AUTHORS NOTE: Hello fellow readers, I am glad to see that quite a number of you are still here to enjoy my fan fic, despite what's happened in HBP… I thank you all for your kind words and ongoing support through my journey of writing this fan fic. It's turning into a longer fan fic then I had anticipated, and so I leave you with another chapter, knowing that I am steadily working my way to the end…I do not think anyone shall complain that it's longer then I thought it would be right? LOL.. Take Care everyone and I really do love reading your reviews!
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CHAPTER 22
Harry entered the Great Hall for breakfast rather late that morning. He had been having some minor nightmares that seemed to have kept him up for a good portion of the entire night.
His eyes scanned the massive hall for his two best friends before spotting them both sitting near a corner at the front.
Ron sat talking intently to his girlfriend Luna, running his fingers through his smooth red hair; just as Harry had seen his father do in various pictures and during one of his pensieve adventures. He looked happier then Harry had ever seen him, laughing at whatever Luna was saying and playfully trying to tickle her when she was least expecting it. Harry couldn't help but grin at Ron's euphoria, Luna was a perfect match.
He looked to Hermione who yawned deeply while thumbing through one of her many heavy textbooks. She looked just as exhausted as Harry felt, as if she had been up all night studying, which, Harry thought, she probably was.
"Hey Harry, over here mate!" Ron called out after noticing Harry standing near the entrance of the hall.
Hermione looked up and gave him a delicate smile.
If I could wake up everyday and see her look at me that way, I wouldn't ask for anything else in the world. He thought returning the greeting, before walking towards his group of friends.
"Good morning." Hermione said before Harry's lips captured hers in a brief kiss.
He saw her cheeks glow rosy as heads turned to watch them more closely.
"Well good morning beautiful." He whispered softly, feeling particularly flirtatious.
Hermione fixed him with an expression that Harry would have liked to capture in his memory forever, maybe he should be like this more often, he thought holding back a chuckle.
" `Morning Ron… Luna." He stated prying his gaze from Hermione's slightly widened eyes.
"Good morning to you too Harry." Luna answered looking as though someone had just dropped her in an unknown world and Harry was the only person who looked familiar.
"Sit down mate, food's getting cold." Ron said, pulling a large platter of toast over to Harry's empty plate.
Harry ate his breakfast filled with a feeling of satisfaction, before the three friends decided they better get to class.
Hermione curled her arm around Harry's and rested her head at the side of his shoulder as they walked ahead; leaving Ron behind a few paces to say his goodbye's to Luna in privacy.
**
"The art of room concealment is not one many can perform, or at least, perform correctly. It is a difficult, tedious form of transfiguration that involves a great deal of concentration and a fare imagination."
Harry felt a nudge on his right arm.
"What?" He asked Hermione quietly.
"You're not listening; this isn't something Dumbledore's taught you is it?" She muttered under her breath.
"No, of course not, it's not exactly going to be useful in a battle against Voldemort." Harry shot back.
"Leave him be Hermione." Ron added.
"You're not exactly listening either Ron, you need to pass your N.E.W.T's don't you?" She whispered acidly.
Ron shrugged.
"Fred and George are doing fine without them."
"Fred and George have a knack for business." She reminded him.
"I could work for them if I want to." Ron grinned, thinking he had Hermione cornered.
"Oh?... I thought you wanted to become an Auror?"
"Cut it out you two, or there'll be detention for the both of you!"
"Yes Professor." Hermione answered flipping the page of The New Age of Transfiguration, while Ron leaned back comfortably in his chair, relieved at the intervention.
Harry returned to allowing his mind to wander, though he did try and listen to the occasional instruction of Professor Latakin. He didn't think he had much of a chance living through his battle with Voldemort and becoming an Auror, but if he did, Hermione was probably right, something this important would be useful.
Harry glanced around the room.
There was an incredible shortage of students in his classes and during mealtimes at the Great Hall. The usually packed hallways were nearly empty and Harry knew the reason, but it still felt more then awkward. After the Death Eaters attack on Hogsmead, a great number of parents decided to keep their children at home, just as Hermione's father had tried to do.
