AN: Here is chapter twelve. Comments are always welcome. Let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter except for the beautiful posters on my wall.
Chapter Twelve: Face Off
The familiar tugging behind the naval told Hermione she was on her way to her destination. When she landed on the grassy knoll above the Weasley house she smiled grimly and made her way down to the snug little home. She let herself into the front door calling out to Mrs. Weasley as she placed her coat on the rack. She found Molly Weasley in the kitchen reading the paper and stirring a pot of something wonderful smelling on the stove; she looked up at the intrusion and smiled warmly.
"Hermione dear, how are you?" She got up to hug the young girl tenderly, her eyes searching the room for something. "Where's Harry?" she inquired.
Hermiones' head lowered and she let out a sigh. Realizing immediately why Harry wasn't there with her, Molly gasped and hugged Hermione even tighter.
"Oh dear, when did he leave?" Molly asked choking back tears at the thought of losing another so close to her.
"Early this morning, I didn't even get to see him before he left." She let out a nervous laugh. "I guess I will just have to wait for him to return." She shrugged letting out what faith she had left.
Molly smiled at the girl and steered her over to the kitchen table. After sitting her down she bustled around the kitchen for a minute then came back with a steaming cup of tea. Hermione thanked her graciously and began sipping at the tea gently.
"Have you come to talk to Ron?" Molly prodded with ease.
Hermione nodded her head. "I did have some things I needed to talk to him about. Some things I need to get off my chest." She smiled half heartedly before setting the cup down and standing up. "I better go do it before I lose my nerve. Thank you for the tea." She smiled and kisses Molly on the cheek gently.
Molly watched her walk out the door, her heart automatically going out to the young girl who would have her whole world destroyed if she lost yet another. A single tear slipped down her cheek as she tidied up the kitchen some.
Hermione made her way towards Rons' grave slowly, taking the time to look at the beauty of the Weasley estate. Memories came flooding back to her, memories of a time when everyone was happy and young. Instantly Ron was standing in front of her, he was young and handsome as ever. His smile was brilliant and his eyes sparkling, he was holding his new broom and gloating to his older brothers. Then Harry came running around the corner, also holding his broom. His black hair was bouncing as he ran and he struggled to hold his broom and push his glasses back up his nose at the same time.
She smiled as these images flashed out of her mind and she was brought back to the present. Hermione now stood at Ron's grave, staring down at the headstone that bore his name. She smiled as she saw freshly planted flowers on the ground near his burial site. Sitting down on the ground, she settled herself for a nice quite possibly long chat with her best friend.
"Hi Ron…how are you today?" she placed a finger on his headstone and smoothed away some grime. "Yeah that's what I thought." She snickered to herself. "Anyway, I need to talk to you…about Harry."
Just then the wind changed and it was almost as if it were Ron himself giving a great sigh and settling in for a long talk. Hermione smiled to him.
"He's gone Ron. Harry left this morning, he left to face his destiny." She gave a great laugh. "Now how stupid does that sound? But it's true." Her smile faded slightly. "Ron what if he doesn't come back? I can't bare the thought of losing my other boy." She began to get choked up, her tears threatening to come. "I love him Ron, more than I can ever even express to you. He is everything to me." A bright pink blush was spreading over her face now. "Last night, it was wonderful." She looked at the grave. "We made love for the first time Ron. It was everything I had ever dreamed it would be. He was soft and gentle. I just can't believe that such a beautiful night was followed by such a heart wrenching morning." The tears now spilled over and onto her face. "He didn't even say good bye. What if I never see him again and he didn't even say good bye?"
For a moment she sat there on the ground in silence, tears falling from her eyes. She was sure what to say next, there was only so much you could say to a headstone after all. When she was just about to stand up and leave, she heard a familiar voice call her name. She turned around and faced the house and gasped. Ron stood right there in front of her with a smile plastered on his face. He was quite obviously a ghostly visage, but she was happy to see him nonetheless.
"`Ello there `Mione." Ron said in his usual cheerful voice. Hearing it after so long was blissful to Hermiones ears.
"Hello Ron." She smiled at him. "Kinda awkward with you standing right in front of me." They both let out nervous laughs.
"Well I figured if there was ever a time when you needed a friend, right now was it." He stated matter of factly. Hermione nodded and sat down on the ground again.
"So Harry left eh?" Ron said as he took a seat in front of her. "What a git. You know he always thought he had to do everything on his own. He would never let his friends get in on any of the action." Hermione smiled at Rons dead on description of Harry.
"I know, but he always thinks he is doing what is best for us." Hermione stated.
Ron nodded his head. "Aye but did you ever notice that when the three of us were together, nothing went wrong?" Ron was now staring Hermione directly in the eyes.
"Ron…" Hermione started while still staring at him. "…I'm so sorry for what happened." Ron held up his hand to stop her.
"Hermione, it's over and done with. I know you both love me, and I know that it will never change. I've accepted it, I died accepting it."
