Unofficial Portkey Archive

Title: All Nights (16/18)
Author: Goldy
Summary: Harry and Hermione finally tell the truth about their relationship as the threat of the final battle draws closer.
Keywords: Harry/Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Horcrux!plot, Voldemort.
Spoilers: Books 1-6
Word Count: 5, 657
A/N: I could give lots of reasons for why this update took me so long. School, finals, my shiny new Firefly obsession, but… it really shouldn't have taken two months. So… big thank you to everyone who's been patient. Two more chapters to go.

***

Ron and Ginny were still in the living room when they came down. She and Harry couldn't have been gone for more than an hour, but Hermione felt different. Changed. Her relationship with Harry was real in a way it hadn't been before. They were both older, less naïve. It was time to stop hiding.

Time to step forward.

"Let's… talk," Harry said, sitting down on the couch. He wiped his palms on his thighs and avoided looking at Ron and Ginny.

Hermione stood in the doorway, arms folded over her chest, body stiff.

Ron seemed resigned. He sat back and nodded. Ginny's head snapped back and forth between Harry and Hermione.

"Well?" she demanded.

"Your spell's a good idea," Hermione said. She kept her voice calm and even. "We want to do it."

Ginny sat up straight. "You mean… I… really?"

Harry scrubbed his hands over his face. "Ginny, it's a brilliant researched piece of work and I'm grateful, but…" Harry sighed. "I can't let you do this."

"What?" Ginny said, eyes bright. "But Hermione said-"

"Hermione is going to do it with me," Harry said. "She's… she volunteered and I-er, I think it's for the… best."

Ginny glanced at Hermione and back over again. "I don't-I don't understand…"

Harry looked down at his hands. "Ginny, I…"

"Oh…" Ginny said, voice catching on a whisper. "Oh."

Without a word, Ron stood, brushed off his pants and left the room. Hermione bit her lip and met Harry's eyes. I should go after him. Harry nodded.

"Ron," she said, catching up to him. "Oh, Ron…"

He turned to look at her, good humor gone from his eyes.

"How long?"

She blinked and reached for him, but he flinched away. Instead, she linked her fingers in front of her, heart thumping.

"What do you mean?"

"How long?" Ron said, voice shaking. "How long have you and Harry…"

Hermione avoided his eyes. "We've never really officially-"

Ron laughed, a broken sort of noise. He clamped his hand to his mouth to stop himself and turned away. "A long time, then."

The hurt in his voice shot through her and she wiped at her eyes. "Yes."

"Brilliant," Ron said. "I… brilliant."

"Oh, Ron," she whispered. "We were so afraid… so frightened by what we felt for each other. We didn't know how to-"

"I don't want to hear it," Ron said, voice rising. "You're trying to make yourself feel better. Always trying to rationalize everything, Hermione, you are. I mean, I knew! I didn't know, but I knew. I just…"

"Didn't want to believe we'd hide from you," Hermione said dully. "But-oh-oh, Ron-it was so terribly confusing. I fancied you for so long, and everything was so hurtful last year."

"That's not fair!" Ron said. "You can't blame me for-"

"I'm not!" Hermione said, wringing her hands. "I want you to understand! That's all!"

Ron wiped at his nose. "I can't believe Harry would…"

Hermione took a startled step backwards. Her chest hitched. "Would what, Ron? Like me? Love me?"

"That's not…" Ron trailed off and fixed his eyes to the floor. "Thought he fancied Ginny, is all."

"Well!" Hermione said, trying to pull herself together. Unshed tears made her vision blurry. "Honestly, Ron… even if you never wanted me, it doesn't mean no one else could."

"I never said that."

"But you've always been that way," she said, voice breaking. "Ever since Viktor took me to that brainless ball!"

Ron's mouth bobbed open. "I was bloody fourteen-years-old!"

"And nothing's changed!" Hermione said. Ron winced at the shrillness in her voice. "Harry loves me and he respects me and it ought to make you happy for me."

"I am-I mean, I… Hermione, that's not the point!" Anger came back into his voice and his ears reddened. "The pair of you have been snogging for ages and you never told me."

"Well, we… split up…" Hermione mumbled. "For a while."

Ron looked incredulous. "That makes me feel loads better. Thanks."

Hermione flushed. "Ron, I… I'm really, really sorry."

He regarded her for a moment, mouth still hanging open, arms locked against his sides.

"Ron, say something."

