Harry Potter and the Maneosioan War

Chapter 19

Preparations

"Me? Me what?" said Harry, looking dumbfounded.

"You're the one that's supposed to do the charm, Harry," said Tonks, simply.

"W-what? I - I can't - "

"Indeed you can," spoke Narcissa.

"Your mother was very skilled at charm work, Harry, this should be very simple for you," said Lupin.

"But I can't - "

"Listen, Potter. You are the only one here linked to all of the houses. You have nearly all of their trust. A person such as you is required to work the charm."

"What do you mean?" asked Harry suspiciously.

"What I mean is that the Hufflepuffs know that you were noble enough to bring back Cedric's body. They know what you did for him. The Ravenclaws - didn't you date a girl from there?" said Moody.

"Yeah, but it wasn't exactly a good impression that I left with her," said Harry truthfully.

"Hermione's taken care of that all ready," said Lupin.

"Smart girl," said Moody.

"What - wait a minute? She was in on this? Who else was in on this?"

"No one was 'in' on anything, Potter," growled Mad-Eye.

"What about Matt, was he all part of the 'plan.'" He was beginning to get quite annoyed.

"There is no plan unless we handle this here and now, Harry."

"Fine. And the Slythrins? I'm not exactly their number one man either."

"Yes, but you have quite a history for them to look into. You can speak Parseltongue and you are not afraid of You-know-Who, which definitely gives them something to ponder - "

"I killed Slytherin's basilisk, destroyed his chamber, stopped Voldemort a countless number of times, and they're just supposed to praise me, are they?"

"Well...yeah.." said Moody.

"I don't understand this."

"And this is not something that you would, Harry," said Narcissa.

"So, let's say that I perform this...Hogwarts Charm, is it? Then what?"

"Then we follow your plan, Harry," said Tonks. "With a couple of minor adjustments at that."

"What kind of adjustments?"

"Well, you honestly don't expect to do this all on your own, do you, boy? We've got acromantulas, centaurs, amongst other things helping us, and you just want to do this all by yourself, do you?"

"N-No."

"That's what I thought."

"So we have Fleur already. She's only one-fourth veela, but it should be strong enough. If not, we may ask her to get us some hairs from her sister."

"Right. And then we can use Buckbeak - "

"Woah, woah, woah," Harry interrupted. "We're not going to...kill him are we?"

"Oh, of course not. We just need to sand some of his beak, that's all."

"Then I believe Dumbledore still has that sword. There's still some basilisk blood from there. I believe he has preserved it. You'll be needing it, boy, trust me."

"And Charlie said he had a handle on the dragon scales as well. So that should all be settled."

"Isn't Buckbeak a hippogriff?" asked Harry.

"It's a descendant of the griffin. Close enough."

"Why can't we just use powdered griffin claw?"

"Oh, boy, surely you can't be that daft? Surely you've noticed that all these things have some sort of connection with you."

"Huh?"

"You saved Fleur's sister from the lake; she is practically in your debt. You battled the dragon as one of the tasks and managed the Accio charm. You defeated the Basilisk and you saved Buckbeak's life. This kind of means something, if you know what I mean."

"Oh."

"So you think you can manage this, Potter?"

"Er...well, I dunno, this is kind of sudden. I mean, you did set me up for this, so what am I supposed to say, 'no thank you?'"

"Well?..."

"Of course I'll do it!"

"All right, all you have to do is use that cauldron that Sirius gave you. Put on the cloak and wear the silencing charm around your neck. That should be enough."

"Beg pardon?"

"The gifts, Potter, just used the damned gifts! Think boy. I know it's not your area, but it wouldn't hurt to try it sometime, eh?"

"Right...sorry..."Harry mumbled.

"Well, this is all very nice,' said Mrs. Weasley, who Harry had just noticed was in the room.

"Mrs. Weasley!'

"Hello, Harry, dear, it's wonderful to see you again. How is everything?"

"Oh, it's - just - fine, I guess."

"That's wonderful. Now, if you would, Moody, I think that they boy has had enough."

"Yes, yes, Molly, I've got it. I think I can handle the Order on my own - "

"You are not handling the Order," she said rather stiffly. "You are handling a child - quiet, Harry - and as you do so, you must remember that he is not part of the Order either - "

"He's as good as - "

"Don't - be - ridiculous - "

"He's not being ridiculous!" objected Harry.

"I thought I had already reminded you, Harry, that this is not for you to decide."

"I already know about the prophecy!" Harry exclaimed, his temper rising.

For a moment, no one seemed to say anything and all stared at Harry.

Finally, Mrs. Weasley slowly opened her mouth once more and said, "Maybe so, and maybe that has been Dumbledore's decision, but there is far more to everything, Harry. There are too many things....revolving around this that you should not - "

"He has every right - "

"He does not."

"I give him that right."

Everyone turned around. Mrs. Weasley's head jumped to Lupin.

"You do, Remus? And since when are you so promotive in admitting Harry in the Order's activities?"

"Since I became his godfather by law."

"W-What?" said Harry, struck by the thought.

"I'm now Harry's godfather, and you very well know it. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you before Harry, but I honestly didn't think that this was the best information for me to reveal. Lily made it so that I would become your official godfather if anything was to happen to Sirius. And so being, I believe that it is important that Harry be treated as a member of the Order, Molly, due to the fact that he deserves it. He does, and you know it. We can't keep everything from him anymore. He is sixteen years old, not a child."

"You're echoing Sirius - "

"So what?"

"So you very well know the consequences to that."

"I know my place, Molly, and I know Harry's place. I think that it is time that you learn yours."

"My place is right here, by Harry."

"As is mine."

"Fine. Fine - but if anything leaks out - "

"It will, Molly. You know it will."

Mrs. Weasley looked so furious that Harry wasn't sure if she was on the verge of tears or an outburst. Instead, she turned her heel and walked out of the room, closing the door to the headquarters.

"That went well," said Lupin and didn't seem to want to meet Harry's eye exactly.

"Harry, I think that this is just about as far as we will get today," said Mr. Thompson. "Why don't you head back to Gryffindor tower. Who would like to walk Harry back?"

"I'll do it," said Lupin.

"I - er - "

"I'll handle it, Edward."

Lupin beckoned Harry with him as he took one last wave at the others and left through the wooden door that locked them off from the outside.

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Is it really something that you would have favored - ?"

"You know it is. At least I still have a godfather at that, I just didn't know that it was possible. I really would have liked to have known."

"I'm sorry, Harry, but I was aiming for something that was best - "

"I know."

They walked silently, not saying a word for a while until Harry once more brought up a subject, "Do you believe I can do it?"

"I believe you can do anything that you set your mind to, Harry. However, if you were specific, perhaps I could be a tad bit more encouraging."

Harry smiled and said, "The Hogwarts Charm."

Lupin looked thoughtful for a minute and his eyebrows grew together as he did so. "Well, is this something that you want to do for the school, Harry? Do you think they deserve it after all that they've put you through? I know I'm not helping, Harry, but think about it for a moment."

Harry did as he was told and finally said, "Yeah."

