Let This Be Our Prayer

Let this be our Prayer

Part I

Drops of rain beat heavily against the Gryffindor common room window. Hermione sat curled up in a chair reading a book. The room was full of light from the dancing flames inside the fire place. Suddenly she heard the portrait door slam shut. Hermione poked her head up from behind her chair to see who would dare disturb her solitary moment. It was Harry. He had his head down with his back against the wall and he slid down to the ground. She could swear that she heard small sobs muffled by the sound of his head in his hands, while his fingers were pushing up small tufts of hair.

His shoulders stopped shaking, and his heavy tears soon resided into small chokes of breath. Harry hadn't noticed the small tear that had fallen on his hair. But he could hear her heart beat and tried to match his breathing rhythm with hers. Hermione began to shift in her place because the stone floor was becoming uncomfortable. Harry drew back from her, his eyes still puffy and stood up. He reached for her hand and led her to the couch. She had pulled him back into the hug they were sharing just seconds ago. They laid back and enjoyed each others company watching the flames sway them to sleep.

Harry awoke to feel Hermione's breathe on the top of his head. He let out a heavy sigh into Hermione's robes as he watched the remaining embers burn out softly. He lifted his head slowly to see Hermione's face. She was still asleep. He laid his head back on her chest, closed his eyes and said a small prayer.

He opened his eyes again to see Dobby lighting up the fire place, Dobby caught his eyes, smiled, bowed and skipped happily out of the room. One of the reasons why Dobby was smiling because Hermione was now awake. She began to stroke his hair which made him jump a little.

" It's just me," she whispered.

Harry furrowed his eyebrows and tightened his arms around her waist daring anybody to touch her. Hermione had never received this much affection from him-not that she minded. But she had never seen Harry breakdown and cry like that. In a way she was almost glad that he had done so, she had been wanting to comfort him for some time now, just to show him that she was still there. They had been friends now for seven years, and Harry was not one to show his emotions openly.

The seventh year had been drawing to a close and Voldemort was hell-bent on destroying Harry, and everything and everyone around him. However unsuccessful his attempts had been they were all sure that Voldemort would never quit.

Hermione heard footsteps coming down the stairs. This is not going to look good she thought. Harry released his grip so they could both sit up and straighten themselves out. She was a little disappointed that someone broke their moment. But they didn't really have to-it was Ron.

" Where were you last night?" said Ron, sitting in a chair beside Hermione.

" I was talking with Dumbledore," said Harry, his voice a little hoarse. " I came back and I just feel asleep on the couch."

Ron turned his attentions to Hermione and the forgotten book in one of the other chairs.

" I suppose you were up late again reading," said Ron with a raised eyebrow.

" Yes," said Hermione as a-matter-of-factly.

Ron hmm-ed at this and stood up.

" Well anyone ready for breakfast? It's one of our last at Hogwarts," said Ron patting his stomach.

As they followed Ron to the Great Hall they passed a trio of first years. Two boys and one girl, laughing merrily with each other. Harry, Ron and Hermione smiled at them, then at each other and continued walking.

The smell of bacon and sausages where wafting in the air as bright sunlight poured in from the windows. Food in Harry's stomach seemed to make him feel better as he watched Hermione and Ron bicker at each other.

" You've read that book a hundred times!" said Ron with bits of toast flying out of his mouth.

Hermione looked disgusted as one of the bits landed on the sleeve of her robes.

" It's one of my favourite books," she said calmly as she flicked it off her sleeve, which landed on Neville, she and Ron snorted a laugh.

The familiar hoot filled the air as post came flying in. Hedwig dropped a note in front of Harry. He recognized the writing.

" It's from Dumbledore," he said to Ron and Hermione who were peering over with interest. He opened the note which read in very elegant handwriting:

"Lemon drops?" said Ron, with a mouthful of bacon.

" It must be the password," said Harry folding the letter and stuffing it in his robe

" I wonder what he wants to talk about? You don't think it's about You-Know Who is it?" said Hermione.

" I don't know," Harry said taking a last sip of Pumpkin juice, before the three of them got up to go their classes.

