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DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter, J.K. does, and she has every right to do whatever she thinks is best for Harry Potter. I just love writing. So sue me. Wait, seriously… don't.
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A/N:
After a long period of writer's block, I felt that it was time I should give you the next chapters for Caught in the Past, just so you know that I never planned on abandoning this fic.
I was just quite angry with myself for coming up with insufficiently thought out chapters that I had to pause for a while to gather my thoughts. I sincerely hope that this would be the last time I will ever have to put a revised one.
Contrary to what some may think, I'm not mad at the readers who had been honest enough to tell me what they think about the revisions. But I would just like to stress that if people think it's quite annoying to read something over and over again, it is more than annoying to actually have to write over and over again.
I think it's only fair that the chapters, albeit they were uncalled for, be given some credit.
Anyway, I hope you find this chapter favorable. And don't worry; I made most of it different because I couldn't remember anymore what I wrote before.
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"Then tell me."
Harry couldn't remember a time when he had rendered both his friends speechless. And if it weren't for the direness of the situation, he would have gone over to their side and closed both their mouths, which had dropped in surprise by his sudden appearance.
"Harry," Luna recovered first. She bit her lip as she looked over to her husband who was still having a hard time recovering. She turned her attention back to him and smiled apologetically, although Harry didn't even look the least bit offended. "I assume you heard everything."
"Quite the contrary," he drawled in solemnity, "I'm still waiting to hear the rest."
"I'm not entirely sure whether the matter should be discussed by us, Harry," she said, wringing her hands uncomfortably. "It's Hermione's story to tell."
"Don't even try, Luna," Harry warned, his eyes turning to slits. "You and I both know that even if I begged, Hermione would never reveal anything she thinks would make her vulnerable to me."
Luna had to agree with him in silence as Ron regained his composure. He cleared his throat and placed a hand on his wife's shoulder to still her from responding. "Perhaps it's time Harry learns something about the woman who hates him."
"Ron," Luna began to protest, but every bone and nerve in her body was told her it was time to settle whatever dispute there was between the sparring couple.
"I know she's not going to like this, but Harry is not a man to be kept in the dark. He will find out sooner or later. It is better he found out now."
Harry looked on as the two debated on whether or not they would share Hermione's past.
As Ron was his best friend, Harry knew that it took a great deal of courage for him to actually stand up to his wife, whom he adored completely. But if Luna were to resist further, the situation must be far too dire for his care, and he might not want to hear it after all.
But the mystery of it all was excruciating.
He wanted to find out.
Hell, he needed to find out.
"Well, all right," Luna finally nodded her head, although it was done with quite some reluctance. She shot her husband a look of exasperation before turning to Harry. "But I get to tell the story."
Ron merely shrugged, crossed his arms and leaned back on one of the high bar stools.
Despite her bravado to keep it cool while telling Hermione's life story, Luna couldn't help but feel guilty on what she was about to do. She was one of the few people Hermione trusted, yet here she was, trading one loyalty for another.
Luna looked so fretful that Harry wondered whether she really was going to be able to handle herself. More importantly, he didn't trust himself to endure the story, if what he could see in Luna's eyes were true.
"Hermione's mother died minutes after giving birth. It was not expected since she had been very healthy even before delivery. Uncle Robert grieved over their loss, but he knew Hermione needed a mother to care for her. After a year of mourning, as required, he sought for a wife during the season. He returned months later with a new countess," she paused, seeing the blank confusion in Harry's face. "I don't know if you are aware that she has one…"
"Hermione mentioned she had a stepmother, yes…" Harry nodded, remembering the night that she said how her stepmother had always been opposed to what she wanted to do, and then he frowned, sensing that her misery had been caused by the woman.
"Lady Allyson was - if one were to be polite - very regal. She came from an aristocratic family and was brought up with a firm hand. She was the belle of every ball, and just like most of the chits who had made their debut, she sought for an excellent match with someone of noble birth. Uncle Robert seemed the most eligible then and she sought to be in good terms with him."
"Do I smell pretension in this story?" Harry asked, crossing his arms.
Luna sighed wearily and nodded. "She was very ambitious. She was clearly aware of Uncle Robert's status in Hogwarts and she knew that once she was married to him, she would be one of the most revered women."
"And Lord Granger didn't notice?" Harry asked again, disbelief written all over his face.
