Harry and Hermione -- Their Sixth Year II

Chapter V

Sunday, November 24, 1996

It was nearly 10:00 pm, and Colin Potter was pacing the Gryffindor common room. Dean and Ginny were waiting with him; his dorm mates had just left to go to their room.

The full moon was still some six hours away.

Every inch of Colin's skin itched, and his clothes all chaffed. His nose was sensitive to more smells than a human should ever smell. He felt like he should scream and run naked down the corridors. He wondered how his friends would react if he did. Ginny would probably petrify him.

He coughed, although it sounded more like a bark.

Dean sighed and looked at his watch. They were waiting for Harry and Hermione to show up, so Colin could make that long trek to the Shrieking Shack.

It was a horrible walk, not so much the walk itself but the horrors that would await the pair of werewolves at the end. True, under the Wolfsbane Potion, it wasn't nearly as horrible as August had been, but it was bad enough.

Colin wondered how Remus Lupin had survived so long without the potion. Colin stopped and looked at the exit. Some ten seconds later, Harry and Hermione were let in.

"Sorry we're late, Colin," Harry said. "We stopped in to talk with the Headmaster and ran into a meeting with representatives of the Ministry. If Voldemort and his . . . rogues are active tonight, hopefully they'll be ready." Hermione was still harsh on swearing, so Harry was learning to pick his words.

"Okay . . . can we get going?" Colin pleaded.

"Sure."

Dean stood up and hugged Colin, handing him a sack with six blood lollies in it. Colin had asked Dean not to go with them, afraid that would make things even harder. Dean would sleep in the Infirmary, waiting for Colin to return.

Hermione kissed Colin on the cheek. She had felt so tired all day, Harry had insisted she go to bed early. Ginny polished her prefect's badge and went out with Colin and Harry.

"You didn't say earlier," Colin said to Harry, "how did the anti-dementor lessons go yesterday?"

"Pretty well, but I still haven't been taught the third spell." Harry shrugged. "You took the Potion?"

"Yes," Colin said, making an awful face. Harry smiled and wrapped his arm around Colin's shoulders. Ginny walked beside them, feeling a little jealous. She loved Luna and was happy with her as a partner, but a small part of her still wished for Harry.

Fifteen minutes later, the trio met up with Remus and Tonks. Colin and Ginny looked surprised. "I can't stay, but my shift doesn't start until Eleven." She kissed Remus gently and sensuously. She kissed each of the trio on their cheeks, and left. Harry put his hand firmly on Remus' shoulder, and then hugged Colin tightly. Ginny kissed Colin lightly, and Remus led him out into the rainy November night.

"I hate this," Harry growled.

Ginny forgot the small pangs of jealousy and simply put her arms around Harry, to comfort and receive comfort. "At least he's not alone," Ginny said. "That's the worst. Colin and I both know you'll never love us as we wish you could, but we know you'll never let us be alone. That you love us in the most important ways."

Harry quietly put his arm around Ginny's shoulders, and walked her back to the common room.

Monday, November 25, 1996

Hermione came down the stairs feeling refreshed. Harry had perhaps taken on more than he could handle, coaching many of the defense groups, especially the DA (now just Fifth through Seventh years), but Hermione was coordinating all the groups, moving upperclass students around to tutor as needed, and making certain there were always enough Sixth and Seventh years available. After an incident with some First and Second year Hufflepuffs, Hermione also made sure certain Slytherins did not tutor unsupervised. Add in all her studies and projects, and worries about Harry, her parents, and a host of other things . . . it was no wonder Hermione had been exhausted.

But now, she was awake and ready to run a few minutes early. Coming down to the common room, she saw Harry was waiting for her, but not dressed to run. "Aren't we running?" she asked Harry.

"No. Or at least I'm not. Ron will take them out today. Go grab a work robe. If you want to, we can both check on Colin and Remus, and then see if there's any news.

"Alright."

The two walked hand-in-hand to the Infirmary. They met up with Madam Pomfrey and Dr. Powell along the way, leading the two stretchers. Remus merely looked like he had spent a very restless night, but Colin looked awful.

