The Power He Knows Not

Chapter 12 - The Power He Knows Not

Ron shot Harry a shocked gaze. They seemed to share the same thought. They weren't nearly as surprised by the appearance of Death Eaters as they were dumbfounded by which ones they were. Before any of the D.A. could string together an audible sentence, a Death Eater spoke first.

"Oh! He was right!" A cold chuckling came from under the hooded figure. "Your expression is priceless! I'm sure Draco would've paid every galleon I've given him to see the look on your face Potter," Lucius Malfoy finished with a laugh.

"I was quite depressed actually," added Bellatrix Lestrange. "Your Christmas escape from Azkaban didn't even rate the Daily Prophet, Lucius. Last year we were front page news," she scoffed. Harry shifted Hermione's weight in his arms. She was waking up and he had no idea how to explain this situation in five words or less.

"Oh, look at the Mudblood," Lestrange continued. "She doesn't look any better than she did the last time we all met." She laughed whist giving Dolohov a bright smile.

"Harry," Hermione's voice floated up from his arms. "Put me down."

He looked into her bloodshot eyes and lowered her feet to the ground. She straightened herself as best she could, Harry steadying her, and pulled her wand from her robes. Lestrange widened her eyes and laughed bodily.

"Oh, my! Such a brave little Gryffindor!" she croaked between chuckles. Her laughs were joined by the other members of her cohort. Harry recognized Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Lestrange, Macnair, and Dolohov. The other two struck familiar chords with him but he wasn't sure who they were.

More importantly, he wasn't sure how they were going to get out. The passageway was just a few steps off, but they surely couldn't lead eight Death Eaters into the corridors of Hogwarts. No one knew they had run off to Hogsmeade in the first place, at least he didn't think anyone knew.

A low hissing began to emanate from the group of Death Eaters encircling the D.A. They were surrounded and pressed closer together as the hooded figures approached. Harry opened his mouth to say something, anything to buy them some time, but never got the opportunity. Lucius Malfoy raised his wand directly to Hermione's face and began to hiss the words that purely enraged every cell in Harry's body.

"Avada Ked..." was all he managed before being leveled by Harry Potter himself. Ron still had Harry's wand but he'd watched Dudley Dursley long enough to know how to lay someone out and he was incensed enough to do it. Just as the other Death Eaters moved in to attack Harry, the real fight ensued. Surprisingly enough, it began from someone standing behind all of them.

A bright red streak of light zipped past Ron's head and blasted Goyle clear off his feet and away from Harry. The Death Eaters dove for cover while Harry and the rest of the D.A. turned to see where the spell had come from. None of them could breathe, nor could they speak. As for Harry, he couldn't believe what his eyes told him.

"Split up, NOW!" Severus Snape was bounding across an overturned trash can and throwing Ginny out of the way. "I said NOW!" he roared, snapping them back to reality. The groups divided along the same lines their search had taken. Harry scrambled up from a dazed Lucius Malfoy and ran back to Hermione.

"Ron!" he shouted as he took her right arm. Ron charged over and grabbed the left. Hermione, still fighting to stay on her feet, joined them as they charged off together. They ducked into the first door they saw and found the scenery quite familiar.

"We just can't get away from this place," Ron said, rolling his eyes as he realized they had run back to the Hogs Head Tavern for cover. He handed Harry his wand and looked for further instruction.

"Hermione," Harry said quickly, leading her toward the bar, "I want you to stay here and stay out of sight. You aren't strong enough to take on....Malfoy?" he said in a daze, peering at the floor behind the bar.

Draco Malfoy was sitting on the floor behind the bar rocking back and forth. His face was as white as his hair and Hermione flopped to the floor beside him.

"Malfoy?" she whispered. She looked at Ron and Harry's shocked faces as he didn't reply. "Draco...Draco! Can you hear me?" she added gasping. His glistening eyes met hers and he spoke at a near whisper.

"He was really going to kill you," he muttered.

"Tell us something we don't know!" Ron scoffed. "He'd have done it last year if he didn't need Harry! He'd have killed the lot of us!"

Malfoy snapped his eyes to Ron and stood up. Whatever pretense of remorse, or softness his voice held before, vanished as he raised himself to his full height. "I don't need to hear it from you Weasley! Your family is not even bright enough to know he escaped four months ago!" Malfoy roared.

Ron opened his mouth to fight back but Hermione stopped him.

"Ron!" she said gathering as much energy as she had. "Malfoy! Stop it. Now is not the time. We can all be insufferably wretched to each other later. Right now we need to figure out how to get out of here alive!" she finished pulling herself up.

"Oh, and I suppose the little genius half-breed is going to fix it all!" Malfoy yelled, turning on Hermione. Harry crossed the five feet separating them, grabbed Malfoy by the throat of his robes and thrust him up against the wall.

