A/N: Thank you to all those who reviewed. I had 600 reads and 12 reviews. I'm sure you can do better than that. Come on! It will only take you half a minute but for me it'll be worth a fortune. Constructive criticism is very welcome.
Some of you must have felt that it was unlike Hermione to accept her parents' demands. Just remember that like any other seventeen year old she is very close to her parents. Her parents also blackmailed her emotionally. It was very tough for her. There is also another reason which you'll find out later… much later. Anyway, I'm wasting too much time on the Author's note. Here is the next chapter for you all. And please remember to review.
Chapter Two: No More Waiting
"Harry! What the hell are you doing with our telephone? Don't you know that these things are not meant for your types!!" shouted Vernon Dursley, as he came down the stairs. He had heard Harry screaming on the phone. Since it was dark he didn't realize that Harry was not listening to a word he spoke. Harry was busy thinking what to do. The portkey would activate in less than half an hour. The deatheaters already had Hermione and knew that she had spoken to him. He had to reach Hermione's house. Though he hadn't passed his apparation test yet, this was an emergency. With a crack he disappeared leaving Uncle Vernon gaping at the empty space in front of him.
Harry landed in the lawn in front of Hermione's house. It was pitched dark. There seemed to be no lights in the house. His heart sank. It looked like he'd arrived too late. He didn't dare to use 'Lumos' because then the enemy would be easily able to spot him. With a quiet 'Alohamora' he unlocked the front door. His eyes fell on something which made him go tense. A wand was lying on the floor. One look at it and he knew it was Hermione's wand. As he thought about what he should do he heard noises upstairs. He was relieved. At least there was somebody in the house. He picked up Hermione's wand and placed it in his back pocket. Very cautiously he started moving up the stairs. Just as he reached the top the whole house lightened. All bulbs were burning. In front of him he saw a man and a woman, the same ones as in the dream. Between them stood Hermione, looking very scared. She was shaking. The woman had her wand pointed at her head. The sight made his blood boil.
"So Potter has come to play the hero again," the man said sarcastically.
"Leave her alone. It is me your master wants," Harry replied, sounding very angry.
"Actually you are wrong Potter. Master wants her, not you. At least not at the moment. I know he'll finish you off when the time comes but currently you are safe. That is if you wish to be. Just go off and we won't harm you," the man said.
"If you think I'm going to leave, I have news for you. I'm going to stay right here until you let Hermione go. Now you leave her or I'll…," started Harry but the man didn't let him finish.
"Or you'll do what Potter? Think I'm scared of you? Okay, it seems obvious that you are not going to listen to my peaceful solution. So I'm ordering you now. Drop your wand or I'll kill the girl. Drop it right now! I'll count till three. One… Two… Three…," the man said in a very loud voice.
"Surprised, aren't you? How come a sixteen year old boy didn't obey your orders? Well, I'll give you the answer. You'll be punished within an inch of your life if you killed Hermione. It's Voldemort's hobby to kill, isn't it?" Harry said in a mocking tone.
"How dare you speak master's name? You filthy halfblood!" the man spoke with rage.
"Might I remind you that VOLDEMORT is a halfblood himself? How do you think he'll react if he gets to know you called him filthy?" Harry asked, still undaunted.
"Forget all this now. I'm not here to answer your idiotic questions. Master will deal with you himself when the time comes. I can't kill the girl but I certainly can hurt her. Do you remember how the Cruciatus curse felt, Potter? Want me to try that on your friend? Put your wand down at once," the man commanded.
Harry couldn't think of anything else to do. He dropped his wand without a word.
"That's better. Now move ten steps back," the man said. As Harry did, the man turned to the woman and asked, "How much time left for the portkey to activate?"
Harry knew this was his chance. The man had his back to him while the woman was looking at the man. Very quietly he moved his hand to his back pocket and took out Hermione's wand. Though the man was the easier target, he had to attack the woman first. She was closer to Hermione.