She breathed a sigh of relief at his words and smiled at him.
"Now as for you missy, how was it?" Ron asked nonchalantly. It took Hermione a few moments before she realized what he was referring to. She gasped and turned an interesting shade of pink.
"Ronald Weasley! How dare you ask a woman her private affairs!" She said laughing the entire time.
Ron smiled and looked away. "Hermione, I'm glad you are happy. I only hope you stay that way." Hermione nodded.
"As do I."
They sat in silence for quite some time after that, just reveling in the fact that they were actually together, even if just for this moment. Finally Ron broke the silence.
"Do you want my advice `Mione?" He asked her quietly. To his surprise Hermione nodded and waited for him to offer his say.
"Hermione, I suggest going after him. You know what it is going to take to defeat Voldemort, unlike our poor friend. He never was much of a thinker. But without you Hermione, I'm afraid he won't make it."
Hermione stared at Ron, unmoving for quite some time when she finally nodded. She had known from the very beginning what she would need to do but it took Rons words to cement it. She stood up and looked down at Ron.
"Thank you Ron; you truly are a wonderful friend." She blew him a kiss and turned to walk away. Suddenly she stopped and turned to look back at him, but he was already gone. She smiled to herself and then to him. "I love you Ron."
~~
The wind was in his hair as he flew across the country side looking for an adequate place to set his plan in motion. Flying over a quite empty grove he decided that would be perfect. His feet touched ground and he swung his leg over his broom and began walking around surveying the terrain.
He was here. This was it. In a few hours Voldemort would be here, and they would be fighting to the death. He tried not to think about that this could very possibly be his last day alive. Since Ron's death, dying had begun to scare him. The more he thought about it, he didn't want to leave this world, he had too much to keep him here.
Finding a nice grassy spot under a tree he sat down and waited. Random things would pop into his head, but mostly they were about Hermione, about last night. She was absolutely perfect and understanding as he came to her; it was obvious that was what she needed also. They both came together searching for something to keep the other with them forever. He believed they had found it. Making love with Hermione was the one thing that had kept him from running away. When they performed that act of such utter trust and love, he knew that she wouldn't run away, so why should he? He knew she was with him now and forever, no matter the outcome of this fight.
His eyes scanned the open grove, searching for any signs of movement. There was nothing but silence. He was a bit tired, but didn't dare close his eyes even for a minute. So he sat with his eyes open in complete silence, waiting…
After about thirty minutes Harry could feel his eyes becoming heavy and finally close. Ron was there, in his dream. He was there glaring at Harry and yelling at him to wake up. Harry was performing is usual act of ignoring Ron whenever he was telling him to wake up. Suddenly Harry felt a thump against the side of his head, and his eyes shot open.
"Oy, Harry it's about time you woke up."
Ron was standing directly in front of Harry now and mischievous grin plastered to his face. Harry was flabbergasted to see his best friend standing in front of him.
"Ron…what are you doing here?" Harry managed to get out in his surprised state.
Ron grinned again and answered quite easily. "It's going to take more than you and Hermione to beat Voldemort."
First Harry had been concentrating on the fact that Ron had actually said Voldemort, and then his thoughts switched to what he actually said.
"Hermione is back at Hogwarts. She isn't here." Harry stated.
Ron grinned. "That's what you think mate. She's coming."
Right at that moment Harry saw a broom zoom over the horizon and dive towards the ground. The landing wasn't graceful but it managed not to crash on the way down. He saw Hermione leap gratefully off the broom and begin walking towards the two boys. Harry at first felt extreme anger that she was there, this was his fight, she didn't have any need to be there; but then the anger turned to joy at the thought of her fighting along side him. He rushed towards her and enveloped her in a hug.
"What are you doing here? Are you insane?" he asked into her hair as he hugged her.
She squeezed him tightly. "You are going to need me for this fight pal." He looked down at her.
"Oh am I?"
She smiled and nodded. "I know how to defeat Voldemort."
~~
Dumbledore paced the floor of the secret headquarters in the dungeons of Hogwarts with Lupin and Tonks right behind him.
"Hermione left a few hours ago to assist him, Headmaster." Lupin said soothingly.
Dumbledore nodded his head acknowledging that he heard what Remus had said, but continued pacing.
"Ms. Granger knows what she is doing; she knows what she has to do. And I believe Mr. Weasley is there also." Dumbledore spoke to no one in particular.
Lupin and Tonks both looked at one another curiously. "Mr. Weasley? As in Arthur?"
The headmaster shook his head. "As in Ronald Weasley."
Neither of the officers questioned the headmaster but they sent more curious looks to one another at the mention of the dead boy.
~~
The Trio sat around a fire warming themselves as they waited for the final hour. They were enjoying swapping old stories of their pasts and just reveling in the fact that they were once again whole.
Hermione smiled to Ron as she placed her tired head on Harrys' shoulders, his arm wrapped protectively around her.
