Love Always Finds a Way

SEVEN

Time passed, and soon it was the next day. Harry and Ron returned to the hospital to get Hermione. She was awake, but still in bed. "Hi you two!" Hermione said with a smile on her face.

"Hi!" said Harry and Ron in unison. At that point Madam Pomfrey entered.

"Hello Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. It has been a long time since I have seen you both, especially you, Mr. Weasley."

"Hello!" said Harry smiling. Ron just looked down at the floor, showing some embarrassment at her comment. Madam Pomfrey glided past them and went to Hermione.

"How are you feeling dear?"

"Loads better," said Hermione. "A little shakey, but loads better."

"Miss Granger having you as a patient has been interesting." She turned and looked at Ron again with a smile on her face. "However, I am happy to tell you that you may return to Gryffindor house." "Go easy for a few days, and don't spend hours in the library reading; that bushy head of yours still needs rest."

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," Hermione said with a blush.

Madam Pomfrey turned around and left the room.

Ron and Harry approached Hermione. "Er- well come on luv let's go," Ron said with impatience. Hermione looked at him with a smirk.

"Er- Ron, aren't you forgetting something?" Ron looked around and gave her a bewildered look. He then looked at Harry and shrugged his shoulders. He returned his look at Hermione, who gave him a ruffled look

"Oh honestly you two!" Hermione said as she twirled her eyes. She then pointed at the bed. "I am in still in my jams and knickers." Ron just looked at her for a moment, and then gave her the smile of a tomcat. Hermione quickly understood the meaning behind the smile said, "Ronald Weasley." Ron broke out of his trance, and began to mumble. "Yes luv."

"If you think I am going to dress in front of you and Harry, you are both nutters!" She then looked directly at Ron and said, "that time has not arrived in our relationship... yet." She then gave Ron a slight wink. With that thought on his mind, he again gave her that tomcat look. "Ooh, now both of you shoo! Come back in a bit, and I will be ready." Ron just stood there with a silly look on his face. Harry grabbed him with force and said,

"Come on you silly git!" Harry and Ron turned around and started walking out. Ron kept turning around and giving Hermione a dazed look and silly grin. Hermione, watching him, put her arms on her sides. She shook her head, and giggled.

Hermione got dressed. While dressing, she would look around to see if the "Tomcat" might be lurking about, trying to peak. Finally, she was dressed and ready to go. Hermione bent over her bed, and began to tidy up a bit. Suddenly, she felt a strange sensation that someone was behind her. "That silly Ron," she thought. She twirled around and was shocked to find Victor Krum standing before her. "Ooh, Victor, you startled me!" as she touched her chest with her hand. He looked at her for a moment. He didn't say a word. This made her slightly nervous.

"Hello Hermy-own-ninny," he said with a faint smile.

"Hello," Hermione said returning a smile. "How come you didn't come and visit me while I was here?"

He stared at her. "I vos ashamed atz my stupidity atz hurting you," said Krum.

"Oh, Viktor, it was an accident," said Hermione. She reached over and touched his hand. Krum stepped back, and then moved forward, and clasped her hand.

"Off course it vas," said Krum. He then gave a smirk. "Vy vould I vont to hurtz you." Again, Hermione was slightly nervous at his strange demeanor. However, she shook it off as being silly.

At that moment, Madam Pomfrey came in. She stood looking at both Viktor Krum and Hermione. She eyed Krum, and then asked, "Is everything o.k. Miss Granger?"

Hermione looked at her and then at Krum, and said, "Yes Madam Pomfrey. Everything is quite all right." Madam Pomfrey gave Viktor Krum a cold stare. There was something about him she didn't trust. "Er- Viktor came to see how I was" Hermione said timidly.

"Oh how thoughtful of him," said Madam Pomfrey. Her expression was dripping with sarcasam. Viktor Krum's eyes squinted at her. Madam Pomfrey felt a cold chill go through her.

He turned his eyes toward Hermione and asked, "Hermy-own-ninny, can vee gos somevere vere ve can be alone? I neats to talk vis you in private." He turned and looked at Madam Pomfrey again.

"Er- of course,"said Hermione, looking at him. She then looked at Madam Pomfrey. "Madam Pomfrey will you tell Harry and Ron that I left with Mr. Krum? Please tell them that I will meet them in the Gryffindor common room in a little while." Madam Pomfrey nodded her head. "Thanks!"Hermione said as she smiled. Viktor Krum looked at Madam Pomfrey and gave her a look of triumph. He reached around Hermione and placed his hand behind her back. With mild force he moved her along.