"Why so?"

Harry shrugged. "I dunno. They just do. You know, somehow I can't help but picture most of them just as lost as I am."

"You have no idea how wise that is, Harry, because it is very true."

Both of them smiled at each other once more and, as they finally reached the Portrait Hole that led to the Gryffindor common room, Harry turned to see Lupin go and called out to him, "Remus!"

He stopped and turned to face Harry.

"Thanks," said Harry.

Lupin nodded and continued to walk further down the hall and away from Harry.

Harry said the password, but before he could finish, it swung open and reveled Ginny Weasley who was apparently exiting at the same time.

"Harry!" she exclaimed, rather anxiously. "I'm so glad to see you! Finally! We really need to talk," she said urgently, and, grabbing him by his sleeve, she led him over to a couple of chairs and they both sat down.

"What's up, Ginny?"

Ginny looked around nervously and lowered her voice. "It's about Who-Know-Who - Tom, whatever you want to call him - and - and your mum."

"My mum? Ginny, how could you possibly know anything about - ?"

"Shush for a sec, will you?" said Ginny impatiently.

She sighed exasperated and began, "Look, I had this dream...a nightmare, more so - "

"Save your breath, Ginny. So did I. Maybe it's some weird connection, okay, but I know what you're going to say because I saw the same thing."

"Oh, really?" said Ginny, folding her arms and sounding annoyed. "And what might that be, eh?"

"Let me guess, you were in the Chamber of Secrets, my mum was there, she turned into Riddle, then Voldemort - "

"Wait, what?" said Ginny, her face screwed up in confusion. "What are you talking about, Harry, that's not what I saw."

"All right then, what was it?"

Ginny took another breath and said, "In - in the dream, I was in this house. It was very warm. I...even felt it. All around me. But it was deserted. I looked around and there was a fire burning. You know, by the fireplace. I walked to it. It got warmer. Then...I saw something in the fire...something strange...a figure...but not of a person...something else. It was like...it called to me...very weird...suddenly, I felt a hand place itself on my shoulder. I didn't jump, but turned my head slowly, my eyes on the hand that was still grasping my shoulder slowly traveling up to see the face. It was shadowed, but I saw the outline. It was that of a woman. I saw her smile at me. Suddenly she reached for something out of thin air and she gave me a picture frame. It was of a man and a woman together. Someone's parents, but..not my own. I guessed that they were the Potters. I looked up at her and realized that she must be your mother, but I still didn't see her face. She got up and let go of my shoulder. I stood up as well to watch her go. She turned one last time and I saw what looked like the outline of a lion. A symbol...glowing all around her. She smiled, but then it vanished and I felt...horrible....cold....she frowned. Her eyes turned an awful color. Demonic, almost. I now saw that her hair was white...very white...and cold...her face remained shadowed.

She walked out of the door and suddenly there was an earthquake. I was in a different house. This house, however, was anything but warm. It was freezing and merciless. Bitter, even. I felt so awful that I don't even remember feeling so terrible ever in my life. I turned around and saw that there was a fireplace. It was pitch black and there was no fire. The ceiling was also black and endless. It got colder. I turned and there was the woman. But she wasn't looking at me. She was looking at the figure ahead of her. It was Tom. His face was crueler than ever. He had his wand. I cried for help; all I wanted to do was to get out of there. It got colder and he kept raising his wand higher and higher until it was pointed directly at my chest. The woman began to laugh. I recognized it, but I just...could put my finger on where I've heard it before. Tom smirked and told me something....he said...he said - I can't remember for sure - but it was something along the lines of 'An heir such as yourself must not witness the resurrection. You will not live and neither will anyone else who belongs to it. The Spell will fail. You shall not win....you...you...are...of no use to me anymore. Thought you do not deserve to die. It is your foolishness to fight that has brought your end.' After that, he suddenly barked at me to turn around. I hesitated, but as he thrust his wand threateningly, I obeyed.

I turned and looked into a mirror. What I saw there made chills go up and down my spine - yes, even in the dream - it was a man. A towering man twice my size. But he had my hair. My flaming red hair. He looked at me and I at him and he smiled. And he told me that I had nothing to worry about. Somehow...I couldn't help but trust him. Tom was yelling about something behind me. He was very angry, but he still had not attempted to hurt me. Then, the man in the mirror instructed me to turn around very slowly. I did as he said. When I turned, I was back in the warm house. Riddle was gone and so was the woman. Instead, who came at me were your parents...Neville's parents...and just so many others. There was Narcissa...yes...yes, it was Narcissa. And another woman with a man...Hermione's parents...Dumbledore...and suddenly all disappeared. Their faces were gone and I looked back to see the towering man behind me. He was not there. However, I saw a figure now sitting alone by the fireplace. I came up to her and tapped her on the back. She didn't budge. I looked at the side of her face and saw it still and solemn, gazing hopefully at the fire. She didn't stir as the fire kept cackling. This time, I knew that it was Lily Potter for sure. Suddenly, she turned her head at me and she spoke: 'Tell them for me...to stand together. Victory lies with Slytherin...Stand together...Remember that, child...'And, and she stretched out her hand..and...and gave me this - "

Ginny stopped talking and looked at Harry with a hopeful search of comprehension as she revealed the silver locker from her pocket.

"How did you - how did you get that?" was all that Harry could find to say.

"I don't know," Ginny said softly and shook her head.

"This - this is not possible..."

"Well, it's real," she said. "And there's more." Ginny pulled out a parchment from her robes. "This was in the locket when I opened it."

She revealed the paper to Harry and it had a strange symbol on it.

"What - what can this mean?"

"That's what I was wondering. But then I thought that maybe we should ask Hermione. Why is it that this is really happening Harry? Why do I see these things when I should have nothing more to do with Riddle?"

"Well...I don't really know, but do you really think Hermione has the answer to everything?"

"Uh...yeah."

"Then why don't you just ask her yourself?"

"Because I wanted to talk to you about it first, you dolt!"

"Oh. Right."

"Here she comes!" Ginny announced excitedly as Hermione entered the common room through the portrait hole.

Ginny beckoned Hermione over to them enthusiastically and Harry watched as she approached the two of them, clutching several heavy books in her arms and dropping them down hard on the table.

"Watch it there!" Ginny told her, slightly jumping in her seat.

"Oh, I don't think I even care any more. What's the point of studying when all I can think about is this stupid war?"

"What's the point of studying? Hermione?" said Harry, bemused.

"What?"

"Nothing," said Ginny briskly. "Not the point. Herms, listen. This is about the dream that I had, and I really need your help. There was this...thing that I had trouble figuring it out. Well, more like most of it, but that's why I need your help."

"Okay..." said Hermione puzzled, looking at Harry for some sign of assurance. "What's the deal?"

"The deal is that his mom was in it. And this - " she stretched out her hand and showed Hermione the parchment.

"Your - your mom?" said Hermione as she took it out of Ginny's hands and examined it slowly. "Why?"

"You ask her!" said Harry.

"It's like some weird connection, I tell you!" said Ginny in self-defense.

