Different Paths

Chapter 15: Between Harry and Hermione

"Harry!" When Harry and Sirius entered the Leaky Cauldron, the first thing they saw was the ecstatic form of Hermione running toward him. The next instant, she had enveloped Harry into a strong hug. "Oh Harry, you´re back! I missed you so much I didn´t know if I could last these past few days. Harry, are you OK? No injuries or sickness? Did you learn the Dark Magic Cleanser? Were you hurt during your training? I will never forgive anyone if they hurt you, not even Dumbledore. He didn´t hurt you did he? You are OK right? Harry, you..."

Realizing that Hermione was rambling, Harry shut her up by kissing her fully on the lips. When he pulled away, Hermione was wearing a dazed smile and a blush on her face. Harry grinned and said, "I missed you too, Hermione."

Sirius cleared his throat to remind Harry and Hermione of his presence. Hermione finally noticed him for the first time and grinned sheepishly. "Hello Sirius," said Hermione, giving him a hug.

"Hello Hermione," said Sirius. "You sure are looking better. The last I heard, you were suffering horrible depression."

"Well, I´m a lot better now," said Hermione.

"Did you get the owl from Moody?" asked Harry.

"Yes we did," answered Hermione. "We had the entire Order out in London helping out the Ministry officials. We managed to hold off the Death Eater attacks but far too many members of the Order were injured in the battle, some severely. And, oh Harry..."

"What? What is it?"

"Harry, it´s Ginny."

"What happened to Ginny?"

* * *

"DAMN IT! DAMN IT! CURSES! DAMN IT! CURSES! CURSES! AAARRGH!" The string of curses was coming a highly irritated, though very much alive Ginny Weasley. At present, she was in her own room at the Leaky Cauldron in the process of going mad. "I´ve never been more humiliated in my life!"

"Yes, yes, you already said that, "muttered Ron. He was seated on the floor in front of his hysterical sister, looking exasperated.

"Damn it! I can´t believe I wasn´t able to do anything!" screamed Ginny, pulling at her hair.

Ron sighed and turned to Harry, Hermione, and Sirius, who had been observing the situation for the past few minutes. "She´s been like this for hours," he said.

"What happened?" asked Harry.

Hermione sighed. "It´s a bit of a story..."

"What?" Ginny spun around, only to face the tall form of Grindelwald, holding a dagger over her head.

"Well, well, well. And to think that our plans were being spoiled by a little girl," said Grindelwald. "Well, just for that, I guess I need to teach you a lesson." Before Ginny could react, Grindelwald swung the dagger down.

However, just before Grindelwald was able to slash Ginny, Angelus appeared right next to him and grabbed the dagger, disintegrating it with the Double-Neutral Spell.

Ginny was completely frozen in shock and fear as Angelus gave Grindelwald a stern look. If Grindelwald could see, he would´ve been glaring at Angelus. Finally, Grindelwald spoke, "What´s the big idea, Angelus?"

"Exercising my rights," said Angelus. "You do remember my conditions don´t you?"

"Ah yes, that´s right. You were the other conditional Death Eater aside from myself weren´t you?" mused Grindelwald. "My conditions were that I could attempt to kill Riddle whenever I chose to. What were yours again?"

"The right to spare lives," said Angelus. "I joined the Death Eaters on the single condition that I myself can decide whether to kill or spare my assassination targets."

"And you wish to spare this girl?" said Grindelwald with a slightly sarcastic tone. "Hmm, that creates a conflict of choices between us I´m afraid. What to do, what to do."

"We should retreat," said Angelus quite bluntly.

"Why is that?"

"They knew we were coming. This plan was supposed to place the Dark Lord in full control of Britain. Yet, not only did we not catch the opposition by surprise like we had anticipated but they were also fully prepared. We must regroup."

"Hmm, good point. Besides, I guess I´d like to hear what Riddle has to say about this." With that, all of the Death Eaters disapparated and all that were left were the aurors, Hit Wizards, and Order members, many of them injured.

Hermione, Ron, and a few other Order wizards and witches climbed onto the roof Ginny was on. "Ginny? Are you OK? You aren´t hurt are you?" asked Ron, clearly concerned.

