Harry Potter and the Veil of Death

Chapter Four~~

Wanted and Unwanted Obligations

They found Dumbledore in the kitchen talking to Remus. They walked over to him. Dumbledore looked inquiringly at them.

"Can I help you two?" he asked, smiling at them with an extra twinkle in his eye at the two's entwined fingers.

"We wanted to ask you something," said Hermione.

"Well," cut in Remus, "I'll just leave you--" He was cut off.

"No," said Harry quickly, "this is nothing you can't hear! In fact, I think you should hear this..."

"Well, Harry and I have been had some strange occurrences..." started Hermione.

"Strange how?" said Dumbledore inquiringly.

"It started this morning. I woke up suddenly, knowing something was wrong. Not like the Voldemort problems, my scar was fine. It was just this gut feeling that something bad happened. So I just kinda... went into my mind, to see if I could see what was wrong. It's hard to explain, I don't know how I did it. Then, I heard Hermione's voice. Or, I guess it was her thoughts. She was thinking about pain and..." he trailed off looking at Hermione. Should I say it Mione? I will. It might be relevant.

"I was thinking about Harry." Hermione stated unblushingly. Dumbledore nodded.

Harry picked up where he left off.

"So then, I... pulled out, I guess you could say, and contacted Remus." Harry glanced at Remus, and he smiled. "He told me to try and contact Hermione and see if I could talk to her, not just listen to what she was thinking. I tried, and it worked. Hermione told me what had happened, and where she was. Then later on during the party, I was just thinking to myself, and Hermione talks to me! In my head! And she was right there next to me. We talked to each other about three different times throughout the party."

"Ms. Granger, how exactly did you manage to contact Harry?"

"I'm not sure exactly. I heard him think something, and I responded, I didn't really have to go deep into my mind to answer, I just... thought, and he responded, and we talked. After that, we just had free conversation with each other a couple of times," replied Hermione.

"Now, were you continually hearing the other's thoughts, or was it periodically?" Dumbledore asked the two.

It was periodic for me, what about you? Yeah, me too.

"It was periodic for both of us." Said Harry.

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at this.

"She told me," said Harry defensively.

"When?" said Remus, looking a little amazed.

"Just now."

"How?"

"I just asked her, and she answered."

"Okay, point taken." Remus said.

"And lastly," said Dumbledore, "I must know how much you... ahem, love each other."

"I would die for her," said Harry, a fire in his eyes letting Dumbledore know that he was telling the truth.

"I would too," said Hermione, that same look in her eye.

"I think," said Hermione, "that while both are willing, whether subconsciously or openly, there's a telepathic connection between us. I just don't know why! And I have no idea why how much we love each other matters..." sounding a little frustrated at her loss.

"At that point, Ms. Granger, you are correct. As for why, there is only one answer, unbelievable as it may be. I wonder, if either of you have ever heard of amor siempre?" said Dumbledore.

Both shook their heads.

"Yes, I didn't expect you would know, most only know about it if it happens to them. This is most uncommon in young people. Truthfully, nobody under the age of twenty has experienced this before. Let me explain. Amor siempre occurs when two very powerful people are, this is to say, truly and deeply in love with each other."

Remus gasped, and Harry and Hermione raised their eyebrows at each other. How could they possibly be that deeply in love? They were only sixteen! They had only confessed their feelings today, or about a week ago in Harry's case. This was all so sudden. True, Harry had liked Hermione all last year, and Hermione had liked Harry since her fourth, but they only became a couple today! It was both's first time having a girlfriend or boyfriend. Most people their age didn't purely love those they dated. Like Parvati Patil, she had at least twelve boyfriends last year alone.

Dumbledore continued on.

"It forges a connection between the two. You might say this should be something common then, but I must emphasise the word 'powerful'. You two are not at the top of your class simply because you have brains, and use them." He chuckled. "You are both exceptionally powerful in your magic. So powerful, that when you both realised and professed your love for one another, which, is another rarity among the young, that the connection was forged. Forged so deep, that you now have a telepathic bond. I also have my suspicions that you, Harry, if not Hermione also, are empathetic, which will of helped make that bond so deep." Now it was Harry and Hermione's turn to gasp. They looked open mouthed at their headmaster. Empathetic! Mione! This is amazing! I can't believe it!