The day seemed to pass by very quickly now that they were nearing the end of their final year. Even Professor Binn's classes seemed to fly by. As the night came, Harry was beginning to feel a little nervous on his way to Dumbledore's office. He halted in front of the gargoyle statue and said `lemon drops'. It sprang to life and stepped aside to admit him in. As he entered the office he saw Fawkes the phoenix flap his wings in greeting. Dumbledore was sitting in his high back chair with a soft smile on his face. He sat down in the chair and waited for Dumbledore to speak.

"How's your scar , Harry?" said Dumbledore with his fingers together.

" Well it stopped hurting after awhile when I got to the common room," he said tracing the scar with his finger tips.

" You know what this means then? If Voldemort is planning a major attack, you might be the centre of it."

" I've always been the centre of it," Harry got up from his chair and began to pace the room, " I nearly killed him when I was a baby, brought him back to power three years ago.....he's just trying to complete the circle."

" You leave Hogwarts in a few days, though I can promise you every inch of protection on school grounds, you will be very vulnerable once you leave."

Harry peered inside a long glass case that held a very familiar sword.

" You still have this?"

" Yes, the Sword of Gryffindor isn't exactly something that you can buy in a card shop," Dumbledore stood up and joined him. " If you need it again it will be here."

" Why? Is there another Basilisk I don't know about?"

Dumbledore chuckled. " Harry, you are one of the bravest men I have ever met. If you ever need someone to fight beside, I will be there."

Harry sighed.

" I have to fight him don't I?" said Harry, with his gaze still fixed at the sword.

" Yes," said Dumbledore putting his hand on Harry's shoulder, "and when that day comes, I know you'll be ready."

Harry's shoulders felt suddenly heavy.

" Harry, I do not doubt your magical abilities. You possess a certain strength that Voldemort cannot beat."

"What if I can't beat him?"

" You can Harry. And you will."

*

" Come on Harry! You've been standing in front of that mirror for hours, and how many combs have you gone through? Three?" said Ron trying to fasten his robe.

Harry chucked the comb violently out the window and picked up another.

" Four."

" I think you should leave it as is....it adds character," said Hermione smoothing out the wrinkles in her robe.

" And I don't even now why you bother Harry, you've never tried before," said Ron turning his head from side to side, making sure his side-burns are of equal length.

" I don't know WHAT possessed you to grow them that long," said Hermione who was now playing with her own hair.

" They're not that long, I've seen longer," he said smoothing them out.

"STUPID-PIECE-OF-GARBAGE!" yelled Harry.

Out went comb number four.

Two combs later the three of them emerged from the common room to the Great Hall for their last feast as students. They walked together arm in arm to their table. The Hall was flourishing with the colours of the Gryffindor house. It was a clean sweep this year. The House cup and the Quidditch cup, much to the displeasure to the Slytherins.

"Look at Malfoy! He looked like he just sucked on a lemon!" said Neville who was bursting with joy that he actually finished the year with only melting ONE cauldron.

Indeed Draco Malfoy looked most displeased that Slytherin had failed again to win the house cup. Or maybe Harry thought, maybe he's actually sad he'll be leaving.

" Oh, he's going to miss you," said Seamus ducking a blow from Neville

The crowd went quiet as Dumbledore stood up.

" Another year has gone. Friendships have been made, some battles won, others lost,"- Harry bowed his head- " for those of you who are leaving Hogwarts, I wish you all good luck, and maybe one day you will return to Hogwarts as a professor."

Snape's lip curled.

" And I leave you all with these words to contemplate."

Harry waited for it.

" Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

The Hall laughed with merriment as food piled on the tables. Harry looked over to his right to see Hermione and Seamus talking to each other. Me dad's Muggle, Mam's a witch. Bit of a nasty shock for him when he found out. Harry smiled as the memories of Seamus' conversation in their first year played across his mind. He held that thought in his head for awhile as he looked at Hermione. Your hair was so big back then he thought, and Ron...what were you thinking with those side burns. If eleven year old Ron could see you now, he'd burst with laughter.

"Only one cauldron this year!"

Harry snapped back to reality, " What?"

" Only one cauldron, Harry!" said Neville who obviously still beaming.

"Snape must've been impressed," said Harry shoving some chips in his mouth.

" Yeah! He even let me pass potions! I mean, even though it was just barely, but still!" Neville said pouring gravy all over his turkey. Harry focused his attentions on a giggling Ginny.

