A/N - Well here's the bit you've all been hoping for/dreading! Thanks to everyone for reading along, and special thanks to you reviewers! Hope you enjoy this chapter, sorry about the end (Don't hate me!) Happy reading!
**Islanzadi** J
Ps- Rock my socks and review, wont you?
They sat in a compartment by themselves on the train from London to Cambridge. Harry was sitting on the chair next to the window, Hermione on the one next to him resting her head on Harry's shoulder. Harry had cleaned Hermione up for the train ride home, but her tiredness was still etched on her face. Ron sat opposite Harry, and was having an inner battle. Why was Hermione leaning on Harry like that? Why had Harry been so upset over almost losing Hermione? Why was he always sticking up for Hermione when Ron was being, well, a little unpleasant? He was sure than in the house his worst fear wouldn't be Hermione getting together with Harry…The logical part of him was telling him that he was being completely idiotic. Of course Harry would be worried about almost losing Hermione, they were best friends! Ron had almost cried too when it looked like she wasn't going to breathe. 'Harry always sticks up for Hermione because I've been a wanker to her lately,' he thought. Hermione was resting on Harry's shoulder for the same reason. 'Why would she want comfort from me when I've been punishing her for not wanting to be with me?' he thought again. But his unease continued, and as much as he tried to tell himself that he was simply suspicious and jealous, his mind wouldn't let it go. He thought he was going to go crazy and just wanted to get back to that stupid cottage and sit on his stupid bed and forget all of this for the rest of the stupid night.
"Why did we have to take this stupid train home? It takes forever to get anywhere the way these muggles travel," said Ron, betraying some of his inner anger.
"Ron," said Hermione quietly "You know why. Someone in the ministry could detect us apparating, we can't take the risk of anyone knowing where we are."
"There must be hundreds of witches and wizards around here though, they cant track us that quickly just once," said Ron, sounding impatient now.
"If owls that travel during the day are being attacked, then you can be sure that everything else is being watched too. We just have to be very careful Ron, we can't take any risks." said Hermione again; sounding like her patience was wearing out as well as her energy.
"If we'd have stayed at Grimmauld place this wouldn't have been a problem. They can't detect apparition there," said Ron again, crossing his arms in frustration. Harry looked at him for a while wondering what was wrong with him. 'Maybe seeing his mum like that really messed him up,' thought Harry.
"You're right Ron, Grimmauld place would have been safer. If you want to move there then just say the word and we will. It was kind of selfish of me to stay away because I don't want reminders of Sirius," said Harry stiffly, he hated having to admit that he'd only thought of himself in front of Hermione. What if she thought less of him? He glanced to the side and saw that she was beaming at him and he gave a small smile back. Ron watched this exchange and felt like punching Harry in the face. Why did Hermione think he was a great hero? Then he felt a bit guilty, Harry was being nice and saying they could move to Grimmauld place and here was Ron wanting to punch him. Why was he acting so crazy? Was he going to act like this with every bloke Hermione smiled at? What about when she went out with someone else? He smiled stiffly back at Harry and decided he would try to control his jealousy, it really was quite pathetic.
The rest of the way home was spent in silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts and all looking forward to getting some much needed rest. They let themselves into the cottage quietly hoping to sneak upstairs and get some sleep. A split second later Luna and Susan were in the hallway.
"Where have you been?" asked Susan looking very worried.
"Just taking care of some business," said Harry quietly.
"What kind of business?" asked Luna
"We'll tell you soon," said Harry firmly "But now is not the time." He made a move to the stairs but Luna stopped him.
"We made dinner, don't you want any?" she asked. Harry had every intention of saying 'No', but he felt guilty. Instead he nodded his head and the three of them sat down at the table to eat. To Harry's surprise the meal was wonderful. Roast chicken, Yorkshire puddings and three kinds of vegetables were served. For desert there was jam roly-poly and custard. Ron looked like he was in heaven, and all three of them ate ravenously. After that Ron sat and played wizards chess with Luna, while Susan read a muggle book from the study. Harry and Hermione played exploding snap. By 11 o clock they were all content and had been having a lot of fun.
"You know what," said Ron happily "When we came home today we were all just about ready to go to bed. After a good meal and a game of chess though, I feel up for just about anything!"
"I'm glad that Luna and I could make you three so happy. Now, what would make me happy is knowing what you three were up to today." said Susan, her arms folded as she stared at all three of them. Ron and Hermione simply turned to stare at Harry with a look of 'your decision not ours,' upon their faces. Harry stared back at them, trying to figure out what to do.
"We're in this together Harry," said Luna dreamily "We three are going to have to destroy Voldemort, that's the reason it felt so right for us to all be here. It's our destiny, and I think that Susan and I have a right to know the whole story. We shouldn't have secrets Harry, we need to trust each other implicitly because every single one if us has the others' lives in their hands."