"Uncle Robert only saw what she wanted him to see. He believed her to be gentle and principled. In his mind, nothing else mattered except that Lady Allyson would make a very good guardian for Hermione."
"But she wasn't," Harry surmised, "If she were pretending to be somebody she was not. If you ask me, he'd been rather rash in his selection."
"Their betrothal had been too short for Uncle Robert to see what was in front of him. What was really maddening about everything is that even after their marriage; Uncle Robert remained oblivious to the intentions of Lady Allyson."
"And what were they?"
"She wanted the estates for herself. And to secure that position, she needed an heir. But Uncle Robert had other ideas in his mind," Luna shook her head in nostalgia.
"What ideas?"
"When Uncle Robert chose Lady Allyson, he only had Hermione in mind. He married her so she could be a mother, not a wife," In spite herself, Luna giggled naughtily. "Lady Allyson thought that she had everything planned, but Uncle Robert wouldn't even come to her bed. He was constantly at his daughter's side since she was a baby. He even had a bed placed near her cradle so he could sleep beside her every night."
"I wager that didn't settle all too well with the countess."
"She was more than furious. But she didn't show it. She let Uncle Robert believe she was satisfied," Luna stood up and began to pace. "And she was a good actress, too. For quite some time, she had him convinced she loved Hermione. In Uncle Robert's eyes, Lady Allyson was most ideal."
"But she wasn't," Harry whispered somberly, a sinking feeling in his stomach telling him where the story was going.
"She wasn't," Luna confirmed with a sad gaze.
"What happened?" he finally asked, barely able to let the question remain hanging in the air.
"Uncle Robert was a man of great responsibilities. He was the Keeper of Ravenclaw Estates. As an earl, he was the second highest among the leaders of Hogwarts and was in alliance with the Duke and Duchess of Gryffindor, your parents. When they were murdered and you disappeared, that was the time that his work became greater. He had been the one responsible for straightening the mess that your aunt and uncle created when they claimed the right to the Gryffindor Estates. Because of the legalities over the situation, he needed to play close attention to the case and was often away from Ravenclaw. Because of this, he failed to see what was happening in his very own home."
"And what was happening exactly?" Harry wondered aloud, still reeling about the thought that Lord Granger was the reason he still had Gryffindor in his hands today.
Luna straightened, her eyes distant as she recalled the tales that the servants at Ravenclaw Mansion told her each time she managed to visit Hermione.
She took a deep breath.
"While other tutors or governesses knew how important it was to be gentle to children, Lady Allyson had a different notion. Because of the idea that she was not to be the countess forever, she began to hate Hermione. The sight of her, the servants said, made her angrier each day. And Hermione was barely more than a year old at the time to notice how her stepmother felt…"
"Hermione needed someone to be a mother to her, and she sought the affection of Lady Allyson whenever she could. Even as a baby, she was aware of what she lacked and she had clung to the hope that Lady Allyson would fill in what was missing. But it was not enough that she ignored Hermione even when she was standing right in front of her, Lady Allyson just had to berate Hermione each time she made a mistake. And because she couldn't seem to say anything good about her, Hermione started to believe she did nothing right…"
"Uncle Robert would be gone three months at a time, and each time he returned, it had only been for but a couple of weeks. At first, he didn't notice that his daughter was not developing emotionally, but after finding her in her room, crying her eyes out - she was three then - Uncle Robert finally realized what was happening."
"What did he do?"
Luna shook her head and squared her shoulders. "At first, everybody thought he would divorce Lady Allyson. She certainly had not been the ideal mother he initially had in mind. But everybody was surprised that the only punishment she received from neglecting his daughter was a couple of months' probation in which Lady Allyson would have to spend all her time with Hermione. If she didn't agree with or complete his proposition, she would be forced to leave the mansion with a ruined reputation."
"Quite the protective father, was he," Harry murmured, still unable to appreciate Lord Granger's efforts to compensate for his absence. "If he weren't away from Hermione all those times, he would have seen what was happening all along."
Luna shook her head in disagreement. "You didn't know Uncle Robert. If he could have, he would have stayed home with her. But he had a duty to Ravenclaw Estate. And with your parents gone, his responsibilities doubled. Father (Sirius) couldn't have handled the matters alone without Uncle Robert."
