Two hours later a very determined Hermione Granger sat at her desk eating the sandwich she'd thanked Dobby for profusely only moments before. It Had to be possible. There was just something missing, a piece of the puzzle she just couldn't track down. She threw the book to the desk in frustration and the pages flipped closed one by one before her. She grabbed the book back into her hands and at speed began turning each page, her eyes keenly trained on the bottom right hand corner of each page…she had seen something…There it was! At the bottom of page 99 in tiny lettering were the letters L.P.
Of course Lily would have made the content secret, and there were only so many ways to enchant paper and parchment in this way. Hermione would put money on this book being password protected in much the same way as the Marauders Map. All she had to do was find the password…
"Lily Potter."
"Lily Evans."
"Harry Potter."
"Harry James Potter."
"James Potter."
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
"Godrics Hollow."
"Lord Voldemort."
"Tom Riddle."
"Tom Marvolo Riddle."
"Albus Dumbledore."
An Hour later Hermione was out of ideas. Maybe this wouldn't be as easy as she'd anticipated. Hermione sighed and rested her head on the desk once more. She had exhausted all the most obvious choices, and some she now acknowledged as ridiculous, the list had gone on and on. What would Lily have chosen?
A tentative knock at the Portrait Hole disturbed her, and she shut the book quickly, before moving to open it. She found Harry on the other side, having finally emerged from the Room of Requirement. He looked surprisingly calm yet exhausted.
They sat in cosy armchairs by the fire, the flames reflected in their eyes.
"It's soon then." Hermione finally stated after several minutes of silence.
Harry moved his head very slightly in agreement.
"Sooner than anyone thought." He replied, the sound of his voice almost shocking Hermione, it suddenly seemed like days since they had last spoken.
"Are we ready." Harry turned to look at her before replying.
"We're ready."
Sensing the conversation was now closed Hermione reached across the gap between the armchairs and held her hand out to him. He took it and locked their fingers together lightly. They gazed again at the fire, each focused on their own fight.
After a few minutes Hermione squeezed his hand lightly before withdrawing her own. Harry smiled at her sadly and she smiled back.
"Have a nap. I've got some reading to catch up on. It'll be nice to have some company."
Harry nodded and stretched out in his chair as Hermione retrieved Lily's book and her Defence textbook from the desk and returned to her chair. She reread the information she had jotted down and made further notes on the scraps of parchment as she worked. She lost track of time and when she next looked up from her work, glancing to her right she saw Harry curled up fast asleep. At least he was sleeping peacefully, he was going to need to be rested. The book now lay open on her lap and she picked up her wand to dim the lights slightly, resting her wand on the book after she had done so. She leant back and closed her eyes for a moment before glancing over at Harry once more. She watched the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed evenly, his unruly hair hanging in his eyes. She didn't remember processing the words before they tripped from her tongue softly, but there they were, she had spoken them out loud, and in doing so had forced herself to confront what she had so desperately tried to deny.
"I love you Harry Potter…I love you Harry Potter…" In shock Hermione tore her eyes away from Harry, suddenly worrying irrationally that her words may wake him. She looked down at the book in front of her, and what started as an intense sigh of frustration at being unable to help Harry, turned into a stunned gasp. Where the printed text had once been on page 99 there was now elegant handwriting…
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have unlocked this letter then I must start by thanking you, whoever you may be, for loving my son. Nothing else would have allowed you access to what most probably was my final secret. It's so much harder to write this letter than I had anticipated, not knowing who it is who loves my son so much, not even knowing how old Harry is as you are reading this. I fear he is too young for the burden which will no doubt be upon his shoulders now - it breaks my heart to imagine him growing up without James and I, knowing that we could die any day, but I must stop being so emotional and help in the only way I can think of.
I assume if you have searched this letter out then Albus was indeed right and Riddle has returned, intent on getting his revenge on Harry. Riddle will stop at nothing to hurt Harry as I fear you will have already discovered, but you must do everything you can for `neither can live while the other survives' this is the prophecy or curse which hangs over my darling sons head. He must rid the world of its greatest evil. I have agonised over what the elusive power is which will ensure Harry's safety and I can find only one feasible answer. Riddle is so full of evil and hatred that I fear he has no human left in him. He has rejected all admirable Muggle characteristics passed down through his blood and has no understanding of compassion, or love. James and I told no one of what my research entailed, no one knew of my plans, I have no idea how well the spell worked in the end, but I had to try and I ask you to do the same.
