Harry Potter and the Last Prophecy

Munkii

Rating: PG13
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 17/07/2003
Last Updated: 27/07/2003
Status: in_progress

Harry's 6th Year at Hogwarts brings troubled times for everyone, and ultimately endangers the school itself. Things that have never happened before are beginning to happen without explaination, and Harry and Hermione seem to be in the thick of it, but they don't know why. PG13 to be safe. [Writers Block! Taking a week off, starting Aug. 8th]

Chapters

1. Unexpected Events

2. The Last Month of Summer Vacation

3. Hidden Rooms and Sorting Hat Songs

4. It Starts

1. Unexpected Events

Harry Potter and the Last Prophecy

Previous Version Titled ‘Waltzing of Hearts’
Version for 6th Year, following Order of the Phoenix
Author: Webmaster Pikachu (pikacenter@hotmail.com)

Notes:
This fanfiction, like all 6th year fanfictions, contains spoilers from the 5th book. Be sure to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before reading this fiction if you wish to prevent spoiling the book. It isn’t that expensive. :)

Also note that this will end up being a full-fledged story, just as long as JK Rowling’s books. I am shooting for around 150,000 words in an attempt to write something worthy of keeping the rabid fans from going crazy.

Thanks to E. C. R. Potter. Harry's birthdate and the dementor problem have been fixed.

Chapter 1: Unexpected Events

The sun rose quietly over the horizon, and its first rays fell upon the face of a sleeping boy. It was none other then Harry Potter, resting in his small bedroom at Number 4 Privet Drive. His head was resting on a dirty pillow, and it could be clearly seen that tears had recently fallen on it, washing away the dirt in various places. The sheets of the bed were in disarray, the overlaying dirty quilt completely on the dirty floor. Dust hung in the air, making the rays of the sun viewable from the side as they might be coming down from a cloud.

The warm light danced upon Harry’s eyes, and he slowly opened them. Sitting up, he glanced around his room. His trunk rest in the far corner, opened and with various books lying around its base. On his desk were a few pieces of parchment. One was a message from Ron, another from Hermione. The last, however, Harry had not seen as of yet. Staring at it, he felt for his glasses on his nightstand, and scrambled half-blinded to the old desk.

‘Harry Potter’ it read across the front in a fine hand. Breaking the wax seal, Harry opened the message.

Dear Harry,

It is already a month into summer break for you, but I wanted to offer a reminder for a few important things.

Voldemort is still loose upon our world, and it is absolutely imperative you remain at the Dursley’s. Last year I believe I mentioned it to you how it was all so important, and I’m sure you still understand. You are the key to the dispute ahead of us, and you must be kept well and safe. Hogwarts may be one of the safest places in the wizarding world, but for you your safest place is at Number 4.

The loss of Sirius was a terrible blow to us, but do not let it dampen you for to long. Keep your mind sharp and strong, it is your most valuable asset, and it will keep you and your friends alive in times of danger.

On a lighter note, I have reversed the decision to prevent you from playing Quidditch. When you return I am sure your team members will be glad to have you back, if you decide to play. I know that recently you have been having a hard time, and it has been stressful, I know. It is your decision.

Fred and George Weasley have decided they would rather invest their time in their new enterprise, and that is perfectly acceptable. I always knew they were smart. They are doing a good job, and seem to have made a name for themselves. Upon my return I was fortunate enough to be saved a glance at their swamp magic. Quite impressive, If I do say so myself.

If there is anything you need, please ask without hesitation.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Harry set the letter down on his desk. He had yet to ask himself whether or not he wanted to continue Quidditch. The answer should be simple, he thought. He loved Quidditch, it was in his blood to play. But his mind could not work fully it seemed, for he sighed in exasperation. It had been like this all summer… confused and lost within himself.

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, along with their human piggy Dudley, offered Harry no consolation. He rarely talked to them, although thanks to the events that took place the previous summer, they were leaving him alone. Aunt Petunia even went so far as to stop Uncle Vernon from fussing Harry about. Harry was still incredibly thankful for that Howler that came last year.

Boredom was Harry’s only real enemy that summer. He didn’t like to let his mind drift off to that perilous evening in the Department of Mysteries, and the best way he found to avoid that was his summer studies. Naturally he went straight for the Defense Against the Dark Arts books, which weren’t even assigned to be used for homework. It didn’t matter… It was a responsibility now. Not for the teachers anymore, but for himself, and for Dumbledore’s Army, which Dumbledore encouraged whole-heartedly. Students should learn how to properly defend themselves in a time of war, Dumbledore mused. Harry agreed with this. Hermione had taught him many things in his fourth year, and the truth was that many of them had saved his life.

Now, nearly a month later, Harry had finished his studies. Boredom was now a serious threat, and he had sent a desperate message to Hermione, asking her to send a nice thick Defense Against the Dark Arts book for a birthday present…

Harry jumped with a start, and glanced over at the dusty calendar on his wall, smudging away the grime. It was indeed the 31st of July. His birthday. Harry glanced back at Dumbledore’s letter, and sure enough at the bottom it read ‘P.S. Happy Birthday Harry, someone will be visiting you shortly’.

How vague! Harry didn’t know who in the world would be coming to visit him, but it was his birthday. Having a visitor for his birthday had only happened once before when Hagrid broke down the door on that stormy night. It was good news, as he had been longing to know of the happenings of the magical world. Grabbing some clean clothes, Harry rushed to the bathroom to take a shower.

Emerging from the bathroom, Harry noticed Dudley giving him a foul eye. Ignoring him, Harry returned to his room to deposit his dirty clothes. Noticing his wand on his nightstand, he picked it up and put it into his back pocket, covering the visible portion with his shirt. Harry much preferred the wizarding robes, but found it hard to wear such things in a Muggle world. Having just left the room, Dudley noticed the nearly indefinable shape in Harry’s back pocket.

“Why do you have that bloody thing with you.” Growled Dudley. He pointed at Harry with a shaking finger.

“I would tell you, but you would just stare at me in incomprehension. In any case, I’m getting a visitor today, and I know for a fact that they are allowed to use magic anywhere they want.” Harry replied, looking unconcerned and making his way downstairs to eat a bit of breakfast. Dudley didn’t quite know what to say, but followed Harry down the stairs.

“Who is coming? Better not be one of your freaky orange haired friends that blows up living rooms…” Dudley asked snidely.

“I don’t know who is coming yet, but I’m warning you to stay out of it. Oh yes, if you want to get on their good side, say Happy Birthday and perhaps they will mind their wands.” Harry answered, giving his voice a dark touch. Dudley squirmed behind him. It took a few minutes before Dudley realized it was Harry’s birthday. Decided it was best to keep his mouth shut, Dudley said nothing and fell flat on the couch in the living room to watch the television. Harry found himself a couple eggs and some old bread and began to make breakfast, trying to ignore the crude insults from Dudley’s cartoons. Each year he grew more and more distant from the Muggle world, and he found himself dreaming of a life after finishing at Hogwarts more and more often.

“Your up early boy. Dudley, turn on the morning news.” Uncle Vernon said upon entering the kitchen, stopping Harry’s daydreaming. Dudley moaned and switched the noisy television set to the news channel. Uncle Vernon started to prepare his morning coffee, giving Harry a mean stare.

“Someone is coming to visit me today. They didn’t specify a time.” Harry stated simply, not bothering to say ‘Good morning’ or such. Uncle Vernon gave a loud and quite audible disgruntled grunt.

“Who is this ‘visitor’, boy?” asked Uncle Vernon. Harry shrugged and said he didn’t know, because in all reality had hadn’t even the slightest clue who it might be. Noticing the hidden wand in Harry’s pocket, Uncle Vernon scowled, but said nothing more.

Harry liked scaring everyone by hiding his wand in his back pocket. It at least kept the family off his back. Even pretending to reach for it was enough to shut the entire family up, seeing that Harry wasn’t getting in trouble for using magic.

After eating breakfast, Harry cleaned off his dishes and was making his way upstairs when a knock was heard at the door. Without a moment of hesitation, like a spring suddenly given room to spring, Harry bolted to the door and opened it. The person standing before him was perhaps the least expected: Professor McGonagall, dressed in Muggle clothing and looking quite uncomfortable in it. In her hands were numerous presents.

“Good Morning, Mr. Potter. I’m guessing you read the Headmaster’s letter already.” She spoke in her usual hard voice. Harry felt like he was back at Hogwarts already.

“Good Morning Professor… uh… This is a surprise,” spoke Harry, still a bit off guard. He glanced at the gifts in the Professor’s arms.

“These are all for you, and I also have some news for you as well. Dumbledore would have loved to come, but he is of course still busy with the Order. Now, are you going to invite me in or just stand there?”

Harry stepped aside and let McGonagall in. Closing the door, he led her to the family room. Dudley had already hidden, and Uncle Vernon had disappeared upstairs to change into something more suitable for guests. Sitting down on one of the chairs, McGonagall set the gifts on the floor. Harry, deciding to calm down a bit, asked her if she wanted tea.

“I could do with some tea, thank you.” She replied. Harry went about putting some water on the stove to boil, and returned to sit across from the Professor and her gifts.

“I realize it was quite a shock to see me, Harry, but someone had to come… I’d like to first say you did very well on your O.W.L.s. A little lacking in your potions skills, and the astronomy examination wasn’t even graded, but otherwise you received outstanding marks, quite literally. I believe you really could become a fine Auror since you did so well.” McGonagall stated, a hint of pride in her voice.

“Really?” Harry asked excitedly. McGonagall nodded.

“Oh yes, one of the Professors examining you said you had a natural talent for Defense Against the Dark Arts. All of them were very excited to see such a nice corporeal Patronus as well. That brings me to exactly what classes you wish to take in this coming year. For Defense Against the Dark Arts, you’ll need all of the basic classes except for Divination and Herbology. Albus told me that he would recommend you taking Occlumency during one of these free class periods, but also told me to note that it should be you that gets to pick who teaches you. He does not want the same mistakes as last year to be repeated.” She explained. Harry nodded, and noticing the boiling water on the stove, stood up to prepare McGonagall a cup of tea.

“I don’t think I would like to continue Divination, but I would still like to take Herbology. Ron and Hermione are both in that class.” Replied Harry, coming back with a steaming cup of English tea on a saucer. Handing it to McGonagall, he reseated himself.

“That can be arranged I’m sure. Oh yes, now that I think about it, Hermione said she’s been studying Occlumency over the summer, and if you feel it so, she would be willing to work with you so that both of you can learn it. As you know, we don’t have a class for it, but working with another student is perfectly acceptable. I can see how it might be advantageous as you will not be letting out memories to someone you find it hard to trust. Professor Snape was a bad match, I think.” McGonagall took a sip of her tea. Uncle Vernon could be heard coming down the stairs. “Ah, finally I can meet your family. Have they been treating you well?”

Harry nodded. This summer had been fairly calm compared to the other summers. Uncle Vernon had reached the living room by now.

“Good Morning, Mr. Dursley. It is good to finally meet you. I was just talking to Harry about his plans for this coming school year.” Greeted McGonagall. She didn’t bother to stand.

“Ah, hello… What was your name again?” asked Mr. Dursley, a tad uneasy.

“Professor Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress and Teacher.” She replied simply, and Uncle Vernon cringed at the sound of ‘Hogwarts’. He took a seat at the opposite side of the room. “Anyways, as I was saying to Harry, he will be entering his sixth year, and his chosen profession was that of an Auror. His marks…”

“Auror what? Profession?” interrupted Uncle Vernon.

“An Auror is someone that helps to keep Dark, or evil, Arts in check. The magical world is a very dangerous place right now, and you probably are not aware of it, but Harry has already proven himself a formidable fighter against these evils. Aurors require an extensive knowledge of nearly everything magical and quick, strong minds.” Explained McGonagall, a bit hastily.

“I see.” Uncle Vernon said simply, but it was obvious he didn’t fully understand. McGonagall took another sip of tea. She knew that Uncle Vernon didn’t really care what happened at that ‘freak’ school and decided to change the subject to Harry’s birthday.

“Now, Harry, I have brought all your presents and cakes from your friends at Hogwarts. I believe even Albus sent you something. Anyways, come and open them up already. I don’t have much more time to spend here as I need to return to Hogwarts shortly to finish preparing my curriculum.” McGonagall said, and Harry didn’t hesitate to move to the ground to open his gifts.

Harry reached for the first gift, and looking at the small tag on it he knew it was from the Weasley’s. Opening the package, he found a small green dragon. It was of course not real, but rather an enchanted replica breathing fake fire. The note attached said that Fred and George had come up with the enchantment themselves, while Ron and Ginny had crafted the actual model. It also mentioned the small war they both fought as they tried to create the dragon their own way. Ginny thought the dragon should have been a lovely shade of red, but Ron blatantly refused. In his mind, all dragons were green and black. In any case it was very realistic.

“Oh, very nice. Fred and George Weasley might be troublemakers, but they have a knack for this kind of magic, don’t they?” thought McGonagall out loud. Harry nodded, setting the dragon on the floor.

“That thing better not burn a hole in my carpet, boy.” Uncle Vernon growled, eyeing the mysterious green toy. Harry had nearly forgot he was there, but it didn’t matter and he continued to ignore him.

“Rest assured, Mr. Dursley, it is rather harmless.” McGonagall laughed lightly. Muggles were so easily made into entertainment, and Uncle Vernon was an excellent example.

Harry reached for the next gift, which had been wrapped in such a precise matter that he knew for a definite fact it had come from Hermione. Besides being perfect on the outside, it was also in the very recognizable shape of a book. Harry tore the wrapping paper off, which happened in quite a brutal fashion when compared to the patient wrapping process it had gone through days before.

The book was enormous, and its leather binding was thick and strong. Harry sensed that perhaps the book was actually quite old, and he carefully turned it on its side to read the title off of the binding.

“Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Defense Against the Dark Arts in a Hundred Million Years by Elimay Thorton… Hermione picked a good one I think, Professor.” Harry said, opening the book to glance at a few pages. The book was indeed long. The pages were thin and translucent, yellowing with age, and signs that magic had been used to keep the book small in size were readily apparent.

“Books don’t have titles that long,” mumbled Uncle Vernon, and both Harry and McGonagall suppressed a few giggles before ignoring him.

“Quite a gift, not many of those books were put into print. It took months just to create one of them. They are very complete, I hear. Excellent choice, I’m guessing you asked for it?” McGonagall asked, obviously pleased with the gift.

“I was becoming bored over the summer, and I finished my homework and everything already, so I asked Hermione for a nice book on Defense Against the Dark Arts, since I want to become an Auror.” Harry replied.

“You finished your summer studies already? Wasn’t it only a couple years ago you came up to me with an excuse for why you hadn’t finished your Transfiguration paper? Oh well, it is good news. Perhaps you could spend some extra time with your friends this summer instead of concentrating on catching up. Ah, that reminds me, I forgot completely. Your coming with me as soon as we’re done here. Professor Dumbledore wants to bring you to Hogwarts early so you can prepare to continue with your Dumbledore’s Army group. I don’t think you were aware of it last year, but Albus just loved the idea. The fact that all your members received outstanding marks on their Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.s only made it better. He knew you wouldn’t mind coming early.” McGonagall added, only to end up glaring at Uncle Vernon. The fact that Harry hated being at Number 4 Privet Drive was basic knowledge for everyone that knew him, but the truth remained that Harry was safest in the little box that the Dursley’s called home.

It took Harry a moment to comprehend the sudden change of events, but when he came back to his senses, Uncle Vernon was already grinning and McGonagall was sitting patiently, taking a sip of her tea.

“Really? Do you mean it? I can go to Hogwarts.. I will be at Hogwarts… today?” Harry replied, obviously still caught severely off guard. McGonagall nodded.

“Yes Mr. Potter, it’s true. Now lets finish opening your birthday presents and pack your things up. Ron and Hermione are probably already at the station and we don’t want to keep them waiting,” McGonagall looked at the clock on the wall and noticed the time. Seeing they were already going to be late. “Ah, we’re running late. Hurry and go pack, I’ll take your remaining gifts to the station and you can open them when we’re all on board.”

Harry would have liked to expressed further surprise at the fact that Ron and Hermione were coming with him, but sensing the sudden urge to be ready for the coming passage, he dashed upstairs without a further word. He noticed Dudley on the stairs, presumably trying to listen in to their conversation. At the sight of Harry, Dudley dashed off to his room and closed the door.

Throwing all his books and clothes into his trunk, which had been unloaded not even five weeks ago, Harry glanced around the room. Noticing his completed assignments on his old desk, he grabbed them and the letters, his quills and bottles of ink, tossing the whole lot into the great trunk, which expanded magically within to accommodate all the things Harry would need for another year of school. Seeing he had all the little things, he closed the lid and snapped the fasteners shut.

Hedwig was busying cleaning herself in her cage, which Harry promptly closed. He grabbed his broom and the cage and brought them downstairs. Setting them in the hall, Harry was preparing to race back upstairs when McGonagall, with her wand out, stopped him with a light smile.

“Locomotor Trunk!” she commanded, flicking her wand. Upstairs, Harry could hear his trunk rumbling along, nudging his door open, and sailing down the stairs to his feet. Uncle Vernon didn’t look happy at all, seeing this ‘new devilry’ in his house, but said nothing.

“We are running later then I thought. We will have to use a portkey I think.” McGonagall stated with a bit of an air of urgency. She set her now empty teacup on the floor. “Portus!” she cried.

“Ok Harry, grab hold of your broom and Hedwig’s cage. I have your trunk, so no need to worry. Now touch the teacup,” McGonagall instructed. Harry did so, and she reached down at the same time. Uncle Vernon was scowling about how they had cursed his teacup, but he suddenly stopped short. Moments later, Harry and McGonagall were standing on Platform 9 ¾, the gleaming red Hogwarts Express before them.

Since, as far as Harry knew, only four people would be traveling to Hogwarts, the train had only an engine, a car, and then a caboose at the end. The Platform itself was oddly quiet, and he and McGonagall were the only ones around. Even the ticket takers and janitors were gone.

“Your friends are waiting Harry, let’s put your things on so you can be on your way. We are very late indeed it seems, I don’t even see the Weasley’s or Granger’s parents. Hurry onboard, I’ll take care of your things.” McGonagall instructed. She took up her wand and sent all of Harry’s things into the storage compartment of the single car, shooing Harry along at the same time.

Just as Harry approached the steps to go aboard the train, Mrs. Weasley, followed closely by a huffing Ginny, stepped off.

“But Mum, I want to go!” Ginny was begging, but at noticing Harry she abruptly stopped and looked down at the platform embarrassed.

“Harry dear, its good to see you! You were giving us quite the scare, you should have been here fifteen minutes ago! Oh well, hurry along. I’ll see you again when its time to get school supplies.” Mrs. Weasley gave Harry a big hug and pushed him onto the steps leading into the car. Harry glanced back at Ginny, who was staring up at him. He felt bad about leaving Ginny behind, and looked up at McGonagall.

“Molly, Ginny can go if its acceptable with you. She can be of some help, I’m sure.” Professor McGonagall coaxed. Mrs. Weasley, having no more objections, nodded.

“Ok dear, I suppose you can go. I’ll send your things before nightfall. Now hurry aboard, everyone is waiting!” Mrs. Weasley said, pushing Ginny aboard as she did Harry. Ginny was ecstatic and hopped up to were Harry was, unable to proceed any further.