For quite some time, Ginny remained frozen in shock as if she were on the Imperious. When she finally moved again, the first thing she did was let out an angry scream. "DAAAAAAAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! CURSES! DAMN IT! CURSES! CURSES! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!..."

"And she´s been like this since," finished Hermione.

Ginny started going into another tirade of curses and Harry, Hermione, and Ron started to consol her. Sirius however lingered behind, a frown on his face. "Hermione what did you say that monk like Death Eater´s name was again?"

Hermione looked up at Sirius. "Angelus. Why? Do you know him?"

Sirius crossed his arms and furrowed his eyebrows. "Perhaps. I just might," he said darkly. `So, Angelus, whatever happened to sticking up for the oppressed? If joining the Death Eaters is your way of doing that, you sure have a twisted way of going about it,´ he thought. `Whichever way, I´ll be confronting you about it tomorrow.´

When Sirius had spoken, Ginny abruptly stopped her tirade. "Who are you?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, sorry we´ve never met have we? Guess that makes sense since you´ve been in France these past two years. Harry and Remus have told me so much about you that I feel like I already know you. Anyway, I´m Sirius Black." He stuck out his hand for a handshake.

Ginny starred at Sirius´s outstretched hand. "Uh, yeah, sure." She turned to Harry, Hermione, and Ron and asked, "Could someone please tell me what an Azkaban escapee convicted of murder is doing here conversing with us civilly?"

"Ginny, I will vouch for Sirius´s innocence myself: he was framed for those crimes he was accused of years ago and was never given the chance to clear himself. He´s also an old friend of Remus´s and he will vouch for him as well."

"Well, if Remus can vouch for him." Ginny shrugged and shook Sirius´s hand. "Glad I could meet you."

Sirius grinned. "Same here. Speaking of which, where´s Remus?"

Hermione, Ginny, and Ron paled. Hermione finally started speaking, "Well, er, uh, you see, Remus sort of had a..." Before Hermione could really say anything, Arabella Figg burst into the room.

"Remus is awake!" she proclaimed.

* * *

There are not too many people, wizard or muggle, that knew there was a hidden garden on the back-side of the Leaky Cauldron. This yard was inaccessible from both Diagon Alley and Charing Cross Road and could only be entered through a small portal on the second floor of the Leaky Cauldron, accessible only by members of the Order of the Secret. The garden was a sancutuary of sorts for Order members. The portal led onto a wooden patio overlooking the garden. A small brook ran through the garden and there were apple trees growing along the very edges of the enclosed space. The walls that enclosed the garden, was also made of wood and the ground was covered with grass with a number of stepping-stones in certain places. Through the utilization of some sort of magic, the sky and sun were clearly visible from the garden.

It was in this garden that Remus Lupin was standing, starring at the streaming brook while sipping a mug of Wolfsbane potion. It was the full moon that night after all. Remus didn´t look to well: his inner wolf was already starting to howl within him and his recent duel against Draco still had him heavily bandaged. But he was alive and at present, that was what mattered.

As Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Sirius entered Remus looked up, he smiled at Sirius. "Padfoot."

"Moony, old pal, it´s great to see you again." Sirius walked up to Remus and looked ready to hug his old friend but seemed to reconsider when he noticed how much pain Remus seemed to be in. Instead, they exchanged a slapping handshake.

"You wanted to see us?" said Harry, as soon as Sirius and Remus had finished their reunion.

"Yes," said Remus. "Actually, I wanted to speak to you Harry. Although I´m not sure Ginny should hear this..."

"Wait a minute, you´re singling me out?" Ginny exclaimed quite outraged. "I don´t know what it is you have to say Remus but whatever you want to tell them, you can tell me as well! And that´s final!"

Remus sighed wearily and took another sip of his wolfsbane potion. "Harry what I am going to ask you now is something so extreme you will probably think I´ve lost my mind, and perhaps I have. But this is absolutely essential: this is the only way he can be saved."

"OK Remus, you´re killing me with suspense here," said Harry with a grin. The grin faltered when Harry noticed Remus´s serious face.

"Harry, I want you to kill Draco Malfoy."

