A/N - another chapter that started as one thing and then grew into something else. Hmmm, not too sure about it but hope you enjoy.
Chapter 16 - No More Secrets
Harry was trying desperately to concentrate on what Tonks was teaching them, knowing that it was probably important and, as Hermione kept having to remind him, he was Head Boy after all and needed to set an example. Supposedly.
And although Tonks - or as she was known in the classroom, Professor Tonks - was one of the best Defence of the Dark Arts teachers Harry had had during his time at Hogwarts, he couldn't stop his mind wandering. They had decided to destroy the Horcruxes during the Easter break when the school was reasonably empty - which was now only a week away. More specifically, they had decided that he had to destroy the Horcruxes during the Easter break because of all these attributes he had including the fact that he was the most powerful wizard in the school. Supposedly. Harry chuckled.
A sharp jab in the ribs jolted him back into the present. Turning to his right he saw a frowning Hermione tell him with her eyes that he should be paying attention and that he was really, really skating on thin ice. Getting her message loud and clear, Harry turned back to the front of the class in time to see Neville try and penetrate the new shielding spell that Tonks was teaching them.
Suddenly the class room door swung open and a very dour Professor McGonagall entered, looking directly at the young Auror.
"Professor Tonks, you're needed immediately," the headmistress instructed briskly.
"Right," Tonks replied without question, all sign of her usual casualness gone, "Harry, could you please continue teaching the class…"
"Me?" Harry asked, not even sure what they were being taught.
"Perhaps Hermione can help," Tonks added as she made her way to McGonagall (tripping on an empty book bag on her way).
"I'm not going to be taught by Potter and…"
"You will do as you are told Mr Malfoy," the headmistress snapped, "Mr Potter and Miss Granger has full permission to dock you house points and put you on detention if you don't. Nymphadora - we need to make haste."
As soon as the door was closed, Hermione was on her feet and organising people into pairs while Harry frantically found out what they had been learning then spent the remaining half an hour helping his classmates perfect a pretty strong shielding spell (happily docking Slytherin house points for lack of initial participation).
Barely noting the satisfaction he felt when he handed Malfoy's confiscated wand to a worried looking Professor Flitwick (who showed up at the end of the class), Harry's mind went back to wondering why Tonks had been called out during the middle of a lesson. Placing Hermione's newly packed book bag on his shoulder, adjusting his position to counter the increased weight, then grabbing his own bag, Harry started to follow Ron and Luna out of the classroom, still lost in thought.
"Harry!" Hermione called out, getting his attention.
"Hmm?" he said absently, turning to face her.
"You don't have to keep carrying my bag," she huffed, "I'm completely capable of carrying my own…"
"Bloody hell Hermione, will you just let it go," Ron muttered, "Harry has this gentleman-y gene thing that makes him want to carry your bag for you. Accept it."
"But…" Hermione tried to counter.
"I know you're fully capable of carrying your own bag, but Ron's right," Harry interrupted as he began walking once more, "I can't help it. Besides, I need to work on my upper body strength and this helps."
"Oh, you two are hilarious," Hermione admonished with a smile, "what am I supposed to do?"
"Berate Harry for not concentrating in class?" Luna suggested nonchalantly causing a silent groan from Harry.
"Yes! Thank you Luna," Hermione said, her smile growing, "you should really pay more attention Harry. That spell Tonks was teaching us…"
"I wonder why Tonks left," Ron interrupted - Harry looked at him thankfully.
He knew Hermione was nervous about the Horcrux destruction and he knew when Hermione got nervous, she slipped into her old 'bossy, know it all' persona and since he and her were now an item, Harry had been the target for her, well, nagging. He ignored it and let her comments wash over him, even jokingly replying 'yes dear' at times. Harry had explained this all to Ron, who thought it was hilariously funny, glad that Harry was now the receiver of Hermione's tirades but had pledged to help Harry out when he could. Which was now.
"I don't know," Harry replied, gently squeezing Hermione's hand to let her know he would indeed try and concentrate more in class, "it must have something to do with the Order, McGonagall looked pretty upset."
Just then they heard a small 'crack' and their way was blocked by a worried looking house-elf.
"Hey Dobby," Harry acknowledged, "is everything alright?"