He closed his mouth and clenched his jaw. He shook his head and turned to go.

***

Hermione's room was still a disaster. They did their best to clean it after destroying the Horcruxes, but her dresser was cracked. Her mattress felt uneven and cold air from outdoors seeped through the windowpane. The magic they had done left an imprint. It staled after a few days, but Hermione suspected remnants would stay forever.

She'd kept the Defractor. It sat on her desk, seemingly innocent and harmless. Professor Lupin had been right-it made an excellent paperweight.

There was a knock on her door. "Come in."

Harry poked his head in and shut the door behind him. "Hi."

She smiled. "How did it go?"

"Well, er…" Harry thought for a minute. "She didn't try and hex me."

Hermione gave a broken laugh. "She has every right to be angry."

"I dunno," Harry said. "I never asked her to look up the Unbreakable Vow. Never said we were getting back together, either."

"Oh, Harry," Hermione said sadly. "Everyone thought you would eventually reunite."

"Yeah, but…" Harry hesitated. "People change. I never promised her anything." He fiddled with the bottom of his shirt. "How about Ron?"

Hermione hugged her pillow to her chest and shrugged. "He's… angry."

"Oh."

"Harry?"

"Yeah?" he said.

"Do you…" she trailed off and sighed. She couldn't seem to say it. She wasn't even certain what it was she wanted to say. "Do you think it'll happen soon? Fighting Voldemort, I mean."

Harry hesitated. "Yeah. I think it'll be soon."

Hermione nodded. "I know so. I just… I wish we had more time."

"More time for what?" Harry said.

She rubbed her upper-arms, suddenly chilled. "To… to not die," Hermione whispered. Her throat felt parched. "I've been such an idiot, these last few weeks. We lost so much time… what if-if we-"

She stopped and pressed a fist to her mouth. Hot tears sprang into her eyes. Her conversation with Ron, the strain of the last few weeks…everything seemed to crash into her at once. Her nostrils flared as she took a deep breath, pushing it back inside. It wasn't time to fall apart. Not yet. She couldn't afford it yet.

Harry moved towards her, face troubled. "Hermione, c'mon, don't…"

She couldn't help smiling, amused by his panic at the thought of tears. She shook her head to signify that she was alright and reached for his hand. She tugged him down next to her.

"Hermione, I never wanted to bring you into this-"

She pressed her fingers to his lips and he stopped, swallowing. His eyes scanned her face, questioning her.

She reached for his glasses and dropped them on the floor next to the bed. He watched her silently, unable to turn away, waiting. She licked her lips and let her open hand rest on his cheek.

She kissed him. Gently, waiting for him to respond, wanting the decision to go on resting in his hands. She pulled away, staying close enough so that she felt his breath along her chin. There was a moment and then his hand crept to her neck, his fingers smoothing back and forth until she shivered. He coaxed her closer until they were kissing again.

Her arms were around his neck and the kiss became more intense, lips pressing against teeth, tongues pushing into mouths. He pushed her down until he was hovering over, on top of her, everywhere, until she was lost. This moment in time and them-in this room-it became the only thing in her world.

***

He couldn't stop touching her. He kissed her neck and her shoulder and her chin and cheek. She smiled and let her arm curl around his neck. She felt… content. Sated. Relaxed.

"Why'd we stop doing this again?" he murmured, giving her a feather-light kiss.

"Oh, I was rather…" Hermione gave a sleepy yawn. "Perhaps I've made better decisions than that one."

He rolled his eyes. "I dunno. Maybe we needed to take time." He traced the curve of her chin with the pads of his fingers. "To make sure… it was real."

"Maybe," said Hermione doubtfully.

Harry grinned and kissed her. "I love you."

"I know," Hermione said. "It's a bit pathetic, really."

"Well, forget it, then," he said. "I'm only using you for sex."

She smacked him on the arm. "My hexes are better than yours."

"You've got a point," Harry admitted. "Okay, it's good sex."

Hermione rolled her eyes. She traced his cheek with her fingertips and snuggled closer to him. "It feels right when we're together like this, doesn't it?"

Harry turned serious. His voice was soft, lips near her ear when he answered. "The last few weeks… I thought it was for the best, not putting each other first, but it's stupid, Hermione. If I can't put you first, what've I got to fight for?"

"Really good sex?" She offered, but it was weak and she sighed. "You're right, Harry. We… we ought to do this together."

She felt him tense. "Yeah… about that."

