A/n: Well this is going to be a fic I will finish…I was an inspiration from the movie Ladder 49, and no its nothing like Ladder 49 for those who have seen it… I would really like the review for this chapter and your thoughts on what you think might happen.
One way or the Other
Chapter 1- Sweet goodbyes
It was early October during Harry's seventh year. His final year had so many things happening for him and so many more things to come. For three years Harry has been hearing about the war. Hopefully the war to finally end it all; Voldemorte and his death eaters were growing by the days and lives were being taken rapidly. Harry was always on the lookout for himself and for his friends. Hopefully, as everyone hoped, that it would end soon.
There was such a change in Harry in those three years. His hair was longer with its usual mess and his eyes seemed so dark no longer its emerald color but a deep forest green. A color of age and growth; Quiddtich wasn't his top priority any more, surviving was. One thing that had become a priority though, was Hermione. They had grown a lot closer over the past few years, eventually up to now, they started seeing each other.
Ron had grown too. His hair was a darker red and he become more aware of himself, working well in potions he became top of his class in the subject, something Hermione took to heart. When he discovered Harry and Hermione's blossoming relationship, get dug more into his study of potions. Harry and Hermione also made sure that nothing would break up the famous trio. Harry and Ron still would go on late night hunts to break the rules and Hermione and he still fought like to dogs in a cage of death. Though Ron knew his boundaries now, he knew when to leave them to themselves.
Hermione was still the same as always. Her hair was not as bushy now and her eyes were much darker, along with Harry, so much had gone on that growth was a way of life. Aside from physical changes, she was still the same know-it-all who pressured the boys to do what they had to do. Being head girl this year, Hermione had her own room that her and Harry spent many nights. They would sit in her small but comfortable common room talking, joking around, studying and on may occasions, just sitting there enjoying each others company. Many times Hermione told Harry to sleep in her bed and she would sleep on the couch but Harry wouldn't have it. It was her room and he was happy that she didn't make him walk back to his room at nearly four in the morning.
This morning though, something happened that would change everyone's life forever. It was a long morning for Harry. He went threw potions and then advance Defense Against the Dark Arts. He had been up late last night finishing a six page essay for Transfiguration and he was wiped. He was grateful for lunch, he had slipped breakfast because Hermione in the run she does every morning didn't wake him up when she left. Though he wasn't hungry, he really wanted to get a shower before his next class but he knew that if he had to go back for another round of Defense Against the Dark Arts it would be pointless.
He walked into the great hall and found Ron sitting talking with his sister and reading the mail that had just arrived. He say down picking up his pile that Hedwig had left him and grabbed something to drink. He sorted threw his mail as Hermione came and sat down next to him.
He leaned over and gave her a kiss, "Thanks for waking me up this morning, Snape had a right time with me, now I have to make a draught tonight." He grinned at her as she gave him a Oh-my-God-I'm-So-Sorry look.
"Harry, I'm sorry, you know how I am in the morning."
"That's ok, I'm not mad, besides, I need to get down this draught he wants me to make… it's useful."
Ron looked up from his letter from his father and look at his best friend, "I'll help you with it, a burn draught is really easy sometimes, depending on how much you need to make." Harry gave Ron a grateful look as he grabbed a sandwich from plate in front of him
He picked up a letter and examined it closely, "Hey, I have a letter from the Ministry." Everyone at the table got silent and looked at him. Hermione herself was holding her breath. Harry looked around as he tore the side and pulled out the piece of parchment. He read it finding out why everyone was looking at him so intently. He finished and folded it back up and placed it back in the envelope.
He looked around at everyone as he stood, "I've been drafted. I leave tomorrow." He looked up at the teachers table where Dumbledore was sitting look at him knowing.
Silently Harry walked out of the great hall and to his dorm leaving his friends to look after him. Once he was out of the Hall, Hermione put her head in her hands trying not to get too upset. She knew this was going to happen; it was only a matter of time. Ginny switched her seat to where Harry was and started to comfort Hermione. Ron on the other hand got up and ran out after his friend.
When Ron got to the boys dorm he saw Harry sitting on his bed looking threw his photo album. He approached carefully as he sat on his bed next to Harry's, "You ok mate?"
Harry closed the album and set it on his bedside table. He rubbed his eyes as he looked at Ron, "I'll be fine. I mean, we knew it was coming right." He said it more as a statement than a question.
"Guess I don't have to help you with that draught." He tried to look at the brightside of things.
"Ron, you have to do me a favor…"
"Take care of her, right?" Ron guessed.
"That, and…"
"Don't go if I'm drafted, stay here and work with the Healers." He finished, "I already talked to Dumbledore, I asked if it was a cowards way out of fighting, he said that it wasn't, that I should play my strengths… so… I'm staying here."
Harry nodded as he got up and took all his things out of his trunk; slowly he started packing the things on his list that was provided in his draft letter. Quietly Ron would help him, shrinking things so it would all fit. After about an hour the rest of the guys from the dorm came in. Dean looked at his roommate with sadness, it wasn't supposed to work this way.
"Don't worry Harry, your not the only one who's going. Eddie Roberson of Ravenclaw is going." Neville said.
"Yeah, a lot of other guys were given the letter. So, it's not just you, you know." Seamus added. Harry just nodded closing his trunk.
Ron got up and looked at his friend, "I think Hermione will be waiting for you. I'll um… take this to the common room. I think you should, go see her." Everyone nodded.
