Stretch, back to writing, it becomes more tedious than fun, but it's a hobby and since you all want me to write, I guess I'll just have to oblige ::wink::wink::.
And now, on with the show.
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Chapter 5: The Rescue
"What?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"They've got Krum!" Harry replied frantically putting on his jeans.
"How?" replied Hermione now getting out of bed and getting dressed as well.
"How should I know?" replied Harry, buckling his belt. "All I remember is that Voldemort bound Krum, and then told Lucius-" Harry stopped dead mid-thought.
"Lucius?" asked Hermione pulling on her shirt. "I thought he was in prision.
"He must've been broken out. We have to find Dumbledore quickly," Harry said putting his shirt on. "Dobby!" The house-elf appeared with a crack in front of Harry.
"What can Dobby do for Harry Potter?" asked the house-elf who was cleaning a glass mug with his tie.
"I need to know where Dumbledore is," said Harry tying his shoes. "And I need to know now."
"Dumbledore is back at Hogwarts," replied Dobby. "He left about an hour ago after the party had ended."
"An hour ago?" asked Hermione who finished getting dressed. "What time is it?"
"Four in the morning," replied Harry looking at his watch. "Dobby, do we have floo powder in the house?" Immediately the house-elf snapped his fingers and a small jar of the green powder appeared. "Alright, let's go." Harry and Hermione ran out of the room, with Dobby following at their heels, still holding the floo powder.
The three of the ran into the kitchen and were greeted by Mrs. Weasley who was helping to clean up from the party.
"Now what in the world are you two doing up this early in the morning?" she asked. "You should be...." Molly never finished her sentence because she saw the frantic look on Harry and Hermione's face. Harry wasn't going to wait around to give an explanation, so he quickly took the jar of floo powder and handed it to Hermione.
"You go first," he said. She nodded and quickly walked to the fireplace, taking a bit a floo powder and handing the jar back to Harry.
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster's Office," she said, throwing the powder into the fireplace. Green flames erupted, and a moment later Hermione was gone.
"Now what in the world is going on?" asked Molly putting her hands on her hips. "It's not right to bother Dumbledore so at this time of day-" she never got to finish her sentence, because Harry had already stepped into the fireplace and shouted, 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster's Office,' and was gone.
Harry landed with a thud on the floor of the headmaster's office, and saw Hermione talking very quickly to a concerned-looking Dumbledore.
"Harry," said Dumbledore. "Tell me exactly what you saw." Harry walked over to the headmaster and began retelling of his dream.
"I was flying. All of a sudden I landed with a 'pop' outside of a house that I didn't recognize. There were about a dozen death eaters around me, and I told them to spread out. I went up to the door, unlocked it with my wand, and went inside. I walked up to the second floor, opened a bedroom door, and saw Krum laying there reading a book. I bound him with conjured ropes, then Lucius Malfoy appeared next to me and I told him that we needed Krum alive. Then Hermione woke me up," finished Harry, who said that all very quickly.
"Ok, the first thing we need to do is-" Dumbledore began but was interrupted by Molly Weasley coming out of the fire.
"Now what is going on?" she asked indignantly. "Albus, these two just came barging into the kitchen and-" she was cut off by Dumbledore holding up his hand to silence her.
"Harry has just witnessed another of Voldemort's attacks. Viktor Krum was kidnapped about ten minutes ago apparently," Dumbledore said. Mrs. Weasley's eyes grew wide and she put her hand over her mouth. "It is actually good that you came Molly. Floo back to headquarters, and then apparate to Nymphadora and Kingsley's houses respectively, and inform them to come here at once. Tell Kingsley to get Alastor too, he'll know how to get ahold of him without getting hexed into tomorrow." Molly nodded and promptly flooed back to Number 12, Grimmauld Place.
"Give me one moment please," Dumbledore said. He quickly scribbled something onto two pieces of parchment and threw them into the fire, which turned green again.
"Professor," began Harry. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
"You have already helped more than enough Harry," replied Dumbledore. "Given that you acted right away and without hesitation, there is a good chance that we will be able to save Viktor's life, and we may even be able to rescue him before he is subjected to anything...unpleasant. However, I get the feeling that that alone won't be sufficient to placate you. You will need to wait here until a course of action is decided, but I think there will be no objections to you joining us to rescue Viktor," Dumbledore finished. Harry nodded, but Hermione's jaw dropped.
"Professor, you're going to let Harry go with you?" she asked, fear etched into her face.