“Professor, are you coming with us?” Harry asked over the engine, which was billowing steam and smoke.

“Sorry Mr. Potter, but I have other things to attend to. I will meet all of you at Hogwarts in short time. Best be going now.” She replied, and with that the train began to move. Harry and Ginny waved good-bye before Ginny started to push Harry in in her excitement to sit down.

“Hello mate! It seems like it was only a few weeks ago we said good-bye!” Ron greeted.

“Hello Harry!” exclaimed Hermione brightly, before turning back to Ron, “It was only a few weeks ago dummy. Nearly five to be exact.”

Harry returned their greeting and took a seat on the opposite side of the compartment with Ginny. At his side were his opened and unopened birthday gifts.

“Quite a surprise wasn’t it, Harry? Professor McGonagall at your door this early? Sent Fred spinning on his head when he opened up the door yesterday morning and seeing her. It was quite a sight.” Ron explained. He glanced at the gifts at Harry’s side. “Do you like the dragon?”

“It’s a very good dragon Ron, and I would know, now wouldn’t I?” Harry grinned, remembering the tournament a couple years ago. “How are those to brothers of yours doing anyways? I think Professor McGonagall mentioned they weren’t going to be coming back.”

“Nope, they are doing too well with their new business to want to come back anyways. Even Mum has given in and said they had a good business. Dad is thrilled with it.” Ron replied.

“Did you like my present Harry?” Hermione interjected, eyeing Harry with hopeful eyes.

“Oh yes, I haven’t had time to read anything yet, but it looks like a very nice book. Here, Ron. Look.” Harry said, handing over the gigantic book to Ron. “Isn’t it huge? Its great, I think it will help me become an Auror.”

Ron looked at the enormous book for a few moments before opening the cover to peek inside. Noticing the never-ending super thin pages, he moaned.

“You got him this, Hermione? Harry, you actually wanted this? Have you gone mad? Hermione is going to make you read this, you know.” Ron groaned, looking up at Harry with a weird eye.

“Well when it comes time to teach you counter-curses and the such, your going to be glad Harry knows what he’s doing instead of turning your feet into rocks.” Hermione puffed, shaking a finger at Ron. She took the gigantic book from him and handed it back to Harry. “Here, before he starts ripping pages out.”

“I wouldn’t do that!” Ron said defensively. He turned back to Harry abruptly and pointed at his last remaining unopened present. “Is that Hagrid’s present? Well, open it already.”

Harry reached for the last present. It was wrapped in crinkled brown paper like you might find on shopping bags, and around it was tied a piece of cord to hold it together. Harry had no idea what it could possibly be, and so without further ado he undid the knot. The paper fell away to reveal a small box. Harry opened the box, and inside was a small piece of parchment and a large golden key. Harry took the parchment and read what it said to everyone.

Dear Harry,

I was able to talk Dumbledore into giving you a classroom for Dumbledore’s Army. This here’s the key; the classroom is right next to Professor McGonagall’s classroom. We’re all proud of ya, and we know you enjoy it too. Keep up the good work.

Hagrid

“Oh, that’s wonderful Harry! Our own classroom!” Hermione exclaimed, obviously giddy with excitement. “You know what this means, Harry? It means were official! We need a banner or something. A flag maybe! Yes, a flag, and a banner to hang on the door!”

“You think so?” Harry asked, smiling. He couldn’t help but admire Hermione’s sudden enthusiasm. “I like the idea, what do you think it should look like?”

“I don’t know really, maybe we should ask everyone when school starts.” Hermione suggested. Harry nodded, liking the idea.

“That sounds like a good idea.” Harry said. He turned to glance out the window. They were crossing through the hills now, and the sun was still out, however their were dark clouds ahead and Harry knew they would be passing under them shortly. Hermione fidgeted slightly, as if she wanted to ask a favor, which she did.

“Umm, Harry? About the Occlumency lessons… I’m sure Professor McGonagall mentioned it, but… I want to learn about Occlumency as well because it’s all interesting and everything. I know you weren’t comfortable working with Snape, so I thought it might be better if I helped you instead.” Hermione explained, obviously itching for a chance to learn something new.

Harry gave it some thought, and Hermione was right, he didn’t like his memories flying everywhere, especially for Snape to see. If anything, his memories were mostly of his times with his friends Ron and Hermione, so there was nothing to worry about having them fly in front of Hermione.

“Ok. I think it might be better that way.” Harry replied, and Hermione was excited once more. Ron was staring at the two, and at hearing Harry’s reply, decided to speak up.

“Why do you need to learn Occlumency, Hermione? Wouldn’t it be easier for Harry to just learn from a teacher that, it would give you more free time to make your little spew stockings or,” but Ron was cut off mid-sentence by Hermione.

“It’s not like I’m doing it for me. I shouldn’t have to explain why I offered, but if I must…” Hermione let her voice fade away, but seeing that no one was going to stop her, continued. “If I must, well, I think Harry needs some extra help from both you and me Ron. Especially this year… V-Voldemort has returned, and Harry still has to go to school and deal with studies and lessons and all that. He already spends most of his time with us, why not make good use of it and use it to help him along instead of letting him go off to some teacher and have his whole life float before their eyes just because he’s having a hard time going to bed with a clear mind? And it’s S.P.E.W.” she huffed, catching her breath when she finished.

“Your always spending all your time with lessons and studying, Hermione. Why can’t you spend it having fun for once?” Ron countered, eyeing her.

“Don’t try and be concerned about me, neither of us have any idea of what Harry has gone though these last several months, and you need to realize it isn’t all fine and dandy anymore. Don’t you remember what the Sorting Hat said last year? Stay united, and that’s exactly what we have to do. Hogwarts isn’t going to be the safe haven it once was anymore. I’m helping Harry because that’s what I am good at. If you can’t help him by being his friend, then…” but Hermione’s turn to be cut off had arrived quite unexpectedly, and her angered voice fell to silence. Everyone felt it, a cold dread encroaching upon their minds. Harry fumbled for his wand.

“A dementor.” Harry spat, and he jumped to the doorway defensively. Having encountered numerous dementors already, he was able to control his mind for longer periods of time, and decided it was best to check in the passageway. There was nothing there.

“I only think there is one,” Harry said quietly, eyeing the hallway. Its grasp on him was weak, and he found he was able to think straight. Noticing that only Hermione had begun to reach for her wand, Harry added, “Ron, Ginny! Get your wands! You know how to cast Patronuses. Hermione and Ron, check the engine. Ginny, you come with me.”

"I… can't… m-move!" cried Ginny, not being able to cope she was quickly succumbing to its dark powers. Her eyes began to roll in their sockets as her nightmares began to surface, and Harry remembered his own nightmares. A knot began to form in his stomach. He was sickened to see Ginny falling before her own disturbing dreams. Ron, who had stood with his own wand, was now collapsing onto he floor. The dementor… It was at the end of the hall now. A cold like that of a horrible dark blizzard of fear washed over them, and Harry’s eyes began to close to the radiant world, and open to his darkest fears.

“No! This can’t happen, not to me, not to my friends!” his mind cried out. “Open, my eyes, open!” Hermione had attempted to cast a Patronus, but she had no free positive thoughts, and only a silvery wisp emerged from her wand. As Harry forced his eyes opened, he saw what his own nightmares were made of as Hermione collapsed to floor: Three of the people closest to him, now writhing in their own agony on the floor.

The dementor was now only a couple dozen feet away, slowly gliding along. Slowly gliding along… Slowly… Their end…

“Noo!” Harry cried once more, and thinking about the last great Quidditch victory for the Gryffindor house, he called, “Expecto Patronum!” A flash of silvery mist came from his wand. Harry fell to the floor now. The dementor had approached to only thirteen feet away.

Harry’s eyes fell upon the floor as a veil of darkness attempted to cover his free mind. Hermione, with a wand, was sprawled on the floor. Ron was likewise on Harry’s other side, and both of their faces were contorted in misery. Their wands were lying on the floor near Harry. Hermione was trying to break through the cold grasp, mumbling incoherently… His friends had fallen… So easy to fall…

Using every last ounce of energy in himself, Harry cried for the last time “Expecto Patronum!” while thinking of all the good times he could possibly remember having spent with Ron and Hermione. A silvery stag suddenly appeared. It raced like lightning down the hallway, driving the horror from the magical train and out the window, where it quickly faded into the distance. Harry could feel the weight of the dementor abate, but found he had no energy to move, as it had all been drained away.

Nobody seemed to be present on the train besides their small group, but Harry noticed the sweets trolley at the end of the corridor. Remembering chocolate was a good remedy for the effects of the dementor, Harry pointed his wand towards the laden trolley.

“Locomotor Sweets Trolley,” he called, nearly audible, as he waved his wand. The cart rolled forward, and Harry stopped it just before himself. Nearly asleep, Harry whispered, “Dimitto Chocolate Frog”.

A box flew open on the trolley, and a chocolate frog began to squirm in the air, unable to move thanks to Harry’s charm. Noticing Hermione was beginning to move, he sent it straight into her mouth before promptly passing out.

No one moved, save for Hermione, who was shivering. A few minutes passed, and the chocolate frog in Hermione’s mouth began to melt. A partially dissolved leg popped out, and began to squirm down the passageway. Hermione, with her eyes still closed, tasted the chocolate and swallowed. It was a few moments before she could open her eyes, but slowly the remedy took effect. Her eyes opened, and she sat up, only to let out a muffled scream with the shock of seeing all her friends on the floor.

Ron and Ginny were shivering now; coming too after the effects of the dementor began to fade away. Connecting the chocolate in her mouth with her recovery, and remembering that chocolate was the best remedy for the effects of a dementor, Hermione scrambled to her shaky legs and grabbed several boxes of chocolate frogs off of the trolley.

“One moment,” she whispered to herself as she hastily pulled out a frog from its box, sticking it into Ginny’s mouth knowing she had felt the most of it. Forcing Ginny’s mouth closed, she grabbed another frog from its box and crawled over to Ron, plopping the squirming chocolate into his mouth and forcing it closed as well. Hermione was reaching for another frog for Harry, when she noticed he wasn’t shivering.

“Harry?” she whispered, shaking his left shoulder slightly. Seeing that he continued to remain motionless, Hermione crept around him to look at his face. Noticing he was breathing normally, she put a hand to his forehead, and found it not cold to the touch, but instead a warm and more normal temperature.

“He must have worn himself out fighting the dementor,” Hermione thought out loud. Ginny stirred behind her, and Hermione turned out to face to her.

“Ginny, are you going to be ok?” Hermione asked. Ginny, looking nearly sick with the sight of Harry on the floor, didn’t reply. It took Hermione a few moments to figure out why Ginny wasn’t saying anything.

“Harry will be ok, he’s just tired. It looks like Ron is coming to.” Hermione noted, watching Ron’s eye flutter open. He began to sit up, but fell back on the floor.

“Ron? Can you hear me? What’s wrong?” Hermione asked, now directing her attention to Ron. He rolled over on his back with a hand over his stomach.

“Ugh! My stomach…” he moaned. It seemed to Hermione that the dementor had made him sick, which was very possible. “I think I need a window.” He added.

Hermione didn’t pause for a second, and she helped Ron up. They went down to the end of the hallway towards the engine and disappeared around the corner to open a window for Ron, who by now was looking sickly all over.

Ginny crept over to Harry, still fast asleep, and began to move him into the compartment where they had been enjoying their train ride. Well, at least attempting to enjoy their train ride, Ginny thought. Just as Harry’s feet were inside, Hermione emerged from around the corner, Ron close behind. They made their way to the compartment, with Ron taking the handle of the sweets trolley.

“Ron! Don’t be greedy!” scolded Hermione, but Ron didn’t seem to hear her. She glanced towards Ginny and Harry, and went to help lift him onto the seats.

“Hermione, is there some kind of spell that can wake him up? He probably could sleep, but… we’re not very good when it comes to dementors… If another,” Ginny was saying, but Hermione stopped her.

“Yes, you have a point. We need to all be awake. A dementor on the Hogwarts Express at this time? Who ever sent it must have known when we were leaving, and I know for a fact that it was kept secret. The only people that would know are either teachers or possibly Order members.” Hermione picked her wand up from outside the compartment and called, “Novo nervus expergefacio!”

A jet of blue-green light shot from Hermione’s wand, and upon reaching Harry it dissipated and fell like fairy dust on him. He instantly began to stir.

“What?” asked Ron and Ginny at the same time.

“It’s an energy renewal and awakening charm… They don’t teach it until Year 7, but I picked it up out of Harry’s new book before I sent it to him. It’s very hard to do, but I think you should learn it.” Hermione explained, “Do I always have to tutor you for everything?” she mumbled to herself.

Harry opened his eyes, rubbing them with his clammy hands, only to find all his friends looking at him. The sweets trolley was stationed right next to Ron, and he had taken the liberty to engorge himself with Berty Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. Ginny was standing next to Hermione at the edge of Harry’s makeshift bed.

“You feel sick at all Harry?” Hermione asked, concern edging into her voice.

“Thanks for the spell Hermione, I don’t think I know that one… I don’t feel sick, still tired though. Magic couldn’t give me back all my energy, but oh well. Now that I’m awake, I think I’ll have a chocolate frog.” Harry finished quietly, smiling a bit. Ron moved to get a frog for Harry, but Ginny picked one up before he had even decided to move his arm. Unwrapping it, she gave the magical confection to Harry. “Thanks Ginny,” he said, nearly whispering, as he slowly began to eat to the frog.

Hermione let out a sigh of relief and sat down near Ron. Ginny, taking advantage of the situation, sat down just above Harry’s head. He moved to sit up, but Ginny stopped him.

“You should lay down, you still need some rest.” Ginny said, and Hermione gave an approving look. Harry looked up at Ginny, feeling her warm hand on his shoulder. Having her along was a good idea, he thought.

“Ok,” he surrendered. His mind was nearly clear now, and he didn’t really want to move anyways, he figured. Some nice rest…

“Ron and Hermione, this train isn’t safe anymore. As soon as you feel up to it, I think it would be a good idea to inspect every inch of it. Go together when you feel ready. Ginny can stay with me I suppose, she hasn’t learned quite as many spells as you two have. Sorry Ginny, but I don’t want our youngest to get into trouble.” Harry said, almost instructing. He gave Ginny a small smile, wanting to make sure she didn’t feel bad about being the youngest or anything weird. The fact of the matter was simply that Ginny had less experience then Ron and Hermione, and unnecessary risks should be avoided. Ginny looked at him, and she understood perfectly.

“Ok, I’ll stay Harry.” Ginny said.

“…and we’ll go. Come on Ron, stop eating sweets.” Hermione added, her eyes speaking a different message. She tugged Ron away from the trolley. Harry had a good point, but she still felt uneasy leaving him alone with Ginny. If something else were to happen… would she be able to help Harry?

Hermione, dragging Ron behind, left the compartment. Ron picked up his wand off the floor, and they headed for the engine. While the train was operated solely on magic, Hermione thought it best to check out the engine room. The sound of their footsteps faded as they opened and closed the car door.

“Thanks for convincing Professor McGonagall to let me come Harry. There was nothing for me at home to do with everyone gone. I probably would have gone mad.” Ginny explained, thankfully. “You think your going to be ok?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine. Oh, and you deserve to come anyways. You’re a member of Dumbledore’s Army, and your part of our group now. Really, Ron should have let you in long ago… I don’t see why he had to push you out.” Harry replied.

“He’s being Ron. Oh well, I figure.” Ginny closed her eyes. Finally, she could begin to payback Harry for everything that he had done for her. It was good to finally be able to give. But she didn’t seem to feel like she had in her early years, when she couldn’t stop eyeing Harry. It was different now… Her role was that of a friend… No, that wasn’t right... Something deeper, but something not so deep as to consume her life. The right word escaped her thoughts as the dark foreboding clouds covered the daylight outside. Rain began to follow soon after.

It was near ten minutes time when Ron and Hermione returned. They were noticeably damp with rain, but glad to report they hadn’t found anything suspicious.

“I think we’ll go check the caboose. Ron, come on. You can finish your chocolate frog later.” Hermione decided, just as Ron took a bite out of another frog. She glanced at Harry, and then Ginny, and seeing they were fine, started to leave.

“But it’l hop ‘way,” mumbled Ron, who at the same time was trying to eat part of the chocolate. Hermione sighed, and grabbing his arm, yanked him along without saying anything else.

“You make things so difficult Ron, it’s as if you like being yelled at.” Hermione said loudly from down the corridor. Ron could be heard saying something in reply, but they were to far away for Harry or Ginny to understand.

The rain intensified, and by the time Ron and Hermione were back, they were in the middle of a particularly bad thunderstorm. Every one save for Harry got the chills.

“How long before Hogwarts, do you think?” asked Harry. He was staring out into the cold darkness as another bolt of lightning struck the ground.

“An hour, maybe two.” Hermione replied, looking out the windows to the dark sky as well. It seemed as if the dementor has taken their happiness when it was chased away. Hermione could find nothing within herself to lighten the room. Ron was munching away on candy, slowly. It seemed as if he was trying to make himself busy so he wouldn’t have to think about the recent events.

“This is going to be a tough year,” Harry stated solemnly. His mind floated along the black plains of thought, and he began to remember the events of last year. His temper, Umbridge, Sirius… Oh how he wished that summer that Sirius would come back, but he already knew he never would. Through nights of agony he had come to accept that Sirius was gone, forever. His only true family was gone now… Harry opened his eyes. Hermione was staring directly at him. She could see all the pain in Harry, pouring from his eyes. Harry could see empathy in Hermione’s. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, and neither Ron nor Ginny noticed in the cold silent darkness.

Hermione wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the willpower within herself to speak up. It was as if Harry had suffered so much she had no right to say anything.

Harry’s eyes burned from becoming dry for staring so long, and he closed them. Hermione closed hers, and they joined Ron and Ginny in a restless, uneasy sleep.

* Please leave a review! Thanks for reading ^_^

2. The Last Month of Summer Vacation

Harry Potter and the Last Prophecy

Previous Version Titled ‘Waltzing of Hearts’
Version for 6th Year, following Order of the Phoenix
Author: Webmaster Pikachu (pikacenter@hotmail.com)

Notes:
This fanfiction, like all 6th year fanfictions, contains spoilers from the 5th book. Be sure to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before reading this fiction if you wish to prevent spoiling the book. It isn’t that expensive. :)
Please enjoy this next chapter, and leave a nice little review for me ^_^
I am aware that this chapter seems to place Harry out of character, and seemingly moves straight to H/Hr very quickly, but please read it carefully and perhaps you'll see what it all turns out to be in the next chapter. Maybe those that wish to take a shot at it could stick their ideas in their reviews. Kudos to anyone that gets it ^_^

Chapter 2: The Last Month of Summer Vacation

The Hogwarts Express came to a stop and the four sleeping teenagers were awoken from their sleep. The sun had set, and the stormy sky outside looked more ominous then it had before their minds had drifted off. Harry stood up, and put out a hand to help a groggy Ginny up and on her feet. Ron and Hermione stood up half asleep on their own accord. It seemed to Harry that everyone needed a good sleep that night, weather permitting.