"But I'll tell you this," Luna continued when Harry remained silent. "He had been Hermione's champion, in many more times than she could count. If it weren't for him, Hermione would not be who she is today."
"Tell me more about what happened during the probation," Harry commanded softly, not really ready to accept the reasons Lord Granger had been a good father, because if he did, then he would also be justifying the reasons that Hermione hated him.
He was not ready to accept defeat yet and agree that there was nothing more holding him back from admitting what was really between them.
Luna nodded briskly, but not really understanding Harry. "As agreed, Lady Allyson spent all her precious time with Hermione, playing with her, teaching her alphabet, and showing her how to play the pianoforte. As the days passed by, Hermione began to grow fond of Lady Allyson, but no one could really tell how Lady Allyson felt. Uncle Robert seemed to have been satisfied with the progress that he lifted the probation on Lady Allyson and placed Hermione's education in her hands instead."
"And she had been so thrilled, I imagine," Harry mumbled sarcastically.
"Actually, she didn't bother to fulfill that duty…" Luna clasped her hands together. "Uncle Robert didn't exactly say she should be the one to teach Hermione herself. So she cleverly foiled his intentions by hiring a tutor for her."
"That had to have been much better. At least it wasn't this Allyson who had full responsibility," Harry interrupted.
"It's Lady Allyson," Luna corrected, "She always made it a point to correct someone who did not call her that. And even with the tutor, nothing had become better."
"I gather the story's not yet done."
"It's barely started," Luna whispered.
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Outside the very mansion in which Harry continued to listen to Luna, the very subject of their discussion was poised and ready to step into the carriage that would take her away from this place, the witness of a heartache more painful than she'd ever experienced before.
But even as she let herself be assisted by the footman standing attentively beside her, she couldn't help but think that there was something awfully wrong with what she was doing.
It wasn't that she was eager to see her home, but more of the fact that she was rather fervent to increase the distance between her and the man who'd given her a thousand reasons for confusion.
The feeling bothered her, but it was not enough to make her look back at the place she was leaving behind. A senight had been enough to proclaim her weak; a day more would make her surrender.
What kind was she if she were to love her enemy?
Could she forgive herself for being a coward and running away?
Two days had passed since she last talked to Harry. Even a glimpse of him, she had not seen. Though part of it was her own doing, she couldn't very well say that he had gone through hell to have their paths cross.
Oh, but she knew he was there, always hovering somewhere, watching and waiting.
If she weren't feeling so dreadful, she would have found it comical the way his decisions kept changing. One night he was asking her to marry him, then the next day he was avoiding her like a plague.
And his moods! Why did he even have them? Weren't men supposed to be simple-minded creatures that only have few things in their mind? She didn't want to play games with him, but as it turned out, he was more than willing to include her in his quests.
She didn't even want him, but there she was, still wondering about what would have happened had she accepted his proposal.
Well, no more of this cat and mouse chase!
She had had enough.
She was going back to her home and do just exactly what she had dared she would do two nights ago. The moment she arrived in Ravenclaw, the first thing she would embark on was to entertain the suitors who would knock on her door.
After seven years of trying to keep herself from misery, she was finally going to get married.
The idea was worse than what she had always felt, but no force on earth could stop her now, not even the feeling that staying where she was felt more right.
Looking back, she knew that Harry didn't know what he was doing. It wasn't as though she didn't think of his proposal as real. But his reasons had not been strong enough for her to agree.
He had completely taken her by surprise and the initial reaction she had given him had been the result of seven years' worth of pent up rage that had yet to be spent.
But after he had left, Hermione's conscience began to badger her. Harry deserved a better excuse, it said. But her dangling pride refused to concede and she soon found herself growing more and more restless.
She needed to get away from him, once and for all. Perhaps, once she'd settled with a man of her own choice, it would be enough to keep him at bay. But as she stuck her head out to steal one last look back at the mansion, there was a painful tug in her heart that clearly told her so much more than what she was willing to admit.
If only he had asked once more, maybe, just maybe, she would have reconsidered.
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Harry's fist couldn't have been more clenched as Luna's voice flooded his ears with the continuous story of Hermione's childhood.
It was as though he was actually there, seeing it all from the vivid pictures that her words created in his mind. Each lashing and taunting pulled at his heart, making him feel as though he were carrying the weight of the world.