" What could possibly be so funny about my side burns?" said Ron smoothing the side of his face.

" They're ridiculously long," said Ginny, " Has Bill been giving you fashion tips?"

Harry, Hermione and Ginny chuckled.

" You're trying to impress someone aren't you?" said Ginny after a sip of pumpkin juice.

Ron 's ears went pink.

"You ARE trying to impress someone!"

Ron glared at Ginny.

" I am not thank you very much. I just want to try something different."

" Dragon's dung!" spoke Seamus, " I've seen the way you look at a certain someone."

Hermione's eyes went a little bit wider than normal over the rim of her goblet.

" Oh relax Ron," said Seamus " I'm only joking. My God if looks could kill."

Ron removed his glance and became suddenly fascinated with his roast beef. Harry and Neville chuckled to themselves, as a small crack of lightning fizzed the great hall's ceiling (which reflected the sky outside). Hermione had just finished pouring herself some more pumpkin juice when a sick feeling struck her. What if these were some of the last moments she would ever spend with Ron and Harry? True, they said they would always spend as much time together when they left Hogwarts, but anything can happen. She remembered Harry and Ron speaking a lot about travelling. She herself had expressed an interest in becoming a Professor. But she secretly wanted to travel with them.

" Harry, you all right?" said Ron through a mouth full of mash potatoes.

" Yeah just a little warm," said Harry wiping the cold sweat off his forehead.

Hermione looked at him in time to see his face wince. Her eyes shot straight at his scar which had turned a dark red. And if Harry hadn't wiped his forehead again she could have sworn it was bleeding.

" I need to see Madam Pomfrey," said Harry sounding rather rushed as he banged his knee on the table trying to get up, Ron and Hermione watched Harry nearly break out into a run out of the great hall. Ron and Hermione looked at each other and got up to chase after him. Neville however helped himself to the chips on Harry's plate. Dumbledore looked up in time to see Ron's red hair disappear from the entrance.

Harry was now running full sprint to the hospital wing. He tried to push the pain away from his mind but it came in full as he saw the blood on the back of his hand from wiping his forehead.

Another couple of steps and he would have made it inside, but he fell on the floor in agony, his fingers rubbing his scar. Groaning through his teeth. He wanted this pain to go away so badly.

" Harry!" cried Ron as the two finally caught up to him slightly panting, " Harry what's wro-."

Hermione crouched down in front of him holding on to his face forcing him to look up at her.

" Harry look at me," Harry raised his head his eyes still shut and his teeth were bearing. " RON! QUICK GO GET MADAM POMFREY!"

Ron bolted off while Hermione gathered the sleeve of her robe and began dabbing his forehead. Madam Pomfrey showed up in seconds and crouched beside Hermione surveying a crumpled Harry.

" We need professor Dumbledore for this. You two go and fetch him while I take him in the hospital wing. GO!"

Ron and Hermione shot off towards the Great Hall, Hermione took one last look at Harry before she disappeared around the corner. When they burst through the doors they saw an empty chair at the head table where Dumbledore sat.

" Where is he?" said Hermione through the gasps for breath.

" I bet you five galleons he's already at the hospital wing," said Ron resting his hands on his knees.

" Let's go," said Hermione grabbing Ron's arm. Ron and Hermione returned to the hospital wing and indeed Dumbledore was there.

"Tell me what happened," said Dumbledore sitting on the corner of Harry's bed.

" I was fine, and then the next thing I know it just started to hurt. I didn't want to leave the feast because of a little pang, but then it got worse. I didn't want to pass out in front of everyone so I decided to make my way to the hospital wing. I didn't quite make it because it hurt too much. It actually started to bleed."

" Interesting," said Dumbledore as he studied the once bleeding scar.

" You-Know-Who's around isn't he?" said Ron looking very worried.

" That is a possibility yes, Ron. And we cannot rule out the fact that he may be very close by for Harry's scar to react like that."

Madam Pomfrey seemed to go week in the knees as she slowly sat on a chair near by clasping her hand over her heart.

Harry spent a few hours in the hospital wing with Ron and Hermione by his side.

" Why now?" said Ron watching a sleeping Harry.

" Isn't that always the case," said Hermione " It's always now with You-Know-Who. He won't stop until he's finished what he started 16 years ago."