They made their way soundlessly off the train. Their cloaks, which they had not removed when they stepped onto the train, were still tightly wrapped around them as the rain tried to seep through. No one was on the train platform to greet them, but a thestral attached to one of the school carriages awaited not far off on the path that lead to the great wooden doors leading into the school. Of course, Ron, Hermione, nor Ginny could see the dark creature, which was probably a good thing, Harry mused.

“There’s one of those invisible thestrals, right Harry? You can see it, can’t you?” Ron asked. Harry nodded solemnly.

“Just hope you never obtain the ability to see one, Ron.” Harry said darkly. He hadn’t just seen Cedric Digory die now, he saw his own godfather Sirius fall through that magic portal. Two times he had to see death. Harry’s stomach turned over, for perhaps the millionth time that summer. So lost in his own grief he unconsciously stepped into the carriage. His glum eyes stared straight past Hermione’s, who was sitting across from him. He didn’t seem to notice her worried look.

Hermione was rendered unable to speak, finding no way to express some comforting thoughts for Harry. She merely stared, and when Harry came back to his senses as the carriage came to a halt before the great doors of Hogwarts, his eyes caught hers. Grateful for her concern and awareness, but embarrassed, he looked down at his feet. Hermione decided it might be a good idea to talk to Harry later, in private. No Ron or Ginny even. Just one person might be easier… Her mind turned to Harry’s life, and his hardships.

The four of them stepped out of the carriage and walked up the steps leading into the old castle. The great doors were open just enough to let them in where they found Remus Lupin waiting for them.

“Ah, your finally here, good to see you all! Ah, Harry, you have grown a bit! And you, Ron and Hermione seemed to have sprouted a bit… And Ginny, well, Ginny seems just like her old self, odd isn’t it? Ah well… Five weeks isn’t very long, now is it?” Remus commented, giving Harry a warm pat on the back.

“Here here, dinner is waiting for us all in the Great Hall, now come on before it gets cold. I’m afraid its only us, the Order had to abruptly leave only half an hour ago, something about a breach of security or something…” Remus continued, “Know anything about it?”

“We were attacked by a dementor on the train, Remus.” Harry said without any inflection in his voice. “We are all okay now, I fought it off and Hermione revived us all. We weren’t on our guard, so I’m thankful no one was hurt.”

Remus didn’t know what to say at first, but he closed his open mouth which drooped at the mention of the dementor.

“I’m glad your okay, but you must be tired. Even chocolate isn’t enough to completely remove the effects of a dementor, as I think you well know. Some good food and a good night’s sleep will have you back to normal though. Come on, let’s have some dinner. It’s getting late, you know.”

Taking the lead, Remus lead them to the Great Hall, and they found dinner for five at the end of the Gryffindor table. It wasn’t the food they normally had during the school year, where every meal was a feast, but it was definitely good. Lamb chops and veggies and pumpkin juice, creamy mashed potatoes and several chocolate cookies… Harry was beginning to drool.

They all took up a seat, which Harry sitting in between Ginny and Hermione, for a change. Ron sat with Remus across from them, beginning to eat as fast as he possibly could. He always had loved food, thought Harry. However the friendly atmosphere of the Great Hall wasn’t enough to pull Harry from his dark thoughts, and he ate quietly without much voice in Ron and Remus’s conversation concerning quidditch.

“Why aren’t you having a say in their little chat, Harry? I know you love quidditch.” Ginny whispered to him. Harry looked at Ginny, but could find nothing to say and gave a half-hearted shrug. Hermione noticed this of course, as she had been keeping one eye on Harry the entire of her waking evening. While Ginny could figure that something was troubling Harry, Hermione knew for a definite fact that he had more then mere troubles bothering him at the moment. She shot an angry glare at Ron, who was talking excitedly. Why hadn’t he noticed Harry’s recent emotions, why hadn’t he been concerned?

“Git,” Hermione muttered under her breath. He was too busy talking to notice Harry’s mood. ‘It’s not that Ron’s a bad guy, its just he can be so unwary at the times when he needs to notice things.’ Hermione thought. She turned to Harry and leaned close.

“Harry, we can talk later, okay?” Hermione whispered into Harry’s ear. He turned quickly to her, his face holding little emotion save for the dull gleam in his eye of understanding. He made no move to say no… Hermione would have her way this time. He didn’t have much of a choice anyways; he had no energy to push Hermione away now, away from his burdens and grievances.

It took only a moment for Hermione to understand Harry. She was happy that he would finally have a chance to let it out. In fact, she would be happy to help in anyway possible, knowing that Harry’s responsibilities were far greater then her own.

Hermione glanced at Harry’s plate, and noticed Harry had eaten very little. She nudged him with her shoulder.

“You should eat some more Harry, go on now.” Hermione coaxed. Harry stared at his plate for a few minutes, then picked up his fork and began to slowly eat away at his mashed potatoes. They normally tasted wonderful, but tonight… they tasted like cardboard. Harry gave a small sigh, inaudible to Remus and Ron. Remus wasn’t attuned to Harry’s mental state at the moment either, obviously. He was still chatting away with Ron, seemingly engrossed in some of the stories of the great tricks and gags Remus and his friends had pulled back when he was a student at Hogwarts. While those stories included his father, Harry paid no attention to them. He could barely think at the moment, his mind still swarming with dark memories.

It took Harry what seemed like hours to finish enough food on his plate to satisfy Hermione. However, when he had, Hermione suggested to Ginny that they take Harry upstairs and send him off to bed. Ron was still giddy with excitement at being back at Hogwarts and chatting with Remus, and their conversation was still continuing when Hermione told them that she, Ginny, and Harry were going to bed.

“Okay then, I’ll be up soon I think.” Ron replied, and he returned back to his conversation. Hermione huffed and stood up. Harry and Ginny followed her as they left the Great Hall, silently. As soon as they were out of sight of Ron and Remus, Hermione slung and arm around Harry, who in turn threw his own arm on her shoulders.

“I knew you were tired, now come on. Don’t even think… Something is obviously also bothering you.” Hermione said. Ginny looked up at her.

“Why didn’t you want Ron to see you helping Harry out, Hermione? It kind of seemed that way, you know…” Ginny asked, innocently. Hermione took her time in replying.

“Even if he is being a git tonight, I’m not going to hurt his feelings when I show Harry some affection. He gets all weird when I have an arm or two around Harry. I think he likes me actually… Anyways… Just to avoid problems, you know.” Hermione replied.

“Oh,” said Ginny simply.

“Don’t be silly. Harry needs our support right now… He’s so quiet now too… Aren’t you Harry?” Hermione said. Harry didn’t reply of course, and only gave her a confused look at the mention of his name for the third time. He didn’t seem to have been listening. “I guess I’m his voice for now.”

They eventually came to the portrait of the fat lady that guarded the Gryffindor common room, and Hermione said last year’s password. It worked, and Hermione was grateful she had remembered the old password. She didn’t know what the new password would be yet.

The common room was very quiet. A fire burned in the old stone hearth, but it was small, and only cast long shadows into much of the room. Being near the enormous windows, the sound of the raging storm outside and the arcing lightning reached the eyes and ears of the three students. They made their way to collapse in the soft loveseat next to the fire, as it was the closest to the flames out of all the furniture in the room. While it was meant for only two people, it was adequately large enough for everyone, and they fell into it and stared at the fire in silence.

Harry feel asleep long before Hermione had noticed, and by the time she had, Harry had fallen side ways onto her lap. She glanced at Ginny to make a quiet remark, but found that she two had dozed off, falling asleep upon Harry’s side.

“I guess we’re sleeping here tonight,” Hermione said quietly to herself, yawning. She took her wand and, using a few charms, brought over an identical loveseat. She raised her legs, and the legs of her friends with a bit of magic, and brought the loveseat to with the one they were resting on. Dispelling the enchantments holding up her friend’s appendages brought them softly to rest upon the new addition. Hermione set her legs down as well, and placing her wand back in its place, wiggled down to a more comfortable position and promptly fell asleep, deciding that Ron could deal with their sleeping arrangements, whether he liked them or not. Right now wasn’t exactly a good time to make a fuss, especially with Harry asleep with his head now lying on her stomach.

When Ron stumbled into the room that night, having racked his brain for thirty minutes trying to guess the password, he didn’t even notice his sleeping friends. He was tired and temperamental, and walked blindly up to the boys’ dormitories, falling into his soft bed.

A dark cover of clouds hung over Hogwarts the next morning, but the rain had stopped, as well as the thunder and lightning. Ginny was the first to awake, but at opening her eyes she decided she didn’t want to move, her head still resting on Harry’s side. The lulling warmth of his body was enough to make her cheeks pink, but she could hardly mind. It was a special moment… to be so close to her only true crush. She knew it would never happen, Harry would never like her in any romantic way, but it seemed to be more of a sisterly brotherly thing now, which was perfectly acceptable. A special moment next to her adopted brother… Yes, that was it. She smiled, closing her eyes and resting with a peace that had been lost the night before.

It was Ron who happened to awake next, and he stood up from his bed and groggily made his way out of the room and down the stairs to the common room where he say the most peculiar thing: two loveseats side by side, making what appeared to be a great bathtub of cushions. Curious, he inched closer. What he saw shocked him into swearing.

“Bloody hell! What did they do last night?” Ron cried in surprise, waking Hermione and Harry. Ginny, awake of course, knew that Ron’s reaction would be very loud, and she had braced herself against the sudden noise.

Ron didn’t know what to think… Ginny lying with her head on Harry, Harry lying with his head on Hermione… So cozy… So close… Ron was instantly jealous of Harry.

“Ron, quiet down, we’re trying to sleep here…” Hermione mumbled softly, half awake. Harry awoke, but feeling Ginny on his side, and Hermione under his dark hair, and knowing full well he still had his own troubles to worry about, was confused to the point of not talking once more.

“Hermione! Harry is lying right below your… chest…” Ron pouted. It was Hermione’s turn to come alive.

“Ron! I couldn’t care less, honestly… You have no idea what Harry was feeling last night… And when he finally fell asleep, all I wanted to do was let him sleep. He was so comfortable too… Ron, there’s a point we crossed last night. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that we’re here for Harry. And last night you weren’t! You didn’t even notice I had to force Harry to eat! You didn’t even notice Harry didn’t speak at the table last night, so don’t give me a hard time.” Hermione growled back loudly, knowing full well it was Ron’s jealousy speaking this morning.

“What’s Harry’s problem then? He always gets away with everything, Hermione. You know it. What does he have to worry about?” Ron returned angrily, glaring at Hermione.

“You really can’t put it together, can you?” Hermione asked, this time quietly, baiting her words with poison. “Do you understand what Harry’s responsibilities entail right now? Do you know what responsibilities he forces upon himself? If you haven’t noticed, Harry has kept this school and the students safe for five years. On top of that he has kept us safe, and this most particularly. I know you know what it means to be protective, but what Harry has done for us…” Hermione’s voice trailed off as the thought leapt upon her conscious mind once more, and the guilty gratitude of the truth washed over her. She spoke little for a few minutes as she tried to regain her thoughts.

“This is the least I can do.” Hermione finished simply. She looked down at Harry, who’s eyes where glued on her own, rapt with attention.

‘She understands me,’ Harry thought quite suddenly, his mind finally able to comprehend it all. ‘She understands me more then myself’. A tear fell on his face. It was Hermione’s.

“Yes,” whispered Hermione, seeing the understanding dawn upon Harry’s eyes. The dull shine disappeared as Harry began to tear, but no drops fell.

“Ron,” began Harry quite unexpectedly, “Hermione’s right. Don’t let jealously cloud your heart now. You’re a Gryffindor.”

Ron stood there, looking defeated and confused. He could understand how he was being a poor friend by not noticing Harry’s condition, and how Harry was always sticking up for everyone at Hogwarts, but… he was still confused. He left from the room without another word to take a nice long shower.

“He’ll come back to us… He always does.” Harry said quietly after Ron had left. Staring back into Hermione’s eyes, he added, “Hermione, I am absolutely grateful you’ve been with me now when Ron hasn’t. I thought I was loosing my mind last night. I guess you already knew that though…”

“Don’t forget Ginny, she was here too,” Hermione said, a smile dancing across her lips.

“Oh yes, and Ginny too,” Harry said, glancing down at Ginny, braving to pat her on the head. She seemed ready to purr.

Harry was doing better, Hermione thought, but he still was troubled. The dementor attack seemed to have struck a nerve in Harry when he wasn’t on his guard. Perhaps the transition back to Hogwarts happened to fast for Harry to remember to take care of himself. Perhaps it forced him to drop his guard. Hermione could only imagine, she doubted Harry would know himself.

Silence ensued for quite some time, and the three dwellers of loveseats became more conscious of their current positions with each breath. They had never been so close to each other in all their lives. Why had that night chosen to pull them together? Harry’s heart beat away, and each beat he became more aware of this odd realization: why? He grew panicky, not wanting to feel intrusive, not wanting to invade Hermione’s personal space… his head resting on her… Not wanting for Ginny to feel uncomfortable at the same time… Each beat of his heart… each pounding thump in his chest. A curious tickling sensation could be felt in the general vicinity of his scar… Uneasiness crept upon him, and before he could stop himself he had bolted upright. Pain like burning lightning coursed through his scar, and he howled in agony, catching Hermione and Ginny so off guard they yelped.

“Harry? Harry?!” Hermione sat upright, throwing her arm around his neck once more, pulling him down into the cradle of her left arm. She didn’t have to ask any questions. She knew what it was causing Harry pain… that accursed scar.

“My… It’s… my scar…” Harry said, sputtering for a deep breath. The pain had seemed to mysteriously recede. Ginny moved in for a closer look, having put her hands on the sofa next to Harry’s left leg, her knees right behind, so that she was on all fours. Her head was close to Harry’s now, and she took one hand off the loveseat to brush away the black hair hanging over the scar. Her hand brushed against Harry’s skin and he became uneasy once more. Harry made to move his head backwards now, but something was blocking him from going backward. Panic ran through him once more. An urgent uneasiness… He began to writhe in the clutches of Hermione, but she held on to Harry so tightly he made so progress in escaping their grasp. ‘To close!’ Harry’s thoughts screamed at him. A jolt of pure torture ran though the scar, so great that to Harry the Cruciatus curse was child’s play now… Unconsciousness ebbed at his free mind, and Harry went limp. He fell back into Hermione’s cradling arm, his eyes closing…

The pain receded once more, just before Harry felt he could stay awake no longer. Ginny had flung herself across his legs, and Hermione had taken her right arm around to hold Harry into her left arm.

“Why did you panic when I put my arm around you, Harry?” Hermione asked, softly now. Harry, seemingly half-dead with pain, and not wanting it to come back, remained still, but spoke slowly.

“I…” Harry began.

“Harry… I need to know… Don’t hide anything from me. Right now, I need the truth.” Hermione prodded, almost sternly. Harry looked up at her meekly. He looked away as he replied, however.

“I felt… uncomfortable… claustrophobic… uneasy… … uneasy … being next … no … so close…”Harry rambled, taking long, drawn out pauses. He looked at Hermione, and she glared at him with a determined expression. “you two so close to me…” Harry croaked out. His face went red.

“Are you saying you don’t trust us?” Hermione asked, her voice even and sincere.

“I do I do! It’s just… at those moments… Perhaps I forget that trust… Oh I don’t know!” Harry cried out, but not in pain. He put his head into his palms and said no more, feeling his eyes watery once again, this time the agony of it all flowing out and down his arms onto the back of Ginny’s robes.

Hermione’s mind clicked at that very moment.

“Here, Harry, stand up please.” Hermione instructed. She took out her wand and forced the second loveseat to move back with a charm. Harry looked at her straight in the eyes for a few moments.

“Okay,” he said. He stood up. He walked around. Hermione whispered something into Ginny’s ear, and she stood up as well, however Harry hadn’t noticed.

“Harry, ok now come over here.” Ginny said, and Harry, seeing no problem with it, walked over. She bent up and whispered into his ear, “Kiss her, on the lips.”

Harry stood as still as stone, as if he had been petrified. Hermione’s eyes were on Harry, staring intently, waiting for the kiss she had asked Ginny to ask for her. Harry’s mind was racing.

‘What? Why did…? Why does…? Why do I have to kiss her? What if she gets mad at me?’ Harry thought. Nothing made sense, he didn’t move. Hermione and Ginny were staring at him now. The pain returned to his forehead before he was even aware he had become uneasy. He collapsed to the floor, writhing and thrashing like a snake caught under a tire. While it pained her to do nothing, Hermione remained seated on the loveseat. Ginny was shedding her own tears now, and looked away, but refused to mess up Hermione’s instructions. Harry looked at them as pain ripped through every last nerve in his head. Through his bulging eyes he could see Hermione sitting there, motionless. Ginny wasn’t looking at him.

‘Why?!’ Harry cried out in his thoughts. ‘Why aren’t they helping me? Why am I suffering? No… surely not Hermione… surely not Ginny…’ Harry’s mind grinded along, he made it. ‘What had Ginny asked me to do… Kiss Hermione… No, that’s a test… Hermione and Ginny planned this… They’re against me!’ Harry let out a cry of pain once more, very much audible on the great common room as the piercing call of agony echoed back to its source.

‘They would never be against me,’ Harry’s conscious said to him. ‘What had Hermione said earlier, just before she asked me to do something… stand, yes, just before she asked me to stand… Do I trust them? Hermione and Ginny?’ Harry looked up, holding his head still as the rest of his body flailed upon the ancient rug covering the Gryffindor common room near the hearth. He once again stared into Hermione’s eyes, which had taken on a pleading look. ‘I do… I know I do… I’d trust Hermione with my life. She would never hurt me, never become angry with me for long… a kiss… yes… a test of trust. She won’t hurt me, or get angry… she’ll love it… I know she will.’

Harry groped with his hands to find the edge of the loveseat, and finding it, he struggled up. He sat down, kneeling inward with his knees, leaning forward at the waist… He kissed Hermione on the lips…

Harry collapsed, the pain suddenly withdrawing and disappearing as if it had never been there, save for the noticeable tiredness accompanying it. He breathed deeply; like he had just held his breath for longer then he could possibly hold it. His mind floated as if the pain coursing through it moments before had been such that all his hours on this Earth were just as painful. As if the terrible burning sensation was all he knew while under its influence.

Hermione turned Harry around on the loveseat, with the help of Ginny, and he drifted off to a light sleep in one of the corners, Hermione at his side and Ginny still standing. Ginny, still letting tears drop from her chin at regular intervals onto her robes, was in a state of shock. She had never seen Harry so fragile in her life. While she knew Hermione had a clue what was going on, she could only guess what Hermione was thinking at that moment.

Ron, who had promised himself to get over it and stay over it, had walked in from the showers when Harry was first asked by Ginny to kiss Hermione. Of course, he hadn’t known that, and he froze in incomprehension as Harry fell to the floor before the girls. He could see his sister was crying, and Hermione trying to control herself. Ron had remained unnoticed, until it was over, and Harry was asleep, and the words took form in his mouth.

“What have you been doing to Harry!” he screamed, rushing over to the side of the loveseat that Harry occupied.

“I don’t know exactly what’s been happening, but I have a general idea. Something is hurting Harry when he momentarily looses faith in us. His scar burns. I’ll need to speak with Dumbledore on the matter, he might know what’s going on…” Hermione explained. Ron had enough sense at that instant to realize the kiss was a fluke to test Harry, but still… jealousy had a way of finding him it seemed.

