The Eternal Triangle

Chapter 8 - You Will Never Fight Alone

The present

Hermione slowly came back to the present and sighed sadly. Seven years - she had been running for seven years - and nothing had been resolved.

She had come back because of the prophecy - because no matter how much it was going to hurt her, Ron and Harry - the world could not afford to have the last part of the prophecy come true.

And Fred's words kept playing in her mind. It was time for her to face what she had run away from seven years ago.

She left the parlour and went looking for the other Order members; she had to get herself up-to-date on what was happening. When she first left, she may have wanted to leave the wizarding world altogether, but something happened that made it impossible for her to deny what she was. She had introduced herself and joined in the wizarding community in New York and that had been quite an eye opener. The American wizards and witches practiced, lived and viewed magic so much differently than their British counterparts and adapting to it had been quite a challenge for Hermione. But she had never backed down from a challenge and now she believed that what she had learnt would really be beneficial to the Order.

She couldn't find anybody in the kitchen, sitting room, dining room or even the upstairs bedrooms and was beginning to wonder whether there was anybody left at Headquarters. At last she thought to try the Library but when she reached it, she found the door locked. She couldn't hear a sound and was just about to unlock the door, when some instinct made her knock instead. A moment later, the door was opened slightly by a blond haired man who blocked her view of the room with his body. He was frowning at her and she quickly introduced herself.

"I'm Hermione Granger," she said with a smile. "I'm looking for Remus..." her voice trailed off when she saw the look of shock on his face.

"Miss Granger, I'm sorry I didn't recognize you. Please come in," he said and opened the door wide to allow her entry.

She stepped into the room and momentarily froze to see that she had apparently interrupted a full Order meeting.

"Oh, I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean to interrupt--"

Before she could say anything further, a tall man with messy black hair stood up. "Hermione?" he asked in wonder, his green eyes looking intently at her.

"Hello, Harry," she said, smiling at him. Then he was striding towards her and pulled her into a tight hug and she hugged him back just as tightly. Oh, how she'd missed him.

"Gods, I've missed you," he said fervently with a delighted laugh. Pulling slightly away from her, he kissed her exuberantly on the cheek. "When did you get back? Where have you been? Why didn't you contact us?" His questions were tumbling out almost incoherently, the smile never leaving his face. His arms were still around her and she smiled up at him. "I've just arrived, I've been living in New York and I'm sorry I didn't contact you," she replied quickly. She was just about to open her mouth again when a hard voice interrupted.

"As touching as this lover's reunion is, there are urgent matters to be discussed," Ron's accusing voice said harshly. He was looking at the two of them with such hatred blazing in his eyes, that she looked away, flushing. She quickly pulled away from Harry but he grabbed her hand and wouldn't let go.

"That was uncalled for Ron," Harry said in a flat voice, his eyes boring into Ron's.

"Uncalled for, is it Potter?" Ron sneered. "But you shagging my fiancé was perfectly fine?" Ron had stood up in his anger and the two men stared hard at each other with clenched jaws.

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Harry shouted angrily, raising his wand.

"I bloody well do!" Ron replied, equally angry and raising his own wand.

"Stop it! Will the two of you just stop it?!" Hermione screamed angrily, snatching her hand out of Harry's and standing between the two angry men.

"You!" she said, pointing furiously at Ron. "There are urgent matters to be discussed-" she quoted back at him. "So discuss them!"

"And you!" she continued, pointing at Harry. "Lower your wand and sit down!"

She was blushing furiously with embarrassment and anger and couldn't believe the two of them. How could they?! Of course there were issues that needed to be sorted out but it was between the three of them - not to be shouted out to the whole bloody world!

By this time Ron and Harry had turned their glares on her and she glared right back at them. "We will discuss this privately," she said through gritted teeth. "Later." She walked back towards the door and the blond man who'd admitted her got up and offered her his seat. Smiling gratefully at him, she sat down and glared pointedly at Harry who was still standing.

Harry had the grace to look abashed and walked back to his seat. There was a long moment of silence until Remus broke it.

"It's certainly good to have you back Hermione," he said rather dryly and she flushed again.

His whole demeanor turned serious as he addressed the whole meeting. "We're still unable to locate where they're holding George, Justin and the others. Neither Severus nor Draco have been able to give us any information either." He looked around the table, "Does anybody have anything new to report?"

"We've checked the Riddle House," Seamus answered. "They're not there. What about Malfoy Manor?"

"No. Draco says they haven't used the Manor in ages."

"I still think it's not wise to trust that ferret so much," Ron interrupted bitterly.