Dumbledore continued still. "Now, I must impress upon the both of you how amazing and rare this is. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley do not even have this connection, and are very powerful as full grown wizards, while you two have it when you haven't even reached the fullness of your magical abilities, especially you, Harry. Now, heed this warning. Lord Voldemort MUST NOT find out about this connection Harry. He MUST NOT. Tell only your VERY close friends, and do not discuss it anymore outside of Grimmauld Place."

Harry thought for a moment. He felt there was something that he wasn't being told.

"Professor, why would it be so bad if Voldemort found out? He's out to get all my friends anyway, and he already knows about Hermione."

"Because, Harry," said Dumbledore heavily, "Once this connection is forged, if one is killed, or I should say murdered, the affects on the other could be as bad as... fatal."

Now, Harry, Hermione, and Remus gaped open-mouthed at the headmaster. Fatal! Fatal!

"Yes, that is why he must never know. Luckily, if one passes away from natural causes, the other is not magically affected... but I daresay you won't have to worry about that for a long while."

"So, are you saying not only would it be possibly fatal to me if Voldemort got Hermione, but it could KILL Hermione if Voldemort got me! That's insane!" said Harry, disturbed.

"Yes, Harry, I am afraid that is what could happen. All abilities have their pros and cons. But with your ability to communicate and now the addition of the rings, you two make quite the indestructible pair," answered Dumbledore gravely.

"Luckily only Voldemort can kill me..." Hermione heard Harry mutter very quietly. She was confused. She tried to contact him, but he had blocked her. Damn it! She wasn't being told something, and she was confused. What did that mean, 'only Voldemort can kill me'?

"Professor," asked Harry, " since Hermione is so deeply connected to me, will the... um... you know what have to apply to her too? Since... you know...?"

"You know, Harry, you are very perceptive. I hadn't thought of that. But now that I do, yes, it will apply to her now, unless I am very much mistaken."

Hermione's nerves were wearing thin. What were they talking about? What was the 'you know what'? She tried to get through to Harry again, but she was still blocked. She let out a sigh of frustration. Harry looked at her. Sorry, I'll tell you in a minute! He blocked her again.

"Well, thanks Professor, that certainly clears things up. Now if you'll excuse us, Hermione and I have A LOT to discuss."

"Your welcome, Harry. If you should ever need to talk, you know where to find me. Don't hesitate to ask. I think also it would be pertinent to arrange Occlumency lessons, along with wandless magic for the two of you. So please, try and chose only one extra class, so I don't have trouble finding time to give you these extra lessons. " Harry nodded, and they turned to leave. "Oh, and Harry?"

"Yes?" said Harry turning.

"Happy birthday."

Harry grinned, and they walked out.

~*~*~*~

Harry led Hermione to his room. (He and Ron had decided to take separate ones this summer.) He looked at Hermione, who was sitting on his bed.

"I think I know what will make telling this a little easier. I'll be right back."

He quietly ran down the stairs, and to the landing where the drawing room was. He went over to the table and picked up his pensieve. It would certainly help in explaining some things to Hermione.

He got back to the room. Hermione eyed the pensieve.

"What's that for?" she asked.

"I think it will be better if we go into the memory," said Harry, placing his wand on his temple like he had seen Dumbledore do so many times, concentrating on that memory of the prophecy. He brought the thick shinning silver gossamer strands away from his head and put them into the pensieve.

"G-go into the memory," said Hermione a little apprehensively.

"Yes," said Harry, "don't worry about it, I've done it loads of times."

"Okay, Harry, I trust you," she said, still looking a bit worried.

"Sure," Harry joked.

She swatted at him.

"Do I have to remind you that I am the Master of all?" said Hermione teasingly.

