Unofficial Portkey Archive

By: FayeValentine00

Chapter 12

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Bill, Charlie and Harry all took a seat near the back of The Three Broomsticks which was now abandoned. It looked like everyone fled town when they saw the Death Eaters. For a long time none of the men spoke. They just sat sliently, trying to figure out what had just happened.

"Thank you," Harry finally muttered, breaking the heavy silence.

"It's not us that you should be thanking, mate. It was Dumbledore who warned us," Charlie answered rubbing his rough hands together.

"Dumbledore?"

"We happened to be at headquarters when Dumbledore contacted the order. He said that he had reason to believe that something was about to happen at Hogsmeade. The only reason we knew that you and Hermione were here was because Ginny spilled to Mom that she was coming with you," Bill explained with a heavy sigh. "Now it makes me glad that Mom made her swear not to come."

"She did stay at school, right Harry?" Charlie asked as if he suddenly wasn't so sure.

"Yeah. She told us she had homework to do."

Both of the older men looked relieved at the news and Harry thought he even hear Bill mutter "Thank God."

"But what's going on? And where have Fred and George taken Hermione?"

"They took her to help them scout locations for their newest shop. We asked them, before we got here, to allow us the chance to talk to you alone." Something in Charlie's eyes made Harry feel even more ill at ease then he had been. Harry was beginning to grow angry when Bill finally decided to explain the whole sitsuation.

"Harry, this is the problem. Hermione is in more danger then either of you realize. Dumbledore knows it and we all believe him."

Harry sat silent for a moment, trying to let their words sink in, before he finally asked the question he was dreading. "But how? How does Dumbledore know?"

"I don't know, Harry but think about the facts. Everytime that you and Hermione have left Hogwarts since Ron's death, you've been attacked or, at the very least, stalked."

"Well, what am I supposed to do then?" Harry voice began to rise in frustration as he looked back and forth between the red heads. "Am I just supposed to push her away and act like I don't even care?!"

Harry was expecting a responce but when none came, he realized that they were avoiding his stares. He also realized that pushing Hermione away was exactly what they wanted him to do.

"You've got to be joking! You just want me to push Hermione away and forget that we've been friends for the last seven years? You want me to leave her alone so she will be by herself when Voldemort attacks her!?"

"Harry, listen to us. We--" Charlie's words stopped appruptly when Harry leapt up from his seat, sending his chair flying backwards.

"You've crazy. I won't do it! I'm not going to just let Hermione go like I don't even care! I will not lose her like I lost Ron!" With that last phrase, Harry kicked the overturned chair out of his way and walked out of The Three Broomstocks, leaving the two Weasley's speechless.

Later that evening, Hermione asked Harry numerous times why he'd left Hogsmeade without her but he side stepped the question ever time. Finally, realizing the answer would never come, she gave up and told him all about the new store that the twins were planning. With any luck, they'd be opened for the next and last Hogsmeade weekend of the year. It was scary to think that there were only a few months left of the school year. Only a few months left of the seven long years that Harry had spent in Hogwarts, some good and some bad.

"Harry, are you alright? You look like something is bothering you," Hermione asked as she took his hand in hers.

"I'm fine," was Harry's automatic responce but when he wouldn't met her eyes, Hermione knew he was lying.

She had to fight back the urge to force Harry to talk. Obviously, the attack at Hogmeade today had him concerned, as it did herself, but the moment the Death Eaters disapperated, Hermione swore to herself that she would not go to pieces again. For the sake of her own sanity, she'd allowed the twins to cheer her up. Tears and grief weren't going to get them anywhere. Besides, Voldemort had already destroyed so many lives that she simply refused to give him the pleasure of destroying a few more. She would not live in fear.

"You're still a horrible lier. I don't know why you even try," Hermione spoke with a sigh.

"Look, I just really don't want to talk about it okay," he snapped loudly.

Hermione jumped back as if she'd just had her hand slapped. Something about the tone in Harry's voice hurt her and she wasn't quite sure why. "Fine, Harry. I'll just go to bed then."

She got up from the couch and left the Common Room without waiting for his responce. Harry felt quilty but he couldn't get his mind off of his conversation with Bill and Charlie. He was so angry and so frustrated but one small part of him could see their logic and that was what made him the most upset.

Hermione was the only person Harry had anymore. Everyone else was dead. Which was the worse of the two evils? Was he supposed to selfishly keep Hermione close and put her life in danger every time they left the school or was he supposed to deny his feelings for her and send her away, in the hopes that Voldemort would leave her be? Neither answer seemed correct and even in his dreams, Harry couldn't find peace.

The next morning, Hermione must have forgiven Harry because when he came downstairs, Hermione gave him a big hug in front of everyone in the Common Room. Harry did his best to be conversational and not show any of his internal struggle but when Professor McGonagall approuched the table just as they were finishing up their food, Harry's heart dropped. He just knew it couldn't be good.

"Mr. Potter, when you are done eating, the Headmaster would like to speak to you in his office. Do you know the password?"

"Yes."

"Good. He will be waiting for you then." With those words, she turned and walked away, giving no reason as to this sudden urge to talk.

"Harry, what does Dumbledore want with you?" Hermione's eyes looked slightly alarmed but she tried hard to hide it.

"I don't know," he answered with a sigh, yet deep down he did know. Dumbledore was going to end the conversation that Bill and Charlie had begun the day before. For a moment Harry considered not going but knew it would do no good. Dumbledore always knew exactly where to find him.

Once they completely finished eating and Harry had stalled as long as possible, he said his goodbyes to Hermione and headed off to the conversation that he was surely going to hate.

He said the password and rode the moving staircase until he reached the door to the office. Some voice deep in his soul told him to just run and forget all about the meeting, yet Harry knew that he had to go. He had to hear what Dumbledore had to say. He owed the man at least that much.

He knocked lightly on the door and then stepped inside. Faukes was perched up in his usual spot and perked up when he say Harry. The portraits of the former Headmasters of Hogwarts all had the apperance of being asleep but Harry'd been in the office too many times not to know their tricks.

"Harry, I am so glad you could make it."

At the sound of the voice, Harry looked up to see the frail looking Dumbledore coming down the steps. He smiled as he made his way to his deak and had a seat. Once Harry was seated as well, Dumbledore got right to the point.

"I trust that you know why I've called you here," his eyes met Harry's with that knowing expression that said he already knew his answer.

Harry shifted his gaze to the window and spoke softly. "Hermione?"

"Exactly right, Harry. Exactly right," Dumbledore answered but to Harry's surprise, he didn't sound happy at all.