HARRY POTTER AND THE STONE OF DUMBLEDORE’S MANOR

CHAPTER FOURTEEN


Night Wish and the Final Face-off

The sun set on the trio as they sat and ate a lunch conjured by Ron, who knew lots of food charms, and talking about what had happened in Godric’s Hollow.

“He found us somehow, mate.” Ron said, shoving his mouth full of sandwich. Hermione nodded.

“Yes. Seems funny that they show up everywhere we are, except Hogwarts.” She said, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.

“I don’t know how. I’ve got nothing for them to trace.” Harry said, looking down the hill at the glistening water.

“Blood. They can trace you simply by your blood. But when did they get a chance to take your blood?” Hermione asked. Harry shrugged. He thought he knew it somewhere, but nothing came to him. As the sun disappeared from behind the hills, Harry got up and stretched.

“Alright, Hermione. Disillusion me, now.” Harry said. Hermione got to her feet and with her wand, tapped him on the head. The familiar cold swept his body as he looked down and saw nothing.

“Ok, I’m going to head there now. Be safe you two. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He turned, and Hermione gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Be safe, mate.” Ron said, not really liking Hermione giving him a kiss. Harry nodded, then turned with a pop and disappeared.
“Oh, bad, bad, bad, idea!” Hermione said, wringing her hands together as he left them in silence.

“He will be fine, Hermione.” Ron said, grabbing her hands and pulling her toward him. They both watched a shooting star head across the sky.

“Make a wish.” Ron told Hermione.

“It’s already come true.” She said, reaching his lips with hers this time.

“I like this wish.” Ron said, smiling as he inserted his tongue into her mouth.

“Ron, I don’t….” She started, pulling away. He shook his head at her.

“Oh, no. You started this, now we finish it.” He said, guiding her by her hand down to the lake. This time it would be right. Simple, but right.

Reaching the bank, he pulled her into his arms once again and reached her lips, sucking in their sweet pleasure. His hand slowly drifted down her side. He began to pull the belt from her jeans loops. Getting it undone, he pulled it out and threw it along a tree trunk. She began to strip his shirt she conjured for him off. Kissing his broad chest with baby kisses, she reached down with her hands and started to take his belt off. Throwing the belt aside, she unzipped his pants and let them fall. Ron stepped from them and started on Hermione’s shirt. Taking care not to touch her burns directly, he pulled her shirt off completely. Last thing to go was Hermione’s jeans. Hermione in her panties and bra, and Ron in his boxers, they splashed into the lake. The water cold, Hermione’s nipples showed through the lace of her bra. They swam to the shallow part that had a connecting bank.

“Let me take care of this for you.” Ron said, unclasping her bra and sliding it down her shoulders. Her breasts exposed, he pressed his bare chest against them. Hermione smiled, then reached under the water and removed his boxers.


“Better?” She asked, taking pleasure in his smile.

“Umm, hmm.” He said, kissing her fiercely on her mouth. He did as she had done. He reached under the water and slowly removed her panties. Bodies pressed together, Hermione placed her hands on his back and his hands he placed on her bare butt.

“So, finish what?” Hermione teased. Ron smiled, then, taking his hand from her butt, he began to rub her breasts with gentle ease. Hermione tilted her head back. Ron gently, with a cold tongue, began to trace her nipples. A soft moan issued from Hermione. Still supporting Hermione, he reached up to kiss her again before he took his right hand and placed it between her legs. Gently rubbing her spot, Hermione moaned a little louder now, her back arching slightly.

“Like that?” Ron said, kissing her neck softly. She nodded slightly, still moaning. Ron loved it. He had been wanting this for a long time. Her warmth excited him, but he had more he wanted to do. He pulled Hermione to his chest roughly and began to suck on her breasts. Straddled on Ron’s legs, Hermione could feel his excitement. Floating there in the cool water, he was hard. Hermione reached down into the water and pulled onto his manhood. Rubbing it with speed, she had Ron moaning with each pass of his tip.

“Hermione…” He mumbled as she kissed his lips while pumping him. He kissed her back as he moaned louder. His control gone, he came in the water, the clear liquid floating along away from them.

“Oh, no! Ronald has been a bad boy!” Hermione said. “What shall I do?” She said. Ron grabbed her hand, and swam a small amount till they were halfway in the water, and halfway on the bank.

“Let me.” Ron said, turning Hermione to straddle him with her face facing away. His rock hard, he gently pressed it into her bare ass, holding her waist for leverage.

“Am I being naughty again?” He asked, her back arching as he began to thrust. She did not answer, but instead moaned. He began to thrust harder, his hands on her hips. He avoided her burned back as her rocked her in rhythm, the gentle slapping of the water was the only sound beside her moaning. She sounded a very loud moan as he had thrusted her a little harder than he wanted. His control waning, he moved his hips and made a small circle. Hermione moaned and her arms gave way as she hit the bank with her elbows. Ron blew into her with his cream and moaned as he remained mounted. In one turn, he pulled out and flipped her over. He spread her legs apart and dove his face into her warm spot. Flicking his tongue to her flower, she issued a throaty moan that made Ron laugh. Licking her up and down, he began to suck. She pulled on some blades of grass as her pleasure rose. Her control leaving her, she reached down and grabbed a lot of Ron’s red hair. Grasping gently, he came back up to kiss her lips. Taking a breast into his hand he rubbed her, as she kissed him without conviction.

“Are you ready?” He asked her, brushing some stray hair from her face.

“Yeah.” She said, kissing him again. He smiled.

Pulling on his hard penis, he guided it into her waiting hole. She arched her back as Ron placed his hands on either side of her head on the grass. His rhythm slow at first, he made her moan with anticipation.