"Oh, no," Hermione said. She disentangled herself and sat up. "What is it?"

"The Unbreakable Vow…I know we ought to do it, but, Hermione…Voldemort's my responsibility. When it comes to it, I need to be the one to off him." Harry swallowed. "You understand that, right?"

She reached for his hand and ran her thumb along his knuckles. "Of course."

"Hermione, I mean it," Harry said. "It's about me and him in the end. Whatever happens, I need you to… be safe."

He looked so troubled that she relented. Safe-no one would be safe once they took the fight to Voldemort. But if he needed to think she would stay apart from the finally confrontation…

She met his eyes. "I'll stay safe, Harry. I promise."

He looked down and nodded. His voice shook. "Good. I… good."

***

They couldn't avoid the Weasleys forever. At first, Hermione was consumed by reuniting with Harry. They talked and they bickered and they kissed (and, sometimes, they did more than kiss), but it all came back to the idea of them. For the first time, she felt like they were in a relationship. Friend, boyfriend, lover, partner… nothing seemed to satisfactorily describe what Harry was to her.

But they were no longer acting a part. Gone were the days of secret kisses and hiding affection. They were no longer standing on the edge of something fragile.

She tried Ginny first, finding her hunched over a Witch Weekly magazine, Arnold the Pygmy Puff on her shoulder. Ginny did not look good. Her eyes were tired, and her face pale, making her freckles stand out. Her hair drooped limply along her shoulders.

"Ginny… hi."

Ginny did not look up from her magazine. "Hi, Hermione."

"Can we… talk?"

Ginny slammed the magazine shut and leaned back. "Alright."

Hermione gave a weak smile. "I don't suppose you'll make this very easy for me."

Ginny did not smile back. "Funny how that happens after betrayal."

Betrayal… Hermione sighed. "I know," she said. "I would be terribly upset if it were me. But Ginny, I… had to do what I… there are bigger things at stake."

"You should have told me earlier," Ginny said, face crumbling as she tried to hold in her emotions. "I never would have… I thought Harry…"

"Oh, Ginny," she murmured. "Harry is… he is so grateful for what you gave him last year. For the first time in his life, he was able to experience what it felt like to be normal. But, please, Ginny… what happened with him… we never planned it-"

"Stop," Ginny said suddenly, face twisting. "I don't care."

"Alright," Hermione said. "But I want you to know how sorry I am."

Ginny's head snapped up, her eyes fiery. "Apologizing won't…" she narrowed her eyes. "How did you get him, Hermione? Was Ron not good enough? You and I both know Harry's never looked at you that way. You were friends for six year and in all that time, he never-"

"Ginny, don't," Hermione said warningly. "Don't."

Ginny bowed her head and clenched her fists against the floor. "It's not fair. I waited so long… it's not fair. I feel like I've spent my whole life waiting for him and now he doesn't want me." Ginny's voice caught and she wiped at her eyes. "Last year, I thought-he said… what he said when we split up… Hermione, you don't understand. He-" she rubbed at her cheeks to stop her tears.

Hermione could not listen anymore. "I'm… I'm sorry."

Ginny studied her, eyes probing. Hermione flushed, feeling like she was being examined inside out. What do you have that I don't?

"I'm sorry," Hermione said again. And left.

***

She found Harry in the kitchen, a mug of tea in his hand. He had a book propped open in front of him and he leaned against the countertop. Frown lines etched along his forehead and his lips mouthed the words as he read.

"I don't reckon it's going to be easy doing this… spell… thing," he said without looking up. "It's s'posed to be dark magic, you know-"

"Harry."

He glanced up and something in her expression caught him because he closed the book and came towards her. She met him halfway, allowing him to fold her into a hug. She pressed her face to his shoulder and held onto him.

"Hey…" he said, fingers brushing her hair back and curving behind her ear. "What's up?

She shook her head. "It's nothing."

"I… alright," he said skeptically. She closed her eyes and relaxed.

His fingers continued to run through her hair, the motions meant to soothe her. Comfort. Safety. That's what it meant to be with Harry. She wondered if that's what she was to him-if she could momentarily help him forget what it meant to be the Boy Who Lived.

His hands ran down her arms and he held her in front of him, eyes perusing her face. One hand cupped her cheek, his fingers brushing back and forth.

"Hermione?"