Harry opened his mouth to retort but Bill beat him to it. "Ron, we've been through this enough! Draco's working for us and we can trust him fully. He's proven himself numerous times over the years," Bill finished in a hard voice.

"Whatever," Ron muttered but didn't meet Bill's eyes.

"How are you coming along with locating Voldemort's latest headquarters?" Remus asked Seamus.

"Not a bloody, ruddy thing," Seamus replied dejectedly. "We reckon he's using Fidelius, that's why neither Snape nor Malfoy can tell us anything."

Remus looked enquiringly around the table once again but everybody just shook their heads glumly.

"Have you tried scrying for them?" Hermione asked suddenly.

"Scrying?" Lavender asked, looking incredulously at Hermione. "Since when do you believe in such things, Hermione?" she smirked.

She flushed slightly. Scrying was on the same branch of magic as crystal gazing. Who could blame Lavender for her reaction, especially when her classmate remembered what she'd done in Trelawney's class?

"Since I involved myself with the American wizarding community," she replied instead. "They do things differently over there... obviously," she continued wryly. "And they've developed scrying, crystal gazing and the like, to a fine art so that even those who're not Seers can use them effectively. So have you tried scrying?" she asked, looking at Lavender.

"I haven't got the 'Inner Eye'," Lavender smiled deprecatingly, looking at Hermione. "Much as I hate to admit it, you were right about Professor Trelawney's classes."

She gave Lavender a slight smile. "I meant real scrying. Not the way Professor Trelawney would've done it."

"How do you do that and can you do it, Hermione?" Fred asked. He'd been silent and grim throughout the meeting and her heart ached for him. She could just imagine the anguish he must be going through at the thought of George. It must be as bad, or even worse, than what she'd felt when Harry was taken by Lucius Malfoy.

"Yes, I know how to do it and most probably, I can do it," she replied. "But it'd be better and more effective if you were to do it. Or your parents, or one of your brothers, or your sister. Because scrying, being a locater spell, is based on your ties to the person you're trying to locate. The stronger the tie, the more effective it'll be."

"Right, show me how and I'll do it," Fred said urgently.

"Okay, we'll do it after the meeting." Turning to Lavender, she asked, "I need a scrying crystal, have you got one? I also need several maps, large scale as well as small," she continued, turning to Remus this time. "If you think there's a chance that Voldemort may be holding them out of England, then I'll need UK maps and Europe as well."

"I haven't got a scrying crystal, but I can get you one," Lavender answered quickly. "If I can be excused, I'll go get it now," she said looking at Remus enquiringly.

"Go ahead," Remus waved Lavender away. "And can you get the maps, Ron?"

"Yeah, they're all here in the Library anyway."

"Excellent. Thank you Hermione," Remus said smiling gratefully at her.

"Please don't thank me Remus. After all, the reason I came back was to help the Order in any way I can. And hopefully, we can finally end this war...and win," she said fervently, looking intently from Ron to Harry.

Her eyes flickered to Fred for a moment then went back to looking at her boys. "When Fred came to see me after George was captured, he said this to me. 'Hurts and feelings heal over time, but you can't bring back the dead'," she said quietly.

Both Ron and Harry paled when they heard her.

"Fred--" Ron said hoarsely, turning to Fred.

Fred just put his hand out towards Ron. "You came back because of what I said?"

"Yes, Fred. Because what you said is absolutely true," she replied softly.

The scrying was successful and a team was sent out immediately. She wanted to follow, but was prevented by Remus. He wanted Hermione to update herself on the current situation in Britain and see whether she had any other ideas that could be useful for them. He thought that that would be more useful in the long run for the Order. She did argue with him, but in the end, his arguments and her logic won out. Because she couldn't deny that her contribution as a researcher was more useful to the Order.

The team came back and thankfully, the rescue was successful. Unfortunately, the Order suffered a few casualties; mostly because the Death Eaters seem to know immediately of the Order's presence.

"It was those dark wards," Seamus complained during the meeting held after the rescue. The Order wanted to find out what went wrong and how to prevent it occurring again.

Only Seamus, Moody, Remus, Harry, Fred, Bill, Ron and herself were present for this meeting.

Bill, Moody and Harry were the only ones who managed to sense the wards and successfully broke through but even then, Death Eaters appeared almost immediately. The other Order members didn't sense the wards, and those who walked right through them almost died. From what was gathered, Death Eaters knew immediately when a ward was breached.