"Expelliarmus!" shouted Harry. The woman was taken by total surprise and was thrown back. The wand slipped out of her hand. The man couldn't understand what had happened. He barely had enough time to turn around before…
"Expelliarmus!" shouted Harry again. The effect was the same. Hermione acted with great agility. Before anyone could make any move, she picked up the three wands lying on the floor and rushed towards Harry.
"Now tell me who you are or I'll hurt you very badly. Quick!" shouted Harry.
"Harry, please don't hurt them. They could be my parents under the Imperious curse," interjected Hermione.
"They aren't Hermione. Can't you see that they have their wands and are capable of doing magic? It's polyjuice potion most probably," said Harry.
"Then where are my parents?" wailed Hermione.
"We'll find them," said Harry confidently, putting an arm around Hermione to comfort her. As the two of them were talking they did not notice something shining in the corner of the room.
"Will you tell me who you are?" Harry said sternly to the man. He didn't notice the woman take a few steps to the right.
"Jump for the portkey," shouted the woman diving towards the shining object.
"Petrificus totalus," Harry said pointing his wand at the man who froze immediately. Hermione did the same thing to the woman but was too late. She had disappeared.
"Damn!" shouted Harry. He turned towards Hermione and said, "Apparate to the ministry right now and get some aurors. Fast!" Hermione nodded and disappeared with a crack. Harry waited patiently for her to return. He hoped more deatheaters wouldn't come before help arrived. After ten minutes he heard a series of cracking noises. Hermione had arrived with McGonagall, Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley and a few others. Among them was Horace Slughorn with a tiny bottle in his hand.
"I think Veritaserum is the need of the hour. Hermione told us the whole story," he said with a smile.
"That's right Horace. But we'll wait till this man regains his original form. I think he's transforming now," replied McGonagall seriously. Everybody waited anxiously to see who this man was. Harry's jaw dropped. He knew this man. All he wanted to do was to hex him into the next century. Not only for what he did to his parents but for what he was planning on Hermione. He was none other than Peter Pettigrew.
Slughorn put a few drops of Veritaserum into his mouth while McGonagall performed the counter curse to unfreeze him. Four aurors held him tightly to where he was sitting.
"So Peter, who was your partner in crime," asked Lupin.
"Narcissa Malfoy," replied Peter without any expression.
"Why did your master want kill Miss Granger?" asked McGonagall.
"Master figured out the prophecy. He deduced that 'the power he knows not' was Potter's ability to love. Everyone knows that among females Granger is closest to Potter. So he came to the conclusion that only with her help Potter could defeat him. He told me and Narcissa to take the form of her parents and get her to him. He wanted to make sure that she wasn't missed. So we emotionally blackmailed her. People here would think that she was away but in reality master would have killed her," Peter replied. Harry and Hermione, who had turned red, were now gaping as they heard Voldemort's plan. It was a very clever plan indeed.
"Finally Peter, what have you done with Robert and Diana Granger? Surely they are somewhere nearby as you would need their hair. How did you treat them?" Tonks asked.
"They are in the right hand side corner of the basement. They were frozen and covered with an invisibility cloak. We gave them very little to eat. When Narcissa got bored she used to go and whip them as they are mudbloods," Peter said.
Hermione's face grew white. She couldn't move. McGonagall spoke urgently, "Remus, please transfer Robert and Diana Granger to the nearest muggle hospital at once".
Remus nodded. He rushed down to the basement, removed the invisibility cloak and conjured two stretchers. The Grangers were in a really bad way. They were unconscious. There were whip marks all over their body. They seemed very weak. Hermione couldn't bear the sight in front of her. She collapsed to the floor. Remus quickly arranged for an ambulance and went with them to the hospital. Everybody else remained in the house. McGonagall took charge.
"The aurors will take Peter to the ministry where he will be kept under tight security. He will have to face trial in a few weeks time. Make sure that the ministry takes enough precaution so that he doesn't transform or apparate. He may have very valuable information. Kingsley you will come back to Hogwarts with me. I have something to discuss with you. Tonks, you will escort Harry and Hermione to the hospital. I'm sure Miss Granger would like to know what happened to her parents," she commanded. Everyone nodded.
