A/N - before anyone says anything about Hermione's reaction - this is based on me. I fell in love with a good friend and he didn't feel the same so I hid those feelings from him so we could remain friends - it was difficult, but not impossible. Remember, this is only from Harry's POV and my understanding is that boys don't quite think the same as us girls do - Hermione is going through hell but is trying desperately not to show Harry. Also, I love the different reactions from the reviewers from how stupid Harry is to how pathetic. At the end of the day, he thinks he's doing the right thing. Enjoy.
Chapter 14 - The End is Coming
By Ron's birthday, things had improved only slightly. Ron tolerated Harry, just, and although he was never rude or ignored Harry, Ron made his displeasure with his friend's decision known.
This made the visits to Dowrgi quiet, sombre affairs with the boys doing their research in silence, only speaking when one of them needed to check some fact out with the other. Martin sometimes dragged Harry away to see another part of the estate so soon Harry had seen the whole house, and although he liked what he saw, he had no plans to move there. It was definitely too big for one person.
Strangely, the relationship between Harry and Hermione had scarcely changed. She had kept away from him for a few days after 'the incident' but then went back to treating him the way she always did. Except they didn't touch anymore. Or play cards in the morning. Or spend any time alone together. Or smile at each other.
Harry found it hard to admit that things between himself and Hermione had indeed greatly changed, that although they weren't avoiding each other - they were no longer as close as they once were. He missed her terribly but knew he was doing the right thing, which was his mantra every time he felt himself wavering or feeling down - it was for the best.
The change in dynamics between the trio had been noticed by those close to them so it was no surprise to Harry when Ginny cornered him one day between classes.
"What's going on between you and Hermione?" she asked bluntly, her red hair swaying with each step she took as she followed Harry down the corridor.
"Nothing," Harry replied automatically.
"She won't let you go as easily as I did."
"Easy being the operative word," Harry spat, his tone harsher than he intended, "how is Neville, by the way?"
"That was unnecessary Harry," Ginny retorted, hurt. Harry stopped walking and breathed deeply before turning and facing his ex-girlfriend.
"Yes, that was. I'm sorry Gin," he sighed, "there has been and is nothing going on between Hermione and me."
"Well, I can see that, you idiot," Ginny frowned, "why isn't there? You both look absolutely miserable."
"You want Hermione and I to be a couple?" Harry exclaimed, totally surprised.
"I just want you to be happy Harry," Ginny replied, "and I know that you have walked away from her because of this martyr thing you've got going…"
"It's for the best," Harry tried to explain.
"No, it's not Harry," Ginny answered and with a swish of red hair, she was gone. Harry watched her go, going over what she had said.
Ginny didn't know the full story, know what lies ahead for him - she didn't understand. He began walking again, not quite sure where he was going, and without really thinking, he found himself outside the library. Hermione wasn't in there, he knew she was with Luna in the Head's common room translating the Horcrux book. So why had he come here? Harry sighed - it was because the library was Hermione. With his hands deep in his pockets, he turned and walked away, berating himself on how pathetic he was.
A week later he was in the Potter library, looking through some manifests of Rowena Ravenclaw's extremely distant relative for some sign of the dictionary or hair comb when Ron spoke.
"It's not the comb," he stated.
"What?"
"It's not the comb," Ron repeated, "I've just had confirmation from Gringotts that it has been in a vault, untouched, for over one hundred and twenty years."
"The goblins told you that?" Harry asked, amazed.
"No, Bill did," Ron retorted tersely, "so that only leaves the dictionary…"
"Which seems to have gone without a trace."
"Right,"
"Look, Ron…"
"I don't want to hear it Harry," Ron cut him off, putting his things away and standing, "it's nearly time for dinner. I'll see you back at Hogwarts."
Harry watched Ron Floo away and with a resigned sigh, went back to his work. He always makes sure he's late for meals now, or sometimes early, so he doesn't have to walk with them, with her. They still eat together, of course, but cutting out the travelling time made the meals easier for both of them. However, walking together after dinner was unavoidable but as routine, Ron stood between Harry and Hermione.