"I suggest you watch your language, Malfoy," he warned. Malfoy seemed shocked that Harry had been able to lift him from the floor. "You're either with us or against us and I don't have time to figure out which one it is." He dropped him back to his feet. The four of them stared at each other and Harry took the silence as an opportunity to outline some manner of plan.

"Hermione, I don't care what happens," he said, moving to her and taking both her shoulders in his hands, "You will stay behind this counter, no matter what happens to me. Do you understand?" He finished with a knowing gaze. He hoped she understood that he was referring to the prophecy without wanting to expose too much to Malfoy.

Hermione's eyes glazed over and she nodded her head. Having used most of the energy she'd conjured in the first place, her legs faltered and she dropped behind the counter unceremoniously. Harry caught her half way down and helped her to a comfortable position.

Harry directed Ron and Malfoy to the windows to post watch and returned his stare to Hermione.

Harry took her hands in his. "Are you all right?" She nodded quietly and looked away. He pulled her into a strong embrace and held her there. He knew what was waiting outside and that his time was limited before leaping into the unknown. But, he couldn't, or wouldn't, do that without holding her at least once more. He couldn't tell if the small vibrations in her shoulders were the after-effects of her physical trauma, or the emotional uncertainty of the unknown. He pulled back from her and turned her chin to toward his.

Hermione's eyes were desperately trying to hold back tears, and had done so successfully until she locked eyes with Harry. "Harry, I'm..."

"No." He silenced her. He wasn't exactly sure if she was going to say she was sorry, or scared, but he felt it was one or the other...and neither was acceptable to him. While he would've loved to engage in a heartfelt conversation, he was amazed he'd had this much time already. He thought to summarize the only important thought in his mind and join Ron across the tavern. "Hermione, I've never understood what love was until I fell for you. It will destroy me if anything happens to you. If you love me as much as I love you, you will stay hidden here, no matter the outcome." Tears streamed down Hermione's face; cutting fresh tracks in the dirty complexion she'd gained downstairs. He needed her confirmation. He had to know that she understood the importance of his request. He could only think to phrase it in one way.

"Do you love me?"

She never hesitated in her answer. "More than I ever thought possible, Harry." He smiled, squeezed her hand, and leapt up to join the others.

He crossed only half the tavern floor when the door crashed open. Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy burst into the room. Draco dove behind an upturned table leaving Ron and Harry standing, wands drawn, in the center of the room.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry and Ron shouted together. Lestrange was blown backwards into a nearby table.

Lucius Malfoy pointed his wand at Harry. "Petrificus Totalis!"

Harry crashed to the floor, unable to move or speak, his wand rolled off toward the window and Ron seemed frozen in fear. Never wasting a moment to increase his own ego, Lucius Malfoy took a few steps forward and hovered over Harry.

"Well, well, well. I hate to say it's not very sporting to kill you when you're unarmed but I dare say it will secure my place as the Dark Lord's second in command." Thinking better of his plan he added, "Then again, maybe I'll just bring you to him. I know his greatest desire is to watch you die himself." He chuckled. Ron took a few steps forward and raised his wand.

"You'll have to kill me first," Ron said in a quiet rage. Harry was shocked to hear another voice chime in.

"And me, father." Draco emerged from behind the table and walked toward Ron with his wand extended. Lucius Malfoy was, however briefly, at a loss for words. Lestrange got to her feet behind him.

"I told you Lucius. He has too much of his cousin's blood in him. He's not entirely unlike his cousin's godson." She gave a nod in Harry's direction. Draco, being the only one unfamiliar with the full intricacies of his family tree - and his relation to Sirius Black, shot Harry a confounded look.

"What difference does it make anymore?" Ron roared. "You killed him last year! He was all Harry had and you killed him too!" The heat had risen in his face and he appeared only barely in control of his rage. Lestrange's cackling laughter didn't make it any easier to control himself and the situation turned desperate.

"Enough!" Lucius Malfoy found his voice. "If you'll stand against me here than you are no son of mine! Say goodbye, all of you!" he shouted, snapping his wand level with Ron and Draco.

Harry knew what was coming. He was lying flat on the ground totally incapable of speaking or using his wand, he couldn't protect himself, he couldn't protect Ron or Malfoy, and he certainly couldn't protect Hermione - still hidden behind the bar. There was no phoenix song, there was no great rescue by the Order - they were going to die right here.

With any luck Hermione will survive this.

In the second that passed while Malfoy was opening his mouth, Harry's entire life flashed before his eyes. He thought of all the people that were important in his life, alive and dead. His thoughts went from his parents, to Hermione, Sirius, Ron, the Weasleys, Lupin, Tonks.

Tonks!

"This is a skill that anyone wishing to become an Auror must master. There will be times, in search of dark wizards and witches, where you may be unable to speak or use your wand." Her voice echoed in his head.

Telekinesis.

Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he heard Lucius Malfoy shout the third and final of the Unforgivable Curses. Green light erupted from the end of his wand and careened across the room toward Ron and Draco - frozen in disbelief. A crash came at the wall behind Hermione's hiding place and the large mirror hanging behind the bar flew across the room and collided with the curse only five feet from Ron's chest.