"I reckon they must have some sort of alarm in those wards that'll alert them when it's broken through," Seamus continued bitterly. His right arm was bandaged from wrist to elbow and there was a deep cut on his forehead, which was also bandaged. He was one of the unfortunate ones who had nearly walked right through a dark ward. "It's no fun walking into those, I can tell you," he said shuddering. "Good thing you pulled me back Ron, or I'd been a goner for sure."

"How did you know about the wards?" Remus asked, directing his question to Moody, Bill and Harry.

"Sensed them," Moody replied. Bill and Harry nodding in agreement.

"Sensed them? How?"

"Instinct," Bill replied, shrugging. Moody nodded his head as well.

"Harry?" Remus continued with his questioning.

Harry looked uncomfortable but finally mumbled, "Felt it."

"What? The ward? You could feel that?" Bill asked incredulously.

"No, not the ward. The magic," Harry replied without looking up.

Hermione knew that soon everyone was going to ask Harry what he meant and as she already had her own theory about this, she quickly asked instead, "Can anyone here conjure up a dark ward?"

"Why?" Moody asked suspiciously.

"There's this stealth spell I know that may enable us to penetrate the ward without triggering the alarm and without killing us. It's called the Spiderweb. The basic theory is voluntary splinching - which sounds gruesome - I know," she said, smiling slightly. "But they've developed it so that you actually break down every particle of your physical self but still stay connected by fine spiderweb like strands while being in full control of every part of yourself. Then you weave these strands into the structure of the object you want to penetrate, therefore disturbing that object as minimally as possible. And you just weave your way in. Am I making sense?" she asked, looking around inquiringly.

"Sort of," Remus replied. "I can see where you're going with this anyway. But has this spell been used before? And who are the 'they' that's developed it?"

"As far as I know, this spell has never been used. But is has been fully developed and tested and can be used at any time," she replied, and then sighed. "As to 'they'..." her voice trailed off.

"What?" barked Moody.

"Have you ever heard of the Morgan Foundation?"

"Morgan Foundation is an offshoot of the Salem's Witches Institute." Hermione was surprised that it was Ron who answered. "The founder claims to be a descendent of the witch, Morgan Le Fay and the Foundation's primary function is Research and Development."

"You're absolutely right, Ron."

"So this spiderweb spell was developed by the Morgan Foundation?" Moody asked.

"Yes," Hermione replied.

"Then how come you know about it?" Ron asked suspiciously. "From what I know of the Foundation, their spells, in fact, their entire operation, is shrouded in secrecy. No one actually knows what goes on in there. But the few bits of information anyone has on them, it looks like their work concentrates very much on the dark arts."

"You're right about the Morgan Foundation being very secretive about its work but wrong when you say they concentrate on the dark arts. It just looks that way to most people because they don't understand. The Foundation's main aim is gathering knowledge - in all aspects of magic. They don't make distinctions on whether it's considered dark art or light, logic or divination, fact or fable. To them knowledge is everything," Hermione replied soberly, looking directly at Ron.

"How do you know all this?" Ron repeated.

"Because I've been a member of the Foundation for the last four years and their Head Researcher for the past year."

"I thought you worked in that muggle hospital?" Fred asked her with a puzzled frown.

"I do," she replied with a light laugh. "The Foundation's a non-profit organization and they don't exactly pay me a salary. Ronnie and I have got to eat you know," she finished wryly.

At the mention of her son, she could feel both Harry and Ron looking at her but she refused to meet their eyes. The three of them hadn't had a chance to discuss the issues between them - with all that had been going on. She knew they had to do it soon, especially as she planned to leave within the next day or two. Her son and job were waiting.

"I'm sorry to have to raise this, Hermione," Bill said. "But the Foundation doesn't exactly have a good reputation and I'm not sure whether it's a good idea to use one of their spells."

Hermione looked at Bill consideringly for a long moment. "Why do you think that Bill?" she asked in a pleasant tone but her eyes bored into his.

He started to fidget under her unwavering stare. "Well, what if the spell doesn't work? What if - it backfires or something?" he asked, but she noticed he couldn't meet her eyes.

"You don't have to worry about that Bill, because I'll be the one performing the spell. So if it doesn't work or if it backfires, I'm the only one who'll be hurt," she replied evenly.

"I - that's not what I meant!" he replied indignantly.

"Then what do you mean?"

He looked up and gave her a hard look. "I think the dark reputation that the Morgan Foundation has is wholly deserved and if we use the spells from there, then we'll have sunk to You-Know-Who's level!"

"I see," she said evenly, returning his hard look. "And what are you basing your opinion of the Foundation on?"

"Why - what's been written about them, of course," Bill replied, rather defensively.

"What's been written," she repeated in a flat tone. "And the written word is never wrong."

