AUTHOR NOTE: Hey guys! I know most of you are probably not too pleased with how long it takes me to upload a chapter… and I know how it feels waiting for one, believe me, I do read these fan fics myself, so I know how frustrating it is… but I'm really trying to deliver a chapter worth reading, with real emotion, and that's not always an easy task when I had final exams while writing this chapter.. but I haven't given up on this fan fic.. I love writing it, and I can guarantee you that it shall be finished… I'm thinking that it'll definitely be finished before HBP… or I REALLY hope it will be because I'm eager to start on the sequel… anyways, enough of my babbling, enjoy the chapter… thank you all for your reviews and for being so patient with me =o) it means a lot!
CHAPTER 19
Harry awoke to darkness. He felt a soft warm breath ticking the tiny hairs on his neck with each exhale. An arm trailed across his chest and rested midway. He grinned to himself as he gently turned his head to watch Hermione's peaceful sleeping face. The bright moonlight cast shadows across the covers that lay bunched beneath their tangle of feet, and caused her alluring features to come across as slightly pale; she looked more then beautiful.
Bang
"Arthur!"
"Quiet, quiet, we'll wake the children, I don't want them to see this!"
"Alastor, come quickly, Arthur needs your help!"
"Shh!"
As gently as he could, Harry slipped away from her soft grasp; she gave a sleepy moan and turned her body to face the wall.
Harry tip toed through the door of Ron's room and pressed himself against the wall next to the stairs, leading towards the front door. Taking a deep breath, he carefully peered around the side to see a large number of the Order gathered around Mr. Weasley, who was holding the lifeless body of Severus Snape. His greasy long hair covered his eyes and a portion of his crooked noise; his skin was tinting a shade of blue. Lupin stood with an arm draped over Mr. Weasley's shoulders, looking even more frail and battered then ever before; covered in cuts and bruises and resting his full weight against Arthur.
Harry couldn't help but stumble down the stairs and throw him arms around Lupin's waist.
"What happened?" He mumbled.
Mrs. Weasley gently pried him away from Lupin's weak body and with the support of Mad Eye and Felix, Lupin was lead to the recliner in the living room where they found Ron sleeping on the couch.
"What's going on?" Ron yawned rubbing his eyes.
"Ron, what're you doing sleeping down here?" Mrs. Weasley questioned with a disapproving frown.
Ron made a brief eye contact with Harry causing him to flush scarlet.
"I, uhh,"
"Sorry, it's my fault Mrs. Weasley," Harry paused hoping that everyone wouldn't continue to stare and want more of an explanation; unfortunately they wanted to know more.
Mrs. Weasley placed her hands on her hips.
"Hermione and I were talking… and I…I guess we sort of… got tired… and we fell asleep."
Harry turned Quaffle red and thanked the heavens that Mr. Granger wasn't amongst them; his explanation sounded worse then he had expected.
"Oh… right dear… that's, quite alright." Mrs. Weasley answered with a worried expression.
"Remus, do you think you'll be needing to make a trip to St. Mungo's?" Felix asked while healing some cuts and bruises.
"I… I don't think so," He answered weakly. "Besides… I'm not going back there again."
"You most certainly will Remus… we will not have you as a part of the Order in this condition." Molly stated sternly.
"When did you get out?" Ron questioned before Harry could ask.
"Just… before… Christmas."
"Why didn't anyone tell me?" Harry asked clenching his fists; he was tired of everyone constantly leaving him in the dark.
"Nobody knew dear," Mrs. Weasley said softly.
"Only Dumbledore, Kingsley, Severus, and the hospital knew." Arthur stated patiently.
"Why?" Ron questioned making eye contact with Harry.
"I think we should get back to this another time." Moody suggested in a gruff voice.
"Tell… him, what he… wants to know." Lupin ordered weakly.
"I knew it, I knew it!" Harry yelled pounding a fist on the nearby coffee table. "Snape did it, he attacked you didn't he?"
Lupin shook his head slowly.
"No he didn't Harry," Arthur began indicating for Harry to take a seat.
"What's going on down here?" Hermione asked in a sleepy voice, rubbing her eyes; her bushy wild hair a messy tangle.
"Come and have a seat Hermione, I was just about to explain what happened." Arthur said softly.
Hermione put her wand away, and slumped over to the couch.
"Professor Lupin, are you alright?" She asked when she saw the state he was in.
"I… should… be." He managed to say.
"I think he has a couple of broken ribs, he should be in the hospital." Hermione stated knowingly.
Remus grumbled.
"If you'll let me, I can try and fix them up." Hermione said with a blush.
"Oh, if you could dear, that would be wonderful." Mrs. Weasley answered.
Hermione took out her wand from her jean pocket. When she had fallen asleep with Harry, they hadn't yet changed into their pajamas. With a few flicks of her wand and a careful series of loops, she muttered a spell under her breath and rested the tip of her Vinewood wand against Lupin's chest.