"I've been telling Hermione about the hair comb," Ron said conversationally as they made their way back to their dorm.
"Ron, I don't think we should be talking about this out here," Hermione hissed, quickly looking behind them to see if they were alone.
"Why not Hermione," Ron continued, "even if we were overheard, no-one knows what we're talking about. Anyway, with Ravenclaw's dictionary the last thing to find…"
"What do you want with Ravenclaw's dictionary?" All three Gryffindor's turned as one to see Draco Malfoy standing to their left - he hadn't been at dinner, Harry just thought, and wondered where he had been.
"It's got nothing to do with you Malfoy," Ron spat, his ears already turning red.
"Where have you been?" Harry asked, a bit more calmly, "missed dinner again?"
"I eat in the dorm now," Malfoy sneered, "better company."
"Then why are you here?" Hermione continued the questioning, "you're breaking your curfew."
"I needed a book from the library for my Potions homework," the Slytherin answered, "Slughorn gave me a note."
"You better hurry," Hermione remarked after reading Malfoy's permission slip, "he didn't give you long…"
"So, what do you three want with Ravenclaw's dictionary?" Malfoy repeated, "is that why you went to London? Because if it is, you're way off track - which, considering Granger is the brains of your little threesome, is not surprising."
"What's it to you Malfoy," Harry replied, continuing to walk.
"If finding the dictionary means getting rid of the Dark Lord, it means a lot to me," Malfoy shot back, "I know where it is." Harry stopped and looked at the blond boy.
"What?"
"It was a gift to my grandfather," Malfoy explained, then added sadly "it was my mother's favourite thing."
"You better get your book," Harry said calmly, "or you'll be late."
Without another word, Harry carried on walking, Ron and Hermione with him, leaving Draco behind no doubt thinking about his mother. They said nothing more until they got to their common area where Hermione sealed the door and they looked at each other in shock.
"The dictionary is at Malfoy Manor?" Ron said incredulously, "it does make sort of sense."
"But that would mean Lucius Malfoy was entrusted with two Horcruxes," Hermione said thoughtfully, "the diary and the dictionary. Surely Voldemort wouldn't have two parts of his soul in the one place."
"The dictionary was given to Narcissa's dad," Harry reasoned, "then passed on to Narcissa - maybe Voldemort didn't know it was at the Malfoy Manor when he gave the diary to Lucius?"
"The Malfoy's would've got married while He Who…er…Vold…Voldemort was still around," Ron ventured, "he would've known which two families were merging."
"Perhaps Narcissa didn't have the dictionary then," Harry continued to think out loud, "perhaps her father died after Voldemort…"
"We need to get to Grimmauld Place and look on the Black family tree tapestry," Ron suggested.
"No we don't," Hermione replied, walking over to the table (which was full of books and piles of parchment).
"Don't tell me you can remember the tapestry off by heart," Ron scoffed, following Hermione to the table.
"Of course not Ron," Hermione answered as she rummaged through one of the piles, "I wrote it down." She began to read what was written on the parchment as Harry watched with admiration. She was truly quite brilliant, and he really wanted to tell her. But he didn't.
"So, what does it say?" Harry said instead, standing next to Ron.
"Narcissa's father died in 1987," was the reply - she looked at both of them with a small smile, "Voldemort had already…disappeared," her eyes flickered to Harry, "he wouldn't known it had been passed on."
"Voldemort would've visited Malfoy Manor quite a bit," Ron frowned in thought, "surely he would've seen it, or known it was there or something…"
"Dumbledore said that Voldemort doesn't feel when a Horcrux is destroyed," Harry put in, "which would mean that he doesn't necessarily feel when one is near, or moved or anything. Maybe Narcissa kept the dictionary away from everyone else, maybe Lucius didn't know it was in the Manor…"
"But Draco knew," Hermione countered, "how would Draco know and not his father?"
"And it's not something that the Malfoy's would hide away," Ron stated, "the dictionary would be something they would want to show off."
"If that was the case, then why didn't Voldemort find a new hiding place for his Horcrux?" Harry asked, "Lucius had already destroyed one of them when he gave the diary to Ginny - if he knew the dictionary was with the Malfoy's as well, I really don't think he'd leave it there."