Bill had the grace to look ashamed.

"Haven't you always considered books to be the answer for everything, Hermione?" Ron said, looking intently at her.

Her eyes flew to his. "Perhaps I've revised my opinion," she answered lightly, trying to read his expression but his face was a mask. After a tense moment of staring at each other wordlessly, Hermione turned back to Bill.

"So, what do you think that makes me? As a member of the Foundation and its head researcher? Your honest opinion."

Bill didn't reply immediately and the silence stretched between them.

"Perhaps, you'd like to examine me and look for the dark mark - or the devil's mark - like the way the alleged witches of Salem were examined?" she asked coldly, arching her eyebrow interrogatively.

Bill flushed.

"Hermione," Remus interrupted the uncomfortable silence, "I'm sure that's not what Bill meant."

"No?" she asked derisively. "Then please answer my question Bill."

Bill looked directly into her eyes. "To tell you the truth, I don't know Hermione. You've been gone for seven years. From the letter you wrote Fred and George, you were leaving the wizarding world entirely - yet, here you're telling us that you're part of the American wizarding community - and have been for four years at least. And you come back with knowledge and ideas I would never have associated with you.

"I'm skeptical and wary. Can you blame me? Especially in these uncertain times? You're implying that I'm being biased and prejudiced against the foundation, without any real fact and proof to back up my opinion. Fine, I agree. But if my being so will prevent treachery or betrayal, then so be it. We cannot afford another Wormtail this time around."

Hermione gasped in shock when she heard Bill's last statement and shook her head in disbelieve. "No! I would never-" she exclaimed.

"I don't really know you," Bill continued as though he hadn't heard her. "But what I do know of you from Ron and Harry, you're not-" Bill faltered a little, "you're different. Now, I mean. From before - before you left..." he shrugged and continued, "As to why you left, surely it wasn't just because of-" his voice trailed off and his eyes flickered to Harry and Ron before coming back to hers. "So, you tell me."

Hermione heaved a sigh and ran a hand through her hair in agitation. She looked straight ahead, her eyes unfocussed. "I guess I do owe everyone an explanation.

"I left partly because of - of Ron and Harry," she said softly. "But mainly because of my pregnancy. I couldn't - I wasn't brave enough to face the consequences of Ronnie's paternity," she finished in a rush.

"I had every intention of leaving the wizarding world completely but when I gave birth to Ronnie, in a muggle hospital, something happened that made me change my mind. The Fidelius Charm obviously did not work at the muggle hospital and soon after the birth - there was - I saw - felt - a spell," she was almost incoherent and her voice shook as she recalled what had happened, her eyes distressed.

"Ronnie was being magically tracked by someone because of his father's blood - and I knew - instinctively - that person meant harm to my son. I took Ronnie and ran from the hospital and renewed the protective spells around my home. And I began my research. Spells based on blood are ancient, powerful magic. I had to find a way to protect my son.

"I was desperate - and scared. And alone," her voice was a whisper. "The only person I could think of to help me was Professor Dumbledore - and that wasn't an option, obviously," she said bitterly. At this, Harry got up and walked to her, placing a hand comfortingly on her shoulder. She looked up and gave him a fleeting smile in gratitude.

"So I wrote to Professor McGonagall. She went through Professor Dumbledore's papers and found a reference in there which made her suggest that I get in touch with the Morgan Foundation. Like you Bill, I was skeptical at first because of their reputation. Even though the suggestion was made by Professor McGonagall, I still did my own background research on the Foundation. Like you as well, what little I found was not good.

"But by that time I was desperate. The Fidelius Charm only worked when Ronnie and I were at home. Everytime we left the house, I could sense the spell getting more focused on him. So I got in touch with the Foundation and told them what was happening and my suspicions. I begged them to help us - and they did.

"Perhaps what I did was wrong. But I was willing to try anything, do whatever was necessary if that meant keeping my son safe," she finished defiantly. "If that made me evil, so be it," she said, quoting Bill.

"Hermione, I'm sorry. But I had to bring it up."

"It's alright Bill, I understand. Maybe, just to ease everyone's mind, I should tell you what the Foundation is all about," she offered, looking inquiringly around.

"I think that would be enlightening," Remus said quietly.

Taking a deep breath, she began. "The Foundation was started by Madam Danae, who is, as she claimed, a descendent of Morgan Le Fay." Nodding at Bill, she continued, "With her permission, I can get her genealogical chart for you to verify for yourself, if you wish."

Looking rather ashamed, Bill said, "Hermione, I do trust you. I just had to make sure."

