A/N
Sorry for the long wait my beta-reader has been major busy and I'm not sure my email with my chapters in are getting through … so this hasn't been checked. This mean there will be mistakes.
Hope you enjoy the chapter any way.
Please review and let me know what you think!
P.S. if there is any one who can help beta-reader please leave me your email address.
Thank you
Flea
Chapter 8 (Secrets Revealed)
Hermione had no idea where she was walking or either how long it had been since she'd left Harry in Ron and Lavender's room. Mindless she wondered around Hogwarts endless corridors trying to fit together the pieces of her life. I was amazing how quickly things could change, the final battle was quickly approaching and in less than 2 days her and Harry had gone from friends to lovers to … well she had no idea where their relationship stood at the moment
Hermione glanced down at her watched and saw that dinner had started about half an hour ago, people were going to be
wondering where she was but for once Hermione didn't care. Lavender would just say she was running away from the
problem which wouldn't help her, she need to talk to Harry and sort things out. But that was the problem at the
moment they couldn't even talk because every time they tried with ended up as a fight. So she wasn't at dinner
it wasn't running away she just wasn't hungry; this is what Hermione tried to convince herself but no matter
how hard Hermione tried to tell her head this was the truth deep down in her heart she knew Lavender was right.
Hermione was running, running as fast and as far as she could. She had loved Harry for a long time but never before had
she believed that Harry would return those feelings. Now everything had change, they had slept together, Harry had told
her he loved her; what was she going to do? Was Harry telling the truth? Did he really love her? Or was he just caught
up in the heat of the moment and once the battle is finished he's come to his sense and say he made a mistake.
The battle was coming closer everyone knew this; it was going to be an end to an era and a start of a new one. What was going to happen? How was it going to end? How many people would lose there lives? Could Hermione bare it if she lost Harry? They still had a few days to the battle what if that was all her and Harry had left.
The battle was coming she couldn't change that but she could change this situation and erase all the tension between. Going into that battle angry with each other was not what she wanted to do, their minds would be else where and it was likely to get them killed. But if she told Harry how she felt his mind would be on protecting her and that could still get him killed. Maybe leaving was the best idea, at least then she wouldn't be there to distract Harry. But could she live with her choice if she had chosen to take that portkey. What if Harry was killed and she wasn't there would she be able to live with herself knowing she could of helped; could of saved him. No … Hermione knew no matter what happen she was going to be there, she wasn't leaving Harry to face Voldemort on his own. This was his battle she knew that, but that didn't mean she couldn't help. Hermione knew that no matter what either Harry or Voldemort were going to die, she was going to be there to help … help defeat the greatest dark lord ever or to possible jump in front of a curse if she had to.
But still she couldn't bring her self to talk to Harry …why? She had been his friends for years they had always talked about everything. Harry was in love with her, something she had wanted him to say for years, but why couldn't she tell him back what was stopping her? Where was that Gryffindor bravery she was meant to have? Hermione sat down on the floor with her back against the wall and cried. What if she told him she loved him and he die, could she survive giving her heart and then losing it. Hermione was fighting an endless battle and she knew it, her heart was telling her one thing while her mind said another.
Hermione was so absorbed in her own thoughts and tears that she never saw the figure move in the shadows behind her, their eyes following her closely watching her intently. Everyone was at dinner he could get her now no would know not until they were a long way from the castle. A twisted smile appeared on his face as he thought of the rewards that would be waiting for him when he turned over this girl to his master. He waited in the shadows watching the crying figure in front of him waiting for his moment.
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"Soon Harry … soon!" Voldemort stood once more by the window looking over the vast landscape in the distance
Hogwarts castle stood barely visible in the dark. His plan was working
out and everything was falling into place, his death eaters were preparing things for the battle
in a few days, the battle which would give him ultimatepower and eliminate the thorn which had been in his side for too
many years now. Harry Potter.
Finally after 20 years he had found the key to bringing that boy down! In the past he'd been lucky but soon he was going to need much more than lucky. Everything was planned, they had hardly any fighters and his death eater out numbered them easily and all were willing to die for his cause. Plus with this extra bonus he had the chance to make Harry play for all those times in the past where he had humiliating him.
The Girl was the key, that little mudblood; who would have ever believe that Hermione Granger a little nobody would be the key to destroying the famous Harry potter. Love may have saved him in the past but soon it would be love that would destroy him.