"The headmistress asked me to tell you, Harry Potter sir, that you, Miss Hermy and your Wheezy needs to go to the black house immediately…"
"To the black house," Harry questioned, "you mean…"
"Did the professor say why?" Hermione asked, stopping Harry from revealing Grimmauld Place to the few Slytherin's that were still hanging around.
"No, Miss Hermy," the elf answered, "but Dobby must find Miss Wheezy too."
"No," moaned Ron, "mum and dad…"
"Use the Floo in the Head's room," Harry suggested quickly to a very pale Ron. Luna took control and practically dragged Ron down the corridor at a fast pace while Harry turned back to Dobby, "I think Ginny and Neville went to the library. When you find them, tell them to come to the Head's room - Hermione and I will wait for them there."
"Yes sir, Harry Potter sir," and with another crack, Dobby was gone.
Harry and Hermione ran to their room in silence and when they found it empty, Harry quickly put the bags down in a heap and began to pace. The Weasley's have to be alright, he kept thinking to himself, they have to be fine. Mid pace, Harry glanced at Hermione who was standing near the fireplace, hugging herself in comfort, her face pale and drawn. Mentally berating himself for being so thoughtless, he made his way to where she was standing.
"Hermione?" he asked tentatively, drawing her to him, "are you doing okay?"
"It can't happen again, can it Harry?" she whispered, "we can't loose Mr and Mrs Weasley. We…we can't…"
"We don't know what's happened," Harry tried to reassure though the same thought was going through his mind, "we may be coming to the wrong conclusion…"
She looked up at him in disbelief just as Ginny and Neville entered the room - Hermione pulled out of Harry's embrace quickly and stood slightly behind him as Ginny came forward.
"What is it?" the redhead asked with a frown, "Dobby said I needed to come here…"
"McGonagall asked for you to go to Grimmauld Place," Harry explained, "Ron's already there."
Immediately Ginny made her way to the fireplace, grabbing a handful of Floo Powder before looking back at Neville.
"I'll…I'll see you there?" she asked Neville who nodded. In a flash of green, Ginny was gone with Neville following soon after.
When they were alone once more, Harry turned to Hermione who was standing quietly just behind him.
"Why did you pull away from me?" he questioned her gently.
"Ginny…"
"Ginny is with Neville," Harry remarked, taking her hands in his, "and I'm with you. She is over me, way over me, you don't need to worry…"
"But it's Ginny…"
"So?" Harry asked, totally confused.
"Harry, you liked Ginny for absolutely ages," Hermione began, stepping away from him, "and she liked you, still likes you as matter of fact. And she's so beautiful - I could never compete with someone like her…"
"Hermione…" Harry tried to interrupt, but she kept on talking.
"…and now she'll need you, like I needed you. Which is fine, you know? But, I still need you! And if came down to me or her, well, she'd win what with her playing Quidditch, and that red hair and…and she's so much more interesting than me. And she lets you get away with stuff. I mean, I'm just looking out for you but I know I come across as bossy and nagging you and one day you'll get tired of it…"
"Hermione…"
"…but I'm really scared Harry! I know I shouldn't be, that I should be strong. For you. But I can't help it! On Saturday we're going to lock you in a room with three pieces of the soul of a monster that has been trying to kill you for years! And now! I can't loose another set of parents Harry, I just can't! But we have to go there and help, I know that, but I don't want to! Which is wrong, I have to be able to deal with stuff like this, to harden up…"
"Hermione…"
"…I mean, things like this happen in war - Professor Dumbledore, my parents - I know that. And I don't want to be the girl cowering in the dungeons when the battle is taking place upstairs but…."
"Hermione!" Harry shouted making Hermione finally stop talking and look at him, "stop! Listen to me. You've been through a lot, with loosing your mum and dad, this must be difficult for you and I'll understand completely if you don't want to go to Grimmauld Place right now…"
"No, I'll go…" she said quietly, looking at her feet.
"You are one of the strongest people I know…"
"I'm just being stupid…"
"Yeah, a bit." She looked up at him and smiled ever so slightly, giving Harry permission to take her in his arms once more.
"I'm sorry for acting like a weak, immature, insecure little girl," she apologised, her voice muffled from being hidden in his chest.