"Well, when she puts it like that Harry how can you refuse? I have to say Loony you're a smart cookie, and I am very impressed," said Ron with a big smile. Luna blushed slightly and continued to stare at Harry, her eyes wide with anticipation. Harry knew that the only reason Dumbledore told him to tell on Ron and Hermione was because he trusted them with his life and knew they would never betray him. Did he trust Luna and Susan the same way? He knew the answer before he even asked himself that question, after all if it hadn't felt right why would they be here?
"We were finding a Horcrux," said Harry quietly and pulled Hufflepuff's cup out of his pocket. Susan looked confused at the word 'Horcrux', Luna looked confused too but it was for an entirely different reason.
"How did you fit that in your pocket?" she said. Harry and Susan both laughed and they moved next to Luna and hugged her affectionately. Harry sat on the couch with them on either side of him and quietly told them the story of the Horcruxes and everything he knew about Voldemort. Hermione watched him telling the story and felt her heart swell at the sight of him. She was also amazed at the closeness Luna, Susan and Harry had developed. She knew the founder's had been close too, but it was strange how quickly their relationship had grown so close so quickly. 'It was meant to be,' she thought to herself and smiled. Maybe they had a chance against Voldemort after all. No, no maybes about it, they were going to win…
*************************************************************************************
It was two am and Harry made his way quietly out of his room and closed the door. He saw Hermione at the end of the hallway making her way slowly towards him. He grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs, through the hallway and out of the back door. He unrolled the invisibility cloak and draped it over them. Hermione moved forward, heading to the spot at the back of the garden they always went to. They were not even halfway there when Harry grabbed her wrist and spun her around to face him. He scanned her face quickly before lowering his head to her and kissing her very deeply. It was a few minutes before he stopped and Hermione felt like her whole world was spinning. He stared into her eyes again and she smiled.
"Goodness Harry," she started, but was interrupted by Harry grabbing her and kissing her once again. She could feel him trembling slightly and he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly to him. He kissed her feverishly along her neck and collarbone, then back up to her lips. Hermione began to feel those familiar electric pulses firing throughout her, and pulled away to catch her breath and regain her composure. He buried his face into her neck and continued to hold her tightly. Hermione held him equally as forcefully. She loved being in his arms like this, she felt so protected and wanted. She breathed heavily and inhaled his scent. She started to feel warm simply smelling him and attempted to think of things she found boring, like Quidditch.
"I thought you'd gone Hermione," Harry finally whispered, his breath gently caressing her skin. "I couldn't bare to lose you, what would I do if I didn't have you?" Hermione smiled at his words and felt those familiar butterflies in her stomach. She wondered if he knew how much she loved him. 'I should tell him,' she thought to herself 'right now, I should just blurt out I LOVE YOU!' But she stopped those insane urges quickly. What if he didn't feel the same way? What if he wasn't ready for that yet, after all they had moved very quickly with their 'relationship'. Truthfully, she just knew that the time wasn't right. But when would the time be right? Would there ever be a perfect time to say those words when everything in their lives was such a mess?
"I'm not going anywhere Harry," whispered Hermione "I'd never leave you. Besides, who would make sure you studied if I wasn't around?" Harry grinned and nibbled playfully on her neck, which was a surprise for Hermione and she shrieked playfully. Harry put his fingers on her lips and stared deep into her eyes.
"I need you for more than studying, more than making sure I eat right and more than making sure I'm healthy and in one piece. I need you because of how you make me feel. You make me feel like I'm worth something more than just 'the boy who's supposed to save the world'. You make me feel like you want me because I'm me. Just Harry." said Harry and kissed her gently on the lips.
"Well 'Just Harry' let me show you how much I want you,' said Hermione with a devilish grin and led him quickly to the back of the garden.
Ron awoke suddenly and looked around his dark room. What was that noise that had woken him up? He stood up and moved stealthily to the bedroom door. He was about to open it when he remembered that if death eaters were in the house, he might need his wand. He backtracked quickly and found it on his bedside table. He went back to the door again and opened it quietly, listening intently for any strange noises…nothing. He stepped into the hallway and walked quietly to the stairs and paused again. Again he heard nothing. 'Maybe I'm finally losing it,' he thought. He decided that he may as well check out the rest of the house just to be on the safe side, or he would just lie awake for hours on end imagining that the general creaks and groans of the house were death eaters…or werewolves…or vampires. He shuddered at the thought and made his way downstairs, leaping around corners with his wand aiming at thin air. After a thorough check of the house, he decided to go upstairs and get some more sleep. He quickly checked the front door was locked and headed up the stairs. He was almost to the top when he remembered that he hadn't checked the backdoor. He stood on the stairs for a moment wondering if it would be safe or not, then sighed and walked back down the stairs.
