Title: Forever a Secret (06)
Author name: LittleWitch
Author email: littlewitch_br@hotmail.com
Category: Romance
Sub Category: Angst
Keywords: H/Hr Ron Party Memories
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF
Summary: The Wizard World was a mysterious place -- full of secrets. Three years after the fall of the
Dark Lord, darkness was still spreading over. A secret was held. A secret that was killing their souls. But they had to
pay the price -- or else the rest of the world would. No matter what, it had to be forever a secret.
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various
publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc.
No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.
Clyde, meme30, Luni, Bachi A, Melissa, Lanne, willow, Shinteo, the hermit, harrynmione, Catark, anneu53714, jaqen, bamaslamma29,Cryhope, malu WittleBaiwee, Tim, leothelion, misstake, Euro, Severus Snape, Enter Name, ShootingStar, NuttySophie, MisCard, hey, KatGrl5043, Mella deRanged, fix, Angel of Truth, Sabu.
Thank you all for reviewing.
And of course, thanks to
galtxtr --You reviews make my day. I just love them. Thanks for the tips. I know that I use '...' a lot. I guess I'm addicted to it. You see, for me this '...' can be a look, a pause...a gesture or a thought that I imagined the character was doing but just didn't write it there because for me ( Yes, English is not my first language. For me, English is the real mystery of this fic. ) it's difficult to describe some kind of movements or feelings. You will probably still find a lot of '...' in this chapter, as it was already in 'beta process' at the time I updated last but I promise that I am trying to police myself as I write the next chapter. About the time issue. I don't really like labels. But all the flashbacks are about 7th year and they are always in italic.
Charlie - Thanks for the kind words. I have seen 'memento' or 'Amnésia' as it was called here at my country. It was a wonderful movie. You think that my fic reminds you of it? Well, I never really thought about it...but I'm flattered for such a allusion.
Hallie -- Please, don't cry... And I really hope you are kidding about the attack thing ;)
kmac23va - Thanks. And don't worry I will write "the memory of the spell being cast". But later...
Special thanks to my beta-angels Jennifer and Vanessa.
Okay, this chapter would be called party and departure but I tried to light things up a little on this chapter because people were bursting into tears and resigning from human kind because of all that suffering. The truth is that I, too, thought the fic was a little too much dark and as some people actually asked me for some more romance I just split the chapter in two and left all the departure thing to the next chapter... I tried to be funny and I tried to be romantic but that's not really my style so I don't really now what you can expect from this one. Oh my, I even created songs. Can you believe in that? Okay, so it was not actually real songs... it was more like little pieces of lyrics I created, excepted, of course, the 'We Will Hex You' that of course is a poor plagiarism of 'We Will Rock You' by Queen where the whole disclaimer thing apply. You can call the other 'songs': 'Broom'; 'BUT IF I'M'; 'Blind Wizard Looking at the Mirror' and 'Fear of the Truth'. The songs are awful but I just thought it wouldn't be right to use 'Muggle Songs' in a Wizardry Party so just pretend they are actually nice songs that wizards and witches around the globe would like to hear. Use your imagination, create new songs from yourself if you can't stand this ones. Again, use your imagination - that's what I always do.
Chapter 6: Let's Shake Things Up
"It is dark in here since he's gone; since it's all gone. I think the worst part is knowing --knowing what you'd rather forget -- But you chose to remember. Because although it hurts, you need those memories…Just to remember why you are still breathing..."
*************
She took a very deep breath.
Things could not get worse…but if there was something she knew it was that there was no way -- no way in this life -- that she would…
"I will not…ride on this broom with you, Ronald Weasley."
Hermione Granger was standing in the middle of their balcony, arms crossed and a defiant look on her face as Ronald Weasley flew around her, riding his beloved Thunderbolt Superstar (a present from his Quidditch teammates when he became the captain of the Gryffindor Team on their seventh year at Hogwarts).
Hermione was really glad she had all kind of charms around their flat or else the neighbors would have already called the police, claiming that there was a man all in red flying on a broom, actually, with all the last events that happened in the Muggle World, and the general feeling of the Upcoming Apocalypse, chances were that people would think that Ron was The Devil himself, which, Hermione had to admit would be an utter sin, seeing that Ron was not only one of the most wonderful men she knew but he was also looking absolutely stunning in his fancy red robes. From his red dragon boots to his shining red hair…Ron was The Wizard in Red…
So absolutely stunning (Yes. Stunning. Why not? Oh, yeah, there is the long nose and the freckles and - oh, well, no one is perfect…except maybe Lockhart…if he wasn't a moron that is…).
So absolutely the opposite of herself…
She should have listened to Harry and put on the blue robes -- but no… Hermione Granger was just too stubborn. She put on the black ones instead. And so she looked like she was going to a funeral and not to a party. Oh, and what about her hair? Couldn't she just spend some minutes trying to do something - anything with it? No…she couldn't…And let us not talk about her make up - or lack of it, anyway.
Not that Hermione Granger cared about that kind of stuff…I mean, what was the point of having all that work to be noticed when the only man you wanted to notice you, would probably destroy all the world if he did so….
Oh, of course you could try and use some other arguments to persuade Hermione to just spend sometime in front of the mirror -- after all she was a witch of the new millennium, where women (non-magic and magic included) don't look beautiful for a man, they just look beautiful for themselves. However, Hermione would probably use the following counter-argument: She spent her days fighting against evil and in pro of the sanity of the man she loved. Do you really think she had the time or the mind for a daily appointment at the beauty parlour? Her life was not a bloody movie where the heroine woke up already wearing make up…looking extremely gorgeous no matter what….