"Which comes back to Draco," Hermione said, "how does he know of the dictionary? He said it was his mother's favourite thing so it wasn't something just put on a shelf and forgotten…"
"She must have hidden it from Lucius…" Harry started.
"Why?" Hermione asked sharply, glaring at Harry, "for what purpose? Why hide something renowned throughout the wizarding world from her husband, but not her son?"
"I don't know," Harry retorted, prickling from her hard tone, "maybe it was something special from her father that she didn't want Lucius to be part of…"
"So you're saying that her dad actively exposed her to a Horcrux…"
"He wouldn't have known," Harry frowned, "you know that Hermione - Voldemort didn't tell people what he was doing, even his closest supporters. You're being ridiculous…"
"Ridiculous?" she yelled, her eyes suddenly blazing, "ridiculous! Well, if I'm so ridiculous, you don't need me! You can work this out on your own!" Harry watched dumbfounded as Hermione stormed away, a slamming door signalling she had reached her room. He turned to Ron in surprise - Ron just shook his head sadly.
"Good work Harry," he muttered, "I'm going to bed."
With the knowledge that somehow he had really made a mess of things - again - Harry sat wearily down and let his head thump hard on the table, ignoring the flash of pain that crossed his forehead. He stayed like that until he knew Ron would either be asleep or pretending to be asleep. Half an hour later, Harry made his way to his bed.
Ron had already left by the time Harry got up the following day allowing him to get ready for breakfast alone. Walking down the stairs to the common area, he wasn't ready to see Hermione waiting there for him. Suddenly nervous, he paused as she stood and looked at him. She looked nervous too, so taking a deep breath, he continued to where she was standing.
"Hey Harry," she welcomed softly.
"Er, hello Hermione," he replied, "I…I thought you'd already be at breakfast."
"I wanted to apologise for last night," she continued slightly hesitantly, "I think I went a bit over the top and I'm sorry."
"You've got nothing to apologise for Hermione," Harry said, "I should be the one apologising. I shouldn't have said you're ridiculous, you're anything but ridiculous. I'm sorry."
"I guess we can be sorry together then," she said, with a hint of a smile, "shall we go and get some breakfast?"
Harry agreed and followed her out of their room, smiling his first real smile for a long time. They didn't speak, but he could feel a bit of the old comfort that used to be between him and Hermione returning. It felt like the apology, as small as it was, covered so much.
They were nearly at the Great Hall when Hermione finally spoke.
"I was thinking," she began, "that we should talk to Malfoy, find out as much as we can about the dictionary."
"I agree," Harry replied straight off, causing Hermione to look at him surprised, "we need to know more but without Malfoy knowing about…the other stuff. I think Remus and McGonagall should be there as well - we'd get more from him than if it was just us."
"Less chance of you all smashing each other to a pulp, you mean," she joked.
"Yep," Harry laughed.
"Good idea Harry," Hermione continued, "maybe after classes today?"
Harry had once more agreed and worked things out with Professor McGonagall so all parties were contacted and available. He updated the professor on what had happened, accentuating the need to keep the subject of Horcruxes out of the discussion as long as Draco Malfoy was present.
The idea that the last Horcrux was sitting, unprotected, at the Malfoy Manor played on Harry's mind for the rest of the day. Could it really be that simple? Would it be that simple?
Of course not, Harry thought to himself wryly, nothing in my life would be that simple.
Remus was already in McGonagall's office when Harry, Ron and Hermione entered and made their way to waiting chairs - Malfoy, it seemed, was running a bit late. Dumbledore's portrait was watching them intently and it seemed his influence with the other portraits had grown as many that usually feigned sleep were also looking over the room curiously. A few moments later, Malfoy sauntered in but strangely his usual look of contempt was missing - he actually looked interested in what was going on.
"Mr Malfoy," the headmistress quipped, "nice for you to join us."
"I had to wait to give my wand to Professor Flintwick," Draco explained dryly.
"Well, you're here now," McGonagall bustled, "let's begin, shall we?"