"You are so much more to me than Ginny ever was Hermione," Harry continued, "you have nothing to worry about with regards to her. There is no competition - you'd win every time. And don't ever think you're not beautiful."
"Th…thank you Harry."
"You are not weak or immature and I guess we're all a bit insecure, aren't we?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Silence.
"They'll be wondering where we are," Harry said softly after a few moments, "Ron will understand if you don't…"
"No, we should go."
Harry looked at her and gave her a supportive smile. She smiled shyly back before making her way to the fireplace and grabbing a handful of Floo powder.
"I'll be right behind you," he assured her and in a flash of green she was gone. Harry took a deep breath - he was just as scared as she was and the need to stay strong, for her, for everybody, was just as great. He didn't know what was going to be there at Grimmauld Place and he hoped that he wasn't going to have to deal with loosing the only real family he'd known.
With a heavy heart, Harry went to the fireplace and without any more thought, made his way to the Black estate.
He stepped out into the Grimmauld Place kitchen and was quickly swept up in the urgency that he felt. Hermione and Luna were helping Madam Pomfrey with some sort of potions at the table - Hermione looked up at him as he stepped out of the hearth, no longer looking scared and vulnerable as she did only moments before. Harry gave her a small smile.
"Mr Potter, they're waiting for you in the drawing room," Madam Pomfrey instructed, giving Harry only a brief glance, "tell Professor McGonagall we will be there shortly."
Harry gave Hermione one more glance before making his way to the drawing room where he found Ron, Ginny and Neville talking with the headmistress.
"You took your time," Ginny spat, holding onto Neville.
"I had to talk to Hermione…"
"She's here?" Ron interrupted, "mate, she shouldn't be here. Not after…"
"I'm fine Ron," Hermione cut in as she, Luna and the nurse entered the room, "I want to be here for you."
"Thanks," Ron nodded appreciatively.
"What's happened?" Harry asked as he and Ron made up a bed, "what do you know?"
"Only that The Burrow's been attacked," Ron answered glumly, "and I'm not allowed to go and help."
Harry went to reply, wanting to know more, but he was interrupted by a yell from downstairs.
"Hey! I need some help here!" In a flash Ron and Harry ran to the entrance way to find Tonks trying to hold a wounded Fred (or George) while the other twin was being helped by Charlie, who also seemed a bit worse for wear. Madam Pomfrey was instantly at their sides, assessing the injuries and barking orders out to Hermione and Luna.
Harry took one twin off Tonks who, once relieved of her burden, went to McGonagall and gave her an update. Harry tried to listen, but his attention was quickly taken by the very pale and bleeding Weasley resting heavily on his shoulder.
The patients were taken to the drawing room where Ginny and Neville were waiting. George and Fred were quickly placed on the make-shift beds and were continued to be taken care of by the nurse and her two helpers. Charlie sat wearily down and though was battered and bruised, didn't look as bad as his brothers.
Tonks entered the room alone - McGonagall had gone, Harry assumed, back to Hogwarts. The young Auror was limping and also had slithers of blood scattered over her body but she, like Charlie, didn't look as bad as the twins.
"What's wrong with them," Ginny demanded, "are they going to be alright?"
The healers all ignored Ginny as they worked on their patients. Harry watched in amazement as Hermione was once again the cool, intelligent, capable girl that had briefly disappeared only a few minutes ago. Luna, too, seemed to be in her element as they both effortlessly helped the matron in fixing the Weasley twins - Ginny, it seemed, wasn't as impressed.
"Let me do that," the youngest Weasley snapped as she grabbed the salve out of Hermione's hands and nudged her out of the way, "he is my brother after all!"
"Miss Weasley, hand that back to Miss Granger and let us work on these boys," the school matron admonished immediately, "you are not trained in the Healing arts, Miss Granger and Miss Lovegood are!" With an annoyed scowl, Ginny handed the small jar back to Hermione and stomped back to Neville.
It seemed that whatever the girls and their instructor were doing began to work as colour slowly returned to the twins faces with one of the brothers even regaining consciousness. Charlie and Tonks were then examined and healed with only residual signs of their injuries.
"Charlie," Ron went to his older brother, "what happened? Where are the others?"
"Bill and dad are getting Fleur to St Mungo's" Charlie replied wearily, "she went into labour. Remus should be here with mum soon."