They left the hospital and walked through the hallways. They didn't say anything to each other. Moments later, Krum said "Letz vind a room ver vee can talk." He kept ushering her along. He acted like he was impatient with her for not moving fast enough. Hermione was surprised that Krum, not being a student at Hogwarts, seemed to know exactly where he was going. She shrugged it off as they continued to walk. They went deeper into the school's catacombs. He finally stopped at a door. "Lets go zin here," he said. He opened a creaky door and slightly pushed her through. Hermione was nervous as they both entered. What she saw immediately struck her with horror. Standing before her was Lucius and Draco Malfoy. She turned around quickly. Krum was looking at her. He was delighted at her reaction. He pushed her forward, and closed the door.

"Viktor, what is this all about?" Hermione asked. She had a look of terror on her face.

He laughed and said, "Vell Hermy-own-ninny, I just vonted to prezent you to my frens. Zay vere zo conzerned aboutz your injuries."

Hermione looked at him with total disbelief, and then a thought came to her mind. "The incident with the broom was not an accident at all. He really mean't to hurt me." Realizing the truth, she lurched forward and tried to hit him. She yelled. "You fraud!"

Krum held her back. He was surprised at her strength. "You arez a stinking Mudblood!" he said. He then pushed her back.

With that declaration Krum backhanded Hermione on her face. The blow knocked her to the floor. Hermione tried to grab for her wand, but Krum was quick to react. He pounced on top of her. He then took hold of her wand and flung it. He held her arms, pinning them down. His mouth came close to hers. "Didst you zink I cout be in love vis you? Za ball, za dance, vos all a big joke. I vos hafing fun ats your expense. I even let Potter win zee cup, zo dat Lord Voldemort could kill him. Went zat failed, vee decided on anozer plan." Krum smiled. "I vanted youse to come and vizit me zo I cout kill you zare, but you wrote to me and zaid no." Hermione squirmed, but his grip was too strong. "Zo vee hat to come up vis anozer plan." He took great pleasure in her effort to escape. Lucius and Draco looked on. "I suppose zat stupid Veesley had zomething to do vis your decision nots to vizit me." He smirked. "Imagine choozing him over me."

All at once Hermione heard another voice. "Yes dear girl,"Lucius Malfoy said with a smile. "When we end your life in a few moments Mr. Potter will be too grief stricken to concentrate on our Lord Voldemort. He will then end Mr. Potter's life as well."

Krum smiled at her. He said, "Oh zen poor Mr. Veesley vill be all alone. He von't haf his little Hermy-own-ninny to hug and kiss anymore." He slowly lowered his mouth and gave her a light kiss on her cheek.

Hermione surged with anger.

"Ron Weasley is a better wizard than you will ever be!" She sneered and said, "Harry Potter will kill your stinking Voldemort!" Krum stopped smiling. He sat up and looked at her for a split second. He then brought his hand back and slapped her face twice. The blows almost knocked her out. He got up and hauled her to her feet. He grabbed her by her hair. He pulled her head back. She looked dazed. He turned her around to face the Malfoys.

"Draco!" yelled his father. "Lock the door!" Draco moved slowly past Hermione and Krum. He looked at them both. He went to the door. At that point an idea came to him. He pretended to lock the door.

" Some how," he thought, "I have to tell her to make a dash for the unlocked door." Krum moved and stood by Lucius. They looked at Hermione with malicious evil smiles. They both pulled out their wands and pointed them at her. Draco was still behind her. He looked at her. He could see that she was shaking. Yet from what he could tell she still looked defiant. "Damn!" he thought. Even though she looked defiant he knew she was still weak and helpless. He had to do something. With his father and Krum pointing their wands at her, he knew he didn't have time to tell her to make a dash and escape. "No!" he yelled. He leaped forward and stood between her, his father, and Krum. Hermione looked in disbelief, as he pointed his wand at Krum and yelled "Petrificus Totalus!"

His wand jolted as the full force of the curse hit Krum in the chest. Krum fell to the floor with a thud. Breathing heavily Draco turned to his father. He looked at him hoping he might try and reason with him. Lucius Malfoy stood with a look of incredulity. He looked at his son and screamed. "What are you doing?" Draco gave no response. "I said, what are you doing?"

"Father, please try and listen!" Draco said with a pleading voice.

"Listen to what?"Lucius Malfoy screamed.

"Father, please let me explain."

Lucius Malfoy gave a cold stare at his son. He pointed his wand at him and told him to stand aside. Draco looked shocked that his own father would be willing to kill him. He couldn't believe that his father could be so full of hatred and so devoted to Lord Voldemort to do something like that.

"Father, I can't!" said Draco.

"I am warning you, son, to stand aside!" said Lucius, shaking with anger.

Draco focused his eyes on his father and said, "No, father, I won't!"

"Why?" screamed Lucius.

For a moment, Draco said nothing. He looked down at the floor, and then he slowly raised his head and said, "Because, father, I love her!" Hermione could not believe what she had just heard. Lucius Malfoy's eyes widened.