Smiling rather bitterly, she replied, "You shouldn't be too trusting, Bill. So far, all you have is my word." She looked around consideringly for a moment and continued, "Once I've finished explaining everything, I'm ready and willing to be administered with Veritaserum. Because we certainly cannot afford another Wormtail," she said vehemently.

Harry, who was still holding on to her shoulder, squeezed hard when he heard that. Letting go of her shoulder, he walked away and leaned against the wall.

"Like I said earlier, the Foundation's main aim is gathering knowledge. Madam Danae was the Salem's Witches Institute head archivist and the Institute wanted a department dedicated to Research and Development, so the Morgan Foundation was established almost three hundred years ago. Over the years, due to differences of opinion and ideas between Madam Danae and the Institute, the Morgan Foundation broke away from the Institute and is now solely under the custody of Madam Danae."

"Wait a minute," Seamus interrupted. "It was established three hundred years ago by this Madam Danae and now it's under her sole custody. You mean, she's still around?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes Seamus, she's still around," she replied, smiling at the look on his face.

"Blimey! How old is she?"

"We celebrated her three hundred and sixty sixth birthday three months ago. It was quite a party," she replied, grinning mischievously.

"When's she kicking the bucket?" Seamus asked, his eyes still wide.

"Seamus!"

"Oh, sorry," he replied, shamefaced. "But that's unusual, isn't it? How long she's lived - even for a witch?"

"Nicholas Flamel lived for six hundred and sixty seven years."

"Nicholas who?" Seamus asked, obviously puzzled. And Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Nicholas Flamel, the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone," Ron answered. And this time, it was Hermione who goggled at him.

"I do remember the things you tell me," Ron snapped in annoyance at her wide eyed look. And Harry snorted.

"Since when?" she questioned him with narrowed eyes.

Ron's eyes narrowed as well, and the look of hate was back on his expression. "Since you left and I had to take over the research work for the Order," he replied flatly.

She reared back like he'd slapped her and her face paled. Taking a moment to compose herself, she exhaled a shaky breath and continued.

"Th-the main reason the Foundation's so secretive about its work is because of the vast magical knowledge and artifacts contained within the Foundation. Should it ever fall into the wrong hands... it would be a disaster.

"Voldemort spent his entire lifetime studying and immersing himself completely in the dark arts, until he is what he is today. The knowledge stored within the Morgan Foundation encompasses centuries of knowledge - in every aspect of magic. That is why Madam Danae deems it better that no one knows what goes on within the Foundation.

"But that doesn't mean that the Foundation's work shouldn't be used for the benefit and betterment of the wizarding world. That's why it always extends help to those who need it - anywhere in the world. That's why I'm here - to help."

"Then how come nobody knows about this? Surely the newspapers would've picked up news of the Foundation's help?" Bill asked.

"You think after living for three hundred and sixty six years - in America - Madam Danae doesn't know how to manipulate the media and keep her secrets?" Hermione answered dryly.

"You're right," Bill chuckled. "That was a stupid question."

"Hermione," Remus said gravely, "Who else - besides Madam Danae - has access to the Foundation's store of knowledge and artifacts?"

"No one, Remus."

"What about you? Or the other members?"

"Only Madam Danae has it in its entirety. The other members just help in the work without having the full details of the work. And the Heads of Departments also know only what is in their department.

"Madam keeps a very tight control - everything is very compartmentalized. Strictly a need to know basis only," Hermione replied.

"That's a bloody lot of power in one witch's hands," Moody growled. "How do we know she's not about to use all that knowledge to take over the world?"

"She's been in control of the Foundation for almost three hundred years already. Hasn't started on her world domination yet, has she?" she responded tartly.

"And what happens when she 'kicks the bucket', as Seamus so elegantly put it," Moody continued and Seamus flushed again at his words. "How can she be sure the members haven't been ferreting around, gathering knowledge. Or putting their heads together and figuring out the whole operation?" he finished, glaring at Hermione.

"To answer your first question, Professor Moody-" she responded but before she could continue, Moody snapped, "Just Moody'll do missy."

"Oh, s-sorry," she said, rather flustered and looked away from him. She'd never been comfortable meeting Moody's eye, much less his magical, revolving one.

"She - Madam that is - is already preparing several witches to take over from her - when she - when she - well you know!" she finally cried, glaring at Seamus. And he gave her an innocent look.

"Witches, huh?" Moody said. "Doesn't the Foundation also have wizards as members?"

"It does," she replied, smiling impishly. "But according to Madam, I'm quoting her here, 'in my over three hundred years of life, I have yet to see the rise of a dark witch - but there has been quite a number of dark wizards', end quote."