Harry's eyes fell on the table shared by Draco Malfoy and his close companion Pansy Parkinson.
Empty.
Just like in all of the other classes Harry shared with them, and they weren't present at the Great Hall for meals either. Not that Harry was entirely surprised; their family was involved with Death Eaters after all.
"Will you be giving our lesson a try Mr. Potter?" Professor Latakin questioned.
"Err, yes, well… I suppose." He answered watching Hermione cross her arms.
"Very good, let's see you try it then. Just close your eyes, imagine what you would like this room to look like, preferably a real place, wave your wand in steady swoops and gentle loops and it should just come to life."
Harry closed his eyes and tried to think of a room he could vividly picture in his mind. There were many, most of them from his dreams, and a few from real life occurrences. He doubted very much that it would be a good idea to re-create one of the many rooms from the Department of Mysteries, so he dug a little deeper for the next available thought.
"Come now Mr. Potter, do at least try."
Harry concentrated; he thought about small details, colors and smells. When he opened his eyes, he was quite disappointed and embarrassed to find the room hadn't changed at all.
"Well… that'll need more practice Mr. Potter… care to try then Mr. Weasley?"
Harry felt his heart sink. He hadn't really expected to do the spell properly, he hadn't been paying attention after all, not to mention that more then half the class did just as badly as he had; but foolishly, Harry did hope it would just come naturally, if only to see Hermione's arched eyebrow soften. Her room transfiguration spell was flawless.
**
Home.
Yes this was definitely home to Harry; he welcomed the familiar towering stone walls, the thousands of portraits covering each corner and chattering amongst one another. He welcomed the soggy grounds, dead, but soon to be covered in colorful life provided by the melting rays of spring. He welcomed the bony trees, which resembled twigs that were forced into the rich soil.
The sky darkened with each passing moment while the heavy clouds hovered just above the window; there would be a storm tonight.
Almost on cue, a rumble scattered through the heavens.
"I thought I might find you here."
He shook his head grinning; he knew she would come.
"Did you finish your Arithmancy essay?" He questioned.
Her shoes tapped against the cold floor.
"Nearly."
"Nearly?"
She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Mhmm, I missed you…I'll finish it later."
Harry exaggerated a gasp.
"Hermione Granger…leaving her homework until…later?"
She smacked his shoulder with the back of her hand.
"I am not that bad!"
"No, of course not." He chuckled, bringing her into his arms, and resting his chin gently on the top of her head, as they both faced the window.
The rumbling thunder signaled its presence.
A feeling of emptiness filled him, fear clumped near the base of his Adam's apple.
"Something's going to happen." He stated mindlessly.
It didn't feel like the words came out of his own mouth, they felt foreign.
She stiffened.
"What?" She questioned with noticeable fear.
"I…I don't know, I just… I feel it."
"Harry, nothing's going to happ,"
"No, you don't understand," He paused for a moment watching her frown. He didn't want to continue what he was saying, but felt he had to. "Voldemort…He's angry and… and anxious…he's making me feel…afraid," Harry hung his head. "and alone."
He felt a cold sweat wash over him like a bucket of ice water and he clamped the sides of his head with his hands, as if trying to squeeze it flat.
A shiver traveled up her spine, and suddenly she felt a wave of loneliness crash at the pit of her stomach, fear poisoned her veins, and a bitter laughter erupted in her head.
She clasped her hands over her ears.
Harry's eyes widened and he couldn't help but stare at Hermione's reaction. He forgot how deafening Voldemort's cackle echoed through him.
Hermione screamed, her knees buckled and she fell to the ground trembling on all fours.
The cold laughter stopped as suddenly as it began. The loneliness and empty emotions lifted; Harry found himself next to Hermione comforting her.
"Are… Are you alright?" He asked helplessly rubbing her back.
"Was that?" She questioned, disbelief etched in her tone.
"You, heard it? The… the laughter?"
She nodded.
"Voldemort." He said mindlessly.
"But…But how?"
"I don't know." He answered lifting Hermione to her feet, concern embedded in his bright emerald eyes.