"He's part of the Order now, he is entitled to join us," the headmaster responded.
"Then I'm coming too," Hermione said resolutely. Harry grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her around to face him.
"You're staying here," he said. "You're not in the Order and I'm not going to risk losing you."
"You do not tell me what to do!" she yelled back at him with tears in her eyes, even though she knew there was no point in arguing.
"Hermione, Harry is right," Dumbledore said. "You aren't in the Order, and although I have no doubt that you would be a great asset to us, you aren't trained in this kind of fighting yet."
"What about last year?!" shouted Hermione tears running down her face.
"It was different then," replied the headmaster with a grim look. "That was simply a 'shoot-to-kill' mission. Now we have to take a different approach. Cast spells to detain, not to kill."
"But I know hundreds of those!" Hermione pleaded. "There's the stunner, the full-body-bind, the freezing jinx-"
"Ms. Granger I have no doubt that your knowledge in spells that can be used to detain criminals instead of killing them is great," said McGonagal walking hurriedly into the office followed by a very sullen-looking Snape. "But death eaters can break them quite simply. Some can even revive themselves from a stunner." Hermione's face sank dejectedly.
"Who's been kidnapped?" asked Snape.
"Viktor Krum," replied Dumbledore. "Harry had another dream in which he saw through Voldemort's eyes, and witnessed the kidnaping of our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"With all due respect, headmaster," Snape growled. "Given Potter's poor attempts at Occlumency, how do we know that the Dark Lord isn't luring us into a trap?"
"Because Harry distinctly heard Voldemort say that they needed Krum alive. They weren't torturing him, thus, Harry would have no need to go to Viktor's house and rescue him. I have already sent Fawkes to check on the state of Viktor's house - ah, and here he is now," Dumbledore said as Fawkes appeared in the room with a burst of flame. He went over to Dumbledore and began singing quietly. Dumbledore listened intently until Fawkes was done and then addressed the four people in the room. "There is no one at Viktor's house, which means that Harry did not, in fact, become a victim of Voldemort's mind tricks again," the headmaster said standing up. It was then Harry realized that Dumbledore must be able to understand phoenix song.
At that precise moment, Tonks popped out of the fire, closely followed by Molly, Arthur, the twins, and to Harry's surprise, Ron.
"Krum's been kidnapped?" asked Tonks quickly.
"It appears so," replied Dumbledore.
"Any leads?" asked Fred.
"Leads, no. Ideas, yes," said the headmaster. "Harry you said that Lucius Malfoy was with Voldemort when this happened?"
"Yes sir."
"That means that Voldemort broke them out of the ministry holding cells. All right. Out of Voldemort's known hideouts, which is large enough to accommodate the return of about a dozen death eaters, and the interrogation of Viktor?" asked Dumbledore.
"Azkaban, the Orford Cathedral, and the Pendennis Castle in Cornwall," said Kingsley stepping out of the fire, closely followed by Mad-Eye Moody.
"So he's hiding Krum in one of those three?" asked Arthur Weasley.
"It's Azkaban, I'll bet my magical eye on it," growled Moody. "It's the perfect setting for an interrogation, down in the lower dungeons they still have the old torture devices that were used before the dementors came around. I've heard that some of those things can even be more useful than the Cruciatus Curse if used properly. Won't make the victim go mad, if you know what I mean."
"How can we be sure?" asked Professor McGonagal.
"I'm inclined to agree with Alastor, even if his arguments are somewhat...barbaric," drawled Snape. "Azkaban is the closest spot of the three to where Krum resided. While I was still among the ranks of the death eaters, the Dark Lord was always very careful to let us know to bring our captives to the closest possible spot near where the attack was. Traveling long distances with hostages can be very risky."
"I think it is safe to assume, based on our information, that Azkaban is the most likely place that the death eaters have taken Viktor. Severus, are we still operating under the fact the Voldemort is not present at interrogations?" Dumbledore asked,
"That is still correct," replied Snape. "With an exception here or there, the Dark Lord makes his servants do his dirtier work for him."
