A/N: I've noticed in a few reviews that people are planning on heading over to FanFiction.net to read this story to Chapter 24. I'd like to remind everyone that, while Final Battle is written to Chapter 24 on FanFiction.net, the Portkey.org version is going to be different. There have already been a few subtle changes, and there will be continue to be more changes. Several of these chapters are being rewritten not only to conform to Portkey's rules, but to achieve the original intentions I had for this story. I repeat, the FFN version is TONED DOWN. If you want the real Final Battle, keep reading on Portkey. Also, for some reason, the formatting is off so anything written between slashes is thought dialogue, seeing as it all doesn't want to italicize. I've tried six times and can't get it to work.
Disclaimer: Not mine. JKR's. But so help me if the Potterverse DID belong to me, those so-called 'anvil-sized hints' would have been towards H/Hr, not R/Hr.
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It was nearly four in the morning when Harry was awoken by a faint hooting at the balcony door. He was almost grateful for the interruption; he had felt himself slipping into another nightmare about the night Voldemort returned and murdered Cedric Diggory.
He slid the door open carefully, doing his best not to wake Hermione. The moonlight flitted across her face, and he could see she was sleeping with a smile.
Harry was greeting by a soft, friendly hoot as a ball of down feathers circled around his head. "Pig?" he whispered, holding his hand out for the tiny owl to rest on. Pigwidgeon settled into Harry's grasp, and held his leg out for him to take the letter. Harry untied it, and carried Pig over to his bed. "Poor little guy, you've been flying all night, haven't you?" he said quietly, unrolling the parchment. He fluffed up one of his pillows and rested the owl on it, giving him a chance to rest. He turned his attention back to the letter.
Dear Harry & Hermione,
Are you two all right? Mum's noticed you left, Hermione, and she's in a right state. She came upstairs looking for us for brunch shortly after you left, and was furious to hear that you'd up and gone without telling anyone. She's not mad anymore, just really worried. Since you left so early we figured it'd be like when the boys came to get Harry and you'd be back in an hour or so, especially since you Flooed and they took the car, but it's nearly midnight and you're still not back yet. Ron's miserable, he's locked himself in his room and the only sounds I've heard from him have been him muttering about something being his entire fault. I think he misses you. We might've been too hard on him, but I have to admit, it was pretty funny seeing you smack him like that.
Harry, is everything okay? With you I mean, I'm sure that since you're not at the Dursleys anymore that sort of thing is all right. I really hope you're planning on coming back to the Burrow; summer holiday just isn't the same without you.
If you don't mind letting Pig rest a bit before you send him back, I'd appreciate it. He's still pretty little, and is probably very tired now.
Love, Ginny
Harry looked over at his pillow, and sure enough, Pig was fast asleep. He sighed, turning back to the letter. Hermione had smacked Ron? That was better than when she'd sent those birds after him! As he began to roll the letter back up, he noticed another piece of parchment Spellotaped to the back. He carefully peeled back the tape, finding another letter.
Harry,
I miss you. I understand that you don't think it's safe for us to be together right now, but I have to ask if there is hope for the future. Do you still like me? When you ended things it seemed like you were upset that it had to be over so soon. I want you to know, Harry, that if you still want me I'll gladly wait until this war business is over. I've already waited ever since I met you when I was ten, what's a little longer? I wish I could see you again, Harry. There are so many things that I wanted to do with you, to tell you… I hope that you'll still give me that chance. Please tell me you still want me.
Love and kisses,
Ginny
Harry stared in amazement. All he could think was 'wow'. He admired Ginny's determination and courage in the face of danger, but he couldn't help but wonder about the tone of her letter. It seemed almost desperate, like she was terrified that she might somehow lose him despite the fact that he had already broken up with her. His heart went out to the girl, understanding that she felt something strong for him and wasn't ready to give up on it yet. Thoughts of her curled up next to him at Hogwarts drifted through his mind, reminding him of how small and strong she'd felt in his arms.
Letting out an involuntary yawn, Harry rested his head on the mattress and drifted off to sleep to the sound of Pig's soft, hoot-like breathing just above his head.