"You misrable excuse for a son!" At that instant he pointed his wand at his son and yelled, "Avada Kedavra!" A look of denial came across Draco's face as a bolt of lightening shot from his father's wand directly at him. The curse hit him with full force. He dropped to the floor. His head bounced off of it. Hermione looked down. She couldn't take in what was happening. She began shaking even more. She put her shaking hand over her mouth. Tears were flowing down her cheek and hand. Draco Malfoy had given his life to protect her.

Meanwhile, Ron and Harry came back to get Hermione. They looked about the room, but could not find her. They sought Madam Pomfrey and when they found her they asked her where Hermione was. Madam Pomfrey told them that she had left with Viktor Krum.

Ron squeased his hand into a fist and very angrily said, "Krum!"

"I didn't like the idea of her leaving with Viktor Krum, but I could not stop her from going with him. That man gives me the willies," said Madam Pomfrey. "She did tell me to tell you both to meet her in the Gryffindor common room--in a while." Harry thanked her. Ron was a seething caldron. Harry grabbed him, and they both turned away and walked out.

"Krum!" Ron said. "Viktor Krum! Hagrid's farts! She knows how I feel about him and yet she continues to see him."

Harry just looked ahead as they walked. He didn't want Ron to see the look of concern he had on his face. He knew when Ron had his ire up; there was no use in trying to reason with him. "Come on Ron," said Harry. "Let's go to the common room. Maybe Mione is there already."

"If Krum is there with her I am going to punch him in his pie hole. I then will bloody well kick him in his Bulgarian arse!"

Harry just shook his head. When they arrived at the entrance, the portrait of the Fat Lady asked for the password.

"Oh shut up you lump of jelly fat and let us in!" Ron yelled loudly.

"Mr. Potter, kindly tell this boorish frumpet that those are not the passwords."

Ron was ready to run through the portait password or not, when Harry grabbed him.

"Ron, let me handle this. I apologize for Ron. He's just not himself today."

The Fat Lady mused. "Your apology is accepted Mr. Potter. Thank you. Now, may I have the password."

"Yes of course,"said Harry, with a kind expression. "Spiders!" Harry said with clarity. Ron jumped. "No Ron,"said Harry, "the password is spiders."

"Oh that's jolly good. Now I can add that to my wonderful day," Ron said rolling his eyes.

"Come on let's go," said Harry.

When they stepped in and looked around Hermione was no where to be seen. Ron's blood was boiling.

"After all we went through to get in here and now she's not here," said Ron. He raised his hands in the air. He then looked up and yelled "Spiders!"

"Wait Ron, I have an idea."

Harry pulled out the Marauder's Map from his pocket. They both looked at it. They began tracing with their fingers. They both stopped.

"Bloody hell look at that Harry." The map indicated that Hermione, Krum, and the Malfoys, were in a room together.

"What is going on Ron?" Harry asked with his eyes wide open.

"I don't know, but it can't be good," said Ron. Ron grabbed the map and studied it for a moment. "Hey! I know where that room is." He bolted from the room yelling at Harry to go and get Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, anyone! "I am going to that room!" Running through the entrance, Ron pulled out his wand. He ran as fast as he could while Harry ran to Dumbledore's office.

A trembling Hermione looked up at Lucius Malfoy. "How could you kill your own son?" she asked as she stared at him.

Lucius looked at his son and then looked at Hermione. He looked at her as if to say it was her fault that his son lay on the floor. He composed himself and said,

"Lord Voldemort exacts a heavy price. A price I am willing to pay."

Hermione, breathing heavily, said with contempt, "You didn't pay the price, your son did."

Lucius looked at her and then screwed up his face and said, "Now Miss Granger, you filthy mudblood, it's your turn to join him."

Hermione looked at him and then closed her eyes. She was preparing herself for the worst. Thoughts of Ron, Harry, Hagrid, and her parents flooded her mind. At that very moment Ron burst into the room.

"Hermione!" he yelled as he moved past her. Lucius Malfoy looked at Ron. Ron without really thinking about what he was doing pointed his wand at Lucius Malfoy. He yelled "Avada Kedavra!" A charge left Ron's wand hitting Lucius Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy stared in disbelief. He put his hand to his chest. He then looked at Ron.

"How dare you!" he said. He moved forward, stumbling, and then dropped to the floor. He was dead.

Ron ran over and looked at Lucius Malfoy. He knew he was dead. He then looked at Viktor Krum. He saw that Krum was still alive. While he was looking at them, Hermione dropped down on her knees. She looked at Draco Malfoy lying on the floor. She touched him with her hand. Tears were flowing from her eyes. She slowly put her arms down and cradled his head. To her shock he slightly opened his eyes. His eyes were dark and empty, the warmth of his life slowly leaving his body. He slowly raised his hand and touched her face. Barely whispering, he said, "You know you are pretty for a Muggle born." His hand fell to his chest. His head and body slumped. She knew he was gone. She carefully lowered his head. She then covered her face with her hands. She started to cry from within the depths of her heart.