She smirked around the table at all of them - Bill, Seamus, Fred, Remus, Ron and Harry (she didn't dare look at Moody).

"Woman's got a point," Moody harrumphed.

"Who are these witches?" Bill asked curiously. "How does she know they can be trusted? And what about the other members? How many are there and are all of them trustworthy?"

"First, there are six witches being groomed and they're all heads of departments. The departments are: Magical Artifact & Creatures, Potions, Divination, Runes & Languages, Arithmancy and Spells.

"Second, Madam is an accomplished occlumens and - this answers your next question as well - all members are required to go through rigorous testing and screening process before they're accepted. And there are only a maximum of one hundred and ten members at any one time."

"Wait a minute, Hermione," Fred interrupted. "Didn't you say that you're head of research? So how come you're not on that list, or your department?"

"Because of Ronnie," she replied flatly.

"What's he got to do with it?" Harry asked, frowning.

"All heads of departments are mothers, including me. But the other six witches are mothers with daughters."

"And--?" Harry queried further.

"Dark wizards, remember?" she said dryly.

"He's just a kid!" Harry exclaimed.

"Voldemort was a kid too once."

"Oh, yeah," Harry said in comprehension. "Really plans ahead doesn't she, this Madam of yours?"

"What do you expect? She's over three hundred years old," Hermione retorted.

"Then why did she make you head of department, if that's the case?" Bill asked.

"Because of my - um - because I'm - uh - I'm -" she stuttered and stopped, blushing furiously.

"Because you're a bloody brilliant witch and she'd be stupid not to grab you," Ron said dryly.

"Yes," she mumbled, still blushing, and not meeting anybody's eyes. "And on the understanding that I'll leave the Foundation before Ronnie goes to school."

"Merlin! She really has it against wizards, doesn't she?" said Seamus in amazement.

"Can you really blame her?" Hermione replied. "Like Prof-uh-I mean Mo-Moody said earlier, 'bloody lot of power in one witch's hands'. That's why the Foundation's always been very secretive about its work. And why Madam is very, very careful on whom she chooses to take over from her. She feels, witches and mothers are more caring and compassionate and would not be tempted to abuse their power. Because the person who has access and control of the Morgan Foundation's store of knowledge is very, very powerful."

Looking around at each of them soberly, she said, "And that's it about the Morgan Foundation. Is there anything more anyone'd like to know?"

"Can your Madam defeat Voldemort?" Harry asked in a hard voice.

"Only you can do that, Harry," she replied, meeting his hard stare.

"I thought you're supposed to be here to help," he said accusingly.

"Help yes, Harry. Not do the work for you," she retorted.

Harry made a frustrated noise in his throat.

"Harry--" Hermione started but abruptly stopped. Looking at Remus instead, she continued, "Remus, there's more things I need to explain - and I think Harry's got some explaining to do as well."

At this Harry turned and gave her a cold, penetrating look which she returned unflinchingly.

Without taking her eyes off of Harry, she said, "I think it'd be better if this is continued - privately."

Looking at her shrewdly, Remus got up and gestured to the rest. "We'll leave the three of you to it."

"No, no - I meant - " she stuttered, looking at Remus. "Please stay Remus. This also concerns the Order."

"Then why can't we stay as well?" Bill asked, looking at her with narrowed eyes.

"Because there are also some rather personal matters I wish to discuss," she replied defiantly, raising her chin at him. "I'm sure Remus will convey whatever's relevant to the rest of the Order."

"You know I will Bill," Remus said calmly.

"Perhaps it'd be best if Moody remain as well," Hermione added.

Moody nodded in agreement while the rest filed out, leaving the five of them.

There was an awkward silence in which Hermione, Ron and Harry looked everywhere but at each other.

"Hermione?" Remus prompted.

"Uh-right," Hermione said, clearing her throat awkwardly. "First of all, I need to ask you Remus, what you think of the Foundation now, after my explanation. And do you think the Order is comfortable in accepting its help and using the spells developed there?"

"Even without your explanation Hermione, I personally would not hesitate in accepting the Foundation's help. The British wizarding community, I feel, is blinkered by its paranoia on what they consider the dark arts. Just because you use spells which are deemed, a dark art, does not make you evil or a dark wizard."

Remus looked considering at her and continued, "I think that's one of the things you've learned in America."

"Yes Remus, I did. Before, I was like Bill. If you use a dark spell, it automatically makes you evil. But that's not true! What's important is the way you use the spell and what's in your heart. You can use Avada Kedavra with hate and anger - or you can use it because of love," she said quietly. "And it will not decrease the potency of the spell.