The mirror exploded and shattered the curse into nearly twenty dim beams of light that exploded in every corner of the room. Although Harry managed to deflect the lion's share of the hex, both Malfoy and Ron were hit with the splintered remnants of the curse and crumpled to the ground together. For whatever reason, Harry was able to move again and scrambled to his feet, diving behind an overturned table. Another shot of green light exploded from Bellatrix's wand and destroyed the table protecting Harry. He looked to Ron lying seemingly lifeless on the floor and realized, aside from the bar, there was nowhere else to hide.

He would die before exposing Hermione's position.

"Expelliarmus!" he shouted again, although this time his voice seemed incredibly strong and both Malfoy and Lestrange were nearly blasted through the tavern wall. He remained for a moment in awe of his apparent power before the truth was revealed.

"Harry." Dumbledore's calm voice came from behind him. "I shall have to ensure Professor Tonks grants you full marks for Telekinesis." Harry broke into a smile and ran toward Ron. He was quickly stopped by the Headmaster.

"Stay where you are. This isn't over, Harry," Dumbledore said turning toward the door leading to the basement room where they'd found Hermione. It opened in slow motion. He suddenly felt like he was center-screen in some "B" rate Muggle horror movie. Every inch of his body trembled, and a chill as cold as ice slipped down his chest.

Harry did not need to be told who was on the other side of that door.

His scar exploded with pain and he crumpled to his knees, fighting to clear his vision, and fighting harder to clear his head. He couldn't let Voldemort know who was hidden behind the bar. He couldn't let his own thoughts give Hermione away. He staggered to his feet behind Dumbledore and raised his wand.

"I should think you would grow tired of this, Tom," Dumbledore said serenely. For the lack of color Voldemort's face usually showed, it was clearly turning red now. Harry was quite sure if anyone else had dared call Voldemort "Tom" there would be an instantaneous Avada Kedavara with their name on it.

Harry felt himself thrown backwards and out of the line of fire. Multi-colored light erupted from both Dumbledore and Voldemort's wands and the entire tavern filled with the sounds of breaking glass and exploding furniture. Dumbledore spun his cloak out, catching the spells, and at one point almost appeared to catch one in his hand only to throw it back at Voldemort himself.

The sound was deafening. Harry was scared beyond words. Dumbledore was exceptionally powerful and he, according the prophecy, would not be the one to defeat the Dark Lord - Harry would...but how? Before he could muse further on this point he noticed something awry in the tavern.

It was quiet.

The tavern was a fright. There was neither a table nor chair that remained in tact. Every window was broken and glass littered the floor. The pain in Harry's scar receded and, looking toward Dumbledore, he got to his feet. He stood in the middle of the room, sunbeams falling across his midnight blue robes, illuminating the golden detailing of the hem. His long white beard was encrusted with dust from the tavern fight and he turned with tired eyes to Harry. With Voldemort gone, Harry dropped his guard and started to speak.

Dumbledore's mouth opened at the same time and his eyes reflected an emotion Harry had not truly seen in him before...fear. Before Harry could ask what the matter was he heard the excruciating scream of Hermione Granger. She leapt up from behind the bar and stumbled into the tavern proper.

"I know Potter is the one!" she yelled, gasping for breath. "Go ahead Potter! Fulfill your destiny...kill me now!" she screamed. Harry couldn't catch his own breath. He knew the all-consuming pain Hermione was feeling right now. He knew she wanted nothing more than for Harry to raise his wand and end her life. He could almost hear her in his own head, beseeching him to end this, imploring him to end the pain.

He knew that only because it was exactly what he'd wanted when Voldemort possessed him. He couldn't speak, he could see the pain in her eyes - she was begging him to kill her. He snapped his gaze to Dumbledore, pleading for help - only to have his attention refocused on his possessed girlfriend.

"I'm afraid she's not as adept at throwing off the Imperius curse as you are Potter." Hermione's voice said as she began spinning around the room. "I finally gave up trying to convince you to give into your boyish urges after you returned to Hogwarts. My newest faithful servant Mr. Krum led me to your dearest love...I no longer needed to try and have you do it for me."

Harry couldn't believe his own stupidity. His face must've reflected that.

"Yes, that's right, Potter...all those conversations you thought you were only having in your head. I was the one trying to convince you to give in so I could find out who your thoughts were so hopelessly devoted to!" Harry's anger was threatening to erupt...which was exactly what Voldemort wanted. He wanted to incense him to the point of killing him through Hermione, and thus ending her life too. Harry couldn't think - rage filled his body. He was not only enraged at Voldemort, for violating his thoughts, but also enraged at himself for having been arrogant enough to believe he, at age 16, could block the most powerful dark wizard of the age.

He'd been played for months.