She took a very deep breath.
"Oh, come on, 'Mione, sugar, love of my life…Please? We are already late. I won't let you fall. Come on, don't you trust me?"
"Oh, of course, I do, Ron. I trust that the minute I get on this thing with you, you are going to do all those horrible movements you do on the Quidditch pitch just to make me hold you tight."
Ron grinned. "Witch, you know me too well."
"Oh, honestly…I think that I…"
"Come with me then."
Harry. Always Harry. She felt herself blushing. Why the hell was she blushing? She was not even looking at him… It was just his words... "No. No. Don't turn around," she alerted herself. "He is going to see that you are blushing. Oh, Harry if only you knew. If you knew that even a simple 'come with me', is tearing my heart in peaces…how I wish you really meant this 'come with me'…how I wish this was a 'Come with me, love. Come with me and stay with me forever'…how I wish I could go with you…"
She took a very deep breath.
"Er…thanks, Harry…but no, thanks…I'll just --"
Her words disappeared in the air when she finally had the courage to turn around and face him…
Harry was absolutely breathtaking…If Ron was The Wizard in Red; Harry was The Wizard in Green…Yeah…from his robes…to his green eyes hidden behind his glasses and then to his messy green hair…
WAIT.
GREEN HAIR?
BY MERLIN'S BEARD…
SMASH! (Okay, that would be the sound of Shocked Ron losing balance and falling.)
"Er…Harry…er…" Hermione seemed to have lost all her ability to talk. "Er…well…Harry, wh - Harry, what happened with your hair?"
"Why? Don't you like it?" Harry grinned.
"Like it? Harry -- do you realize that you hair is green, don't you?"
"Of course I do, Hermione. So, what do you think?"
Hermione just stared at Harry in utter disbelief.
Ron regained his composure and leaned over Hermione, whispering in her ears. "I told you we shouldn't have let him leave the hospital. He is suffering from Wizardry Amnestesia."
Now, Hermione stared at Ron in utter disbelief. "You mean Amnesia?"
"That's what I said Hermione; Amnestesia." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Listen to me Hermione. First he couldn't remember anything that happened to him on that fateful day, then he couldn't remember dating any of that supposed ex-girlfriends who showed at the hospital, and now he seemed to have forgot the color of his own hair. I'm telling you, next he is going to forget what side he is in and we'll have to deal with Evil Harry."
"I can hear you, you know," said Harry, rolling his eyes at Ron's always very creative suppositions. "And no, Ron. I don't have Amnesia, okay? I'm not going to turn into Evil Harry. I know perfectly well what my hair color is and how many times do I have to tell you that I didn't date any of those girls…"
"Sure you didn't…Ah, my poor friend…don't worry, mate. I'm sure there must be some kind of cure to Wizardry Amnestesia."
Harry sighed in exasperation. "It's Amnesia, Ron. And stop playing around; you know perfectly well that I'm fine and that I don't know any of those girls."
Ron smiled. "Yeah, but what about the hair? Very suspicious…"
"Nothing suspicious…I'm just trying to, you know, change my look a little."
"A little?" Ron asked.
"I think it's sexy," Hermione regretted her words as soon as she realized she had said them. If she could, she would now stare at herself in utter disbelief but she guessed Ron and Harry's stares were enough. "I… um... you see… the messy green hair…the glasses…you look like one of those crazy… I mean it's really a fashionable look if you consider the wizardry concepts of fashion, of course."
"Right, bet that if I was the one with green hair, you would be laughing at my face. But just because it's Harry you think it's sexy," Ron complained, jealous.
"Sexy? Really?" asked Harry with a smile stretched from ear to ear. "Um…Perhaps I should keep this new look…I'm also thinking about getting a Magic Tattoo on my back. What do you think about a Blinking Phoenix?"
Hermione laughed. A nervous laugh. "You are kidding, right?"
Oh my, he wasn't. She was going to hex Snape for this.
"Okay, we are already too late. Can we discuss Harry's new sense of fashion -- or should I say the fact that Harry is turning nuts -- later. Come on, you two," said Ron riding on his broom again. "We are missing all that food," Ron exclaimed.
Harry and Hermione exchange a smile. In the end, it was all about food for Ron.
"Accio Firebolt!" In a blink Harry's Firebolt appeared before them. With one of his hands he held his broom, and the other he offered to Hermione. "Come."
Hermione stared at his hand, she almost took it when she just stopped and looked up. Harry saw her eyes pass through his and stop…she was staring at his - scar?
"Um, Hermione?"
"You know what, you guys just go without me, I really don't know where I was with my head when I agreed to go to this party. But you guys should go…Harry, you sure deserve some fun and Ron… fun is your middle name…not to say about all that food…I'll just stay here catching up with my reading, okay? I sure don't want to go to some of Fred's and George's crazy parties today, especially on this one that seemed to happens ten thousands feet away from the ground…I'll just stay here and…"
Ron made a face and looked at Harry, who nodded… before Hermione knew, she was being carried by Harry.
"Harry, what are you doing?"
Harry sat her down on his Firebolt and was about to do the same thing when he just stopped…looking at Hermione's perplexed face... He just looked at her…falling deep into the golden hues of her eyes…
******************
"Harry, what are you doing?"
"I'm kidnapping you."
"Oh, my…Harry…that's not funny…Aarrgh, Harry, it's too high … Oh My God…Oh My God…I can't see it…I can't…Harry…just put me down…"
"Nope. Not until you open your eyes …"
"Just stop this stupid broom…Ai…Take me down…Argh…Oh, I just hate you, Harry Potter."
