Chapter 11 (The beginning … or is it the End)
The morning sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, creating a golden haze over the Hogwarts grounds. Sun beans shined through the windows breaking in the darkness of the room as Harry lay in his bed wide awake. Birds were beginning to sing but other than their sweet song not a sound could be heard.
He glanced down towards the sleeping figure; Hermione had her head resting against Harry's chest with her arms wrapped round his waist. Harry took this precious time he had to truly study her; she was amazing the most beautiful person he'd ever seem. Her silky hair shone with the colour of bronze in the morning sun. Her face so at peace it was hard to believe that over the last two days they had hardly said a civilised word to each other.
He's eyes glazed over with a mixture of contentment and love as he watched Hermione sleep, she truly was amazing the kindest, cleverest and one of the bravest people he had ever known; there just wasn't enough words to fully describe her.
The memory of the night before resurfaced in his mind and a smile appeared on his lips. She was in love with him; he still couldn't believe it.
Hermione shifted slightly pushing her naked body further into Harry, unable to stop the smile appearing on his face he gently moved one of his arms and brushed away the stray bit of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes.
As Harry's fingers came in contact with Hermione's skin a shiver passed through his body as he felt the smoothness of her skin under his fingers. Slowly her eyelids fluttered open revealing a pair of shimmering cinnamon eyes. At that moment Harry knew that there was no one else in the world that he would rather wake up next to.
"Morning" she said sweetly as she leaned up to him and placed a light kiss on his lips.
"Morning" was all he could reply; Hermione looked so beautiful. Even though her hair was all messy and stuck up at odd angles to him she looked perfect. Her eyes were no longer puffy and red like they had been for so long but were wide open and full of life. Harry leaned down and placed another light kiss to her lips letting them linger there a little longer than before.
"We really should get to work." Hermione told him as she snuggled further in to his body with no intention of moving.
"It's still early, …" Harry told her shifting his body so he was lying on top of her. "We don't have to move just yet?" and before Hermione could reply he'd covered her mouth with his. It wasn't long before the kiss began to heat up and their tongues were duelling for possession.
Time ticked by and dawn became morning and still the two young lovers laid there their naked bodies tangled together. Neither wanting to leave but both knowing that their time together was growing shorter with the final battle so close there was a still lot of work to be done.
Shifting on to his side using his elbow to prop him up, Harry turned to stare into Hermione eyes.
"I love you..." he spoke softly
Hermione smile and lightly kissed his lips, "I love you too."
Hermione felt Harry hand slowly travel up her bare leg over her hip until it rested in the small of her back. Leaning in again there lips met half way in a slow passionate kiss, Hermione let her hands move to rest on Harry's chest as she let the wonderful emotions flow through out her whole body. Every time she kissed Harry was like the first, exciting, thrilling, and full of love. Hermione rolled them over until her body was straddling his hips never once breaking the kiss.
The moment was suddenly broken when a knock came from the door. Signing in frustration Harry leaned his head forward until it was resting on Hermione shoulder.
"Who are we thinking …" Harry asked "Sirius again?"
Hermione let out a small chuckle as she rolled off Harry lying close to his side but before she could say a thing a voice replaced the knock.
"Harry are you in there?" Ron voice called through the door, followed by a few more hard knocks. "Harry … open up!"
Harry and Hermione listened carefully, Ron was not out there alone but the other voices were too quite and they could make out whom they belong to. Harry slowly moved his body reluctantly towards the edge of the bed but before he had got too far Hermione's arms appeared around his waist stopping him in his tracks.
"Do we have to let them know we are here?" A seductive and cheeky smile appearing on her lips
"Harry …" Ron's voice ran through the door once again, sounded even angrier. "I know you're in there."
Unwillingly Harry climbed out of bed and gave Hermione one final kiss before he grabbed his pants. "I better get out there before he knocks the door down."
But before Harry could even finish that sentence they heard the front door in the next room opened with a bang. "Harry!!" Ron's voice drifted through
"Too late!"
Ron pushed the door open with such force that it hit the wall, and made his way in to the room closely followed by Lavender, Draco and Ginny.