He closed his eyes, refusing still to believe that the feisty woman he had met three months ago was the same little girl who had to endure years of cruelty from the only woman whom she had ever wanted to give her love.
He swallowed, trying to clear the lump past his throat. But he didn't trust himself to speak. And so, he had to endure more of Luna who was completely oblivious to his state.
"Ever since she was little, Hermione had a way about her that said she wasn't for parties and seasons. Uncle Robert was very fond of her and he tolerated, even admired and encouraged, her to continue with her unusual desire to learn. Lady Allyson, however, had a different idea. She wanted Hermione to stay in the same bubble she was supposed to live in. Hermione rebelled in one way or another, but she always ended up following Lady Allyson anyway. The only time that she could do whatever she wanted was when Uncle Robert was around."
"How long had he been around for Hermione to enjoy some time for herself?" Harry found his voice at last, although he had not yet really recovered to include resolution in it.
"Not long enough," Luna sighed sadly. "But Hermione never could blame him. Young as she was, she knew
that her father had a responsibility to Ravenclaw. He was taking care of her home, that's what she always told
herself, and she loved him all the more for it. It didn't bother her that she was half-heartedly becoming a lady in
front of Lady Allyson's eyes because every time her father came home and saw her grown-up, he looked at her with so
much pride that Hermione almost gave up trying to become herself."
"But she did become herself," Harry whispered.
"Not without the interference of her stepmother," Luna took away even that small thing. "Lady Allyson was completely against Hermione's unorthodox behavior. She would -punish- Hermione by taking everything that was supposed to be hers by right."
"What happened?" Harry didn't want to hear anymore, but he knew that he should.
"Hermione's mother had the same desire for learning. Perhaps, this is the reason that Uncle Robert encouraged Hermione's own inclination. She had been so like his wife that maybe this had also become another reason for Lady Allyson to hate Hermione," Luna shook her head to remove the unwanted face of the wicked stepmother in her mind and went back to her story. "Hermione's mother left her more artifacts than she could ever dream of holding. When everybody in the household was asleep, Hermione would sneak out of her room and into her father's study to read everything, including her mother's diary. She valued that book so much she rarely left it in plain sight…"
"She spent more hours in the library, reading everything she could get her hands on, than in the dance hall, perfecting her waltz. Lady Allyson didn't know anything and for some time, Hermione truly believed that her secret was hers alone. But Lady Allyson began to notice Hermione's performance becoming worse, and she knew something was wrong…"
"What did she do?"
"It happened when Hermione was 15 years old. It was Christmas that night and Uncle Robert was due any minute. Hermione thought Lady Allyson was busy preparing for her husband's arrival, so she made her way to the library. It had become a ritual for her, to read something of her mother's during Christmas. To keep her mother with her, she said. She was reading one of the journal entries and didn't notice that someone had gone in after her. It wasn't until Lady Allyson cried out in rage that Hermione became aware of her presence. Hermione saw the steely glint in her eyes and felt this sudden fear."
"What…?" he couldn't help but think the worse of the situation and he shuddered even before he heard what became of everything.
"She destroyed everything," Luna whispered. "She took every piece of paper within sight and tossed them into the fireplace. And Hermione had to watch every single piece of her mother's remembrance burn right in front of her eyes."
"No," Harry shook his head, unable to believe his ears.
"She couldn't get to them because Lady Allyson held in her a deathly grip. And she was laughing. Dear God, she was laughing at the way Hermione cried out for help. It was at that moment that Hermione knew her stepmother was crazy."
"What did Lord Granger do when he realized everything was burnt?"
Luna sighed. "What happened, Harry, was that Lady Allyson made up a story that completely left the blame on Hermione. They hired some people to clean the library, she said, and Hermione was to oversee what they were hauling out and throwing away. But because of her inattention, they had taken the box which contained the late countess' belongings. It was already too late when they realized that they were missing."
"And Hermione didn't say anything?!"
"No, she didn't," Luna shook her head. "She didn't want to cause another fight between him and Lady Allyson. His heart, at that time, was beginning to fail him, and overexertion would be critical to his condition. Hermione didn't want any more suffering because of her."
"So it was all right for her to let her father believe she had no concern over her mother's memory? That's just stupid!" Harry exclaimed, his outburst surprising all of them.