The thought made Ron shift uneasily in his chair. " You'd think he would get bored or something."

Hermione sighed and rested her arms on the bed, holding her head up with one hand.

" He's far from bored," Hermione added, "he's restless."

Ron and Hermione suddenly heard voices coming from outside the door.

" I understand what you're saying Professor, but this is our last chance, The Minisrty refuses to live in Voldemort's shadow any longer."

Then they heard Dumbledore's voice . " You must realise that he is only Seventeen. Although I have every confidence in the man, I want you to understand the position you are putting him in."

Ron and Hermione stood up and turned to face a tall man wearing a dark purple cloak with short brown hair carrying a broomstick in his left hand. His face showed a five o'clock shadow, and a small scar underneath his right eye. Despite from the fact that he looked like someone you would not want to meet in a dark alley he had a rather pleasant air about him. Of course it wouldn't take long for Madam Pomfrey to come in and yell at them for `disrupting his rest'. But they needn't worry, Harry was already starting to wake up.

" I'm sorry Madam, but I need to speak with Harry Potter. My name is Tiberius Decker, I'm with the Department of Military Strategies."

" I don't care who you are," said Madam Pomfrey, " this boy needs rest!"

" It's alright," said Harry making everyone jump as he sat up in his bed, " I'm awake."

Tiberius stepped forward and extended his hand. " Harry potter, I'm Tib-"

"Tiberius Decker, yes I heard you," said Harry shaking his hand. Professor Dumbledore, Madam Pomfrey, Ron and Hermione all sat down to hear what Tiberius had to say to Harry.

" As you know Harry the Ministry of Magic has been following Voldemort since your last encounter with him a few years back. There has been a few attempts to end his little happy party but it's been with very little to no success at all. We've captured a few Death-Eaters here and there, and even tackled a Dementor or two. But for someone like Voldemort, we need an army. And given your history," Tiberius had a little trouble saying what he wanted to say next.

" You want me to fight?" said Harry with his arms crossed. Eyes narrowed.

" Well it will be a little more complicated than that," said Tiberius reaching into his cloak and pulling out a rather thick roll of parchment. " This is a certified document stating that despite your age your name has been added to be apart of an army, and not just any army. The Ministry has been searching the country for eligible witch's and wizard's that display an enormous amount of magic....we are trying to keep this under wraps so nothing leaks out, that's why no one knows about his or we'd be having every witch and wizard in the country trying to join."

" Isn't it better to have more people?" asked Madam Pomfrey, "what about strength in numbers?"

" It's not like we are sending in Harry by himself," Tiberius refuted, " say we did send in thousands of people and less than half of them return. So why not send in 300 of the best wizards in the world and have everyone come home."

There was an uncomfortable silence as Harry took the roll and scanned over the 300 names. But one name he did not see was Dumbledore's.

" Why isn't your name on here?" he said looking at him.

" A fair question," he began , " I was asked but I turned it down, it would be best for me to stay here at Hogwarts."

Harry laid the parchment down beside him and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose.

" You want me to be in this secret army?" said Harry trying very hard to comprehend this.

" That's a bit much isn't it?" said Ron looking at Tiberius with his mouth open. Hermione however was looking at the floor, silent.

" I hope you understand the amount of stress that you will be placing on him," said Dumbledore who seemed rather calm about this.

" Well the decision of course rests with Harry," said Tiberius taking the roll of parchment and rolling it back up. " However, this isn`t something that you get everyday."

Harry looked at Ron who still had his mouth open and then to Hermione who was still looking at the floor. Harry didn't know what to answer, he wanted Hermione to look at him-to tell him the answer with her eyes. But still she kept her head down. Suddenly the weight that he felt on his shoulders seemed to get much heavier.

" I would like to give you more time but the Ministry needs an answer."

Harry sighed heavily and looked down at his hands. He was sick of it, sick of it all. He was sick of his scar hurting, sick of seeing Voldemort's face every time he closed his eyes. This has to end.

"I'll do it."

Harry watched Hermione's head lower even more.

*

"You know Harry, I always thought you were a little crazy," said Dean packing his trunk, " but now I see you're completely psycho."

Harry laughed a little but didn't smile, he was sitting on the edge of his bed holding his broomstick servicing kit.