"No, you don't. You love me, you said yourself…Now, come on ...open your eyes…I want to show you something…"
"I will not open my eyes…"
"Are you sure you won't? You know I can be very persuasive…"
"I…wh- Wow…Mm…Mmm …Oh, Harry…that's…not…fair…Harry …you..."
"Mmm…Come on, beautiful, open your eyes…fly with me…make me fly --"
*************
"Harry?" Hermione stared at him, concerned.
"Huh?" Harry blinked.
"All right there?"
"Yeah, I just - Yeah, let's go."
"But I --"
Ron didn't let her finish her sentence. He was serious now, he had enough - he was starving. "No buts, 'Mione. Harry and I are not going to let you escape from this one. You are going and that's a final. Now have I already mention that we are missing all that food. Come, Harry. Up. Quickly. Let's fly away."
***********
We will, we will hex you
We will, we will hex you
They could hear the music as soon as they landed on Cloud 34, which, by the way, was not just an address but it was actually a white cloud situated up on the sky…more closely to the stars than it was to the ground…
Although Cloud 34 was indeed a cloud, there was a bunch of magic invoked around it, bringing very peculiar attributes to this particular cloud. First there was the fact that this cloud, unlike the usual ones, didn't move as the wind blew -- not even a tornado could make that cloud move or else it would be a real complicated address to find. The fact that this cloud just did not dissipate or follow the normal water cycle was obvious -- Yes, definitely, no rain would be falling from this cloud any time soon.
After all of the above I guess you wouldn't be very surprised with the fact that there was a castle in the middle of this cloud and dozens of brooms parked at the left side of the castle. Nor would you be surprised with the fact that Ron, Hermione and Harry were literally walking on the cloud, as they headed for the castle gates.
Above the gates, floated a huge banner flashing -- in blinking ever-changing colors -- the following:
WELCOME TO THE LET'S SHAKE THINGS UP PARTY
Hermione, who was looking as if she could pass out at any instant (still having problems processing the fact that she was thousands of feet away from any safe land), was holding Ron's arm at one side and Harry's at the other side, like her life depended on it. She rolled her eyes at the banner. Trust the Twins to choose such an ambiguous name to a party; after all it has been exactly a month since Harry's cemetery incident and the whole earthquake consequences.
A month. Hermione couldn't believe that all that time had already passed - worse, she couldn't believe that people are already making jokes about it. Well, at least, in the Wizarding World where there was no great damage done, and everything was easily fixed with magic. In the Wizarding World, where the Minister of Magic made a very convincing speech explaining to the magical community that it was all no more than another Evil Act from the Dark Ones, who where heroically stopped by Harry Potter, whose bravery efforts to save the Wizarding World ended up forcing him to spend a week in the hospital to recover some broken bones, but nothing else. Nothing else, indeed.
So, for the Wizarding World it was just a common thing but to the Muggle World…The Muggle World didn't have magic to protect them when Harry's energy was released. People couldn't just Disapparate and Apparate to a safe place, like castles in the middle of the sky. Muggles' schools and houses didn't have Magic barriers to protect them from the impact of the earthquake like Hogwarts or the hundreds of wizarding houses. Muggle culture couldn't just let them assimilate a phenomenon of this dimension.
Hermione had lost the count of how many times she turned back in time to fix things in the Muggle World. From broken bridges to broken bones, from falling trees to falling buildings. They worked like crazy: The Aurors. The Order. The Unspeakables. They worked for what felt more than this one month that had passed, but when you worked with time-turners, you lived the minutes but you didn't count them. In the end, not even a day had passed…It was still the same day - only a lot have changed. But it seemed all the changes they did weren't enough. They could not change everything; There are things that not even magic could fix…They could not erase the truth. They had felt it. All continents. All countries. An earthquake had struck them all. The cities were not completely destroyed (thanks to their magical help) but some effects of the earthquake were still visible…more than shattered glasses and ruptures on the walls…something had shattered within the non-magical community…The fear had been in the air; fear of a phenomenon that the science couldn't explain. All the geologists around the globe tried to find an explanation but there was no kind of flaw in the geological structure of the earth that could explain that bizarre phenomenon. So it had begun - a rain of theories struck the Muggle Word-- from terrorist weapons that could create natural accidents as earthquakes and thunderstorms to some lunatics believing that our planet had been a target from some alien ship that destroyed planets in its way… from people trying to find a mention of such a thing in Nostradamus' Prophecies to people trying to find an explanation for it within themselves… 'The Upcoming Apocalypse?' and 'The Beginning of the end' had been some of the headlines of some magazine articles…Yes; the media as always had turned it in a big circus… The messages that were circulating on the internet were alarming…
However, a month had passed by. And fortunately or unfortunately, as always happened, people were starting to forget…yesterday's news was just yesterday's news…today's news was what counted…as always people were being manipulated by the ones in power - the ones who got the power over the information…The headlines today were not about religious and scientific theories about the earthquake incident…Muggles had their own Wars and Evil Acts to fulfill their newspapers' pages…
Yes, life went on…it always did…but there were also always those who don't forget so easily…They had felt it…and they had feared it…They didn't speak about it…but they still carried it… There was tension in the air…there was the fear of the unknown…but life went on…They had felt it…but they pretended they had not…life went on…
But enough of these tormented thoughts. Were they or were they not at a party?
So, ready to shake things up?
********************
We will, we will hex you
Singin'
We will, we will hex you
"Bloody brilliant…this place is amazing."
Harry and Hermione could only nod in agreement as the three of them got inside the castle. The ballroom was huge and the decorations were fantastic. From the large buffet tables on the corners -- loaded with all kinds of yummy and eccentrics wizardry delicacies -- to the illumination proportionate by hundreds of jam jars -- which carried a different color flame and which blinked interruptedly, giving the place a very disco air.