"Connection..." mumbled Hermione in a peculiar tone.

"What? What are you thinking?" she asked her.

Hermione looked up at them. "I'm thinking...about the Adjunction Spell."

"Why?" asked Harry.

"Because," she said, her face suddenly lighting up, "it just makes sense, doesn't it?"

"No...it doesn't..." said Ginny.

"Yes! Yes, it does. Just think about it. Harry, Tom is a part of you and you know it. That's why you have a connection with Voldemort. And Ginny - Tom possessed you as well, which means that he may have left behind some sort of bond. Which means that it links the three of you - "

"Don't. Don't say that, that's horrible," said Ginny, shivering.

"No," said Hermione grinning. "No, don't you see? It's wonderful!"

"Huh?" said Ginny and Harry at the same.

"Ginny, you may be a missing link! This - this symbol - " (she pointed to the parchment) " - is a symbol of the griffin. It is a symbol of unity. You just may tell us exactly what we need to know. Perhaps even what Harry might not be able to find out! And maybe not even through Tom...but through Lily."

"But...how?"

"I don't know yet," said Hermione anxiously, looking at the paper, "but I can't wait to find out. Tell me about the dream, Ginny!"

As Ginny told the dream again to Hermione, Harry watched as she seemed to give off signs of comprehension and deep though. Every now and then, she would ask Ginny to go back and retell something or explain something more thoroughly. Harry couldn't tell what she was getting at, but he hoped that it would at least lead to some sort of answer.

"And he just told you not to worry. But who was he? You can't remember?"

"Not at all," said Ginny, shaking her head. "I told you, all I know was that he was very tall and had my hair. That's all I can describe of him. I mean, I honestly could not tell anything else."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Hmm. But...why would Tom call you 'an heir?' An heir of what?"

"I don't know. But whatever he meant...it scares me, Hermione. I don't want to be a victim anymore. Not of his. I can't. I don't think I could take it."

"Don't worry, Ginny, you won't have to be," she assured her, still deep in thought. "And what kind of spell was he talking about? Why would he say that it would fail?"

"I don't know. I already told you, it's very weird."

"Wait," Harry suddenly began. "I...I have to perform a spell for Hogwarts - I'll tell you about it later. I have to do it at the graveyard. Do you think that could be it?"

"Why would it not work?" asked Hermione.

"I don't know. Maybe the Slytherins won't agree to it..."

"They'll agree, Harry, as long as you believe that they will,"said Hermione.

"What in the world are you two going on about?" asked Ginny perplexed.

"Never you mind that, now," Hermione told her. She looked at the parchment once more.

"An heir...stand together...lies with...Slytherin...victory.."mumbled Hermione. She furrowed her brows and concentrated very hard, staring at the parchment. Suddenly, her eyes widened and she said, "I...I think I've got it!"

"Got what?" asked Harry.

"This!" said Hermione enthusiastically. "This, Harry! The symbol of the griffin! Just imagine. It's a riddle. The griffin is part eagle, part lion, and part serpent."

"So?"

"So, it's a clue! Lily put this in the locket on purpose."

"What are you saying?" asked Ginny.

"These stand for Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Heirs, Ginny. They're heirs. It means that we know who Slytherin's heir is: Voldemort. But Slytherin lies dead, which mean that victory lies with him. As long as he is not part of the spell, we will have victory. Urgh, but just what it means by spell of resurrection, I can't figure it out. Then, we know who Gryffindor's heir is - "

"No we don't," said Harry. "Who?"

"You, Ginny," said Hermione breathlessly. "The man standing in the mirror must have been Godric. Godric Gryffindor."

"What? That's mad!" said Ginny. "How would you know?"

"Because it's all that makes sense!" said Hermione defensively.

"And Ravenclaw? Who's Ravenclaw's heir?" asked Harry.

"Well, that's obvious," said Ginny. "That's Hermione."

"Of course it's not me," said Hermione, shaking her head, "but it just means that it must be someone we know. As long as we find out who - "

"Don't be thick, of course it's you!" said Ginny.

"Why would it be me, Ginny?'

"Um..let's consider for a second that it's not you. Sound logical?"

"Not really," said Harry.

"Exactly."

"Oh, just shut it, you two. No, this also means that we don't know who Hufflepuff's heir is. But we need to find her, or him, or whoever. We need them."

"Why? I still don't get it," said Ginny.

"Oh, I don't either," said Hermione, "I'm just following Lily's clues. And I just hope I'm right."

***

Harry could not stay up all night and listen to Hermione ramble on about the riddle. Not that he minded, of course, but he desperately wanted to contact Cilia and speak to her now that he had the locket back.

His mirror was still gone, but he scribbled down a quick note, asking where she was and how she was doing, asking for an immediate reply. If what Dumbledore had said about her was true, then perhaps Cilia could help him with this. Perhaps she could tell him when the war would begin. But then what? Harry had still the spell to perform and he had still to make sure that the Slytherins would participate. But loyalty? Slytherins? Loyal to him and to Hogwarts? That was worth a good laugh.

He was thinking more than ever about Sirius, but not as though her was gone. Harry felt as if Sirius was sitting right next to him, inspiring him, it was as if he even felt his presence. He looked up at the ceiling of his four-poster and could have sworn that he had seen the shape of what looked like a giant black dog. Harry shook his head awake and reminded himself that thoughts such as these would not help him. He needed Sirius with him and he felt as if he was, but this was a time for plans and actions, not hopeful wishing that someone who was gone forever could come back. Magic wasn't that granting.

It couldn't give you love either. And what was behind that door in the Department of Mysteries anyway? Why had it already worked for Luna and why could she not tell him? Was it a real true Secret and just how, how was Harry supposed to handle all of these questions at the same time? He hardly remembered the last time that he had spent alone time with Ron or Hermione. He felt like such a failure to Hermione. He couldn't even remember showing any signs of affection toward her lately or even telling her that he loved her. And going without that for several days made Harry's mind go mad. Then why couldn't he do it? Why couldn't he just come up to her and tell her that he cared? He loved her more than the world. Wasn't that enough? Why did he have to convince himself that this was for the best and that the further away they were from each other the safer it was. He still remembered her reaction to the Adjunction Spell. Is that what their relationship was really like? Fear and secrets? That couldn't be it. Harry wouldn't allow it.

As Harry consumed himself in these thoughts, his mind swam into a deep sleep and he had not even noticed that there had already been placed a new note in his locket and that it was not from Cilia Potter.

***

All week, Hermione had been running around the library and even asking the Order for book and book again, searching every possible page that said anything about the Hogwarts founders and the enchantments that they had possibly created together. Not only that, but as Harry had opened the locket just as he had sent a note to Cilia, he had found another parchment that contained a different symbol on it this time. However, even Hermione did not know what it stood for.

Fortunately, Harry was able to get a response from Cilia once more, but not in the way that he had desired. All she was able to say was that she was just fine, but she was unable to provide him with further information for fear of the locket being cursed or anything of the sort. Although, no matter what, Harry was convinced that he would find a way to communicate with her. He had his scar, but his constant fear of the war beginning any day made him feel as if he was procrastinating preparations every minute of the day.