Voldemort couldn't stop the laugh that escape his lips, a laugh that was pure evil. Wormtail scurried into the room
his dirty blonde hair was all over the place and his clothes were tatty and
torn. Voldemort turned as he entered and his smile grew "I trust everything is in place?"
"yes my lord" Wormtail squeaked
Without a reply Voldemort turned back to the window. Soon the little mudblood would be in his
hands and Harry won't have a choice but to give into his demands that's if he wanted the girl to live. It was
just too easy and the look on Harry's face as he kills the mudblood would be priceless one he would always
remember; he couldn't wait.
"Soon Harry … very soon!"
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"Anyone got an idea where Hermione is tonight?" Remus asked from his place at the table.
Harry only dropped his head looking down at his food with sadness showing in his eyes slowly he push the piece of pie around the plate suddenly not feeling very hungry. He had been hoping to see Hermione at dinner maybe even get a chance to talk to her. Things needed to be sorted out and even though Harry had told Hermione they'd talk when she was ready he couldn't wait any longer. With the battle getting closer he didn't want to leave things the way they were, if something happen to her out there he would never forgive himself.
"Chickened out!!" Ginny stated just before she popped another piece of food into her mouth. After chewing for
a few seconds her eyes watched Harry carefully. No one else wanted to admit it but it
was obvious that Hermione hadn't come to dinner because of what was going on between her and Harry.
"She's not going to make the first move, you know that Harry." Ginny told him while everyone else tried
to act like the conversation wasn't happening. Harry still pushing his food around the plate
decided to ignore her. "You know what Hermione's like." But still Harry didn't look up.
"Harry!" Ginny demanded. At her tone of voice Harry raised his eyes to stare at the girl who over
the years had become like a sister to him. He never had to worry about not fitting in at the Weasley, the boys all
treating him like a brother, constantly teasing him, making him feel welcomed and Ginny never hesitating in kicking his
butt and telling him exactly what she thought or if he was acting like an arse. The look of annoyance and determine
which shone in Ginny's eyes was a familiar sight, she was an amazing women and wouldn't let anyone put her down
leaving with 6 brothers had taught her a lot.
"Harry! Are you listening to me?" Ginny watched as he nodded slowly. His eyes no longer shone with life but
look dead, tired, worn out. It nearly broken her heart to see him look so helpless like
he'd already decided it was over. She came to see Harry as a 7th brother and she wasn't going to
let him screw things up with the women he loved. "You have to talk to Hermione, sort things out."
"I've told her we need to talk. It's up to her." Harry replied his eyes leaving hers and returning
to
his plate of uneaten food.
"So that's it!" Ginny was getting very angry now, how could he just leave things the way they were? What was wrong with him? He knew Hermione better than any of them and he knew damn well that there was no way Hermione was going to come to him no mater how much she may want to.
"Yes that's it" Ginny turned to her husband as if to ask for help but all he did was shrug.
"Harry …" Draco began but before he could continue Ginny had done it for him.
"I can't believe you! Its obvious to everyone here how much you two care about each other and
your just going to risk it all cause of a few fights." She had shouted across the table. Draco turned
to her and tried to calm her down but she was having none of it.
"What am I suppose to do? I've tried talking to her I've told her how I feel and she's done nothing. Its up to her now; the ball's in her court." Harry didn't want this now, he'd had enough of Hermione shouting at him over the last few days he didn't need Ginny doing it as well. He should be thinking about the battle, focusing his thoughts but the only thing on his mind was Hermione and what a mess everything was.
"In her court, you know Hermione … you know her better than any one here, you just can't … What?" She
turned angrily to her husband as he tried to get her attention. "You don't agree with
me; tell him he's making a mistake." Draco just watched his wife for a second, he had to admit he
agreed with her but this wasn't the time or the place to have such an argument.
"It's his mistake to make honey," Ginny didn't know what to say she turned and looked at the other people around them; most trying to act invisible but their eyes told her they agree. Getting the point she relaxed a little settling back into her set as a silence filled the great hall. Ginny picked up her drink and took a sip before she placed it back on the table. "You have to sort it out, you can't leave things the way they are." Ginny told him in a much calmer voice than before.
That was all Harry could take pushing back his chair he stood and began to make for the exit with out even saying a word. He knew Ginny was right but what else could he do? He carried on walking not looking back as Ron and Sirius called after him as he reached the door he pushed his way through letting it slam shut behind him.