"Labour? But Fleur isn't due for another couple of months!" Ginny exclaimed.
"I know," Charlie sighed.
"Was Remus far behind you?" Tonks asked as she walked over to the small group, "should I go and get him? He isn't in the best of states at the moment…"
"He seemed to be coping," Charlie answered, "the full moon isn't until Wednesday - Remus was weak but holding his own. Mum was still getting a few shots away herself."
"Is mum alright?" Ron questioned, a note of fear hitching his voice.
"I'm fine," came the reply as an exhausted Remus carried the Weasley matriarch into the room, "just sprained my stupid ankle. Fred! George! Oh, my babies! And Charlie! Oh, you all are a sight for sore eyes."
Harry stood back slightly as he let the Weasley's embrace, not wanting to intrude on the family moment. Both Fred and George were barely awake yet were included in their mother's tearful reunion, Molly only relenting as the constantly hovering nurse insisted that the twins remained lying still when one of them began to waver.
Tonks had gone to where Remus was standing, definitely looking unstable and sick. Harry watched as the small witch gently and lovingly checked Remus out for wounds before helping him to a seat.
"Did dad and Bill get away?" Charlie asked with a worried frown.
"Yes," Remus replied, "they managed to get Fleur out of the house while Molly and I distracted the remaining Death Eaters. They Apparated moments before we did."
"What happened?" Ron repeated his earlier question, his eyes flickering between the battered Order members.
"I want to tell you Ron," Mrs Weasley started, placing a gentle hand on his arm, "but I'd prefer to wait until your father gets here. I need to know Fleur is…oh, heavens if she looses her baby!"
"She's nearly full term," Madam Pomfrey remarked with a professional air, "she and her child should be fine at St Mungo's."
"I'm sure dad will come here as soon as he can with news," Charlie reassured, guiding his mother back to a chair.
It turned out Mr Weasley was quite a few hours away as they were all eating a freshly made steak and kidney pie for dinner when he stepped through the kitchen's fireplace.
"Arthur!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed, quickly standing up and crushing her husband in one of her famous hugs, "oh, it's good to see you! How is Fleur? Bill? Is the baby…?"
"Molly, dear, let me breathe," the exhausted wizard gasped through a smile, "Fleur gave birth to a small but healthy baby boy half an hour ago. Henry is his name. Mother and child are fine but the little tyke will stay in for a few days just to make sure and they want to keep Fleur in over night…"
"Henry!" the proud new grandmother squealed, "how dandy! Well, we have to visit…"
"First things first, sweetheart," Mr Weasley continued, making his way to the table, "we're going to need to find a place to live."
"Live?" Ron asked, confused, "The Burrow is pretty damaged, huh?"
"The Burrow is no longer," Charlie replied grimly, "it was on fire when we left…"
"…and pretty much gone by the time we left," Remus finished, "I'm sorry Arthur, Molly."
"We are all alive and that's what's most important," Mrs Weasley said briskly, grabbing the hands of the present but very quiet twins as confirmation.
"The Burrow, gone?" Ginny repeated in a daze, "I don't believe it."
"Well, you could always stay here," Harry offered, glancing quickly at Remus as he said it, "I mean, if that's okay with you Remus since you already live here."
"Of course Arthur and Molly are welcome here," the old professor agreed, "there is more than enough room."
"That's very kind of you Harry and Remus," Mr Weasley replied with a shaky smile, "but we wouldn't want to step on you and Tonk's toes, two old dodgers mixing with you youngsters."
"I don't think you can quite class me as a youngster," Remus grinned.
"And I'm not here that often," Tonks added, blushing slightly as she glanced at Harry.
"I guess I'm the one who should have been asking you whether your status had changed, huh Remus?" Harry laughed, making Remus's grin grow, "you sly dog."
"One does try," Remus answered before being whacked on the arm by an angry young witch.
"Remus Lupin, you watch yourself," Tonks admonished with a smirk, "otherwise your status will be changing once more to 'neutered'!"
"I don't understand," Ginny said with a frown, "what status…"
"Don't you mind Ginny," Ron quickly replied, "just a joke between Harry, Remus and I which it seems Tonks has been clued in on."