“Faster.” She said, as he reached her lips. With her permission, his hips began to pick up speed, as he gently rammed her into the bank with timely thrusts.
“Harder.” She demanded.

Ron started to lift himself higher before entering her wholly. The effect was immediate. She moaned extremely loud as he rammed into her with quickening speed and lust.

“Ron!” She screamed out. “Yes!” Ron, looking at her face, could no longer hold it in. With one big, hard thrust, he came in her. Hermione moaned as Ron collapsed on her, kissing her with force. Hermione snuggled against his naked body, Ron holding her tight.

“I love you, Hermione.” Ron said his face so close to her.

“I love you, too.” She said, kissing him again. In the night moon, they laid beside one another, forgetting all the things that made them unhappy and angry with one another. Hermione’s passion was right this time. The one person she wanted was in her arms now……


Harry knelt beside the small wall that led into the prison. He had apparated with ease to the island in which the prison was held, but now he had to get in with being detected. Slinking around the small wall, Harry managed to make it to the main gate. Two Dementors stood guard on each side. Harry crept up close enough to see the hoods they wore flap in the stench of prison life. Sliding past them, Harry made it into the huge lobby of the prison.
A goblin sat at a high desk in the atrium, a sign beside him mentioning that all visitors are to have identification and may experience a joyless visit if they touch a Dementor. Harry walked passed him, past several doors before his disillusionment charm started to wear off. He came to a heavy wooden door that read: RECORDER OF RECORDS. Harry silently let out a deep breath then opened the door and went inside. Inside the dark room of the prison, stacks and stacks of files were piled ceiling high on the floor. Piles dangling precariously, Harry cursed out loud. How was he going to search all of these? Then he had an Idea.

Taking out his wand from his pocket, he lifted it up and aimed into the middle of all the piles that met in the middle of the room.

“Acc….” Harry started. The wooden door behind him opened slowly. Harry dove behind some of the piles near the door and out of sight. He could not see who it was, but there was more than one, as they held a conversation as they advanced further into the room.

“Yes, yes, Elfrita. I did hear that. Said they got Carrow and Knott.” The old sounding wizard said, passing Harry.

“He-who-must-not-be-named is looking for them, you know. They can’t hide forever, that Potter boy and his friends!” The lady witch said. Harry crawled on his hands and knees, listening to their every word.

“Did you hear the rumor, then, Elfrita? They charmed the girl. Traced her with her own blood! Gave her some potion, then poof! Took her blood while she was out! Clever, that is!” The old wizard continued.

“That is clever! I do hope they get away, though.” Elfrita said, placing a stack of papers on the floor. They turned around and mumbled the whole way back out the door. Harry was too stunned to move.

“Hermione? When did…” Then he stopped. When they had them in the dungeon at the cottage! They must have got some of Hermione’s blood and traced it! But that meant she was in danger! Harry hurriedly got to his feet and pointed his wand yet again at the stacks of papers.

“Accio Marcolo Black record!” Harry yelled. The stacks blew from one side and the next. Harry was about to give up, when a paper whizzed to his feet. He bent down to pick it up. It was the information for Marcolo Black. Harry hurriedly got out of the records room, opening the door cautiously and stepping out. Running down the small, unused hallway next to the records room, he began to read as he ran.

MARCOLO PHINIUS BLACK
CELL 3724
ANCIENT TREE DESEGRAGATION
14 YEARS


Harry knew he had no time to check the cell. He would need to come back. Before he could think which way to go or what to do next, someone shouted behind him.

“GET HIM!” A wizard in old robes demanded of the two Dementors that were advancing on him.

Harry turned and ran down the hallway more as they floated to him. Pulling his wand from his pocket, he did the only thing he knew how.

“EXPECTO PATRONUM!” The stag erupted from his wand tip and latched itself on the first Dementor. The second was still roaming nearer to Harry. Suddenly, a voice behind the Dementors made the wizard call them off.

“Harry! What are you doing here? Are you crazy?” Tonks, pink hair and all, said, running to him and helping him up. “You can’t be caught in here, Harry!”

Harry looked at her and poured everything he overheard out to her. She looked shocked, but scared too.

“You go apparate back and warn them. I’ll get this blood thing sorted out. Go now!” Tonks said, her eyes alarmed. With a pop, Harry apparated. Did he know he was too late? He would soon enough…..


Hermione and Ron were dressed now, both sitting on the bank watching the water flow from the nearby waterfall. Hermione leaned on Ron’s legs as she stared out into the darkness of the water.

“You think Harry is alright?” She said after awhile. She turned to Ron, who looked uneasy.

“I really think he is, Hermione. We can’t worry about him every time we aren’t with him. And frankly, we were to busy to worry about him earlier…” He trailed off, his smile unfurling on his face. Hermione playfully hit him on his legs.

“Smooth, Ron. Real Smooth.” Hermione said. “I’m serious, Ron. He’s been gone a while now.” She said. Ron hugged her around the arms.

“He will be…” He began. A bang issued from behind them. Hermione and Ron got to their feet in a hurry, turning to look at what made the noise. Hermione gasped. There, in front of them, stood the form of Voldemort. His ugly features hidden by the shadows, they both could still see the smile on his face.

“Well, well. Two down, one to go.” He said, looking at them, and stepping out of the shadows. Ron reached for his wand in his back pocket.

Voldemort, in one swift motion, flicked his wand and Hermione floated over to him. “Touch that wand, boy, and she will die. You will watch.” He said, taking his wand to her face. Ron went pale, and dropped his hands to his side.