"Ron please calm down a little!" asked Lavender but Ron was too worked up to calm down. He couldn't understand why Harry wasn't answering, that's if Harry was there what if he was missing as well. So many thoughts were running through his mind he didn't know if he was coming and or going.
"Calm down, Lav! One person is already missing I'm not going to calm down what if something has …" But before Ron could finish the door to Harry bedroom open and a very topless Harry walked out.
"Hey what's going on?" He asked "What the big rush?"
"What's the big rush?" Ron was pissed Harry could tell. "Why the hell didn't you open the door, or even answer my calls. Do you know how much I was bloody panicking; I … we thought you'd gone missing and you just waltz in here nice and calm …" Ron was beginning to babble
"Missing?" Harry was too confused and turned to Lavender and the other for some help on what Ron was talking about.
"Hermione" Ginny told him
"What about her?" Every one turned to face him with a worried expression on their face. None of them want to tell him the news fearing what his reaction would be. Finally Draco got the nerve and decided to break it to him.
"She's missing …" He told Harry "Ginny went to talk to her this morning and she wasn't in her room, Sirius said he spoke to her last night but apart from that no one has seen her."
"Oh …" Was all Harry could say, not quite sure how to break the news to them that Hermione was only in the next room. "Well you see … Herms is … we kinda…" But still nothing sounded right.
"She's just vanished!" Ginny told for him a little irritated.
"Who's vanished?" Hermione spoke with some urgency from the doorway. She hadn't be able hear the whole story but it sounded important; some one had gone missing. Everyone stared at her and it wasn't until she saw their dazed expression and Harry's blushing face that she realised what had happen. She was standing there in the door way to Harry's bedroom her only clothing the sheet off Harry's bed.
"You have vanished … `had' vanished" Ginny corrected herself.
Silence filled the room for a few second until Draco tried to lighten the situation a little. "So I take it you too sorted things out?" he asked
Whether it was fate or just plain bad luck Harry and Hermione would never know for at that exact moment the door opened again this time revealing no other than Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.
"Any luck with finding …" Sirius began but stopped himself as he saw the situation. "I see you found her"
"Bad timing!" Remus whispered as Harry leaned over the sofa and snatched up his t-shirt that had been discarded there yesterday. "Lavender, Ginny" Remus paused as him and everyone else watched Harry moved around the sofa silently picking up Hermione's clothes from the night before. Snapping back to reality with a cheeky schoolboy grin on his face he continued what he was trying to say "you're needed for the protection spell, they want to begin it straight away."
The two girls now with their own cheeky grins plastered across their face just nodded and made their way towards the door. But before disappearing through the door way Ginny turned around and smiling sweetly called across to Hermione.
"Herms … don't be long we want to hear everything." And with that she was gone. Hermione's cheeks once again had turned a spectacular crimson colour.
"Well …" Hermione began as Harry handed back her clothes. "I'll just go and …" Pointing towards to door as she spoke. "Just get dress and go … help out."
Every one nodded and Hermione was just about to turn and leave when Sirius spoke. "As your still supposed to be missing I suppose … we should go tell the others that your … not." With that he and Remus left.
As the door shut Sirius couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief. Remus and he set off down the hall making there way to the great hall to inform everyone that Hermione was fine.
"Well …" Remus' voice broke the silence. "It's about bloody time."
Sirius just grinned to him. By the looks of things Hermione had listened to him and gone and spoke to Harry.
"What are you grinning at?" Remus asked
"Nothing" he pause but still the grin remain "but your right." He told Remus turning to look at his oldest friend "It IS about bloody time."
As Sirius and Remus left the room the other four just stood in silence, Ron and Draco each having huge smiles on there faces and Harry and Hermione recovering from their blushing cheeks.
"I think I'll go and … go and …" Hermione began as she made her way back to the door of Harry's bedroom, the red glow once gain returning to her cheeks as she caught a glimpse of Ron's face. Without finishing what she was going to say she quickly open the door and escaped in to safety of the room while Harry was left to answer the questions.
Harry moved over the sofa and took a seat while silence fell over the room, next door the faithful sounds of Hermione hurrying to get dress could be heard, with the occasional curse.