"Sometimes it's just necessary to fight fire with fire," she continued sadly and looked towards Harry. "That's why you're doing what you've been doing, isn't it Harry?"

"And just what is it I've been doing?" he snarled.

"Stealing Voldemort's power," she answered calmly.

He paled and glared at her. "I've no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't you Harry? Don't you really?" she asked, looking gravely at him.

He turned away and walked towards a side table containing a jug of water and goblets. His hands trembled slightly as he poured himself a drink. After taking a long swallow, he asked without turning to look at her, "What makes you think I'm stealing his power?"

"Because I can sense, feel and almost see the dark power practically coming out of your pores!" she cried shrilly. "And I can't understand why nobody has said anything to him!" she exclaimed, glaring around at the rest.

"With this much power in you, it certainly didn't happen overnight. You've been doing it for years, haven't you?" she continued accusingly.

He finally turned to face her. "And what if I have, Hermione? Does it make me evil?" he asked mockingly.

"If you've let it corrupt you, then it does," she declared sternly but then quailed under his furious glare.

"Like you said, sometimes it's necessary to fight fire with fire."

"Not at the expense of your integrity, Harry," she said heatedly. "Not at the expense of all that is good in you."

"What would you know about it?" he sneered. "You weren't around."

"Don't you dare, Harry Potter. Don't you dare blame this on me!" she cried, walking to Harry and glaring with her hands on her hips.

"Why not?! You left me Hermione, when you said you wouldn't."

"You - you -" she sputtered in frustration. Pointing at Harry as well as Ron, she screamed, "The two of you will drive me insane!"

"Welcome to the club," Ron drawled. "You've been driving us mental since we met."

Ron looked at Harry and for the first time in weeks, the two of them smiled (albeit slightly) at each other.

"Oh ha - ha," she said sarcastically, pointedly glaring at their smiles to one another. "Does this mean the two of you are friends again?"

At that, Ron and Harry quickly looked away from each other, grim faced once again.

Remus cleared his throat pointedly. "I think we're getting off the point."

Hermione blushed scarlet. "So let Harry explain," she said in an annoyed tone, flouncing back to her seat.

Everyone looked expectantly at Harry. "There's nothing to explain," he finally ground out. "I wanted to weaken him, so I began stealing his power. Bit by bit." Harry laughed harshly, "By the time he realized what was happening, he's too weak to do a bloody thing about it. In a few years, he'll be nothing. I'll have it all!" He looked around with a cruel smile twisting his lips and a maniacal gleam in his eyes. Hermione flinched at the feeling of raw power and evil coming off Harry.

"Potter, you'd better stop," Moody said harshly. "Or you won't be defeating the dark lord but merely taking over from him!"

"Alastor's right Harry. You have got to stop. Do you realize what it's doing to you?" Remus asked with a worried frown.

"I'm only doing what's been prophesied for me to do even before I was born. I'm killing him! Isn't that what everyone wants?" Harry asked bitterly.

"Not like this, Harry," said Hermione, a note of desperation in her voice.

"Then how, Hermione?" he snarled. "Tell - me - how?! I'm sick of this. The only reason for my life is to either kill or get killed by him and now that I'm doing something about it, you all bleat about integrity and goodness and what it's doing to me. WHO THE BLOODY HELL CARES WHAT IT'S DOING TO ME?! I'M GOING TO DIE ANYWAY!!" raged Harry.

There was a stunned silence after this and they just stared at Harry who was now pacing with barely contained fury. He suddenly stalked over to where she was sitting and yanked her chair around to face him. Leaning over her, he gritted out harshly, "Tell me what I'm supposed to do Hermione? With your brilliance and all that centuries of knowledge from your precious Foundation, tell - me - what - to - do!"

"I can't Harry," she squeaked, pushing herself as far back on the chair as she could. He always frightened her when he got into these black rages.

"You're useless," he spat viciously and shoved her chair violently away from him. Hermione screamed as the chair skidded and toppled over and she crashed to the floor.

"WHAT THE HELL'S THE MATTER WITH YOU HARRY?!" Ron roared and rushed to Hermione.

Ron helped her up and asked worriedly, "Are you alright?"

"I-I think so," she replied shakily. Reaching up to the back of her head, she winced when she felt the lump where her head had hit the floor. She was thankful it wasn't bleeding.

Supporting her, Ron led her to a chair and sat down next to her. He gently felt the back of her head and their fingers collided. They both started and stared at each other, lost in the intensity of their gaze.

