Fare Thee Well, My Love

~*~*~*~*~*~

30,000 die in Devon Battle

On the night of April twelve, the Devon Battle claimed the lives of over thirty thousand people, soldiers and civilians alike. "It is with our deepest regrets that we inform you of this, and we shall try our best not to let it happen again," said a very saddened Fudge last night, a few minutes after the fighting subsided.

The battle, which took place in the national parks of Dartmoor, resulted once again in the victory of the Dark Side. Already, extreme measures are being taken to prevent another defeat. Dragons are being trained and new weapons are being assigned to the army. Recruits are being called all over the world to participate in the next assumed attack. We are asking now, for all to join us in our struggle to build a new world... (continued on page 4)

~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione sighed and put down the newspaper. Another defeat, she thought. So many people had died already, and so many more could die in the future. It hurt her that she couldn´t do anything about it. She hated being and feeling helpless, especially since she had always been in control.

Everyday that passed, the Dark Side grew stronger. They gained new followers. And tortured twice that number. Not a day went by in which no news arrived of more murders and missing persons. Even poor Neville, whose only family was his grandmother (for his parents died in the fifth year), lost her in a massacre.

They were in the seventh year now, which meant that this war had been going on for nearly three years. Uncountable battles were happening secretly throughout the continent. Even at this very moment. Sometimes, she could imagine it. Thousands of people aiming at each other with their wands. Burning buildings, crying children, ruins everywhere. Dead bodies, pools of blood, gore.... It would get to the point where everyone would forget what they were fighting for, what they were truly defending. They would fight, simply because there was nothing else to do. In Hermione's mind, it was devastating.

A piercing scream echoed throughout the hall. It surprised Hermione, snapping her out of her gory visions. The sound was from a little girl, crying helplessly in the nearby Hufflepuff table. Crumpling a now distorted telegram in her hand, it took only a moment to realize why she was in such great pain.

The students around this weeping child looked on. There was nothing to do. They all knew that only the girl herself could mend such a wound. Not even the teachers, who had taken to such levels just to keep the school safe, were doing anything.

If you were there, sitting around and eating your food. Watching the sky change before your eyes. You would truly know, these are the dark ages.

Hermione once again tried to focus on her food. They had pancakes and maple syrup today, her favorite. But so far, she hadn´t eaten one bit. There were many things on her mind this morning. Things more important than pastry, sugar, and who exactly had the chocolate syrup. She glanced over at Ron, whose eyes met hers instantly. Like always.

But something was wrong with him today. His face was pale and his eyes were bloodshot. His fork was shaking in his hand. Ron seemed incredibly determined to find Harry. Hermione was worried. Could something have happened? Her head turned here and there, looking for Harry in every direction, but he was nowhere to be found. So, since they weren´t hungry anyway, they stood up and went out. Attempting to look for Harry in the halls and corridors of Hogwarts.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Several minutes later, Ron was sitting on a desk in an empty classroom, entirely giving up on the search. It didn´t really matter anyway, they´d probably see Harry during History of Magic, and there would be plenty of time to talk to the both of them later. But still, a cloud of darkness had fallen over his heart. It was haunting him, following him everywhere...

"Hagrid hasn´t seen him Ron," said a tired Hermione who had just come in from the grounds.

She sat on a chair, trying hurriedly to catch her breath. Where could he be? From a distance, she heard the noisy clatter of students emerging from their meal at the great hall. It must be nearly time for their classes.

Ron waited a while for Hermione to rest. Then, they stood up once more to head for Professor Binns´s classroom. The halls were silent except for their footsteps and the creaky swinging of armors´ heads by and by. They turned a corner, then another and another. Soon, they reached a finely hung tapestry of an African sorceress named 'Shaka´. They stopped, then looked up at a ghost in a floral jacket and a neon green feather cap. Peeves.

The mere sight of him spelled trouble... On closer inspection, they saw that he was carrying a dozen eggs, probably stolen from the kitchen. Ron made a squeaking noise, and they ran for their lives toward the other direction, trying to protect their robes and books on the way. Peeves ran after them, taking the time to pelt the two with the, now discovered, rotten eggs. Then, when he ran out of ammo, he vanished from sight with a pop and a nasty cackle.

Enraged and with egg yolk on their face, Ron and Hermione slid down onto the floor, totally exhausted from the chase. Hermione decided she´d never eat eggs again.

A voice was heard talking a few feet past them. Then one more responded. They knew who they were. It was Harry and Professor Dumbledore.

"Our spies say some troops of the Dark Side shall head for Manchester next. We don´t know where or when, but we have already sent over fifty thousand soldiers in that direction."

There was a minute´s pause. In which Ron and Hermione went over to hide behind an ogre, more known as Chiselda the confused, to listen further.