"Well, that's all by the by," Mr Weasley interrupted with a chuckle, "on second thoughts, Grimmauld Place would be the ideal place for us to stay until The Burrow can be re-built. Though there is Bill and Fleur as well…"
"Shouldn't be a problem."
"…which means a small baby in the house," Mr Weasley finished with a sigh.
"I doubt the Black estate has had the joys of a child in this house for a very long time," Remus answered, "it will be an honour."
"Thank you Remus," Mrs Weasley joined in, "this is much appreciated. You too Harry."
"No problem," Harry replied with an embarrassed blush as Mrs Weasley came over to him and gave him a hug and huge kiss on the cheek.
"Getting back to more pressing matters," Mr Weasley continued, "I've asked Kingsley, Mad-Eye and Minerva to be here by seven - we have to discuss our next move. You-Know-Who has become more personal and direct with his threats towards Harry…"
"Threats?" Harry cut in nervously, "did…did he leave something at The Burrow?"
The battled Weasley's all shared a look before Charlie left the room briefly, coming back with something in his hand which he handed silently to Harry. With Ron and Hermione on either side of him, Harry unfolded the piece of bloody parchment and read what was written in an untidy scrawl.
You're next Potter
"It was attached to a gnome which was pinned to one of the trees in the garden," Fred said quietly, the first time he had spoken since arriving at Grimmauld Place.
"It was the trigger to the larger attack," George continued, "when we took it off the tree, the next wave of Death Eaters arrived."
"How did they get through the wards?" Ron asked.
"We don't know," Charlie replied with a frown, "the initial attack was five Death Eaters, determined to get to mum and Fleur. Luckily there was an alarm set that told us the wards were breached otherwise it would've only been the two there - I don't think they were expecting us. As it was, five more attackers came during our defence. One of them set The Burrow on fire."
"Would Snape have been able to break through the wards?" Harry questioned, curious.
"Severus was there," Mrs Weasley whispered, "he saved Fleur."
"What?" Harry practically yelled.
"Snape was there?" Ron shouted at the same time.
"Severus was there Molly?" her husband asked slightly more calmer.
"Yes," she replied, "he saw me but didn't fire and stopped a curse from hitting Fleur. I…I think he's on our side…"
"But he killed Dumbledore!" Harry spat, "how can he be fighting for us when he killed Dumbledore!"
"Plus he probably led the Death Eaters to The Burrow," Ron added, just as angry, "there's no way he's not bad!"
"Maybe he's still undercover…" Hermione suggested.
"You're defending him?" Harry turned to her, eyes blazing - she stared back at him defiantly.
"We have never asked Professor Dumbledore why his faith in Professor Snape was so absolute," she explained, "I don't like him, I hate that he took away the wonderful man that was Professor Dumbledore. But what if the headmaster was already dying? What if Snape actually put him out of his misery? Ended an excruciating agony? You said yourself that the potion that Dumbledore consumed had caused him terrible pain…"
"Snape is evil," Ginny interrupted harshly, causing everyone to turn to her in surprise, "I can't believe you dare to think otherwise." Ginny glared at Hermione from across the table but Hermione did not waver.
"Then why didn't he kill Mrs Weasley or Fleur when he had the chance?" she countered calmly, "how can two women, one heavily pregnant, survive a Death Eater attack if not without help?"
"Not all females are weak and defenceless," Ginny bit back, "some can hold their own in battle. Oh, but that's right, you weren't there fighting by Harry's side last year were you - you were down in the dungeon."
"Ginny, that's enough," Mrs Weasley scolded as the two girls remained staring at each other. Harry looked at Hermione and saw her flush, her eyes glistening with tears he could see she was determined not to shed. Taking a deep breath, she turned away from a scowling Ginny and faced Harry.
"I know you hate Snape Harry," Hermione said softly, "but just think about it, okay?"
Harry didn't get a chance to reply as a heavy knock sounded at the front door.
"I'll get it," Remus offered and as he walked out, Harry took Hermione's hand in his and gave it a small squeeze. The idea of Snape helping them still repulsed Harry and it will probably continue to be a debate between them all right up until the end. But at the moment Hermione was hurting once again because of Ginny.