What could kill pure evil? The killing curse is powered by an intense emotion, and surely the only way to fight back would be a stronger emotion. Love is the most powerful of emotions and so I gave Harry all the love I had - all my hopes - all my dreams - all my happy memories - all my feelings for him - almost like a Patronus, I passed to him everything I could in order to protect him. There wasn't a spell - it was a matter of experimentation and hope, but I believe I created a spell composed of ancient magic and muggle thought, capable of giving him temporary protection at most. There are dangers involved and I must apologise for the burden I now place on your shoulders, for, should anything go wrong you will not regain the love you pass magically to Harry, in essence you would be a shell, possibly similar to those pour soulless individuals who have suffered at the hands of the Dementors. I can think of nothing worse, but I must warn you, and give you my support through these words. I believe you can do this if you wish to.
In order to succeed you must obtain something known as `Seers Eye', there is much speculation about this particular ingredient and it is widely condemned as muggle nonsense. For this reason you may have trouble in finding it. There is only one who I trusted enough to find it for me, and who I knew would not let me down - I only hope he is still around to help you. You may know Severus Snape as a Death Eater but I assure you he is to be trusted. I only hope he remains free. My last will and testament protested his innocence in the event of his capture and I must hope my warnings were heeded. If you find him he will help you.
The actual potion is incredibly simple. You must simply add three drops of your own blood to the Seers Eye. An hour after Harry drinks the potion you must place both your hands over his heart, and closing your eyes you must willingly give him every feeling of love, every good emotion, every happy memory, or dream. As long as your mind is open and your heart willing, the transfer will take mere seconds. You will feel a small jolt in your chest; do not be alarmed, this should mean that the spell was successfully completed. That is all.
Harry will need love to speak the words required to end this nightmare. When he uses your power you will be drained considerably and will remain this way until Harry is able to return the power to you by placing his hands over your own heart.
What more can I say - there are not words to express how grateful I am that Harry is with those who love and care for him in our absence. I wish you luck and I thank you. Please pass on the enclosed letter to Harry.
Lily Potter
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hermione sat and looked at the words in front of her tears streaming down her face. Reading Lily's words had touched her, and she ran her finger over the envelope bearing Harry's name which had now appeared on her lap. She placed it carefully in her pocket and took several deep breaths, trying to take everything in. This is what she had been praying for - a way to help Harry. She stood and looked down at Harry sleeping for a moment more before turning and rushing towards the dungeons.
Professor Snape opened his office door and looked at Hermione questioningly.
"Miss. Granger?"
"May I please come in and speak with you Professor?"
Professor Snape opened the door, looking at the Head Girl curiously, closing the door behind them.
"Professor I need `Seers Eye' and I was hoping you'd be able to help me."
The request hung in the air for a moment as surprise registered on Snape's face.
"Someone sent you?"
"I think you know who sent me…they requested it many years ago." Hermione spoke softly, wanting Snape to confirm Lily's letter before revealing anything more.
"Lily." Snape said so softly, Hermione at first thought she had imagined it.
"Lily Evans." Snape repeated again almost to himself before looking up and meeting Hermione's gaze. She nodded and handed over the book.
He didn't take it at first.
"I think you should know why… and know how she thought of you." Hermione said, and Snape at last took the book from her. Sitting silently as he read Lily's words Hermione felt a sense of relief at having shared the letter with someone, despite the irony of feeling relief while seeking help from Severus Snape. The dungeon room was silent for some time as Snape read and Hermione planned, only when he closed the book did she raise her head. Their eyes met and inwardly Hermione sighed with relief.
"You still have it?" She asked anxiously.
"I promised Lily I would." He confirmed, handing the book back to her and with several flicks of his wand he unlocked a cabinet at the back of the office. He returned a moment later holding a vial of grey fluid. He paused before handing it to her.
"You understood the warning - the risks involved?" Hermione nodded, and Snape held the vial out, she took it and placed it carefully in her robes.
"Thank you Professor." He nodded and she turned to leave the room, as she opened the door and stepped over the threshold he called to her.
"Miss Granger?" She turned.
"Yes?"
"…Good Luck." Hermione nodded with a half smile and closed the door before rushing back to Gryffindor Tower where Harry still lay sleeping in the study.
