Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Hi everybody! In answer to some questions about how long this story will be, there are 25 chapters (not including the alternate 16) so there are four more to go after this. I have some other fics that I'll post after that. I am working on a sequel/epilogue to this story but I'm not usually one of those writers who can whip out a story of any length quickly. Thanks for your patience!

Chapter Twenty-One

"Keep a good lookout for her…she won't be able to recognize us easily with our hair like this." Ron said standing on tiptoe, his eyes searching anxiously over the groups of shoppers.

"I warned her that we would be doing this…I'm sure she's just running a little late," Ginny reassured him, smiling at his concern for Luna.

Thanks to Fred and George's Mop Modifiers and Twinkle Tweakers, Harry, Remus, and Hermione all sported blond hair and blue eyes while Ron and Ginny had chosen brown on both counts.

"There she is…hey, Luna!" Ginny stood on tiptoe and waved her hand.

Luna smiled and drifted through the crowded walkway over to them. "Sorry, lost track of time…" she said, staring at their hair with her luminous eyes.

"Don't worry," said Hermione with a smile as the others greeted Luna. "We haven't been here long ourselves."

"So, what's the plan?" Remus asked, his eyes briefly scanning the crowd then returning to the group.

"I need to go to my vault before I do anything," Harry looked at Remus who looked tired and moved gingerly. The group had assured Remus that they could wait a day but Remus waved them off and said he was fine.

"I'd planned to go and see Fred and George for just a bit," Ron said.

"Hermione and I were wanting to visit Madame Malkin's," Ginny turned to Luna. "Want to come?"

"No…I was really hoping to see Fred and George's shop," She replied then asked a bit shyly, "Can I go with you, Ronald?"

"'Course," he nodded some pinkness creeping into his ears.

"All right, how about this…" began Remus. "I need to go to my vault, too, so I'll go with Harry and then I've got another errand. Why don't we meet back here in about forty-five minutes and then we can go to Flourish and Blott's to buy your books? Does everyone have extra Mop Modifiers and Twinkle Tweakers? Don't forget we'll need to have some more before the hour is up."

Everyone nodded. "Okay…see you in a bit, then." And they headed off in separate directions.

Harry and Remus turned and walked up the steps to Gringott's murmuring, "Thanks," to the goblin that opened the door for them. Harry looked around the main room and found an open till.

"Over here, Remus," he said pointing. They both walked up and Harry presented his key first saying, I need to make a withdrawal, please."

"The goblin looked at the key then back at Harry, his eyes narrowing. "But you are not-"

Harry glanced around furtively then lifted his bangs a little.

The corners of the goblin's mouth twitched ever so slightly and he glanced just over Harry's shoulder. "I see," he said, quickly returning his gaze to Harry. "Everything seems to be in order, then."

As Harry smoothed his bangs, he felt his scar twinge but shook his head and decided to ignore it.

The goblin looked at Remus' key, then called another goblin over to escort Harry and Remus to a waiting cart. Once they were safely seated, the goblin whistled and they began traveling quickly down the tracks. They came to Remus' vault first and he quickly retrieved some gold and got back in the cart. They continued to Harry's vault and when the goblin opened it, Harry gaped. There was more than twice the amount of gold that he remembered seeing the last time he had been there. Two walls were no longer visible due to the piles and stacks of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts.

"Will you be wanting a bigger vault, Mr. Potter?" the goblin asked.

Harry turned to him, still in a bit of shock. "Er…what would you recommend?"

The goblin leaned in and looked around with a critical eye. "A larger vault would be a nicety but at this point not necessary."

"I'll keep this one, then. Thank you." Harry was glad, as he hadn't wanted to change from what had been his parent's vault. He reached in and scooped up some gold, filling his bag, which he replaced in an inner pocket of his robes before he got back into the cart.

"I didn't realize…I mean, wow," Harry whispered to Remus.

"I know. I had the same reaction the first time when I saw all that in my vault," The look on Remus' face was part smile, part sadness.

Soon Harry and Remus were on their way out the bank doors.

"I need to run a quick errand, Harry," Remus said. "Is it all right if we meet back here in a little while?"

"Sure," Harry responded, lifting a shoulder. "See you soon."

Remus nodded and headed off past some stores. Harry didn't want to just stand there by himself waiting so he walked toward a cluster of stores that were near, looking in windows as he passed. Several times, he felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle and turned around but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. `Don't be silly.' He thought to himself and mentally shook it off. `Probably just the breeze.'