The appearance of Kingsley Shacklebolt and Mad-Eye Moody distracted Harry as the kitchen suddenly became even more crowded. When Professor McGonagall arrived from the Floo, the party was complete. With a weary acceptance that there was a good chance his future would be discussed shortly by those within this room, Harry placed his and Hermione's entwined hand under the table on his knee. He didn't want the comfort he was getting from her touch to be spoiled by those around him - especially Ginny.
"Good, every one is here," Mr Weasley started, looking around the room, "as you all know, since the death of Albus, things around us all have become extremely desperate. We're loosing good witches and wizards every day and although we've been waiting for the best time to attack our enemy - I'm not sure whether we can wait much longer…"
"The destruction of The Burrow is unfortunate Arthur," Shacklebolt said, his deep voice echoing slightly, "but things are not yet in place…"
"This has nothing to do with what happened today," Mr Weasley shot back, "I was in St Mungo's Kingsley, waiting for the birth of my first grandchild and, dear Merlin, the wards are filled to over flowing. If we wait any longer, there may not be anyone left to fight or fight for!"
"Our numbers are too few," Moody growled, "it would be a suicide mission to try to attack with the fighters we have…"
"It's getting to the point where we have no choice," Mr Weasley continued dourly, "You-Know-Who is killing too many…too many lives are being lost."
"I agree with dad," Charlie asserted, "I've spent a bit of time with Hagrid and I know Grawp has five of the fourteen giants on his side which means there is dissent within the giant community - that's a start."
"Hagrid is there now," McGonagall put in, "which is why he couldn't make tonight Arthur."
"Five giants on our side is good," Mr Weasley agreed, "Remus, how is it with the werewolves?"
"Greyback has them all too terrified," Remus replied wearily, "though I get the impression if they knew Greyback was loosing, weakened, then they would switch."
"So getting rid of Greyback should be a priority," Moody grunted, "though the fact he is no longer attacking solely at full moon could make things difficult."
"He is extremely powerful both as a human and as a werewolf," Remus added, "he is going to be extremely difficult to destroy."
"Bill said the goblins are determined to stay neutral," Mr Weasley advised the group, "but they are getting more and more disgruntled with the demands of the dark community. They have begun to covertly make things more difficult for certain clients to continue to do business."
"Dobby continues to make headway with the house elves," McGonagall informed them, "though they can't betray their masters, many have been mistreated for so long they are willing to use other means to help us. The elf magic is powerful and a good ally."
"What about Firenze?" Shacklebolt asked.
"The heavens have been quite threatening, evidently," the headmistress stated dryly, "but the messages the centaurs are now getting supports Firenze. Over half the heard will help protect the castle if needed."
"Right," Mr Weasley thought hard, "added to our human fighters we are still only about a third of numbers to the Dark Side…"
"That's not enough," Moody growled.
"It's going to have to be Alistair," Tonks argued, "I agree with Arthur, the longer we leave this, the less supporters we're going to have. And this personal vendetta snakeface has against Harry is getting really out of hand."
Everyone turned and looked at Harry who said nothing.
"Which is why the children should remain at Hogwarts," Molly Weasley said, speaking for the first time, "the castle is the safest place for them - You-Know-Who won't be able to get Harry from in there."
"The castle was already breached once Molly," Remus reminded her, "and the wards on The Burrow have also been breached. No where is a hundred percent safe."
"That's not what I mean Remus and you know it," she bristled, "Ginny isn't even of age! Neither is Luna! And the other four, well, they are still at school! They shouldn't be here, listening to this, being part of what is basically a war council. They are too young! They shouldn't be part of this!"
"I agree with Molly," Kingsley stated, "the youngsters have no business here. Ravenclaw's dictionary we retrieved from the Malfoy Manor has incensed Voldemort, forcing us to act sooner than planned. The trio have their own agenda, I understand that, but it has now interfered with ours. They should go back to their studies and leave the rest to us."
"It's not that simple…" Remus began.
"Yes it is," Mrs Wealey interrupted, "I don't care how smart Hermione is, or how loyal and brave Ron is - Harry is not the Chosen One! He is just a boy who's had a horrid life! It is up to us to end this, not a group of children who haven't even graduated from Hogwarts! My son has already lost a leg…"
"Mum," Ron tried to interrupt but was ignored.