Dr. Powell looked inquiringly at Madam Pomfrey, who merely signaled the pair to follow. "Thank you, Doctor Powell," she said to the professor once they were in the Infirmary. "You two, wait here."

They were both allowed to see Remus a few minutes later. He assured them he was as fine as he looked, and that he would be back in the swing of things by lunch.

Only Harry was allowed to see Colin, as Dean was still sleeping. "Rough time?" Harry asked quietly, sitting on the bed.

"Not compared to the first two times," Colin said. "And at least tonight was short. Taking the Potion is awful, but right before . . . the change, it sort of affects you like Muggle cold medicines, you know, the liquid stuff that makes your drowsy."

Harry nodded his understanding.

"But even with the Potion, you don't keep your mind. I'm still no better than a wolf, a drugged wolf at that. Remus says after a few years of taking the potion, you start remembering things more. He still can't think clearly as the wolf, but he can control things a bit. That's how he was able to help save me at least."

Colin took a hold of Harry's hand. "I'm so afraid you and Dean will leave me."

"I won't, and I don't think Dean ever would, either. Can't you hear him snoring at the other end of the Infirmary?" Colin smiled, as Dean was snoring rather loudly. "And neither would Remus, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, or Luna. And how about William Lloyd?"

"Wills?" Colin smiled again. "No, Wills is a true friend."

"See? Most things are horrible," Harry said soberly, "but we still have each other."

"Thanks, Harry."

Harry ruffled Colin's hair, and he left a few moments later, walking towards the Headmaster's Office with Hermione.

"What's bothering you?" Hermione asked when they were about half way there.

"Just thinking about losses." He shrugged and changed the subject slightly. "How do your parents like their new house?" After the Death Eater attack had partially wrecked the Granger home, they had claimed it as fire damage, repaired it, and sold it. They had moved to a new location, where hopefully the Death Eaters wouldn't think to look for them. Fortunately, Voldemort and his remaining followers were ignorant of things like telephone directories, let alone the internet.

"They like it. They aren't too happy I won't be staying with them, but they are planning on joining us for at least part of the vacation."

"Dumbledore wants me to visit the Dursleys at some point."

Hermione understood the unspoken plea. "Not alone," she stated.

Harry managed a smile, and kissed the back of her hand.

They had arrived at the Gargoyle. Harry was about to give the new password, when the entrance opened. Harry and Hermione stopped holding hands and backed up against the wall as a group of very stunned-looking Slytherins, led by Snape, exited. All of them looked like they were in serious shock, and neither Harry nor Hermione dared ask what had happened.

Draco Malfoy glanced up and saw them, and after dropping his eyes for a moment, squared his shoulders and broke away from the group. "Somehow, you're involved in all this, Potter," Malfoy spat. To Harry's surprise, he added, "If you need more help from me, let me know." He marched away, leaving a very stunned pair of Gryffindors.

"Come on!" Harry said to Hermione, and they ran up the stairs.

"Come in!" Dumbledore commanded even before they could knock. "I see you also wish to know what, if anything, happened last night? Well, something did indeed happen. Voldemort must have decided Severus was leaking information. He was fed a false lead, and the Ministry concentrated its forces in the wrong place."

"Where was the right place?" Harry asked, since Hermione seemed unable to ask herself.

"Azkaban and a few other places where we were holding those Death Eaters who were resisting rejoining Voldemort. The dementors Kissed them all. Thirty-nine Death Eaters and twenty-one guards." Dumbledore rested his head in his hands, his elbows on the desk. "Please, spread the word. Try and make certain now one takes public pleasure in their misfortune. The Death Eaters have paid the price for their folly."

"Yes, sir," Hermione said, as she and Harry backed from the room.

No one publicly rejoiced at the fate of the Death Eaters, although some, like Dean and Ron, took some grim satisfaction in it. It wasn't difficult to persuade Ron not to taunt Malfoy, although he did take some slight sadistic pleasure in hovering near Malfoy whenever feasible for the next few days. Ron never said a word or made a rude gesture, but it was clear Malfoy was nervously awaiting some sort of comment.

