A/N - okay, so I'm not hung over but quite tired so this chapter may not be the greatest. Hope you all had a wonderful new year - hard to believe it is 2006! Only two more chapters to go after this one so…
Chapter 9 - The News No-One Wanted to Hear
Harry was subdued as he entered The Burrow for two reasons. Today Hermione was going to tell everyone what was happening with her - and Anna was joining them for lunch. The women were already there, planning the surprise birthday party he wasn't supposed to know about but did because Ron was terrible at keeping secrets.
Seeing Hermione, Ginny and Anna together at one table was quite surreal - all women in his life, all with different significance. The passing thought that he had dated a redhead, loved a brunette and was currently dating a blond brought a smile to his face. Trust him not to stick to convention.
"You made it." Harry turned to Ron who had crept up behind him and spoke in whispers, "they are making big plans."
"I wish they wouldn't."
"Well, they are. You will need to be gracious." Any thought of stealth was suddenly disturbed as Lenny shot past and ran to his mother who, along with Molly Weasley, had been sitting with the other women at the table. Hermione looked up and saw him standing there, giving him an encouraging smile. He saw how tired she was and that she was in some discomfort. She will need to take some more potion soon.
It had been two days since he had found her crying on the floor of the living room. He spent that Friday and Saturday just being with her, talking to her and listening to the fears that she needed to express. All the while Harry felt an anguish that he had to fight to keep under control. The Darkness in him loved the feeling of despair and fed off of it greedily, forcing Harry to focus on two things - saving himself and saving Hermione.
Anna had been quite angry that he broke their date for that Saturday night, but to be honest he didn't really care. Things had been going downhill for them in the last few days and he had more important things on his mind. Like saving Hermione.
Lunch at The Burrow was served with much laughter as Remus and Tonks joined them around the Weasley family table. Harry watched Hermione nervously, trying not to be too conspicuous but knew he was failing miserably as both Ron and Ginny had noticed his concern and Anna was showing her displeasure. When Healer Maggie Gower stepped into the kitchen an understanding passed between those in the room.
Harry watched as Hermione stood and joined the other witch before he glanced around the table at his friends. Tears had already begun to form in Ginny's eyes while Molly had taken what looked like a death grip on her husband's hand. However it was Ron who scared Harry the most - he had gone deathly pale, his eyes fixed on the cup on the table before him.
"Er, can I have your attention everyone?" Hermione started, a false cheerfulness in her voice, "I guess I have some bad news …"
Before she could say anything more, Harry watched with amazement as Ron noisily pushed back his chair and stormed out of the kitchen, trying unsuccessfully to hide the tears that were running down his face. The silence was deafening, but he turned his attention back to Hermione, who had been stunned by Ron's departure, unable to finish her sentence.
"I'll go and speak to him," Luna said softly as she manoeuvred her heavily pregnant body out of her chair and followed her husband into the garden. Harry looked past the quietly crying Ginny (who was clinging to Neville), and onto Remus. They shared an understanding as Harry stood.
"Remus, could I have a word," Harry said before catching Hermione's eye with what he hoped was a comforting look. She smiled slightly as she sat down in Ron's empty seat and hugged Ginny who had turned to her from Neville's embrace.
Harry knew that he was doing this wrong, that this wasn't how Hermione wanted this to go. But seeing the way his friends had crumbled at her news, his need to save her took over.
The two men left and walked briskly from the house in the opposite direction to where Ron and Luna were embracing. When they were sure they were alone, Harry turned to Remus with a determination that scared the older wizard.
"We have to do it sooner," Harry said, "we have to try the counter-spell in the next few days."
"It's still unstable Harry, you're still unstable" Remus countered, "we don't know the outcome…"
"As long as the outcome is that Hermione survives, that's all that matters…"
"It's not just the counter-curse we're worried about and you know it," Remus continued, "we don't know if you can control your power!"
"I know, I know. But the last trials were positive. We were just using the extra time to be sure. We no longer have that luxury Remus!"
"You know that if it doesn't work, you will die," Remus tried another track, "she wouldn't want that to…"
"She deserves to live! Not this half life she has now, and she definitely doesn't deserve death. I will not let that happen!"
"Harry, you may not have a choice. We've been through this…"
"I have all the ingredients! I have more power than any wizard alive and I have part of the curser in me! Why are we still debating this!" Harry watched his friend deflate, the resigned look in Remus's face making Harry realise he had won.
"When do you want to do this?"
"As soon as possible - tomorrow?"
"You will have to make her agree…"
"Agree to what?" Harry swung around and saw Ron standing there, his eyes red but a stubborn look on his face.
"Harry feels he can do the counter-curse on Hermione," Remus replied.
"What? How?"
"That's what I have been doing with Remus," Harry continued, "testing how strong I am, making sure I could do the spell…"
"But no one has survived placing the counter-curse."
"Because no one had all the parts needed. I do." The two men stared at each other as Ron tried to understand what Harry was telling him.
"Do you love her?"
"More than she knows." Ron just nodded as if he knew all along.
"She won't agree to it, you know," Ron said, "especially if she thinks you might die."
"We have to make her agree, make her understand. I can't let her die Ron, especially if I think I can stop it." Ron breathed deeply and hugged a silent Luna to him, his eyes glassing over again with tears.
"Then let's make her understand," the redhead finally said.