"Do you know why you're here Draco?" Remus asked from his spot next to the desk.
"I'm assuming it's because of the dictionary the threesom…er, trio are looking for," was the reply.
"We need to know everything you can think of regarding the dictionary," came a voice from the wall and for the first time Malfoy noticed the old headmaster's portrait. Draco paled as Dumbledore looked back at him.
"Pro…professor," the Slytherin spluttered, his eyes never leaving the picture on the wall.
"Hello Draco," Dumbledore said politely, "I must say, these are better circumstances than the last time we met."
Malfoy seemed lost for words as he just stared at the image of the man he tried to kill - Harry's anger began to fester.
"The dictionary Malfoy?" he prompted, his voice harsh, "tell us about the dictionary."
"Why?" Draco answered, finally looking away from the portrait and glaring at Harry, his customary sneer back on his face, "what's so important about a dictionary?"
"All you need to know is we want it…" Harry stated.
"That's not good enough Potter," Malfoy shot back, "the dictionary was very important to Mother and I'm not going to give it to you just because you said so."
"What does it matter to you," Harry growled, "you can't get at it, you're dead, remember?"
Malfoy jumped to his feet, ready to pounce - Harry immediately did the same. Ron quickly went to hold back Harry while Remus put a restraining arm on Draco as the two boys glared at each other.
"Will you just sit down before I hex you both," McGonagall scolded, exasperated, "you are adults now, not children, I will not take this posturing in my office. If you can't treat each other like civil human beings, you will soon be taught how to with a few well chosen spells - do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Professor," Harry mumbled, shaking off Ron's hand and sitting back down in his chair.
"Yes ma'am," Draco hissed as he too made his way back to his chair.
"We'll try again," Remus said calmly, "please, tell us all you know about the dictionary."
"Mother inherited from Grandfather Black, her father," Draco began, still glaring at Harry, "he had got it as a gift from the Dark Lord for his services when Mother was still a child. They both had a love of books and Grandfather had shown Mother the dictionary in private, away from Aunt Bella and the other one - it was a secret between them both.
"When Grandfather died, she was specifically left the dictionary in his will. She hid it from Father because she thought that, knowing its monetary value, he would sell it. Mother kept it hidden in her chambers."
"How do you know about it Draco?" Dumbledore asked.
"When I first started at Hogwarts," Malfoy continued, "and did well in my classes, Mother thought her enthusiasm for learning," he shot Hermione a glance before looking back to the portrait, "had been passed onto me. She showed me the book one night when Father was away on business and explained how it came to her. When I showed no enthusiasm, and indicated I wanted to follow my father in the ways of the Dark Lord than her with academia, she never showed it to me again."
"So Lucius was never aware that the dictionary was in his house?" Remus tried to clarify.
"My father thought the death of Grandfather Black was something beneath him," Draco said, disgusted, "he didn't go with my mother to the funeral or reading of the will. Grandfather kept the dictionary secret as per the Dark Lord's request so Father had no idea of its existence. When Mother received the dictionary, she hid it from Father straight away. He never knew."
"Are you sure it's Rowena Ravenclaw's dictionary?" Hermione asked.
"Of course I'm sure Granger," Malfoy spat, "I realise that you're used to dealing with idiots, but I'm not one of them."
"I didn't mean to make you feel like I think you're an idiot Draco," Hermione replied, calmly and controlled (though Harry could tell it was a struggle), "it's just that, when someone follows the path of a madman just because it is expected, it is hard for me to comprehend that that person is intelligent and with a thought process of their own. I do apologise."
Harry smiled as Draco seemed to physically squirm from her comments - Hermione just turned her attention back to McGonagall and Dumbledore, who both looked like they were hiding smiles of their own.
"Will it be easy to recover?" Remus asked with his own smirk.
"My mother had her own protections to keep things hidden from Father," Draco replied snarkily, "he was so wrapped up in his own affairs, literally, that he never bothered with anything she did. Her protections were basic ones."
"The manor, I assume, is unplottable," Dumbledore stated from his place on the wall.
"Yes," Malfoy answered, "and has been used by Death Eaters as a base. Now that my family is no longer of use to his cause, I have no idea if they would still use my home for their purposes."