“Leave her alone. Take me.” He said, pointing to his chest. Voldemort laughed.

“Awe. How cute! All the more reason to kill her, then.” He said, his breath so close to Hermione, she could see it disperse around her. He pointed his wand at Ron.

“Where is Potter?” He asked. Hermione squirmed. “CRUCIO!” He yelled, pointing his wand at Hermione. She wriggled in pain as the spell coursed her body. Voldemort allowed her to fall on the ground, where she lay unconscious.

“HERMIONE!” Ron yelled. Voldemort advanced on him.

“Reducto!” Voldemort said, sending Ron crashing into a tree behind him. “I said where is Potter? Hesitate and she will die!” He said, pointing behind him at Hermione.

“I don’t know!” Ron said. Voldemort showed his sharp teeth to Ron, who coward near the bottom of the tree.

“LIAR! WHERE IS THE STONE?” Voldemort yelled, his wand pointed at Ron again.

“What stone?” Ron asked. Voldemort turned and Crucioed Hermione again.

“NO! ALRIGHT! PLEASE!” Ron sobbed now. “He...he…went to look for the stone.” Ron said, trying to avoid the eyes he did not want to see.

“You are lying to me, ginger. Guess I need to waste this pretty young thing, here.” Voldemort said, raising his wand. As Voldemort lifted his wand, a bang hit him in the chest, making him fly back into the water of the lake. Harry was there suddenly.

“Ron get the hell out of here with her. Go!” Harry shouted, his wand still raised, he advanced to the waters edge.

Ron ran and gathered Hermione in his arms. With a deafening crack, they once again escaped death.

Harry looked into the water. The cool waves slowed silently as he drew his wand to full height. He stood there waiting. Suddenly, with a great whooshing of water, Voldemort flew out of the middle of the water, his eyes on fire. He floated back onto the bank. Harry ran a few steps back.

“Potter! I should have known your weak spells! We meet yet again!” He smiled, his face dripping with water.

“You are weak, not my spells.” Harry retorted.

“Ah, Potter. You have saved the girl twice. You will not save her a third unless I get the stone. Where is the stone, Potter?” Voldemort said, walking toward Harry.

“I don’t have it. Didn’t those two idiots tell you that? They went through my things. It’s gone.” Harry said, backing away, his wand still raised.

“LIAR! You took the real one from Godric’s Hollow. I had my followers check. SO WHERE IS IT?” He said angrily. Harry thought hard. Godric’s Hollow? They had just been there and it was nowhere to be seen. Then he remembered. The brick! There was something shining out from it! He bet anything they hid the stone in the brick! Harry stalled.

“I don’t know where it is.” He said, clamping his hand on his wand.

“Too bad, then, Potter. I wanted to kill you anyway.” He raised his wand, and aimed. Harry closed his eyes preparing to die for he knew Voldemort knew all his spells and would surely use them against him if he launched one. Suddenly, Harry heard a spell whiz near his head as he ducked. He heard a loud grunt. Opening his eyes, he saw Ron standing behind a tree near Voldemort, his wand outstretched. Voldemort flew back into the water, this time further in.

“Come on, Harry! Get your ass over here so we can apparate!” He said, looking over Harry and into the lake. Harry ran to Ron grabbed his arm and disapparated. Voldemort, still floating down into the abyss, vanished. He heard Harry disparate even in the water. The crack of the spell sending an enraged feeling into his body. He would kill Potter. Or the Girl. One or the other. The Red-head would be for Fenrir Greyback to enjoy….


Harry opened his eyes. He was lying on his back. Looking around, he saw it was the Burrow’s living room. Harry sat up and saw Ron looking at him.

“Hey, mate, you alright then?” He asked, helping Harry to his feet.

“Where is Hermione?” Harry asked first thing.

“Fine. She is sleeping. The spell didn’t do too much on her.” Ron replied as Harry sat on the couch.

“Why the burrow, Ron? Didn’t we cut it close last time?” Harry said irritably.

“Oh, well, your right, Harry! I should have thought about where to take Hermione as Voldemort just tried to kill her!” Ron said, his voice rising.

“No, Ron. They are tracing her blood. They knew where we are, you git!” Harry said, rising to his feet. Ron looked scared for a moment.

“Her blood? I thought they would trace yours!” He said, his voice lowering now. Harry relayed the story to him in less than five minutes.

“Well, then, we can send a patronus to mum and dad. Tonks is there isn’t she?” Ron asked.

“I don’t know. But it is worth a try. Send yours. They will probably be tracing mine.” Harry said. “Where is Hermione?” Harry asked, looking near the stairs.

“In my room, and I don’t want you to bother her!” Ron said, his body bouncing off the chair he was sitting in.

“Calm down, Ron.”

Ron looked at him before pulling out his wand. Ron, in his bellowing voice, expelled his Patronus, a Jack Russell Terrier, He gave instructions for it to tell Tonks that they again where at the burrow, and that she needed to sort out Hermione. As the patronus left, Ron looked at Harry before he sped up the stairs to Hermione.

Harry placed several wards at the doors and windows around the burrow. Though it would not stop anyone from breaking in, it would warn him. He settled down on the couch, his wand in his hand and ready. Harry must have dozed off, because a loud bang made him sit straight up and look wildly around.

“Damn that carpet!” He heard Tonks say. She came around the corner and saw Harry, his wand pointed at her.

“Tonks! Did you get the Patronus?” Harry asked. She smiled at him.

“Obviously!” She said brightly. “Where are Ron and Hermione?” She asked, her eyes shifting around the room.