She took a deep breath before answering. "Doing this… this spell with me… that's the right choice, isn't it? You wouldn't rather… with Ginny…"

She trailed off, a chill descending along the back of her neck. Harry didn't say anything and she blushed. Was he angry? Was it fair for her to question him?

He grasped her chin and tilted her face up, leaning down to kiss her. The kiss was lazy, the way he knew she liked. She closed her eyes, arms winding their way around his neck. He pulled her closer as the kiss heated up. She leaned on the counter and he braced himself against her.

"Ahem."

Harry broke away, a horrified look on his face. She followed his gaze and froze.

"Ron."

Ron shifted uncertainly on his feet. "You two, er… you seem busy…"

He turned to go. She and Harry shared a look and ran after him.

"Ron, wait," Harry said. "We, hang on-"

Ron turned around, face pale. "I guess I kind of killed the mood, eh?"

"Yeah, a bit," Harry said, grinning. "You've never had great timing."

Ron glared at him. "That's s'posed to make me feel better, is it?

Harry winced. "D'you want to, you know, punch me? I'll take my glasses off."

Ron seemed tempted. Finally, he shrugged. "Seems unfair to punch a bloke about to get himself killed."

"Thanks for that," Harry said, but he sounded cheerful. Both he and Ron shot Hermione see-everything-is-okay-now looks.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Honestly…

"So," Ron said. "This… spell. You need a Bonder, right?"

Harry and Hermione shared a look. "Yeah, Ron," Harry said. "We do."

Ron shrugged. "Best be me, right?"

Hermione stared before letting out a large sniffle and throwing her arms around him. "Oh, Ron! I was so scared-I thought you'd never speak to me again. I couldn't bear that, Ron, honestly I couldn't."

"I… yeah," Ron said, patting her awkwardly on the head. "I mean, we're not… we never… it's good you two…" Ron stopped. "Okay, I'll need some time, but I'm not backing away from you yet. Even if I think this new plan is bloody idiotic."

"Ron, that's so…" Harry trailed off, "sweet."

"Well, it's not like I had no idea," Ron said, disentangling himself from Hermione. "Though I might have to burn my eyes out now that I've seen you snog."

Harry laughed. Hermione continued to sniff.

"Alright," Ron said, shrugging. "I want to do this spell."

Harry grinned. "Dunno, Ron, I reckon we're looking for a really powerful wizard."

"Watch it," Ron said. "I might take back my new forgiving attitude."

"I better behave, then," Harry said dryly.

"Ron, I'm so glad!" Hermione said, beaming. "It should work better this way, you know. It ought to be more powerful, with the connection the three of us share… thank you."

Ron blushed and tugged at his ear. "Yeah, well, someone had to be the bigger man."

Harry gave a derisive snort.

"Harry!" Hermione said warningly.

"Er, yeah," Harry said. He clapped Ron on the arm. "You're the bigger man. All that."

Harry looked smug as he left them alone. Hermione watched him go with a fond smile, grateful he sensed their need for some privacy.

Ron shuffled uncomfortably, face aflame. "All that stuff you said before… about me being surprised when someone, you know…" Ron cleared his throat. "Goes to show, you always managed to miss the point. I wanted to be that bloke. And I never could… quite do it. But I tried and…." He swallowed. "Anyway, I can't compete with Harry."

"Ron…" she whispered. "You ought to have said this to me six months ago. I wanted… well, it would have made me happy once."

Ron stared at the floor. "I never reckoned I was good enough. And you always went out of your way to make certain I knew so."

Hermione sighed. "I suppose I did."

"I never really wanted to be with Lavender," he said honestly. "But it was easier… puffed me up some to know she fancied me. I wish I'd done it differently. Even if you and Harry ended up… I should have had a chance, is all."

A lump gathered in Hermione's throat and she read the regret in Ron's eyes. She couldn't quite keep herself from dwelling on what could have been. Easier, perhaps. Harry brought with him constant complications and dull aches. And yet…

"I love him, Ron," she said. "I know you don't want to hear it, but it's important you know. I … I love Harry." She cracked a smile. "In that pathetic, all-consuming way too. Drives me just about mad sometimes, really."

Ron bit down on his bottom lip and nodded. "Figured as much," he said shakily. "Do you think you've always…"

"Maybe," Hermione said. "But-oh, oh, Ron-don't think I never cared for you because you know I did!"

He blinked. "Yeah, alright. I appreciate you saying so."