"Harry," Dumbledore interjected, barely audible over Hermione's screams. "You have far more power in this situation than anyone else. I cannot help you." Harry was furious. He'd just watched the most impressive display of magic he'd seen since...well, the last time Voldemort and Dumbledore squared off, and he honestly expected Harry to believe a 16 year-old boy was more capable? "Remember all of the prophecy, remember your power," Dumbledore said with a nod.

Harry recited the prophecy in his head, concentrating on the final passage. He spun toward Hermione. She was barely standing. Voldemort was ordering Harry to kill him through her voice, through her body.

"Power? Look at this boy! He has no power. His love for this Mudblood has weakened him!" Hermione yelled, her eyes pleading with Harry to end this.

He suddenly knew what had to be done.

He stepped forward and grabbed her around the waist. He pulled her body to his and wrapped his left arm around her. He thrust his lips to hers - his right arm firmly held the back of her head. Voldemort fought him, through her, and she struggled against him. But Harry did not let go. Rather, he redoubled his efforts in both body and mind, pressing his whole body to hers.

He engaged in the most passionate kiss he was able to give and pushed one thought into her mind...

"I love you, Hermione."

Hermione's lips broke from his and she let out a blood-curdling scream, eyes rolling back in her head. Simultaneously, the entire frame of the Hogs Head window exploded out onto the street and Hermione fell limp in his arms.

It was more than Harry could take.

He let the weight of her pull him to the floor as well and he rocked her slowly, cradling her in his arms. It was all he could do to not burst into an uncontrollable fit of tears. The woman he loved was unconscious in his arms. She had been tortured beyond belief and his best friend was lying lifeless on the floor behind him.

"Harry." A soft hand lay on his shoulder. "We need to get your friends to Madam Pomfrey. Please bring Miss Granger over to the others." Dumbledore was pointing to where Draco Malfoy and Ron lay on the floor. Shaking, Harry scooped Hermione into his arms once again and put her down beside Ron on the floor. He knelt on the floor and closed his eyes, trying to fight back the tears that were filling them. He looked up toward Dumbledore, but saw only the swing of his cloak enveloping them all. When the cloak disappeared on the other side of him they were standing in the hospital wing, Ron, Hermione, and Malfoy lying peacefully on the infirmary beds. Harry shot a disbelieving look at Dumbledore and quickly realized the D.A. had been waiting for them.

"Ron!" Ginny shouted, running past Harry toward where he lay. Neville and Dean were bandaged and chatting in their beds, Luna and Seamus sitting nearby. Professor Snape stood by the door and caught Harry's eye. Before either could speak, he turned and left the hospital wing, apparently having seen what he was waiting for. Madam Pomfrey was already attending to her new patients.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Harry croaked, voice shaking.

"They will all be just fine, Mr. Potter," she said, answering his question before he could ask it. With that, he glanced at Dumbledore's warm - but exhausted - smile and walked over to Hermione's bed. He sat down in the same chair she'd occupied for five days, grasped her hand, and laid his head down across her arm.

It was the most wonderful and peaceful sound he could've imagined; Hermione's soft, steady breath and the continuous rise and fall of her chest. Harry listened to the faint echo of her heartbeat and fell asleep - still clutching her hand.

***

Harry was unsure how long he slept at Hermione's side, only that he didn't sleep well. Every sound that emanated from her body, every twitch of her hand, would wake him, his heart pounding. Every time it was the same. He'd jolt awake expecting to see her stirring, only to see she was just as unconscious as she had been when Dumbledore brought them back to Hogwarts. It didn't go without note that each time he laid eyes upon her, she seemed to look a bit better than she had before.

"Harry," a voice called in his head.

"Harry, wake up, mate." It was Ron's voice! Harry pulled his head off Hermione's arm and spun in his chair to see his best friend smiling at him. "How are you?" Ron asked.

"How am I? Never mind that; how are you?" Harry said, disbelieving Ron's question.

"I'm fine. I'm a little sore, but no worse for the wear," Ron said, stuffing a Chocolate Frog into his mouth. "You know, before long you're going to be on one of these cards," Ron said, flipping his card over to see who he'd gotten this time.

Ron looked over to Hermione's bed, an unreadable expression on his face, and without looking at Harry asked, "How's she doing?"

"Madam Pomfrey says she'll be fine," Harry said, rubbing his tired eyes and glancing back at Hermione. "She seems to be resting peacefully, though," he added, trying to sound upbeat. In actuality, he was screaming for her to wake up. He needed to look in her eyes. He needed to talk to her. He needed to know for himself that she was all right. Apparently, his thoughts were as transparent to Ron as Harry in the Invisibility Cloak.

"Don't worry, mate," he said with a rather unconvincing chuckle. "You did what you said you would. You protected her. She's going to be fine." For the first time, Harry looked at Ron with a quizzical expression. This was not the first time Harry noticed a shift in his features, a break in his voice, or a fleeting attempt to avoid eye contact when they discussed Hermione. Things had spun wildly out of control as soon as Ron returned from the Christmas holiday. It suddenly dawned on Harry that he and Ron might have something to discuss.