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"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Remus Lupin began, looking around the table at those assembled in front of him. It was the first official meeting of the Order of the Phoenix since Dumbledore's death, and there were several issues to address. "I won't bore you with any unnecessary blather, so let's just get on with it, shall we? We have two main problems on our hands right now. One is that we no longer have someone heading this Order. Number two is that Harry and Hermione have disappeared and we haven't been able to locate them yet. Shall we get number one out of the way so we can move on to number two?" he asked.
"Ideally we would've elected Harry to take Dumbledore's place," said Arthur Weasley, earning a disapproving look from his wife. "He's fought You-Know-Who more times than the rest of us have, and Merlin knows he's ready for it."
"He's just a boy, he's not ready to head the Order, let alone go after He Who Must Not Be Named alone!" Molly Weasley wailed, her matronly instincts kicking in.
"Oh, Molly, dear, give it up. If you had your way we'd keep Harry in lockdown until he was thirty-seven, training him senseless, and even then you'd have a tough time letting him go off and do what he was meant to do." Arthur scolded her. Mrs. Weasley had been babying Harry ever since he and Ron became friends, and Arthur wasn't about to let her feelings get in the way of what was meant to happen.
Molly's eyes went wide, and she quickly shut her mouth as she turned beet red. She may not be able to argue with her husband here, but he'd pay the price for his words once they were back home.
"I agree with Arthur," Alastor Moody spoke up. "If Harry was able to give us the slip like this, so that neither Tonks, Lupin or I could find any indication of what happened at the Dursleys, well, he definitely has the stones to handle the job."
Tonks' head snapped up at the mention of her name. "That's just it, Mad-Eye. He left, and quite voluntarily, I might add. Knowing Harry, he's most likely decided to go off and fight Voldemort all on his own, not wanting to get anyone else hurt. Hermione's probably one of the most stubborn witches I've ever met, and she's probably right next to him, not listening when he tells her to go home because it's too dangerous for her. I don't think Harry's coming back until Voldemort's finished."
Lupin slipped his hand into hers underneath the tabletop, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
"Well, I think it's obvious we're not going to be getting anywhere with this new leader business, so in the mean-time, let's just agree to disagree, elect Lupin as temporary leader since he called us all here, and work on a way of getting to Harry." Bill Weasley suggested. "After all, isn't that the whole point of this Order now? Harry's going to need protection, or at the very least, training."
Hagrid nodded vigorously, slamming a large hand down on the table. "I think we need ter find 'Arry righ' now, if yeh ask me. The sooner we git 'im back, the better. Merlin knows Dumbledore'd 'ave our 'eads if he were still 'ere for not havin' been on 'is arse ever since he left Surrey."
Minerva McGonagall agreed. "I think the most important thing is to find Mr. Potter and Miss Granger as soon as we can. Also, I think it may be in their best interests if we can convince Harry to return to school in September. Last I'd heard he was planning on finding Voldemort rather than continuing his studies. While I can understand his belief that he won't learn in a classroom what he needs to know in a battle, I do believe that he underestimates my ability to put together a much more practical curriculum in special circumstances."
"Well, I think that's settled." Lupin said, surveying the members. "Shall we vote? All in favour of tracking down Harry, offering him the chance to lead the Order, and training him so that he can fight better, raise your hands."
Twelve hands immediately shot up.
"All opposed?"
Molly Weasley meekly raised her hand.
"Even counting the members who could not make it here tonight on the opposing side, the vote stands in favour of locating Harry and giving him the education of a lifetime. Ladies and gentlemen, let us begin our search. Use any means necessary." Lupin ended the meeting, and everyone else around the table got up to leave.
"It shouldn't be that hard," Alastor Moody muttered on his way out. "They've only had a day's head start."
Grimmauld place had not been the same since Dumbledore's death. It was still treated as Order Headquarters, but it just didn't feel right remaining there for some reason. It was this that caused everyone to disperse so quickly after the closing of the meeting. Lupin and Tonks were left alone in the kitchen, staring gloomily at the surface of the table.
"I just wish he'd waited for us," Tonks said quietly.
Lupin nodded. "You know Harry, though. Always trying to do the noble thing, and always for the right reasons. He's not doing it for the glory or the fame; he's doing it because he's determined to keep all of us safe. I think Dumbledore's death pushed him over the edge, and he's determined to seek revenge and end the war."