"Also, we have set up camp in Aberdeen, Cardiff, Liverpool, and Sheffield."

"You may choose where to go Harry. But may I impress once more that this is not a matter to be taken lightly. Your life will be in danger at every moment, if you are to partake in this war."

"I understand."

"Very well then, you may go."

Egg slime had just dribbled into Hermione´s ear, but she didn´t care. Harry was going to leave Hogwarts. He was going to become a soldier. Her hands were shaking and she felt near tears. She stared at Ron, who was even paler, and was completely ignorant of the canary that was picking at his hair.

Maybe it was because they were friends for so long. For at that instant, only one thing was on their minds. To be able to help Harry in his time of need. To let go their own lives. To join the army too.

Nothing was said after that. For the bell had rung. And they went off to class.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The horrified boy looked around. He was surrounded by wizards, all wearing hoods and sporting skull-like imprints on their arms. He was bleeding and dizzy. His foot hobbled about and his arm was missing. His arm and is wand.

Form one corner, he heard a high pitched laugh. Then, the circle opened, revealing the Dark Lord himself. The boy fell. His body was suffering. It seemed a thousand needles were forcing their way through his head. Then it stopped. He was dancing. And he was breaking his own bones. All of them were laughing. He felt helpless. Finally, he was dropped, broken and dying.

"This is it boy," Voldemort whispered in his ear, "so ends the life of Harry Potter."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry awoke with a start. He had been dreaming an awful dream. But it was over now. He was back in the classroom, back with his friends. Everything was safe and sound. He took the back of his hand and wiped the sweat off his forehead. It was a hot day. Perhaps that was why he fell asleep.

"Elfrida Clagg was then appointed new..."

The droning voice of Professor Binns went on. In attempts to stay awake, Harry´s thoughts drifted back to this morning´s events. He remembered skipping breakfast and going to Dumbledore´s office. He remembered talking to him about the war. Then, he had offered his services.

Harry paused. Was it the right thing to have done? He wasn´t sure. But he would do anything to help. Lately, he had been having visions of the worst kind. He saw his parents, dying for his sake. He knew that that happened for a reason. Maybe this was it. Maybe he was spared to ensure that others won´t lose their families like he did. To give hope to many who have non.

"Harry, it´s time to go."

He looked intently at the faces of his to best friends. Subsequently, he stood up and followed them out of the room. He noticed their expressions were worried and nervous.

"We need to tell you about something," they simply said.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Checkmate."

Harry forced a grin. He had once again, seen Ron win a game of wizard chess. Probably for the last time.

It was after dinner and they were by the fireplace, enjoying a quick game of chess. Harry was waiting for Ron to say something. They were meant to talk earlier today but Snape had seen them and threatened the three with detention. After that, no time was found.

"How about another game?"

This time, he raised an eyebrow. It almost looked like Ron was stalling.

"Why can´t you tell me what you and Hermione were going to tell me this morning?" Harry asked.

Ron seemed shocked. "We have to wait for Hermione. Now how about a nice game of Gobstones?"

Harry was reluctant. But with some persuasion, he finally gave in. He did have to wonder though, where could Hermione be?

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Bloody lock."

Draco Malfoy stood in front of a classroom door, trying to pry it open for the hundredth time. He had tried the Alohomora Spell, and several after that. But none would work.

"Who´s there?"

He jumped, distracted. There was someone a few feet away who could easily catch him in the act. He crouched in the shadows waiting for that person to pass by. In the light of a nearby torch, he saw who it was.

It struck him as odd to see Hermione Granger, of all people, sneaking around at night. She appeared tense and uneasy, and she was holding a book in her right hand, the same one he´d been looking for for so long. A book of the magical constitution.

He had half a mind to follow her and see where she would go, but he decided not to. He still had plenty of undone tasks. And they were more important than this.

Then, thinking that it was to dangerous to proceed, he turned the other way and headed for the Slytherin Common Room.

~*~*~*~*~*~

A single candle was aglow in the dark room that was his office. It illuminated his quill, lightly scratching the thick parchment he was writing on.

It was a letter to one William Anderson, general of the whole army, informing him of the participation of Harry Potter in the recent events. His hand scrawled on and on. Explaining his decision, describing certain loophole in the law. Not one thing must be left unsaid. He finished it with a neat signature. Then, proceeding to seal it with the Hogwarts Crest.

A rapid swoosh of scarlet up ahead alerted him of the presence of his phoenix, Fawkes. The candle was much shorter now, making the room very dark. Such that the shadows hid his face from view. And the bare patch of light form the window stood out as one that could blind the eyes forever.

Still, he sat on his high-backed chair, feeling grim and distraught, all the while petting his phoenix and staring at the letter that was to decide the fate of a great child. A great hero.