An oval stage was floating on the middle of the ballroom. Magical instruments and a wizardry band of the moment - The Broken Wand Wizards -- on it. And, of course, Fred and George, who were jumping up and down and trying to sing with the band…
The place was crowded.
We will, we will hex you
Singin'
We will, we will hex you
Everybody
We will, we will hex you
We will, we will hex you
Alright
"Oh My Merlin…Harry…Harry Potter…" A frantic girl emerged from the crowded. "Look who is here, girls…It's Harry Potter…"
In less than one second they were surrounded by old colleagues -- from the female sex, of course.
"Oh…Harry…your hair is just so surreal..."
"Very sexy…"
"Do you plan to have it like this from now on?"
"I think it matches perfectly with your eyes…"
"Yeah, and I like the way your hairdo now openly shows your scar. After all what is special is to be showed."
Harry swallowed hard. He had just remembered that he hated parties.
"Oh and Ron, you look absolutely stunning…"
"Red really suits you…Well but you probably already knew that, after all you are a Weasley."
"So, how are things with The Chudley Cannons? Ready for the finals?"
Ron grinned. He loved all the attention.
"Oh, Hermione. You came. What a surprise."
"Yeah, darling, you look so…so…you."
Hermione rolled her eyes. She was going to be sick. She tapped Harry's shoulders and whispered, "Have fun." She walked away.
"Hey Hermione. Wait. Let's eat something, can we?" Ron ran after her.
Harry would like to do the same, but as always it was up to him to face the beasts. Being The Boy Who Lived really sucked sometimes. Actually, it sucked all the time.
*************
Broom, Broom, Broom, Broom, Broom
Let's take our brooms
Broom, Broom, Broom, Broom, Broom
Let's fly tonight
Broom, Broom, Broom, Broom, Broom
Let's show to them
Broom, Broom, Broom, Broom, Broom
Who commands the sky
Hermione had to admit that she was actually enjoying herself at the party.
Truly, the musical repertoire was not what she would choose to listen to on a daily basis - she was still a complete Muggle when it came to music; a consequence of too much influence from her parents during the holidays and too much few attendance to balls and parties during her Hogwarts' days (actually, the only wizardry songs she could remember listening to were the ones the Sorting Hat sang during the five Sorting Ceremonies she had seen) - Besides, the songs they were playing tonight were really to shake you up, which was not exactly Hermione style in any World…
In the beginning, she was avoiding the dance floor like vampires avoid garlic…but she was only a twenty-one-year-old witch, who after two doses of HP Scar (a new drink which had that original name because drinking it was like being struck by lightning. Yeah, a really strong drink.) could be more easily persuaded… She was having a great time. It's been so much long since…Sometimes, she really had the impression that she had been spending the last three years imprisoned…They just hadn't imprisoned Vol - No…She couldn't even think about that name - Funny thing, considering that now everybody said his name freely -- They just hadn't imprisoned He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, they had imprisoned her and Harry, likewise…
So many faces, so many friends that she had been -- not avoiding - just refraining to see. She would probably say that she was too busy…too much work. Researching ancient spell after ancient spell, translating the old runes, trying to find a way to undo what was done, which was, after all, the truth. However, she knew -- though she didn't like when her conscience reminded her of the fact - that sometimes she just chose not to go to parties, picnics and other social events because she knew that all that old faces would remind her of a story, a game, a prank, an adventure that the others couldn't remember…at least, not as the same way as she did.
But tonight she was seeing all of them…her sorrow was still there, but it was so good to see that all of them were so happy…to see that her sorrow was not in vain…
Fred and George talked enlivening with her about all their new prankish ideas. Hermione thought that they would probably never grow up, and realized that she hoped they wouldn't. The Wizarding World wouldn't be the same without the Twins.
Angelina Johnson showed her the very strange engagement ring Fred had given to her -- tiny little fireworks came up from it.
Terry Boot, Oliver Wood and Lee Jordan taught her the new high fashion steps of this season while Susan Bonnes, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell told her everything she would like to know - or not - about The Broken Wand Wizards. Actually, it seemed that the lead singer was Susan's current boyfriend.
Ron, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas were having a huge argument about Quidditch while they quickly emptied their goblets; one after the other…Hermione had a very bad feeling about this … She even warned Ron that he should slow down but as always, he never listened to her. So, Hermione just decided to let him get himself drunk…It was a party, after all. Thus, what could possibly happen if Ron got drunk? Nothing, besides a terrible hangover, for which she would certainly do any potion to help, so he learned to listen to her. Now, if this were Harry, things would be completely different. They would probably have some kind of universal disaster but she had been watching him all night and had to thank whoever-you-had-to-thank on the occasions that Harry was never one to drink much and, as she could attest that night, he, apparently, hadn't gotten rid of his Pumpkin Juice obsession.
As the guys talked about Terrence Higgs and Victor Krum (who Ron was making sure to expose as the worst Seeker of the century), Ginny came to apologize to Hermione for her childish behavior on the last time the two met.
"I understand, Ginny. You don't need to apologize. Believe me, I'm the one who should be apologizing here," she told Ginny.
"So, you will be my friend again?"
"Oh honestly, Ginny. I never stopped being your friend to begin with."
The two shared a tight embrace. They glanced at the middle of the dance floor and smiled at each other; a clumsy Harry -- beleaguered by Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, Padma Patil, Sally Anne Perks and some others girls, who Hermione didn't know or at least couldn't recognize amid all that confusion -- was dancing; if you could call that dancing. Hermione couldn't.