Hermione felt detached from the situation as she watched droplets of blood ooze from the fresh cut on her finger. The wound stung, and she drew a short breath while she carefully counted the three drops into the vial of Seers Eye. Sealing the vial she placed it safely in her pocket again with slightly shaking hands. After quickly healing the cut on her finger she closed the book and placed it in her desk, immediately magically locking the desk so no one could access it. She was beginning to get paranoid, but then again she had good reason…the attack could happen at any moment. She shook her head, trying to bring her mind back to the present, rather than dwelling on what might happen. As she did so, the noises of the castle seemed to come back to her, and she realised that all the other students must be back from Hogsmeade.
She woke Harry by gently shaking his shoulder.
"Hey."
"I thought you might want to wake up a bit before dinner." Hermione spoke, sitting on the arm of the chair. Harry nodded and rubbed a hand sleepily over his eyes before running a hand through his unruly hair.
"Thanks `Mione. Is Ron back yet?" Hermione shook her head. Harry grinned, and Hermione turned to look at him.
"What do you know that I don't?" She asked curiously.
"He was going to tell Luna he loved her." Harry said simply. Hermione grinned back at him.
"About time." Harry chuckled at her response and stretched, yawning.
"Harry?" Hermione asked tentatively. He turned to look at her but she stared into the fire avoiding his eyes.
"What is it?"
"I know this is going to seem ridiculous, but, I'll go ahead anyway. When I was younger my Mum would make me a `magic cure', and old Muggle remedy really, which she called `All Better'. I looked at the possibilities of there being magical properties some time ago and I didn't find any, but still it seems to work to be honest. I, well…I owled her for the instructions and I made some for you. I just want to try and help in any way I can…it can't do any harm…" She trailed off, and after being met by silence she glanced at Harry to check his reaction. He was watching her intently, and he took her hand drawing her to her feet before pulling her into a fiercely tight hug. Hermione hugged him back as hard as she could, and had to fight to blink back the tears that were threatening to fall. As they pulled apart Harry held out his hand for the potion, and Hermione handed it to him silently, watching as he uncorked the vial and drank the potion. Before they could finish their conversation a beaming Ron entered the study, his grin practically falling off his face. Hermione and Harry turned to look at him and Hermione smothered a giggle.
"Good day in Hogsmeade then?" She asked innocently. Ron looked at her before mock glaring at Harry.
"Potter, you really are useless at secrets sometimes! But, yes my dear Miss. Granger it was a wonderful day in Hogsmeade." Ron declared grabbing Hermione around the waist and twirling her around. Harry laughed at Hermione's giggles and shrieks of protest. It was like the old days again,
"Alright you two, ready for some dinner?" Harry asked as Ron put Hermione down.
"Definitely mate. I could eat a Hippogriff." Ron declared, narrowly dodging a playful punch from Hermione for his comment.
"Alright then, lets go." Hermione laughed, linking arms with her two best friends and heading out into the Common Room.
Hermione and Harry re-entered Gryffindor Tower after dinner, so Hermione could collect her `Head Girl folder' as Ron liked to call it before the prefect meeting. As she prepared to leave her study again Harry lightly touched her arm. Hermione turned and waited for him to speak.
"Um, I just wanted to say thanks for before - well, thanks for everything actually…you're always there, and you always make me feel better…I just wanted you to know that." Hermione looked at him and smiled, placing her hands on his chest, and closing her eyes briefly. After a moment of silence, she opened her eyes and looking at them Harry could have sworn they were suddenly a slightly paler shade of brown.
"Anytime Harry." She said softly, hugging him quickly again before smiling at him as she turned to leave the room. Several minutes after she left the room Harry was still standing in the same spot, a feeling of calm had washed over him as she had smiled, and he had seen her eyes sparkle at him. He smiled to himself and sank down into his chair by the fire. As he sat he felt some paper rustle in his pocket. He hadn't remembered putting anything there, and when he withdrew the slightly battered envelope he was surprised to see a note from Hermione taped to the front of it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry, This is for you. They asked me to pass it on to you. It IS real. I've confirmed that. Draw strength from them. I've been doing some research and the killing curse isn't just powered by hate - it can be powered by any emotion strong enough - love being the strongest. Hate can't kill Voldemort, I'm pretty sure of that now, but Love can. It's up to you now.
Love `Mione.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-->