"…and now my home is gone, and Fred and George are hurt!" Molly continued close to tears, "And my grandson! This is wrong - they should all be at school, thinking about their NEWT's not here talking about war! They should no longer be a part of this!"
"But I am a part of this," Harry said softly, the words out of his mouth before he could stop them, "I am the Chosen One."
"Harry," Hermione breathed worriedly, immediately turning her full attention to him, "you don't need to do this…"
"Yes I do," he replied, noting the concern in her eyes as he looked at her briefly before returning his gaze to the adults in the room, "any war plan that is about the destruction of Voldemort needs to include me…"
"Us," Ron corrected quickly causing Harry to glance at him in surprise, "because anywhere Harry goes, we go."
"Harry," Mr Weasley began, "I realise that out of everyone in this room, your life has been the most affected by…"
"That's not the reason," Harry interrupted, sighing deeply, "there was a prophecy, kept in the Ministry of Magic that told the only person who would beat Voldemort would be born at the end of July to parents who had battled him three times. Which meant either Neville or me…"
"Me?" Neville questioned, dumbfounded, "you mean to say, what you've been through could've easily been me?"
"Yeah," Harry continued with a wry smile, "but Voldemort marked me in more ways than one," he pointed to the scar in his forehead, "Dumbledore was sure the prophecy meant me because of the scar. And only I can kill him, well, at least neither one can live while the other does…"
"You're destined to kill You-Know-Who?" Charlie repeated, shocked, "this changes everything."
"But you can't!" Mrs Weasley cried, coming over to where Harry was sitting and engulfing him in a mammoth hug, "you're just a…"
"Molly, Harry is not just a child," Mr Weasley admonished, going over to his wife and peeling her off an embarrassed Harry, "it seems he's been dealing with a lot more than we've given him credit for."
"So these missions you three have been on," Mad-Eye queried, "they're about defeating Voldemort? Albus let you know of something more powerful than his notion of love conquering all."
"Well, no, actually," Harry said uncomfortably, "we've been getting the last Horcruxes…"
"Horcruxes!"
"Did he say Horcruxes, plural?"
"Harry, Harry," Mr Weasley sputtered, "what do you mean, Horcruxes? Did Albus think You-Know-Who had actually made one?"
"Actually, Dumbledore thought Voldemort had made six…"
The commotion from this comment out stripped the commotion from his last comment. Harry just sat and waited for the news to sink in, his hand still clasped in Hermione's.
"What's a Horcrux?" George asked, after a moment.
"Something that is the darkest of magic," his mother explained, "where a soul splits after the murder of someone…"
"That fits You-Know-Who's grand scheme," Fred muttered.
"And that's what the dictionary was?" Tonks tried to confirm, "a Horcrux".
"Yes," Remus admitted.
"You said that Voldemort had made six?" Mad-Eye questioned.
"Yes," Harry answered, "and he's the seventh. Two are destroyed - the diary that Ginny had in her first year and a ring that Dumbledore found and destroyed last year…"
"His dead hand," Mr Weasley thought out loud.
"Yes," Harry continued, "we have three and are going to destroy them this weekend. Dumbledore thought Voldemort's pet snake was the sixth so as long as that is killed before we go after Voldemort himself, then he will be mortal."
"You're destroying three Horcruxes this weekend?" Tonks asked, obviously concerned as she looked between the trio and Remus, "how?" Harry turned to Hermione.
"We found a book that gives us the spell to separate the piece of soul from the item it's attached to," she explained, "Harry is the only person that fills the criteria needed to perform the spell."
"Do you think that's wise?" Shacklebolt queried.
"It's the only option we have," Harry said quickly, "if we killed Voldemort now, it would only activate one of the Horcruxes and he would come back."
"How does that work?" Neville asked. Harry looked at him as Neville asked his question and saw a glowering Ginny standing at the Gryffindor's side, her eyes glaring at Hermione as she began to speak.
"The death of the Horcrux owner activates the spell within the Horcrux," Hermione explained once more, "the object the soul is in acts like a portkey and takes both itself and the Horcrux owner's to a predetermined safe place where the soul leaves its vessel and reunites with the dying soul of its master."