Ron looked away and shouted, "Hey, Malfoy! Have one; it'll make you feel better!" Ron tossed a Chocolate Frog onto Draco Malfoy's bed. His back was turned to everyone in the room.

"He's playing like he's asleep, but he snores when he's asleep and that's how I know he's not," Ron said, smiling.

"I imagine he's got a bit on his mind," Harry replied.

"Not unlike you," Ron echoed. "So, you want to tell me what happened after the whole mirror thing...which, by the way, was very cool." Ron grinned. Harry, having had little company or conversation welcomed the chance to talk to someone and began telling the story. In his rather exhausted emotional state, he felt the other conversation could wait.

He started, full tilt, into a vivid description of everything Ron missed. It was cathartic to be able to talk about it. He and Ron were so engrossed in their conversation he didn't notice Hermione stirring behind him.

"So anyway, then Dumbledore shows up and calls him Tom!" Harry said as Ron choked on a pumpkin tart, "And then..."

"Harry?" Hermione's weak voice stopped the conversation cold. He whipped around in his seat; totally neglecting Ron perched on his every word, to find Hermione's eyes fluttering.

"I'm here," he said quickly, grasping her hand in his and giving her a kiss on the forehead. She fought to open her eyes and turned her head toward Harry's voice. As her eyes opened, a smile broke across her face.

"Hi," he whispered, wishing to think of something more profound to say.

"Hi," she echoed back.

Wanting to stem any concerns she might have, he added, "You're going to be fine."

"I knew that as soon as I heard you in my head, asking where Krum had taken me." She smiled. Harry flinched at the name. He was still more inclined to use an Unforgivable Curse on Krum than anyone else at the present time. He certainly didn't want to talk about Krum, nor did he want to tell her everything he really wanted to tell her with Ron hanging on their every word. He kissed the back of her hand and laid his forehead on her chest. He felt her hand running through his hair and heard her voice greet Ron.

"Hi, Ron." He could tell she was smiling.

"Hi! You...er- want a Chocolate Frog?" Ron replied uneasily, sending Hermione into a painfully sore laugh. Harry beamed, picked up his head and continued the rest of the story for Ron.

***

The next few days passed with Harry spending all of his time in the hospital wing with his friends. Neville and Dean left the night they arrived, but Madam Pomfrey required Ron and Hermione (and Malfoy) to stay a few days longer. She excused them from her care the night of the leaving feast.

The trio entered the Great Hall together and laid eyes upon a sight they had yet to see at Hogwarts. Usually, the Great Hall was decorated with the banners of whichever house was victorious in claiming the House Cup. Harry had only seen it done differently during his fourth year when the banners were black as a tribute to Cedric Diggory. This year the hall was alight with color. Each house had banners flying from the rafters. It was an odd sight to see Gryffindor and Slytherin hanging next to each other. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw banners also swayed in the breeze wafting through the hall.

"What do you suppose this is about?" Hermione asked, pointing up to the ceiling from the hand that was surrounded by Harry's.

"I don't know. I'm sure Dumbledore will tell us. Let's get a seat, I'm...." Ron started.

"Staaaarving," Harry and Hermione said together in a poor imitation of Ron's voice. They found a spot at the Gryffindor house table and sat down together. They had only just begun their speculations when Professor McGonagall tapped her goblet to silence the room.

"Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few parting words," McGonagall announced, after the room had fallen silent.

"Another year...gone. We are another year older," he said, pulling at his grey beard with a smile. "...and another year smarter. We are another year more connected to each other. I have been most proud to watch the interaction among our students this year," he continued. "You'll notice the house decorations are a bit different than in years past. Two years ago, I stood in this very place, saddened and concerned over the dark events that had taken place during the Triwizard Tournament."

Harry looked down at his empty plate and felt Hermione's hand give his leg a supportive squeeze. He took her hand and raised his eyes to hers with a smile. "I asked our students then to think of the broader picture and work together to become strong in the fight against evil. I am happy to say, I've seen the fruits of your cooperation." Dumbledore raised his arms to all the house tables and smiled. "The events of the past several days saw members of all houses come together to fight the forces of Lord Voldemort." Harry furrowed his eyebrows and looked toward Hermione. She seemed equally confused. Of the people they remembered in Hogsmeade, none of them had come from Hufflepuff. Ginny noticed their expression and whispered across the table.

"Justin Finch-Fletchley saw us entering the passageway and told Snape where we had gone." With their question answered, they returned their gaze to Professor Dumbledore.

"Because of that, we will not be awarding the House Cup to any one House, but awarding it officially, to all of you. Tuck in!" He finished as the leaving feast appeared onto the table in its typical fashion. The hall burst with conversation and Harry treated himself to at least three helpings of everything, feeling as though he'd not eaten in a week. As they were leaving the Great Hall, he stopped and turned to Hermione.