BUT I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO I AM
IF I'M A MUGGLEBORN
AM I FROM HERE OR AM I FROM THERE?
BUT I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO I AM
IF I'M A PUREBLOOD
DOES IT MEAN I AM A SNOB?
BUT I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO I AM
IF I'M A SQUIB
DOES IT MEAN I DON'T EXIST?
Hermione blinked at the flash of Colin Creevey's camera.
"Colin! You better not publish this photo on the Daily Prophet."
"Oh, come on, Hermione, just this time. Your pictures are so rare nowadays…they are worth more than Harry's now."
"They are?"
"Of course, they are. You are famous."
"Me? Famous?"
"Of course you are. After your book…after you freed the house-elves…all your projects and the benefits that they brought to the Wizarding Society…You are celebrity, Hermione. By Merlin, you have your own Frog Card…You have won for the second time in a row, the Order of Merlin Witch of the Year Award."
"Witch of the year? I don't think that I deserve such a title. Actually, I don't even agree with all this Awards stuff. I really think that instead of focusing their attention on all this rubbish, the Wizarding Community could spend their time doing something more useful. That was why I never accepted the prizes. Witches and Wizards around the globe should stop proclaiming heroes like Dumbledore and Harry and see that they too can make the difference. It's only a matter of believing that you can."
"Wow…Can I write this on my article? Maybe you could give me a little interview." Seeing her dark glare, Colin gulped. "Or, maybe not. Good to see you, Hermione. Hope you appear more often."
As he disappeared in the crowded, Hermione smiled at herself…This sure was becoming an interesting party - But Wait. Where was Harry?
************
There was something very peaceful about walking on a cloud.
At last, he was saved from the beasts.
Harry sighed in relief as he contemplated the starry sky above him…But his vision was kind of blurry…There was a dirty spot on his glasses…He took them off to clean it…and as strange as it might seem, without his glasses he could see all too well.
**************
"Harry! Just stop acting like you are a hormonal teenager."
"But, Hermione, love, I'm a hormonal teenager…"
"Sure…and I'm a cheerleader."
"I wouldn't mind you cheering for me in one of those uniforms."
"Ah, honestly, Harry…What am I going to do with you?"
"You tell me."
"Oh, no…no…no...Harry…don't look at me like that…No. Not the enchanting grin...that is really low, Harry…You know that I cannot resist...Mmm…no…Harry…Please? I really need to see these star's alignment and I…Mm…have to find out…stars…Oh…Phew…Now, honestly Harry, I REALLY NEED TO DO THIS. "
"Alright, I know. I know. Sorry. It's just that this is really frustrating, you know. I mean, look at this sky, Hermione. Look at these stars. Isn't it one of the most beautiful nights that you have ever seen? Now, look at us. We should be contemplating this night…we should be contemplating each other… for crying out aloud, this is the Astronomy Tower…this could be so romantic…but no…not for us…we don't have time for kisses and other stuff, we are just too busy trying to figure out a way to save the world another day.
"Oh, sweet…come here…"
"It's just that -- I guess what I'm saying is that I wouldn't mind if things were, you know, as simple as that. If Harry Potter was just some typical stupid hormonal teenager…"
"Well, if Harry Potter was some typical stupid hormonal teenager, we would have a lot of problems, mister, because I am not a cheerleader and I sure wouldn't like to be one."
"Very smart. But that's not what I mean and you know it. Why can't we just be, Hermione?"
"I know how you feel, Harry …I feel the same way…Don't you forget that I'm the girl here. I feel very embarrassed to admit but I - just like every other girl - spent years of my life dreaming of a prince charming…years dreaming about that perfect kiss scene...about roses…about candles…about the romantic tunes playing behind every moment that we share together…about a love that was written in the stars… 'Love is magic', I heard in so many movies, read in so many books…I have found my prince charming in you, Harry, though you are not a prince, though you are not perfect, though it's dangerous, though I have to sacrifice what could be a romantic evening to find a missing star up in this sky, one that could tell me that the prophecies were wrong - that we have a chance. Because although our love is not written in the stars, you are my prince charming…It's complicated, it's impossible and the situation gives us no time for romance but I don't need the romance…because I know that the magic of love is not in the romantic dinner, in the romantic walk on the beach or in seeing the stars together…The magic is in every unmeasured beat that my heart gives when I'm with you…That's enough for me, Harry…isn't it enough for you?"
"I've had 'enough' my whole life and I'm okay with it. But just once -- just this once - I want everything. Because you are everything to me, love. I love you, Hermione. More than you will ever know. More than I can understand. This love scares me, I'm so afraid of losing you, I couldn't bear it and the world couldn't bear the consequences. Hermione, you are the keeper of my heart. I would do anything for you…anything…I want to make all your dreams come true…I want to make passionate love with you under the moon, I want to kiss you till there are no stars left to deny our love…I want to dance with you while the angels play our song…and a rain of petals fall on us…I want to walk with you on the beach, on the lake, on the sky. I want to scream to the whole world that I love you, Hermione Granger. But all I can do is whisper in your ears…You say that it's enough…I say it's unfair…I wish I could be just a typical Harry so I could give you a normal life, a life without all this darkness…a life where it would be safe to just be. But I can't promise you anything, Hermione. Anything. Not even myself. Not even my lo-Hermione? Love, are you crying? Oh my, you are, why are crying, darling? Was it something I sa --"
"Harry. Shut up and kiss me, you stupid hormonal teenager…"
********************
"Harry?"
"Huh?" Harry looked like he had just come back from some kind of trance. His glasses were back to where they should be. "Oh, hello Ginny."
