Clarity

A/N: To Crazy M: thanks for your review!! To answer your question,the reason Harry is leaving on the journey is to track Voldemort down. As you'll learn more about it the coming chapters - he's not really looking for Horcruxes, rather just Voldemort. =) i hope you continue to read it.

Thanks for all the other reviews..i love that you like the story, and i think it's interesting to see how you speculate it will turn out. Please keep telling me what you think =)


And He's Gone

Early the next morning Harry woke up. Somehow in the hours they had spent sleeping, they had twisted and came to be lying on their sides. Hermione was tucked neatly between Harry’s arms and body. He woke up to her hair tickling his face. Immediately he felt his stomach hit the floor as he remembered this was the day he was supposed to leave. He glanced at the clock, trying not to wake her: 4:21. He groaned. He had to be out of the house by 5.

Harry nuzzled his face into her neck and breathed in her scent. The smell of her body and the feeling of her naked form against his aroused him immensely. He had to have her once more. He shifted her body softly and started to kiss her skin lightly, trying to wake her up. “Hermione, baby.” He whispered lovingly. “Wake up, love.” She moaned softly in her sleep.


Hermione’s dream suddenly turned for the better. Harry and her were lying in the sun on a blanket watching the clouds, when suddenly they were naked, and Harry was lightly kissing her everywhere. It didn’t take long for her to become wet for him. She moaned and curled her body into his as he entered her. He whispered romantically how much he loved her and would protect her. The dream felt so real as he slowly moved in and out of her, pushing her closer to a climax. In the dream they floated high above the ground, making love as they lazily drifted from cloud to cloud.


Hermione moaned underneath him as he sped up his pace. He was so close to releasing. As soon as he felt her small frame arch into his body and climax, he followed her. He collapsed on top of her and whispered how much he loved her and would always protect her. He kissed her eyelids, her forehead, and her cheeks, chin and nose, before he reluctantly crawled off of her.

Hermione reached her climax just as Harry did. Together they sank back down to the grass, and they fell back to sleep in each other’s arms.

Harry fished in his trunk for the document he was looking for. When he found it, he grabbed another piece of parchment, wrote a short note, and placed both on Hermione’s vanity. He shrunk the duffle bag Hermione had packed and put it into his pocket.

He slowly walked over to Hermione, relishing in his last moments with her. He brushed the hair away from her face, bent down beside her, kissed her temple and breathed in her ear, “I’ll love you forever, Hermione. My Mione.” He apparated to meet Dumbledore before his single tear fell on Hermione’s cheek.

When it did, she woke up with a start. She looked around the room in hopes to find Harry. She called out his name and ran into the bathroom, he wasn’t there either. She ran down the stairs and checked the bottom floor, then back up the stairs to check the guest bedroom. Once she had convinced herself he was not in the small house, she started crying hysterically and sank down to the floor. Why did he leave without saying goodbye! She sat and cried for nearly an hour until she had no more tears to release. Slowly she got up from the ground, using the wall for support, and stumbled into their bedroom. She sat down at her vanity and wiped the tears from her eyes. In the mirror she noticed the pieces of parchment Harry had left. Looking down she saw the note:

Mione,

I do not know how this journey is going to end for me, or how it will be when I return. All I know is that you are the only one I could ever love for the rest of my life. I told your father I would take care of you whether I made it back or not, and I don’t plan on letting him down. The document with this is my will, Mione. Don’t cry.

Hermione chuckled as she started to wipe the fresh tears away from her eyes.

You must know this is only a precaution. I fully intend on coming back and will fight my hardest to do so. The last week has been the best week of my life, and the times we made love will be replayed in my head over and over. You are my everything, and I have no doubt it’s you that will get me through this journey.

Really yours,
Harry

Trying to stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks she moved the letter aside and looked down at the will. It was an official document from the Ministry and was signed by Harry, Dumbledore (as his witness), and the Minister himself. She read the document:

The Last Will and Testament of Harry James Potter:

All that is rightfully mine will be left to Hermione Jane Granger. This includes all properties that are in my name and all the money in my vault, amounting to 2.6 million galleons. The money was inherited from my family, and must be passed down as such. She is not allowed to give it away to charity or use it for any other purpose but seeing that she is happy.
If there is an heir, he/she must receive a stipend as Hermione and the mother see fit.
All of my Quidditch belongings, including my broom, must be given to Ronald Bilius Weasley. He’s the only one that will take care of it the way it should be.
To those who survive me, I wish you all the happiness and love the world can bring you.

An heir? Hermione was completely confused. 2.6 million galleons? That’s over 5 million in pounds! She almost fainted when she read the amount. Still completely unable to comprehend Harry leaving and the meaning of the will, she slipped it into the last drawer of her vanity. She placed the letter behind her perfume bottles on her vanity and it rested against her mirror. Choking back a few more tears she curled up in a ball on the bed and tried to breath in the last of Harry’s scent. How long until he comes home? She fell back to sleep crying.