"Very well," replied Dumbledore. "We will split into four groups. Nymphadora, Alastor, and Kingsley will be group one. Your job will to be to apparate just inside of the prison grounds and secure the perimeter. I daresay that Voldemort will have taken time to place intruder wards around the area, so take the usual precautions. Fawkes will follow slightly after to ensure that there have been no problems. Group two will be Molly, Fred and George. You three will join group one after the perimeter is locked down, and help keep it secure. Group three will consist of myself, Harry, and Ron. Arthur, Severus, and Minerva will be group four. Group three will sweep the main level of the building from the north end, group four from the south. We will meet in the main holding area and descend into the lower levels together. Are there any questions?" Dumbledore finished. Silence followed this sentence. "Good. Now let's get moving." Dumbledore took out two empty bottles of butterbeer and placed them on his desk. "Portus," he muttered tapping both of them with his wand. Each glowed blue and then turned back. "These are portkeys that will take us back to headquarters where we can safely apparate to Azkaban. Quickly, now we haven't any time to waste." When each of the thirteen people had at least a finger on either of the bottles (or in Ron's case, through the bottle), they were all transported back to headquarters.
All of them landed with a thud on the hard floor of the basement kitchen. Tonks, Moody, and Kingsley immediately disapperated.
"Fawkes will follow them shortly," said Dumbledore. "We'll wait a couple of minutes for word from him." The ten remaining people in the room then sat in silence for a few minutes, until the quiet was disturbed by a burst of fire in the air, which Fawkes appeared from. He landed on Dumbledore's shoulder and began singing quietly into the headmaster's ear.
"All is well," said Dumbledore. "Molly, Fred, George, go now and help them in case any more death eaters appear." Instantaneously the three Weasleys disappeared as well, leaving only Ron, Harry, Hermione, McGonagal, Snape, Arthur, and Dumbledore on the kitchen.
"We should get moving ask quickly as possible," said the headmaster. Mr. Weasley, Snape, and McGonagal nodded and disapperated. "I know that you two can't apparate, so we'll take another portkey. Portus," Dumbledore muttered one more time, his wand touching one of the butterbeer bottles again. Albus and Ron each touched the bottle, when Hermione spoke up.
"Harry wait!" shouted Hermione just as Harry was going to touch the empty butterbeer container. She ran over to him with her wand drawn. "Incandesta," she said drawing a box on the wall. Immediately the boxed off portion of the wall turned a dull white. "Projectus," Hermione said tapping the bridge of Harry's glasses. Immediately her picture was projected onto the white space on the kitchen wall. "That's so I can see what's going on." Harry turned to face Dumbledore and saw the picture on the wall was now displaying the headmaster.
"Not a bad idea, if I do say so myself, Ms. Granger," said Dumbledore beaming. Hermione smiled and threw her arms around Harry.
"You better come back," she said into his chest.
"If Snape's right about Voldemort not being there, I don't have anything to worry about," said Harry.
"Well just don't go getting yourself injured," Hermione said. She then put her mouth next to his ear. "I love you too much for you to go and get hurt," she whispered. Harry grinned and blushed slightly before pulling away from her.
"I'll be back," he said. "I promise." And with that he touched the empty bottle and felt the familiar tugging sensation behind his navel.
Never having been to Azkaban before, Harry wasn't sure what to expect, but when he hit the ground with a 'thud' and looked around, he was very taken aback at his surroundings. Azkaban prison rested atop an island in the middle of the Baltic Sea. Cliffs surrounded all sides of the island, and if you listened closely you could hear the far off cries of gulls. Harry wondered briefly on how Earth Sirius ever managed to escape from here, but was brought back to his senses by Dumbledore speaking.
"Ok, we go in here," the headmaster said motioning to a fairly large, iron portcullis. Harry and Ron nodded and Harry noted the first signs of light beginning to peek over the horizon. Dumbledore raised the gate with a wave of his wand, and the three of them entered at a quick jog.
"Ron? Harry asked, quickly thinking of something. "I'm just curious, how do you plan on fighting against death eaters in your present state?" Ron turned and gave Harry one of his trademark lop-sided smiles.
"Ye of little faith," Ron said. "Ghosts, much like house-elfs, are granted our own powerful brand of magic when we become what we are. You'll have to wait and see me use it firsthand though, it's very draining to use it." Harry nodded and they traveled on in silence.
There was no resistance as the three of them made their way to the center holding area, which Harry thought was highly suspicious. As they arrived there, they saw Arthur Weasley, Snape, and McGonagal already waiting for them.
"What kept you Albus?" asked McGonagal in a whisper.
"Ms. Granger wanted to give Harry here a proper goodbye just in case anything happens," replied Dumbledore almost lazily. This merited a derisive snort from Snape, but he said nothing. "Come," the headmaster said. "We should get moving. We have a lot of area to cover in a short amount of time, and if I know Tom at all, he will have instructed his death eaters to hold Krum on the bottom floor." The other five people nodded and descended the stairs into the lower dungeons.