“Oh, well that just makes it all fine and dandy, now does it? Why’d Harry have to suffer? Couldn’t you have done it another way?” Ron replied loudly in exasperation. Hermione shook her head.

“No, if Harry wasn’t in a situation that he thought was real, he wouldn’t risk something in the name of faith, he would either risk nothing, or feel like he was fully obligated. Ron, you have to trust me on this one.” Hermione stared back up at Ron, and caught his eyes. “I know it was painful. It did a number on Ginny.”

Staring back at Hermione, Ron took a few breaths. He nodded slowly. She seemed to know what she was doing. “Fine,” he muttered.

Ginny had begun to compose herself, taking her sleeves and wiping the moisture from her face. She looked down at Harry. A rumbling sound came from her stomach… she blushed, as it was quite loud.

“Perhaps we should eat? We can wake Harry up with that spell of yours, Hermione.” Ginny said weakly. Hermione thought that it was a good idea, and Ron was jumping around and saying, “Yes, yes! Thinking like a Weasley now! The way of the stomach!”

Hermione didn’t want to wake Harry, but she too was hungry, and she was guessing Harry would be hungry as well. It was nearing 10:30 already. “Novo nervus expergefacio!” she said, waving her wand. Harry began to stir. He opened his eyes.

“Harry, lets go eat breakfast, shall we?” Hermione said. Harry nodded, and Hermione pulled him up from the couch, taking his unflinching hand. Ron and Ginny were already at the entrance, and Hermione pulled Harry along behind her. He was still a bit worn out, but the spell was enough to make it through breakfast, which was more like brunch now.

Upon entering the Great Hall, the tables were bare of any food, and Ron and Ginny were looking around confused. They didn’t notice Dobby sneak behind them.

Dobby, with his mounds of knitted hats and socks, ran up to Harry and Hermione. “Good morning, Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. Good to see your back at Hogwarts!” He cried.

“Hello Dobby! How are you doing?” Hermione asked, “Are they treating you well?”

“Of course, Ms. Granger. Now come with me you two, I’ll put your breakfast on the table for you.” Dobby said, leading them into the Great Hall and seating them next to Ron and Ginny. He snapped his fingers and a meal appeared before all of them. It was simple like last nights, but everyone could tell that Dobby had gone to extra lengths to get them all exactly what they liked.

“Thanks Dobby, very much,” Harry said, somewhat softer in tone then normal.

“Tis my pleasure, Mr. Potter. Anything for you.” Dobby replied, bowing and retreating back to the kitchen, leaving only a gentle puff of smoke behind.

Wanting to cement his faith in her trust, Hermione sat down, pulling Harry down close to her. He was about to pick up his fork when he was struck with another spasm of uneasiness. He willed himself to quell it, shutting his eyes and cringing, whispering, “No, I have faith…”

Hermione turned immediately to Harry, and from the mornings experiences knew it was happening again. She placed her hand on Harry’s leg, soothingly. Ron and Ginny hadn’t heard Harry’s whispering, and hadn’t seen Hermione’s gesture, but knew something was going on. They chose to remain quiet.

The touch of Hermione… It stopped the uneasiness in its tracks. Harry opened his eyes and looked at Hermione.

“It’s… Something is making me uneasy Hermione. Making me think what I don’t want to think. After this morning, I don’t think I could ever doubt my trust… Something is making me doubt it.” Harry whispered to Hermione. She didn’t know what to think, but knew that keeping an eye on Harry was enough to help stop these new feelings before they went to far. If she could connect with Harry before they consumed him in panic… it would be okay.

“Until we figure out what’s causing this, don’t leave my sight. If I can’t be around, then don’t leave Ginny’s sight. It seems she has something to do with this as well. Whenever you can begin to feel it coming, I will see if I can notice it without you doing anything, but please try and tell me if at all possible. It seems this is perhaps a game of will.” Hermione replied in an equally quiet voice.

“I won’t, I promise.” Harry replied. He looked down at his plate, and picking up his fork, he began to eat his breakfast, all the while noticing Hermione’s hand still on his right leg, unmoving, as she ate her own.

By the time they had finished breakfast, Harry had felt two more waves of uneasiness, but they didn’t even have the chance to fester with Hermione’s hand seemingly guarding Harry from panicky thoughts. When they sat up from the table, Harry took Hermione’s hand.

“Don’t let go,” Harry begged softly, so fully trusting Hermione’s ability to keep the pain away from him he had no second thoughts on his mind. If his friends had felt the throbbing agony as well, they would have been more faithful then a boy and his dog.

Hermione only nodded, sincerely and without a doubt swearing not to let go. Realizing that herself, Harry, nor Ginny had taken a shower, they began to head back up to the common room. Ron, seeing Hermione was playing the leader for the time being, followed along behind them dumbly.

“So, Harry… Are you going to play Quidditch or what?” Ron asked, feeling uncomfortable with the silence that seemed to have fallen over them at breakfast.

“I don’t know, Ron. I am beginning to feel like there are more important things right now, and that perhaps they should come first.” Harry replied.

“Isn’t the Gryffindor team important to you?” Ron asked, obviously trying to use his head and convince Harry to play. Harry stopped and turned around.

“What do you think will happen to the team if one of its members is lost to Voldemort and his Death Eaters, Ron? Teaching them to protect themselves, teaching them what I know about Voldemort, and then making time to watch over them… Occlumency lessons with Hermione… Mounds of homework… When, may I ask, do you propose I will find time to practice in the evenings? How am I supposed to concentrate on protection when I am looking for the snitch? And, if I try and do both things at once, do you suppose I’ll have enough energy to stay awake for classes? I have to think about this one Ron. It’s my unofficial duty now, so sorry if I have grown up a bit and accepted it.” Harry said, trying to get Ron to think of the big picture, which obviously, he was beginning to see it. He shut his mouth promptly, as it had opened as he took in what Harry was saying.

Ginny went to go take a shower, and Hermione stayed with Harry. Ron was also with them, save for he wasn’t holding Harry’s hard. When Ginny came out, she switched places with Hermione, who went to the showers next. Harry was a bit worried at seeing Hermione go, but knew full well that Ginny was just as dedicated to his wellness as Hermione. When it was Harry’s turn to go clean up, he turned fearful in spite of his brave persona.

“Harry, go on, it will be ok. If you begin to feel uneasy, just remember you trust us. We’ll be right outside the showers. Nothing will hurt you. If you fear the pain, it will come. Don’t fear it. If you can’t stop it, throw your robe on and come out immediately.” Hermione instructed. Harry nodded. He did exactly was Hermione said, and he went upstairs to the dormitories to grab a clean set of clothing. Coming back down, seemingly fine, he went straight for the showers. Ginny had her fingers crossed behind her back, but no one noticed.

Harry had nearly finished with his shower when he felt it. A wave of urgent panic washed over him. The soap dropped from his hand before he could put it back where it belonged as he tried to control himself.

“Nothing bad will happen… They’re fine.” Harry found himself repeating to the showerhead. It seemed to keep the urge to go mad at bay, but Harry didn’t take any more time to finish his shower then absolutely necessary. He dried off hastily, throwing on his shirt and dark pants, the dark gray sweater embroidered with the Gryffindor crest, and his wizarding robe, his holly wand tucked into the pocket. Grabbing his dirty clothes from the night before, he rushed out. Panic crept on him with every second now, but it wasn’t the kind that would cause him pain, at least not yet. It was the panic of not making it to Hermione, or Ginny for that matter, in time, and having to feel the wrath of his own flesh against him once more.

The scar began to feel tingly, and Harry was nearly at the door to the common room. Hermione could hear Harry dashing to the door, and she opened it quickly so as not to be slammed in the face should Harry try and open it. Harry blindly ran into her, slowing just enough to prevent them both from toppling over with his momentum. He leaned the left side of his head against her chest, breathing deeply in raspy breathes.

“It almo…” Harry began fearfully, but Hermione stopped him from speaking.

“I know Harry, I know.” Hermione said, trying to calm Harry down. She brought her arms around him, holding him tight. Ron and Ginny stood silently, having nothing better to do. A few minutes passed.

“Hermione, can we talk please? I think I’m going mad.” Harry finally said, resolutely. “Alone please, one person is hard enough.” He added on a softer note.

Hermione glanced at Ron and Ginny, and they took the hint, leaving the common room altogether. She led Harry back to the loveseat by the fire, and they sat down. Harry glanced nervously at the floor.

“I don’t know where to begin, Hermione. No, wait… I do. I was caught off guard when the dementor attacked us. I wasn’t prepared to face the dementor. To tell you the truth, I was seconds away from falling under its curse when I finally cast a good Patronus. Seeing all of you sprawled on the floor had sent a chill up my spine. I thought I was going to fall as well. We were all going to die. My friends, my best friends, that had helped me so much, were going to meet their end because I had failed to keep my guard up.

“Seeing the thestral the other night turned me inside out. It reminded me of Cedric’s death. And… Sirius.” Harry choked on his name, but continued, “Life is so fragile, Hermione. How many times have I been so close to Death I could smell my own rotting flesh? It’s horrible… But it isn’t nearly as bad as seeing someone you care about die in front of your eyes. Not even close. Do not forget I also lost my parents. Four lives Voldemort has claimed from me. I want you to understand how I feel, but the most I want you to understand is my own words. Anything more would mean reality.”

“I know what you mean Harry, but…” Hermione started, but didn’t finish what she was going to say.

“Pray you never have to fully understand how I feel, Hermione.” Harry interrupted darkly. “Anything beyond what you understand from my words is going to hurt you. Do your best to avoid it.”

Hermione nodded her head, and looked expectantly at Harry. She knew he had more to say, but was unaware of what it concerned. Harry continued.

“What’s do you think of Dumbledore’s Army, Hermione?” Harry asked flatly, looking directly into her brown eyes. Hermione hesitated as she thought up an answer.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea to prepare students should they have to fight for themselves,” Hermione concluded.

“Hermione… fight for themselves? No… You should have said ‘fight for their lives.’ Should Voldemort attack Hogwarts the students will be trapped in this castle. We are showing them how to fight, and yet they do not realize that to fight they are risking death? They do not realize that their friends, their comrades in arms in this case, may be meeting their end before the next day? They… they would have no choice to fight. Voldemort will likely attempt to slay most of the students should he become that close. Why sit and die when you can try and protect yourself, and your friends? Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw… houses of Muggle-supporters. Slytherin… Anti-Muggle. Hermione, if they get so far as to come inside, they are going to at least try and pit us against each other. It’s just a huge mess… I’m worried.” Harry explained. His voice was so sincere that Hermione wanted to cry. He had made such perfect sense… Should Voldemort attack the school… The students would have no choice but to defend themselves. The implications were threatening to stop Hermione’s heart.

“Your saying we have no choice, should it happen? That we have no choice but to accept the fact that someone might be hurt? Might die?” Hermione croaked.

“Yes. In reality the possibility of an attack has been with us since two years ago. We have waited to long to face this probability. I feel responsible for these students, like I have

every year I realized I was compelled to fight for myself, my friends.” Harry looked away.

“The whole situation is evil.” Hermione replied, now in her own lifeless tone. “We have no choice but to prepare the students, organize them, train them… So at least they have a better chance if they are trapped. It is evil.”

“Hermione… I can’t play Quidditch this year. I feel… Horrible. My life has changed so much since our first year. Hogwarts has turned from a sanctuary to something breeding my own dread.” A silver tear rolled down Harry’s face. “Dumbledore’s Army is going to swell its ranks this year. Let’s hope it serves no purpose but to teach.”

It was then that Hermione was able to truly begin to understand Harry. He was so protective of Hogwarts and the students that he was confused. However, it seemed as if he was becoming unconfused, and making sound decisions once more.

Harry turned back and stared back into Hermione’s eyes, his own glistening, clearing begging for help.

“I will always be here to help you, Harry. I’ll help you with Dumbledore’s Army… I can keep track of members, plan lessons, research those lessons…” Hermione found no time to finish what she was saying. Harry had bound her in his arms, pulling her close in an embrace, thankful tears running down his cheeks. Hermione’s eyes had shot open in surprise, but as Harry fell motionless on her cloak, she closed them.

A few minutes passed before Harry said anything, but he was unable to remain passive and finally spoke up.

“We should start figuring out how to organize it. If we want to be prepared for the start of school, we need to start now.” Harry whispered. Hermione nodded, but Harry didn’t see this. He only heard her say “Okay.”

They set to work deciding how to organize the eventual several dozen members, Ron and Ginny peeked in around twenty minutes later, and seeing that Harry and Hermione were writing things on a piece of parchment, assumed they had finished their little talk. He still was unsure why Harry and picked Hermione as the person he wanted to talk too, but right now he didn’t really care. Harry seemed semi-normal, and he wasn’t sharing a special moment with Hermione. He definitely knew it was bad to be jealous… but what was he to do? Tell them no? It’s not like they were boyfriend and girlfriend anyways.

“Look, helpers.” Hermione said, nudging Harry in the side. Ron didn’t notice as they were still sitting very lose to each other. She grinned, and then spoke loud enough for them to hear as they made their way over.

“Here, you can make posters. Ginny, there’s some calligraphy brushes and large pieces of clean parchments in my nightstand. Don’t forget some ink too. Here, this is what it needs to say.” Hermione instructed, handing Ron an outline for an announcement. He moaned, but obediently waited for Ginny to come back with the necessary materials.

“This is serious, isn’t it Harry?” Ron asked. Harry looked up at him.

“Yes. The announcement, which we want around fifteen copies of, was designed so that we can recruit more members, for the sake of the members, without giving away out identity and intentions. While I don’t like it one bit, I fear the Slytherins will possibly try to thwart us. We need to make sure that even if an enemy should see this message, they would not really know much.” Harry explained. Ron read the message to himself.

“Peril is upon us. It is here to choke us. We must unite in its face. We must drive it away. We must learn. Our friends are our only strength. Hogwarts is our home. We are Hogwarts. We are its breath. We are its continued pride, renewed with out beating hearts.

“All those who can swear themselves as its guard, unite. 10:00 AM, in the empty room next to Professor McGonagall’s classroom, the day after school starts. 2nd years and older, please, but 1st years will not be shunned away. Those who bring evil intentions will not be accepted past the door. Previous patrons required to be there. ~ DA”

“How to you suppose you’ll keep out the nasty buggers?” Ron asked. Hermione smiled slyly.

“A little charm… Those with good intentions will be able to pass through the door. Those with bad will find themselves unable to walk anywhere within listening distance, and further. The entire hallway will be off limits to them, I figure.” Hermione explained.

“What year charm is it?” Ron wondered.

“We aren’t suppose to learn it… I picked it up over the summer a couple years ago. It’s very complex, but it’s impossible to break.” Hermione answered. “Now if you’ll please make those copies… in neat handwriting. It isn’t that hard, now is it?”

It was nearing bedtime now. Harry had just stepped through the portal to the Gryffindor common room. Hermione was right behind him. Ginny had already returned, and Ron was trying to catch up before the portal closed. He had stayed a bit extra to help himself to another serving of turkey. It struck Harry in that instant that he didn’t want to go to bed.

“Hermione… I just thought… How I’m a supposed to sleep with these…” Harry trailed off. He was referring to his panic attacks earlier in the day. It was engraved in his memory like a tombstone might be engraved: permanent until utterly mutilated. Hermione stopped in her tracks, her thoughts suddenly on the problem that Harry had just explained.

“Your right. I can’t just leave you alone anymore, can I?” Hermione agreed, sincerely. She didn’t mind being around Harry, it was for his sake in any case, but… it was a difficult problem, but Ginny had overheard their plight and came over with a solution.

“Hermione, why don’t we spend the night in the boys dormitories. Ron’s my brother, I don’t really mind. It’s not like we sleep in our underwear either. It’s just… The only way to stop a panic is direct contact. We can’t avoid it. Until Harry falls asleep, you need to be at his side. When he falls asleep, you can take the bed next to him. I’ll sleep on the bed on the other side of Ron. If you feel sleepy, come and get me and we can trade.” Ginny said, somewhat nervously.

“Your right Ginny, I can’t think of any other way. It’s already late, so we should go to be now anyways. Go change into your night clothes, I’ll stay with Harry.” Hermione said. She wasn’t nervous. The thought of spending a night with Harry, a bed away, didn’t make her uncomfortable. Harry had fell asleep right next to her the night before. At the same moment of Hermione’s ponderings, Harry had enough sense to keep his uneasiness from growing.

Ron wasn’t too happy about the whole situation, but he admitted there was no other way and gave in. He went to get ready as Harry, Hermione, and Ginny made their way into the boys’ dormitories wearing their Gryffindor nightclothes, which were comprised of a long sleeve flannel shirt and long flannel bottoms. They were all black, save for the red and gold at the neck and sleeve openings, and the Gryffindor crest on the front left.

Ginny was crawling into bed when Ron entered the room. Ron glanced at Harry, was already in bed. Hermione was sitting on the side of the bed with a book to keep her busy until Harry fell asleep. Ron laid down on his own bed and blew out the last of the candles. They said their goodnights, and Hermione picked up her wand, lit it, and then began to read. Harry immediately began to drift off to sleep, exhausted from the long day of worry, tears, diligent work.

In ten minutes Hermione could tell that everyone was sound asleep, and she made her way to the bed she would be sleeping on. She whispered “Nox,” and the light on her wand disappeared. Setting her book down on the nightstand next to her, she climbed in bed, and her eyes began to close.

It hit her like a brick made of neurons. Her eyes shot open, and she turned to look at Harry. His face was contorted with fear, and the scar on his head was emanating a subtle, ominously green glow. If it was pain, he would have woken by now, Hermione thought desperately as she jumped back out of bed and ran to Harry’s side.

“Nightmares,” Hermione whispered. “Nightmares that he won’t wake up from.” She didn’t want to imagine what they were. She sat upon the edge of the bed and placed her right hand on Harry’s forehead. The eerie glow vanished at once, and Harry’s face relaxed.

“I just can’t sit here all night. Neither can Ginny.” Hermione whispered to herself. Knowing full well she never thought of doing such a thing or expected doing such a thing in a million years, she climbed under the soft covers of the bed without hesitance. She squirmed close to Harry’s backside and wrapped an arm under his neck, her hand resting on his slowly rising chest. She placed her other arm over Harry’s side and with both pulled him close, not wanting her contact with Harry to break down when she feel asleep, as she wouldn’t know if he was hurting or not. She shivered at the thought of Harry’s nightmare just moments ago, and that eerie green light…

Ron gave her hell that next morning, but Hermione couldn’t care less. Harry thanked her many times over the next day, but did not divulge the nightmare he had. “Too painful and terrible to speak of,” he had said, meekly.

Dumbledore and the rest of the Order returned a few days later, but they restrained what they had learned from reach the ears of Harry and his friends. Dumbledore had said to Harry that he needed to pickup Occlumency lessons as soon as they put together a plan for Dumbledore’s Army, and that he should not worry about the dementor attack. Seeing that Dumbledore wasn’t concerned about the dementor attack anymore, Harry decided to save his questions for later. “You’re perfectly safe here right now, Harry.” He had remembered the Headmaster saying.

Harry felt compelled to bring up the topic of his sudden bouts of uneasiness, but didn’t. Hermione, and Ginny at times, was enough to keep them at bay. Dumbledore had enough on his plate already, Harry figured.