"That's how much she loved her father, Harry."
"And how much did he love her?!" Harry asked venomously, unaware that his temper was revealing what he had so carefully been concealing.
"Hermione was everything to Lord Granger. You just can't see it because you weren't there. Whenever they were together, you should have seen how much she glowed! She adored her father as much as he adored her. His death had devastated her to the point that all of us thought she'd just give up as well. If it weren't that, she would be happier. If only…"
Harry's head whipped about, his hand gripping her arm rather strongly. "If only what, Luna?"
Luna's eyes turned cautious, but not fearful at the way Harry's gaze leveled on her. Ron immediately intervened.
"Don't make this situation worse than it already is, Harry. I may be your friend, but I won't tolerate you harassing my wife."
Harry looked at Ron, and then at Luna. His eyes lost their heated glaze, and he realized what he was doing and to whom he was unleashing his anger.
He let go of her with a soft `sorry.' Luna tried to give him a smile, but she couldn't give him that. Not because she was angry for his sudden outburst, but because she sensed nothing could appease his anger for misunderstanding Hermione and Lord Granger.
"After his death," Luna continued despite Ron's warning. "Lady Allyson knew she had not yet won. She made it a point that Hermione lived with the same kind of luxury that a scullery maid had. It was at this time that Hermione received the most abuse she had ever experienced. Words and whips. That was Hermione's world. We tried to intervene. All of us. But Lady Allyson held the most cards. She was, legally, Hermione's guardian. And no one could arrest her until anybody could prove she was actually capable of violence."
"Hermione was dimly aware that the only reason she was still kept alive is because she was the heiress to Ravenclaw Estate. In order for Lady Allyson to get her hands on it, she would have to make sure Hermione married someone who would be willing to give her the property. Ever since she was 18 years old, Hermione was literally thrown to men of various age and size. Lady Allyson didn't care who knocked on their doorstep for as long as that man would be willing to give her what she wanted."
"Was she harmed?" Harry couldn't help but ask at the mention that she had been pawned off to many men. The concern in his voice was difficult to mask and he would have wagered his life on it that Ron and Luna now knew that he was no longer the uncaring person who had arrived a week ago.
"Thankfully, no," Luna murmured. "Lord Granger may have died, but there was still one person in the household who had not been frightened by Lady Allyson's threats. His interference had worked wonders for Hermione."
"His?"
Luna nodded. "William Averley."
"Who's William Averley?" Harry asked in a clipped tone, jealousy eating at him at the mere mention that this man had been part of Hermione's life.
"He had worked for the Grangers as a stable boy," Luna explained. "He was found wandering in the woods when he was barely five years old by the housekeeper and had kept him with her since then. He was hired by Lord Granger as soon as he could do work. He didn't mind some extra hands because the late countess had been pregnant with Hermione at that time."
"And how did he become part of all this?" Harry asked.
"Hermione's virtue had been a target during the time when Lady Allyson thought that her stepdaughter's marriage to somebody would get her what she wanted. So she wasn't averse to letting a man enter Hermione's chambers when she was asleep."
"What?!" Harry exclaimed.
"Fortunately, William knew a secret passage that led to the second floor where Hermione's room was. I don't know exactly how he knew Hermione was in trouble, but he had always been there to foil off the attempts."
"Lucky her."
Luna smiled slyly. "Five years ago, Hermione knew she was no longer safe in the mansion, not with Lady Allyson constantly planning on getting rid of her. She also knew that if she stayed longer, William would be harmed. And because she had grown to care for him, as a friend," she added when Harry frowned. "She couldn't bear to put him in danger. She told him to leave. He did, but with great reluctance. No one knew what happened to him, but Hermione was sure that he was all right. After William was gone, Hermione decided to get away, to live in another place." Luna said.
"Scotland," Harry said, remembering their conversation at the dinner table a week before.
"It had been two years after the death of Uncle Robert, Hermione thought that Tom Riddle's silence would forever stay that way. But a messenger came with another proposal of a betrothal between her and Riddle's heir. With the countless suitors who barged in Ravenclaw every day, and now Tom Riddle's wicked proposal, reminding her of what it had caused to prevent that marriage, Hermione knew it was time to go."