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From his position in the shadows he had a clear view of his target. She was still sitting of the floor just a few feet away from him with her head in her hands as she continued to cry. If he made his move now he'd take her by complete surprise. He shifted himself closer watching; listening for a sign of any one coming towards them but the corridor was empty and silent. She was all alone or at least that's what she thought.
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"Harry wait up will you." Ron called after his friend and he watched a very angry Harry Potter
storm from the great hall making his way in the direction of his room. "Harry!" He called louder but
still he refused to listen and carried on walking. "Harry"
"What?" Harry turned round with such force Ron was sure he would fall but Harry remained on
two feet staring at him. His eyes shone with anger butt here was a hiding pain within the emerald
depths.
"Look!" Ron told him trying to regain his breathe, "Just ignore Ginny ok she's …"
"Why? She's right isn't she?" Harry stared at Ron waiting for an answer but none came. "Tell me you don't believe what she said in there. Tell me everyone in there doesn't believe that she's right. Tell me it wasn't the truth that I'm not making a mistake in waiting for Hermione to talk to me."
"Harry it's …"
"Because she's right, I am making a mistake I'm throwing everything away and why? Tell me that Ron why?"
"Harry …"
"I told her everything Ron, I told her how much she meant to me, how much I loved … Jesus Christ I told her I would die for her and it was the truth and do you know what she said?"
"Harry …"
"Nothing she said nothing! She couldn't even look me in the eye." His voice waved with emotion working hard to staying in control and not break down.
"She loves you Harry its easy to see."
"Is it?" Harry's eyes rose to look at Ron and unshed tears could be seem in their depths.
"Yes it is!" Ron answered. "Bloody hell it's been easy to see for years, I'm surprise it's taken you this long to figure it out but then you're both as stubborn as each other." Ron looked at his friend of 9 years, and never before had he seen him looking so vulnerable. "Just talk to her Harry!"
"I can't"
"Why the hell not?"
"Ron … it's hard to explain." Harry was fighting a losing battle with his emotion and pretty soon he was sure he was going to break.
"Well try."
"I'm scared!"
Ron looked shocked, Harry Potter scared! Surely he must have misheard him. This was the
guy who had face Voldemort too many times to remember.
"Of what?"
Harry took a deep breath and run his fingers through his hair. "Scared that I'll start something I won't be able to finish!"
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Hermione lifted her head and wiped at her eyes hoping that they weren't too puffy that people would notice she'd been crying. Looking down at her watch she saw that she had been sitting here for little over an hour, everyone else would still be in the great hall she'd just have enough time to get back to her room with out bumping into anybody. Standing up she looked down at her clothes and tried desperately to straighten them out. Her mind was still a mess and a conclusion to her problems wasn't any closer. Turning round to make her way back to her room she ran straight into someone.
"Mark! You bloody scared me." Hermione looked at the auror who stood in front of her a little shocked at what he had been doing in the shadows. Something made Hermione feel nervous she didn't know him very well but something was off.
"Has every one finished there dinner? She asked but still there was no reply as he just took a step closer to her.
Stepping back Hermione was beginning to get a little worried. "Is something wrong Mark?" but still no answer he just continued to advance closer.
"Its amazing what he can offer." His voice was low and hollow sending a shiver down Hermione's spine and
she continued to back away from him. "Power, fame anything you want. I don't know
why I didn't see it before."
"See what before Mark?" Hermione asked although she was scared of the answer she might
be given. He kept advancing not letting her get even a foot away, she resisted the urge to turn and run.
"All I have to do is deliver you and I can have anything I want, be one of his most loyal, part of his inner
cycle." He lurched forward grabbing hold of her elbow gripping so hard that Hermione was
sure it would leave a bruise. She tried to pull her arm away so she could run but he was to strong
and held on tight.
"Mark you're hurting me!" She tried to plead with him but it did no good his grip remained the same.
"I will be rewarded well" He smiled at her which made her sick to her stomach. "With you in his
possession Harry doesn't stand a chance."
At the mention of Harry name Hermione pulled harder, desperately trying to release her self. The sleeve of Marks shirt
shifted up to reveal the dark mark, Hermione tried not to panic but as she
stared in shock Mark used this to his advantage and began to dragged her alone the corridor.