"I'll catch up with you, I need to talk to Dumbledore for a second," he said, squeezing her hand and turning toward his office. After a quick sprint through the corridor, he rode the spiraling staircase to the top and walked through Dumbledore's office door with a quiet knock.

"Come in Harry," he said, seated behind his desk.

"I'm sorry, Professor. I don't mean to intrude. I just wanted to ask you something before we left for home tomorrow," Harry said, as unobtrusively as he could.

"I'm afraid you will have to return to the Dursleys' at least for a brief period Harry," Dumbledore preempted. Harry's spirits fell along with his expression. Dumbledore continued, "You've progressed quite well in higher levels of magic this year, Harry; especially magic that requires the mind over the body," Dumbledore offered. "I suggest you continue that practice and see if your summer doesn't become more interesting than in years past." Having heard the answer he was trying to avoid, he thought it best to return to Gryffindor tower before giving in to the urge to upend the Headmaster's office as he had last year.

"Er- thank you Professor," he said dejectedly, turning to leave. He stopped, one question still lingering in his mind. "Justin told Professor Snape where we had gone, and I figure Malfoy was just following us. But, how did you know we were at the Hog's Head?" Harry asked Dumbledore over his shoulder.

Dumbledore lowered his gaze over his half moon glasses and gave Harry a sly grin, "Well, they do tell me I'm an exceptional wizard." He smiled. "But beyond that, I have a few...connections...to the barman at that particular establishment. While he wanted no part of the goings on there, he thought I might be interested." Dumbledore smiled and quickly ended any further inquiries. "Enjoy your evening Harry." Getting the point, Harry smiled and headed for the common room.

The common room was alive with activity. Friends forsook sleep in order to capture a few more hours with each other before departing for the summer. Harry, Ron and Hermione were no different. They were camped out, in front of the common room fire, with Ginny, Neville, Dean and Seamus. They exchanged stories, played Exploding Snap, and Ron beat every one of them in turn at wizard's chess. Harry savored every minute of the time he had left with Hermione. They seemed platonically attached at the hip and for most of the evening Hermione and he shared their favorite squashy chair together. They didn't carry on an extensive conversation with each other at all. They merely enjoyed their company of their friends and each other. Hermione, still recovering from her ordeal, turned in first and Harry walked her to her dormitory stairs.

"Good night, Hermione," Harry said, as she turned on the first stair to face him.

"Good night, Harry. I'll see you in the morning," she said smiling. They exchanged a short kiss and Harry seized the moment to ask her one more question.

"Can we go for a walk tomorrow around the lake, just us?" he said, grasping both her hands.

Hermione smiled and replied, "I wouldn't miss it for the world." She gave him another quick kiss, and disappeared up the stairs.

"I love you," Harry whispered to the place on the stairs where he'd seen her last and turned to see the crowd by the fireplace staring at him. They broke into hysterical laughter as Dean grabbed Seamus, imitating Harry and said, "Can we walk around the lake together?" Seamus punched Dean in the chest and the laughter increased. Harry felt his face turn red and called across the room sternly, "Good night, children!" He gave a fleeting glace toward Ron, who was unconvincingly engaged in Ginny's next chess move and climbed the stairs that called him to his own four-poster.

***

Morning arrived instantly for Harry. He finished packing and dressed to meet Hermione. She was already waiting for him in the common room and they swept from the portrait hole together. They made the first lap of the lake holding hands in silence. Harry didn't feel the need to say anything. Apparently Hermione didn't, either. Just being together was enough for them both. By the time they'd started the second lap, an uncontrollable urge was rising in the pit of Harry's stomach. They stopped and sat down on a felled tree overlooking the lake.

"Hermione, can I ask you something?" Harry inquired, staring at an industrious ant struggling with a leaf.

"Anything," she replied, following the ant's activity as well.

Harry cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "Do you love me?" he asked, raising his eyes to hers. He expected her to be shocked at the question, given the fact he'd asked her the same one in the Hog's Head, but she looked quite relaxed.

"More than anything," she whispered. "It's going to be really hard this summer. I've gotten a bit used to you," she lamented, bumping into his shoulder. He smiled and returned his eyes to the ant's progress.

"I have something for you," Harry said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the ring Neville had returned to him.

"Oh, Harry! I thought it was gone for good," she said, relieved. "I hope you're not angry with me, it's all I could think of."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked puzzled.

"I dropped it on the floor outside the passageway to Hogsmeade. I figured I'd shown it to enough people someone would put two and two together to realize where I'd gone." Harry smiled; Hermione was, as always, ingenious-even under stress.

"No, I'm not angry with you. That was a great idea," he said, smiling. She extended her hand for him to put it back on. She extended the hand she'd been wearing the ring on since Christmas...the right one. She seemed puzzled when he took that hand in his and did not replace the ring.