For a moment, the garden was completely silent. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Sirius looked completely shocked while Ginny looked beyond shocked. Finally, Harry broke the silence, "W-what?"

"Draco has crossed over," said Remus. "He´s always lived far too closely to the edge by he´s finally fallen. I´ve been afraid of this for years. You know what it means to be be consumed by the dark side, Harry: you eventually lose your humanity. I don´t want that for Draco. Better for him to die a human than to cease being human." Remus sighed and started rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I know that you would like to avoid killing at all costs but I´m asking you, no begging you to make an exception for Draco."

After another few seconds of silence, Harry smiled and said, "No, I´m afraid I can´t do that Remus."

Remus sighed again. "Harry you haven´t been fighting the dark side as long as I have; you don´t fully understand the torture of falling to the dark side. I don´t want that to happen to Draco and death is the only way to prevent that for him at this point."

Harry shook his head, still smiling. "And I say he can still be saved," he said.

"Harry, I fought Draco myself. I experienced the power he possesses now. I felt, in my own blood how much he´s suffering..."

"And, you lived to tell the tale of it," finished Harry.

Remus blinked. "What?"

"Remus, to be blunt, if Draco Malfoy had truly gone over to the dark side you wouldn´t be alive now. Cyclonus-Diffendo is a lethal spell, I know Lucius once tried to use it on me about a year ago. The fact that you´re still alive means that Draco lessened the effect of the spell somewhat." Remus was about to say something but Harry stopped him, "Unconsciously that is. I´m sure that in his mind Malfoy believes he has crossed over but I´m positive I can convince him otherwise. And besides, bringing Malfoy back is sure to make someone very happy. Isn´t that right Ginny?" Harry looked toward the redhead.

Ginny was sitting on the patio very still, tears streaming down her cheeks. "W-what?" she whispered, snapping out of her daze as soon as Harry had spoken to her. It was only then when she noticed the tears rolling down her face. "Huh? Why am I crying?" She angrily wiped the tears away but they continued falling. "Why won´t the tears stop? I declared myself that I was bringing Draco Malfoy myself! I don´t care about Draco! I don´t care what happens to him! I don´t...don´t..."

Remus smiled, regretting his request. `I should´ve known,´ he thought. `In my blind attempt to `save´ Draco, I nearly stole, or rather asked Harry to steal what was most precious for Ginny away from her.´

Harry smiled and kneeled down in front of Ginny. "Ginny I´m going to promise you that I will bring Draco back to you."

Ginny still had tears rolling down her cheeks. "I...I..." She jumped a little when Hermione put her arms around her and pulled her into a gentle hug.

"Are you happy, Ginny?" asked Hermione as she gently stroked Ginny´s long red hair.

That was the breaking point for Ginny. She whispered, "Yes," and started sobbing into Hermione´s shoulder.

* * *

That night it was the full moon. Remus was in his wolf form, being calmed by the wolfsbane potion and was lying around his bedroom. Sirius was keeping company with him in his dog form. Everybody else was fast asleep except one.

Hermione was out on the patio of the hidden garden, gazing at the full moon and the stars, wearing her old blue bathrobe.

"Couldn´t sleep?" OK, everybody else except two.

Hermione looked behind her and smiled. "Yes, I couldn´t. What are you doing up Harry?"

"I couldn´t sleep either, a lot on my mind." Harry plopped down right next to her and glanced up at the moon. "Namely about how all this started during the last full moon."

Hermione followed Harry´s line of sight to the full moon glistening off the brook. There were fireflies flying around in the garden, twinkling in the starlight.

It was a beautiful night: a mysteriously beautiful night.

`Much like a night one month ago,´ mused Hermione. "Harry, the last full moon was the night you left."

Harry sighed. "I know. I´m sorry."

"I know you are," said Hermione. She placed a hand on Harry´s shoulder. "I´ve forgiven you a long time ago."

Harry nodded and looked up at the moon again. A moment of silence passed between as they simply found comfort in each other´s presence. Finally, Harry broke the silence, "I´m going again tomorrow."

"I know," said Hermione. "I wish I could go with you. But I know I can´t."