It was on the fifth floor when it happened. Harry was starting to wonder when they would encounter death eaters when they were attacked by a dozen or so of Voldemort's servants. Harry's earlier questions of Ron's ability to summon magic were immediately put to rest when the ghost created a shockwave simply by striking the air with his fist in a hammer-like motion that rendered all of the hooded figures unconscious.
"Dear me, Mr. Weasley," McGonagal said eyes wide. "I must say you've developed your skills quite nicely."
"Well someone here made sure that I was fully aware of what I could do," said Ron smiling shyly at Dumbledore.
"I think you'll agree, Ron, that having me inform you of your abilities has already come quite in handy," the headmaster said. With a wave of his wand, the dozen or so death eaters disappeared. "I sent them to Auror headquarters, they should be quite contained there until we can go there to question them." The other two teachers and Mr. Weasley nodded at this, and the six of them proceeded deeper into the depths of the dreaded fortress.
After the surprise attack on the fifth floor, there were no more attacks from death eaters as the five wizards and one witch made their way into the ancient catacombs of the prison. Occasionally they would spot a death eater, and he would be stunned and sent off to Auror Headquarters, just like the others. After a while Harry's legs were beginning to protest their involvement in the rescue mission, but before Harry could think further, Dumbledore spoke.
"There are only two floors left," he said in a whisper. "We need to be ready for battle at any moment." The other five people around him nodded and they continued on in silence. The second to last floor had nothing waiting for them, and they began the final descent to the bottom floor. Dumbledore stopped at the last stair before the bottom and muttered a silencing charm at the air that was the threshold to the bottom floor. He then traced a circle in his palm with his wand.
"Radarus," he muttered, and instantly, about a dozen or more tiny red dots appeared within the circle he had drawn on his hand, along with one blue one. "Viktor's in the last room down this hallway," Dumbledore whispered to the group. "There are ten death eaters guarding the door, and another six waiting to jump on us the moment we set foot out there. Ron, I'll assume you can take care of the initial six?"
"Yeah," Rod whispered nodding.
"Good," replied the headmaster. "After they're dispatched, stay here and keep guard. We don't need to be attacked from both sides while we make our way to Krum's cell." Ron nodded again. "The rest of us, we will surely have to fight our way through to the end of the passageway. We cannot be picky here. Cast to kill." The rest of the group nodded their understanding. "Go now Ron." Ron drifted through the threshold to the bottom floor and immediately six cries of 'Avada Kedavra' could be heard. Each passed through Ron quite harmlessly, and he proceeded to create the shockwave he had used earlier, which knocked his six assailants. Dumbledore quickly sent them away, and the five people on the stairs rushed into the corridor. They were confronted by all ten death eaters about halfway down the hallway.
"Well, well, well," said a cold drawling voice. "Here comes Mr. Potter to save the day." They all stopped at the sight before them. Lucius Malfoy was standing about ten yards in front of them, flanked by the other nine death eaters. Harry thought that Lucius was going to give one of his long, trademark, Malfoy speeches. Apparently the other four with Harry had thought so too, which is why it came as a surprise when the next words out of Lucius' mouth were, "AVADA KEDAVRA!" The group instantly scattered to avoid the spell and the melee began. Dumbledore quickly cast a wall charm that filled the hallway. The spell managed to deflect two of the death eaters' spells and send them back at their casters, klling them, before losing its energy.
Spells flew back in forth, and the intense battle raged for a little over five minutes. Harry had managed to kill two of the death eaters, Arthur got one, McGonagal got one, and Snape had killed two. Dumbledore managed to end his duel with the death eater he was locked with, and Lucius Malfoy found himself surrounded with five wands all pointed at his head.
"You may have won this battle, Dumbledore, but you-"
"Haven't won the war, yeah we've all heard that one before," said Harry with a cold glare in his eyes. "As I seem to remember, every time I've heard that there's always been a body count that consisted solely of death eaters."
"You must've forgotten about your little Hogsmeade episode then," Lucius said with a sickening smile. Harry made to move forward but Dumbledore spoke.
"He's not worth killing, Harry."
"Like hell he isn't," said the boy, his rage filling him. "He deserves to die just like Bellatrix did."
"As much I'd like to," began Malfoy. "I can't stay and chat. I unfortunately have more pressing matters to attend to. I'll give my Lord your regards, Severus. Maxus Transpormarre!" With that he was gone.