Meeting once more with the Order, they had decided that Friday would be the day that they would perform the Spell, being the 27^th of March, and in some peculiar way being significant toward a famous earlier battle that had taken place at Hogwarts. He had been given many a number of instructions on how to perform the Spell, and it strangely had to be while wearing the silencer since any too loud a sound made in the graveyard may wake the ghosts; a creepy fact that Harry felt he did not need to know. Not that he minded ghosts, but watching them rise from century-old graves and interfering with the spell was not a thought that he longed after.

Every step of the way, it seemed to him as if time had slowed down. Classes were extra long and homework was even longer to do. He was forgetting more and more what he had to focus on and felt himself drifting from his train of thought more often than necessary.

If that wasn't enough, the Slytherins were constantly on his mind and Harry kept thinking what it could be that would make them agree to simply participate. Why did this have to be so difficult? Why couldn't they all just...agree to it?

As they were making their way down to lunch, Ron and Hermione were still pretending to date and were laughing and joking between each other, which made Harry swell with envy and disgust. Not for Ron, but for the fact that he saw in him the perfect person that Hermione needed, and he was incapable of being that person. He was not Ron and he was not anyone like him that could make her happy. So what was his point anyway? Harry did not know what to think anymore lately.

He watched as Ginny sat concentrated, not even touching her food; no doubt she was thinking about her nightmares and considering what was really going on with her. Neville mostly sat in silence for majority of the time. He knew that each of them was going through something and Harry had the impression as if he felt just as hopeless as him, unable to do anything about it. Luna had tried to stay away from them as much as possible, only occasionally coming to converse. One reason would be Ron having to be around Hermione and the other would be Harry's occasional taunts to get more out of her on the veil and the Secret of Secrets as much as he could. He had definitely began to feel dreadful for doing so but there was really no longer the point; Harry hardly believed that it was necessary for him to know anything whatsoever.

"Morning, Potterhead, Weasel King, Muddblood," came a snide voice from behind.

"Malfoy," said Hermione in a bored tone, "if you want to taunt someone go and find some first year and do that. We're not really in the mood."

"Oooh, tiered of us, are we?" said Malfoy. "Already? I'd have figured it'd be sooner. And I'm surprised you wouldn't mind what with your prefecthood and all, Granger. Well, I suppose it had to be you all sulking about on that stupid charm. Yeah, I know about it. After all, I know everything - "

"If you knew everything, Malfoy, you'd already know that we don't care. Now leave!" said Ron.

"Tisk, tisk. Such little appreciation for the upper class," said Malfoy.

"Oh, shut up," said Ginny in a tiered voice.

Malfoy sighed. "You are just the most pathetic bunch, aren't you?"

"Aren't you leaving yet?" said Hermione.

His head snapped from Ginny over to Hermione. "You see, Granger, I would, it is only that I have come over here to make a point - "

Ron snorted so loud that some of the spaghetti that he was eating shot out of his mouth and onto his robes.

"It's not that unusual for you to hear, is it, Weasley?" said Malfoy. He sounded different than usual. Calmer, more serious, and yet completely abnormal.

"What I meant to say is I know something about the charm that you do not. And if you were willing, I could possibly reveal it to you."

"And why would you do a thing like that?" asked Ginny.

"Yeah," said Harry, amused. "Why would you, Malfoy?'

"Because....I realized that I cannot defeat you, Potter. And if I cannot defeat you, then I cannot win....and, well, if I cannot win, then I would only be degrading the one to whom I should have been heir. And if he had made a mistake long before, perhaps I can correct it."

"What the bloody devil are you saying, Malfoy?" said Ron, his mouth agape.

"I'm saying that if it hadn't been for an accident, before I was born...I would have been an heir of Salazar Slytherin."

Chapter 20

The Hogwarts Charm

The whole lot of them were looking up at Draco Malfoy and trying hard not to blink more than necessary.

"Er...excuse us?" said Ginny.

"Yeah, I sound insane, I know," said Malfoy, "but there's more to it than you know. Even more than I do, but the truth is that I have something to tell you that may help, so if you feel like you need it anytime, feel free to say so."

"What makes you think we would go crawling to you for help, Malfoy?" said Harry, his voice sounding still slightly disbelieved.

"Oh, shut your pride, Potter. I wouldn't even be seen talking to you right now if it wasn't for mother. She's just in fear of everything since she hasn't seen father for a while. If he was back, she wouldn't be acting like this, like she's Dumbledore's little helper or something. And you look here, Potter, I'm not going to help you fight. Ever. If you do this spell, the better for you, but I will not be fighting with you giving me orders during the war."

"That's the whole point of the spell."

"No, the point of the spell is that no one is disloyal to your little plan. That doesn't mean that they actually have to do it."

"So you're just going to sit there?"

"No, I'm not. I'm going to fight, but not because it's on your watch, Potter, but because it is foolish to pass up an opportunity such as this where we may finally see a power displayed unlike any other."

"What do you mean?"

"Salazar was foolish enough to leave Hogwarts because he did not know the power that he could attain if he stood by his three other little friends just a while longer. Hogwarts has more secrets than you could imagine, and one of them is yet to be found out as to where the Hogwarts four hid their powers before they died."

"What are you talking about?" said Ron.

"As I believe I have mentioned in the past, your dim witted minds could not possibly fathom something such as this. While you're too busy running around focusing on your little 'war scheme,' there is a bigger fish that I'm after."

"So, let me get this straight," said Hermione. "If we don't trust you to give us the information, the Spell fails and we lose the war. However, if we do, you'll simply get your hands on some powerful source of magic that you speak of. So, either way, we lose. Is that right?"

"Erm...yeah, that's about it," said Malfoy.

"Get out of here, Malfoy!" said Ron.

"No, wait!" said Harry.

"What? You're not actually going to listen to this rat, are you, Harry?" said Ron.

"He may be our only chance, Ron. If he knows something, he should tell us. We both know he'll never be able to get at whatever power he's talking about - "

Malfoy snorted.

"Oh, shut up," said Ron.

He looked at him and then at Harry, a disapproving look residing on his face. "Whatever you think is best, mate. It's your funeral."

"Go on, then, Malfoy," said Hermione. "What is it that you have to tell us?"

"Only perform the spell when you know you can," said Malfoy.

"Uh huh, and then what?" said Harry.

"That's it," said Malfoy. They raised their eyebrows as Ron looked ready to choke him. "You have to believe that it will work and understand that you have the support of the school. If you think we're not on your side, nothing will happen. As long as you know it, we'll be bound to loyalty. It's just the way it works. You've just got to have a bit of faith in it."

"And that's your great advice?" said Ron.

"It was either that or have each one of us hug and sing the happy song. I mean, come on, Weasley, you know perfectly well that the whole school will never get along. Even that should have been clear. And yet if you could just do that one simple thing of knowing something that is not absolutely true - I mean, it's the same way that magic works. Potter, you lived in that Muggle filth and you never though you were a wizard. Remember how ridiculous it sounded when you were told that. Well, do you? This is the same thing. When you perform a spell, you don't think of how logical it is, but you just do it. You understand why you need to do it and that's all you need to know, and you have faith that it will work. So just trust me on this, it's not that hard."