“Upstairs.” Harry replied. Seeing the look on her face, he explained. “Sleeping. Voldemort paid them a visit while I was gone. He used Crucio on Hermione.” He said. Then added: “But they have already done what you were thinking.” Seeing her face turn pink, he looked away. “Come on, let’s go get Hermione.” He said, leading her to the stairs.

Tonks and Harry went up to Ron’s room. Hermione lay asleep on his bed, and Ron bunked on the one Harry had been using. Ron heard the door darted up and smacked his head on the shelf above him.

“OUCH!” He yelled out, rubbing his head. He saw Tonks and Harry and knew his patronus had worked. He bent over and nudged Hermione softly.

“Hermione. Wake up. Tonks is here.” He said. She stirred, and then awoke in alarm. “It’s ok. She’s going to help you.” Ron said, setting his hand on her shoulder.

“Hel…help with what?” Hermione said, not fully alert. Seeing everyone looking at her, she said, “Well?”. Harry explained what he had to Tonks and Ron. Hermione shuddered.

“So, it’s been me that has been getting us into danger? This whole time!” Hermione said, her face flush.

Ron reassured her. “Tonks is here to take the trace off, Hermione.” He said, squeezing her shoulders.

“Hem, hem.” Tonks said. Ron looked up and realized she wanted him to move. He got up and stood next to Harry.

She pulled out a potion bag from her cloak. The bag contained a vial of potion the color of Bogies.

“Here, drink this.” Tonks said, handing her the vial of green ooze. Hermione made a face, which made Ron and Harry laugh, and gulped it down. Sputtering, she asked Tonks what it was.

“It’s blood replenisher. Cleans your blood. Drink it all, now.” Tonks said, slipping the vial back into the bag. Tonks smiled at her, then at Ron and Harry.

“So, will Voldemort know she’s here? I mean, trace her?” Harry asked. Tonks shook her head. Hermione turned her head to the window, and glanced an owl sitting on the window sill. Hermione turned quickly away from it as Tonks spoke.

“Nope. All clear. I’m no doctor, Hermione, but you seem to be getting a cold. You may need some Pepperup Potion for that. What were you doing in the cold?” Tonks asked her. Hermione turned pink, then turned from her. Ron looked oddly at the wall above his bed.

“Don’t know, wasn’t all that cold. It was a bit nipple…er, nippy though.” Ron said. His ears turned scarlet as he finished. Tonks smiled knowingly then got up from the bed.

“Well, then, off I go. No more….er, not wearing jackets.” She winked at Hermione, then at Ron. Harry saw Tonks down to the door.

“Thanks, Tonks. We appreciate your help.” Harry said. She shook her head.

“No, Harry. No need to thank me. It’s to keep you alive. There are people that love you, Harry. Two examples are upstairs. Watch her, Harry!” And with that, she vanished right before his eyes. He closed the door and headed back upstairs.

Ron and Hermione were in separate beds, Hermione glancing at the owl hidden by the curtains to all but her, neither really talking to the other, Harry came in and sat down near Ron.

“I know where the real stone is.” He watched them stand to attention. “It’s in Godric’s Hollow.” He swallowed. Hermione made to open her mouth in protest.
“Yes, Hermione. I’m aware we didn’t find anything when we were there. But, remember that brick that had something glowing in it?” Harry said.


“You mean…?” Hermione guided. Harry nodded his head.

“The real stone is in there? How do you know?” Ron interjected.

“Because Voldemort said it was in Godric’s Hollow. It has to be it. We need to go back and get it.” He said, his face falling.

“Go back? Harry, we can’t. Death eaters already know we’ve been there. You think they are stupid? They will have it all rigged and watched.” Hermione said.

“I know, but we have to…”

“Harry, we…”

“I said we have to, Hermione. If you don’t want to come, fine!” He said angrily.

“Hey! Don’t you yell at her! Want to have a go at me then?” Ron stood up, leering at Harry.

“Ron, sit down.” Hermione said. “Now.” Ron did as he was told. “We will go, Harry. But we need a plan. We can’t just go.” She said her voice gentle. Ron looked at her, and wondered how she could be so calm to him after he yelled at her,

“I know.” Harry said, “We can think one up later. I’m starving. Ron, you got any food in the kitchen?” Harry asked. Ron nodded.

“Coming, love?” He said to Hermione. It was the first time he openly in front of Harry, and after their “mistake“ as Hermione called it, made an attempt at affection toward her.

“In a minute.” She said, smiling at him. Ron and Harry left the room and went down into the kitchen to look for food. Hermione leapt from the bed, and went over to the window. The owl had a letter stuck to his beak. Taking it, she shooed the owl away and read it. A tear formed, and rolled down her face. Tragedy had struck her in the heart. She knew she would never be the same.

After a while, Hermione came down stairs, an odd look on her face. Ron, without looking at her, spoke.

“Hermione! It’s about time, come on and dig in! We’ve got…” He looked up at her and smiled. She had went through some of Ginny’s old things and found something other than his shirt to wear. She had replaced her clothes with an old pair of Ginny’s faded jeans, and a low-dip t-shirt. Although Ginny was smaller, her clothes fit Hermione, as they had been hand-me-downs from Auntie Muriel’s teenage daughters and were big on Ginny to begin with.

“Wow! You look great!” He said, blinking at her. Harry nodded in agreement.

“Why, thank you, Mr. Weasley.” She said, batting her eyes at him. “What the hell is that you’re eating?” She said, jumping back a little. The slop in his bowl moved.

“Something mum bought. I don’t know…Wheat germ?” He said, looking at the spoon he held. “Want some?” She shook her head.