"Gods, Hermione. I'm sorry - I'm sorry," Harry choked out, rushing to her and kneeling beside her chair. His face worried and anxious, he clasped her hand in both of his and asked, "Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"

Ron and Hermione started again and hastily looked away from each other.

"Yes, I'm alright," she replied to Harry. "Just a slight bump." She winced again when she felt something cold touch the lump and then sighed when the coolness eased the ache a bit. She turned to Ron, questioning him with her eyes.

"Just an icepack. Is it helping?" he said quietly.

"Thank you," she murmured, lightly touching his hand with hers. She froze for a moment when she was hit with lightning bolts of sensation sizzling from her hand all the way up her arm, just from that light touch, so she hastily removed her hand. A moment later, Ron grabbed it and laced his fingers with hers. He didn't look at her, focusing instead on where he was holding the icepack against the back of her head.

She looked down for a moment at her hand entwined with Ron's then turned and looked at her other hand clasped in Harry's. Raising her head, she looked first at Ron and waited until his eyes met hers, then swiveled her head and met Harry's eyes dead on.

Bringing both her hands together until all their hands were touching, she kissed first Ron's hand, then Harry's. "I love you both," she said fervently. "And I'm sorry for leaving and for what I've done."

Their entwined hands tightened against each other.

"Hermione, I am sorry. I would never hurt you. Please believe me," Harry implored, lifting his gaze from their entwined hands and looked intently into her eyes.

"I know you wouldn't, Harry," she replied quietly.

Harry's eyes then shifted to Ron's and their eyes locked until Harry finally said quietly, "Forgive me, Ron. I never meant to hurt you."

"Uh-yeah," Ron cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away from Harry, his jaw clenched. Ron tried to remove his hand from hers but she tightened her hold. Gazing hard at him, she willed his eyes to meet hers but he resolutely looked away.

Sighing sadly, she turned to Harry instead. "Harry, what's happening to you matters. It matters to me, to Remus, to Molly and Arthur, all the Weasleys," she gripped Ron's hand tighter and pulled it nearer. "To everybody in the Order. It matters because we love you. And we love you because -?" she prompted, willing him to remember.

"Because I'm Harry James Potter and not the Boy-Who-Lived," he sighed wearily.

Smiling, she said, "Yes. But you're also the Boy-Who-Lived and the one destined to defeat Voldemort. And you're the only one who can. I wish I could make it otherwise, but I can't, nobody can. And I can't tell you what to do either."

Taking her hand out of Harry's, she placed her palm on his chest, right over his heart. "This is where you'll find the answers, Harry. This is the power you have which Voldemort knows not. It's this power that's made it possible for you to overcome him every time you've met him before.

"'It is our choices that show what we truly are', remember that Harry?" she asked him, quoting Professor Dumbledore. "'And remember Cedric - when the time comes to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy'. Choose wisely, I know you can," she said earnestly.

Placing her palm gently against his cheek, she continued, "But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. Because you've always had help from the people who love you. One man, no matter how powerful, can't fight an entire war alone. He needs his army. We are your army Harry, we are your strength. Use us! Your mother's love once saved you, let our love save you this time," she said fervently, her voice trembling with emotion and her eyes misty.

"I've never left you Harry." Taking his hand in hers, she placed it over her heart. "You've been here - always." Turning to Ron and letting all her love for him pour out of her eyes, she continued, "The both of you - and you will always be here."

She gripped their hands tight in hers and with her eyes still on Ron's, she finally let her tears fall.

"Hermione, don't," Ron choked out, in a voice raw with emotion. Releasing the ice pack he'd been holding to the back of her head, he smoothed her hair away from her face then his hand slid to her cheek and wiped away her tears.

Her eyes reluctantly left Ron's and she turned to Harry. "I love you Harry and I will never leave you to fight alone... and neither will Ron." Turning to face Ron once again, she implored, "Right Ron?" He turned his face away. Releasing both their hands, she placed hers on Ron's face and gently turned it to face her.

"Professor Dumbledore once said, 'we are only as strong as we are united, and as weak as we are divided'," she said softly to him. "Do you remember?" Ron nodded his head reluctantly.

"We've been together since we were eleven - been through so much. Can't we find a way to get through this as well - and be together once again?" her voice was whisper soft as she gently caressed Ron's cheeks.

Ron gazed wordlessly at her and finally his eyes softened and his hands pulled hers away from his face. Lacing his fingers with hers, he extended his other hand and gripped Harry's shoulder. Looking almost fiercely at Harry, he promised, "I will never leave you to fight alone... mate."

Hermione choked out a sob and pulled both of them to her and the three of them hugged and simply clung to each other. After seven long years, the Trio were together once again.

page 18 of 19