"Hi."
Silence.
"I…er… You look very beautiful tonight, Ginny."
"Er…thanks…you too look very handsome - especially the hair - loved the hair."
Harry ran his fingers through his green hair. "Thanks…So?"
"So…Well, I guess first I owe you an apology."
"What for?"
"For, you know, how things ended between us. I guess I kind of lost control. The way I showed up at your home. All the screaming. All the things I said to you. To Hermione…"
"You don't need to -- Wait. Things you said to Hermione?" Harry asked confused.
"Yeah, I just apologized to her…I realized I was really rude with her…said some pretty bad things, actually…things that I regret…Why? Did she not tell you? I thought she would."
Harry frowned. "No. She didn't. She would never. She is better than this."
"Oh…"
"I can't believe it. It happens all the time, ever since Hogwarts. Every girl I date hates Hermione."
"I don't hate her…I just…"
"You just what?"
"I was just jealous."
"Jealous of what? Hermione and I are just friends."
"I know."
"So what's wrong?"
"I don't know."
"Great. You don't know… I mean I will never understand you witches…Hermione is the best person I know. She's beautiful, smart, caring, funny, trustful…and you all seem to see her like some kind of three-head monster who is always the reason behind the failure of my relationships. Is always the same thing, the same speech, always the same: 'Either she or I, Harry?'"
"And I bet you always choose her."
"Of course I do," he said naturally.
"Ha. That's wonderful Harry. You know if you really don't want to end up single for the rest of your life you better consider dating Hermione."
"Wha - "
Harry felt a tingle at his scar. A green glow emanated around him and Ginny.
"So?"
"So…Well, I guess first I owe you an apology."
"What for?"
"For, you know, how things ended between us. I guess I kind of lost control. The way I showed up at your home. All the screaming. All the things I said to you."
"You don't need to apologize, Ginny."
"No, please. Let me do this. Harry…when I saw you at hospital I …Harry, I love you."
"Ginny…"
"Just because you don't love me back, Harry, it doesn't mean that my love for you isn't for real. I mean, it is very real for me…Harry. That's why it hurts so much…to know that you don't love me back," she said glumly.
"I wish I could tell you that you are wrong. Tell you that I love you or tell you that you don't love me, that what you feel for me isn't real. But I can't lie to myself. And only you can decide what is real and what is not in your life. Just be aware, Ginny. This life it's full of surprises…someday -- and I really hope that day comes soon for you - You will find The One. And you will know that what you felt for me wasn't real…at least not as real as what your true love will make you feel. Sometimes Ginny, love can be just an illusion. Something we are so desperate to find…that we just make ourselves believe we already have. But the wait is worth it, Ginny. Wait for that day and you will see the difference…"
"How can you know, Harry? How do you know it's worth the waiting?"
"Because it has to be."
"But what if you are The One for me, Harry?"
Harry stepped closer to her, he lift her chin with a finger, making her look directly into the lens of his glasses.
"Why do you love me, Ginny?"
"I …" Ginny was stupefied. Why does she love Harry? It's a simple question…with a simple answer. So why can't she answer it? Why does it seem that she was looking into his eyes for the first time? And why she couldn't recognize her Harry in these eyes?
Then it hit her. The truth was like a lightning.
She couldn't recognize her Harry there because he was never hers…That Harry; the Harry she dreamed of didn't exist. Her hero…her prince…that perfect person…That was not the person mirrored in that eyes. The person there was Harry, a simple guy…a guy that she barely knew…a guy full of fears, doubts and worries…A guy who is wanting someone. Who? She didn't know. Nevertheless, she knew it was not her. As she knew now that he was not what she was waiting. She had never been in love with Harry. She had been in love with the idea of loving Harry Potter. But the fairy tale was over now…the reality became very clear…it was there… in those eyes…
Harry stepped back and Ginny looked down, sighing.
"I was so stupid."
"We both were. I, too, wanted to believe in it. I even tried to love you back," said Harry.
"What do I do now, Harry. I mean, I'm completely lost. My whole life I was in love with this idea…And now it's all over…It is scary. I don't now where to go from here."
"No one knows, Ginny. And you are right it was scary…But I guess that's life's secret. You have to live it...to disclose its secrets. To finally know."
"Yeah."
There was silence again.
But the silence didn't last long.
"Ah, Harry, here you are."
The beasts were back.
"We were looking for you."
"Come on, they are going to play some slow ones now."
"Come. Come."
Harry didn't even have the time to protest, before he knew, he was being dragged back to the castle.
Ginny rolled her eyes but then smiled. She followed Harry and the 'beasts' to the inside of the castle.
************************
I looked into the Mirror of Erised
And there I saw your eyes
It took me that to figure out
My heart desire
The band had stopped for a break and most of the people had stopped at the tables to drink or eat something…A magic trunk was open on the stage and some slow tunes began to take place The illumination had diminished a little, and some silver mist seems to encircle the dance floor…creating a very romantic atmosphere for the dancing couples….
Someone tapped Hermione's shoulder.
She turned and smiled.
"May I have the pleasure of this dance, my bewitched witch?"
She nodded. And they danced.
You don't need a love potion
To make me love you
This feeling is a real emotion.
It is all about you.
"I was missing you, you know. I thought you wouldn't come."
"I just arrived…I was on a mission."
"Oh…"
"It's good to see you, Hermione."
"Good to see you, too."
"So, tell me, Hermione, how are you? I almost don't see you anymore. Picnics, parties, Quidditch games, our weekly meeting at Hogsmeade. You are never there. I think the last I saw you was at Percy's Wedding."