He pulled on the back door, expecting it to be locked and was surprised when it opened. He shut it quickly and jumped back into the kitchen, then whirled around to see if anyone was behind him. No one. He sighed deeply and turned back to the door again. Why was it opened? What stupid bloody idiot had forgotten to lock the door? He was about to lock it himself when he saw a flash of white at the end of the garden. He gripped his wand tighter and nervously licked his lips. Should he wake Harry? Should he wake everyone in the house? Should he call the Order? He decided to wait for a bit and make sure it wasn't his imagination. He didn't want to look like a total prat in front of everyone if it was just a cat. He was watching intently and thought that he had finally gone insane when there it was, clear as day. A foot…a shin…then gone! He knew right then that it was Harry under the invisibility cloak. But what was Harry doing in the garden in the middle of the night hiding under his invisibility cloak. He laughed to himself in the darkness of the kitchen. Turns out Harry was the insane one. He still felt a deep unease in the pit of his stomach and waited in the kitchen, in the dark.
"Hermione," Harry groaned, "I think we should go in. We've been kissing for so long I can't feel my lips anymore. Besides, you're driving me mad…"
"In a good way though?" said Hermione playfully, kissing his neck and running her hands down his back.
"Almost too good actually," said Harry grinning. He kissed her deeply again and felt her moaning against him. Time to go now before he lost control. He didn't need to have that discussion again. Besides, he wanted it to be special between them too, and Hermione had as little self-control as he did. So it was best, while one of them was thinking clearly, to go back into the house. He kissed her a few more times and pulled her up. She pouted adorably and he kissed her all the way into the kitchen. He quietly opened the back door, and pulled Hermione inside. He whipped off the invisibility cloak and Hermione grabbed him and kissed him passionately. Harry's mind was spinning when she finally pulled away.
"You are evil Hermione," he said with a dramatic groan. She giggled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Lets go to bed then. I will see you in the morning Mr. Potter," said Hermione playfully.
"Would you like me to escort you to your chambers madam?" said Harry acting equally as goofy.
"If you can be trusted, then of course," she said smiling. She linked her arm through his and they turned to leave the kitchen. They were almost through the door when a hard voice called out from the dark.
"Not planning on saying goodnight to your best mate then, eh?" said Ron, a fierce anger emanating from him. Harry and Hermione stopped dead in their tracks. 'Not this way' thought Harry 'I didn't want him to find out this way! Why didn't I sit him down and make him listen? Oh no…' The light suddenly turned on above them and Harry turned around to face Ron. He looked angrier than Harry had ever seen him. His face was red, his eyes looked like they were made of steel and he was visibly shaking from rage. Harry opened his mouth to speak but Ron advanced on him quickly. Harry knew that he could stop it; he knew that he could easily overpower him, but he just stood there. Ron slammed his fist into Harry's jaw, then again into Harry's eye, and then into Harry's stomach.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME! YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" He shouted at the top of his voice, still punching Harry as hard as he could. Hermione screamed as Harry fell to the floor, with blood gushing from his nose.
"Harry!" she cried "Get up! Ron! Stop this now! You're hurting him…"
"GOOD!" Yelled Ron "I WANT HIM TO HURT! I WANT HIM TO HURT AS MUCH AS I AM RIGHT NOW! HOW COULD YOU HARRY? HOW COULD YOU?" Instead of continuing to punch him as Harry had expected, Ron fell to the floor in silence. He curled up and rocked backwards and forwards. He was like that for a couple of minutes, with Harry and Hermione watching in horror. When he finally stood up he looked broken and defeated. He had tears streaming down his face and he was shaking from sadness now, rather than fury.
"Why Harry? Why would you do that to me? I would never do anything to hurt you. You were with her all along, you pretended to comfort me and be my friend. I trusted you and you stabbed me in the back. I thought you were my best friend. Guess I was really wrong about that. You're just a fucking wanker that always has to have everything. The famous Harry Potter! He even gets the girl while his best friend gets ditched…"
"Ron, please…" Harry started but Ron just stared at him, the fury beginning to find its way back into his eyes.
"Don't talk to me Harry…ever again." said Ron angrily. With a crack he was gone. Hermione burst out crying and ran to Harry. She buried her head into his shoulders and sobbed. Harry was staring at the spot where Ron had disappeared. What had they done? How could he have done that to his best friend? He noticed Susan and Luna in the doorway; both of them had tears in their eyes.
"You have to go to him," said Luna sounding anxious.
"Now," said Susan firmly. Harry nodded his head and kissed Hermione quickly on the lips.
"I'll be back soon," he said stonily. He knew where Ron would go, but he doubted he would speak to him.
He appeared at the Burrow a moment later and looked around desperately. He saw Ron a few feet from the front garden, staring up at the sky. There are no words to describe how wretched Harry felt as he rushed towards Ron, desperately hoping that he hadn't lost his best friend for good. As he reached Ron he looked to see what he was looking at as if he were hypnotised, and almost passed out in horror. There, flying over the Burrow, was the Dark Mark…
*************************************************************************************