"I´m finally facing him tomorrow," said Harry. "Sixteen years since my first encounter with him, three years since he came back, it all comes down to tomorrow."

Hermione nodded. "Are you frightened?"

"I´m terrified," said Harry. "There´s a very good chance that I won´t survive this final encounter. For me to be able to use the Dark Magic Cleanser I need to be absolutely determined to survive and I am. But there´s this nagging voice in the back of my head telling me that I won´t live past tomorrow and it just won´t shut up."

Hermione put her hand back on Harry´s shoulder and gave him a comforting squeeze. "Harry listen to me, you will survive tomorrow. And you will win tomorrow. You have never lost in a confrontation against Voldemort and tomorrow you are finally going to beat him, once and for all. I have faith in your triumph because I have faith in you, ever since that troll."

Harry smiled. He turned to Hermione intending to thank her when it happened. Harry never knew what exactly had hit him. All he knew was that the instant their eyes met, something happened that changed their lives in that instant. There was Hermione, her brown hair glowing with a silvery aura in the moonlight, her brown eyes shining shining like a pair of gems, and her skin looking so creamy white in the soft light of the fireflies. Harry didn´t know how to describe her; "beautiful" seemed to be such an inadequate term. She looked otherworldly in Harry´s eyes, like an elf maiden or a woodland nymph, descending to the earth to preserve something beautiful in the world.

"H-Harry?" whispered Hermione. She had noticed the sudden change in Harry´s eyes as they darkened from their usual emerald color to a forest green hue. She didn´t know what to think as Harry lifted his hand to her cheek and she gasped when he started caressing it. Slowly, ever so slowly, Hermione felt herself leaning toward Harry, their lips getting closer and closer. `Oh my God,´ she thought as their lips finally met.

Ever since the night Hermione had learned about her parents´ deaths, she and Harry had been on a slightly more than best friends status. They had kissed plenty of times, though not necessarily as much as an officially dating couple would have. They had gone to Hogsmeade with just the two of them plenty of times and they exclusively went to all dances together no matter how many people became jealous. That had occasionally shared a bed, especially if one of them was plagued by nightmares: one of them would sneak into the other´s room and they´d cuddle together all night until just before dawn when they would return to their own rooms.

And yet, through all that, they had never kissed each other like this. It was gentle, sweet, yet passionate and strong. It was everything Hermione imagined a true kiss would be like and more. And the only thing Hermione could wish was that it would never end.

And it didn´t. Later on, neither one would be able to recall how they had made it to Harry´s room, or for that matter onto Harry´s bed without their clothes. What they could recall were the gentle ways they kissed each other, touched each other, caressed each other, and finally for the first time in their lives danced with each other an oh so intimate dance. That night Hermione gave her innocence to Harry and he gave his to her. And Hermione´s soft tears of bliss shined in the moonlight, for she felt complete for the first time in her life.

It was a beautiful night: a mysteriously beautiful night.

* * *

"My Lord, I have a proposition," said Horace Salacion. They were back in the throne room of Voldemort´s secret lair.

"Proposition? For what?" asked Voldemort, his voice a little cool. He was seated in his throne while stroking Nagini who was coiled up on his right side. Yasmin was standing on his left looking a little apprehensive.

"A proposition for absolute victory," said Horace. "I have received word that the reason why the attack on London last night failed was because the Order of the Phoenix intervened. It has come under my observation that the Order must be punished."

Voldemort looked disinterested. "I am aware of this. So what are you proposing?"

"When Potter, Snape, and Black come here tomorrow the defenses at the Leaky Cauldron will be weakened. Therefore, my proposition is that we only leave our three most powerful Death Eaters, Angelus, Grindelwald, and Seth behind to face them and send our remaining forces out to eliminate the Order of the Phoenix."

Voldemort did not look happy. "You know Horace, that is in clear violation of my plans, to have those three fact the entire Elite Ten here. Are you planning to upstage my plan with one of yours? Are you perhaps suggesting that your plan is superior to mine? Are you?" Voldemort sprang up angrily. "ARE YOU?!"

Voldemort strode over to in front of Horace menacingly. For a second, Horace thought Voldemort was going to use the Cruciatus on him. However, Voldemort appeared to have something else on his mind, "Your arm, Horace."