"We've missed you Ron." Hermione spoke huskily her voice full of emotion. Harry nodded in accordance.
Ron smiled at his two best friends and bowed his head. "I have missed you also, though I may see you whenever I wish."
The three friends smiled at each other and soon silence overtook the entire area. The only sound to be heard was the steady beating of hearts as they all waited.
"You two will be great." Ron spoke unexpectedly and the other two looked at him with awe. "In the future, you two will be respected among your peers."
Harry had a smile on his face, as if he knew as long as Hermione was beside him he would always be great. But Hermione had a look of utter confusion on her face.
"Ron…have you seen us? In the future?" Hermione squeaked out. Ron beamed at her and was about to open his mouth to give her his answer when there was a slight rumbling of the ground. All three of the teenagers looked at one another and instantly jumped to their feet, wands in hand.
"Harry! What's happening?" Hermione spoke as Harry instinctively placed himself in front of her, and Ron took his place next to her.
"I'm not sure, but I think he might be here." Harry said his voice confident as he spoke.
The trees and bushes in front of them begin to tremble almost with fear; the ground shook and the fire blew out. They stood in utter darkness waiting for what they knew would come.
Hermione grabbed Harry's free arm and held tightly. "Harry…" Was all she managed to get out before a bright jet of purple light flew past their heads and into a nearby tree causing it to explode instantly. Hermione screamed and dove for the ground, Harry threw himself on top of her, shielding her from falling debris. Ron stood his ground, knowing that nothing could hurt him. His eyes scanned the bushes and trees and found a few singed leaves where the spell had come from. Harry and Hermione were now on their feet following Ron.
"Come on out you bloody coward!" Harry screamed at the top of his lungs. They sat waiting for Voldemort to come out, but nothing happened for quite some time. Finally after a few moments of waiting, all three of them heard the low cackling of an insane man. His voice was hoarse and deep; and from the shadows they could see the red glow of his fierce eyes. Hermione gasped and backed away as the eyes got higher and higher, then began coming towards them slowly. Finally he emerged from the bush; his skinny frame clothed in black robes with hints of green all over them; his black hair hung tangled and limp around his face. A hint of a smile was showing as he looked at Harry.
"Finally, I have you here boy." He looked to Hermione and Ron. "I see you brought your lackey's. Well that's fine, I will just dispose of them…" He looked to Ron and noticed his transparency, and smiled. "…dispose of her first then." He pointed to Hermione, his finger long and snarled.
Harry glared at Voldemort. "You will have to go through me first Voldemort." He took a step closer. "And I will not go down easily."
Their eyes locked and for a split second they could see into each other. Harry pointed his wand and just in time to yell the disarm spell as Voldemort shot another jet of purple at him. Voldemort staggered back a bit but regained his balance quickly.
"Its going to take more than a disarm spell to ruin me boy!" Voldemort said to him.
Harry placed himself in front of Hermione once again and stood his ground. "Then I will just have to make the extra effort wont I? Because tonight is going to be the last night of your life. I guarantee it." He threatened menacingly.
Hermione grabbed onto the back of his shirt and tightened her hold on him. The last thing she wanted right now was to lose another loved one. Ron was right next to her with his wand drawn and poised at Voldemort; though he knew he could do nothing to him, it made him feel better to know there was another bit of magic focused on him.
"Very well Potter. I have a proposition to make you." Voldemort spoke very professionally. Harry arched an eyebrow at him suspiciously and nodded his head. Voldemort went on. "I let those two leave…alive…and you and I battle…to the death."
Harry could feel Hermiones' grasp on his shirt tighten even more at the thought of leaving him. Ignoring it, he stepped forward and nodded his head.
Voldemort also nodded his head. "They have five minutes to get out of here before I kill all of you."
Harry then turned to his two loyal friends with a solemn expression plastered on his face.
"Go." He spoke mostly to Hermione. Tears were shining in her eyes as she heard that one word; she shook her head in defiance.
"No, Harry, you need me here. I need to be here with you." Hermione pleaded. Ron nodded his head along with her.
"Hermione is right Harry, you need your friends for this battle otherwise we wouldn't be here."
Harry shook his head. "I would love for you to stay here. But…he will kill you if you stay. Please just go. Go back to Hogwarts. You will be safe there."
"Safe until Voldemort sends his goons to come and kill us all. Harry are you even thinking?" Hermiones' voice rose slightly.
"NO! Hermione, Ron, you both need to go now. The clock is ticking and I don't want to lose you completely. Please go." Harry was now pleading with them.
Hermione sighed and hung her head. "Alright." She then stood on her tip toes and kissed Harry on the lips briefly. "Just know…it will be love that defeats Voldemort. You have that power…use it against him." And with that she walked away with Ron trailing behind her, neither of them looking back.
Harry turned back around to face Voldemort who wore a sneer on his face.
"Let's get this over with Voldemort."
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