Finally, Malfoy had demanded to know if Ron had anything to say. "Of course not," Ron said in mock surprise. "Why, I would no more say anything than you would have mentioned any misfortune to one of us . . . last year." His point made, Ron backed down from further confrontation.

On the surface, the Hogwarts students and staff were working together brilliantly. Never had the students paid as close attention in class. Never had the staff worked so closely with the students, or the students worked so well together.

Never had they been so close to fighting each other, as tempers were frayed nearly to the breaking point. It was only the fact that everyone was keeping an eye out for trouble, and none wanted that trouble to break out, that kept the peace. Whenever anyone's temper was about to blow, friends would take care of the person, instead of egging the situation on.

Draco was now more determined than ever to find out who amongst the students was working with Voldemort. There was little doubt what he would attempt to do to any of Voldemort's minions if he could. There were other segments of the student population equally determined to catch Voldemort's agents for similar purposes.

Millicent Bulstrode acted as the agent between these revenge groups. Unknown to them, she also got word to Harry about any small fragment of information they managed to come up with.

In the larger magical world of Britain itself, the island went quiet after the attacks of the 24th and 25th. Between November 24 and December 18, there were nine giant attacks outside of Britain, however. The first was in Norway, the last in northern Russia near the Urals. There were also twelve dementor attacks, starting on November 27. The first had been in Belgium, the last in Tunisia. Each attack had been just a bit further away.

Of course, no one believed that this meant the attacks were going away forever. Most of the students, and their parents, hoped this meant it would at least be safe to have the children visit for the holidays. Dumbledore admitted to Harry that he was worried about most of the students leaving, but there was nothing he could do about it.

The Sixth, Fourth, Second, and First years went through December more irritable than they had been, as each had major exams right before the break. The Fifth and Seventh years might not have had major exams, but they were buried under O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. preparation. Normally, the upper years had at least Hogsmeade weekend to look forward to. This year, Hogsmeade came to the school.

On December 14, most of the merchants set up stalls in the Great Hall. They sold merchandise and took owl orders for Christmas presents. Compared to a Hogsmeade weekend, it was a total let-down. Compared to what the students had been going through, it was a welcome relief. Hermione was especially grateful, as she had gone through a growth spurt and was now almost an inch and a half taller than she had been in August, although just as thin.

Professor Grubbly-Plank had been recalled to Hogwarts in October, and was looking after the owls full-time, making certain they were all both in good health and untraceable. Between the merchants at Hogwarts and postal owl orders, Christmas plans went forward. Hermione also started making arrangements with Mistress Merry to get her parents to Grimmauld Place.

On Monday, Harry and Hermione led the class when tested on their various disillusionment and concealing charms. Hermione was equally happy to get back her test results on the theory, since she had topped the class.

Going to the Care of Magical Creatures class, the Slytherins seemed happy to be turning in their puffskeins. The other students, including the four Gryffindors, were more than a bit sad to be giving up their charges. Even Ron, who had made the least of his puffskein (at least when there was anyone there to see him) had grown very attached to Puffy. Since Professor Law had arranged for the puffskeins to be sent to a magical orphanage in North America, however, none of the students were more than a little tempted to plead to keep their charges as pets.

Hermione and Harry went off to their hide-away to wait for lunch. The pair simply collapsed on the bed.

"It was just a ball of fluff," Harry said.

"They still weren't even old enough to determine the gender," Hermione agreed.

"I've gotten more emotional feed-back from Hedwig and Crookshanks," Harry declared.

"Aurora kept on waking me up," Hermione complained.

"I know. Why do they wait until the middle of the night to stick their tongue up your nose?" Harry shuddered. "Blech." Then Harry grinned. "Of course, there was the night Puffy, Trevor, and Goldie all tried to stick their tongues up Ron's nose at the same time."