Ron looked around the room as he tried to hide the grin, which was plastered across his face but with little success. After the last two days of hell they had finally worked things out and were together. He's eyes landed on the front door the one that he had barged through only a couple of minutes ago; he winced as he saw the damage that he's caused.
"So I take it you two have worked everything out, or should we be expecting another fight later this afternoon?" Ron heard Draco asked. Ron turned away from the front door making himself a mental note to fix it later he listen to hear Harry's reply but before he had a chance to say anything Hermione reappeared out of the bedroom fully dress and looking as respectable as you could after a rather embarrassing start to the day.
"I better go and help them out with the spell." She simply stated while she made her way quickly across the room. Harry by this time was up off the sofa and following her to the door.
Ron watched as his two longest and best friends stood side by side, huddled together whispering. After so many years of watching them deny their feelings for each other it was going to be strange to see them actually together. The two's voices were hushed so Ron was unable to hear what they were saying but after a few seconds Harry leaned in and kissed Hermione one the lips. It was the most passionate, tender kiss that was so filled with love that he began to feel a little uncomfortable witnessing it. It wasn't long before the kiss ended and Hermione left while Harry closed the door behind her.
"I think I'll take that as a yes then." Draco said completely out of the blue, causing Harry and Ron to look at him a little confused.
"A yes to what?" Ron asked not having a clue what he was one about.
"A yes my dear brother-in-law …" Draco paused while turned to face Harry. "A yes to the fact that you two …" he turned to face Harry "sorted everything out."
Harry let out a chuckle "You could say that!"
Harry crashed down onto the wooden and uncomfortable chair in the back of the Hogwarts library. This day was officially one of the worst of his life and that was saying something. What with all the threats from Voldemort, living with the Dursleys, and the whole business with Hermione. Since leaving his room this morning with Draco and Ron this was the first chance he's gotten to sit down. Harry looked up and out of one of the windows and saw that the sun was just beginning to set and for once Harry was welcoming the darkness.
The whole day had been spent getting everything sorted for the final battle now that they were one auror down things were looking even more hopeless; they were 15 against hundreds what chance did they stand.
Harry closed his eyes and felt the warm rays of the dieing sun on his face and he slowly began to relax. At least the protection spell had been finished and was successful, Hermione had helped in the casting and the potion was made and delivered around; no one was getting into the castle! They now had 2 or 3 days left to prepare them selves for the battle, Harry was just looking forward to spending most of that with Hermione. Not much could be done now; all that there was to be done was wait, wait for the end of the world, or possibly the beginning.
Harry shifted on the chair trying to find a better position to sit, of course it would have been easier just to return to his room where their where lovely big soft armchairs but someone was sure to find him there, and right now Harry didn't want to be interrupted, all he wanted was to be left alone; to have a few minutes of peace. So here he was at the back of the library, a place he only usually came to when Hermione would drag him along. A smile appeared on his face as thoughts of Hermione filled his mind; thoughts from all the times they had spent together in school and out, but most of all what was to come for them. What did the future hold for them? Did they have a future? Harry had always told himself to never think to far into the future, for having a life like his it wasn't possible to predict if you were going to be alive the next week. But with Hermione it was different, he found himself thinking about the future and it scared him!
Harry was so caught up in his own thoughts that he never saw the dark figure enter the library and slowly make their way to the back where he was sitting.
"Hiding out I see!"
Harry almost jumped out of his skin as he heard the voice from only a few metres away and quickly sat up opening his eyes just to see the grinning face of he Godfather sitting opposite from him.
"Jesus Christ Sirius what are you trying to do? Give me a heart attack?" He joked as his heartbeat began to slow once again to its steady rhythm.
Sirius just laughed, "You must be tired!"
"Shattered!" was Harry's reply as once again he closed his eyes and raised his feet to rest on the table.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day the great Harry Potter resorted to hiding out in a library."
Harry chuckled to himself but didn't open his eyes. "I don't think I could bare another person asking me whether to do this, or should I do that, do you think this, do you think that." Harry finally opened his eyes and with a bang dropped his feet from the table as he turned to look at his Godfather letting out an exhausted sigh. "Or people stating the bloody obvious, we're out numbered what are we going to do? Do you think we have a chance? There's so many of them compared to us…. blah blah blah."