"Damnit!" yelled Harry. "How the hell could we let him escape?"
"Harry," Dumbledore said warmly. "I could've stopped him if I had wanted to, but I daresay he's more use to us alive for the moment." The other four looked at him questioningly.
"What did you do to him Albus?" McGonagal asked.
"Not here," the headmaster replied. "When we are back at headquarters. Harry, perhaps you would like to go get our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher back?" Harry nodded and set off down the hallway towards the door at the end. He got a few steps before he stopped and looked back.
"Headmaster?" he called. Dumbledore looked up at him. "Is it wise for me to go in there alone? What if there are more death eaters waiting?" The headmaster looked at the hand that he had drawn the circle on. The blue dot was still there, but there were no longer any red dots.
"There's no one except Krum there, Harry. I've been using a continuous anti-displacement charm that will prevent anyone from coming down here while we are here. You'll be fine. Besides, it should be you who gets him. After all, if you hadn't had your dream, he might be dead," Dumbledore finished. Harry nodded and continued down the corridor.
Upon reaching the end of the hallway, he found himself standing in front of a large oak door. He pulled out his wand, whispered 'alohomora', and the door unlocked itself. Not entirely knowing what to expect, Harry swung the door inward. The scene that met his eyes shocked him. There were old torture devices that Harry had never seen before, along with ones he had. There was a rack in the near corner, along with some sort of pommel horse shaped in the form of a triangle with dead weights on either side, Harry guess, to attach to the ankles of the victim in order to pull them down harder onto the top of the triangle. There were also several clubs with blunt spikes on them, along with chains that appeared to be made for hanging people from their feet. Various weapons were scattered on the floor, including whips, knives, bats, hammers, any and every crude and torturous item one could think of.
Harry stood still for a moment then saw who he was looking for. Krum was hanging from his wrists on the far wall, unconscious. He had definitely been tortured in the old muggle fashion. Whips stained with fresh blood lay on the ground below him. Harry saw in the faint glow of torches that Krum was bleeding from his forehead; several cuts had been made there. Harry ran forward and quickly unlocked the shackles holding Krum there with a wave of his wand. Krum fell to the floor limp.
"HE'S INJURED!!" Harry bellowed back into the corridor. Quickly he checked for a pulse, and finding one, he pointed his wand at Krum's chest. "Ennervate." Nothing happened. Wondering what was going on, Harry tried again, but the spell failed once more. Dumbledore came into the room and knelt next to Harry. "I tried ennervating him, but it didn't work," Harry said quickly.
"He was probably knocked unconscious from the pain they inflicted on him," Dumbledore said quietly. "He hasn't been stunned, ennervate won't wake him. Hydrus." A fountain of water streamed out of the headmaster's wand and struck Krum in the face. After a few seconds he shook his head slightly and opened his eyes.
"Albus? Harry?" he asked wearily. "Vat happened?"
"You were tortured Viktor," Dumbledore replied. Krum's eyes grew wide as he realized where he was.
"Vere are the death eaters?"
"Some are dead, the others were captured. Only Lucius got away." Krum spat blood and wiped his mouth.
"Do you think we should take him to St. Mungo's professor?" asked Harry.
"Yes, you can take a portkey there."
"You're not coming with us?" asked Harry incredulously.
"I need to clean up the mess we made here," replied Dumbledore in a bored tone. He removed a scrap piece of parchment and muttered 'portus'. It glowed the usual blue before settling back to its original color. Harry took it and held it out for Krum.
"Vill you be ok professor?" asked the battered seeker.
"I'll be fine, now get going, you need to be attended to," replied the headmaster standing up. Krum touched the parchment and they were off.
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Harry was in the waiting room in one of the wards at St. Mungo's. Krum had been admitted about two hours ago, and Harry still hadn't heard anything. The healer that took Krum said he would be ok, but that they may need to do some emergency healing in case his inner organs had been damaged. Harry was just starting to close his eyes when he was hit hard in the chest by something. Looking down he saw the all too familiar bushy hair buried in his robes.
"I'm ok Hermione," he said regaining his breath.
"I know," she said, tears running down her face. "Dumbledore just came back and gave me a portkey here. He said he'd be along any minute. I just......I just...." her voice trailed off.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked lifting her chin so he could meet her gaze.
"Oh Harry I was just so scared," she said crying again. "When you got attacked on the fifth floor, I thought for sure that....that something bad was going to happen."