"So why didn't that happen when Harry's mother's spell reflected onto You-Know-Who?" Neville continued to question. Harry himself hadn't thought about this, so with interest he too turned to Hermione.
"Well," she began, glancing a bit nervously at Harry, "I haven't really told anyone my theory, even Harry…" Harry understood her hesitancy and was grateful for it - she wasn't sure if he would want everyone to know something that he may want to keep private. But he wanted to hear so gave a small, reassuring nod to give her permission to continue, which she did, still looking at him, "the magic that saved Harry was extremely old, older than the Horcrux magic. When Voldemort died, a Horcrux wasn't fully activated because something within Mrs Potter's spell counteracted the magic that would've reunited the soul with the body. Instead, Voldemort's body was portkeyed to the 'safe spot' but a Horcrux wasn't. Therefore the soul of the dead body had nothing to combine with, taking thirteen years to use another set of ancient magic to get a body back."
No one said anything as they thought about what Hermione had just said. Harry also stayed silent as he watched the various levels of concern that he could see on the faces of those in the room. When he finally looked at Ginny - he didn't see concern at all, just anger. When she saw him looking at her, she broke the silence.
"So, you've known about all this for nearly a year?" Ginny asked, her voice dripping with ice.
"Dumbledore told me about the prophecy after the mess at the Ministry," Harry explained with a frown, "the Horcruxes last year…"
"And you told no one but Ron and her," the redhead continued, arms crossed and brow furrowed menacingly.
"Initially," Harry explained, bristling with her attitude, "Dumbledore really didn't want anyone else to know about the Horcruxes but suggested that I tell only those really close to me…"
"Like her," Ginny spat, indicating Hermione with a jerk of her head - Hermione's hand left his in an instant.
Harry had had enough. He had really thought that Ginny had got over all this, had told Hermione such only a few hours before - but she obviously hadn't.
"Can I have a word with you," Harry demanded to the youngest Weasley, "in private." Harry stood and left the kitchen without waiting for her response, knowing that she wouldn't give up the chance to convince him of her case once more. He was right - she entered the entrance foyer right behind him.
"Something wrong Harry?" she asked sarcastically.
"What is your problem?" he growled.
"My problem is that I was your girlfriend," she answered, firing, "I was the one that made you happy! I was the one that you were supposed to share your secrets with! Harry, we talked about everything…"
"We talked about Quidditch, and school, and your brothers and what gossip you had heard," Harry glowered, "not the war, or Voldemort or my life! You never seemed too concerned about what I was doing with Dumbledore…"
"You never gave me a chance," Ginny interrupted, furious, "we were perfect together, you and me. But no, you couldn't share the important stuff with me! You had to share it with her!"
"I thought we had gotten over this Ginny," Harry shot back, "you've said all this before, at the wedding…"
"Where you told me there was nothing between you two! Now look at you - you make me sick!"
"Well, get over it," Harry spat, walking over to where she was standing, "I haven't got time for this Ginny - you need to grow up and stop being a spoilt little girl who is upset because she hasn't got her own way. Very soon I will be fighting for my life in a battle that is bigger than you and me. Hermione is part of that because she chose to stand by me and because I need her there. If you can't deal with that, then keep away from me - I don't want to have to worry whether you can look past your own ego and help me and my friends. Do I make myself clear?"
"I'm part of this too…" Ginny began.
"No," Harry interrupted, "you are part of the Order, not part of what I have to do. Sort yourself out because I've had enough. Until you learn to grow up, keep out of my way."
Harry made his way past her, ready to re-enter the kitchen, but she reached out and stopped him.
"Why her Harry?" Ginny pleaded, her eyes filling with tears, "why her and not me? We were perfect together, looked perfect…"
"But we were not perfect Ginny," Harry explained, more calmly, "I'm not perfect. Hermione understands that in a way that you struggle to. She understands me." He pulled out of her grasp and continued to kitchen, pausing once more just before opening the door, turning back to her standing in the middle of the foyer, "and Ginny - don't lead Neville on. He's a good guy and deserve better than that. He really cares for you."
With that, Harry opened the door to be stared at by everyone in the room. Making his way back to his seat in between Hermione and Ron, he took Hermione's hand, interlocking his fingers with hers before turning once more to everyone else.
"Right," he said briskly, "let's work out how I can kill Voldemort."