"I know what you mean," Sirius nodded in agreement. "So … I'm guessing from the little situation me and Remus walked in on this morning you've sorted things out with Hermione?" At the mention of Hermione name Sirius couldn't help but notice how Harry's eyes seemed to light up, come to life almost.
"Yeah … you could say that." Harry looked down at the floor and Sirius could see he was thinking about something. He wasn't having second thoughts was he? Damn he better not be Sirius thought to him self. "Not having doubts are you?"
"What?" Harry looked up in shock "NO!! … No… not having doubts I mean … Hermione's great, the best thing that every happened to me. I love her so much … not having doubts … no not at all." Harry continued to babble on.
"Then what's the matter?"
"Nothing!" Harry looked up at his Godfather and saw that he wasn't buying it for a second. "I scared! That's the problem. I love Hermione with all my heart …"
"But?"
"But I'm scared I'm going to lose her …
"Harry …" Sirius interrupted him before he had a chance to get any further in what he was going to say. "Any one would be scared. With the battle coming closer no one knows what is going to happen, but Hermione is a great witch and she can take care of herself. Not to mention all of us are going to be there as well. Nothing will happen to her … or you."
"I'm not worried about what happens to me!"
"I know your not … but I am and so is Hermione and everyone else for that matter." He knew Harry wasn't worried about himself, as long as he killed Voldemort he wasn't bothered if he lived or die.
"You think we stand a chance?" Harry asked his voice serious. "You think we have a chance at winning; at beating them? Over 100 against 15!"
"I think we stand a bloody good chance."
Harry could help but laugh. "It's not like you to look on the bright side"
"Some one has to too! … No one else is!"
The silence filled the room and the two men just sat there, thinking over what had been said was what was awaiting them just a few days away.
"Do you think it will work?" Harry asked Sirius breaking the silence that had surrounded them.
"Harry I've already told you we have …"
"No …" Harry managed to stop him quickly. "Not the battle I know that! I mean … me and Hermione." Harry took a deep breath as he continued. "Do you think we will work out, that it will last?" He couldn't bring himself to look his Godfather in the eye, to tell the truth he wasn't even sure where the question came from but for some reason he needed to know what Sirius thought.
"Why do you ask?"
"I was just thinking … what if it doesn't work out. What if we break up and she never wants to talk to me again. What if I break her heart? I don't think I could bear for that to happen. I couldn't bear to not have her in my life at all. If this relationship doesn't work out I could lose her as a friend and it scares the hell out of me"
"Harry …" Sirius began but before he could continue the library opened once again and this time Hermione was the one to enter. Knowing exactly where to go she made her way to the back only to be surprised to see Sirius there as well.
As Harry saw Hermione approach them she quickly got up from his seat and met her half way, giving her a small kiss on the lips to say hello.
Sirius watched the exchange between the young couple and couldn't help himself but feel proud of them both, plus being glad that he played a little part in their happiness.
"Well …" Sirius spoke mainly just to remind Harry and Hermione that he was still in the room. Slowly he pushed himself up from his chair and walked the short distance over to them. "I'll be off … leave you to lovebirds alone." And with that be set of towards the door as Harry and Hermione start to blush at his comment.
Harry turned back to Hermione just as Sirius was nearing the door. They had all be so busy during that he hadn't been able to see Hermione all day. First she was helping with the spell, and then he was off training with Dumbledore, next she was helping Poppy and so on and so on; until now.
"Oh and Harry …" Harry snapped out of his day dream completely forgetting that he's Godfather hadn't quite left the room. "Remember what we were just talking about?" he asked. How could he forget? Harry gave a little nod in his direction wondering where he going with this conversation.
Sirius could see the slightly worried look appear on Harry face. "Just wanted to tell you, you don't have to worry about anything …" he paused for only a second before he continue, "Everything is going to be fine!" And with that last word he disappeared out the door leaving them both alone.
"What was all that about?" Hermione asked. Harry turned to face the women he loved and knew instantly that Sirius was right.
"Nothing …" he smiled "nothing at all."
Wormtail sat curled up with fear in the corner his hands shaking so hard he was unable to hold his wand. He hated it when he's master was angry; and right now he was furious.