" Oh cheer up Harry, it'll be alright," said Neville popping his head up from beside the bed, " has anyone seen my remembrall?"

" Catch," said Seamus tossing the glass ball towards Neville. Ron had just closed his fully packed trunk and was now walking over to sit beside Harry.

" Do you honestly think you're ready for this?" he said leaning his elbows on his knees.

" Not really. But to think of all those times that Voldemort has always caught me off guard. The Tri-Wizard cup, the diary. At least now we have the chance. A fighting chance anyway," Harry drummed his fingers against his kit. "Have you seen Hermione?"

" Not since we got back from the hospital. She didn't look pleased at all when you said yes."

Harry put the servicing kit in his trunk and closed it. He took one last look around to see if he had forgotten anything. Nope, he was all packed and ready to go.

" I wish you were taking the train back with us," said Ron.

" I do too, but Tiberius thought it would be best if I left with him, that way we can go straight to the ministry and start preparing."

Ron nodded and stared at the floor, "It'll be pretty quite at the burrow this summer with out you, you know?"

Harry gave a small smile, " Yeah, I do."

Hermione sat in her room looking out from her window on to the school grounds. The sun glistened off the lake and the giant squid was basking in the sunlight. Pavarti and Lavender had gone off to Hogsmeade to kill time while waiting for the train to arrive, so she could spend her last few moments of Hogwarts in silence.

"Good Lord it's hot outside!"

Hermione spun her head around to see Lavender and Parvati come into the room carry small bags that said `Honeydukes' on it.

"Hermione what are you still doing here?" said Lavender pushing up her sleeves.

"Oh, just thinking," she said getting up from the window sill.

"About Harry? Ugh, isn't that completely nuts what he's doing? Being a part of a special force to go against You-Know-Who? No thank you, I'll pass." said Parvati throwing her school robe on her bed.

"I think it's a bit of a turn-on if you ask me," said Lavender squealing with laughter. " Picture it, he'll be charging in on his Firebolt, his wand out firing spells left right and centre, his hair waving in the wind....Ooooh," at this point Lavender gave a small shiver. Hermione however gave a weak smile and sat down on the edge of her bed.

" Oh Hermione, it'll be okay," said Parvati hugging Hermione's side. " He's come back tons of times before, and he'll do it again."

It was a few hours later before the train had finally arrived to pick up the students Harry however was not going to be boarding the train. He was going to get a military escort to pick him up and take him to the Ministry. So he stood by and helped Ron and Hermione load their trunks. Harry and Hermione avoided eye contact almost the entire time until Ron had gone off to help Ginny with her things. They stood there waiting for the other to say something. Hermione fidgeted with her robes while Harry rubbed his arm.

" Er- Have a safe trip," said Harry finally.

"You too," said Hermione

" I have something to give you," said Harry reaching inside of his robe and pulling out a necklace with an emerald coloured pendant at the end. Hermione stared at it with her mouth slightly open and then looked at Harry.

"I'll need your neck," he said unclasping it, while Hermione turned around lifted her hair up so he could put it on.

" I'll never take it off," she said admiring it. Finally the train whistle blew. It was time to go.

"Ready Hermione?" said Ron walking up behind them, "Oh come here!" he said giving Harry a hug, " come home in one piece you hear me? "

" Alright Ron," he said with a small smile. Ron looked at Harry and Hermione.

" I'll wait on the train."

There was another uncomfortable silence, until Hermione flung her arms around his neck and pulled him towards her. He latched on to her waist, and they held that position for sometime. The train whistle blew again. Hermione dug her face into his shoulder. And she felt a small tear on the side of her face.

" You have to go," said Harry pulling away. It wasn't until then she realized that it was his tear that she felt.

Hermione slowly boarded the train and looked out from her compartment window to see Harry standing there. As the train slowly began to pull away, she said a small prayer.

The train turned the corner and she saw Harry one last time waving goodbye. She turned to sit down to face Ron who had his head buried in his hands, his shoulder slightly shaking. Ginny was hugging Ron's arm, gently sobbing. Hermione threw her arms open and wrapped them around both of them. And there the three of them sat in silence exchanging words of comfort. Each holding a small doubt in their mind that Harry might not come home.