The month slowly slipped away, and every day the four of them would be up from early in the morning to the late evening, working on plans for Dumbledore’s Army. Ron, and even Ginny a bit, were getting worn out, but they trudged ahead. Harry and Hermione, on the other hand, were so dedicated that routinely forgot to eat lunch. They were thankful Dobby was around, as he brought it up for them in those instances.

Hermione was unable to leave Harry’s side for long, and she was around him every possible second of the day, and night, for that matter. It was certainly an interesting relationship they shared, but neither of them took it in the romantic sense, which Ron was thankful for (He made a point to describe how ‘tangled’ Harry and Hermione were each morning, watching for pink cheeks. He found none.)

The day when school returned to session came quite suddenly, but Harry and Hermione, with the occasional help of Ron and Ginny, had completed their plans for Dumbledore’s Army. Harry was somewhat eager for school to start now, the dull attitude towards it the night he first arrived had apparently vanished. He was on a mission now, Hermione concluded with a smile.

3. Hidden Rooms and Sorting Hat Songs

Harry Potter and the Last Prophecy

Previous Version Titled ‘Waltzing of Hearts’
Version for 6th Year, following Order of the Phoenix
Author: Webmaster Pikachu (pikacenter@hotmail.com)

Notes:

This fanfiction, like all 6th year fanfictions, contains spoilers from the 5th book. Be sure to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before reading this fiction if you wish to prevent spoiling the book. It isn’t that expensive. :)
Thanks to Hermione_Granger and photo for beta reading. Hopefully photo will get his beta in shortly… although this chapter has already been proofread.

Chapter 3: Hidden Rooms and Sorting Hat Songs

The sun had just peeked over the horizon, and it streamed into the room as narrow beams of yellow light. Harry and his faithful friends lay asleep in their respective beds, covered against the chilly castle air. Summer was indeed ending, but it had seemed to them the temperature had merely changed. Thunderstorms appeared to actually be quite common in the summer at Hogwarts.

While Ron and Ginny had their own different bed to themselves, Harry was still sharing a bed with Hermione. It was a fact that Harry, no matter how much courage or bravery he possessed, was still vulnerable. Ginny was also able to help Harry, but increasingly Harry found that she was unable to keep panic and fear out of his mind. Harry’s trust for Ginny was equal to that of his other friends, however it seemed that the previous protection she provided was a fluke, or at least, something temporary.

Hermione, like every other night, had tangled Harry in her arms and legs to prevent the contact from breaking during their sleeping hours. It proved successful as Harry had not experienced any additional nightmares, especially ones he could not wake up from.

It was nearly 8 o’clock when Harry stirred, slowly waking from his pleasant sleep. He tried not to move very much as he fidgeted like most do when they wake up, however Hermione had already began to move around herself.

“G’morning Hermione,” whispered Harry over his shoulder.

“Hello there Harry,” Hermione smiled back, “No nightmares I hope.”

“Not one. Oh, you must be getting tired of this, but thanks,” Harry replied quietly. Hermione smiled back and began to sit up, gently untangling herself from Harry. She didn’t mind being so close, but she didn’t mind being distant either, causing some confusion for her own feelings on the matter, if it was even a matter to her. Each night she lay with Harry she did it with purpose. Loyally she would crawl under the covers without a word, without a single crimson cheek, only a soft warm smile. Protectively she wrapped her arms around Harry and pulled him close, as if it was the way they had always gone to bed. Hermione knew it wasn’t romance, as did Harry, but she couldn’t help but hear a little voice in her head saying ‘This feels so right…’ Hermione had no objections, and every once in awhile she would take some time to ponder it all. This year hadn’t even started and there was already some new exploit. Hermione’s thoughts drifted to the new school year, which just happened to start that very day, and a problem popped into her mind quite suddenly like it did on a regular basis some mornings as if her mind wanted to catch up on the thinking that had been lost during the night.

“Harry, I’ve just thought of something. The new school year starts today, right?” Hermione said, probing for Harry’s attention. Harry turned to face her and noticed she had brought her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as she sat on the bed.

“Yes, that’s right…” Harry started, but he too suddenly realized the problem. “We forgot to take care of our little slumber parties every night, didn’t we?”

“I guess so, and we had so much time too. Oh well, the best we can do now is ask Dumbledore if he’ll get us a private room. We’ll have to tell him about your sudden bouts of panic though, otherwise he’ll think we’re some romantic couple wanting some private love room and all that gibberish.” Hermione said, giggling at the thought. Harry laughed softly along, the occurrence of Hermione’s humor something not to be missed. It was always some weird thing she came up with, it seemed.

“When we go down for breakfast, we can talk to him. Maybe he’ll have an idea about what’s going on too, although I think it is something we simply overlooked, you know?” Harry said at last. “Shall we get going?”

“Okay.” Hermione replied.

Harry glanced towards Ron and Ginny, who were both still asleep. Quietly, he went to his trunk and drew out of it a clean set of clothing and made his way to the common room with Hermione. He walked with her to the bottom of the stairs running up to the girls’ dormitories, and they walked up together. Earlier that month they had discovered that a boy could go up the stairs if he was stepping on the same steps of a girl.

“I kind of feel privileged, Hermione. To bad it will all go away after the students arrive tonight.” Harry pointed out. Hermione nodded as she led Harry along until they arrived at the foot of her own bed, where she withdrew some clean clothing for herself. They headed back down the stairs side by side, stopping just past the bottom at the entrance to the girls’ showering rooms.

“I’ll try and make my shower fast Harry. I know last time Ginny wasn’t able to stop you scar from hurting…” Hermione started.

“You’re always rushing for me these days, Hermione. And you’ve been staying with me for nights too. Please, take some extra time for yourself. I’ll do my best to think straight; I think I’m getting a bit better at it.” Harry said.

“But…” Hermione said suddenly.

“Go on, you deserve it. I’ll last,” Harry replied, nudging her towards the door. He didn’t want to feel the horrible pain again, but Hermione had done so much over the last month that Harry was willing to suffer a bit.

“Thanks Harry,” Hermione said weakly. As the words escaped her mouth she knew at once how much her dedication to Harry had grown, however she wasn’t embarrassed to admit it to herself. The door closed behind her, and Harry went to go take a seat on the loveseat where it had all first started.

It had been five minutes since Hermione had entered the showering room, and Harry still didn’t feel anything. Whatever caused his troubles must have drifted off to sleep. Harry usually knew by then whether or not he would fall victim to his scar.

Ten minutes had passed. ‘Hermione must be about half done,’ Harry mused. He crawled off the couch onto the rug, creeping over to the small fire. It burned mildly bright, warming Harry’s front side right through his soft flannel nightclothes. Just as he had settled down, Harry felt something. It wasn’t uneasiness or panic though. No, not yet at least. It was… hard to explain. It felt like all the little neurons in Harry’s body had suddenly pulsed once and then fell silent. Just as Harry had put the feelings into words a nauseating wave hit him like the foaming ocean surf. Harry closed his eyes, willing himself to block it out, willing all those neurons that had just pulsed to race to his brain and form a barrier around it, protecting it from invasion.

For eight minutes Harry sat there. His skin had become cold even though he was next to the flames in the Gryffindor hearth, and his breathing had become controlled and even; every last once of will power was now focused on remaining calm and keeping his mind clear. How much longer he could last, he did not know, but he could feel his energy leaving him quickly like a hole poked in a bicycle tire by a small thorn.

Ten minutes into the resistance a thought made its way to Harry’s consciousness. ‘What if I fall asleep should I run out of energy?’ he thought. It was true, what if he did fall asleep? At this rate he couldn’t last much more, and he didn’t know what was worse: excruciating pain where it feels like your skull is going to crack open and bubble down your face or a nightmare where you never wake from, where you always loose everything save for your own misery, where it feels like your brain is being cleaned with a wire brush while you watch your friends…

“No,” Harry said to himself, shutting away his wretched memories of the only time he had faced those nightmares. “I will not shut my eyes to them once more.”

Harry made his way back from the fire. He didn’t want to be thrashing about next to it, that was for sure. Bracing himself, he opened his eyes, looking longingly at the door Hermione had stepped through twenty minutes ago. With the opening of his eyes the dark tide washed over him. His heart pumped erratically like it had lost its metronome, and his eyes bulged from his sockets as the agony swept over him once more. He had gotten somewhat better at controlling himself, and managing the pain, but it still hurt it just as much as it would normally have.

‘Hurry, Hermione. I will not interrupt you. I will brave the pain.’ Harry found himself thinking, willing himself some courage. His legs began to twitch, but otherwise he was motionless. His skin had gone from cold to frozen, but his breathing had remained the same, attributed to his continued concentration. If he let it go now, he would surely meet his own end. If it was at least controlled, if Harry at least remained the master of his own body, he could survive.

Nearly thirty minutes had passed, and Harry was slowly writhing on the floor, still grasping control, but finally beginning to lose it as if the nerves in his body were being torn to pieces. Seconds later he cried out in a voice that carried enough pain to kill.

Hermione burst from the showering room moments soon after, fully clothed and dry. She thrust her wand into her pocket as she raced to Harry. He was face down on the floor by now, trying to make it easier for Hermione to avoid his flailing arms. Hermione laid her open hand on Harry’s and he became very still.

“Curse my wretched thoughts, Harry I know full well I can’t leave you more then fifteen minutes, and I was gone for nearly thirty I’m sure! Oh Harry, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have…” Hermione whimpered, only to hear Harry cut her off mid sentence.

“It’s my own bloody fault if I suffered Hermione, and I sure did. It was the price I paid to allow you some extra time for yourself. I paid it. I can’t return it now, it’s non-refundable.” Harry said through heavy breaths, turning around to face Hermione with a weak smile. “Tell me you at least had a nice time.”

“I feel thoroughly refreshed, last me another month I expect.” Hermione replied, trying to make Harry happy. She helped him off the floor, only to notice he had turned to ice.

“Your frozen,” Hermione noted with her own quiet pain. She wrapped an arm around him to warm him up, leading him to the opposite side of the common room. “I know you’re tired, but a nice warm bath will warm you. I can fill it up and everything so it will only take you a few minutes to undress, bathe, dry, and put clothes on. Come on now.” Hermione instructed as she pulled Harry into the boys’ showering room. It wasn’t all showers of course; there were several baths opposite of the showers.

Hermione began to prepare the water and Harry set his glasses down with the clean clothes at the foot of the tub. When it was all set, Hermione gave Harry a warm hug and assured him nothing would happen. Hermione didn’t know whether or not anything would happen in under five minutes time in truth, she didn’t know if Harry could have five minutes peace even. All she could do was hope and make sure Harry wasn’t anxious. Hermione pulled the curtain shut around Harry’s little bathroom and retreated to sit at the benches near the entrance. Harry was tired, and she didn’t want him slipping under the surface of the water if another bad neuron stirred. She kept her ears trained on Harry, making sure he was splashing or scrubbing or doing something at least to give hint to the fact that he was still awake.

After a furiously fast bath and drying, Harry had just stepped out of the now drained tub. He began to dress, and when he reached for his cloak he again felt it. His whole nervous system pulsed ominously once. Without a second thought he dashed out from behind the curtain and blindly ran towards the benches. Hermione had already started for him, reaching him before the inevitable psychological attack could take place.

“Harry, were you hurt?” Hermione asked, squeezing Harry’s hand like a vice.

“Almost. I could feel it coming, but it didn’t reach me before I reached you. And loosen up my hand will you? You have a death grip on me.” Harry replied, slightly exasperated. Hermione relaxed her grasp.

“Okay, I’m glad you weren’t hurting Harry. It seems like your able to detect it before it hits now. Well, your nice and warm again. Let’s get your cloak and things.” Hermione said, relieved.

Hermione slung Harry’s cloak over him as he picked up his nightclothes and put on his glasses. They made their way to the common room where Ron and Ginny were waiting.

“You both were in the boys’ shower room? Hermione! Really! You shouldn’t be in there!” Ron huffed, feeling betrayed by Harry.

“I didn’t exactly have a choice this morning, Ron.” Harry replied simply. “Besides, I’ve been in the girls’ dormitories anyways. We’re even now, right Hermione?”

“Quite right. Now, if you two don’t mind, would you clean up so we can all go and eat some breakfast? We’re going down right now so we can speak with Dumbledore, so after your showers we’ll meet you for breakfast, okay?” Hermione said. Ron and Ginny nodded their heads. Harry and Hermione set off for the Great Hall where Dumbledore usually was at this time in the morning, eating breakfast with the teachers over an animated conversation.

“Ah, good morning you two! Come on over here and have seat, Dobby has just brought us up some breakfast.” Dumbledore greeted, motioning for them to come over with his fork. Professor McGonagall smiled over at them as they approached, only to be followed by a sneer from Professor Snape. Good times.

“We’re going to wait for Ron and Ginny, if you don’t mind. However, we did come down early to tell you something.” Hermione replied politely.

“Oh? You’re finally going to tell me why you and Ginny have been sleeping in the boys’ dormitories? What a nice surprise! I had thought you stopped trusting me with your little adventures!” Dumbledore replied, a twinkle in his eyes. He watched the two students before him fidget uncomfortably, but he was surprised that their cheeks didn’t take on a red hue. Snape, however, had overheard Dumbledore.

“What? This lewd conduct isn’t allowed her, Headmaster! We can’t have boys and girls messing around in our school! We’re hear to train and teach them…” Snape accused with great force, only to be cut off by Dumbledore.

“Severus, please… You will know in short time why this conduct must be made acceptable in such circumstances.” Dumbledore interjected.

“Anyways… It all started the next morning, the day after our arrival…” Harry began, but Dumbledore spoke up when Harry began to trail off.

“To make a long story short, Harry: The bouts of uneasiness and panic, the nightmares, and the solution. I realized what was going on that morning, but I didn’t interrupt you. I didn’t want to get involved. Hermione had the right mind to figure out what was going on, but I don’t think you’ve come to know the full story. As you very well may have realized, I know about everything that happens here at Hogwarts, so I know about what has happened since your arrival. Shall I explain?” Dumbledore began.

“Please,” Hermione stated simply.

“Well take a seat then,” Dumbledore instructed, and the two students sat down on a bench that Dumbledore had pulled forward with the flick of his wand. They now faced the staff table and Dumbledore continued. “That very first occurrence of Harry’s uneasiness was perfectly normal. But this easiness temporarily lessened the trust Harry had in you, Hermione. With this trust gone, Harry’s mind was susceptible to the influence of the Dark Lord Voldemort. You see Hermione, for the past five years of school you have been guarding Harry’s conscious from a certain type of mind-reading curse that inflicts great pain. However, Harry must have complete faith in you for it to be any effective. Since Voldemort didn’t attack Hermione, she can’t feel any pain, and her memory is perfectly safe. Voldemort can only connect with you Harry. That morning was the first time that Voldemort had been able to connect. As soon as Voldemort sensed your uneasiness he immediately knew your guard was down and used the mind-reading curse, as he can sense you like you can sense him. Later that morning Hermione was able to cement your trust in her. Voldemort was nearly blocked out all together, but he is a cunning foe. He used his own thoughts to make you uneasy and panic. He broke into your mind and told you that Hermione was deceiving you, although you didn’t know it. All you knew was panic because your mind knew the truth, and wouldn’t let it go. Voldemort covered the truth with his own dark lies, and after you were uneasy, he was able to attack you with the mind-reading curse once more.”

“But… that means…” Hermione started.

“Not just yet, my dear. Let me finish, if you will. Anyways, your plan for that night seemed to be perfect, save for you overlooked the fact that Harry was susceptible at night as well. When he went to bed, the mind-reading curse gave Harry nightmares instead. Luckily you noticed the faint glow of the scar on Harry’s forehead, Harry can’t wake from the nightmares by himself. So, from what you learned, you had no choice but to remain in direct contact with Harry every night, and during the day when possible. Direct contact with another person is a very powerful countermeasure to the Dark Arts, and it prevented Voldemort from maintaining a grasp on Harry. Now, what were you going to say, Ms. Granger?” Dumbledore finished, looking at Hermione. Snape gave a sigh; Dumbledore had saved them once more.

“Doesn’t that mean, if it’s actually a psychological attack, doesn’t that mean Harry can learn to block it himself with Occlumency lessons?” Hermione asked, ignoring Snape.

“Yes, you’re quite right. He can learn to block it, and he already has learned to hold out longer against it over the last month. I believe just recently Harry seemed to be able to sense it now too, before it hit him. You two should start with Occlumency lessons as soon as possible, it will definitely help. However, I fear it will be a long while before Harry will be able to fully block it. I also know that it is absolutely critical to protect Harry’s memories, he knows many things that the entire world will never know, including the prophecy that surfaced last year. I do not doubt that Voldemort has been searching Harry’s memories for that thought. But because of Voldemort’s continued efforts, I doubt he has found it yet. We do not know how close he his, but Hermione: You are the only one that can protect Harry right now. I believe this is the reason why you came to me today, is it not?”

“That’s right,” Hermione said, “But I was thinking, why didn’t you tell us to begin Occlumency lessons right away? Weren’t they important enough to make room in our schedule for this last month?”

“I believe that Harry received Occlumency lessons from Voldemort last month. He did get better at keeping the Dark Lord off his thoughts. Don’t you think so, Harry?” Dumbledore replied.

“Yes, that makes sense.” Harry said, nodding in approval.

“We came to you this morning because in order to keep Voldemort out of Harry’s thoughts, I still need to spend the night with him… Obviously we can’t do any such thing with students around.” Hermione spoke up, hesitantly. Dumbledore smiled at her.

“Obviously not, Ms. Granger!” Snape roared quite unexpectedly.

“Severus, if you please.” Dumbledore said, quieting Snape. He turned back to Harry and Hermione. “I am glad you no longer fear the name of the Dark Lord, Hermione, my dear. I have already foreseen this problem, and have arranged to give you the access to the staff room behind the room for Dumbledore’s Army. The staff room is small, but it is equipped with everything you’ll need. There is a bedroom and bathroom branching off from that room as well. Furthermore, only you two will be allowed in there. You can invite Ron and Ginny in, but make sure to hold their hands. They will be able to see the door and enter once you do this. It is similar to the charm on the Order’s Headquarters, however each time you want to bring someone in you must willingly hold their hand and walk them in. It is more secure then the Unplottable charm, I believe.” Dumbledore explained. “Oh look, your friends have arrived. Let’s all have some breakfast together, shall we?”

Ron and Ginny made their way up to the staff table and took a seat on the bench that Harry and Hermione already occupied. Four extra meals appeared before the students and everyone began to eat. Harry asked Dumbledore about the dementors, and Dumbledore again said that he shouldn’t worry about it, adding that once Harry learned Occlumency the dementors wouldn’t be able to find him.

“But it was Voldemort who sent them, right?” Harry asked.

“Quite right, but he knew where you where since you haven’t been studying Occlumency. He’s ability to know what your doing and where you are has expanded, but since you’re inside the school he won’t dare attack, as far as I know.” Dumbledore said, almost hastily, taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.

When breakfast had ended, Harry and Hermione decided it would be fun to see where they would be sleeping for the rest of the year, but they decided to keep quiet about it until Ron and Ginny were actually in the room. A nice surprise to start the year off seemed in order for them.

“Why are we going to the DA classroom this early in the morning? Aren’t we all ready?” Ron asked as they reached the entrance. Harry took the key from his pocket and opened the door.

