The Dark Prince

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I've got to be honest

I think you know

We're covered in lies and that's OK

There's somewhere beyond this I know

But I hope I can find the words to say

Never again no

No never again

Vertical Horizon - You're a God

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Chapter 15

...find the words...

"Arthur."

"Merlin's beard, Severus, you nearly gave me a heart attack."

Severus smiled and closed the door of the office behind him, casting a hybrid locking and anti-eavesdropping charm on it. He had noticed a red-haired boy who had been a troublesome Hufflepuff not two years ago watching him as he came in and didn't want the fool or anyone else to eavesdrop on his conversation with the Minister of Magic. It also wasn't very polite.

"Albus told me you were coming."

"Did he?" said Severus as he turned around.

"Yes," said Arthur. "He said you wanted Aurors."

"I presume he told you..."

"About Ron?"

"Yes."

"He did."

"As well as Miss' Bennett and Granger?"

Arthur nodded.

"Well then," said Severus, "there's not anything I have to tell you but ask if you will assist me in this...what should we call it?"

"A foolish encounter with the forces of darkness."

"Now there's an idea," said Severus with a snap of his fingers.

Arthur chuckled and held out his hand to the younger man.

"It's good to see you again, Sev."

Severus smiled and took the offered hand.

"You as well, Arthur. Or should I say Bob?"

"You remember that?"

"I have an excellent memory."

"That I do not doubt. Now, there will probably be very few Aurors who will want to follow you."

"I do so wonder why that is..."

"Fudge's doing, I'm certain."

"Oh, now you know that's not completely true, Arthur. Yes, he probably gave me a little too much publication twenty-three years ago but I was the Dark Prince as surely as you are the Minister of Magic."

Arthur nodded slowly.

"I know."

"Yes... As you were saying?"

"Ah...yes. The Aurors. Well, I gave Alastor charge of them."

"Moody? Arthur, I count you as a friend, but I believe you have gone mad. You know that Moody holds a deep grudge for me."

"Only because he wasn't the one to catch you. And that you got away because you were spying for Albus for a year."

"Oh, yes, I'm sure that vexed the old wolf greatly."

Arthur gave a half smile then turned serious.

"What do you intend to do?"

"Get your son, Miss Bennett, and Miss Granger out," replied Severus.

Arthur looked at the man who his wife had befriended in their seventh year when Severus had been a short, scrawny looking boy from an orphanage that had been called cute by none too few girls and said, "Be careful, Severus. Molly's counting on you."

Severus smiled in a sad sort of way and said softly, "I know."

There was silence between the two men, Dark Prince and Minister of Magic, before either of them spoke.

It was Severus that broke the silence.

"Tell them to meet me at the edge of the Forbidden Forest on the Hogwarts ground."

"I will."

"And give Molly my regards."

"I will," said Arthur again. He added, "Take care, Sev."

Severus shook Arthur's hand again then left as quickly as he had come. Arthur sighed and moved over to the fireplace to contact Moody.

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Even on a day like this

When you're crawling on the floor

Reaching for the phone

To ring anyone who knows you anymore

It's all right to make mistakes,

You're only human

Inside everybody's hiding something

Dido - Slide

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Chapter 16

...you're only human...

Hermione awoke to find herself in the green-blanketed bed. The dark green curtains that could be drawn about the bed had been torn from their fastenings and were sprawled on the floor with the remains of her and Harry's clothing.

At the sight of the clothes, she rolled over to face the warm body lying beside her. Harry lay sleeping, his head pillowed on his right arm, his left lying by his face. She winced at the sight of the Dark Mark burnt into the forearm and touched it gently. Harry's face twitched but he stayed asleep, breathing gently. Hermione smiled and burrowed against him. She could lie beside him and be peaceful. She could forgive him.

If only she knew why.

As she thought this, Harry whimpered and whispered, "I'm sorry."

Hermione blinked and asked softly, "About what?"

"Betrayal..."

She jerked back as though she had been shot. Harry was sorry he had betrayed everyone by going over to the Dark side? Why? Why, bloody, why?

"Forgive...me..."

"Shhh," whispered Hermione, pressing her fingers against his lips. "I forgive you, Harry. But please, Merlin's ghost, please come back to me. If only for a moment, come back to me." She buried her face in his shoulder, tears pricking at her eyes. "I love you so much."

"Hermione..."

"Harry?"

Hermione looked up into half open green eyes that sparkled with innocence.

"Good morning," said Harry softly, as though they had lain together for years and none of the events of the past few days have transpired. Hermione idly wondered how she had gone from hating him to loving him and wanting to do anything for him so fast.

"Good morning," she replied.

"Sleep well?"

"Delightfully."

"Good," said Harry, smiling slightly.

Hermione watched him for a moment then asked, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Join Him."

Harry sighed and looked at her with a clear-eyed gaze for a moment before leaning in and kissing her forehead.

"For you, Mione. For you."

He then swung around and got up, walking around the room and picking up his clothes.

"Sleep. I'll make sure the door stays locked this time."

"Harry..."

"Shhh," said Harry, walking over to her and kissing her into silence as he pulled on his black robes. He drew back from her and slid the white mask over his face, becoming the Dark Prince. Hermione gathered the green sheets about her and watched as he stalked out of the room. Sighing heavily, she lay back down in the bed and wondered what she had gotten herself into.