"And you began to think like a human when, exactly?" Hermione said to him.

"Think whatever you want, Muddblood," said Malfoy, "but I've just told you all you need to know. As long as Potter, here, sticks to that, the spell should work just fine. I just had to be the one to tell you. Don't ask me why, but that's how it is. I told you how it works but, like I said, I'm not going to be one to take orders. Everything else is downhill from there. You go your ways and I go mine."

"Fine," said Hermione stiffly. "Go your ways, Malfoy. We obviously do not need you."

"Whatever you say, Granger," said Malfoy, and walked away, his hands pocketed in his robes.

"I wonder where in the world that came from," said Ginny.

"Another universe, most likely," said Ron.

"Well, I don't think we should care whatever his issues are - he told us what we needed to know," said Hermione.

"As long as he doesn't try to pull anything over," said Harry.

"I dunno," said Ginny. "Now that you mention it, the whole thing was rather suspicious."

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see if the spell works," Hermione said, looking at Harry, who nodded.

"And if it doesn't?" asked Ginny.

"Then I suppose that would have been our last hope," said Harry, sighing heavily and taking a large piece of roast beef into his mouth.

"You really think so?" said Ron.

"I'm not so sure we can deny it," replied Hermione.

***

"Seeing as we are at the near end of the year, we will shortly be wrapping up the three remaining Eternal Spells and will also cover the twelve Spells in general right before the end of the semester," announced Professor Malfoy.

"Now there is this but one Spell that I want to get over with so that we don't have to do any more wand work in here and that is the Verity Spell. Is anyone here besides Mr. Potter familiar with such a thing?"

"Is it not sort of like the truth telling potion, only backwards because, instead, it makes whatever one says become true?" said Hermione.

"That is precisely so, Miss Granger," said Narcissa. "Does anyone know why someone would desire to use this particular Spell?"

"Well, it definitely makes things easier," said Dean. "I mean, if you could just say what you wanted instead of performing a set of spells, that would work too, wouldn't it."

"That it would, Mr. Thomas, but perhaps with deadly consequences," said Narcissa with a grave tone as the class looked back at her, frightened. "In various instances, it would even include changing the past, if it was a rather strong situation. Sometimes words can be quite powerful and we do have to be careful about what we say.

"However," she continued, "truth telling spells are bestowed upon prophets and prophetesses, but are only awarded usually to those who have shown wisdom and knowledge in the eyes of the wizarding world. And, as an experiment, I want you all to think of something very simple and very minor affecting that you would like to happen. Perhaps you would like to have an apple for lunch or have it rain in the afternoon. Be aware of the fact that you must write down what you are going to say beforehand and present it to me so that I may approve of it - "

"I bet Trelawney would die to be able to perform that Spell," Hermione whispered to Harry, who grinned.

" - As soon as I do so, you may perform the Spell on yourself as I will give you the incantation and instructions to do so. And I do warn you, if you say so much as say anything other than what you have written on your parchment, there will be consequences! Only the first words that come out of your mouth will be granted by the spell, but danger to all who defy them! You may proceed..."

"How odd," said Hermione, "there I was always believing that fortune telling was a bunch of nonsense and now I get the chance to claim a prophecy myself. It comes around and goes around, huh?"

"Bet it does," said Harry. "What are you going to say, or wish for, I guess."

"I think I'd rather like to finish my homework early today, wouldn't you?"

"Er...right," said Harry, raising his eyebrow.

"Well, it does have to be simple!" said Hermione.

"Yeah, I know. I guess I could wish for a dreamless sleep or something."

"That works," said Hermione, smiling.

"You don't think anything could go wrong, do you?" said Harry, looking doubtful.

"Harry, a million things could always go wrong, but that can't stop us all the time, can it?" said Hermione.

Harry looked at her doubtfully. "I guess you're right. I guess you have to stop living in fear that something might go wrong - "

"Because it usually does?"

"Yeah," said Harry.

Harry and Hermione, along with the rest of the class, wrote down their most simple desires on their parchments and presented them to Professor Malfoy. After approving every one of them, the class said the incantation, following whatever it was that they had writen down and Harry found that the Spell felt a whole lot like being sucked into to a Pensive.

He waited patiently for something to go wrong, either his scar to seer or someone to yell out the wrong thing. However, nothing did.

Harry blinked and the period was over sooner than he imagined.

"That wasn't too bad, was it?" said Hermione as they exited the classroom. "And with the Legacy Spell to look forward to, I mean, I've really enjoyed her lessons, haven't you?"

"Yeah," said Harry mindlessly. He was just thinking of how terrible it must have been to have been made a prophet, knowing that you had the fates of people in your hands.

"Say, Harry, are you - I mean - are you ready for tomorrow? You know, the spell - "

"Yeah, yeah, I am," Harry replied, snapping out of his thoughts.

"You're sure? There's nothing that you need to work on? You've got everything?"

"Hermione, you sound as if you were my mother," said Harry.

"Sorry," Hermione said. "I'm just worried about this whole thing. You know, it's a lot more nerve wrecking to know what you have to face in the war than to actually be the one to face it."

"Oh, don't worry, I won't let you off the hook so easily," said Harry grinning.

Hermione looked rather socked at his response.

"I'm joking!" said Harry. "I've already told you that I need you and Ron to be as safe as possible during this thing, and you promised to keep to that."

"I know," said Hermione, grinning, "I was just testing you."

"Right...."

As the evening of the next day approached, Harry wandered the corridors thinking of nothing but the task that advanced. He knew that he had to succeed in the performing of the spell and that was all that mattered to him. He didn't care about the people in the corridor that were smiling at him, or what class he was going to next, which he concluded was a negative thing. This was a spell about the school, after all, and he needed to stop thinking about himself and focus a greater deal upon those who were around him. It was like Malfoy said, if he didn't believe that he had their support, he wasn't going to get any. He needed to at least think that he had a number of people positive about him and the war. He just wished he knew what was coming. How could he possibly control something that seemed so absolutely random and unpredictable?

Harry was strolling down the Great Hall where he met up with the rest of the Gryffindors at their table and saw that Matt looked as if he wanted to speak with him.

"Harry, six o'clock tonight, remember," he said.

"What's at six o'clock?" asked Seamus.

"Never you mind," Matt replied.

Harry sat down and sighed. He felt as if everything was absolutely out of his control. He knew that as soon as the spell was accomplished, he needed to begin executing the plans that he had laid out earlier with Matt and discuss them with the Defense Group; he had to make sure that everyone was at the precise location at a certain time. He knew that the Order was supposedly to take care of "the rest." All he needed to do was get everyone out of there safely. Although, he knew that anyone above 15 years old was going to have to fight. There was no other choice. He hated that part. And the other one as well. As a matter of fact, he hated the whole thing.

After Harry had grabbed a quick snack, he returned to the common room and went up to his dormitory, where he opened his trunk and stared at the materials that he had prepared for the spell.