Harry, Hermione and Tonks were traveling in a muggle cab. Hermione didn't say anything but Harry could see a few tears streaking down her face. He didn't disturb her. This was traumatic for her. To think that she had spent the past couple of weeks in company of Peter Pettigrew and Narcissa Malfoy made him shiver. He hoped that her parents would be okay. Remus met them at the hospital.
"No news till now. The doctors are still at work. They should be out anytime now," he said. Everybody waited anxiously. In about five minutes the doctor came out. Hermione stood up.
"The news is not very good. Both of them are very weak. They have been put on glucose. They have also lost a lot of blood. In fact Robert Granger requires blood transfusion. We have blood in our bank but it would help if we could use fresh blood. That would stabilize the platelet count. Does anyone here have B positive as his or her blood group?" the doctor spoke.
"That's my blood group. I'll be happy to help," replied Harry quickly. The doctor nodded as he and Harry walked away. They didn't return for about half an hour.
"I have better news. Medically they are out of danger. It will take a long time for them to regain full fitness but they will. However the mental trauma may take years to heal. I hope they are mentally strong. That would go a long way in helping them recover. I expect them to regain consciousness sometime tomorrow but they have to spend at least a week or ten days at the hospital. You are all free to see them now. Both of them are in room number three twenty seven," the doctor said.
All of them visited the Grangers in their room. Though Hermione was relieved, she couldn't help crying at the sight of her parents. They all sat in the room. Remus took leave just as the sun had started rising. Soon Kingsley walked him. Remus had told him about the Grangers' condition.
"Minerva and I just had a talk. We have decided that Harry will come and live with Hermione till such time as her parents return home. After that we'll think about what to do. Remus, Tonks and I have to ensure your safety but we won't be staying with you. We are still not sure whether Hogwarts will reopen. However both of you have to continue your work. You are allowed to use magic but please don't misuse it. Hermione is already past seventeen while Harry will be in two weeks. The ministry has granted special permission for him. Since you two must be tired I suggest you go home and rest. I'll wait here. Hermione you can come back with Harry later in the day," Kingsley said.
Harry quickly apparated to his uncle's place to pick up his things. This would most probably be the last he would see his last living relatives. He didn't even feel the slightest bit of disappointment. These people meant nothing to him and he couldn't care less if they lived or died. He quietly bid farewell to them. Back at the hospital everyone was ready to leave. He and Hermione apparated back to her house. Not a word was spoken. Harry decided to leave Hermione alone. She needed a little bit of time to herself to get her mind together. She went into her room while Harry took the guestroom. Both of them slept like logs.
On waking up late in the afternoon Harry heard noises downstairs. As he walked into the kitchen he saw Hermione cooking. She looked up at him before speaking.
"I guess you are hungry. We haven't eaten anything since last night. I cooked lunch for us though it is quite late," she said. Harry nodded.
"How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
"Much better. Things could have been worse," she replied shortly. Both of them sat down to eat. Hermione was a decent cook, so the food tasted pretty good.
"You know Harry; I never thanked you for everything you did. If it weren't for you I and my parents would probably be dead by now. You also gave blood for my dad. I don't have enough words to express my gratitude but thank you all the same," Hermione said.
"You're welcome. Thank goodness I arrived in time. You were great help. Your wand was very important. Even your agility in picking up the three wands helped," Harry replied. They ate their lunch and left for the hospital. Kingsley left when they arrived. They had been there for a few minutes when Diana began to stir. Hermione rushed up to her bed.
"No… don't hit me… have mercy… and please don't kill Hermione… aaah… Help!" Diana said as she struggled in her bed.
"Mum, its okay. I'm here. They won't hit you. The doctors say you and dad will be okay," Hermione said holding her mother's hand.
"It that really you sweetie? I was so worried. They said they'll kill you and leave us in the basement to starve," Diana said weakly. Harry walked up and stood besides Hermione.
"Mum I'd like you to meet my friend Harry. He saved all of us. He fought the two of them single handed," Hermione told her mother. Diana looked towards Harry and smiled slightly.