“No, thanks. Let me cook you some real food.” She said, getting to the stove and flicking her wand to turn it on.

“I love you, Hermione!” Ron said, pushing his bowl of slop away.

“You said that already.” She replied. She could feel Harry’s eyes press into her back as she floated some pots onto the hot stove. “Uh, Harry, what do you want to eat?” She asked, mainly to stop his staring at her.

“Whatever.” He replied. Hermione went into the deep pantry beside the fridge. She came out with some bacon, eggs and some bread.

“Did you even bother to look in the pantry?” Hermione said to them, though she smiled.

“No. But we did find some food on our own, Hermione.” Ron said, his smile stuck on his face.

“Yeah, if you can keep that down, I owe you a Pumpkin Pasties.” She said, placing the stuff on the stove. Ron choked on his spoonful of whatever it was as he laughed. Hermione rolled her eyes.

“So, when do we go back to Godric’s Hollow?” Ron asked watching Hermione cracking some eggs and using her wand to cook the bacon on the stove.

“I think it needs to be soon. We need to get that stone.” Harry said, pushing his bowl away from him.

“About that…I think I better stay here and not go to Godric’s Hollow, Harry. It’s too much of a risk.” Hermione said, sitting the bacon on the table in front of Ron.

“No, no, no, no! Hermione, no. You can’t stay behind. What if something happens and we need to go somewhere else? How are you going to know where we are?” Ron protested, stuffing a piece of bacon into his mouth.

“Hermione, Ron is right. You need to come, too.” Harry said, looking tired and frustrated.

“I’m not going, and that is that. You guy’s are perfectly able to keep yourselves safe. Ron, stop that!” Hermione said, as Ron scoffed and said, “Us? Safe? Able?”

“Hermione, we can’t fight about this.” Harry said, as she set some toast on the table and shut off the stove after cooking the eggs. She slammed the plate full of eggs down.

“I’m too much of a risk! I almost got us all killed a few times! What don’t you understand about that?” She said, tears welling in her eyes. Ron and Harry understood. Ron stood.

“Whoa…Hermione, is this about them tracing your blood and following us? That was not your fault.” He said, pulling on her hands with his. “You can’t possibly think we think you’re a danger to us?” Ron said. Harry nodded in agreement. Hermione let tears slide down the soft skin of her face.

“Ron, they almost killed us more than once, because I was stupid. I’m supposed to be so smart, and I let them do this to you.” She said, taking her hands back from Ron and covering her face. Ron looked at Harry for some help.

“Don’t go blaming yourself, Hermione. You didn’t put the tracer in your blood, they did. I don’t quite understand why you are so upset about it?” Harry said his confusion showing on his face.

“Please! I don’t want to risk your lives more than I already have!” She yelled now.

“Hermione, the trace is gone. You’re not any danger to us. What’s really going on here?” Ron asked. Hermione, tears still coming down, collapsed onto her knees. Ron bent down to pick her up, but she would not budge. Her sobs getting louder, Ron asked her what was going on. Hermione lifted her face, dug in her pocket, and produced the letter the owl had given her upstairs. Ron read it, his face pale and cold looking by the end.


Harry, Ron and Hermione,

Trouble at the Manor, Death Eaters destroyed everything. Almost everyone got out safe. Hermione, I’m so sorry dear, your father did not make it out of the manor. Everyone was disapparating, and he was left behind. Moody found him on the stairs after everything stopped and it was safe to go back in. I know you must feel horrible. I’m so sorry! We are no longer at the manor. Please do not reply, being watched on the Patronus front. Please be safe and your Mum says to tell you she loves you, and she will take care of the arrangements for your father. Ron, Harry, be safe!

Molly Weasley


Ron handed the letter to Harry and slunk to his knees beside her. Pulling her up to his height, he pulled her into a hug. He held her more tightly then he had ever done. Tears sliding down his own face, he heard her sob hysterically into his shoulder. She did not want to go to Godric’s Hollow, because she feared the same thing would happen to one of them. She considered herself a risk and did not want to hurt Ron or Harry in the process. Harry, who had just finished reading, looked strange. He took his hand and swiped everything off the table in anger, sending it crashing to the burrows kitchen floor.

“Damn it! Why couldn’t it have been that fat ass, Dursley?” He said angrily. He watched Ron and Hermione, still locked in a tight embrace. Ron picked Hermione off the floor then lifted her crying form and carried her into the living room of the burrow. Laying her on the couch, he grabbed a blanket off the back of it, and placed it around her. He sat next to her, near her hip, and spoke softly to her.

“It’s going to be ok. You have me. I’ll get you through this, alright? Remember…I….I…lost Ginny. I’m not very good at this, but I want you to remember that I love you and I’ll be here for you when you wake up, when you go to sleep, and forever. I’m sorry, Hermione. Nothing I can say can bring him or Ginny back, but you have me, and I love you.” He said, kissing her forehead as she turned her head and faced the other side of the couch, her silent tears etching tracks in her solemn face. She sobbed lightly. Ron got up and went back into the kitchen. He sat down beside Harry and cried. Harry never seen him cry like that before and he felt bad. He knew then that Ron loved Hermione much more than he ever could…And it hurt…



That night, Ron and Harry sat in solitary silence as the clock panged the hours by. Finally, unable to hold off anymore, Harry turned to Ron.

“Ron, I got to go. You should stay here with Hermione.” He said, looking at his friend, who was strangely silent still.

“I need to go, Harry. Hermione will be ok. Can you do a protection charm on her?” Ron asked, staring straight ahead. Harry nodded. Ron did not want to leave her, but he knew that Harry needed him too, and that Hermione would be fine.