Harry and Remus fell in behind Ron and Luna as they made their way back to the house. Harry's mind whirled on what he was going to say to make her agree to do something that has never successfully been done before. He re-entered the kitchen to find everyone calmly talking - everyone but Anna who was sitting stone-faced at the table. Harry had forgotten about his girlfriend, and even now her discomfort meant little to him. Hermione noticed them entering and looked nervously between Harry and Ron.
"Everything okay?" she asked as Tonks went and stood by Remus and Maggie stood looking at Harry, slightly concerned.
Taking a deep breath, Harry went and sat down in the empty chair next to Hermione, taking her shaking hands in his, making her look at him as he spoke.
"I can fix this," he said softly, "ever since I came back, I have been working towards fixing this, fixing you and I think the time has come for me to prove it."
"No Harry, this time you can't be the hero," she replied just as softly, "this time you can't save me."
"Hermione, please listen. I have read, researched and spoken to everyone who knows anything about the curse you have been struck with. And once I knew what I was dealing with, I have been working towards making things right…"
"That's what you've been doing with Professor Lupin?"
"Yes. I hadn't used magic for a long time, but that didn't mean I couldn't. I can do wandless magic without much of a thought. I can enter through most security wards including those on Hogwarts and the Ministry. Remember what I said when I told you what I had been doing while I was away? Why I had to leave?"
"Part of Voldemort became you, like before, when you got your scar."
Harry's heart broke as she whispered those words. He could feel that the logical side of her mind knew how this conversation was going to end, that he could prove that he was able to do the spell. And he could feel the conflict in her as she didn't want him to put himself in danger for her.
"Some of his power is within me as well as some of his darkness that I have to fight every day to keep under control. I am more powerful than any wizard alive and I think you know that."
"I…I've seen you do wandless magic. At home," she whispered, her eyes full of tears, "but it takes more than just power Harry." Harry gently reached out and wiped away a tear that had escaped, his touch causing more to roll down her face.
"He is with me," he said, "let me do this Hermione. Please."
They looked at each other, ignoring everyone else in the room - he pleading to her with his eyes, her debating in her mind what she was going to do. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her, that it was because of that love that he needed to this, he needed to save her - but he couldn't. However as he looked at her, holding her hands, watching her emotions flicker every now and then across her face - he could see that she understood. She had always understood. Growing up together there were so many times when they had communicated without words and at this moment, they were doing it again.
It seemed like a lifetime, but in reality it had probably only been minutes, before Harry saw Hermione nod, ever so slightly.
"Hermione?" he asked, "you'll let me try?"
"Yes," she whispered, "but you can't leave me again Harry, you just can't!"
"I'm not planning to." Harry drew his friend into a hug, finally noticing the others in the room who had stayed deathly quiet while the discussion had taken place. He smiled tentatively at Ron, who still looked too pale but returned the smile with one of his own.
"No, I won't let you do it." Harry pulled away from Hermione and with everyone else, looked towards the sound of the voice seeing a very angry looking Anna.
"What?" he asked in amazement.
"You expect me just to sit here and listen to you say you are prepared to die for another woman?" Anna continued, standing and facing a now standing Harry, "I'm part of you life now, I'm your girlfriend and I'm not going to let you do this! We've been together two months, I love you with all my heart and you're willing to give that up, me up, for her?"
"It sounds like you want me to choose…"
"Yeah, Harry, you are going to have to choose. Me or her, because you can't have both!"
"Hermione." The name hung in the air as Anna stared at him with venom. Harry was fighting hard to keep his anger under control. The Darkness that had already enlarged from his despair began to devour this piece of conflict hungrily, wanting desperately to grow and was gaining momentum inside of him. He watched as his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend walked around the table and stand in front of him, her eyes glistening with fury.
"You'll regret this Harry Potter," she spat.
"Is that a threat?" he asked, seemingly calmly.
"I know things about you that would make great reading," Anna replied, "your lack of ability to form physical relationships with women only one thing…"
"Is that all you've got?" Harry interrupted, "because, sweetheart, you'll have to do better. People have been making up stories about me since I was born - some have even written books. You don't scare me. You can't scare me because if you do anything that harms myself or the people I love it will be you that will have regrets. Do I make myself clear." Harry knew that the power that really only Remus had witnessed since his return had now begun to glow around him. Anna stepped back, loosing her fury to terror. He could curse her - it would only take a thought - but it was a soft hand on his arm that stopped him.
"Harry," Hermione said, her voice close to his ear, letting him know that instead of pulling away from him - she had come closer. The Darkness was once again beaten and Harry felt himself return to normal.
"I think you should leave now," he said to Anna, watching with no passion as his former girlfriend turned on her heel and left the kitchen without another word. Turning to the others in the room, who had all been watching in wonder, he forced a smile.
"Sorry about that," he said, "didn't mean to bring my dirty laundry to the table."
"No problem mate," Ron replied, his voice returning somewhat to normal, "besides, I knew it would never work."
"How did you know that Ronald," Luna asked with a smile.
"Just because…"
Harry smile became genuine as he looked around the room at his friends, his eyes finally resting on an exhausted looking Hermione. He was going to make this right, he thought determinedly to himself, he had to make this right.
A/N - so many of you were right - Harry can cure Hermione. But will it all turn out safely? Will our hero save the girl? Find out tomorrow in the next episode of…