"Oh," was Harry's response, remembering the charm Hermione had cast earlier. "You saw everything?" he asked, suddenly a little nervous. Hermione nodded into his chest. Harry was about to say something, but just then Dumbledore walked into the room flanked by Snape and McGonagal.
"Ah Harry, how are you feeling?" asked the headmaster, his twinkle having returned.
"Pretty good actually," admitted Harry. "I'm just glad I could help for once."
"Indeed," said Dumbledore. "I daresay you must be tired though, would you like to go back to headquarters?"
"I'd actually like to know how Viktor is doing first," said Harry. Hermione hugged him even tighter at this, and his headmaster smiled.
"Your resolve is admirable, but I guarantee you that Viktor will be fine. He may be unreachable for several more hours though, so I suggest you get some rest, and I will let you know when you may visit him." Harry had learned long ago from Hermione that there was no point in arguing logic, so he gave in to Dumbledore's argument, and a few moments later found himself being tugged back to Number 12, Grimmauld Place from a spot behind his navel.
He and Hermione landed in the kitchen with a thud and after got up and dusted themselves off.
"I'm getting sick of portkey travel," Harry commented. "I've done it three times today and-" he was cut off by Hermione rushing over to him and pulled him into an emotional kiss.
"I was so scared," she said. "I didn't even know Ron could do that-that shockwave thing. If it weren't for him...." her voice trailed off, and Harry could tell how serious Hermione thought the situation was, given that she had admitted she didn't know something, which was very rare for her.
"Come on," he said. "Let's go upstairs." Hermione nodded and the two of them walked up to Harry's room in each other's embrace.
Entering Harry's room, they both flopped down on the bed without bothering to get undressed. Hermione immediately cuddled up to Harry and sighed with content.
"I wish we could be like this forever, with no problems to deal with, with no people to answer to," she said. Harry ran his hand through her hair and smiled a sad smile.
"You think I don't?" he asked.
"I know. You don't deserve this Harry. Tonight only furthered that truth. You walked into that chamber and I screamed. I looked away from the projection and buried my head in my hands. I couldn't bear to watch that. Yet you continue to let yourself be burdened with such horrors."
"I do it because it's what I'm meant to do," Harry sighed. "If I can't face these things now, how will I be able to face Voldemort?"
"I know," she said. "I'm just saying you don't deserve it."
"Well I have you for support," he said smiling. "You don't know how much that means to me." A tear rolled down Hermione's cheek and Harry brushed it away with his thumb.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," she said, crying softly. "You're just too amazing. You'd give your assistance to anyone who asked you for it, and you ask for nothing in return. All I've ever heard you ask for is just to live a normal life, and you can't even have that. It's just not fair."
"I know," Harry said. "But it's my fate."
"It shouldn't be. You've already given the world so much. You've given me so much." Harry hugged her closer.
"I wouldn't have been able to get through any of it without you," he said with a smile. Hermione cried harder into the crook of Harry's neck.
"I couldn't believe your reaction when Krum appeared in the kitchen last night (it was now early afternoon). When he hugged I thought for sure you were going to be jealous or furious.
"With all due respect, that's something Ron would do," Harry said. "I trust you Hermione. I know you wouldn't have given yourself to someone whom you didn't love with every strand of energy you have. I trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone in my life." Hermione only continued to cry.
"I love you so much," she sobbed. Harry pulled her head out of his shoulder so he could look at her.
"You know something?" he asked. Hermione shook her head slightly. "I don't think I could even see myself with anyone except you." He leaned in and kissed her softy. "And I promise you, that if we both survive this war, the first thing I'm doing is making you my wife." Hermione looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"You mean that?" she asked.
"I would never lie to you," he said. "I love you too damn much."
That afternoon, as Harry fell asleep next to Hermione, he felt something he had never felt in his entire life. He hadn't felt it at the Dursley's, and although he said he did, he never really felt it at Hogwarts. There, as he lay in the embrace of the only woman he knew he would ever love, Harry finally, at long last, felt at home.
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Sorry guys, I couldn't help it, I had to write a nice ending to this chapter. HEY YOU SHOULD BE THANKING ME! Lol, after leaving those cliffhangers, I decided to finish this chapter on a lighter note. Oh right, REVIEW!!! I like reviews, they're nice :)
Oh, and what's everyone's opinion on the title of the sixth book? It was released on jkrowling.com a few days ago, if you're smart enough to find it. Those of you who need help, or just want to know the name if you can't figure the door out, review and I may tell you :) Lol, blackmail is fun.
REVIEW YOU SNEEDS!