Ron got up and headed over to Hermione, who was still asleep. He bent down and kissed her cheek. She stirred, but did not wake. Ron nudged her and she sat up, startled.

“Ron! What is it?” She said, looking into his saddened face, the same expression that she wore to him.

“Harry and I need to go back to Godric’s Hollow. You stay here. Harry will put a charm on you, alright?” He said gently. Hermione shook her head at him.

“No. I’m going, too.” She said, surprising Ron.
“What?”

“I’m going. I need to do this. I thought maybe staying would make you somehow safer, but I think I’ll just make it worse. I’ll be worrying about you and you about me.” She said standing, and fixing her shirt, which slid down her thin frame a little. Ron smiled at her. Taking her hand in his, they turned to Harry.

“Come on, Mate. Let’s go.” He said. Harry was so proud to stand there in front of them, knowing they could die, but willing to sacrifice themselves for him. He did not have Hermione anymore, but he had them both, His two best friends.

Walking to the patchy grass, he and the other two turned on their heels and vanished into the dark of night, the only light being from the moon.

Standing on the small square of Godric’s Hollow, they looked around for any sign of death eaters. None visible, they made their way slowly to Miranda Trelawney’s house again. Ron still had Hermione’s hand firmly in his as they came along the burned out wall. Harry looked down at the bricks. He couldn’t see anything.

“Lum…” Harry started. Hermione whispered fiercely as she pulled his wand down.

“No, you’re going to give us away. Just search by holding it to the moonlight.” She said, disengaging from Ron, and showing Harry, by picking up a brick and placing it in a moonbeam.

“Right, Sorry.” He said, picking up a burned brick. “What about that letter you found, Hermione? In the chimney?”

“Nothing to do with this at all, Harry. It was just a letter she had hidden there for some reason.” Hermione said, searching another brick. Harry thought on that. He wasn’t so sure, but maybe she was right, it was just there on coincidence.

“Harry! Here it is!” Ron said, holding up the shiny brick. Hermione and Harry ran to him. Harry grabbed the brick. In the distance, they heard the unmistakable sound of someone apparating. Harry shoved the brick into his pocket and He, Hermione and Ron grabbed hands. As the roar of wands began to shake the ground from over the hill, they vanished once more.

Landing on the grass, Harry made to open his eyes, but was immediately rushed into darkness again. Once the whooshing stopped, Harry opened his eyes. Hermione was up already using her wand to make a circle around them. Ron was sitting up, as he had fallen upon impact to the ground.

“Hermione, what happened? Where are we?” Harry asked. She whipped around.

“Death eaters, Harry. They were at the front door of the burrow. I had to think quickly and well…” She trailed off. As Harry looked around, he noticed where they were. The graveyard where Cedric Diggory had breathed his last breath. Harry got up and backed away.

“Hermione, I can’t stay here. Apparate us somewhere else.” He said shakily.

“There isn’t anywhere else, Harry. You think they will let us back into Hogwarts after we left in the middle of the night? And the burrow is full of death eaters, the manor is…well, gone.” She said, as Ron grumbled his agreement.

“I CAN’T STAY HERE, DAMN IT! I’LL APPARATE ALONE!” Harry shouted, his voice echoing off the old graves around them. Hermione ran over to him and looked very angry.

“Harry! If I need to, I will use a rope bind on you! Now, this is the only place left! I put anti-apparation wards up anyway. That’s what this circle is. No one can apparate in or out.” She said, pointing to the blue mist around them.

“Voldemort can! You think that’s going to stop him? We are talking about someone who tried to kill me year 4!” Harry yelled his voice deep and throaty from shouting.

Hermione shook her head then turned and walked away from him. Turning back, she said: “What’s happened to you, Harry? You said you wouldn’t stop until Voldemort was gone. Seems to me, as if you’re running from him.” She said, turning to look at Ron, then walking away from them both.

Harry looked ashamed. Ron came over to him and sat down on one of the old tombs. He looked at Harry for a moment.

“You know she’s right, Harry. We can’t run from him anymore. We can’t control what he does. He will find us, Harry, and we need to be ready. All the training in the world can’t help us, I know, but we have to try.” Ron said, looking at Hermione as she sat down on an old gravestone and held her head in her hands. “What about that brick, mate?” Ron said, remembering it. Harry made a sound then retrieved it from his pocket.

“I’d forgotten. Do you reckon this is the real stone?” He asked. Ron shrugged. “I don’t know. Dig it out of the brick and see.” Ron said, his red hair waving in the light breeze.

“Hermione, what is that spell again?” Ron asked. Stomping over to them, she sat on the other side of Harry.

“What spell?” She asked, looking down at the brick. “The gouging one.” Hermione pointed her wand at the brick, then:

“Defodio!” The brick busted into two pieces. Inside, the Seeing Stone was glistening out. Miranda Trelawney and her husband, did indeed hide it in one of the bricks in their home. Then Harry understood.

“She must have known Voldemort was coming for the stone. She must have seen it in this stone! So she set up the fake letter in the chimney to throw them off, only they were so dumb, they missed it! She wanted me to find it! That’s why it shined out at me!” Harry explained. The stone was just like the one Harry had gotten from Dumbledore manor. “And I bet our Trelawney gave the fake one to Dumbledore, who put in the plaque to confuse Voldemort. After all, Trelawney must have told him about the Seeing Stone!” Harry said in excitement. “And I bet they traced your blood, Hermione, thinking you would be smart enough to figure it was a fake and lead them to the real one!”

A voice issued from behind them.