"We all heard that scream," Hermione agreed. She rolled over and hugged Harry closely. "It's silly, but I already miss them." She started to cry gently on Harry's shoulder.

Harry held Hermione tightly, knowing her reaction was only partly caused by the loss of the puffskeins. There was also all the tension produced by the attacks, by the unsolved importation of the trolls and giant, of coordinating all the student defense clubs, of coaching the Fifth year Gryffindors and many of their friends towards their O.W.L.s, of trying to get ahead of this year's work to start on her own N.E.W.T.s, and her worrying about the up-coming holidays. Yes, Harry knew he was shouldering a huge burden, and any number of other ones. Yes, he knew Hermione was carrying nearly as large a load.

And, Harry knew, Hermione carried one other burden. She loved him. She loved someone who would likely die at some point over the next year or two. And, if he didn't die, she would love a killer. 'No,' Harry thought bleakly, 'she already loves a killer.'

A few moments later, Hermione had noticed Harry's attention had wandered. "What are you thinking about, my Harry-bear?"

That caught Harry's attention, and he grimaced. "You know I hate that, Mione."

Hermione smiled and pretended to punch him on the arm. "Stop complaining and start talking."

Harry sighed and hugged her closer. "Sooner or later, I'll have to walk out and challenge Voldemort again. I have to be ready, but I also can't put it off too far. I mean, I can't really feel TOO bad that people like Lucius Malfoy have been destroyed, but there are also innocents being hurt and killed. And we know Voldemort's likely going to set those werewolves on Muggles again. How many more people, innocent or not, are going to be killed or Kissed before I'm ready?"

"I don't know," Hermione told him. "I want this stopped, too. It could be my parents, or my aunts and uncles or grandparents, that he strikes at next. It could be another group of school children. It could even be me. But, if you go too early, it will not just be you, but all of us anyway. You'll know when it's time."

"I suppose you're right, but it's not an easy answer to live with."

"I know." She looked at Harry. "What else is bothering you?"

Harry sighed. It had always been difficult for them to hold back with each other. "I've already killed once; killing again is not going to be easier. And the Killing Curse . . . used against the troll and the giant felt a lot different than using it against a bug or a lizard. I hope I don't have to use it again."

"It's never good to kill," Hermione agreed. "However, sometimes, there really isn't much alternative. I'm still hoping there's some way for you to simply turn Voldemort's power against him, so that he destroys himself."

"A more complete outcome than when he killed my parents?"

"Exactly," Hermione agreed. "If it's out there, I'll find it. I swear it, Harry. And if I don't, I'll still be with you."

Harry reminded himself that not all of Hermione's time in the library was spent on her own studies and tutoring. "I thought you said you were trying to get ahead on your N.E.W.T.s?"

Hermione shrugged as well as she could, considering she was laying in Harry's embrace. "I'm sure the knowledge will be useful somewhere on the exams."

Harry hugged Hermione tightly. The pair sighed, and got off the bed to go to lunch.

Technically, Harry had a quiz in the Muggle Studies class. Since it was on a book he knew well (Lord of the Flies), he hadn't been too worried. He scored a 19 out of 20, good enough to get him out of the review on Wednesday.

Dr. Powell walked out of the class with Harry, going off to practice dueling and the anti-dementor spells. As the other students had started the many dueling/combat meetings, Harry's friends had been diverted from practicing with him to helping the other students. At first, it had been Harry alone just one day a week, but now it was Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

"Any chance of learning that third anti-dementor spell, Doctor Powell?"

"No, but only because we'll need to work on it several days in a row, once you get started. No, today we're going to take things up a notch and consider teaching you the final spell in January."

"So what are we doing what?" Harry asked.

Powell smiled a cold smile that would have done his uncle proud. "My uncle, Professor Snape, and I are going to fight you and Professor Lupin. You're decent, even by hit-wizard standards, fighting solo. Now it's time to see how you function as part of a group."

"Three against two?" Harry asked in shock.

"There are still some Death Eaters around, and they don't play fair, Harry. And neither will we."