"Ron… don't be mad, please don't. Things are so uncertain…" she faltered and tried to reach for him but he pulled away. "After we kill Voldemort-yell all you want, but not now. I couldn't bear it, if something happened and…"

"Hermione, I know," he said. "Why d'you think I'm offering this? I can't seem to shake the feeling that we're walking into something royally stupid." He paused. "You and Harry lied to me for months. It's not-Hermione, that's not okay. But you're my best friends. I can't let you die without me."

He shrugged as he finished his explanation. There, he seemed to say, what do you make of that?

Hermione wiped at her eyes and stood on her tip-toes to kiss him on the cheek. "You're a good friend."

***

They went over the spell again and again. Re-wording it. Attempting to mould it to a form that would suit them best.

"How much dark magic do you reckon we'll be invoking here?" Ron asked.

"Hopefully as little as possible," Harry mumbled.

"You're both missing the point entirely," Hermione said impatiently. "Professor Snape said we have to outlast Voldemort's power. That's where the Unbreakable Vow comes into play." They both stared at her and she huffed. "Oh, honestly… it's simple. I vow to give Harry as much of my magical strength as he needs. Then all he has to do is wait for Voldemort to exhaust himself."

Ron looked dubious. "Simple?"

"Ron your job is going to be Nagini. Take the Defractor with you-"

"What?!" Ron demanded. "I can't-are you-I'm not going near that thing! It's not even a normal snake, Hermione!"

"We can't kill Voldemort unless all the Horcruxes are destroyed. Ron…" her voice turned gentle. "We need you on this. It's our only shot."

"But…" his voice turned desperate. "What if I… I'm not the powerful one-"

"Yes, you are," Harry interrupted. "You'll do it, Ron. Because you have to."

Ron clamped his mouth shut, face pale. He nodded.

"Alright," Hermione said, shaky. "Harry, I'll stay with you as long as possible. I'll give you the time and room to kill him. We'll talk to the Order and get a force against the Death Eaters." She thought for a moment. "We'll contact the D.A.-Neville, Dean, Seamus, Luna… we'll need as many people as possible. We'll have to surprise them. They'll be too strong if they know we're coming."

Harry nodded. "We'll stay together as long as possible?"

"Yes," Hermione said.

Harry looked like he wasn't sure whether to be comforted or worried. Ron sat down and scrubbed his hands over his face, his shoulders hunched over.

"I can't believe this is really happening," he said. "I always reckoned we'd be preparing forever, you know. Fighting and teasing each other… researching… not… this. Feels too soon."

"Ron-" Hermione said, not sure whether she wanted to hug or smack him. "I'm not sure this is really the best time to fall apart."

Harry shook his head. "He's right. It does… it's too soon."

The three of them held eye contact for a moment. Hermione tried to think of something comforting to say and couldn't.

"Best to get it over with, then," Ron said. "What d'you reckon?"

Harry shrugged and looked at Hermione. "You ready for this?"

She reached for his hands and did not hesitate. "Yes."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Gross."

Harry didn't look over. "Ron, we're not even… after all the times you and Lavender-"

"Yeah, whatever," Ron said. "Okay, how do we do this again?"

"Ron!" Hermione said.

"Kidding," Ron said quickly. "I know what I'm doing."

"Ron, if you kills us, I'm going to come back as a ghost and read you passages from Hogwarts: A History," Hermione said.

Ron grinned and flashed a thumb's up. "No worries."

***

It was rather amazing, Hermione thought, the magic the three of them could channel. Power that shook the floor and singed their eyebrows. First the Defractor and now…

Harry's hand was warm and his fingers gripped hers; painful, firm, comforting. She gazed into his eyes and didn't look away. She focused her entire being on him, until she could feel the magic in the air, connecting them, holding them together.

Ron's voice never faltered. She couldn't make out the words, but she heard his voice; warm and steady. She mouthed the right words and Harry repeated them back. He smiled at her, a little lopsided, but it was real and tangible.

The magic crackled around them. Harry's fingers dug into her arms. She could feel their connection flow to life, tied by the magic Ron summoned. Unbreakable. Yes, Hermione thought, they were.

***

"Wow," Harry said. "That was…"

"Wicked," Ron breathed. "Way better than using that Defractor thingie."

They looked at Hermione and she cracked a smile. In truth, she felt dizzy and drained.

"It was… very intense," she finally said.

Harry frowned and moved towards her. "Are you okay?"