Gloomily, Tonks said, "I know. And that's why right now, he needs his friends to be close to him more than anything."
Little did she know, Harry had exactly that.
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The next morning found Harry being unceremoniously awoken by a fuming Hermione. She was pacing the floor from one end of the room to the other, her little yellow birds from the previous school year circling her head.
He rolled over sleepily, fumbling for his glasses. He found them, and discovered that his pillow was currently unoccupied. Harry quickly donned his glasses, and was greeted by a humorous sight. Pigwidgeon had decided to follow the yellow birds, and was zooming around Hermione's head, all the while hooting happily. As cute as the sight was, Hermione did not seem impressed.
"…he's miserable now? That insufferable git misses me? He's bloody right it's all his fault; perhaps if he had some common sense in his head he wouldn't have screwed up. Merlin, what I wouldn't give to smack him again. What a bleeding moron! And Ginny! Waiting since she was ten, my arse! Like she'd be able to wait until the end of the war, she couldn't even wait to get him alone before she threw herself at him in the common room! 'I'll wait for you, Harry. I love you, Harry. I'm still bloody hero-worshipping you, Harry, and you're too blind to see it! I just want to be able to say I shagged the Boy Who Lived, do you mind, Harry? Here, let me throw myself at you some more, Harry!' Men!" Hermione threw up her hands in disgust, not only sending the parchment of Ginny's letters flying, but also causing several of her little canaries to fly off course. Pig, of course, was still enjoying his romp with the little birds, and happily dodged Hermione's hand, giving a smug little hoot as if to say 'missed me!'
The little fluffy owl paused mid-flight, seeing Harry sitting up in bed. He zoomed over to land on Harry's shoulder, giving him a friendly ear nibble.
"Uh, Hermione?" Harry interrupted, causing her to jump.
"Oh, Harry!" she exclaimed, motioning quickly with her wand to get rid of the canaries. Pig let out a sad moan, lamenting the disappearance of what he now thought were his friends. "I didn't think you were awake yet."
"Well, it's certainly not easy to sleep with all that ranting going on. I've never seen a letter get you this worked up. You alright?" he asked, watching as her face flushed in embarrassment.
Hermione bent down to pick up the parchment, quickly rolling it and placing it on Harry's nightstand. "They were on the floor when I woke up," she shrugged, hoping that was enough of an explanation.
"Pig showed up around four, I read them and fell right back asleep. Barely even got my glasses off, I wasn't really looking where I was dropping them."
"So what, you just weren't going to tell me that Ginny had written?"
Harry stared at her, wondering what had possibly set her off like this. "Is this about her wondering where we are?" he ventured, hoping Hermione would explain herself.
"No, Harry, it's about her throwing herself at you." She said plainly, turning to face her best friend. He could see the fury and jealousy in her eyes.
"What are you talking about, 'Mione?"
"Oh, don't play dumb, Harry. It doesn't suit you. I read both of the letters. I didn't mean to, honestly, but Ginny's letter to you was on top." She paused, sitting on her own bed. "Please tell me the truth, Harry." She said, suddenly going calm.
"The truth about what? I read her letter, so?"
"The truth about how you feel! Merlin, I feel like I'm talking to Ron here."
Harry sat still for a moment before it dawned on him.
"'Mione?" he said quietly, climbing out of his bed to stand in front of her.
She looked up at him, her expression painting her face with curiosity.
He extended a hand to her, pulling her off the bed and into his arms. Hermione immediately threw an arm around his neck, her other arm hanging on to his back, bringing them closer. Harry slid a hand into her hair, gently cradling her head into the hollow between his shoulder and his neck. He held her tight with the other arm, resting his hand on her lower back. He caressed her hair, effectively calming her. Their difference in height was now more than apparent to Harry, as Hermione's shoulder fit snugly under his arm.
They stood like that for a few minutes, and then Harry began to feel a growing dampness on his upper chest. Silent tears were sliding down Hermione's cheeks, causing Harry's skin to go slick.
"Harry, why do you think I kissed you back yesterday? After you stopped?" she whispered, clinging to him.