He ran his hand through his hair as he leaned over and placed his forehead into his palms.

"Hear me out, Sirius," he said to himself. "I never meant for any of this to happen. And why would it have to have happened to me anyway? I guess because it had to happen to someone, huh?... I'm sorry about everything, but I'm going to try to make it up, okay? I'm going to make them pay for everything. They can't win this time, we've been through too much. We've been planning for too long! It can't go wrong this time. I won't let him trick me anymore, I've learned to control it, I swear!...You never speak to me, nor do my parents, but I'm willing to listen, and that's what counts, right? Right?...I sure hope so, because I'm just not sure what to believe anymore..."

"Harry, you all right?" said Neville.

Harry raised his head and saw him standing in the doorway. "Er...yeah...I'm fine. Thanks, Neville."

"All right. Well, Ginny told me that you have to do something important for the Order tonight, so I just wanted to wish you good luck."

"Thanks, Neville," said Harry, smiling. "You're quite lucky yourself."

"I'm not lucky," said Neville gloomily. "But I am willing to do whatever it takes to help," he said, nodding his head.

"I have a feeling as if we're going to need that a whole lot, Neville," said Harry.

Neville smiled meekly, nodding, and walked over to his four poster. "Well, I need to get started on that Transfiguration essay," he said as he pulled out a book from under his bed along with a quill, some parchment, and ink. "See you later, Harry!" he said as he exited the dormitory and Harry smiled and nodded, sinking back into his bed and hoping to let the time pas bye more than anything.

Harry had dozed off and had woken up to find that his watch read only fifteen minuted until six. He jumped off of his bed hurriedly and grabbed the cauldron from his trunk, dropped his silencing charm into it along with the cloak and rushed down the stairs and out of the common room, avoiding the stares that he was getting from everyone who occupied it.

As he rushed out into the court yard of the school, he saw Mr. Thompson, Mad-Eye, and Lupin standing there and waiting for him.

"Only a hair on time, Potter," said Mad-Eye.

"Y...Yeah," Harry panted. "Sorry about that, I dozed off."

"Don't apologize to us, Potter, this is your responsibility. We're not your professors, you know."

"Right," said Harry.

"Well, aren't you going to put it on, boy?"

"Er...oh, right," said Harry and wrapped the cloak around himself, also hanging the charm around his neck.

"Good," said Mr. Thompson. "Now, Harry, we are going to go with you into the forest, but we are not allowed to enter the cemetery with you -"

"What? Why?" said Harry frantically.

"They told me you were brave too, boy! They must have sold me short," said Moody.

"No, it's just that I'm wondering...why?" said Harry, trying to sound calm.

"Well, it's easier to disturb the spirits if you're not alone. Besides, you're the only one trustworthy enough to do the spell, according to these ingredients - "

Lupin took out a small leather bag and gave it to Harry. "Remember to place these into the cauldron individually, saying the incantation," he told him.

"Er, which incantation?"

"Oh, you don't have it, do you?" said Mr. Thompson, searching his pockets and revealing a small parchment. "Here we are - "

Harry unraveled the parchment with one hand, the other holding the cauldron, and read over the words inscribed in Latin.

"Is this all?" asked Harry, looking at them.

"Well, er, the trick is, Harry," said Lupin, "you have to read it backwards."

"What?" said Harry. "Well, why didn't you write it out backwards?"

"Because that's just it: if you write it out backwards and read it, that's not reading it backwards, technically. It's just a really strange aspect of the spell. Just make sure that you remember to do that."

"Can't make it easy, can you?" asked Harry, raising his eyebrow.

"I'm afraid not," said Mr. Thompson, laughing.

"Are we going somewhere with this thing or are we just going to stand around conversing?" Moody grumbled.

"Oh, right!" said Mr. Thompson. "Well, Harry, you lead the way. Oh, and you haven't turned the Silincing Charm on, you have to turn the knob - "

Harry looked down on the charm around his neck and did as he was told. Immediately, he felt as if he himself had gone deaf and there was an unpleasant lump that had planted itself in his throat. He began to take several steps just as he stepped on a twig, and could have sworn that he felt it crack under his foot, yet heard nothing. He shrugged and proceeded walking toward the gates that had been locked so that no one would go out in the areas that they had earlier been allowed near the forest. Lupin stepped forward and muttered a spell so that they flung open and Harry continued to walk, the others only steps behind him.

Although he was not sure of where he was going, he would occasionally hear either Mr. Thompson or Moody telling him that he was either going off track or to turn toward a certain direction. He could have sworn that they were heading in the same direction toward where he had seen Grawp battle the centuars, but he soon saw a completely new path that had formed itself as they proceeded deeper and deeper into the forest. He wanted to ask if it was much further, but he remembered that he was wearing the charm and only moments later had he looked up to see very large gates that were made of stainless steel and were locked with a large Hogwarts crest above them. Harry stopped and looked at the top of the gate, where an inscription resided that read "Incedo inimicus haud ot eht illarum.."

He turned to look at the others, only to see that they had stopped short several feet behind him and Mr. Thompson had nodded for Harry to continue. At first, he wondered how he would do so if the gate was locked, yet as he turned around he saw that it had begun to slowly unlock itself and creak open as he took a step forward.

Harry felt very much like running back as he saw the graveyard reveal itself. It had several enormously large tombstones at its center with other minor ones planted in an area all around them. The only other thing that caught his eyes was the stone walkway which lay just beneath his feet and litigated toward a mass in the center as if it was an altar. Harry sighed and prolonged his leg forward, stepping onto the road.

He took each step very cautiously, approaching what looked like a pedestal surrounded by four large statues which he recognized were that of a snake, an eagle, a lion, and a badger. Wow, he thought, this really is Hogwart's graveyard. Then he reminded himself that he did sound pretty stupid considering the fact that he had seen the crest outside of the gates and had been told that a number of times.

Harry looked at each of them carefully and realized just how lifelike they seemed. The details in them seemed to be to the very last, and yet they were not made of metal, but stone that looked ready to collapse. Placing the cauldron on the stone, he unlaced the bag with the ingredients and took the parchment in his hands. He read over the first line and saw that there were arranged in order of the founders, starting with Gryffindor and ending with Salazar. Harry didn't know what good it would do, but he reached into the bag and pulled out the dragon scales. Reading the first line backwards, he placed them into the cauldron, after which a reddish smoke was emitted as soon as it reached the bottom.

"Rodniffyrg, temibis sutni satiledif oireper..."

Harry knew that no sound came from his mouth as he said those words, but, apparently it mattered because, as he looked up to the statue of the lion, he was taken aback to see it's eyes glowing red.

Next, he took out the veela hair and dropped it in as well as he watched it emit a blue smoke...

"Walcnevar, aiticima oitseauq sutni snedurp eb... "

...followed by the sand of a hippogriff, emitting yellow smoke...

"Ffupelffuh, ocid siledif iut ingenium..."

...and, finally, the blood of the basilisk, emitting green smoke.