Hesitantly, Horace pulled up the sleeve of his right arm, exposing the Dark Mark. Voldemort pressed his finger onto the mark and Horace grimaced while experiencing the burning pain of the Dark Lord´s summons to his Death Eaters.

"M-my Lord?" questioned Horace.

Voldemort glared at him. "You try to undermine my plans Horace, you face the consequences," he said. Within seconds, the Elite Ten had gathered into the throne room.

"My Lord, you summoned us?" Icicle spoke up first.

"That I did," said the Dark Lord. "It appears that we have a conspiracy in our midst." To the surprise of everyone present, Voldemort threw Horace down to the ground. "Last night, Horace here concocted an interesting plan. While you were all out attacking London, Horace here alerted the Ministry of our actions while at the same time, attempting to set up an attack on Hogwarts. In essence, he made the attack on London into little more than a decoy while attempting to take the glory of victory for himself. Fortunately, the attack also failed and I have now brought the deceiver before you."

Horace was completely speechless. What Voldemort had said, though partially true, was primarily a lie for the simple fact that Horace and Voldemort had planned the attacks on London and Hogwarts together. Yet, the Dark Lord was now setting him up as a scapegoat for the whole operation simply because he had disagreed with his master´s plans. Trembling, Horace looked up at the rest of the Elite Ten. Grindelwald looked delighted while Angelus´s expression was unreadable. The remaining Elite Ten, except Seth who knew what Voldemort was doing, looked horrified.

"So, the truth comes out eh?" said Grindelwald. "You know, I thought there was something fishy going on when all those Ministry and Order wizards started showing up. But is that all to the story? I wonder." Grindelwald kneeled down in front of the trembling Horace and pulled out his dagger. He started to dangerously stab the ground around Horace´s fingers. Grindelwald leaned closer to Horace and whispered in a voice only he could hear, "But I wonder though. You see I suspect that you´re just a scapegoat for Riddle´s plans and I was just wondering what would happen if you told the Death Eaters learned the truth, if you told them. What would happen if there was a revolt right here right now?" Grindelwald than stood up and said in a voice heard by everyone, "Come on Mr. Salacion. Tell us the truth."

Horace glared at Grindelwald and stood up. Wordlessly he pulled out a dagger of his own and slashed his palms. Than he declared in a booming voice, "It is true! I planned the fiasco attack on London and the true attack on Hogwarts. However, I did it all for single purpose of absolute victory for Lord Voldemort. The only thing I am guilty of is my absolute loyalty to Lord Voldemort and my wish to see him in power: to bring Hell on Earth. If I must sacrifice every Death Eater available for that, so be it, I accept full responsibility! But my loyalty I swear, on my own blood!" With that, Horace drank some of the blood from his palms.

Voldemort was surprised. Here he was setting up Horace as his scapegoat for disagreeing with his plans. He had even heard Grindelwald suggesting that Horace divulge the truth and lead a revolt against him, though no one else had heard this. And yet, Horace still declared his complete loyalty to the Dark Lord. "Grindelwald, back off from him," he commanded. Grindelwald sneered at Voldemort and backed away from Horace.

Voldemort stood up and addressed the Elite Ten. "Here is the plan: Grindelwald, Angelus, and Seth will remain here to face Potter with me! The remaining, Flame, Icicle, Wormtail, Cassandra, and Fenis will lead my forces to eliminate the Order of the Phoenix at the Leaky Cauldron and bring back their heads! Now go!"

As the Elite Ten filed out of the chamber, Horace glanced at the Dark Lord, clearly surprised. Voldemort simply grinned at Horace.

* * *

Harry Potter slowly opened his eyes as the light of the dawn sun hit his face. One of the first things he noticed was blanket of long brown hair spread across his chest. Harry´s arms were wrapped tightly around Hermione´s petite body, her head resting on his chest. The sunlight shone on her hair, giving it a golden glow like a halo surrounding her face. If she had looked like a wood nymph or an elf maiden the previous night then she looked like an angel in the morning sun. `My angel,´ thought Harry as he ran his fingers down the side of her face.