She hesitated. "I'm-"

Hermione never finished her sentence. A curdling scream exploded through the quiet of Grimmauld Place. It stopped and then started again, the shrieking so loud it pierced Hermione's ears.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other.

"That's… that's Mum," Ron whispered.

Hermione pressed a hand to her mouth. Mrs. Weasley's screaming continued.

"C'mon," Harry said, flinging the door open. Ron and Hermione followed him, running in the direction of the scream. They found themselves outside Ginny's room. Harry stopped and put an arm out to hold them back.

Mrs. Weasley was no longer screaming. Harry went in first, wand out in front of him. Hermione went behind him, shooting Ron a worried look. Harry went still and Hermione banged into him. He flung out his arm to hold her back and grabbed her hand instead, his grip desperate.

"Mum…" Ron said, voice hoarse. He pushed past Harry and Hermione. Charlie had arrived first and he had his arm around Mrs. Weasley's shoulders.

"What's going on?" Lupin said, arriving. He looked around and paled. "Merlin…"

Mrs. Weasley gave a small cry and pressed her face to Charlie's shoulder.

"Arthur," she said. "Where…"

"We'll get him, Mum, don't worry," Charlie said. "Remus?"

Lupin started. "I'll contact the Order. We'll track her down, Molly. We'll…" Lupin trailed off and struggled. "We won't let them get away with this."

Mrs. Weasley began sobbing.

"Oh… Mum, don't," Charlie said.

Ron patted Mrs. Weasley on the shoulder, his hand trembling. His face was pale. He glanced over at Harry and Hermione.

"Harry," he said. "We…"

"I know," Harry said, voice steely, his grip tightening on Hermione's hand.

"Why…" Mrs. Weasley said. "I don't understand."

"Shh, Mum… it's alright…" Charlie murmured. His eyes were on the wall behind her head.

Ginny's Pygmy Puff had been nailed to the wall, a large spike driven through his throat. Above it, scrawled in red, was a message.

Tomorrow.

Arnold's blood dripped down the wall, collecting in a pool on the floor. His eyes were wide open, staring unseeingly at the people gathered in Ginny's room.

Hermione felt her stomach heave, and she turned into Harry's arms. Breathe, breathe, breathe… she thought. Harry rubbed her back and she could feel his heart beating against her ear.

"She's not dead," Harry said aloud.

"Harry," Charlie said in alarm. "We can't-it's a trap-"

"So what?" Harry yelled. He removed himself from Hermione and stomped over to the wall. "If he wants this fight tomorrow, we'll give it to him. We will be ready and we will find Ginny alive."

"But… but, Harry…" Ron croaked. "How're we-"

"We'll call the Order, the D.A.," Harry said. "It doesn't matter. This is it, Ron. This is our chance. If Voldemort wants the way tomorrow, we'll give it to him."

"How?" Ron said, voice strangled. "How could this happen? How could he… it makes no sense."

"It was Ginny," Hermione said, voicing the thing everyone was thinking. Lupin averted his gaze to the floor and nodded.

"The diary," Harry said heavily. "He must've been bidding his time all along. Using Ginny to spy on us… all these years. Son of a bitch."

No one reacted to his strong language.

"But, Harry," Charlie said. "You destroyed the diary. How…?"

"It didn't matter," Lupin said. "He'd already gotten inside her. Harry's right. I think… I think Dumbledore always suspected something of this sort could happen."

Mrs. Weasley let out a choked scream, and Charlie tightened his hold on her, leading her out of the room. They watched them go in silence.

"It makes no sense," Hermione said, tears pooling in her eyes. "I mean, she couldn't have been possessed all this time, could she?"

She met Harry's eyes and knew what he was thinking. Last year, if Ginny had been controlled by Voldemort… their whole relationship could have been a lie.

Hermione looked away. She had nothing to comfort him with.

"I hope not," Harry finally said. "She probably had no idea he was there, I reckon. This isn't her fault, what's happened."

They all nodded.

"D'you… Harry…" Ron said. "Is she still alive?"

Harry hesitated. "I… dunno. Maybe."

Ron scrubbed at his face. "I don't… I don't understand. Why take Ginny. Why?"

"Because…" Harry said. "She made it easy for him. And he knows we'll come. If there's even a small chance she's still alive, we'll come."

Ron looked like he was going to be sick. He gestured to the direction Mrs. Weasley and Charlie disappeared and followed them.

Lupin crouched down in front of the Pygmy Puff. "It would be impossible for Voldemort to find his was into Grimmauld Place. It was either Ginny or…"

Lupin trailed off, the alternative too horrifying to consider.