Luna nodded and took a deep breath. "The day before Hermione was to leave; Tom Riddle demanded an appearance from her. But she refused his call, arranging instead her foiled departure. She intended to leave the next day," Luna stopped, shook her head once more and looked up to nothing in particular.
She clenched her fists, "But the man had anticipated her actions. Before Hermione could get far, he sent another coach after her. He commanded that they stop her by all means, even if they had to injure her. The people he hired were gunmen, trained to kill. They didn't stop their hunt, even when the runway ride went through the woods, just outside Hogwarts."
"When they couldn't get near enough, they began to shoot at her. The chase went longer than any of them suspected. Hermione had been so shocked that it took a while before she noticed that after some time, they were no longer being followed. The coachman explained a while later that there were a couple of young men who had been in the way, and one was shot. The other one, he recalled, had taken weapons out of his side pockets. That was all he saw before he heard gun shots firing simultaneously, and then silence."
Harry blinked.
Ethan.
Damn.
"What happened next?" Harry asked, still dazed at the irony of how his and Hermione's lives were connected.
"She arrived in Scotland, and for the first time in her life, experienced what it felt like to be free. It didn't occur to her that she could and would still be followed."
"But Riddle did."
"About a year ago, Tom Riddle began to harass her with letters containing all kinds of threats. It scared her to even leave the confines of her room. The night you and Hermione met had been the first time she set her foot in England for the last five years."
"Do you think it wise that she returned?" Harry looked from one friend to another, his eyes blazing in fury at Hermione who was risking her life once more.
"We advised her not to return, but she insisted. The good thing is, she had not the mind to visit Ravenclaw. We knew it is better that we keep an eye on her. We intend to keep her as close as possible. We don't know when Riddle will strike again. At least, with us, she is safe."
Harry nodded, agreeing with their logic. "Riddle's attempts are getting frequent lately."
"What do you mean?" it was Luna who asked.
"Ravenclaw was attacked a fortnight ago, Sirius believes it was of Riddle's doing," Harry explained.
"That bastard," Ron whispered savagely even as Luna's hand flew to cover her mouth in shock when Harry finished narrating what Sirius told him. And then Ron's eyes blinked in recollection. "There has been talk that Riddle's men were moving about."
Harry stilled, an unnerving feeling coming upon him.
It was the same sensation that had him proposing to Hermione two nights ago.
Then, he couldn't understand the reason for such a feeling.
But now, he was all too aware of what it truly was.
All this time, he had been recognizing the scent of an enemy.
He should have recognized it. He had spent years of his life depending upon it. Five years of lying dormant in his body might have affected his insight, but he was glad the instinct of danger was still with him.
He became much preoccupied with finally realizing what he had been tensed about that it was a while before Harry realized that Ron was trying to lighten the conversation.
"If Hermione is the same as ever, she'll not let the news bother her. I would wager to anyone that she has the courage of ten men put together.
Or the stupidity of ten men put together, Harry inwardly thought. He may have grown sympathetic over her for the last hour, but it didn't cloud over his judgment over her ability to make wise decisions.
"We should warn her, you know, tell her that she may be spirited, but it can only go too far," Ron continued.
Harry bit back a chuckle. Hermione was not the least bit spirited.
Stubborn was more like it!
"I propose that we tie her to the bedpost so that she would forget her silly idea of going back to Ravenclaw," Ron clapped his hand over Harry's shoulder and eyed him with a mischievous grin, "Why don't you do the honors, Harry. She already hates you, anyway. It can't get any worse for you."
Harry smiled; the corner of his mouth lifting.
"She also needs to be warned about taking a turn about the gardens alone. Riddle's men might be stupid, but they could slip in the manor," he stroked his chin, as if thinking hard, "Although I can't see how they would manage to. Riddle seems to choose big oafs for servants."
Although Harry was sure that Ron meant it as a joke, didn't find it funny, especially when it had a modicum of possibility in it.
What Ron said about warning Hermione was more than right.
Harry knew it should be done now, not later.
"I---I have to go," Harry abruptly walked past them to the door.
"Harry!" Luna cried out, running after him, grabbing his arm, "What are you going to do?"
"I need to talk to Sirius," Harry said, gently lifting her arm off his, but his gaze was frantic as they settled on hers, "Thank you."
Luna could only stand and helplessly watch, as Harry grabbed the door's handle and pulled it open. With a curt nod at Ron, he dashed outside, and disappeared around the corner.