"Yeah, I should…" He ran his hand threw his hair, "I'll…well, I guess I'll see you guys then." He said nodding at them, "Ron, remember what I said."
"I will." Ron said giving his best friend a hug. Harry walked out of the dorm room leaving his friends for the past seven years to think.
"He's either going to be the one to end it all or he's a dead man walking." Dean said sadly. Everyone nodded, "Yeah."
Harry walked the halls towards Hermione's private room when Draco Malfoy came around the corner. Harry sighed; he really wasn't in the mood for Malfoy right now. Draco looked up and stopped when he saw Harry, "Looks like you got the letter too." Draco said not even trying to sound sarcastic.
"Look Malfoy, I'm not- What?" Harry looked at him, "You got a letter to?"
"Don't sound so surprised Potter, I may have his blood running threw mine, but I'm not him in the least. I'll tell you one thing…" Draco walked up to Harry and looked him dead in the eye, "Leave me hanging, and I find my way out of trouble, I will kill you. Your not the only one leaving the ones you care about behind." Draco passed him off knocking him in shoulder.
Harry spun around, "I'm not you Malfoy… I may have to fight along side of you, that doesn't mean I'm going to trust you."
Harry continued to walk to Hermione's room. Malfoy, fight along side of him. Oh this didn't seem to be good at all. When he reached Hermione's room he walked in and didn't see her in the common room where she usually would be reading or writing. He walked through the common room and up to her bed room. He thought about knocking until he heard sniffling. He slowly opened the door and snuck inside. He closed the door quietly and looked around. Hermione had closed all her windows so no light was entering and she was crawled up on her bed.
Harry's heart broke, he didn't want to do this to her, he wanted to stay and protect her. How the hell could he do that thousands of miles away? To removed his shoes and crawled in the bed. Leaning over her he planted a soft kiss on her wet cheek. Hermione turned over and grabbed him by his neck holding on like there was no tomorrow. He held her back as she cried.
Hermione cried in his arms for a good hour before she was somewhat calm and just laying his Harry's arms; Harry had his face sunk into her hair drifting off in the sent of her hair.
"Are you scared?" Hermione asked very quietly.
Harry was quiet for a minuet, "Yes, I am scared." He paused, "But not for myself, I'm scared about leaving you here by yourself."
Hermione squeezed him lightly closing her eyes drifting off to sleep. Harry made a move to get up but she clung to him not letting him leave, "Don't go, and just rest with me Harry, please."
"Ok." Harry laid back and closed his eyes and to took a small rest.
When both Harry and Hermione woke it was five o'clock. Harry got up and threw on his shoes and woke up Hermione so they could go down to dinner, "Come on Mione' it's dinner time."
"I don't want to go…" Hermione said.
"Come on, Dumbledore has an announcement to give anyway, everyone has to be there." Harry told her.
"Fine…" Hermione got out of the bed and wiped her face, I look horrible though."
"You as beautiful as always." Harry smiled at her. She smiled at him as she took his hand and they walked to the great hall.
When they entered the great hall it was quiet. Very few were talking and more were tear stricken. Harry and Hermione sat down next to Ron as Dumbledore stood.
"Tonight, is not a night for sadness…" He started as everyone looked at him, "We have many of our young men who are going to be leaving us tomorrow morning. They are leaving these grounds men, men who are going to be fighting for the light of our futures. They are fresh and though, not willing, they are strong." Harry looked around at everyone, fresh tears where forming everywhere, both from the girls and boys, "This will not be the last of our men to leave… but… Hogwarts is going to cease our studies and open our doors for the wounded that have nowhere to go for help. We will be doing our part to help whether it's to help heal the wounded or to stock rooms with what ever might be needed. Everyone will have their part to take in the recuperation of the good. With that, I say that this be the fullest feast we will have! Good luck to our men leaving, you're the first of the few for the future!" Dumbledore sat down as everyone started to clap.
The dinner when off with good conversation and everyone saying their final goodbye's for the night before everyone went back to their dorms. Harry was shaking hands with students he didn't even know and having his picture taken with other guys who were leaving. Colin was snapping away like a strobe light for a memory collogue. When Harry was finally able to get away he found Hermione and together they walked back up to her room for the night.
Half way to the door Harry quickly spun around and swooped Hermione up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way, "Harry, what do you think your doing?"
"Carrying you to your room, what does it look like?" He said giving her a kiss.
"I figured that part out; I just want to know why."
"Because I have wanted to carry you to your room for a while know, I want to get used to the feeling." He grinned.
"Why in Merlin's name do you mean by that?" She asked her mouth hanging open.
"It means, you have to wait to find out." The reached the door and Harry carried her threw and playfully tossed her on the couch. He took his shoes and sweat shirt off and jumped on top of her, "Feeling playful love?" He joked wiggling his eyebrows.
"With the way your acting tonight Harry, you might get further then you plan…" She grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
For a few minuets they kissed until they had to come up for air, "I'm going to miss you, you know that." She said looking at him running her hand along his cheek.
"I'm going to miss you to…"
"Promise me something." She said looking at him seriously.
"Anything." Harry said kissing her again.
"Look after yourself, don't go trying to play hero, you look after yourself first then you can save the rest of the people in the war… ok." She looked at him so seriously you would think she was his mother telling him not to jump in the mud.
"I promise… I come first now…everyone else is second." He said giving her a hug. He seriously hopped he could do that.
Ok so this is a short chapter compared to how I usually write but it's something to work for right. Please tell me what you think of this…I know my grammar sucks but what are you going to do….
Read and Review… =þ
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