For Every Action

I was still running on a buzz of adrenaline as I raced up the stairs to the Hospital Wing corridor, blissfully unaware of my plight. Oblivious also as to what had occurred between the man I thought I hated, and the man I thought I loved. Or was it right to call them men? Because all men have inside them little boys, and how they show their childish spirits indicates just how mature they are. But, to be fair, I suppose I should address them as men because of what they've been through. I should think it would frighten anyone into growing up...

"Madame Pomfrey, may I please visit Draco?" I asked as soon as I saw the matron, practically bursting with happiness from an unknown source. My mood soured slightly, however, when she turned and I saw the look of pity on her face.

"He is here, right?" I repeated, worry creasing my face like a crumpled sheet of parchment. Madame Pomfrey nodded, and stood where she was, speaking slowly and in a very quiet voice.

"I'm afraid that you can't see him right at the moment," she said softly. "You'll have to go and speak with Professor Dumbledore first. He'll explain everything."

"What....what do you mean, he'll explain everything?" I asked rather haughtily, my surprise, my disappointment, my fear, masked.

"I'll look after it, Madame Pomfrey," came a voice from behind me. A familiar voice. A voice I once loved.

No, it can't be. An arm wrapped itself around my back and led me out of the Hospital Wing. Sliding around, it encompassed my waist in a most natural position. He wouldn't. He doesn't think...Draco's not here...

With carefully controlled, methodical thought, I managed to keep breathing. The halls were empty momentarily, for the bell was about to ring for second class. I chanced a quick glance. He was as solid as ever. I still couldn't understand how he kept rein over his emotions. There was scarcely a moment I could remember over the past several years when Harry had showcased what was going on inside so very blatantly as I did. My face turned crimson, my mouth slackened, up-turned, my eyes glittered, but Harry's did not. Somehow, with an inconceivable force, he seemed to lock his face to his emotions. Well, other than recently. When I had dropped the bombshell that I was pregnant..... that and all of the events that followed would have to be enough to make anyone visibly emotional.

Harry steered me along the hallway, down the steps to the Entrance Hall and out towards the lake. A cool breeze was rippling the waters, and as we stood on the beach, companions with the silence, I became all the more confused. Instead of focussing on Harry and what he might do, I forced myself to look at my surroundings. The greenhouses were off to my left, just visible around one of the castle's many towers. I could hear Professor Sprout giving exasperated instructions to an unruly group of First Years. A brief smile crossed my lips at the thought of my first year, but it departed as soon as my eye caught Harry gazing at me. Across from the end of the lake lay the Forbidden Forest, looking slightly less threatening than the last time I'd seen it. The lazy sunlight shone down on the trees, dappling the forest floor with pleasant patches of yellow. Several trees dotted the edge of the lake, just a few feet behind us, placing adequate shade for students to study, although the shady lounging areas were now vacant.

"Hermione," said Harry at last, rather seriously, "we need to talk."

I turned and looked him straight in the eye, anger welling up despite my efforts to suppress it. "We need to talk?" I answered in somewhat of a strangled voice, my face contorting with mixed emotions. "I'm glad you bloody well realized it now!" I shouted, throwing my hands up. "Now, what would you like to talk about now that you're ready to talk, eh? About, how you're sorry that you were such a bastard and that, now, once you've thought it over, you'd like to give it a second try? Well, I don't think so, Harry. You threw away any second chances the day I told you I was," faltering, I pulled myself together and finished the thought, "... pregnant."

Harry's face was rather green, a pale, sickly shade. "I simply want to be friends," he muttered, looking down at his shoes as he said it.

"Friends? Friends?" I repeated, my tongue bitingly sarcastic. "You want to be friends now? Why couldn't you have come to this agreement earlier? You see, I don't want to be friends, just now. We're doing perfectly well by ourselves, and I don't see the need-" But before I could continue my tirade, I felt a very comfortable pair or arms around me and a well-known face just in front of mine.

"Marry me," he said, his lips inches from mine. My eyes were locked in his, our bodies the closest for three days. And I still felt for him. I tried to shove all thoughts of Harry out of my mind, but I found it impossible now. We were the dream team. Perfect couple. Friends since our first day. Part of me still wanted that comfort, that security, that safety. But no more.

My hands were on his shoulders, close to snaking around his neck, pulling him closer. But I got away. Shoving the heels of my hands into his collar bone, I broke free and pushed Harry away. Staring down at my palms, I felt as though I was Lady Macbeth, and the damn spot would not come out. I shook from apprehension, and I very nearly started crying. As I looked up, I saw Harry's questioning gaze, strange and almost hurt. My heart was doing jumping jacks as I took several deep, steadying breaths. Then, with a final burst of confidence, I turned and fled the scene, running as fast as I could for fear of pursuit.

~*~

Dumbledore's hands were folded in front of him, resting on his pale blue robes. His eyes held no twinkle at the moment, his face was without animation.

It will have to be done he thought. It will have to be done.

Standing up and moving over to the window, he viewed the exchange between Harry and Hermione.

Such a shame. A waste of lives lost, a waste of spirit, emotion, memory, design... Ah well. Nothing to be done now, it's decided. The ring has given its consent. Why Salazar ever made it I shall never know. Thank God there is a child, though. A bond so strong is only forged with ultimate love. And now she will have to choose. A fellow or a foe.