“Because.” Hermione replied flatly, trying to prevent Ron and Ginny from expecting a surprise.

The room itself was rather small, but as Harry and his friends had found out in their routine visits, it enlarged itself to fit whatever it needed to. Hermione had gathered various books and put them at the front of the classroom. Pillows and cushions lined the edges of the room, and odd trinkets sat at the opposite wall of the classroom. New, however, was a door opposite the entrance that Harry and Hermione had never seen before. They walked up close to it, leading Ron and Ginny along.

“Now close your eyes, both of you.” Hermione instructed. Ron and Ginny closed them tentatively, not sure what to expect. “We’re going to hold your hands now. Don’t you dare open those eyes till we say.”

Taking their friends’ hands, Harry and Hermione lead them through the door. Ron and Ginny were certain they would soon be hitting a wall, but when they opened their eyes at Harry’s request, they found themselves in a whole new room.

“Oh, its wonderful! Staff have such nice rooms!” Hermione exclaimed. Harry couldn’t disagree. The room was small, but it had a nice wooden table and a couple bookshelves filled with various books. A couple huge chairs that could easily fit two people each sat before a small stone hearth, flames already burning inside. Ron and Ginny didn’t know what to say as they walked around, dumbstruck. Hermione pulled Harry along and they peeked into the bedroom, which was occupied by a large soft bed. Both of their trunks and other belongings were there already. Going further into the room they noticed the entrance to the bathroom, which was rather tiny but perfectly adequate. They turned around to find Ron and Ginny giving them questioning stares.

“This is a staff room? We’re not supposed to be in here Harry!” Ron exclaimed.

“This is where me and Hermione will be staying. We can’t stay in the boys’ dormitories anymore now can we?” Harry explained.

“I think it’s wonderful, you two. You deserve it, I think. You have both been working so hard for Dumbledore’s Army.” Ginny said with a smile, attempting to hide her guilty conscious thoughts.

Ron, however, was becoming red with jealousy. He didn’t mind Harry had his own room… But did mind that he was sharing it with Hermione. He hadn’t heard Dumbledore’s explanation earlier that morning, and thought that Harry and Hermione were trying to pull something over him now. Hermione could see Ron’s reaction, and she quelled it instantly with a kiss on his cheek.

“Go on, you two. Harry needs some rest. He had a pretty bad morning, if you didn’t know already at his shrill screaming this morning.” Hermione said with a voice that seemed to push Ron right out of the room. Ron was quite speechless, and he obeyed like a trained seeing-eye dog. As soon as they had walked though the passageway and into the classroom, the passageway and door disappeared completely behind them to form an impassable stone wall.

“This is some pretty heavy security Dumbledore has here, don’t you think? It will keep them safe, though.” Ginny started, but with a glance at her brother, she added, “Oh come off it already!”

“You think she likes me, Ginny?” Ron asked, but Ginny only snorted a reply through her giggling, and Ron didn’t bother to ask what she had said, fearing it to be somewhat sarcastic.

Hermione wasn’t even the slightest bit tired, but knowing Harry had already gone through a days worth of energy, she fell next to Harry, who had collapsed moments before. He had already closed his eyes and was breathing slowly. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep, Hermione wiggled up to Harry’s side. Taking her wand out she whispered, “Interstinguo,” and the torches lining the walls went out.

Perhaps for the first time since she and everyone else had returned, since the unexpected dementor attack, Hermione felt totally secure. They were in a room that Dumbledore had said only they and those they brought could enter, and at her side was the most loyal person to her in the world. It was a certainly a pleasant thought.

Hermione’s mind swirled around in thought as she stared up at the material that made for the covering of the four-poster bed. It was a dark iridescent blue, and Hermione imagined that it once belonged to a Ravenclaw student. It was a boring thought, and her mind soon skipped from that thought to the boy next to her. She could feel the warmth he emanated travel through the arm that she had placed next to Harry, creating the direct contact necessary to protect him. Once more she soon found herself thinking about the curiosity of it all. She felt neither embarrassed nor obligated. It was rather natural, and Hermione began to notice things the reverse of what they should have been, or so she thought. Instead of noticing Harry’s contact, she noticed when Harry was not in contact. Hermione did not understand it, however. Her personal feelings on the matter, which would normally have told her the decisive truth, floated as if on a breath of wind, with no clear path to follow save for general direction. The general direction was clear, and deep inside she found only a simple truth. While the situation at hand was held with a neutral stance, Hermione found she would rather die then abandon Harry. Her mind could not even grasp the notion of being unable to be at Harry’s side.

“So that is how it is,” Hermione mumbled, and she found herself checking to make sure Harry was still up against her arm.

Evening approached rapidly it seemed. After Harry had awoken from his nap Hermione had begun to fret about little details. Not enough pillows in the classroom. Missing a couple important spell books solely concerning the Cruciatus curse. Not enough ink in the desk at the front of the classroom. It drove Hermione mad, and Harry was forced to follow her about all day.

“It doesn’t have to be perfect Hermione,” Harry said, but Hermione winked back at him.

“Yes it does! You’ll be spending the whole year teaching students. It must be perfect. Good learning environment means good results. Now come on, still need to pickup some parchment from the storeroom.” Hermione replied, dragging Harry down a flight of stairs.

Harry and Hermione found Ron and Ginny playing a game of Wizard’s chess. Ron complained that he was being left out of things at seeing them. Harry asked if Ron would like to help. Ron’s answer was a most definite “No.”

“Ron, sometime you just make no sense… Oh well, it’s time for dinner anyways. The students are beginning to reach the front doors.” Harry informed his red-haired friends. Ron jumped at the mention of food and began to race out the door with his friends following at a fast pace behind.

The four of them reached the Great Hall just as students began piling in. At once Harry was plagued with questions from his fellow Gryffindors, all asking why he had already been there. Harry just said he had some things to take care of.

The Slytherin table seemed to be full of quiet whispers, and many were looking at Harry, as well as Draco Malfoy, oddly enough. Seeing Harry was watching them intently, Hermione whispered into his ear.

“I think they all found out about Draco’s father being captured and sent to Azkaban. Look, Draco is turning red, I think he’s mad.” Hermione smirked quietly. She sat only a few inches from Harry, but was keeping an eye on him, two when possible. Harry was use to this, and didn’t worry about not being in direct contact with Hermione at every second of the day. He had only needed to make sure she knew he wasn’t doing okay when he began to feel the effects of another attack.

At that moment Professor McGonagall entered the room, followed by the new students for that year. Harry noticed a rather tall student among them, and couldn’t possibly imagine she was a 1st year student. Her hair was silky black, hanging nearly twelve inches past her shoulders, bound near the neck with a midnight blue ribbon. Her eyes were brown, and when she had stepped closer, Harry could tell she was of Asian decent to some degree.

“Foreign exchange student?” Harry heard Ron guess out loud.

“Probably,” Hermione replied. It seemed as if everyone had noticed the strange new student. “I heard that wand-less magic is a talent specially attributed to wizards and witches from Japan and China. Its some hereditary thing, but it still isn’t as powerful as magic created with wands.” She added.

When the students had come to a stop before the ancient sorting hat, Professor McGonagall turned around on the platform and gave the queue for the hat to sing its little sorting song. When the hat didn’t speak, she poked its side with her wand.

“Wake up already!” she prodded angrily. “The students are here!” Giggles could be heard about the room, but they quieted when the hat spoke up at last.

“Oh, right. Where was I? Oh yes, I haven’t started yet.” The Sorting Hat began. Loosening up his fabric joints a bit by deforming the gap, he began.

It is that time again, for me, now and when,
In the houses, I shall put the students within.
The next to be placed is all of you,
The house of yours you shall be put into.

Gryffindor, the house of red and gold,
Home to the courageous and to the bold.
They who value friendship above all,
Together, they know, none ever fall.

Ravenclaw, the house of bronze and blue,
Seekers of intelligence and that which is true.
They who value the strength of the mind,
Pursuers of wisdom, they are so inclined.

Hufflepuff, the house of black and yellow,
Hard working together with their dear fellow.
Perseverance highly valued among them,
Negligence being what they hate and condemn.

Slytherin, the house of silver and green,
Those whose motives are all but seen.
Cunning, adept at getting out of tight spots,
Tying the fragile minds of enemies in tight knots.

So, as the Sorting Hat I am here today,
To sort you into houses whichever, which way.
For twelve months waiting this hat has been,
So without further ado, may the sorting begin!

The Great Hall began to clap their hands, but they soon had to stop, as it seemed the Sorting Hat wasn’t finished yet.

“Quite down!” the Hat roared. “I’m not finished! Since my little song wasn’t quite as long as last years, I wish to tell you all a strange tale. I know I’m breaking tradition, but I’m no charmed hat. I got attitude. If you feel you can’t wait for sorting, then come right on up so I can sort you into the swimming group. I hear the water in the lake is almost warm enough to swim… 3 degrees Celsius!” The Great Hall quieted almost instantaneously, but everyone was wearing silly grins.

“Anyways… where was I? Oh yes… I think my cotton consciousness is finally going…”

An entity where the sentient blood has been spilt twice,
Where none but the enemies own cruel malice will suffice,

Hence is fated.

The beating heart of truth and understanding,
The thinking mind of love never withstanding,

Hence is fated.

An entity where wholeness is beingness,
An entity where beingness is wholeness,

Hence is fated.

An entity where not less then complete may fall,
Or the destined being will faithfully recall,

“I am here. I breathe. Whole as I, I breathe.
My heart beats with my own truth,
My mind thinks only to save the love,
This peaceful world and its patrons,
I can fail you not – these spirits forever live.”

Hence is fated.

When the Sorting Hat had finally stopped, the Great Hall went horribly quiet for a few tense moments. Then, quite suddenly, the Gryffindor table, followed by the other tables, stood up and gave a great big round of applause for what seemed like several long minutes.

“It was a good poem, but that’s no tale.” Ron mumbled to Harry and his other friends. They glared at him.

“It sure is, I think it hasn’t happened yet though. Sounds like one of Professor Trelawney’s prophecies.” Hermione replied as the Great Hall became quiet once more. Harry smiled a bit, remembering the erratic and perplexing Professor of Divination. He wondered if she had reclaimed her job because neither her nor Firenze where at the staff table. Firenze of course had been made the teacher of Divination after Umbridge booted out Professor Trelawney. Umbridge was pure evil, and Harry didn’t think she deserved to be referred to nor remembered as a Professor.

Harry reverted his attention to the sorting ceremony at hand. No one really stuck out, however, save for the Asian girl. When it was her turn to be sorted (she happened to be the last person), Professor McGonagall spoke up.

“Lastly, Kage, Oshiko [ka-gay, oh-shi-ko]. She is a foreign exchange student from Japan and a 5th year. Please show her a kind and warm welcome.” Professor McGonagall explained, motioning for the student to move forward. She took a seat on the stool and the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.

“Interesting…” the Hat began, “but you are very cunning… more so then most… The answer is obvious then. Slytherin!” The Slytherin tables went into a furious bout of creating noise to welcome the new student to their table, but were suddenly stopped short. The girl, which for a 5th year was actually quite small, had walked a few feet forward of the stool, turned around, and bowed in the Sorting Hat’s direction.

“S’ank you, Mr. Sorting Hat.” Oshiko said clearly and politely with a rich Japanese accent. She turned around and proceeded to the Slytherin table, but the noise didn’t start back up. The Slytherins seemed to have turned cold, and as they sometimes did, they rejected the new student, forcing her to eat alone on the far end of the table. Even the brand new students could see that if they wanted to succeed as Slytherins they would have to avoid her for the time being, if not forever. Survival of the fittest was the way Slytherin operated. It didn’t matter who you were, although of course Slytherin would support its own members over students from other houses.

Harry’s eyes found their way to the girl, only to find they were staring back at him, fixed. It was no secret, Harry could tell her eyes were that of a hawk. Hermione also found herself staring at the new girl. There was something about her she decided, at about the same time as Harry did. Both of them also found themselves feeling sorry for her. The Slytherins looked upon weird customs like they looked upon the other houses, full of loathing and distrust. It’s not like they trusted anybody anyways, it was all a matter of power and influence, gained by hurting others and instilling fear of retribution.

So lost in they’re gaze they missed Dumbledore’s opening announcements. They only came to when Ron reached over to take several pieces of chicken off a platter before them. Harry turned to Hermione, and when their eyes meet they knew that Oshiko Kage, the new girl, was something special. They didn’t know why she was in the Slytherin house, however. She seemed so polite compared to the rest of the lot.

Hermione, staring into Harry’s eyes, saw them pulse once. She placed a hand on his leg discreetly, and Harry smiled.

“Your getting pretty good at that, thanks. Shall we eat?” Harry whispered gratefully. Hermione nodded, and they begun to move food from the platters around them onto their plates. While most people were busy chatting, several Gryffindors and a few nosey Slytherins had noticed Harry and Hermione’s relative closeness and whispering. The Gryffindors just waved it off, but the Slytherins began to chat amongst themselves using dirty words and making derogatory remarks. Harry and Hermione both noticed, as well as Ginny. Ron would have as well, save for the fact that he was eating like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. They all had grown extra conscious over the years concerning what others were saying about them.

Once dinner had ended it was nearly 10 o’clock. A storm was brewing outside as the excited chatter of a new school year continued. The new prefects for the year began to take the students up to their houses, and Harry and Hermione decided to say goodnight.

“We’re going straight to our room you two. Harry’s tired, you know. Goodnight.” Hermione said, and Harry’s goodnight came soon after her own.

“But, what if the Gryffindors want to know where you are?” Ron asked, stopping them before they left.

“Tell them we are required to spend our nights elsewhere, for safety reasons. No more, no less.” Harry replied. Hermione nodded her head in agreement. It was just vague enough to protect their privacy.

“Ok, that sound’s good. Night.” Ron said.

“Goodnight you two,” Ginny added, smiling. Harry and Hermione left the Great Hall shortly after, disappearing into a dark corridor with Hermione tugging Harry along. Harry seemed to be in deep thought, but his expression told no tale of any discomfort.

They entered the classroom, and Hermione took one last look at it to make sure everything was in place as Harry stood quietly at her side. “Interstinguo.”

As the torches lining the walls of the classroom flickered out, Hermione pulled Harry along, through the secret door. Closing it behind her, she playfully tossed Harry on the bed, and he lost his train of thought, coming back to reality.

“Let me change into my nightclothes Harry, then you can change. Okay?” Hermione explained, taking her black pajamas into the bathroom and changing behind the silvery blue curtain. When she came out Harry took his turn, changing into his own flannel nightclothes. They crawled into the bed, which seemed to be the perfect size (Hermione noticed it had the same charm on it as all the other beds in Hogwarts, adjusting to what was exactly needed to be comfortable.) She waved her wand, uttering the extinguishing charm, and the torches in the bedroom went out as well. She cuddled up to Harry like she usually did.

“Harry, why were you so silent on our way to bed tonight? Something bothering you?” Hermione asked, affection edging into her voice. It wasn’t romantic, however. It was only natural that she felt affection right now… she was safe with Harry, her most faithful friend in the world, as she knew it.

“I’ve always been made out to be special, haven’t I? I’m the boy who lived. But, for the first time, I am actually feeling special, Hermione. I feel like it’s something I’ve earned now, you know? Not just something I was fated with. Look at us. We have one of the most secure bedrooms in all of Hogwarts. Dumbledore has given us something that no one else has. Even if it is because Voldemort is messing with my thoughts… I still feel very privileged.” Harry confided.

“I know what you mean Harry. I feel privileged as well. We are very fortunate.” Hermione replied with complete sincerity.

“It’s something I never got from the Dursley’s. I wish they were nicer people, but they seriously did some damage, you know?” Harry continued. “Once Voldemort is defeated, I’m going to move away from them. Forever.”

“When that time comes, I know it will, I’ll help you with whatever I can, Harry.” Hermione promised.

“Thanks, Hermione. Maybe we should change the subject, my eyes are getting watery,” Harry said truthfully, and Hermione took the queue to talk about Oshiko Kage.

“We were both staring at her, and she was staring back at us. I don’t know exactly what it was, but she doesn’t seem like a Slytherin, you know? She’s different. Remember the Sorting Hat? It said that Oshiko was far more cunning then many a Slytherin. That is probably what put her into the Slytherin house. Still, she seems out of place, don’t you think?” Hermione asked.

“Yes, she seemed very much out of place. Even if she is Slytherin… We can’t stereotype all of them.” Harry replied thoughtfully. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow I suppose… I wonder how many people we’ll have for Dumbledore’s Army.”

“Changing the subject already? Well, honestly, I don’t really know. I just hope it’s manageable. If it becomes unmanageable the entire member body will suffer. If that happens, we’ll work something out with Dumbledore. He’ll know what to do.” Hermione said, having already thought about the possibility.

“Hermione, didn’t you notice the little ‘tale’ the Sorting Hat told after the sorting song? You said it sounded like something of Professor Trelawney’s… While you might have been joking, I think your right. It did sound like something she might preordain. She likes to say mysterious things, and I don’t see how it could be any more mysterious then that…” Harry started. Hermione smiled in the darkness, but Harry’s eyes had adjusted already and he could make it out without much effort.

“Changing the subject again, are we? A lot happened today, I suppose. Oh well, now that I think about it, it did really sound like her. I couldn’t possibly guess what it means, but… what was it… ‘An entity where the sentient blood has been spilt twice, where none but the enemies own cruel malice will suffice, hence is fated.’ That’s all I remember really… Hmm. I don’t suppose you know what it means?” Hermione asked.

“Well, we studied prophecies already. All prophecies are composed of target lines and description lines. You have a good memory, and you remembered the most important part. It’s the target lines. It tells whom the prophecy applies to. This must be a prophecy that doesn’t have a specific owner. I’m not very good with riddles though, and I wouldn’t have a clue as to whom it applies to. Even if it is indeed a prophecy, the target is still unknown because the events described in the target line haven’t happened yet, as far as we know. I don’t understand the top line enough to even think about the target.” Harry explained. “It would be so nice if all these seers could just speak normally.”

“I suppose your right, Harry.” Hermione said, yawning softly.

“Time for bed I think,” Harry whispered, noticing Hermione was getting tired. “Goodnight, Hermione.”

“Goodnight, Harry. Sleep well and don’t roll around, will you? I’m always fearful I’ll loose my grasp on you.” Hermione whispered back.

“I’ve been rolling around?” Harry started, somewhat frightened by the consequences of falling out of Hermione’s protection. “Ok, I’ll try not to… But it’s kind of hard when I’m sleeping, you know?”

“I’ll make sure you don’t, sorry I scared you. Now close those eyes and let’s get some rest, we’ve been talking for awhile.” Hermione pulled Harry in close to her, and he relaxed, closing his eyes. Sleep soon fell upon him.

‘What would my mother think about all this… me sleeping with Harry? She’d have a heart attack.’ Hermione thought, but she only smiled at it. Nothing could touch her here, save for Harry of course. She closed her eyes and let sleep lull her head into the soft pillow next to Harry’s.

The following morning Harry and Hermione awoke at nearly the same time, feeling ready for a new day, and the beginning of Dumbledore’s Army. Hermione went to take a shower after Harry was fully awake, telling him to call through the curtains if he felt the ominous pulse of neurons once again.