"It's so nice to see you Harry. Hermione always speaks highly of you. Thank you saving us. I'm sorry I can't say much more now. I'm feeling drowsy again," Diana said.
"That's okay Mrs. Granger. I'm happy that all of you are going to be alright," Harry replied. He walked to his seat but Hermione kept standing besides her mother. The sight of their family in such a state angered him. Just being his friend had put Hermione and her family in danger. As he had found out he couldn't just cut-off Hermione from his life. So he made up his mind about one thing. He would kill Voldemort before he could inflict any more damage. There was no time to look for the remaining horcruxes. He needed to find a way to destroy Voldemort fast. For that he needed to learn more about horcruxes. He knew of just one place where he could find a book on this. Knockturn Alley.
Next morning Hermione again went to the hospital but Harry excused himself. He apparated to Knockturn Alley. Just being there gave him chills. This was clearly a place for dark wizards. That was probably the reason nobody ever came here. However he found what he was looking for. In a very old bookshop he came across the book 'All you need to know about horcruxes'. When back at Hermione's house, he saw Hermione hadn't yet returned. He started going through the book. One portion particularly interested him.
It is widely believed that until all the horcruxes of a person have been destroyed, he cannot die. However this is not true. One of the horcrux is in the person's body itself. This is called the prime horcrux. This is the main soul of the person. If the person is killed the soul escapes from his body and finds one of the horcruxes. It remains here until the body can be restored by suitable methods. But the soul can be prevented from leaving the body by a special incantation 'Nando'. The success of the casting of this spell can be made out if the body remains warm even after the person is killed. The body then has to undergo the process of soul burning to ensure death.
Soul burning requires a very complicated potion called the 'Horcrew'. The recipe for this is given later in the book. The body has to be shrunk and boiled in this potion for two hours. The appearance of blood shows that the person is dead.
Harry was very interested. Here was a way to end Voldemort fast. The only problem was Horcrew. He needed Hermione to brew this potion. It was too difficult for him. So he had to let her into his secret. He hoped that she would cooperate. Exactly that moment Hermione came in through the door. She looked happy.
"Harry, both my parents are doing well. Dad got up this morning. Both of them can now drink orally. My dad can't wait to meet…," she stopped on seeing the serious look on his face.
"I'm glad to hear that Hermione but I want to discuss something with you. This is strictly confidential. You can't open your mouth on this. Don't speak until I finish," he said. Both of them sat down on the sofa as Harry told her his plans. She was really indignant but he wouldn't let her speak. Finally he showed her the book and the potion recipe.
"Can you manage this? Please answer me before you begin your protests", he asked. Hermione glanced through it.
"After polyjuice potion as a twelve year old this shouldn't be very difficult. But Harry you can't go like this. You are far from ready to face him. What happened to my family has nothing to do with you. In fact you saved all of us", she said hurriedly.
"I'm not doing this for your family. All that happened made me look at things in a totally different perspective. I will never be as strong as him. I've got to beat him mentally. I have some ideas. Come on Hermione, your support is the only thing I can bank upon. If you desert me now then there's no hope for me. So are you willing to listen to my plans?" he asked. Hermione didn't say anything. He waited for her. At last she nodded.
"Harry I can't lose you. I nearly lost my parents. I'm begging you not to go but if you decide to go I'm with you. I'll always support you," she said quietly.
"Very good. That means a great deal to me. Now listen to my plan. Fighting with Peter and Narcissa gave me this idea. Voldemort and my wands are made from the feather of the same phoenix. So if our spells collide with each other midway Priori Incantatem takes place. I'll make sure that happens. So both of us will be stuck. I'll have your wand in my back pocket. To make the plan foolproof, I'll put the disillusionment charm on your wand. I'll take that wand out and use it to disarm him. Once he is disarmed things shouldn't be too difficult. You'll have to be ready here with Horcrew. Once I return we'll perform the soul burning," Harry said.
"You make it sound easier than it is. But yes, it definitely is a good plan. How are you going to get to him though?" she asked.