"That's not true. I saw you just the other day."
"Really? When?"
"That day in the hospital and afterwards at -- you know where."
"That was a month ago. And I don't think that day should count either. We were all in such a hurry, we didn't even stop to say a real hello at each other."
"Yeah, you are right. Crazy little day that was."
"I wouldn't call that day little if you know what I mean. You know, I couldn't believe when…I mean who could have imagined…we had stopped the Death Eaters…everything seemed right…Harry ordered us to go…We came back as soon as we felt that - that energy. We could see it…even from afar…It was so intense Hermione; it reached the sky and went beyond it. The same wave of energy that made the earth tremble…passed through us…Our brooms just went mad…Then from nowhere, it just stopped. We saw the light that burned; the sky faded…And we fly as fast as we could…But when we arrived there Harry was in a magical coma and Sirius and the two of us who had stayed behind couldn't remember anything that happened… I still don't understand what went wrong…It must have been Malfoy... that stupid ferret…But I can tell you Hermione…he has messed up with our leader -- our friend…and when you mess up with Harry, you have messed up with the Black Team. And when you've messed up with us - well, you better don't mess up with us--"
Hermione frowned. "Neville!"
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I understand. But let's not talk about this today, okay? Besides you shouldn't be talking about these things to me anyway. It is confidential information, and I'm not in the Order anymore, remember?"
"Only in theory. But you are still a member in heart. I don't really know why you and Ron insist on this…You both know that as long Harry is still in this line of work, so you will be. There is no way to keep the three of you apart."
"You are right. Ron and I - we know - we are always discussing this…Ever since Hogwarts we knew the risks of being Harry's best friends. It was a risk that we accepted because it was worth. Harry's friendship was worth it. Ron and I know that we will always be involved, because we care too much about Harry not to be involved…However, you are wrong when we presumed that we are still members of the Order in heart. We are not. In heart, we are Harry's friends. We respect the Order and the job you do. But that's not the life that we want for us…or for Harry…or even for you. Oh, Neville… I can guarantee you that I have already had to sacrifice myself enough for the World's sake. Sometimes you just have to know when to stop, before you lose yourself to this battle. The black cloak you use can hide your identity but not erase it. Don't let it erase it. Don't forget who you are Neville."
"Don't worry. I won't. I still have my Remembrall."
Oh, how could I be so blind?
How haven't I seen?
It's been there ever since
You looked at me…
"I heard that things didn't work out between you and Hannah."
"That's right. They didn't."
"Are you alright?"
"I'm perfectly fine. After all, I don't need any witch to fill that empty void in my heart, I already have Trevor for that." They laughed together. "Unless, of course, you are interested, then I wouldn't mind losing Trevor for good."
"Sorry, Neville. Unfortunately, my heart is already taken. But you know you will always have a special place in it. After all, you were the first Gryffindor boy to see me… as a girl."
Neville smilled. "Oh my…for the sake of the free elves, don't even remind me of that…they were a bunch of jerks…Ron and Harry were probably the biggest ones."
Hermione glanced at Ron who was dancing with Lisa Turpin and Harry who was 'trying to dance' with Parvati. "Oh, believe me, they still are…"
"I never understood why such a smart girl like you ended up hanging out with those two."
"Well, you know the deal. They saved my life. I saved theirs…I guess in the end it was just some kind of survival instinct that made us hang up together."
"Yeah, I'm sure a survival instinct is the reason Ron is glaring at us like he wants to transfigure me in a bunch of ashes."
"Oh, don't mind Ron glaring. I'm used to it by now. He has done that ever since our first Yule Ball."
"Oh, our first Yule Ball…You know, I still resent you for going with Krum and not with me?"
"Only because he asked first."
"Was it so?"
"Sure it was. I thought you were much cuter than Krum."
"Liar."
"I'm not a liar. I'm telling you I thought you were the cutest boy in our year."
"Liar."
"You don't believe me, do you? Okay, so why do you think I helped you all the time in Potions and Charms?"
"Pity?"
"Oh honestly, Neville. I'm telling you, you were the nicest boy in our year…You know, every school has this cute shy boy that in the end all girls come to their senses and fall in love with because they realize he is the nicest and most caring boy in the world. And you, Neville Longbottom, were Hogwarts' cute shy boy."
"Mmm…Strange…I thought Harry was the cute shy boy."
At the mention of Harry's name, Hermione glanced over Neville's shoulder to check on him again. She winced. He had just stepped on Parvati's shoes. "Oh No, Harry was never shy. He was clueless which is completely different. Besides Harry was the hero, too many issues involved. But you, you were the guy - No. Look at you. You are the guy."
"You are such a Liar, Miss Granger. But thanks anyway."
"You're welcome, Mr Longbottom."
I looked into the Mirror of Erised
And there I saw your eyes
It took me that to figure out
My heart desire
"Now, tell me Hemione. What the hell is wrong with Harry's hair?"
***********
Hermione shared one more dance with Neville. Then, as people just started changing couples, she danced with Justin Finch-Fletchley, George Weasley, Ron (who kept asking her what was so funny that she didn't stop laughing while in Neville's company), Dean and as her life was always full of surprises she saw herself now standing face to face to The Boy Who Woke Up Today Thinking Green Hair Was Cool, in other words: Harry Potter.
She wanted out. She wanted to run away. It was all very clear. She knew the rules. She made them herself.
Rule number five: Never -- in any circunstance -- see herself trapped in what could be called a romantic situation with Harry Potter.
And she suddenly remembered another reason why she used to avoid social events like that.