It was predictable that Harry Potter would come and join in battle. But what worried him was that the time had come so soon. The boy was still vulnerable to so many inclinations. And what would happen to his friends?

But it was the right thing to do. Deep in him, he knew that it was important. That it would be a choice that would change the world for the better. And cease the sufferings of so many. He gave a resigned sigh, it was the right thing to do.

A knock on the door reverberated throughout the room. He looked up, waiting to see who it was.

"Come in," he invited.

A tall, hook-nosed man in billowing, black robes entered. Perched on his arm was a Barn Owl, ready to be sent away.

"Good evening Severus," said Dumbledore, lightly taking the owl and tying the letter to its claw, "thank you for bringing one of the school owls."

Snape replied with a grunt. It looked like he disapproved of the whole thing.

Dumbledore was curious, "My, my, what is bothering you?"

"... Professor, don´t you think that the child is unprepared for this. He is too young and naive to be making such life-altering decisions on his own."

"I think he knows enough to be ready for what is coming."

"For goodness sake, he faints whenever a dementor is around!"

"I have faith in his abilities. That should be enough."

"But Headmaster, he could die. It is better for him to be in Hogwarts until the time comes when he is needed the most."

Dumbledore looked at him thoughtfully.

"The time has come."

Snape stared at the aging man for a long time. He knew that he was a very powerful wizard. And so, if he was correct, then the war should be ending sooner than he thought.

Once again, the sound of a person tapping at the office door was heard. Dumbledore peered at it, looking shocked, but with a smile growing on his face.

"Come in Miss Granger."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry followed the hands on his watch move every now and then. One hour, two hours, three. It was midnight and yet Hermione was not to be seen.

He concentrated on the chessboard in front of him, feeling the hot fire stinging his face. It was getting dimmer now, the once flickering, orange flames in the grate had turned into glowing, red embers, complimenting the plush, red chairs they were sitting on.

A few hours ago, Ron was trying out some fireworks which he had received from Fred and George last summer. And then, they had played with some Dungbombs, Gobstones, and little Quidditch figurines. Now, the room was totally empty and they were back to playing chess.

"Okay, that was fun. Let´s play again," said Ron looking anxiously at the common room entrance.

Harry was fed up, "If you don´t tell me about what´s been going on lately, I´m going to go to sleep."

Ron was red-faced and nervous. Maybe he should say it. Perhaps it would be better.

"Well?"

He hesitated, and then told him about everything. What they had heard and what they had determined to do. After a while he stopped talking, waiting for what Harry had to say.

Harry looked at him, "But Why?"

Why? Ron didn´t quite know. It seemed his mouth had refrained from letting out a single word. So he did the most sensible thing he thought of. Slowly, he pulled out two, tattered envelopes from his pocket and handed them to Harry. The first one read:

~*~*~*~*~*~

My dearest Ron and Ginny,

How are you two? I hope that everything is fine and that you are keeping up with your studies. I know a lot has been going on lately, I hope you two are still happy. As for me, well, I´m holding on.

Your father has been injured at the Devon Battle last night. He has not yet awakened, but don´t worry. The medi-wizards are taking great care of him. Still, please do pray for your father´s recovery.

Love, Your Mother

~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry went on with the next one, dated the same day:

Mr. Ron Weasley:

We regret to inform you that your father, Arthur Weasley, has passed away. He died in his sleep at precisely 8:23 am this morning. We offer our condolences and hope that you shall recover from this depressing situation.

Sincerely,

Flora Bagg (ministry official)

~*~*~*~*~*~

The letter was dropped. Harry´s face contorted into a look of shock and alarm. He didn´t know what to say. Ron looked on the verge of crying.

"I don´t care if I die. To die like my father would be an honor to me," Ron said, and then, more softly, "we´re your friends Harry, and we´d be there every step of the way."

There was nothing more to be said. They will always be friends, staying tough even in the hardest of times. It was destined to be that way.

The common room's entrance creaked open and then, clicked shut. Hermione had returned.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Her face was flush with victory. They had done it, she thought. They were able to convince Dumbledore to let them join the army.

It had taken a long time. First, she had to do her research on past age restrictions. Next, she had to prove her and Ron´s abilities in case of attacks. It was a big burden, especially when she realized that she needed to sneak out at night, when she saw Professor Snape there too, she nearly fainted. But it was all worth it. Because now, they get to be with Harry, and maybe even make a difference in the world.

Her eyes met Harry´s and Ron´s across the room. From the looks of it, Harry already knew about all this. She was glad. For some reason, they were all glad. Despite the obstacles that had come their way, and all the pain and suffering that was bound to follow, they knew they they could do it.

As long as we´re together.

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