“Good…good. Hand me the stone, Potter.” They turned to see the ugly face of Voldemort, his features glowing with the anti-apparation wards that were around them. “Next time you do a charm of this accord, silly girl, you should know you need to seal them.” He laughed now, his teeth glowing green in the dark. “Now, hand me that stone!” Voldemort said, raising his wand to Harry.

“Harry, don’t give it to him!” Ron said. Voldemort looked at Ron then smiled. Suddenly, three misty black figures leapt into the circle. When the mist cleared, there were the faces of Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape and Bellatrix Lestrange.

“Ah… What was that, Weasley?” Draco said, his sneer working on his face.

“Is this your idea of backup?” Ron laughed. Draco advanced, his wand pointed at Hermione.

“You think if I aim just right, she will die quickly?” He smiled. Ron reached for his own wand. Draco pointed his wand so fast at Ron, he had no time to react.

“Accio Wand.” Draco said. Ron’s wand flew from Ron’s pocket to Draco’s open hand. With one motion, he cracked Ron’s wand in half. Bellatrix laughed, as Snape advanced toward Harry.

“The stone, boy, or your friends die.” Snape said. Voldemort smiled, and then joined Snape in front of Harry. Harry could see from the corner of his eye, Hermione had retrieved her wand from inside her low-dip t-shirt without the notice of anyone. She held it in the ready, up her sleeve.

“Will you let them go, if I hand it over?” He asked. Voldemort made a mock motion of a thinking person, then: “Yeah, alright.”

“Harry, no!” Ron shouted. Draco slammed his fist into Ron’s stomach.

“Shut up, Weaselbee. Your girlfriend, the mud blood, will be next.” He said, turning to Hermione. Bellatrix came nearer to Hermione, still laughing like a maniac. Bellatrix came even with Draco.

“Now, now, Draco. The red head was promised to Fenrir. The girl can be his snack.” She laughed. Just then, Harry threw the stone onto the ground in front of Voldemort. Snape went to pick up the stone, but Voldemort stopped him.

“Ah, Severus. You have been good to me thus far. But, I believe, the time has come for me to sever ties with you.” Voldemort smiled at Snape.

“But master…” Before Snape could finish, Voldemort waved his wand at Snape. Snape turned into skeletal remains before he hit the ground. He looked at Bellatrix.

“Bella, come pick it up. Draco, you stay.” He said as Draco made to get it. Harry gave Hermione a wink. She took the hint. Mumbling, she whispered to Ron.

“Duck, when I say.” She said, her lips moving very little. He nodded slightly.

“Well, one less Weasley, then. Your sis…” He started.

“DUCK!” Hermione shouted. Hermione and Ron dove. As Hermione dove down, she aimed her wand at Draco. He flew back and hit the gravestone behind him, crumpling with a loud thud, where he laid motionless. Hermione and Ron dodged spells that were issuing from Bellatrix’s wand. Ron managed to hide in amongst the stones. He got to Malfoy, who had his hand open and his wand sticking out onto the ground. Ron reached over the grave and took it. He took his fist and rammed it into Draco’s face.

“That’s for Hermione and that punch, you asshole.” He whispered. Still crawling on his knees, he saw Bellatrix aim her wand at Hermione.

“I killed your daddy, you filthy mud-blood!” Bella mocked. Hermione turned and cocked her wand back for a spell. Bella knocked Hermione down with a well-aimed Flipendo spell. She again raised her wand. Ron had to stop her.
With a quick flick, he sent a stunning spell her way. It hit her in the back and she fell, but she was still conscious.

“Son of a…” Ron said. He stunned her once more, and she flew forward. Before she could fall forward, she aimed a spell at Hermione.

“Avada Kedavra.” She whispered. The spell ricocheted off a grave and, as Hermione tried to crawl her way toward Harry, who was on a stand off with Voldemort over the stone on the graveyard floor, the spell hit her in the legs. Her face was contorted in surprise. She looked down at her legs, and then she slumped over, motionless.

“HERMIONE!! HERMIONE!!” Ron screamed, not bothering to hide anymore, he ran over to her, dodging Voldemorts spells he sent flying as he darted across the graveyard. “HERMIONE! PLEASE NO!” Ron said, kneeling and holding her in his lap. She was pale and sweaty. She looked at him with her pupils dilated.

“Ron…” She mumbled. He hugged and rocked back and forth. “Ron…” She repeated. She mumbled incoherently for a moment, and then was silent, as her limbs became loose and limber. She was gone. Her body just a shell now. Ron let out a scream as he continued to rock with her in his lap. He touched her face.

“HERMIONE! PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME! PLEASE!” Ron screamed hugging her tighter and crying into her face. “HERMIONE! I NEED YOU! COME BACK!” He cried into her chest.

Harry could not see the scene unfolding. He had not felt anything. His world was over. He should let Voldemort win. He looked into Voldemorts cold eyes and seen the smile he unfurled. It enraged him.

“Awe, Potter lost his girlfriend. How sad.” He mocked. “Now, pick the stone up and hand it to me or you will die next.” He said.

“Get it yourself.”

“And have you play a naughty trick on me? No, I’m much smarter than that. NOW PICK IT UP!” He demanded. Harry slipped his hand into his pockets, which were hidden by shadows, and pulled his wand. Placing it at his side, he bent to pick up the stone. As he retrieved the stone, and handed it to Voldemort, he stuck his wand straight out from his side. He had done this before, could he do this again?

“EXPELLIARMUS!” He screamed. The spell was met by Voldemorts again, who dropped the stone, which began to glow brightly now.