GREAT. That should be the Let's Shake Things Up Party and not The Let's Break Rules Up Party. Though at her Hogwarts' days she did learn how to break rules, she knew for certain that some rules must no be broken or else things would really shake around there.
Now where was Dumbledore to stop her when she needed him?
But -- Well now it was too late. She was already on Harry arms and the song was already playing and - Oh, Merlin help her...
I love you
And that's the truth
I love you
And you love me too
"Ouch!" Hermione jumped.
"Oh, sorry, Hermione. Did I hurt you?"
Hermione bit her lip, suppressing the pain. She couldn't believe that Harry just stepped on her foot. At least, she could leave all her fears behind. There was nothing romantic about dancing with Harry. It was, indeed, a very painful activity.
A dream held
Within your heart
A secret hidden
Deep in your eyes
"Don't worry, Harry. I'll survive. Don't stop. Just pretend that nothing happened."
Harry frowned. "Are you sure you don't want to stop before I do some real damage?"
"Oh, don't be a fool, Harry. You are not that bad." Hermione waved it aside.
"Yes, I am," assured Harry, worried with her friend toes'sake.
Hermione smiled. "I know you are, Harry. I'm just trying to be polite here."
The two broke into laughter.
And you fear
You are losing your mind
(when your eyes met mine)
"Come on, Harry. It is like this. One, two...Just follow my lead."
And you fear
You are lost in the dark
(I will guide you tonight)
"Like this?"
"Hum...Almost...But it's much better...relax a bit more, Harry...just feel the music...feel the melody...doesn't it feel like magic?"
So don't fear...Don't fear
Don't fear
I will be there by your side
Don't fear
Let me kiss you tonight
'Cause I believe in you
'Cause I believe in love
'Cause I believe in forever
'Cause you believe in me
'Cause you believe in love
'Cause you believe in forever
***************
"Just feel it, Harry. See...Like this...It's not difficult...It is like magic. You already have it inside you. You just have to feel it first before you let it out."
"I don't know, Hermione. This doesn't sound like magic to me...It sounds more like... Dancing? Do we really have to this?"
"The Graduation Ball is coming, Harry. You need to learn how to dance."
"What for? With my luck, I'll be probably too busy fighting Voldemort to even attend the Ball."
"Harry!"
"You know it is likely to happen."
"I'll just pretend I didn't hear that."
"I'm sorry, love, but with everything that is going on, chances are -- Besides, you know I don't like dancing."
"I know. But can't you just try a little? For me? I promise you it won't hurt. And who knows? You might even like it."
"You never cared for this kind of stuff before. Why the sudden change?"
"It is going to be our last night at Hogwarts. Don't you want it to be special?"
"It's already special. I'm going with the woman I love."
"Yeah, but don't you want to dance with her? To share this magical moment with her?"
"You've been reading those sappy Muggle novels again, haven't you? Is this really important to you? It is, isn't it? Well, so what are we waiting for? Teach me, beautiful. Teach me and I shall dance with you forever."
**************
Harry stopped abruptly. He looked steadlily at Hermione. "We never had that dance…"
No magical words
Can keep us apart
No matter what
Your love is mine
It was Hermione's turn to stop abruptly. "What?"
And no potion
Can change my mind
No matter what
This love will last
Harry felt strange. "What what?" He blinked.
"What did you just say?" Hermione asked, apprehension all over her face.
But you fear
What is between
You and me
Harry looked at her confused. "I don't know. What did I say?"
But don't fear....Don't fear
"I--" Hermione narrowed her eyes, leaning towards Harry. Her eyes fixed at his scar.
"Hermione?"
Don't fear
I will show you the truth
Don't fear
Let me love you
"Huh?"
"You know that's the second time tonight you have stared at my scar like that. Is something wrong with it?"
Hermione stepped aside, looked at him closely one more time and bit her lip. "Er - No. Er... Of course not -- I just have the imp--"
What suitable excuse Hermione would have given to him, not even herself knew...The fact was that she didn't need any because it was all forgotten when a loud voice resounded in the air.
"MIONE, MY PUMPKIN…"
Hermione and Harry froze at the same time. The two looked at each other then together they looked up.
A very drunken Ron was standing on the floating stage...
"Oh no. Please. Great Guardians, please. Don't let him do it. Don't let him do it. Don't let him do it. Don't let him do it," Hermione kept repeating to herself as she slowly shook her head.
'Cause I believe in you
'Cause I believe in love
'Cause I believe in forever
'Cause you believe in me
'Cause you believe in love
'Cause you believe in forever
"PUMPKIN, MARRY ME," Ron screamed.
Hermione took a very deep breath.
She looked at Harry. "You've got to be kidding!"
Harry, as always, just shrugged innocently.
I love you
And that's the truth
I love you
And you love me too
****************
MEANWHILE IN AN UNKNOWN PLACE...
A dark place that looked like a cave...
There, stood a woman with skin as black as the darkness that surrounded her and long red dreadlocks.
Loud and indescribable sounds resounded all over the place...a mixture of screams...respirations...roars...
Fireballs exploded in the air.
The woman smiled. "What good news do you bring me, Mr IT?" the woman asked to no one who could be seen.
"Everything is going as planned, My Lady. The Warrior is awakening," came the answer but there was still no one to be seen.
"Good... The time is coming... Soon, He will be back...And we will have our revenge...What about The Guardians?"
"There was no sign from them yet, My Lady. But The Old Wizard is near. He knows too much. He will try to stop it again."
"The Old Wizard is powerless without The Guardians' help. He is not my biggest concern now...Gather all your Death Earters...It's time to put an end to this secret."
"Yes, My Lady. What are your orders?
"Kill the Keeper..."
**************