Harry didn't answer. Instead, he placed a soft kiss on the top of her head, and snuggled her closer. He was less concerned with what she had to say, and more concerned with calming her down and making her feel better.
"It was because I wanted to."
Immediately Harry's hand stopped stroking her hair, and his body went rigid.
"Harry, what is it?" Hermione looked up at him, her face damp with tears.
"I… I don't know how to say this, Hermione," Harry stammered.
Another tear slipped down her cheek. "Just say it." she demanded.
"I told you yesterday, 'Mione… I still have feelings for Ginny, and I don't know what I'm feeling right now. There's something there, but I like Ginny, and-"
"Then why did you kiss me yesterday?!" she said, angry again.
"'Mione, we went over this already! Just tell me what's wrong, would you? I'm no good at Legilimency, it's not like I can just reach into your brain and pick out what you're feeling."
Hermione went silent. She went to the bedside tables, and picked up the matching gold chains. She put Harry's on for him, and fiddled with her own clasp for a second before getting it right.
/This is what I'm feeling./
Waves of jealousy and bitterness washed over Harry, but they were nothing compared to the overwhelming tide of love that followed immediately after.
/You can't hold me like that… kiss me like you did and tell me you don't feel something, Harry./
He stared at Hermione, not knowing what to say.
/What do I have to do, jump you and kiss you in front of everyone to get my feelings across? Write you desperate, transparent letters begging for your attention? Kiss every other guy I can find just to get you to see me as a girl, and not just your best friend? What, Harry? What's it going to take?/
When five minutes had passed with no response from Harry, Hermione gave up. She curled back up in her bed, throwing the covers over her head so that he couldn't see her cry. She'd loved him for years, but didn't think he'd ever realize he was a girl, and therefore turned her attentions on Ron. Of course, now that Harry was fully aware of her, he would have to like someone else.
/You don't have to jump me, 'Mione, I think I covered that part for you yesterday. You've never had to write me a letter; you've always had my attention. I've always known you were a girl, by the way, I'm not that blind. And if you went around snogging every other guy in Hogwarts just so I'd notice you, I'd think you were a bit desperate./
His voice reached her ears deep under the covers, and her tears began to subside.
/Ever since you stormed into Privet Drive and blasted my Aunt and Uncle, I've felt something. This funny feeling in my stomach... I was happier once you came to get me, and the way I feel when we touch…/
Harry's hand slipped under the bed sheet, finding Hermione's hand. He interlocked his fingers with her, and she felt a tingling sensation deep in her body.
/I never told you that I didn't feel it, 'Mione. I do. It's stronger than anything I've ever felt./
Hermione peeked out from under the blanket, her eyes meeting his.
"You're beautiful, I've always thought so. Clearly I'm attracted to you, but I feel that I need to sort out my feelings for Ginny before I go any further. And even if this does go further, remember why I broke up with her? I didn't want to get hurt. You're already in danger by being my best friend. If Voldemort found out just how much I care about you, there's no telling what he'd do."
Harry moved closer to the edge of her bed, resting his chin on it. "All I'm trying to say is not to rush things. Yes, Ginny's letter made me feel something. I felt bad for her, because my decision was final, and she's willing to put her life on hold for me. A small part of me wishes things could have been different, but a larger part is telling me that it'll all work out. But you're forgetting the most important part." Harry paused, making sure that her eyes were on him and that she was paying attention.
Having removed herself from her hiding place under the sheet, Hermione's eyes were wide and completely focused on Harry's.
"Ginny's not the one lying here in a hotel with me. She's not the one who came to rescue me when no one else would. She's not the one who told the Dursleys off so thoroughly that they fled their own house. Ginny's not the one who loves me for who I really am. You're right about that, Hermione, her letter proved it. She thinks of me as The Boy Who Lived, The Great Harry Potter. Not Harry, the boy who is determined to end this war. Harry, the boy who likes playing Quidditch, flying, and spending time with his friends. Ginny's not all of these things, but you are, Hermione. You love me for the boy I am, not the boy everyone else wants me to be."
"It's not for the boy you are, Harry," she said quietly. "It's for the man you've become."
Hermione carefully closed the distance between the two of them, and laid a gentle kiss on his cheek.