“AVADA KEDAVRA! You stupid boy!” Voldemort said. Again, their two spells collided. This time, however, he could feel the power of his going down. He maintained the contact, and he could see Voldemort was not slowing his spell any either. Suddenly, another shot of blue light came from Harry’s right. Ron was standing there, his face full of tears and his eyes enraged. He made contact with Voldemorts spell, too. The air culminating around him, Voldemort could feel his grip becoming shorter.
Ron and Harry could feel their wands giving some resistance. As the graveyard hung with the light of the three wands, three souls emerged. Two from Harry’s wand, and one from Ron’s.

There, in the midnight light of wands, floated Sirius, Ginny and now, Hermione. Ron gazed at her, but she spoke urgently.

“Ron, you can’t break eye contact. Keep with him. You can do this!” Hermione’s soul said, looking at the crossing wands.

“Hermione?” Ron said, looking at her.

“Please. You must finish this with Harry, Ron. I’m fine. Please!” Ron looked at her beautiful face, knowing he would never see her alive again, or touch her lips….He strengthened his hold on his wand.

Sirius and Ginny were doing the same with Harry.

“Harry, I can’t help you this time. You must do this on your own. You’ve done well, and your parents are proud! Release this world from his prison! Save you and Ron and all the families!” Sirius said.

“Harry, we can break the connection. When it’s broken, you will need to do the spell quickly. You must do it, now, Harry. Ron, you too.” Ginny said turning to Ron. All three souls disappeared into thin air. Then, they suddenly emerged once more in the middle of the connection. The connection of Voldemorts went into the bodies of Hermione, Sirius and Ginny, who held hands together, side-by-side. As the connection broke, both boys shouted the same spell at once.

“AVADA KEDAVRA!” They both yelled. The two spells combined into one and hit Voldemort in the face. Voldemort flew back into a gravestone slumped and slid against it. Before their eyes, Voldemort melted into a pile of what looked like wax, and melted into the ground. The graveyard suddenly lifted into a bright light. Then, all was quiet as the light disappeared.

Ron ran back to Hermione. He looked into her beautiful face, crying tears once more, he picked her up. Harry walked over to them and kissed Hermione on the cheek.

“Thank you for saving us, Hermione. You said you would always be here, and you were.” He said his eyes full of tears. Harry ran over to the stone that laid on the ground again. Harry looked inside its center and saw a grave with Voldemort etched in stone. Then the image changed. Harry and Ron were standing at the Ministry, a low banner hung above them:

HEROS THAT VANQUISHED THE DARK LORD.

Harry was seeing what was to come, for the stone already foretold what had already happened, but Harry had dropped the stone, never looking at it, and Voldemort had done the same when he sent the spell toward him. The stone kept playing the future in the stone of the ground as they connected wands. This was the ending. Not the ending he wanted. He walked over to Ron, who stood crying, Hermione in his arms, and shed his own tears…He had defeated Voldemort, but at what cost? A price too much to pay….

THREE YEARS LATER


Harry and Ron stood at the Ministry, looking over the atrium. Harry waved to the passerby’s and Ron hunched over the tall railing that separated the top and bottom floors on each level.

“Harry, it’s time.” Ron said, looking at his best friend. Harry nodded. Entering the Floo network behind them, they were flashed with green flames as they jetted to their destination.

“Ready?” Harry asked Ron, who was silent. Ron nodded.

Walking along the path, they came to the thing they most desired. The headstone that was engraved. Ron knelt, his fingers etching the words.

HERMIONE J. GRANGER
DIED DEFENDING ALL THOSE WHO ARE FREE AND REMAIN FREE

Ron could feel the emotion in his body. It had been three years today, that she passed on. He missed her so much. At night, he often cried, wishing he could touch her again, to feel her again, to smell her again. He looked at the picture that was carved into the stone. She looked so peaceful in that photo. Harry stroked the photo then spoke.

“I’ll be over here, Ron. We miss you, Hermione.” He said, kissing his thumb and placing it upon her picture. Harry got up and left Ron, sitting on a nearby bench.

Ron looked at the grave for a moment. His tears still swelling on his face. Then, he told her something he had not told her before she died.

“I miss you, Hermione. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to you. You left me alone to soon.” He said, crying now. “I love you. Your still here,” he pointed to his heart, “and you’ll never fade away from me. You’re gone! Now what am I supposed to do? You were everything. It’s been three years, and I still can’t heal.” His tears stained his ministry robe. “Guess what?” He said, laughing a small laugh. “I got a promotion! I’m the new head of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts now. I know you’d be proud. After all, you once told me I had the emotional range of a teaspoon. I’ve done a lot of crying these three years. I love you, Hermione. Always have, always will.” He said, wiping some of his tears. He pulled his wand out of his robes and flicked it. Flowers appeared. He placed it along her grave, his tears flowing again. “How I wish I could touch you again.” He whispered. He bent, and kissed her gravestone. He got up, wobbling a little, and made his way to Harry.

“You alright, Ron?” Harry asked, his own face teary. Ron nodded.

“I’ll hold her again someday. And Ginny is with her. You know those two are gabbing up a storm right now.” Ron laughed. Harry laughed and nodded. They walked along the path, Ron looking back into the shadow of her grave. With one last look, he and Harry turned and vanished.

A white owl perched itself on Hermione’s gravestone, it’s eyes brown , like Hermione’s. It pecked at the flowers Ron had just left, then flew into the air and vanished as the sun set along the broken path of the graveyard…….

THE END



SPECIAL THANKS TO MY “BETA”: DREAMWEAVER1480. MANY APPRECIATIONS TO YOU AND YOU DESERVE MOST OF THE CREDIT! THANKS SO MUCH!!!