The Auror Mark had failed in his mission to kidnap the mudblood; ok it was true that Voldemort had no intention of rewarding him or even letting him leave after he'd complete his tasked. But to fail completely was not what his master wanted, and being the one who had to deliver the bad news of course he was punished or their inadequacy
The battle was to take place in 3 days and everything was in place and ready, but Voldemort was counting on having the upper hand; the muggle girl.
Just at that very second the door to his master's room slammed open and Voldemort emerge looking angrier then ever. Wormtail abruptly attempted to get to his feet but before he had a chance Voldemort and hoisted him up by his cloak and shoved him in the direction of the exit.
"Inform everyone we leave tonight." and without another word turned around to retreat back his room.
"Leave Master?"
"Yes leave. The final battle has come …" he paused while an evil grin appeared in his lips. "Tonight my dear Wormtail, Harry will die and I will regain the power I rightfully own."
"But … but Master." Wormtail stuttered "we are not prepared the battle wasn't meant to be for 3 days."
"Are you questioning me?" Voldemort bellowed causing Wormtail to fall to his knees.
"No Master, no no no! I will tell them my Lord we will leave tonight … I will tell them." And with that Wormtail left crawling along the floor still shivering in fear.
Harry leaned forwards and lightly kissed Hermione's neck as he slowly let his lips travel lower running across her collarbone, before they returned to her lips for a passionate kiss. His hands rested gentle on her hips and she leaned up against one of the library tables. It felt like ages since he'd last seen her, lasted kiss her; when really it was only this morning. Once again he's lips began to attack her neck, softly sucking and nibbling her sensitive skin. Harry heard a moan escape her throat as his lips continued their assault.
"How was it with Ginny and Lav?" Harry asked but never once stopping his assault, his hands had now found their way under her shirt and were drawing small circles on her over heated skin.
Hermione had spent most of the day with Lavender and Ginny and after the incident this morning she was sure to be bombarded with questions.
"Don't ask," she purred out as Harry's hands slowly moved from her tummy to her sides; gentle stroking. "Question, after question. I've only just escaped." Hermione lightly shivered at the sensations that Harry's lips and hands were causing inside her and for a brief second thought her knees where going to give out from underneath her. This didn't go un-notice and in one fluid movement Harry had slighted lifted her up so she was now sitting on the table with Harry standing in front of her. His hands had returned to her tummy and were now slowly undoing her shirts buttons.
"Harry …" Hermione's voice sounded distance and weak and for a passing second she thought Harry hadn't heard her till he slightly moaned a reply. "Maybe … we should move this somewhere else … a little more private."
But Harry didn't reply he only continued in what he was doing. Soon all of the buttons were undone and Harry was able to push his hands in and around her middle.
"Harry …"
At this Harry stopped his attack on her neck and their eyes locked. "Hermione we are in the library … apart from you who is going to come in her at this late hour." His eyes tinkled naughtily as he said this.
"You're right" she replied after a few seconds of thought and without warning her hands when around Harry neck pulling him in for a intense fiery kiss which left both of their head spinning.
From there things began to heat up rather quickly, as their tongues battled for dominance there hands worked on removing their clothes and it wasn't long before their shirts were discarded on the floor. Hermione's hands went straight to work on the buckle on Harry's pants while Harry's hands made their way up to the clasp of her bra.
"Harry, Hermione are you in … oh shit!" Ron had walked in at exactly the wrong time.
"RON!!" Hermione shouted and quickly he turned around to face the other way before he saw even move than he already had. "Didn't you think to knock?"
Ron peeked over his shoulder and saw Hermione rebutting her shirt while Harry pulled his t-shirt over his head and began to do up his pants. Judging for himself that they were descent enough he turned around fully. "You are in the library Hermione how was I to know that you where going to be at it on the table." He was angry and rushed and didn't really want to get to a fight with her at this precise point of time. Harry could obviously tell this and before Hermione had a chance to reply to Ron's comment he had grabbed her arms pulling her away from their best friends.
"What is it?"
"It's Voldemort!" Ron face was serious and Hermione immediately stopped her complaining, fear filling her eyes as they waited for Ron to continue.
"He's coming … the battle has begun!"
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