Never the Two Shall Meet

He held me for a long time as I cried. Rubbing my back and whispering soothing words of love and promise the whole time. Not letting go until he noticed how late it was getting. He groaned as he pulled away from me.

“I don’t want you to leave like this. Potter and Weasley will think I was torturing you. Not to mention how the thought of you alone in your tower room crying will torture me.”

“I’ll be fine. I think I’ve finally gotten it out of my system for now,” I manage to croak between the hiccups I now have.

“Well if nothing else you look like I’ve worn you out. With work of course,” he adds with a smirk.

“I’m sure I look a mess,” I run my hands through my hair trying to smooth it down. “But I guess after a few hours here that is what everyone is expecting. So what was my punishment?” I ask innocently.

“Hmm…let’s see. You were talking in class, helping after you were told not to, then you come in here and jump me. Hmm…punishment for that would be…” He winks as he pretends to think. “I know a lifetime of darning my socks? No? How about a lifetime of putting up with the smell of potions brewing? Or better yet a lifetime of bearing my children?”

I can’t help but laugh. It is so rare for him to be in a playful mood. I know he is only doing it to make me feel better but I love it just the same.

“I’ll take it all and with a smile at that.”

“I knew you would. Still can’t figure out how I got so lucky.”

“I guess I better go up. I do want to know what Dumbledore told Harry. Plus I am a bit worn out to tell you the truth,” I gather my clothes slipping them on after muttering a quick cleaning charm. He does the same.

“I wish I could say I’ll see you before I leave but I can’t make that promise. Just know that I will be thinking of you. Please take care of yourself. I can not bear the thought of losing you.”

“I will as long as you keep your promise to come back to me.”

“I will do my best.” We embrace for the final time as we reach the door. “Just remember whatever happens I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I wind my arms around his neck holding him close as I breathe in the scent of him, locking it in my memory. It will have to keep me warm for the next few nights. After a quick kiss I open the door and sneak into the hallway.

I hear him shut the door quietly behind me. Then turn to run up the stairs to the Common Room. It is more important than ever for me to know what Harry had found out.

I’m out of breath by the time I climb into the Common Room. I didn’t realize how late it really was until I noticed that Ron and Harry were the only ones there. They hadn’t heard me come in so I stood quietly listening to their conversation.

“Harry, we have to do something. She should have been back at least an hour ago,” Ron was pacing in front of the fire.

“Calm down Ron, this is ‘Mione we are talking about. She can handle herself. She promised me she wouldn’t let go of her wand. I’m sure she’s fine. Snape probably just thought it would be funny to make her clean all the potion stains off the ceiling or something,” Harry said, not sounding too sure of himself.

“Why aren’t you worried? This is just like Ginny being taken into the Chamber of Secrets. My sister is in trouble and I can’t help. I know something is wrong. I’m going to find her,” Ron said with determination as he spun on his heel ready to rush out the door. So blinded by worry that he didn’t notice me until he almost ran me over.

“Hermione, how long have you been standing there? Why didn’t you say something? What took you so long to get back? Was that slimy snake mean to you? Please answer me before I go out of my mind.”

“Ron, RON! She can’t answer if you don’t stop asking questions,” Harry finally managed to get through to him at my pleading look.

“I’m fine. Just a little tired. He had me scrub all the cauldrons and tables without magic. That kind of chore takes awhile.” Thankfully it is dark so they can’t see the blush that covers my face when I lie to them. “It was very sweet of you to want to come to my rescue Ron, but as you can see I made it back in one piece.”

“Well, like I said it is the same thing I would do for Ginny. You're like a sister to me. I have to look out for you. I would have hexed him if he did anything to you,” Ron babbled on still itching for a fight judging by his flexed muscles.

“Thank you, that is good to know. Now Harry what did you find out?”

“Let’s go sit by the fire to talk. Come on Ron you’ll get your chance to fight soon,” Harry headed back over to sit in one of the chairs. He waited for Ron and I to sit before starting his story. “Well, Dumbledore has confirmed what I saw last night. He had a little more information that I missed though. The attack is planned for Thursday night.”

“But today is Tuesday! We don’t have enough time,” I say suddenly feeling like I’m going to be sick.

“It will be alright ‘Mione. Besides its not like he’s gonna floo in to ask us when a good time to schedule the battle is, now is he?” Ron answered before Harry could do much more then look thoughtfully at me.

“Anyway, like I saw he is planning on hiding in the Dark Forest so no one can reach him. The only part I had wrong was how he planned to get to me. He has a specific person in mind to get me out of the castle. Malfoy’s father is a high ranking member of the Death Eaters so it has been left to him to capture me. With Snape’s aide, since Voldemort doesn’t fully trust in him to accomplish this task. Before you get over excited Malfoy is being forced to act. Dumbledore has it from a very reliable source…”His eyes flash quickly to me gauging my reaction before continuing, “that Mrs. Malfoy is being held prisoner by her husband to make sure his son cooperates. Apparently daddy is not so sure he will do his job properly.”

“Well, no surprise there. We know Malfoy is a chicken. He can’t do anything unless he knows he is going to come out on top.”

“Yeah. They are planning on attacking around sunset, figuring most of the students will be in the Great Hall eating. He wants to make sure that he has a big audience. He has a lot on his side, I won’t lie to you there. He has the Death Eaters of course but he’s also got the giants, the werewolves, not to mention all the people he Imperiused. Dumbledore figures the information he has will put us on an even footing. He’s going to have the Order here Thursday morning, and first task is to get all the underage students out of the school. He figures all the Slytherins that are involved will be leaving sometime tomorrow, so they won’t be able to report back what is going on here.”

I bit my tongue to keep from crying out when he mentioned that the Slytherins would be leaving so soon. Severus had told me this already, but I couldn’t help my reaction.

“After that is done the rest of us will meet in the Great Hall to prepare. The students will be informed to use our training but not kill anyone. It will be up to the Ministry to take care of anybody that we capture. The Order will do what they have to do. Dumbledore doesn’t want them to kill either but he recognizes the necessity. We all know Voldemort doesn’t care so we have to adopt a bit of his philosophy if we want to win.”

“Is that all?” Ron questioned when Harry lapsed into silence, staring at the flames.

“For now,” he says with a sadness in his voice.

“What aren’t you telling us Harry?” I ask.

“Nothing Hermione, that is all I know right now.” He fidgets a little when he talks so I know he is leaving something out.

“Well fine if you don’t want to tell us, I guess we have to wait and see. Right now I need to get some sleep. I’m awfully tired. It’s been kind of a long day,” I stand to go up to my room. “Goodnight boys. Don’t stay up too long, as far as we know we still have classes tomorrow.”

“Night ‘Mione,” Ron waves me off.

“See you in the morning. Try not to keep your self awake with worry,” Harry adds with a small smile.

“I won’t.”

As I get ready for bed I look around the room again, as I had this afternoon. This time all the beds were occupied by my friends. All dreaming peacefully not yet aware how close the battle really is. I wish they weren’t about to find out. Climbing into my bed I wonder if I’ll be able to get any sleep. Not realizing that my body was so worn out from stress I drifted off into a restless sleep.
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A/N-Please leave a review. I want to hear what you think about my story.