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Harry was more than uptight and furious when he let himself out of the billiards room. He was shaking with anger but also nervous as hell. It no longer mattered that he had worked so hard to contain his feelings where Hermione was concerned.
All that truly concerned him was that she remained safe under Sirius' protection, if not his. Knowing her, she had already spent some time thinking about the many advantages and disadvantages of leaving during the past two nights that he had not distracted her.
He just hoped to God that he was the only disadvantage she had seen, and the rest had been good enough to make her stay.
There were a million things going on inside his head that he didn't notice something was amiss as he passed by the tall glass window overlooking the front lawn. But his years away from being a dueler did not diminish his cunning ability to notice things other people would just shrug away.
His instincts in high gear, his steps faltered and took him back to where the tall window was. With narrowed eyes, he gauged the scene just below him. There, from afar, was a phaeton riding away at careless speed.
It did not bear any crest, so Harry had no idea who owned the carriage. But he still couldn't quite contain the frown that had worked its way across his forehead.
The idea of it was just absurd.
It was almost midnight.
He didn't think anyone in their right mind would actually choose to depart at this time.
But what did he care about some git stupid enough to ride away from comfort tonight? He had more pressing matters to attend to, and the man was not even on his list.
But just as he was about to make his way to Sirius' office, Harry froze.
There, from the same carriage, a head suddenly emerged, her tresses billowing like flames against the raging wind. And even if the moon was not as bright as it should have been, he could not mistake her for anyone else.
The crucial sight of her didn't register until he saw her head disappear and the carriage begin to fade.
After that, Harry didn't even pause to think.
He had not even dared to breathe or look back again.
His years of training as a dueler had instantly kicked back into place. In an instant he was certain that Hermione was in trouble. And he did not doubt, not even for a moment, that she had no idea what he was seeing.
There was something wrong with the way that carriage was moving. And he'll be damned if he even considered it was just her way of showing she wanted to get away fast.
He could hear it clearly through the voice in his head.
Smell it even.
There was nothing quite like the scent of it.
Danger.
Hungry as a fox on a hunt, Harry set off to his room and in a swift range of motion, opened his trunk to take out the only thing he needed. It felt hot and heavy in his hand, its familiarity shaking him to his very core.
After securing it next to his side, he grabbed his cloak and went out the room, the door slamming in his wake. There wasn't even any time to warn somebody about his quest. Too much would be spent if he did. Quietly but swiftly, he ran to the stables, his cloak flying behind him.
It took some time for him to find Hedwig all on his own. Sweat tickled his back as he moved from one stall to the other, looking for her. Every minute counted, and with each minute that passed by, Harry could see the carriage moving farther away, increasing the distance between Hermione and safety.
When he at last found Hedwig, she didn't even make a sound or protest when Harry mounted her with such haste. She was trained for this, and she smelled her master's intention. As swiftly as her magnificent legs could carry them both, she began to gallop at breakneck speed, Harry's hold on her reins tightening.
When he and Hedwig got out of the stables, what had been left of the moon's light earlier that evening had gone behind the dark clouds now heavy with impending rain.
Some time had gone since he last saw the carriage. What with his detour to his room and to the stables, it no longer surprised Harry that not a sound nor sight of movement was evident.
Harry vaguely remembered that the road to Sirius' mansion had countless turns and forks along the way. It was through this insight that Harry knew so many things were against this rescue. He could only pray that for the rest of tonight, God would be on his side.
He would get to her, he knew it. But in time, he was not absolutely sure. He had not once failed on a mission yet, but he'll be damned if he let himself fail this one now.
As he let his experiences as a man hunter close in on his senses, Harry could only wish for one more thing where Hermione was concerned.
"Please don't do something stupid."
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A/N:
Oh yeah, this one's ending is completely different from the last. I hope that I had done justice to the long break that I took. As I said, I was having a hard time writing this chapter that's why it took so long.
I know the essence of the chapter was pretty much the same, but I really needed the story to have it.
I'll be back with another one in no time. I've already come up with half of it. The next update would be quicker, I promise.
Thanks for those who read. I appreciate the loyalty. Please review, if you don't have anything else to read or do. It's been such pleasure writing for you guys and I'm looking forward to more chapters for this story.
Thank you again, and GOD BLESS!
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