"A well protected manor full of expensive nick nacks," Remus thought out loud, "with Aunty Bella as the last remaining heir, you betcha they are using the manor for their purposes."
"How are we going to get in?" Harry questioned, looking at Remus.
Remus was silent, sharing a look with McGonagall and Dumbledore before taking a deep breath and answering Harry.
"I don't think you three should take part in this Harry," he said softly.
"What?" Harry exclaimed, suddenly angry, "why?"
"Now that Albus is gone, you are the most wanted wizard by the dark side with either Ron or Hermione coming a close second. Every time any of you step out from the protections of this castle, your lives are in danger…"
"I've been stepping out of this castle for months," Harry spat, "remember? Researching at Dowrgi, so have the others."
"But this is a trip to a place that will probably be swarming with Death Eaters who's greatest wish is to bring you to their Master," Remus argued, "your presence will be a liability."
"No! You can't leave me behind like I'm a child!" Harry yelled as he stood and began pacing.
"Mr Potter…Harry," Professor McGonagall began, "Remus is right. This is a job for the Order, for witches and wizards experienced in combat…"
"I'm experienced in combat!" Harry continued to yell, turning on the headmistress, "I can look after myself…"
"Harry, think about it," Hermione spoke, standing and shadowing Harry in his pacing, "we've been through a lot but we haven't even graduated! Members of the Order, they've had experience with this sort of thing, they know what they're doing - we don't, not really."
"Are you saying you are okay not going?" Harry snarled, bearing down on her, "that you can sit here and wait while others finish what you started six months ago? That Malfoy will finish off what you started six months ago?"
"Yes," Hermione answered after a moment's pause, her eyes never wavering as she stared at Harry. Still angry, he turned to Ron who had remained in his chair.
"How 'bout you Ron, are you fine with staying behind?"
A mixture of emotions ran across Ron's face as he looked at Harry, whose anger began to ebb away almost immediately.
"I'm sorry mate," Ron admitted, "I've been working with Moody, but I'm not confident that I could deal with my leg and everything else in a combat situation. Not yet anyway. Even if you were going, I wouldn't be."
Harry sat heavily down in his chair and hid his face in his hands. He heard Hermione sit down as well, but other than that, the room remained eerily quiet.
"Good little tanty there Potter," Malfoy sneered, breaking the silence, "you really do have to be the centre of attention, don't you."
"Shut up Malfoy," Harry muttered, barely audible through his hands.
"Harry, there will be other battles for you to fight," Dumbledore soothed - Harry looked at his old headmaster with a resigned sigh as the image continued to speak, "this time others are more suited for the task. You need to let them help you."
Harry just nodded with a weary acceptance.
He participated little in the planning of the raid on Malfoy Manor. Practically the whole Order helped in the organising of the attack with Draco Malfoy in the middle of it all. The Slytherin was enjoying his spot as the main source of information and barely kicked up a fuss when he was asked to take veritaserum to verify the details he had told the team were truths and not traps.
Two weeks later and the plan was set in motion. Harry waited with pet up frustration in the common area, alone as both Hermione and Ron had given up on him and left him to his angry pacing. Harry didn't care. He felt a little let down by his two friends - though he could understand Ron's reasoning and if he was really fair, he could understand Hermione's as well. But they had revolted against him in front of Malfoy - which had hurt.
Hours had passed and there was still no word on what was happening at Malfoy Manor. Hermione and Ron were with him now, Ron playing chess and ruthlessly beating Harry while Hermione was reading a book. When Harry noticed one of the pictures taking a bow and then saw that many of the other portraits doing the same, his attention was piqued. When he heard the familiar voice of Professor Dumbledore, he was worried.
"Professor," Harry began, standing up and going to the picture Albus was now looking out of, the usual occupant, a mother and her baby, standing nervously to the side, "what's wrong? What happened?"
"The mission to the Malfoy Manor seems to have been a success," the old headmaster explained, but the sadness in his voice didn't mirror his words.
"Is everyone alright?" Hermione asked as she put down her book and stood next to Harry.