"Maybe."

"Harry!" She gave him puppy dog eyes.

"Alright, alright, I know when to shut up!"

"Like crap you do!"

"That wasn't nice!"

"OOO, you're catching on quickly!"

"Okay, were getting off subject. You need to see this." He said sombrely. He held out his hand to Hermione. "Take my hand Hermione."

She took it and Harry prodded the silvery substance with his wand. He felt himself tumble forward into the pensieve, Hermione gripping his hand tightly.

~*~*~*~

He felt his feet land on the solid stone floor of Dumbledore's office. Hermione stumbled slightly, and Harry steadied her. She looked at the two figures at Dumbledore's desk. Harry and Dumbledore.

"Harry... what...?" she asked, amazed.

"We're in my memory of the night that... that... S-Sirius died," said Harry shakily. "Just watch and listen."

The memory Harry was speaking.

"I still don't understand."

The memory Dumbledore spoke.

"Voldemort tried to kill you when you were a child because of a prophecy made shortly after your birth. He knew the prophecy had been made, though he did not know it's full contents..."

The *real* Harry stopped listening. He had heard this once already, and once was enough. He trailed off thinking about how he should have listened to Hermione, and Sirius might still be alive. It's not your fault, Harry. Harry jumped. She had scared him. Harry grinned, and blocked his mind off. He wasn't sure if he wanted Hermione to hear the thoughts that might go through his head while listening to this. He went back to listening. He watched as Hermione paid rapt attention to Dumbledore telling Harry it was he who had heard the prophecy, and how it was Professor Trelawney who had given it to him. He watched as Dumbledore walked over to his own Pensieve. Funny, I'm watching a memory of a pensieve inside a memory in a pensieve, Harry thought half amusedly to himself.

"Listen closely," Harry whispered as the misty figure that was Sibyll Trelawney rose out of Dumbledore's pensieve. They both walked closer to the desk. Harry heard Trelawney speak in the grating harsh tones that he had come to pretty much hate. Bloody prophecies...

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches.... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.... The one with the power to Vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...."

He took Hermione's hand without looking at her. The memory began to dissolve. Harry felt them tumbling through the air.

~*~*~*~

They landed back on the rug in Harry's bedroom.

Harry chanced a look at Hermione. It was a mix of emotions. She saw sadness, fear, pity, determination, and acceptance.

"Wow."

"Tell me about it..." muttered Harry, sitting down on the bed. Hermione sat next to him.

"Do you mean that you were stuck at the Dursley's with that knowledge, and had nobody to talk to about it?" said Hermione with a hint of hysteria in her voice.

"Yes, but it's okay, I--"

"No, Harry," Hermione cut him off, her voice slightly quavery "It's not okay. Nobody should have to live with that on their shoulders. Oh Harry!" She threw her arms around him, and hugged him tight.

"I promise," she said with determination her shaking voice, "that you will not have to get through this alone. I will be here, next to you, al-always." She choked a little, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.

"Hermione!" said Harry confusedly, "what's... what's wrong?"

"It's- It's... just not...not FAIR!" she burst out, sobbing.

Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione.

"Don't worry, everything is going to be okay," he said soothingly. He wished to himself that he could completely believe what he was saying.) "Remember what Dumbledore said. We're practically indestructible! We can get through this together!" Harry laughed, "And I think you're taking this worse then I did!"

"Oh shut it, you!" said Hermione laughing despite her tears.

"Come on," said Harry, "Let's go get some leftover cake, I don't think we ever got around to eating anything at the party."

Hermione smiled. How does he always know what I want? It's called telepathy! Duh! Now let's go, you're not the only one who's hungry. Harry grinned at her, and they went down to the kitchen to eat some of the chocolate on chocolate cake.

~*~*~*~

Harry sent a letter to the OWL testing subdivision of the ministry, signing up to re-take the History of Magic exam.

~*~*~*~

Number Twelve Grimmauld place fell into a routine over the next couple of days, but like always, something disrupted that. This time, it was an owl Harry and Remus each received at breakfast one morning.