A trail of small, white, glistening sparkles hovered over Lupin's chest before they gently seeped through his torn cloak.
Remus roared in pain, and clung to the arms of the recliner. Moments later the pain had eased and he sat gasping for air.
"I'm sorry Professor. Mending broken ribs is rather painful, and yours must have been crushed quite severely." Hermione stated softly. "You'll need those bandaged, and you'll need proper rest with minimal movement for at least a week."
Remus nodded.
"So what happened?" Hermione asked settling herself next to Harry.
"I was just about to tell Harry that Professor Snape lost his life protecting you both." Mr. Weasley said softly. "I know you all were never fond of Severus, and you did have your reasons, but he never betrayed the Order, nor Dumbledore's trust."
"What do you mean he was protecting us?" Hermione asked lacing her fingers with Harry's.
"We knew your home would need to be put under protection Hermione. Not only for Harry's sake, but for your protection as well. We believe You-Know-Who, would go to great lengths to lure Harry into a battle… you two have grown rather fond of one another, he knows this, and so do his followers."
"Harry wouldn't,"
"Awh, but he already has Hermione, if Alastor hadn't found Harry in time, they would have captured him and taken him away."
Hermione lowered her gaze to the floor.
Molly sniffled.
"You can't protect me forever… I'm going to have to face him." Harry said quietly.
Hermione didn't look up, she lowered her head further and tilted it away from Harry. A single tear escaped her cinnamon brown eyes and streamed down her porcelain cheek.
Harry saw the hurt in her captivating eyes, he saw her pain through the single tear that slowly drifted down her pretty face; it grabbed and twisted his heart seeing her frightened, seeing her worried.
He cupped her soft face with his free hand and brought her eyes to confront his. With his thumb, he wiped the gliding tear from her pale cheek.
"Don't cry Hermione… please."
Molly drifted next to Hermione, handing her a tissue and rubbing her back in a soothing way.
"Everything will be alright somehow dear." She said gently.
"Please continue Mr. Weasley." Harry insisted giving Hermione's hand a comforting squeeze.
Ron shifted in his seat. "What happened to Snape?" he asked, watching Hermione carefully.
"Kingsley and Professor Snape were assigned to watch over Hermione and Harry over the Christmas holiday."
"He didn't do a very good job did he?" Harry spat through gritted teeth.
Mr. Weasley ignored Harry's comment and continued.
"However, Remus was just being released from the hospital and insisted on being a part of your protection." He said facing Harry and Hermione. "Kingsley was assigned to a different position, and Severus stayed to assist Remus."
"Why him?" Ron asked with a frown.
"Because… Severus insisted on guarding you both."
"Clever plan," Harry muttered. "Pretend to protect me, attack Lupin, and then take me to his filthy leader!"
"He did… no such thing Harry." Lupin stated slowly. "We were both…fighting off the Death Eaters… that were attacking you and Hermione."
"When Remus was hit, Severus took him to safety and attempted to fight off the Death Eaters alone, trying to give you both time to escape." Arthur continued. "It seems he was eventually hit with the Avada Kedavra curse… Moody had gone to inspect the damage at Hogsmead, and luckily got to you just in time Harry, and I had gone to see how Lupin and Severus were holding up, and found your father," Arthur said directly to Hermione. "looking for you both… so, I brought Mr. Granger here and was informed you both were safe, then I went looking for Remus and Severus."
"Bloody hell… who would have thought, Snape was really trying to help us all these years." Ron said glumly.
Harry nodded while Hermione sat stiffly next to him.
"What happened at Hogsmead?" She questioned.
"That I don't know." Mr. Weasley said, looking around to see if anyone else knew the answer.
"It's simple enough," Felix stated. "Death Eaters… they're trying to get to Hogwarts. Albus drove them off eventually, while most of us tried to get people to safety."
"How many casualties Felix?" Molly asked sadly.
"We don't know yet Molly, it should be in the Prophet tomorrow."
"Where is Professor Dumbledore?" Ron asked.
"Still fighting I'd imagine." Moody answered.
"Actually Alastor, I've come to have a word with the Order." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he stepped through the blaze of green flames in the fireplace.
"Albus, Severus is,"
Dumbledore held up a hand.
"I know Molly." He said with a sad tone to his voice. "Remus, how are you feeling?"
"Not… too bad…Hermione fixed me up… quite well." Lupin answered giving Hermione a grin.
"Awh yes, Miss Granger… never does she fail to impress me." Dumbledore stated with tired twinkling blue eyes.
Hermione blushed.
"I don't know if I'll be coming back, sir." Hermione said softly, avoiding Harry's eyes. "My dad doesn't want me to go back to Hogwarts."