Something shiny in a store window caught his eye and he turned to see a bracelet made of dainty gold chain with small heart charms of various sizes and designs hanging from it. As he looked at it, a picture formed in his mind of Hermione beaming as she admired that bracelet on her wrist. In several minutes, Harry walked out of the store with a smile on his face, tucking a box into his pocket. He glanced at his watch and made his way back over to the bank steps. He could see Remus not too far away heading toward him. Harry turned and also saw Hermione and Ginny in the distance coming from around the corner of a shop and laughing over something. Hermione looked up and Harry smiled and gave a wave as his other hand went to the box concealed in his pocket. Hermione and Ginny smiled and waved back quickening their pace just a bit.

Just then, Harry's eyes shot to three black-hooded figures that had just appeared out of nowhere, fifteen to twenty feet behind Ginny and Hermione. Before he could think, he was running full out towards Hermione and Ginny, grabbing desperately for his wand.

"HERMIONE! GET DOWN!" Harry shouted, rapidly closing the distance between them. He saw the girls startle and turn as they heard him but it was too late. The Death Eaters had sent two jets of light streaming their way toward Hermione and Ginny. Harry saw Hermione quickly push Ginny down and both spells crashed into her instead enveloping her in a light blue aura, which seemed to hold her body suspended for a few seconds but then dissipated.

"NO!" Harry yelled and reached Hermione just in time to catch her before she fell limply to the cobblestones. As he held onto the unconscious Hermione with one arm, his head snapped up toward the cloaked men who were watching him intently; he saw one smile sneeringly and his eyes narrowed. His breathing became rapid as he felt a churning, grinding rage swelling rapidly inside him. Harry flung the hand holding his wand out toward the Death Eaters. An electric wave erupted from his fury, raced down his arm through his wand and exploded out into the air in front of him. Harry watched with almost detached satisfaction as it sped toward the three men.

As though in slow motion, he saw Ron and Luna, who were running toward him on his left, thrown from their feet by it. Other people and objects in its way were also being knocked over and tumbled like cardboard boxes in a high wind as the surge of energy flew towards the Death Eaters. They tried to run but it was too late. The wave reached them and with a blinding light blasted them back through the air into the building behind them. They struck the wall with a resounding thud and slid down the bricks, unconscious, to lie in a messy heap on the cobblestones below. As though through a haze, Harry could hear people yelling and footsteps running up behind him.

Trembling, Harry looked at Hermione's pale face, wrapped his other arm around her and lowered them both to the ground. Her eyes were closed and she lay like a rag doll draped over his arms. He looked tearfully to Ginny who was on her knees in shock, looking between him and the Death Eaters with large round eyes. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Remus looking at him in almost disbelief.

"Help her, Remus," Harry pleaded.

Remus swiftly took his wand and waved it over Hermione. "Ennervate!"

Hermione remained unconscious. Remus tried again, more forcefully this time. "ENNERVATE!" But this brought no change.

"Harry, let's try it together." Remus said quickly and Harry nodded.

"ENNERVATE!" they bellowed, both waving their wands, and Hermione began to stir.

Harry felt his body nearly go liquid with relief and gathered her to himself burying his face in her hair.

"Thank God!" he breathed.

"Wha-," Hermione began groggily but Harry cut her off. "Shhh…just rest for a bit. I've got you."

Some of the surrounding noise and sights were beginning to seep through Harry's consciousness. He looked up to see Ron on his knees bent over Luna who was still lying on the ground but talking. Others were getting up slowly or already standing, looking at him as though he was from another planet.

He saw Remus now standing by the prostrate Death Eaters now bound with ropes around their ankles and wrists. Mad Eye, Tonks, and Kingsley Shacklebolt suddenly appeared a few feet from Remus and went quickly over to where the three men lay on the ground. Fred and George appeared suddenly as well and after a conversation with Remus, all of them shot glances in his direction. Harry saw George notice Ron and Luna then hurry over to them. They seemed to be mostly okay and soon Ron was steadying Luna as they made their way over to where Harry, Hermione, and Ginny (who was getting to her feet) were.

"Is she all right? What'd they hit her with?" Ron asked looking at Hermione who was seemingly becoming more and more aware of her surroundings.

"She's conscious…I don't know-I want to get her home. Are you all right?" Ron and Luna nodded then Harry looked back at Hermione. "Can you stand?"

"I-I don't think so." Her eyes turned fearfully to his. "I c-can't really m-move my arms or legs." It seemed to be a great effort for her to speak.

"Hang on." Harry shifted his hands under her back and knees and then lifted her limp body as he stood up, struggling a bit but then finding his balance. Hermione couldn't even seem to muster the energy to put her arms around his neck. He walked with her over to Remus.

"I'm taking her home," Harry said, his voice almost breaking. He began to turn towards the public Floo Network fireplaces.

"Wait," growled Mad-Eye. "You can't just leave after all this…we need to talk to you."

"I want to get Hermione out of here!" Harry said, his voice rising. "I want to take her home!"