"Even I was thinking of that. Peter revealed during his investigation that Voldemort's headquarter is at the Riddle House. He's placed anti-apparation charms around that area and there are plenty of deatheaters guarding the house. Getting to him will be a tough task. I wish you could suggest something," Harry said.
"I thought of something but it's dangerous", replied Hermione.
"Let's hear it," said Harry enthusiastically.
"The deatheaters will not stop you if you go in pretending to be one of them. Yes, I'm talking about Peter. You can use polyjuice potion. It's risky but worth a try. Of course you'll first need to apparate to a nearby area and then walk up to the house," Hermione replied.
"You're a genius Hermione. I don't know what I'd do without you," replied Harry. He hugged her before continuing, "We have a busy day tomorrow. You'll go to Diagon Alley to buy readymade polyjuice potion and the ingredients of Horcrew. I'll pay a visit to our friend Peter."
Next morning Harry and Hermione left home at the same time. Hermione apparated to Diagon Alley. Harry went to the ministry. He had to sign a few papers before he was allowed to meet Peter. Peter was bound heavily with iron chains and was kept in a small dark room.
"It's time for payback Peter," said Harry cutting a few strands of his hair.
"Why would want my hair? Surely you won't use that in a polyjuice potion," Peter asked, in a squeaky voice.
"Actually I will. It's time I removed the last signs of Voldemort. Unfortunately to get into the Riddle House I'll have to go in your form. Don't think I'm very pleased to take up your disgusting form," replied Harry. Peter started babbling but nothing coherent came out.
"You'll meet the same sticky end as your parents Potter. The Dark Lord will finish you off in no time. All the best! I won't even bother mentioning about this to anyone else. They'd only stop you from going," said Peter with a smile.
"You know Peter, however fond I may be of my parents; I think they made one big mistake. They trusted a person like you. When I met you three years back all I wanted to do was to kill you. But now my feeling is that a simple Avada Kedavra will be too kind on you. You deserve pain and torture. Azkaban is awaiting you and that in quite a good start. This time they are making sure you can't transform. So unlike Sirius you'll face everything in your… I don't know if I should call it human form. You are no human. Goodbye now, I'll meet you after finishing off you master," said Harry and walked out of the room.
When he reached home Hermione was already there. She had got everything from Diagon Alley. She handed Harry the small bottle of polyjuice potion. Together they had a late lunch together. They didn't speak much. Harry spoke when they had finished eating.
"I guess this is it then. I should get going now," he said softly.
"I thought you'd go in the evening. Didn't you say you'd like to take him on in the night?" Hermione asked.
"Yes I'd thought that. But I think that it would be better if we did the Horcrew part in the night. Then it would be discrete. Make sure the potion is ready by night," Harry replied. Hermione kept quiet for sometime.
"I wish you wouldn't go Harry. I know you won't allow me to come with you but at least you could have taken a few aurors," she said tearing up.
"Hermione you know I have to do this. If I tell anybody else they wouldn't let me go. Both of us have thought out a very good plan. I don't see any reason Voldemort won't be dead before sunrise tomorrow," he paused, "I should mention this. In case I fail in my attempt, my entire fortune is to be divided between you and Ron," he added. Hermione was crying freely now.
"I don't want your fortune Harry, I want you. You will kill him. I know you will. You have everything you need. I wasn't just being polite in that letter. Promise me you'll come back," she cried, hugging him tightly. Harry was pained. He couldn't see her like this. He didn't know how to act.
"I will try my very best to come back to you. Now I think it is getting late. I should leave. Goodbye for now. I'll see you soon," he said. He started walking away.
"Wait Harry," said Hermione loudly. Harry stopped. Hermione took off the necklace she was wearing. She put it around Harry's neck and said, "My parents gave this to me before I left for Hogwarts. They said it would protect me. Today I'm giving it to you. It'll protect you from the dark forces. You'll win Harry. I have full confidence in you".
Harry crushed her in a bear hug. He felt lucky that he had a friend like Hermione. His own tears were flowing now. He knew that he had to win the battle for her. "I will win," he thought aloud. Hermione looked up.
"This is for luck," she said and kissed him on the lips.