"It was Ginny," Harry said. "Professor, you'll run some tests?"

Lupin studied Arnold with cool detachment. "Yes. I'll see what I can turn up."

Harry took a deep breath. "Good. Hermione-"

"I'll contact the D.A.," she said, forcing down the nausea. "Are you okay?"

Harry looked at her, but Hermione felt like he was staring right through her. "Fine. Let's get this thing done."

***

Within hours, Grimmauld Place was crawling with people. The Order: Tonks, Lupin, McGonagall, Kingsley Shaklebolt, Madame Maxime. The D.A.: Seamus, Dean, Neville, Luna, Lee Jordan, even Zacharias Smith and Cho Chang.

The house transformed into a war zone. Makeshift beds were set up all over the main floor. A large pot of soup boiled in the kitchen. D.A. and Order members split into groups; planning strategy, practicing curses, timing. They were preparing for a Hogwarts battled-there seemed to be no doubt on that fact. Hogwarts would be the end-in one way or another.

"You're all aware that this is really, really dangerous, right?" said Harry, when he saw everyone who showed up.

"And if we can't win tomorrow, Harry?" Seamus asked. "What's it going to be then?"

Harry shrugged. "Not so good."

"He took Ginny," said Dean. "I want in on this fight."

Harry and Dean shared a long look. Finally, Harry nodded and glanced away.

"What do you want us to do?" Cho asked.

"Buy us time," Harry said. "Work with the Order. Hex as many Death Eaters as you can."

There was nervous laughter and Harry smiled.

Mrs. Weasley lay sedated in her room. Arthur had returned with Lupin, his face haggard and aged. He wandered slowly through the house, checking on Mrs. Weasley, and comforting his sons.

Hermione forced smiles at old schoolmates and shook hands. Her mind was on Harry, however, and she eventually made her excuses and went looking for him.

He was alone in his room, sitting on the bed and half-heartedly practicing curses.

"Harry," she said softly, feeling cautious. Ever since Ginny disappeared, it felt like he'd enacted an invisible wall between them. If their Unbreakable Vow was to work, Hermione knew she'd have to find a way to break it down. And quickly.

He looked up. "Hey."

"Can I…?"

He shrugged.

She came and sat down next to him. "How are you?"

"Brilliant," he said, shooting another curse out of his wand. He stared at the red sparks dully. "Never been better. How about you?"

"I don't really…" Hermione looked down at her hands. "I don't suppose I'm feeling much of anything right now."

"Doing the Unbreakable Vow took a lot out of you, didn't it?" he said. He glanced over in concern. "We've got a big battle coming up in the morning."

"Yes," Hermione said. "I'll be alright."

Harry gestured her closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her against him. He pressed his lips to her forehead and she allowed herself a tiny sigh of relief.

"I love you," he said. "I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you. I'm sorry that we might never…."

"Shhh," she said.

He closed his mouth and kissed her cheek and corner of her mouth. "Amazing how many people are here to help us, innit?"

"It might come as somewhat of a surprise to you, Harry, but you inspire a tremendous amount of loyalty."

He blinked a few times. "That is… good, right?"

"I'd say so." She let her eyes drop shut, head pillowed on Harry's shoulder.

"I feel like there's so much I ought to be telling you right now." He paused. "It could be our last night together, you know."

She snuggled closer, practically in his lap now. His chin rested on the top of her hair. "Then don't say anything at all."

"I… okay."

There was knock on the door.

Harry sighed. "Come in."

Ron's head poked its way in. "Hi."

"Ron," Hermione said. She scrambled out of Harry's lap, but took hold of his hand instead. She suddenly wanted to touch both of them, make sure they were both still with her.

"Could be our last night together, you know," Ron said.

"We know," Harry and Hermione said in unison.

Hermione gestured him forward, holding out her free hand. Ron took it, settling down on her other side.

He squeezed Hermione's hand. "You suppose this is going to work tomorrow? Us going in all half-cocked?"

"Bound to, isn't it?" Harry said. "All my stupid plans have worked before, haven't they?"

"That's true," Ron said, perking up.

They laughed before trailing off into silence.

There really wasn't anything more to say.

***

Coming up next: The final battle. Do the Good Guys stand a chance? Who will live and who will die? Will they rescue Ginny? Is this Voldemort's end?

TBC in Chapter 17