"That does not take me by surprise," Dumbledore stated gently. "You are also a grown woman now Miss Granger, and are most capable of making your own decisions."
Hermione nodded. "I know."
"Perhaps, a few changes to Hogwarts would put your father at greater ease, I'll have a word with him in the morning… for now, I wish you three," Dumbledore said calmly pointing to Ron, Hermione and Harry. "to get some rest."
"I don't know if we'll sleep sir." Harry answered.
Dumbledore reached into his magnificent robes and pulled out a small flask.
"Molly, would you be so kind as to give these three this sleeping potion?"
"Of course Albus." Mrs. Weasley grinned ushering the trio towards their bedrooms.
"I don't want to sleep alone." Hermione whispered so that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't hear.
"Me either." Harry whispered back. "But there's nothing we can do."
Everyone said their goodnights, crawled into their beds and drank their sleeping potions. They each lay in bed for a few moments, running the entire event through their head; before their eyes grew heavy and fell asleep.
Just before Harry's eyes closed, he moistened his lips, wishing he could taste Hermione's soft lips on his.
*~*~*
"Ginny slide over one seat dear so Harry and Hermione could sit together." Mrs. Weasley instructed while sending a plate of pancakes towards the table with her wand.
"Do they always have to be glued next to each other?" Ginny frowned.
"Ginny." Molly raised an eyebrow.
"Fine…whatever, I don't care."
Hermione and Harry stared at each other for a moment, as if having a private conversation.
"It's alright Mrs. Weasley, Ginny doesn't have to move. We don't have to sit together." Harry stated indicating for Ginny to stay seated at the table.
"Nonsense Harry… Ginny dear, I shouldn't have to ask twice."
Ginny muttered something under her breath, and moved to sit next to Fred.
Hermione watched Ginny for a moment before she turned back to Harry, who shrugged and took Ginny's previous seat at the table.
"Good morning."
"Good morning Trevor, how did you sleep?" Molly asked with a delicate smile.
Hermione frowned.
Harry's eyes widened in an attempt to remind Hermione that she's not suppose to know what was discussed between him and her father.
"Very well… thank you Molly for having us both here." Mr. Granger stated, taking a seat next to a sleepy Ron.
"It's no trouble at all Trevor… we'd like to see you both more often." Mrs. Weasley said happily.
Mr. Granger grinned slightly and placed a few pancakes on his plate before covering them in golden syrup.
"I'm going dad."
Fred and George shoveled the last half of their pancake into their mouth, and scuttled out of the kitchen as quickly as possible.
Ron looked up from his plate with a puzzled look on his face.
"Going where?" Mr. Granger questioned, probably knowing the answer Hermione was about to give him.
"Hogwarts." She answered sternly with a raised eyebrow.
Mr. Granger made eye contact with Harry.
"Harry didn't tell me… I overheard the conversation."
"You saw what your world did to your mother." Trevor stated firmly.
"The magical world is no different then the muggle world, there's murders in each one." Hermione shot back.
Mr. Granger clamped his teeth together. Harry knew there was no argument against what Hermione had said; it was true.
"You're in more danger at Hogwarts… they're out to get you." He said softly, his voice faltering slightly.
"No dad… the non magical world is in more danger then the magical one… Voldemort doesn't care about muggles, he hates them. He doesn't even accept half bloods into his circle… the whole world's in danger."
"You're coming home and that's final." Mr. Granger stated firmly.
Hermione glared at her father.
"I already told you my decision."
Harry shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He wanted nothing more then to escape being caught in the middle of a father, daughter argument. He looked around to where Ron was sitting, and noticed Ron had quietly fled the battle field.
"I'm your father, you'll do as you're told." Mr. Granger ordered raising his voice slightly.
"I'm eighteen years old, I'm an adult… you can't tell me what to do." Hermione stated coldly.
"If you leave now,"
"What, are you kicking me out?"
Mr. Granger stood frozen, his two dark hazel eyes stared into his daughters identical pair.
"It won't make me stay." She said harshly, turning her back on her father and marching out of the kitchen.
Harry took a deep breath before quietly walking past Mr. Granger's slumped form.
"Harry."
He stopped and turned towards Hermione's father, hoping that Mr. Granger wasn't about to ask him to try and persuade Hermione to stay.
"Take care of her… take care of yourself… and tell Hermione I love her."
Harry nodded.
"Harry dear, we're ready to go." Molly called from the front entrance.
"I'm coming Mrs. Weasley." Harry answered. "I'll do everything to protect Hermione… I always have."
"I know." Mr. Granger said gently with a quick smile. "You're a fine young man Harry… now go before you all miss the train."
Harry grinned before making his way to the front entrance of the Weasley's home. Hermione was waiting for him with her arms crossed; she still looked furious.
"Is everyone ready?" Molly questioned.