"Hermione," he said clearing his throat. She shot him a quizzical gaze and looked inquiringly at her hand. Harry was at a complete loss for words. He hadn't planned this at all. He stared at her, mouth bobbing open and closed.

Oh, for the love of Merlin! If you're going to do it, do it! This is one of those all or nothing experiences, Potter. Either charge in and make a bloody idiot of yourself, or stop sitting there looking like a blasted trout out of water!

He cleared his throat again and mustered the courage to look her in the eyes.

"I meant what I said in the Hog's Head. I've never really understood what love is, or what it meant until this year. I've spent the majority of my life with people who make it a point to loathe me, rather than love me. I've never known a parent's love. I've never been held, that I can remember, by my mother. I never played pick-up Quidditch in the garden with my father. I lost Sirius before we really got the chance to become as close as I would've liked. But over the last six years, I've had you and Ron." Harry found that once he began it was just best to continue right on.

"I've watched the Weasleys over the years and have realized what family is supposed to be. I've realized how important love is. I hope I've figured out how to show some of that. Honestly, not a day goes by that I'm not shocked that you haven't come to your senses." He laughed a little and Hermione attempted to squeeze in a word edgewise.

"No, please let me finish." She complied quietly and waited for him to continue. He sat a moment, mustering the courage, or the words, he wasn't sure which. "I think what I've discovered about love is how consuming it can be. It has consumed me. My entire existence changed last Christmas. Everything I lived for, until then, made no difference any longer. The prophecy didn't matter, Voldemort didn't matter...nothing mattered in my life but you."

He looked toward the lake and smiled. "Everyday, I saw sunshine and heard birds sing. Even if it was miserable outside, I was glowing inside. I had you." He cut his eyes to hers and smiled sheepishly. "You'd probably think I was mental if you knew how much I watched you. I think I've memorized every mannerism you have. I love the way you chew on your quill when you're thinking about something. When you're angry your eyes flash, and you bat your hair out of your face with your hand." He moved his hand to sweep an errant strand behind her ear.

"I wish there were better words in my vocabulary to express what I feel. 'I love you,' is so inadequate. I guess that's why I'm rambling." She reflected his smile. She didn't seem to mind his rambling too much.

His tone grew serious and he returned his gaze to the ant's progress. "Hermione, I've never been more scared of anything in my life as when I realized you were missing. In that moment, I saw a life flash before my eyes that didn't have you as a part of it. It lasted for only a second, but it was torturous nonetheless. I've fallen so hopelessly in love with you, I can't imagine my life without you, nor can I remember it a mere six months ago." She looked away.

She's the smartest witch at Hogwarts. She knows what's coming. At least get it out there before she can scoff at you!

"Hermione, I know this is totally illogical. I know it's crazy. I know we have another year left at Hogwarts. I know we're only sixteen. I know we've never really dated anyone else." He took both her hands in his as he slid off the tree trunk and knelt resolutely in front of her. "All I know is this. I love you more than my own life. There is nothing I wouldn't give for you... nothing I wouldn't do. I can't imagine my life without you; not in one week, one month, or fifty years from now. I don't care about ridiculous prophecies any longer. I don't care if I die tomorrow; my life is meaningless without you. I don't know how to be Harry Potter without you." He looked down at the ring he had been rolling through his fingers and gently took her left hand in his.

"I know that your unmitigated logic will scream the answer from your head. But I'm not asking your head. I'm asking your heart." He squeezed her hand, in a futile attempt to get her to look at him. "I'm asking you to marry me."

Silence.

Harry's heart was pounding. He was truly hoping she was not about to break into hysterical fits of laughter, but the sinking thought he'd just made a total fool of himself compelled him to look into her eyes. When his gaze met hers, he had his answer.

Tears were streaming down her face and she was sporting the brightest smile he'd seen from her in weeks. She dove into his arms and kissed him.

"Oh, that's a 'yes' then?" Harry said with complete relief.

"Yes!" she was wiping the tears from her cheeks and looking at the ring on her left hand as thought she'd never seen it before.

"I don't care if it takes ten years before I see you walking the aisle to my side, we're forever, Hermione. I can wait for a ceremony as long as I know I'll never be without you again." He watched her study the glints of sunlight as they reflected from the ring. "I'll take you to Diagon Alley and we'll replace the stone with a diamond." He smiled.

"We'll do nothing of the sort, Harry Potter! This ring is as unique as you are - as we are - and I wouldn't have it any other way," Hermione scoffed and leaned in for another kiss. Harry and she sat with the foreheads together for a few minutes, looking at the glowing red stone. He had never been so happy in his life. All he could think about was how much he loved her.

"I know," Hermione whispered. "I love you too." Harry separated from her, shocked that she'd seemed to read his thoughts then broke into a broad smile.

"That might come in handy later on," he said, laughing and they headed back to Hogwarts.