"All the Order members are fine," Dumbledore continued, "they are on their way back to the castle. But there's been an attack. In Oxford."
"Oxford?" Ron questioned from his seat, "what's in Oxford?"
When Harry saw all the colour leave Hermione's face, he knew exactly what was in Oxford - her mum and dad.
"How…how do you know?" Harry asked, his heart beating a million times a minute.
"I was at the Ministry monitoring the events taking place at Malfoy Manor when news came through the Auror office," Dumbledore explained sadly, "it seems the Auror watching the Granger house…"
The image in the portrait didn't get to finish as Hermione quickly made her way to the fireplace and grabbed a hand of Floo powder.
"Hermione, no!" Harry shouted at her, knowing exactly what she was going to do. In a flash of green smoke and a muttered instruction, she disappeared.
"Follow her Harry, she went to Dowrgi," Ron instructed as he headed for the door, "I'll let the others know what's going on when they get back. Be careful - it might be a trap."
"Why did you say something?" Harry growled at the picture.
"She had the right to know," was the reply. Harry just frowned and dashed to the fireplace.
"Bring her back safely," Ron said and moments later Harry stepped out of the hearth at Dowrgi's library. The door had been left open and without a moment's hesitation, he ran out of the room and through the house towards the front door. A startled Martin was in the hallway.
"Has Hermione come this way?" Harry quickly asked.
"Yes, yes," Martin replied confused, "she ran down toward Godric's Hollow. Is everything alright Mr Potter?"
"No," Harry answered as he darted down the steps and across the lawn. Hermione had had a head start, but he knew he was faster than her and should be able to easily catch up. He was also thankful there were a lot of people milling about on the grounds so she wouldn't have risked Apparition until she was out of sight and beyond the wards of the estate.
He could see her and though he called out, she didn't pause or reply. She was at the wood's border now and soon she would be able to Apparate. Harry was concerned - he had never been to her home, he didn't know what it was like. If she Apparated before he reached her, she would be lost.
Hermione was close enough for him to be able to hear her laboured breath, but not close enough to touch. She still didn't acknowledge his shouts to her and then, with a final glance at him over her shoulder - she was gone.
Harry pulled to a frustrated halt; what was he going to do now? He knew where she was, but didn't know how to get there. But he had to, her life could be in danger and something bad had happened to her parents. He took a couple of deep breaths and concentrated. He had to find her so he concentrated on Hermione - not where she was, but her herself. With his mind filled with her image, he Apparated…
And found himself in a bedroom that could only belong to Hermione Granger. The walls were a neutral beige with dashes of Gryffindor crimson and gold in the pillows on her bed and the drapes on the windows. Rows of bookshelves covered the walls and a huge desk occupied the space under the window. Photos of him and Ron scattered around the room as well as an array of stuffed toys. It was a girls room without being too…girly - just like Hermione.
An anguished scream from somewhere outside the room brought Harry reluctantly to the task at hand, and with his wand drawn, he made his way into the rest of the house. The upstairs seemed relatively unscathed, but the downstairs portion was not so lucky. Signs of a struggle were everywhere with hole blasts peppering the walls. There were people there, wizards, who Harry could tell were from the Ministry. He guessed they were there to make whatever happened at the Granger family home seem Muggle related - Harry walked past them without a glance and searched for Hermione.
"Hey, 'ow d'you get in 'ere?" a gruff, stout wizard asked him as Harry walked into what was once the living room, "there 're wards up, there 're."
Harry just ignored the agitated little man as he made his way to a collapsed figure in the middle of the floor. She was on her knees, her shoulders shaking from her tears as she looked at the bodies of her parents. Harry thought he was going to be sick as he read the five small words sprawled on the wall written in what looked like blood, just like the Chamber of Secrets seemingly a lifetime ago.
The end is coming Potter
Ignoring the feeling of revulsion that knotted inside of him, he knelt down next to Hermione and placed an arm around her shoulders, guiding her away from the horrific sight before them. She let herself be drawn to him and as a multitude of witches and wizards made the site look like a Muggle burglary gone wrong, Harry held his best friend in his arms as she cried.