Hermione came out ten minutes later and Harry prepared his clothes. She gave him a warm hug to last him through the shower, however Hermione knew full well short duration contact was only a psychological fix. The Dark Lord attempted to attack every ten minutes or so, and so to avoid an attack one would have to be under protection long enough for an attack to happen, then use the period of time in between attacks to go about freely.

‘Harry’s strong,’ Hermione thought, ‘and he doesn’t take that long to clean up. He’ll be ok.’

Harry had just turned off the water when he felt his neurons jump. He concentrated, but this time with his eyes open, slowly drying off. When the attack hit, he was prepared. He was able to dry and throw on a cloak, at which point he called Hermione.

“I held it off until I could dry. I’m fine now, thanks. Let me put some clothes on, Hermione, then we can go for breakfast, okay?” Harry said thankfully, and Hermione gave him a silly glance.

“You don’t have to keep thanking me Harry. But yes, finish up and we’ll go to breakfast.” She said, walking out of the bathroom grinning broadly.

“What are you smiling about now, Hermione?” Harry asked through the curtain.

“Your cloak was barely saving your face, Harry.” Hermione stated cryptically, and Harry could hear her giggling.

It took Harry a moment to figure out what she meant by ‘saving face’, but when he did he blushed deep red for the first time since their return. It was all in good humor, and Harry wasn’t mad, he knew she was playing around again. And he did trust her, but still… How embarrassing it would have been if…

“He’mione!” called out Harry awkwardly, dragging his cloak behind him as he left the bathroom otherwise fully clothed. Hermione was waiting for him just outside of the curtains, and she was a bit pink in the cheeks as well. Harry forgot he was holding the cloak in his hand, and Hermione took the initiative, pulling it around his shoulders, and kissing Harry on the cheek.

“Your cheeks are hot, Harry. I wonder why.” Hermione smirked playfully, “Oh well, it’s ok, right?”

“Of course,” Harry replied truthfully, the blood finally leaving both their cheeks as Hermione fumbled with the clasp on his cloak. Upon getting it closed at last, she took Harry’s hand and they exited the secret bedroom in high spirits, full of expectations for the day, even if it was the weekend still.

* Reviews make Munkii happy! For each review Munkii gets a banana and performs a trick for humans! So please be sure to leave a review so Munkii can get a banana and do a trick! Next chapter is about Dumbledore’s Army!

4. It Starts

Harry Potter and the Last Prophecy

Previous Version Titled ‘Waltzing of Hearts’
Version for 6th Year, following Order of the Phoenix
Author: Webmaster Pikachu (pikacenter@hotmail.com)

Notes:

This fanfiction, like all 6th year fanfictions, contains spoilers from the 5th book. Be sure to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before reading this fiction if you wish to prevent spoiling the book. It isn’t that expensive. :)

Thanks to apostrophe for providing his beta services!

Chapter 4: It Starts

Like all other breakfasts that happened to be held at the beginning of the school year, class schedules arrived on a peck of owls. Groans went up around the Gryffindor table; 6th years who had decided to continue with Potions had the class the following morning. Potions with 6th year Slytherin and the ever spiteful Professor Snape. The groans were shortly followed by grimaces and sighs.

A second letter arrived for Harry, however it was addressed to Ron, Hermione, and Ginny as well. It said that everyone’s required books would be in their rooms by nightfall. The letter was signed ‘Love, Molly’. The post script read ‘No funny business. Do your studies. Hermione, make sure everyone studies’. Harry regrettably passed the letter around so everyone could see.

By the time breakfast had finished it was apparent that many more students then expected had thought about joining Dumbledore’s Army. It was perhaps the only thing talked about at the Gryffindor table. Harry decided that all of the old members that still were at Hogwarts had been encouraging the other students to join up.

Naturally the Slytherins wanted nothing to do with anything that involved teamwork, especially with the other houses. Draco and his sidekicks Crabbe and Goyle could be seen whispering to each other, no doubt coming up with some sort of plan to interrupt the meeting. Amid the chaos of the Slytherin table Oshiko ate silently. She spoke to no one, however Harry doubted anyone would speak back to her. Again he felt sorry for the girl, wondering why someone like her had ever been placed in Slytherin.

Harry and Hermione made their way to the Dumbledore’s Army classroom shortly thereafter. Hermione was inclined to rename it headquarters, but Harry thought it was to militaristic. It was bad enough they would soon be sorting members into even numbered groups.

It was nearing 9:45, and Harry already noticed people lining up at the door. Many of them were old members, and Ron and Ginny were saying hello to all the new students that intended to join. Harry went to open the door, and once it had swung full back on its hinges did he realize that they were going to have some difficulty.

Harry welcomed everyone in. Most of them were 3rd, 4th, and 5th year students from every house save for Slytherin. Harry managed to peek around outside of the door and noticed that a few Slytherins were pounding against some magical wall. He realized it was Hermione’s charm, and he waved to Draco and hoodlums upon seeing them, but said nothing.

It was a full fifteen minutes before everyone was inside and settled. It seemed that the doorway was made for one and a half people at a time, yet the room was made for an infinite number of people. Harry began to feel the now familiar pulse, and he walked towards Hermione, discreetly slipping his hand into hers for the next couple minutes behind the rather large teacher’s desk. However, it seemed that many people were keenly aware they were holding hands. They didn’t say anything, but instead just smiled like they knew what was going on as if it was some hidden romance thing. The chatter quieted down and Harry and Hermione stepped out from behind the desk to start.

“Hello everyone. Before we begin I want to make sure your all aware of what your getting yourself into. I’m assuming that everyone saw the announcement. Those that have questions regarding it need to speak now.” Harry instructed over the silent students, all eyes on him. No one spoke nor raised their hand. Any smirk that had once been on their faces had disappeared as if wiped away with a napkin. Hermione had just come back from closing the door.

“Well then, that settles that. Does anyone question Harry’s authority over this organization?” Hermione asked. Again no one spoke nor raised their hand. “Good.”

“The announcement you read was signed as DA. We are Dumbledore’s Army, created last year to aid students that wanted to actually learn to defend themselves against the Dark Arts. This year we will continue to teach, however it will be much more organized then last year. For those that don’t already know or realize: Voldemort is back.” Harry spoke, and if it was possible, the entire room went into an even deader silence. A silence so frozen that everyone could hear the beating hearts of the people around them.

“I am going to put it to you bluntly. I have found out that keeping secrets is no way to trust someone. We are here to help train you train each other to defend yourselves should Voldemort decide to directly attack the school. Furthering that, we are here to protect the school. It is our home. We are here to protect the students that can’t learn to protect themselves. They are our friends. Everyone, you have learned the truth of Dumbledore’s Army. We are going to begin by signing you in as members. Anyone that has doubts must leave now. After this, there is no turning back. Once you swear your dedication to the school and the people here, you cannot take it back.” Harry warned his rapt audience. A few people stood up, but they looked like 1st year students. They went up to Harry and Hermione.

“We…” they began. Harry looked at them thoughtfully. They were all Gryffindor students, and the only 1st years in the room.

“It’s ok, you don’t have to stay. However, you must sign this and agree never to speak about Dumbledore’s Army to anyone. We are a secret organization still, even if we are official.” Harry explained, handing them a quill and parchment. Hermione of course had enchanted the parchment like she had done to the previous member roster last year. Once they had signed it, they began to make for the door.

“If you wish to return, you are welcome to. Talk to me or Harry. Ron and Ginny can also help you too, they’re our closest friends.” Hermione said. Ron and Ginny waved their hands from the front of the students. The 1st year students nodded, but said nothing, leaving through the door.

“Ron, Luna, Neville, and Ginny: Escort them to the Gryffindor common room. Slytherin members are just outside the door, and no doubt they would try and do something awful to those young students to find out what we’re up to.” Harry instructed. The four veteran members nodded their heads and left the room quickly to catch up to the 1st years.

“No one else? Good. We are going to sort you into six groups. I can’t quite tell how many of you there actually are, but I think it will work out to be manageable. Please line up in rows, and Hermione will go around counting you off while I collect your signature on our new member roster and handing out these,” Harry held up one of the charmed fake galleons, to the sudden delight of the students. “When they grow warm in your pockets it means that we have planned another meeting, or a meeting time has changed. The actual time and date are hidden in the numbers on the front. Don’t try and buy anything with them, they are charmed galleons, but the galleon itself isn’t real.”

Disappointment could be seen a few faces, but overall the students looked like they had just become part of a great mystery and adventure. They moved quietly into rows, and when Harry could see to the back wall by looking down the narrow path in between the rows, the number of students in the room became apparent. Well over a hundred. Hermione could be seen counting off students with an equally shocked expression.

Nearly twenty minutes later Harry was at the back of the last row of students when he noticed Oshiko. She was the only Slytherin that had entered the room, and Harry was quite surprised, to say the least.

“Mr. Harry Potter, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Oshiko greeted.

“Nice to meet you Oshiko Kage, but you don’t have to call me anything fancy, just Harry, okay? Here, please sign your name.” Harry said, handing her the parchment and quill, where she signed her name using Japanese characters. Harry took back the parchment and handed her a galleon.

“Okay, Harry.” Oshiko replied, slightly embarrassed.*

Harry finished obtaining the signatures and passing out the galleons and he made his way back to front of the room.

“We’ve modified the galleons from last year. Now, if you loose them or they fall into the wrong hands, the galleon will vanish. You can get a new one if you need to.” Harry explained. “Now, will you please assemble into your respective groups, there are numbers on the walls corresponding with the number you were assigned. Walk towards the wall until we have a nice big room, its enchanted to grow and shrink according to what we need.”

Hermione had attached little signs to the walls a few weeks earlier. Each one had a number with a magical creature’s name below it. They were:

1: Ashwinder

2: Clabbert

3: Kappa

4: Murtlap

5: Nymph

6: Snidget

There was quite a bit of shuffling and stomping, but soon enough there were six groups. Hermione looked happy. Everyone had accepted Harry as their leader and were listening and following instructions intently. Harry seemed to have brought the point across to everyone that this wasn’t going to be a party. A grim atmosphere had seemed to descend on the students after Harry mentioned “Voldemort”, but it wasn’t unhealthy, at least not right now.

“Ok, will the returning members please stick up their hands?” Harry asked, loudly so that everyone could hear. Just about two dozen hands shot up, a few in each group. “The members with their hands up are the group leaders. If I am unavailable, or Hermione is unavailable, you talk to them. They were with Dumbledore’s Army last year. A couple of them fought against Death Eaters as well.”

Harry could feel another mind numbing attack on its way, and he called Hermione over. There was no other way out at the moment, and Harry knew he was going to be forced to explain in a moment. Hermione grasped his hand and held it tightly, to the shock of many of the students, namely those that had not suspected anything was going on between Harry and Hermione. In all reality it was, and before any of them could get so far as to speak “girlfriend”, Harry began to explain.

“I knew I would have to eventually, and now seems to be a good time. First, me and Hermione… We are not boyfriend girlfriend, however we are close friends. We trust each other with our lives. We have no choice. I was about to be attacked by Voldemort.” The entire student body had dumbfounded expressions on their faces. Several mouths were hanging open, several hands had been clasped to others. Harry only gave them a few moments to take it in, however. He started talking before the students had regained their composure.

“Voldemort found a weakness in me over the summer. Hermione was smart enough to discover a way to eliminate the weakness, but it requires we be in direct contact to negate the attack. Today the attacks are sparse, usually they come every five or ten minutes. Thanks, Hermione.” Hermione smiled and let go, however she was still slightly flustered that Harry was forced to explain their ordeal. She wished, for perhaps the millionth time, that Voldemort would leave them alone.

“Faith and trust,” Harry began in a strong, startling voice, “Are what save me every day I live with this. Faith and trust is what you must have in the people around you. Your group is your new family. They are the closest people to you. Trust them with everything you have. Their future is in your hands. This gathering; the other people in this room: They are your extended family. Do not hesitate to help them.”

“Your group will act as one. Leave no one behind. You are strong as a whole, and you weaken when you begin to fall apart. Hermione and I are the example. Without her, without protection, I can suffer a pain far greater then the Cruciatus Curse. When you actually begin to feel like your dying a thousand horrible deaths every minute. I have felt it. I don’t want to feel it anymore. I don’t want you to suffer the like. Stick together. Swear it.”

One more silence filled the room. It lasted several tense minutes before Hermione went to grab six pieces of parchment, which she begun to hand out to a leader from each group. Ron and the other escorts returned and took a place in separate groups on Ginny’s suggestion. She had helped with planning as well.

“Hermione is passing out an outline of what we have planned for today.” Harry explained, picking up his own outline from the desk a few feet behind him. “Let’s see… Oh yes. It was decided that it would be a good idea to start of by building some team spirit. Last year we only had a relatively small group of people to work with, and so team spirit came naturally. I want you to develop a group motto, and get to know each other’s names. After we have that done, we’ll decide on a flag design for Dumbledore’s Army. The flag will be draped at the front of the classroom here. We also want each group to come up with a smaller, pennant like flag for themselves. The flag will be more insignia like, and it may not contain DA or Dumbledore’s Army. It will be magically embroidered on all your cloaks circled by a gray ring. You’ll be able to spot a fellow DA member just by looking at a cloak, and recognize what creature group they represent. While the rest of the school will think something fishy is going on, they won’t realize more then they already know. They will only know us as the DA. They will recognize a DA member. They will know no more, however. That is the way we want it. That’s all I have to say, Hermione?” Harry finished, looking towards Hermione.

“Yes, I have something. If you have any friends you might want to think about recruiting them. This organization is for the school and all the students interested in being a part of it. Anyways… When your ready to help with the DA flag, please send your leader up to us so we know your ready. Well then, I guess you can begin. Also, we forgot to mention it. Harry and I will be joining the Kappa group, as it has the least number of veteran members.” Hermione added, and she came back to drag Harry over to their new group.

The silence in the room disappeared completely over the next few minutes. Talk concerning Dumbledore’s Army and what they were doing was everywhere. The students were meeting each other and asking names, but spoke in voices that carried an ominous undertone. They had just gotten themselves into something big. Something that had to do with protecting the school, and each other. Harry doubted most still fully understood it, but was glad they were taking it seriously. The 1st year Gryffindors that had left had been the only 1st year students to actually be interested. Being true Gryffindors, they weren’t shied away by the recommended minimum requirements.

The Kappa group was rather diverse. It had nearly an even number of members from the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff houses. Oshiko happened to be a part of the group as well, and a few of the older members were beginning to get to know her. Harry went to ask her a few questions himself.

“So, Oshiko, I am curious why you’re here at Hogwarts. Any specific reason?” Harry started.

“I came here to learn from s’a Potions Master Snape. S’at is my biggest reason for coming. I also must… accomplish some os’er s’ings too.” Oshiko explained as best she could. The Kappa thought she could speak English very well, considering her origin.

“Oshiko, you seem like a nice person. Why were you placed in Slytherin? Sorry I have to say this, but… Slytherins are generally nasty to everyone else.” Hermione asked.

“Well… To tell you s’a tru’se I am very much like s’em. S’ah Japanese wizards are trained to be very… deft and cunning. We are taught to be… resourceful, and not to rely on wands.” Oshiko answered, pushing aside her cloak to reveal a small sheathed dagger. The Kappa all took a step back at the sight of the weapon, save for the veteran members. “My parents told me to wear it since danger is around at all times. I was trained to use it by my bros’er. I hope no danger is around, s’oh. I don’t want to use it, I am not afraid to die. I’m sorry, but I can not say more.”

Harry nodded in understanding, smiling at Oshiko. Hermione smiled as well, but her eyes told a different story and Harry knew something was troubling her and decided to ask her about it later. Bedtime chatter seemed to put him right to sleep, as if it drained precisely the right amount out of energy so that he slept and woke up fine.

Thirty minutes passed, in which time all six groups had come up with a motto. Seeing that all the groups had begun to form serious bonds, Harry decided to skip the Dumbledore’s Army flag for the time being and go straight into group insignias. Harry returned to the Kappa group after the announcement to find several of the older members repeating the new motto, which reflected the Kappa: a dominating scaly monkey with webbed fingers that lives in the water.

“Kappa is the water itself,” they chanted. Other Kappa began to join in, and soon enough the entire twenty member group was raising a ruckus. The other five groups had started their own motto going, and the room was filled with the ever echoing noise of the nearly one hundred and twenty students when Lupin, Mad-Eye Moody, and Tonks entered the room. Harry shot sparks into the air with his wand and the room came to a near instant quiet as the students noticed and turned to the new faces. Harry, followed closely behind by Hermione, headed for them. Ron and Ginny parted from their respective groups and went up as well to say hello.

“Are you having a party? Harry! Why wasn’t I invited?” Tonks said in her usual silly way. This morning she had opted for bright green hair and golden eyes. Hermione thought she looked like a parrot.

“It appears you have a rather large obligation here, now don’t you Harry? Dumbledore told us to help you out.” Remus added.

“Well, we aren’t going to be starting any magic today, but we will next session.” Harry explained, smiling at his older friends. “If you want, we could have you help out then, although you can stay her as long as you want for now.”

“Sounds like a good idea Harry. A break from running around madly is in order.” Moody replied. “Well, go on, get back to what you were doing. We’ll say hi to everyone. You have a lot on your hands Harry. Everyone is proud of you for choosing to do this.”

“Thanks Mad-Eye. I guess we’ll go back to our insignia designs. Come and say hi to the Kappa group,” Harry said as he and Hermione headed back to their group. Ron and Ginny dragged off Lupin and Tonks, respectively. Moody roamed over to the Murtlap group.

As their visitors toured around, the Kappa came upon the idea for an insignia. It consisted of a five-pointed star created with only lines, and each line was twisted to join with its neighbor.

“The five lines represent the five fingers found on the hand of a Kappa. They interconnect to form a circle, representing the Kappa’s home, the water. Matches our motto perfectly,” explained Mirra Torshah, a brown-haired Ravenclaw in her 5th year. The rest of the Kappa accepted it right away, it was the best one they had come up with. Lupin was looking over their shoulders by this time.

“Ah, looks like a winner. Kappa, isn’t it? Such an interesting beast… Supposedly can not only withstand near freezing cold, but close to boiling temperatures as well. Anyways…” Lupin began. He noticed the Slytherin among them. “Ah, a Slytherin? How… nice. Getting along are we?”

“Remus, this is Oshiko, a foreign exchange student. Where she comes from everyone would be classified as Slytherin. She’s a nice girl.” Harry explained. Lupin smiled back at Harry.

“Of course, pleasure to meet you Oshiko.” Lupin began.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Remus.” Oshiko greeted in return, to the grins of the Kappa members.

“No no, Remus is fine. Nothing special about me.” Lupin replied, “Over here we aren’t incredibly formal, and any friend of Harry’s can call me by my first name any day.”

“Okay, Remus.” Oshiko replied simply.

After all five of the other groups had come to Harry with their parchments detailing their respective group’s insignia, Harry gave them to Hermione. She had practiced the spell to add symbols to clothing, which she found in the April edition of Cloaks and Broomsticks. Luckily the designs were all fairly simple, and Hermione enchanted a quill as she carefully copied the symbols into a form that could be applied to clothing.

