each other to fuel their intense coupling.

"Harry…I…I can't take it…I'm gonna…" Hermione shrieked in utter abandon, and her body trembled from a massive orgasm.

"Yes…Hermione…you can…take it all…" and Harry exploded into her depths. Her body squeezed him over and over, milking every drop he had to give her.

The two lovers panted heavily as their bodies slowly came back to normal. Harry withdrew from her hot cavern and slid her panties back into place. Hermione turned around with a wide smile on her face and tucked him back into his pants.

"Hmm, thank you, love, that was just what I needed," she giggled, and Harry almost fell over.

"You're such a naughty girl, Hermione."

"And you love me for it."

"Do I ever!" and he kissed her softly.

The two readjusted their clothing, and Hermione tapped their heads with her wand again.

"Ron and Lavender should be there by now; let's go" and he took her hand.

"Hey Harry, did you mind…that we did this?" Hermione asked nervously. She couldn't believe how blatant she'd been - and in the library! Harry smirked and shook his head.

"Not at all, sweetheart, I like it when you're bad," he chuckled.

Hermione's jaw dropped, and he dragged her back towards their table.

Author's Notes: Well, we're almost there. Maybe one or two more chapters at the most. I'm not sure yet whether I'm going to do an epilogue for this trilogy, but I don't see why I couldn't. Thanks!