Hermione´s face was tear streaked but she looked very peaceful, far more peaceful than she had ever been. Harry sighed. She had once confessed to him that she had wanted to save herself for marriage and here they had just thrown all of that out of the window. Harry still didn´t know what had possessed him to kiss her like that but he decided that it was perhaps because he wanted to be with the one he loved before running off to his potential death.

Harry sighed again. He gently, so as not to wake Hermione up climbed out of bed; it was a rather difficult process since Hermione was holding onto Harry rather tightly in her sleep. He quickly dressed in his scarlet and black Order of the Phoenix uniform. Kneeling in front of his bed, Harry ran his fingers along Hermione´s angelic face. "I love you," he whispered. Gently, he leaned forward and kissed her on her lips. Then, quietly, he left the room.

Hermione only woke up a few minutes later. "Harry?" she asked. Realizing that she was alone Hermione sprang out of bed. She grabbed her robe, pulled on tightly around herself, and ran out of the room not caring that she was wearing nothing underneath the robe.

Meanwhile, right outside of the Leaky Cauldron on Charing Cross Road, several wizards and Witches were gathered together in the early morning sun. Among them were Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Ginny Weasley. At present Ron was arguing with Harry, or rather Ron was shouting at Harry.

"Don´t give me any of that `You´re staying here´ crap Harry!" yelled Ron. "I am coming with you Harry, got that? Don´t think I´ve just been sitting around doing nothing this past year, I´ve been through a lot of rigorous training recently as well. You don´t have to be looking out for my back all the time, I can take care of myself just as well as you!"

Harry decided to make his point clear. "Which is precisely the reason why I want you to remain here."

That threw Ron for a loop. "What?" he asked quite confused.

"I don´t think it´s above Voldemort to send his forces here to attack the Order while we´re away. That´s why I want you to remain here, to protect the Order. I´m trusting you Ron, and your abilities." Harry said all this with genuine sincerity.

Ron blinked. "Oh," he said. Comprehession slowly dawned on him and he grinned. "You can count on me mate," he said.

"I always do," said Harry, grinning as well. They gave each other a high-five.

"If you don´t mind, I would like to leave now," sneered Snape. Sirius and Remus rolled their eyes at him. Harry shrugged and said his goodbyes to everyone else.

"Lets go," he said.

However, he had only taken a few steps forward when a commanding voice called out, "Hold it right there, Harry Potter!" Harry immediately stopped and turned around.

"Not another delay," muttered Snape. Sirius elbowed him.

The Order stepped back bewildered as Hermione sauntered out toward Harry, dressed in only her bathrobe. "Don´t even think about leaving without saying anything to me Harry!" she said, standing right in front of Harry. "Not after what happened last night! Don´t you dare think about brushing me off ever again!"

"Hermione..."

"Listen to me Harry! What happened last night happened: we can´t help that. And I have no regrets about what happened last night. What I will regret is if that was to become our only night ever. I don´t want that because I love you Harry Potter. And in my heart I know you will come back to me but I want to hear you say it. I want you to promise me that you will come back."

Harry took Hermione´s hand. "I promise Hermione, that I will come back. Because I love you too, and no forces on this Earth will ever stop me from keeping a promise to you."

That said, Harry pulled Hermione into a strong kiss, right there in front of the entire Order. And not just a simple peck on the lips but a full-blown snog, with Harry´s arms wrapped tightly around Hermione´s petite waist and Hermione´s hands buried in Harry´s messy hair. Finally they pulled apart.

"Come back to me," whispered Hermione.

"I will I promise," said Harry.

To be continued...

A/N I don´t believe in pre-marital sex. My views on sex are rather conservative: especially in view that I´m a young testosterone fueled young man. I admit that my opinion on sex could very well change when I fall in love but that still doesn´t change my belief to save yourself for the one for you. Of course, in fiction, I have no problem reading about Harry and Hermione having sex in fanfics for my simple firm belief in the H/H ship. However, I´ve never actually written about them making love before marriage before this fic and in this case it was to incorporate a blasted plot bunny that simply wouldn´t let go. So, I hope that explanation was good enough for all of you. Next: Angelus.