***

The train ride home was excruciating for them both. They hadn't told anyone about their engagement, and lived in their own secret for a while. The ring was commonplace on Hermione's hand by now and no one seemed to notice the nuance of it changing hands. With each mile of passing scenery, Harry grew more and more depressed. He could stay like this forever, on this train forever, his arm wrapped around Hermione, her leaning against him. He barely heard a word his cabin mates said. Several times Hermione elbowed him in the ribs to encourage him to pay a bit more attention. It only drew his attention to her. It didn't go unnoticed that this was the first ride on the Hogwarts Express he could remember where Malfoy hadn't shown up at the cabin door.

It was also the first ride where he truly would've liked to see him.

The train steamed into King's Cross and Harry's heart dropped again. Everyone clamored to gather their things as the train stopped but Harry and Hermione were frozen in their seat, wishing hopelessly to stave off their summer separation. Eventually, they followed suit, and walked in silence off of platform 9 3_4 into a bustling Muggle train station. Ron hugged Hermione and slapped Harry on the back as he headed off for Molly and Arthur Weasley. Both Harry and Hermione gave them a quick wave and scanned the train station.

"There are my parents," Hermione said softly.

"There's the Dursleys," Harry replied flatly. They stopped their trolleys together and Harry took her into a strong embrace. He didn't want to let go, but he could see both the Grangers and the Dursleys approaching. He didn't care. They separated and stood motionless with their foreheads together, Harry silently playing with the ring now seated on Hermione's left hand.

Harry had made it through six years of hell. He'd faced Voldemort more times than he cared to count. He'd watched both Cedric and Sirius die at the hands of dark wizards. He'd seen his friends attacked and nearly killed. He'd been ousted by his best friend, made the laughingstock of Hogwarts with bright flashing badges, and was believed to be the Heir of Slytherin. He'd endured nearly everything that could be thrown at him over the course of the last six years.

None of it was as painful as this.

He made it six years fighting back every tear that had ever come to his eyes, never allowing people to see his emotions. But this moment was too much. It was too hard. He couldn't hold back the few quiet tears that escaped his eyes and rolled down his cheek. The significance of the moment was not lost on his new fiancée.

"Harry," she said quietly, as the footsteps of her family approached. "Everything's going to be all right." She looked up at him with her own pair of misty eyes, but fought more valiantly than he could to keep the tears from escaping. "I promise." She smiled warmly and turned to her family, the Dursleys close behind.

She gave her parents a loving hug and pulled them to Harry. "Mum, Dad, you remember Harry," she said brightly. Harry tried to inconspicuously wipe the tears from his cheek before extending a hand to shake her father's.

"Of course!" her father said excitedly. "I imagine we'll have to endure another summer of Hermione's endless conversations about you, Harry!" he said, laughing.

"I imagine we will!" her mother said, clasping her hand over her mouth and taking Hermione's left hand in hers. Harry wasn't sure what to expect at this point. He'd asked their 16 year-old daughter to marry him without so much as an owl to her parents. He held his breath and waited for a roar equal only to Uncle Vernon.

It didn't come.

Rather, her mother squealed in delight and pulled both Hermione and Harry into what could only be described as a bear hug...right there in King's Cross.

It was hard to say what the Dursleys were more shocked with, Mrs. Granger's outward display of public affection, or the fact Harry was getting married...to a witch. Uncle Vernon, clearly trying to find a fast exit from the stares Mrs. Granger's outburst was attracting, waltzed over to Harry and with his usual cheery disposition demanded he come with him immediately.

"I'll be there when I'm ready," Harry snapped with a cautionary gaze. Oddly enough, Aunt Petunia came to his rescue.

"Dudley, push this trolley to the car please. Vernon, let's give them a minute alone." She looked at Harry quickly, while shuffling her red-faced husband to the exit.

"Yes, dear," Hermione's mother concurred, pulling her father along with her. "Hermione, we'll be right outside at the car," she said, following suit and pushing Hermione's trolley toward the door.

Harry walked Hermione to her car, noticing the Dursleys parked only a few spaces away. They succumbed to one final embrace. Even though her parents were standing only feet away, he couldn't resist a final kiss. It seemed to last forever and yet couldn't last long enough. He tried to remember every scent, every touch, every last iota of this kiss so he could keep it with him all summer. They put their foreheads together once more; this time Hermione was unable to stop the tears.

"I'll send you an owl everyday." Her voice was quaking.

He directed her chin up so their eyes met and he replied, "I can do one better than that." He closed his eyes and cleared all but one thought from his mind.

"I know you do," Hermione said with a weak smile and climbed in the car. He closed her door hesitantly, and stepped back as Mr. Granger pulled the car out of the parking space. Hermione peered at him through the window, her hand pressed against the glass in an effort to touch his as they pulled away. He raised his hand to mimic hers and didn't move from that spot until her car had vanished from sight.

"Come, Harry," Aunt Petunia said in an uncharacteristic soft voice. "It's time to go home."

Fin.