“Harry, we have a bit of time left. We can put this on today, just send everyone to get their cloaks real fast. I can mass produce the spell, it was intended to be applied to many things at once.” Hermione explained distractedly, and Harry nodded. He directed the students to go get their cloaks as Hermione finished copying the Ashwinder symbol. It was a red circle entwined about a smaller red circle. Ron happened to be in that group, and Hermione thought it would go nicely with his hair.

When all the students had left, Remus, Moody, and Tonks said their goodbyes, saying they would be back later. Harry went into the secret bedroom and picked up his and Hermione’s cloaks, bringing them out before any of the students had returned. Taking them over to Hermione, he felt the familiar jump in his blood.

“There it is again. Not as bad as yesterday though, you know? I think Voldemort is too busy with other things to attack me every five minutes right now.” Harry said with a troubled smile. Hermione gave him a hug, but didn’t let go. When she didn’t speak for awhile, Harry knew something was bothering her.

“Hermione, what is it?” Harry asked softly.

“Oshiko… She said her parents told her to take it.” Hermione began.

“For protection, Hermione. Hogwarts itself may become dangerous.” Harry explained, setting the cloaks down while remaining in Hermione’s grasp.

“I know. That’s the point. The seriousness of it all, the dagger, and Hogwarts… Hogwarts may be the safest place for these students, but… It’s not as safe as it used to be. Oshiko knows something is going to happen. I feel like she’s on some sort of mission.” Hermione confided. Harry looked thoughtfully at her for a moment.

“I think your right, Hermione. Don’t worry though, we’ll keep these students safe, if and when Voldemort tries to get into Hogwarts,” Harry replied.

“And what about us? Harry, what about us?” Hermione blurted out, her head falling onto Harry’s shoulder. “We, and especially you, especially you… have been in more danger then anyone else. So many times you could have died… And now if Voldemort decides to attack, all these students are bound to be trapped in Hogwarts. I’m fearful for the lives of the students, but for the both of us as well… I feel like our luck has been used up. How much more before we lose?”

Harry could hear the distinct sound of footsteps outside of the classroom door. He nudged Hermione’s head, and she looked up at him. Those hazel eyes were near tears now, and Harry didn’t want to see Hermione embarrassed in front of the students of Dumbledore’s Army.

“Hermione, can you cheer up, just for a few minutes? We’re almost done, and after we’re done, we can talk. Okay?” Harry asked, wiping away the beginnings of a tear from her left eye and backing away.

“Okay, Harry.” Hermione said resolutely.

When all the students had come back into the room, Harry had them hold out their cloaks. Hermione painted a faint smile on her face, and Harry felt bad that he didn’t just end the meeting earlier. To late now, he supposed.

“Insignio,” Hermione called out, and she took her wand to one of the parchments that had the enchanted ink upon it. Drawing the image of the ink off the page, Hermione took her wand and applied it to the Clabbert member’s cloaks by poking her wand just below the House crests. As Hermione finished with the other groups, Harry called them all to order.

“Everyone looks mighty fine with those insignias. Anyways, this meeting is over. We’ll get to the flag for the whole of Dumbledore’s Army next time. The time and date of the meeting will be decided shortly, we just need to look at the schedules for all the houses. Remember, we are a secret organization, no one knows what we do here. However, we can’t hide our members like we could last year. There’s just to many of us. So, DA is as much as you can give away. That is all, go ahead now, lunch is almost ready I’m guessing.” Harry said, and the students began to leave the room talking excitedly with their new comrades.

Harry went up to Ron and Ginny to tell them that Hermione wasn’t doing to well and that they would catch up later.

“Why can’t we know what’s going on? We don’t mind staying here, Harry.” Ron pouted. Ginny didn’t object. She was scared of what Harry and Hermione knew, by now. If it was be enough to frighten Hermione, she didn’t want to know. Besides, Harry was better at taking care of Hermione now.

“Ron, later. Hermione just needs some time to herself. Questions aren’t going to make matters easier. You can understand that, right?” Harry asked. Ron looked at him.

“Sure, I can. Come on Ginny, we can talk to Hermione later when she’s feeling up to it. Maybe we’ll see you two at lunch, right?” Ron said, obligingly. Harry nodded.

Hermione had just finished casting the insignia on the cloaks that Harry had brought out. She picked them up silently and headed through the secret door, Harry following a dozen feet behind. When Harry had caught up to her she had tossed the cloaks onto the lid of her trunk and collapsed on the bed, seemingly exhausted.

Harry didn’t know what he could possibly say. Hermione was in a troubled mood, similar to that of many of his own. Harry knew what Hermione was feeling now: The dawning realization of it all. The vision of Death itself around every corner. The intense feeling of insecurity. And, in Hermione’s case, the option to escape it was not available. She had to stay with Harry. All the intelligence and wisdom in the universe couldn’t save her from her own heart, and now… she wouldn’t leave Harry’s side for the world itself.

Hermione felt the familiar presence of Harry once more as he rolled his back upon her chest, and she embraced him like she always did.

“I was meant to protect you from the evils of Voldemort, but, it also goes the other way around. These feelings… I don’t know what they are… I do know that… The weight of Voldemort on my mind is lessened when your around Harry. Its so troubling… I can barely think at times. My mind is just clouded over with implications and bad thoughts. I want it to all go away,” Hermione said quietly, flustered. Harry understood what she was trying to say.

“Life is made bearable when we are together. Even against a world, we can be happy. That is what you mean.” Harry whispered in return, staring vacantly at the far wall. Hermione’s heart gave a sudden leap. Harry knew what she had tried to say, and she was grateful beyond thinking capacity. Coming from his own lips, the song of understanding brought forth many emotions within Hermione, and she closed her tearful eyes, burrowing into Harry’s shoulder.

A curious feeling rose in Hermione’s conscious, but she knew it would hurt people, that they would feel betrayed, and she locked it away, telling herself all she needed was Harry in her arms right now. Someone to hold as if they were her favorite teddy bear. One with a missing eye and a ruffled face. One that showed signs of years of love and friendship. One that would never disappear and always be there to weep on.

As Hermione moistened his shoulder with her fragile tears of worry, Harry could only imagine what it might be like in the coming year. If the waves from a hurricane off shore are bad enough to destroy lives, what unthought-of damage would the hurricane itself bring if it were to manifest on land?

Harry lay silent until Hermione turned her head away from his shoulder and sat up, in which he followed suit. Hermione wiped away the last tear, and looked at Harry.

“I’m sorry for…” Hermione began, but Harry had taken Hermione’s hand at that point. Whatever she had planned to say was history.

“Don’t be. Let’s go eat lunch. They’ll be cleaning it up soon enough and we’ll be hungry still.” Harry said. He helped Hermione off of the bed, and began to lead her to the door.

“Harry, wait. Your cloak is horribly damp. Looks like an owl made a mess on you.” Hermione noted. She seemed better. Her voice had reverted to its usual, and a silly grin had crossed her face. She picked up one of Harry’s cloaks where she had left them. Harry began to fumble with the clasp, and after undoing it he pulled off the cloak, which Hermione tossed into the dirty laundry basket where it would be teleported out of the room and into the washing room by house elf magic.

“Here,” Hermione said as she clasped the clean cloak around Harry.

“You don’t always have to put my cloak on, Hermione. I’m not a child you know.” Harry complained jokingly.

“I don’t mind… Now stop fussing and let’s go eat some lunch.” Hermione replied, and Harry knew by then that she wanted to push on as normal as possible. Even with a heavy conscious to bare on her shoulders, she wanted to try and enjoy the time. She hesitantly stretched her hand out and caught hold of Harry’s, at which she immediately began to drag Harry off to lunch.

Ron and Ginny were gone, as were nearly all the other students. Harry glanced around. Draco was with his cronies at the Slytherin table, shouting insults to a young Gryffindor who looked like she had not eaten in a week. A few young Ravenclaws were at their table, and they had moved to the far end, away from the Slytherins. They were trying to enjoy their meal, but finding that they could not, resorted to eating as much as they could before they decided that they could stand Draco no more. His voice filled the room; a snarling tone and vulgarity that only a Slytherin could love. Or, at least a Slytherin as the school knew them. Oshiko would never do that.

Harry and Hermione made for the young Gryffindor. She saw them coming and a smile crept on her face as they sat down on her right side. The Ravenclaws had noticed them as well, and Harry recognized them as 2nd years when he took a good look. Furthermore, he noticed they were Dumbledore’s Army patrons. Their insignia showed that they were Ashwinders. Harry motioned for them to come over, and they hesitantly stood and walked over.

Draco was scowling. Harry had once again taken away his fun. Just like he had his father.

“Stay away from Potter if you know what’s good for you. The entire school has sided with that arrogant child, the idiot Dumbledore included.” Lucius Malfoy had said before he was taken to Azkaban. The protection that Harry was receiving last year must have been enough to heed a warning, but Draco wasn’t the good child that heeded warnings from his parents. Harry was his own arch-nemesis.

“Their just children, Potter. I wouldn’t hurt them. We were just playing games.” Draco sneered.

“You shouldn’t be picking fights, Malfoy. You know what happened last year, don’t you? That little incident on the train ride…” Harry started, but Draco had a temper now as the memory resurfaced.

“Those bloody gits. They had nothing to do with you.” Draco interjected.

“But they do. Get that, they still do. In fact, many students of this school have something to do with me. Where ever you may be, you can be certain that someone is watching you. No more sneaking around, Malfoy. We know you like to pick on the little ones in the halls.” Harry explained, coolly enough to irritate Draco.

The temperature in the organic matter between Draco’s ears was rising quite nicely. Then it hit him like a bucket of ice: Those people on the train last year were DA members. What DA meant, Draco did not know. His mind reeled as he remembered all the students going into the classroom while he tried to pass through an invisible barrier, wanting to crash their little ‘party’. Draco’s eyes grew big.

“Oh, one more thing. I don’t like to threaten people, but for you I’ll make an exception. You speak one word to this Gryffindor again and I’ll send you to Madam Pomfrey’s sickroom myself.” Harry added, and he turned his head away from Draco, helping himself to a meager portion of the remaining cold turkey.

Draco made several unsuccessful attempts to come up with a retort, but failing miserably, he stormed out of the Great Hall.

“Thanks Harry, my name is Sarah Maerceci.” The young Gryffindor said gratefully.

“Anytime. If you ever have any more problems, come to me and we’ll help you out. You see the gray circle and symbol on our cloaks?” Harry asked, pointing to his own Kappa symbol. Sarah nodded her head. “You can go to any person that has one and tell them to give me a message.”

“Okay, I’ll remember that.” Sarah replied with the same grateful voice. The Ravenclaws smiled over at Harry and Hermione before picking up their conversation where they had left it when Draco had entered the room with his hoodlums.

Harry and Hermione picked at the remaining meat on the last turkey. They had really gotten there to late to find anything tasty. Sarah offered her remaining leg, but Harry refused politely, saying she needed it more then him. Harry’s stomach rumbled.

“Hungry still, Mr. Potter sir? Dobby can bring you some more lunch, if you please.” The silly looking house-elf said from behind Hermione. The three younger students peered over at Dobby, who had just appeared seconds earlier.

“Oh, Dobby, you always come at exactly the right times! Me and Hermione were a little late for lunch… Hmm… are any of you still hungry?” Harry asked the Ashwinders and Gryffindor.

“We’re fine.” Came the general reply, and Harry told Dobby that only him and Hermione still needed to eat. Dobby disappeared for a few minutes, and when he reappeared two large sandwiches and two large goblets of pumpkin juice appeared on the table. A napkin had been placed in the middle of it all, tied upon itself.

“There’s warm cookies in the napkins. Dobby must get back to work.” Dobby said. Harry and Hermione thanked him and he disappeared once again.

“Dobby is so nice, and I’m sure they are treating him well,” Hermione said as they began to eat. The sandwich was exactly what they needed, but it was so large that they couldn’t finish it. They ended up taking the cookies with them back to their room.

Dinner came only four hours later, and Harry and Hermione found themselves to full to eat even half of what they normally did. Ron took the opportunity at dinner to ask Hermione what was bothering her, but only heard “Nothing. Forget about it.” Ron didn’t really like that answer and promised himself that he would ask Hermione about it later, when Harry wasn’t around. Ginny just smirked, believing that something was happening between Harry and Hermione at last.

Night fell upon the grounds of Hogwarts, and Harry was walking next to Hermione feeling a little worn out. They entered the Dumbledore’s Army’s classroom, not noticing that Oshiko was watching them from the far end of the hall, from the shadows and wearing clothing blacker then the shadow itself.

Harry and Hermione, once they had changed into their flannel nightclothes and brushed their teeth, found themselves huddling together in the chilly night air of the room. Sleep came upon their minds, and they closed their tired eyes.

***

Harry was walking down the corridor with Hermione at his side like usual. Students could be heard in the background, but Harry didn’t know who they were.

“Harry, I’m going to run into the lavatories, okay?” Hermione said. She let go of Harry’s hand and disappeared through a doorway. A torch flickered out a couple dozen feet down the intersecting hallway, and Harry lit it again with his wand. Light was restored, only to be overcome with the harsh, shrill scream of a student down the hall, and around the corner. Harry bolted towards the noise.

Another scream erupted from behind Harry. From the girls’ lavatories. Harry froze in his tracks, horrified. Wheeling around he dashed back down to where he had come from, throwing himself on the door to girls’ room. When it wouldn’t budge, he took out his wand, tears streaming down his face now, falling to the cold stone floor he stood trembling on.

“Diffindo!” he called out through his tears as they fell into his mouth, choking him. The door splintered into a million wooden fragments and Harry ran inside through the falling shards. His heart stopped, and the wand held in his hand fell to the floor, clanking on the stone. Hermione lay sprawled through an open stall door, still. Her eyes were open in shock, and her mouth held the horrible contorted shape reminiscent of a scream…

***

Harry woke with a start, sitting up out of Hermione’s grasp, sweating profusely with tears running down his cheeks, shaking uncontrollably. He struggled to breath as sobs choked his throat, constricting it like a snake had coiled itself around the soft flesh. Hermione awoke only seconds later.

“Harry, calm down. It was just a nightmare.” Hermione said soothingly, pulling Harry back into her arms with a quick but gentle tug, praying that Voldemort hadn’t sensed his sudden weakness.

A lifelessness overtook Harry as silver tears continued to fall upon the pillow. His mouth had become dry, and his arms were limp. He felt utterly uncompelled to move even his lips. Hermione didn’t speak either, knowing full well that Harry needed to calm down first.

Harry’s damp hair brushed against Hermione’s throat with a cyclic rhythm as Harry breathed heavily into the nightclothes below her higher shoulder. His eyes were open with shock and disbelief, but the dream had only been half his worries. The lightning scar on his forehead was burning. It was still burning. It had been burning during the nightmare. It wasn’t a nightmare anymore. It was the future. It wasn’t Voldemort that had caused the scar to hurt, it was another magic. An older, deeper magic. A magic so infinitely powerful it could rightly be called the magic of foreboding truth.

He was going to lose her. The thought flooded his mind like veritaserum and he was powerless to resist it. It raced through his brain like a wildfire. He seemingly forgot to breathe, his breath held in his throat. His eyes turned into marbles as they glazed over. It was as if he had forgotten to physically live, and when Hermione could no longer feel his chest rising like it should have she knew he had gone into catatonic fit.

Hermione brought Harry’s head up with her hand in a gentle, yet forceful manner. She stared into Harry’s eyes, trying to crack through their misty shells, but to no avail. Desperate for some good sign, she leaned in and kissed Harry on his soft lips to bring him back to his senses…

Harry breathed in through his nose, and then his mouth, as Hermione broke contact after several tense moments. Tears were still upon his cheeks, still falling. His hands moved involuntarily, pulling Hermione closer. Hermione placed her own arms around Harry once more and together they remained motionless, not speaking, staring into the eyes of one another for many long minutes.

“Your scar was burning when you woke up, wasn’t it Harry?” Hermione asked in a whisper.

“Yes,” Harry replied.

“It involved us, didn’t it?” Hermione continued. Harry choked out another ‘Yes’ and Hermione grew uneasy.

“What happened?” Hermione asked once more. Harry didn’t speak for a few moments, but pushed aside his fear and finally spoke.

“We were walking down a hallway, and you said you needed to use the lavatories. When you entered a torch went out, and I relit it. I heard a scream down the hallway, and went for it. Then, …” Harry began, but came to an abrupt stop.

“Go on, Harry. It can’t hurt us now.” Hermione prodded quietly.

“…you screamed. I blew apart the door to the girls’ room and found you…” Harry choked, the words coming rapidly as if they would do less harm that way, but Hermione knew what was coming. She leaned her head next to Harry’s and their cheeks brushed before resting on one another.

“Life is made bearable when we are together. Even against a world, we can be happy.” Hermione whispered, retelling the words that Harry had won her heart with. “Harry, even if it is meant to happen, even if it is supposed to happen, we will fight against it. We will not let it happen, you hear me?”

“Even if we have to fight time itself?” Harry cried softly.

“Yes. I refuse to leave your side.” Hermione swore, her own anguished tears mixing with Harry’s. “We know what it has in store for us now. When the time comes, when the circumstances are right, we will not let it happen.”

“It is time, Hermione. How do you fight time?” Harry choked.

“With human will power, and love.” Hermione explained. “Fate is for prophecies, not dreams.”

A sensation, not unlike that of longing, reached every nerve in his body. The mention of that word… love. That was what those feelings were. That was what had enveloped his mind so completely. The emotions overtook him. Fear was draining from his mind which each beat of Hermione’s heart, thumping against his chest like it was his own.

Hermione had mentioned the word… love. She had pulled him so close… So close beyond the recognition of one body from another. He had done the same, his arms wrapped tightly around the lower of her back, bringing her close… It was at that moment, in that pivotal moment… the realization that love became a mutual feeling, and both of them knew they were loved by the other.

It was also, at that pivotal moment, that they realized what it meant to honor friendship. The implications for admitting the word love in free voice were to great at the moment… Ron and even Viktor Krum weren’t to be made casualties.

“When the time is right, Harry.” Hermione said softly.

“You’re right. It is not supposed to hurt people.” Harry replied in a similarly soft voice. Even with the horrible dream at the back of his mind, Harry managed to smile. The simple understanding they had just shared was enough to last a lifetime of doubt.

The cold air of the room could not reach them for the remainder of the night as sleep once again fell upon them.

When morning finally came, neither Harry nor Hermione wanted to get up and go to Potions. They lay still until Hermione could delay the inevitable no longer. She rolled out of bed and proceeded to take a shower. Harry was waiting for her to come out at the side of the bed when she appeared not more then seven minutes later, dry and dressed.

“You prove that girls can take short showers, and every morning at that, Hermione.” Harry commented as he went in for his turn.

“You prove that your still a child, and every morning at that, Harry.” Hermione retorted playfully. Harry chuckled through the curtain.

Emerging from the bathroom with a cloak in one hand, and a dirty pair of nightclothes in the other, Harry was suddenly overtaken by Hermione. Her arms were around his neck in an instant.

“What happened last night was a dream, wasn’t it Hermione?” Harry asked.

“A dream worth worlds with a sour twist on fate.” Hermione replied. Harry’s head dropped as he remembered the nightmare.

“Do you think we’ll be able to…?” Harry asked, trailing off.

“Of course. Don’t doubt what we are capable of and give me that cloak.”

* In Japan you usually don’t refer to someone by their first name unless they are you’re a close friend. Harry of course doesn’t know this ^_^