"Nirehtyls, ounitnoc oge iut oitcidartnoc..."

Harry watched each statue at every incantation that he pronounced and saw as every one of their eyes glowed.

This will work, this will work....They trust me, please let it work...This will work...

Harry waited in high hopes as he suddenly felt a small earthquake and the cauldron began

to glow. He stepped back slowly and watched as a small golden orb began to rise from it. Curiously, he approached to touch it when he suddenly heard Mr. Thompson shout behind him, "We've got to get him out of there!"

"Hold on, Harry!" yelled Lupin.

Taken aback, Harry turned around and shouted, "What's going on?" but remembered that he was wearing the charm.

Damned silencing charm...

Turning it off, Harry yelled the words, only to hear Lupin reply as they were attempting to open the gate, "Harry, no!"

Harry turned sharply to see the graves around him begin to glow and the earthquake increase in intensity. As he began to walk back, he fell over the earth beneath him began to split and he remained standing on an isolated piece of stone, only to look up to the four status that stood before him.

Harry wondered if he should jump back on the other side, but realized that the ground was slowly eating away from him and he saw shadowy silver vapor begin to rise from the other graves that began to spin very quickly around him. He reached for his wand, but felt as if it was simply a helpless stick as the mass began to whirl around him and he somehow knew that the statues of the founders had increased in size.

"What do we do?" he heard Mr. Thompson shout from somewhere.

"Leave it!" growled Moody.

"Have you lost your mind!" shouted Lupin.

Harry was now watching the cauldron and the orb above it which was slowly growing and also beginning to spin with four thin rings orbiting around it.

He dared not look down, lest it throw of his balance since the wind that the silver spinning mass all around him created seemed strong enough to create a tornado.

Suddenly, he felt a hand grab him from behind and pull him out as a great force pushed him out of the graveyard and he fell hard on the ground together with Mr. Thomspson and Lupin as he watched Mad-Eye hurriedly attempt to close the gates.

"Give me a hand!" he yelled and Lupin and Mr. Thompson got up to hurriedly lock it with him.

The mass in the graveyard had pillared above the trees and suddenly all vanished as Harry saw them close the gate with difficulty and all that remained visible was the golden orb, which had remained floating in the air.

"Get down!" yelled Moody and Lupin as Mr. Thompson pulled Harry to the ground once more and he pulled his head up only slightly so that he could see what was going on. Moody had also fell to the ground next to them, sheltering his head as the orb began to glow belligerently and it suddenly emitted an extremely loud sound blast accompanying a wave of plasma that seemed through the air, toward Hogwarts and out to the forest. It was as if Harry felt trapped in a vacuum for a few moments, and then it was over. His lungs filled with air once more and he blinked his eyes several times, slowly gathering his strength to pull himself up from the ground.

"Did it work?" he heard his voice creak.

"You tell me," said Moody.

"Apparently," said Mr. Thompson.

"Yeah," said Lupin.

Harry looked up to see that only some smoke remained present within the gates of the cemetery and all of the graves were intact; it was as if none of it had happened. The ground was firm once more and, as Harry lifted himself up, he regained his balance. He was suddenly aware of the cool night air that occupied his lungs and he took extra care in taking deep breaths seeing as he had most definitely lacked them in the past several minutes.

Lupin, Mr. Thompson, and Moody had gotten up beside him and had also been watching the graveyard for a while. It now looked very peaceful and somehow even harmonious.

Harry looked at the three of them and Moody said, "You might want to take that off, son, so that we may see your face properly." He motioned to Harry's cloak.

Harry looked down on it and lifted it over his head.

"There we are, now," said Mad-Eye. "You feel accomplished, well, do you?"

"Er..." said Harry. "I guess."

"Well, that's too bad," he answered. "Because this is nothing compared to what's to come."

Harry's expression fell slightly.

"Now did you have to go and say that, Mad-Eye?" said Mr. Thompson as they turned around and began to walk back to the castle.

"I'm just telling the boy the truth," said Moody.

"So," said Harry, "so this means that all of Hogwarts will be faithful to us, does it?"

"If that's what you want it to mean," said Lupin.

"Er, right," said Harry.

"And that orb? What did it mean?"

"Well, that was the actual charm," said Lupin.

"For what it's worth, it sure did look effective," said Mr. Thompson.

"Hear, hear," said Harry, exasperated, the sound still ringing in his ears.

From there on, the four of them walked back to the castle in silence, Moody growling unexplainably every now and then and Harry asking occasional questions as to what he had just witnessed. He found himself not willing to listen most of the time, however, since he was submerged deep in his own thoughts.

"Well, this is it, Potter," said Mr. Thompson as they reached the Hogwarts grounds.

"Wonderful performance today, Harry," said Lupin. "You would have done Professor Snape proud, and that's saying something."

Harry flinched. "Er, yeah...you have no idea."

As he returned back to the common room, Harry felt so exasperated that he could have sworn that the spell had taken all of the energy out of him.

But it's wonderful, thought Harry. The spell worked...Maybe Malfoy was right after all...maybe all I needed was to have a little faith - wait, are you kidding me? Malfoy? Right? I definitely need some rest...

Getting past the Fat Lady, cloak in hand together with the silencing charm, Harry had just remembered that he had left the cauldron behind, but he realized that he must have made some sort of sacrifice in the least. Passing by the couches that occupied the space before the fireplace on his way to the boy's dormitory, Harry saw something that caught his eye and he turned his head to see Hermione asleep on the couch. It couldn't have been that long since he was gone, but, apparently, she had stayed up to wait for him. Harry checked his watch and saw that it was well into the eighth hour.

It seemed too early for everyone to be at bed already, yet, then again, half of them were probably having dinner down at the Great Hall.

Cautiously, he approached her sleeping form and, putting down all that he had in his hands, he sat down gently next to her, extending his hand to push a hair out of her face.

She looked so peaceful and beautiful just lying there that Harry did not wake her, yet he knew all too well that she would be upset since she had bothered to wait for him. He saw that she had even left a stack of sandwiched on the table by her side with a couple of butterbeers.

For once, Harry wished to just leave her there like that; to not need to bother her with his problems nor adventures and that, finally, she would maybe have some peace of her own. Yet maybe it was some strange force that landed her in his life, although Harry knew that many would have preferred other wise. If anyone ever had the choice to be acquainted with him or even be an important part of his life, he knew that many would rather avoid that chance and go a different path altogether.

Signing, Harry placed his hand gently at the side of her face and whispered, "Hermione, wake up," in her ear.

Her eyelids fluttered open slowly and Harry grinned at her just as she smiled in return.

"You came back," she said in a drowsy voice.

"Yeah," said Harry, still grinning as Hermione sat up, looking concerned.

"How did it go? Are you all right? Everythings's fine? Are you fine? What was - ?"

"I'm okay, Hermione, really," said Harry, laughing.

Hermione smiled and said, "I knew it," defiantly.

"Knew what?" asked Harry, rather surprised at her response.

"Knew that it would work, of course," said Hermione. She fumbled with something in her the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a folded scrap of parchment. As she unfolded it, Harry saw that she was inexplicably beaming. "And just look at this," she told him, holding up the paper for him to see.