Although Ron could not fully understand why she was shedding tears for someone who absolutely loathed her, he came to her. He gently squeezed her shoulder. She looked up at him and then stood up. She wrapped her arms around him. Ron held her. He cuddled her. He whispered to her that everything was going to be all right.

Moments later, Harry, Dumbledore, and Snape entered. They looked at Ron and Hermione. Then they saw the bodies of Viktor Krum and the Malfoys. Snape went to examine Krum, who was coming around. Professor Dumbledore walked to Ron and Hermione. He placed his hands on their shoulders.

"Are both of you all right?" he asked.

Ron nodded his head. Hermione was whimpering. She looked up at Dumbledore and said that Draco Malfoy had given his life to protect her. Harry and Professor Snape looked at her, thinking this cannot be true.

However, Dumbledore nodded and said, "Sometimes even the darkest of people can have some good in them." Seconds later, Viktor Krum let out a deep groan. Dumbledore turned and looked. "As for Mr. Krum, well I am afraid that there will be no Quidditch at Azkaban. Severus, you and I will take care of this. Harry, you and Ron please bring Miss Granger back to Madam Pomfrey and make sure she is all right."

When they brought Hermione to Madam Pomfrey, she examined her. Madam Pomfrey allowed Hermione to return to the Gryffindor tower. Ron and Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room and sat at a table by themselves. Harry thought it best that they be alone, so he went to bed. Hermione had a few bruises on her face. However, she was feeling well. Though still shakey she managed to thread the events of what happened to her to Ron. By the time they were done talking it was late in the evening. Ron touched her hand. They both stood up. He leaned toward her and gave her a gentle kiss. He then lovingly peered into her eyes and said, "You're my life Hermione Granger." She gave him a smile.

"Thank you Ron," she said. "You mean everything to me too!"

"Well luv the softness of the night will take wings and it soon will be morning."

"Oh Ron how poetic."

"Quality time in the library luv."

She gave him a quizzical look and said, "You in the library. Hmmm." She then gave a mild giggle. They parted. Hermione walked to the door of the girl's dormitory. She stood silent for a moment and then turned around and said, "Ron, how did you know where to find me?"

He looked at her and he winked. Then he said, "Love always finds a way."

She smiled. She opened the door and went inside. Ron stood for a moment. A smile came across his face. He whispered to himself, "Thanks Harry and for your map." He started to turn, when he stopped, and looked back at the door Hermione went through. "Map or no map luv I would have still found you." He then went to his room.

EIGHT

Months had gone by. Hermione slowly regained her strength from her ordeals. Her whole being was shook to the core. She smiled as she thought of Ron and how gentle he was with her. He slowly helped her through with patience and love. "I wonder if he will remember?" she thought as she brushed her hair. Today was her birthday. When she was finished with her hair she walked out of her room. There standing in the middle of the common room was Ron. He held no presents in his hands.

He looked at her and said, "Hello luv. Come on I'll buy you breakfast."

She was mildly let down that he had indeed forgotten her birthday, but she couldn't find it in her heart to say something, because he had been so sweet and loving to her. He offered her his arm and she took it. He gave her a peck on her cheek. Moments later they were in the Great Hall. They sat down to breakfast.

"I wonder where Harry is?" she said with a puzzled look on her face.

"Oh you know Harry, he's probably out and about."

"Well we better be off to class," she said as she began to rise.

Ron took her hand and said, "Today we will be late for class."

"Ron, we will get into trouble and you...." Ron placed his finger over her mouth and wouldn't let her finish her sentence.

"Let's go for a walk outside,"he said. He leaped over the table, and again offered his arm to her. They walked out of the castle into a warm bright day. The sky was deep blue. She said nothing while she followed his lead. He then stopped and cupped her face in his hands. She loved the warmth and security his hands had provided her. He gently kissed her forehead as he brushed some of her hair away from her face. He then kissed her nose and then her lips. "I love you Hermione Granger!" She smiled. "Now close your eyes,"he said.

"Why?" she asked giving him a puzzled look.

He raised his eyebrow. She looked at him and did what he told her. He gently turned her shoulders and then slowly tilted her head upward.

"Now open your eyes,"he said. When she opened her eyes, her breath was taken away by what she saw. Written against the blue background of the sky were the words, I love you Hermione Granger! Happy birthday! From your Ron! Great tears welled in her eyes. She turned and put her arms around him. He put his arms around her and held her close.

"You didn't forget," she whispered.

He smiled. "How could I forget this very special day and my very special lady."

With sniffles, she asked, "How did you write those beautiful words in the sky?"

He gently kissed her and said, "Love always finds a way." She smiled again. They held each other close. In his mind he thought, "Thanks Harry."

THE END