"Has it…Has it always been like that?" She questioned sympathetically.
Harry hesitated for a moment before he nodded.
"This was the first time it's happened Hermione?" He asked.
"Yes… I wouldn't hide something like this from you." She answered.
"You shouldn't hide anything from me." He reminded her gently.
They stood together silent for a moment; the wind stirred the bare trees just outside and whistled loudly as it sneaked through a crack near the bare window.
"I think we should tell Dumbledore." Harry finally said.
"About what just happened?"
"Yes… he should know. Maybe he might even have an answer as to why it's happening." Harry stated.
Hermione looked away from Harry and bit her lower lip.
"You don't want to tell him, do you?" He asked.
"No… not particularly,"
"You've always said," Harry began.
"But we should see Dumbledore whether I like it or not." She finished.
"Right." Harry agreed. "That's what I was going to say."
She gave him a soft, loving smile. Resting her face against the side of Harry's neck, she etched into his arms again.
He felt the tension in his muscles relax; her cinnamon curls intoxicated him, giving him a sense of intense relief.
"Don't ever leave me." She whispered pressing her lips softly against his neck.
Her warm breath sent shivers down his spine.
"I don't want to." He replied feeling his voice falter. "But I don't know what's going to happen Hermione."
"Promise you'll come back to me, no matter what." She whispered again.
A loud crack followed by lightening illuminated Hermione's room momentarily.
"You know I can't do that." He answered holding her tighter in his arms; feeling the hot tears swimming across his eyes.
"I know." She breathed.
A tear escaped her dark chocolate eyes and touched Harry's skin.
"Don't cry." He murmured, bringing her as close to himself as he could.
She wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve.
"Maybe we should get some rest." He said softly, guiding her to the large bed.
"I…I don't think I could sleep." She stated weakly.
"I'll stay with you until you do then." He offered.
"I don't want you staying up on my account."
"It's only fair… you helped me through my nightmares, besides, I'll pull an all nighter with you any day." He grinned.
She gave him a brief smile in return.
"Well if you insist." She said hopefully.
"Oh, I do." He answered throwing himself down on "his" side of the bed.
"Well, I'll be back in a moment then, I'll just get changed."
"Alright, don't be too long, I might just fall asleep." He laughed.
She shook her head and disappeared to her bathroom.
After a while, Harry did start to feel himself begin to nod off, until he heard the distinct click of the bathroom lock and creek of the door.
Harry yawned and stretched himself on the comfortable bed.
"`Bout time." He stated, flipping over to face Hermione.
He felt his jaw drop; his bright eyes frantically searched her again from top to bottom.
Her soft curls tickled her bare shoulders, her dark eyes glistened as they met Harry's, while a delicate blush colored her cheekbones, and a shy grin played across her face. She wore a short, soft, satin nightdress that was in the lightest blue Harry had ever seen. It clung to her slender figure, outlining her body in such a way that made Harry tingle all over.
She made her way to the bed.
Kneeling before him she gently closed his mouth with two fingers, and kissed his lips.
"Oh Merlin." He murmured, sending the deep vibration of his voice through her.
"Mmm." She moaned kissing him with a deeper passion before pulling away gently.
She sat down in Harry's lap facing him. She playfully twirled a loose strand of his jet black hair around her index finger, before Harry leaned in for another soft kiss.
"Your beautiful… you're so beautiful."
"You always say that." She smiled feebly, running her finger along the line of his scar.
"Because you are… I'll never stop saying it." He said pathetically, hoping she understood how much he really did mean what he said.
Still straddling him, she cuddled up into his chest and gave a soft content sigh of relief. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine love to be like fairy tales, but here she was, living and breathing it from day to day. Of course, it wasn't always full of floating hearts, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
Thunder rolled in the near distance followed by a strike of lightening; a heavy drizzle tapped against the glass window on the opposite side of her bedroom.
She felt Harry's fingers weave through her bushy hair, and her eyes steadily grew heavy.
"I love you." He whispered softly.
She didn't hear his silent confession. Her steady intake and outtake of breath revealed that she'd fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep.
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