Just then, Mad Eye's gaze moved suddenly to something directly behind Harry and Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. He heard Dumbledore's voice say quietly, "Surely you can speak with Harry later this evening, Alastor."

Moody hesitated then nodded and Harry turned to Dumbledore. "She was hit with two spells at the same time…I need to get her home."

"Just a moment, Harry. Let me check her…she may need to go to St. Mungo's." Dumbledore focused on Hermione as he passed his wand slowly over her. "She's not critically injured, Harry," he said, his voice laced with relief. "You can go ahead and take her home. She just needs to rest and recover. Here," Dumbledore pulled a scrap piece of parchment from his robes, touched it with his wand and said, "Portus. Use this…just a moment." He motioned for Ron, Luna and Ginny to join them and bent to whisper something in Luna's ear. "All right, everyone get a hold." Harry met Ron's eyes and he nodded. Suddenly, he felt the familiar jerk and the buffeting of wind as they traveled to Grimmauld Place.

~>^<~>^<~>^<~>^<~

Harry hung on tightly to Hermione and tried to prepare himself for the jolting stop he knew was about to come. Sure enough, when his feet hit the drawing room floor, his knees almost buckled and he lost his balance but Ron and Luna quickly reached out and righted him. He hurried over and sank down on the couch still holding Hermione who had lapsed back into unconsciousness.

"Hermione? Oh, no…" Harry said, fighting panic, as her body remained limp and her eyes closed. "Ennervate!" he said forcefully as he waved his wand over her once again.

Hermione's eyes flickered open and Harry saw her working to focus her vision. She smiled wanly as she appeared to recognize his face. Harry gathered her to his chest and bent his head `til his forehead touched hers.

"Ginny…" Hermione whispered with difficulty but Harry shook his head at her. "She's fine. Please just rest…everyone's safe now."

"Back so soon?" asked Mrs. Weasley walking into the drawing room her eyes sweeping curiously over the group gathered round the couch. "Why is Luna-" Her eyes went suddenly wide as she saw Harry and Hermione. "Good heavens, what's wrong?"

Ginny broke into sobs and flung herself into her mother's arms. "She's hurt because she pushed me out of the way!"

Mrs. Weasley's arms went automatically around Ginny but her eyes sought Ron's who hurriedly explained the events that led to their leaving Diagon Alley early.

"My heavens! Is Remus still there, then?" she asked anxiously, still trying to soothe Ginny. Just then green flames rose up in the fireplace and Remus stepped out. He hurried to Harry and Hermione.

"How is she?"

"She keeps losing consciousness-I don't know what to do," Harry said, his voice breaking as Hermione's eyes closed yet again.

Remus clasped Harry on the shoulder. "She'll be all right, Harry…she just needs to rest like Dumbledore said," he said in calming tones. "Why don't you put her in her bed so she can be more comfortable?"

"I hope the meeting tonight won't disturb her," Molly fretted.

"I'll take her up to my room since I'm staying across the hall with Ron," Harry said.

Remus nodded. "That'd be quieter."

Harry struggled a bit to stand with Hermione. Remus and Ron hurried to help him up and brace him once he got to his feet.

"Got her?"

Harry nodded and started for the stairs. Remus hurried up the steps ahead of Harry and opened the bedroom door while Ron and Luna followed behind him. Harry turned sideways and edged carefully through the door with Hermione. He then hesitated for a bit to allow Ron time to go quickly around him to the bed and pull back the covers while Luna removed the throw pillows. Harry placed Hermione gently on the bed, slid her shoes from her feet and then pulled the covers up around her.

Ron put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "She'll be all right after some rest, mate."

Harry nodded and then his eyes shot quickly to Ron and Luna as he suddenly remembered that they had been injured, too. "Are you guys okay? I'm sorry-I didn't mean to…"

"We're fine," Luna reassured him softly as she gave his hand a quick clasp. "No harm done."

"Well, let's go on down and let her sleep," Remus said, looking round at the others.

"I'm staying here." Harry said firmly as he walked over and began dragging one of his armchairs to the side of the bed.

Remus hesitated then nodded. "All right-hopefully we'll see you at dinner. Maybe Hermione will be recovered enough to eat something by then."

Harry sat down as their steps retreated and heard the door close softly.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione…" Harry leaned forward in his chair to smooth her hair back from her face and felt a little jab in his side. His hand went to the pocket in his robe where he had put the box from the jewelry store and drew it out. Harry opened the lid and lifted the heart bracelet out and after looking at it for a bit, clasped it around Hermione's wrist. He sighed and then bent to lay his face in her outstretched hand. He could see that Hermione was sleeping peacefully but he was reliving the afternoon's attack and her injury at the Ministry in his mind. Harry shuddered against those memories and closed his eyes to stop his tears.

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