"Wait… I've forgotten something!" Ginny called just as everyone was ready to pile out the door.
Ron rolled his eyes.
*~*~*
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny made themselves comfortable within a compartment of the brick red train, as it lurched its way past platform nine and three quarters.
"I can't believe we won't be riding this thing next year." Ron said with a look of longing casting its way across his face.
"I wish I was finished." Ginny confessed.
"You'll take that back next year Ginny." Harry stated pulling Hermione into his arms.
"I'll miss Hogwarts," Hermione began. "but at the same time, I'm glad we're moving on…I mean, there's still so much to learn."
Ron smirked.
"What?" She questioned when Harry grinned at Ron's response.
"Always learning." Ron answered shaking his head.
"I suppose you two will be off getting married?" Ginny directed her question towards Harry and Hermione with a raised eyebrow.
Harry's eyes widened and his heart hammered within his chest. He loved Hermione without a doubt, but marriage? That wasn't an idea he had given any thought to before.
"What?" Harry had managed to say.
"You know… a ring, flowers, a bride and a groom?" Ginny mocked briskly.
Harry glanced towards Hermione; her porcelain cheeks were flushed crimson.
"Oh… well… I suppose, someday." He stuttered avoiding Hermione's eyes.
Ron bit his cheeks to keep himself from bursting out in laughter.
"Oh… well, that's interesting." Ginny stated in a business-like tone.
"What is?" Harry wondered dumbly; looking towards Hermione for support, and found her studying her shoes.
"I just thought you two loved each other." Ginny shrugged.
Harry felt his heart leap into his throat.
"I just assumed you'd both be in a hurry to get hitched… you look so… crazy about one another."
"We are." Hermione stated firmly.
"Okay… if you say so." She shrugged again
"What are you playing at?" Hermione questioned with an unpleasant frown.
"Nothing."
"I have to admit, I thought you two would be married as soon as school was out." Ron said popping a chocolate frog into his mouth.
"What about you and Luna?" Harry asked.
"Me and Luna?" Ron's ears went pink.
"Yeah."
"Oh… well, I don't know Luna as long as you know Hermione."
Harry had to admit Ron had a good point.
"Honestly, love isn't about getting married." Hermione said shaking her head.
"Oh…and you'd know?" Ginny laughed. "what, did you read that from a book?"
Hermione frowned; she had the same look in her eyes when she had hit Draco Malfoy across the face.
Just as the tension was rising within the compartment, the train jerked abruptly. Harry found himself on the floor; his head throbbing wildly from colliding his forehead into the rectangular window; his legs felt numb. Pushing himself up on his elbows, he found Ron's lanky, but tall form sprawled across his shins. Harry's emerald eyes darted around the room for Hermione; instead he found Ginny. She was standing near the sliding glass door with her wand out.
"Where's Hermione?" He questioned with a note of panic. "What's going on?"
"You and Ron got knocked out. I was told to watch you, while Hermione went to investigate."
"You let her?" Harry asked angrily, heaving Ron off his legs.
"She's older, and she's Head Girl… I sort of had no choice. Besides, she wanted me to protect you two."
"You stay here with Ron, I'm going after her." Harry ordered.
"No way, I'm not staying back again." Ginny demanded.
"Ginny,"
"Lets just go… we're wasting time you know."
Harry cursed under his breath and cautiously made his way out of the compartment.
"What do you think is going on?"
"I don't know." Harry whispered, slowly edging his way down the train aisle and shifting his eyes left, right and center.
"Do you think it could be Death Eaters?"
"Ginny,"
"Sorry."
As they made their way towards the front of the train, there were no traces of anyone's presence. It was silent. Too silent.
They'd pass a compartment door.
Empty.
Pass another.
Empty.
With each step forward, the panic would rise just a little more and constrict the vice around Harry's heart.
"It's so… deserted." She mumbled quietly. "Where is everyone?"
Harry didn't answer; the pace in which he was walking became more urgent.
"There she is!"
Harry's head spun around to where Ginny was pointing her wand, and found Hermione in a compartment full of students. He slid the door open in a hurry.
"Harry, you're awake!" She exclaimed throwing her arms around him.
A few younger students giggled.
"What happened?" He questioned wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her bushy hair.
"No idea… no ones badly hurt though, and it doesn't seem like there's anyone on the train." Hermione answered.
"How're we going to get back to Hogwarts?" Ginny asked peering out the window.
"We'll apparate of course."
"Ron, they can't apparate." Hermione said indicating the dozen students crowing the compartment.
"Yeah… nice to see you too." Ron mumbled.
CRACK…
CRACK…
"What was that?" Ginny squeaked.
The younger girls clung to one another while the boys removed their wands and prepared to use the little amount of magic they were taught.
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny stood in front of the crowd with their wands ready and incantations swarming through their heads.
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