Hold Me Close

Horcruxes

Hermione awoke alone the next morning. She hadn’t expected Severus to linger. After all, with the way Molly had been hovering over her, she knew his even being in her room at all was risky. She was surprised to find the sun pouring into her window. What time was it exactly? She looked at the clock. 10:15. Why had the others let her sleep so late?


She climbed out of bed and pulled on her housecoat. She crept silently out of the room and down the stairs. She entered the kitchen and was surprised to find Molly sitting with a young blonde woman she didn’t recognize.


“Oh, you’re awake, Dear,” Molly said cheerfully. “You’ve just missed the meeting.”


Hermione’s eyes went a little dark.


“I wish someone would have gotten me up. I would have liked to have attended it,” she said a bit dryly.


“Well we just thought with all the stress of yesterday that perhaps it would be good for the baby to let you rest, Dear. We didn’t mean any harm by it,” Molly said, smiling warmly at her.


“If I am too tired to attend meetings, I will stay in my rooms. From now on, though, I would like to be given the option. I am pregnant, not made from glass,” Hermione said firmly.


“Yes, of course, Dear. I really meant no harm by it. This is Stacy Jones. She is an auror apprentice from the states. She has come to join the Order,” Molly said, gesturing toward the girl.


“Pleased to meet you,” Hermione said distantly.


“Likewise. Congratulations on the baby,” she said sweetly.


“Can I make you some tea?” Molly asked, already pouring a cup.


“Yes, thank you,” Hermione said, more calmly this time.


“I hope you are hungry. I made you a very large breakfast.”


“I’m famished, thank you,” Hermione replied as Molly slid the tea towards her.


Just as Hermione was biting into her toast, Ron and Harry came into the room.


“Ah, a room full of beautiful girls just the way all rooms should be,” Ron said, winking at Stacy, who blushed.


“Don’t forget this beautiful girl in here,” Hermione said sharply, pointing to her stomach.


“Of course. Daddy’s little girl is the most beautiful girl in the whole world,” Ron said, patting Hermione’s stomach.


Stacy looked away.


“What’s on the agenda for today?” Hermione asked, looking at Harry. “Any idea where the next horcrux is?”


“Well, there’s the snake still, and Hufflepuff’s cup, and of course Slytherin’s locket, although I have a pretty good idea that one was already destroyed. So it’s just the snake and the cup that need to be destroyed,” Harry said in a rush.


“And the teddy bear,” Ron said quietly.


“Harry! You didn’t destroy the teddy bear yet?” Hermione asked incredulously.


“I can’t do it, Hermione. I just can’t do it,” Harry said, voice wavering slightly.


“I’ll help you,” Hermione replied softly.


Harry nodded in agreement, and went to get the bear.


Hermione finished her breakfast quickly and went out back with Ron to wait for Harry. Ron had started a small fire in a makeshift fire pit. After a few minutes of awkward silence, Ron spoke.


“That was very kind of you to offer to help him,” he said.


“I couldn’t let him do it alone,” she replied absently.


“Thanks for pulling me back on track in there,” Ron said sheepishly.


“It’s all right. I can tell you fancy her. You are going to have to be careful there. Unless of course you want that reputation,” Hermione said, looking into the fire.


“Yes, I know. It’s just so unfair. Behind closed doors, you get to have someone, but I get nothing. The only female who knows the truth besides you is old McGonagall, and I don’t see myself shagging her anytime soon,” Ron said, with a small smile.


“It’s only until Harry takes down Voldemort. Then we can tell everyone the truth,’ Hermione said, giving Ron’s shoulder a light squeeze.


“I know. I just hope we can find all the horcruxes before you know who gets wise to the situation and kills us all,” Ron said seriously.


“I know,” Hermione replied softly.


Both looked up as the back door opened and Harry came outside, holding the teddy bear tightly.


“I don’t think I can do this guys,” Harry said.


“Harry you have to,” Hermione replied.


“But Hermione, it’s the only thing I have left of my mum. Don’t you understand that?” Harry said, tears beginning to form.


“Yes, but it’s also one of the things that is keeping the most dangerous wizard of all time alive. You have to do this for your mum. If you kill Voldemort, your mother will not have died in vain. You have to see it that way, Harry. You just have to,” Hermione said gently.


“I know, I just never thought it would be this hard. What if we all do it together?” Harry suggested, holding the bear out so they could all grasp it.


Ron and Hermione each grabbed a part of the bear and at the count of three, they all tossed it into the fire, letting go. The flames turned a bright green, and hissed dangerously as the plastic eyes melted and the cotton stuffing crackled.


Harry wiped a tear from his eye and turned to go in the house.


“Maybe we should give him some time alone,” Ron suggested.


“Yes, I think that would be best,” Hermione agreed.

A/N: I know, I know, it has been forever. I have had some really personal stuff going on lately, and the motivation for this story has just been rather dead. I am going to try to get more updates soon, but I can't make any promises. I hope this satisfies for now