~*~*~*~

Harry was eating his breakfast of toast and eggs, two owls flew in, one to Remus, another to Harry. He opened the envelope, and pulled out the sheaf of parchment. He began reading, Hermione reading over his shoulder.

Dear Mr. Potter,

It is our grim duty to inform you that you have been named one of the sole heirs of Sirius Nigellus Black, and are therefore required to appear at the reading of the will on August 17^th. Please at Gringotts wizarding bank, Diagon Alley branch at 9:00 sharp on the 17^th. See you then.

Griphook Wheelcart

Inheritance and Will Distribution Manager

Harry gripped the edges of the letter. He should of known this was coming. All the members of the Order had a current will. It still made no difference. He didn't really want to go. It's okay Harry. I just don't want to... I'm not ready! Hermione smiled sadly at him.

"Harry can a talk to you for a minute," said Remus from across the kitchen. Hermione squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, and he went out in the hallway to talk to Remus.

"Harry," began Remus, "I know you don't want to, but--"

"Remus, this isn't fair! Why do I have to go, can't they just put whatever it is in my vault?"

"I know, Harry, it's not fair, but you have to be there."

"Why? I don't care if I loose it or not, It shouldn't be mine, it should be Sirius's, but... but... he's not here..."

"You can't give it up Harry, you have to go. If you don't go, it forfeits to the closest male family member."

"And that would be... who?"

"Draco Malfoy." Remus said the name grimly. Harry felt his stomach stir in anger.

"I've changed my mind. I'm going. Draco Malfoy WILL NOT get ANYTHING of Sirius's," said Harry resolutely.

"I thought you would. Now, let's go finish eating breakfast," said Remus. Harry could have sworn he heard Remus's stomach growl hungrily.

~*~*~*~

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Neville became busy discussing the extra classes they could take for sixth year. Ron decided to take only the classes he needed to pass, and no more, which were Transfiguration, Advanced Charms, Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures. Neville had chosen the same, plus potions, which to everybody's (and his) surprise, he had passed. Harry and Hermione chose Advanced DADA, Advanced Transfiguration, Advanced Charms, Advanced Potions, and 6^th year healing, along with Care of Magical Creatures. Hermione would of chosen Runes and Arithmancy also, but Harry quietly reminded her that Dumbledore had asked that they chose only one extra class. She half-heartedly agreed.

Hermione also had forced Harry to begin studying for his History of Magic OWL, which he was going to take on the 26^th of August. He was going through tons and tons, literally, of Hermione's notes. He wanted to do as best he could, but the studying was driving him mad. He carefully memorised all the important details of goblin rebellions, hag wars, and all sorts of things that Harry would most likely know if it weren't for such a stupefying teacher. Every night before he went to sleep, Hermione quizzed him from the notes he had studied that day. Hermione even taught him some tricks she used to remember stuff. So maybe she wasn't born with all that knowledge. Oh shut up, Harry! Sorry Mione. Thanks for helping me so much... I couldn't do it without you. Shut up, your making me blush and the others will have no idea why. (Harry and Hermione decided not to tell Ron unless he asked if something was going on; they weren't sure how Ron would take to the news. They didn't tell Ginny because they didn't think I'd be right if she knew, and Ron didn't.)

Soon, Dumbledore had contacted Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville about apparation classes. Usually, the ministry held classes for those who wanted to learn to apparate, but Dumbledore thought it best that it wasn't known that they were learning to apparate. Instead, they were going to Mr. Weasley's large private chambers at the ministry. Dumbledore decided Remus was the best candidate to teach them, and they didn't mind who taught them, as long as it wasn't Snape.

They would be taught however long it took them until Remus thought they were ready to take the tests. For some, it took as little as a day's training, and for others, longer than a week.

To top it all off, the reading of Sirius's will was going to take place soon, and they still had to get their shopping in Diagon Alley done. The weeks until term started again were certainly going to be very busy.