Harry furrowed his eyebrows, unsure at where she was going with this; all he saw was a bunch of poor stained ink blots on a very old piece of parchment.

He looked up at her with a questioning look only to see that she was still glowing.

"Harry," she said, unable to hold back the grin. "I know who the heir of Hufflepuff is."

Harry's eyes widened and he adjusted his seating position as if not sure if the cushions would hold him up right.

"You what?"

"One of the last parchments that I found from Lily in the locket led me to do research on the moonclaf. It's a beast that only comes out during the full moon and it's just about one of the most peculiar things out there. And that could only mean one thing. I mean, once you think about the connection, it all makes sense." Hermione's eyes were shining with so much anticipation that Harry did not know wether to be more surprised or happy.

"Well, who is it?" Harry asked, taking one of her hands into his own.

"Harry, it's Luna," she whispered, almost silently.

"What?" he said, almost thunder struck and nearly falling off his seat.

"I said, it's Luna," Hermione repeated, looking at him.

"But...er...I mean, are you sure?"

"Positive. There is absolutely no other - and were you just doubting my word?" said Hermione, raising her eyebrows.

"Er...no, no, of course not," Harry retorted quickly. "It's just that, I mean...why Luna?"

"I really have no clue, but, Harry, don't you realize how wonderful this is? Harry, we're going to win the war! I mean, this information is absolutely incredible! Could you possibly even imagine what it could mean? It means that this could all be over...and soon...and...and...we won't have to deal with this anymore. I mean,....it just will be so much easier for us..."

"I know," said Harry, pulling her into a hug. "I know....I know what you mean..."

While Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry tightly, nestling her head in his neck, Harry could only think of one thing and it was that he had now absolutely nothing to lose. It was as if the whole thing was suddenly laid out for him on a platter and all he had to do was make sure that the task was completed. It was no longer about the prophecy and it was no longer about him. It was about the fate of the school and everyone that resided within it and every person that had the will to stand strong to make it so just like the beautiful and intelligent girl that was in his arms. And, he decided, that was the way that he wanted it to be. No matter how difficult it would be to get there and no matter how it was that they would accomplish the task, he knew that they were going to find a way and, no matter what, he knew that they would win, not because it mattered to him, but because it was of importance to her, whom he loved and would not let go of no matter what it depended on. There was but one promise that he had to keep and that was that they came first, and he came later. Screw the prophecy and screw everything else because the only thing that mattered was not whatever destiny the magic spoke that had been shoved into some prophet's mouth, but the decisions that he made along the way and whom they pertained to. That's all that mattered, he knew, and he wasn't going to have it any other way. Perhaps, if others had known that long ago, things would have turned out even somewhat differently from the way that they were now.

As Harry felt Hermione pull away, she said, "So, how did it go? Did everything work out all right?"

"Yes, yes, of course!" Harry said, smiling, still holding her arms.

"And?"

"Well, first we went really deep into the forest - we've never really been that far in before. And, er, there was this really large gate to the cemetery and I had to go in alone - "

Hermione had all of a sudden given him a very quick kiss, her eyes shining.

"Okay," said Harry, taken aback. "And...and then I went up to this pedestal-type thing and that's where I placed the cauldron and slowly put in every ingredient - "

She did it once more.

" - and suddenly this whole thing just - Hermione!"

"Yes - Harry - " she managed to say in-between the kisses that she was giving him, after which she finally stopped and gave him a rather long and deep kiss, during which Harry felt one of his hands climb up to her back and the other place itself at the side of her face.

When she finally let go, Harry said, "What was that all for?"

Hermione smiled and said, "For being you."

"For being me," Harry repeated.

Sighing, Hermione said, "Because I love you." She took his hands into hers and sat to face him. "Harry, I want...to marry you. I want to grow old with you, share every adventure with you. And I will die with you, no matter what."

"Hermione - "

"Please don't say what you have to say," said Hermione laughing and looking away. "You tend to - "

" - Make things worse that way, yeah, I know," said Harry, smiling broadly.

"Harry, I want this to be my destiny, can you understand that? I will stand by your side no matter what and I don't care what may come in the way. I will always be the one to save and protect you."

She looked at him, her eyes now sparkling with tears.

"You have no idea how much I want that to be my destiny as well, do you?" said Harry, smiling.

Hermione hugged him and said, "And it will."

"Despite the fact that there's this overgrown source of evil that I must perish, but that will all be in the past soon, won't it?" Harry whispered to her, smiling to himself.

Hermione pulled away, giggling. "It's not exactly something to joke about, Harry," she said sweetly. "But it's not something that will get in the way of us either."

"You're right," said Harry softly, leaning into her. "No matter what..."

No sooner had Harry and Hermione the chance to share a very brief kiss then the door of the Gryffindor common room suddenly burst open and they sprang apart, watching an enormous fleet of students enter and settle themselves around the two of them, all screaming in jubilation and each saying something along the lines of "Harry, you did it!" or "That was completely wicked, Harry!"

As Harry watched them in complete surprise, he saw that the common room was now occupied with people from other Houses as well since he had just caught a glimpse of Luna. And there was Cho, as well as Justin Finch-Fletchey -

"Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute! HOLD IT!" Harry yelled.

All movement seemed to cease and all eyes were on him accompanied by brilliant grins and smiles.

"What the devil is going on here?" he asked, looking around the room. He hear Hermione laugh next to him.

"What's so funny?"

"Harry, mate," said Seamus. "The spell! It worked! Man, you should have seen it! It was amazin' what happed down at the school. The Houses! They're gone!"

It took several minutes for Harry to register what he had just heard. "I-I'm sorry, what?"

"Harry," said Ron, who had stepped forward. "Um...do you see what's...not on my uniform?"

Harry looked at Ron from head to foot and his eyes suddenly stopped at his badge. In place, there was a crest that simply read "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." "Where's your Gryffindor badge? Where are your colors? What happened!"

"Harry," Hermione whispered suddenly. "Look around!"

Harry forced his eyes to move about the room as he got up and noticed that he was not in the Gryffindor common room, or at least not in the way that he remembered it. The Gryffindor flags had disappeared and were replaced by the same banners that contained the Hogwarts crest. The reddish glow had been replaced by a golden one and the plate on the fireplace no longer bore the House name.

"Is this - what does this - ?"

"Harry, you've got to tell us!" said Dean enthusiastically.

"It was so amazing how the ceiling in the Great Hall just began to swirl with all of these colors - and then there was this blast that just came out of nowhere - "

"Yes, Potter, I think all of us would be keen of hearing how is it that you managed to get this spell, is it, to work," Malfoy's voice came from behind.

Smiling slightly to himself, Harry nodded and began to tell them exactly what had occurred at the graveyard. He was, of course, pestered with a flood of questions, yet seeing them all there, grouped around him, could have been possibly one of the most successful moments that he had ever experienced. And, sure, they had a long way to go, but to everything there was a beginning, and he knew that he couldn't ask for one that was any better that this.