On the other side of Great Britain, Harry was standing in front of Dumbledore, Ron, and a few other Aurors. Dumbledore was giving him a few last minute facts about Voldemort’s whereabouts. He was last rumored to be in Albania. They didn’t think he’d stay in England and wait for Harry to come find him.

“He’s going to be hard to track, Harry.” Dumbledore warned. “He’s moving a lot to keep a cold trail.” Harry nodded. “When you need a little guidance or any help, send your patronus to either Ron or I. We will come meet you. Please, do not send letters with an owl. Death Eaters are notorious for snatching the birds down and reading the letters before they continue on.” Harry nodded again. He hadn’t spoken all morning, too worried about the impending journey.

He looked at his best friend and shook his hand briefly. He didn’t want to get as emotional as they had the day before. Ron felt the same way. The nodded to each other and remembering the promises they made. He said goodbye to the rest of the small group, and they wished him luck. As the sun started to rise over the trees, Dumbledore passed him the Portkey, and he vanished.

Dumbledore turned to Ron, “You know of the new prophecy?” Ron nodded. “And is she?”

Ron sighed. “I hope for Harry’s sake, the prophecy is wrong, Professor. Ginny won’t find out for another week or so, but he’s not in love with her.”

Dumbledore’s eye’s raised above his spectacles. “And who is he in love with, Mr. Weasley?”

“Hermione, the two of them have been together for the past week. They’ve loved each other for almost a year now. If Harry comes back and Ginny’s pregnant, all three of them are going to be worse off than before he left.”

“He discovered his true feelings?” Dumbledore mused.

Ron shrugged. “I suppose so, Professor.”

“Prophecies, Ron, always speak the truth. It’s the path that isn’t always as it seems.”

Ron looked at him curiously. With a sparkle in his eye Dumbledore vanished just like Harry had. Sighing, Ron gathered his gear and apparated to his office.

Much later in the day, Lavender and Luna knocked on the door of Hermione’s home. When she didn’t answer after the fourth knock, Luna unlocked the door magically and entered the house. “I thought Harry put up wards to keep people from doing that?” Lavender questioned as they looked in the kitchen for their friend.

“Harry charmed them to allow Ron and I to get through them. That way if we had to get over here quick, we wouldn’t have an issue.” Luna answered starting to walk up the stairs.

“Well I’m her best friend too. Did he not think of me?” She pouted.

“No,” Luna said looking into the bathroom and then back at Lavender, “he didn’t.”

Lavender huffed defiantly and followed Luna down the hall to the bedroom. The two stood in the doorway frowning at the sight of Hermione’s trembling form. Each one of them walked to the bed. Lavender crawled behind Hermione and hugged her tight while Luna positioned Hermione’s head on her stomach and started to play with her hair.

“Hermione?” Luna whispered. She saw Hermione’s eyes were open, but she didn’t answer. “Hermione, have you been sitting her all day?” Hermione nodded her head. Luna, suddenly more stern and mad, sat up causing Hermione to go with her. “No! You are not going to do this. We are not going to let you.” Hermione tried to crawl back into the fetal position, but Luna grabbed both of her shoulders and forced her to look into her eyes. “No! You aren’t doing this. He’s going to be fine. You will miss him. He will come home and he will be the savior of the world. And you two will live happily ever after. But until then – you will pretend his is on – well – vacation.”

At hearing that Hermione laughed solemnly. She didn’t think she would be able to laugh, but she did. “Vacation, Luna?” She looked at Luna and then put her face in her hands. “You couldn’t have thought of something a little less - extreme?”

Luna laughed too. “No, you know me. I never come up with the right way to say things.” Hermione shook her head and leaned back on to Lavender who was chuckling.

“What am I going to do, guys?”

“Just what Luna said.” Lavender chimed in. “You’re going to live like he’s on vacation. That’s the only way you’re going to get through this.” Hermione nodded her head. “Good. Because we are taking you out to dinner.”

“No, no. I can’t. I’m a mess and really in no mood to go out.” Hermione protested.

“Well it’s a good thing they invented this thing called the shower! And we know you’re not in the mood to go out, but you have to.” Luna yelled from closet. She pulled out a pink, flirty skirt and a dressy black top. “We’re going Muggle tonight, hun.” She threw the clothes on the bed as Lavender pulled her down the hall to the bathroom.

“Don’t make me strip you down and throw you in there, girl. You know I will.” Lavender said, slapping Hermione’s butt as she reached into the shower and turned on the water.

“Yea, yea. I know. I’ll do it.” Hermione pushed Lavender out of the bathroom. Once the door was closed, she leaned her head against the door and sighed. She knew her friends meant well, so she was going to put on a brave face for them and really try and pretend he was coming back in a week or so from his “vacation.” She took off her clothes and hopped into the shower.

Three hours later they were sitting at a cocktail bar in London. All just over 18, they were the youngest three in the establishment. The night, however, was not for picking up men, but talking about them. “So I told Dean, either he never wears them again, or he can forget having sex all together!” Lavender said causing all the girls to laugh hysterically. Needless to say, it wasn’t that funny, but seeing all three of them were a few martinis into the night; it seemed a little funnier than normal.

“Hermione, when did you loose it?” Luna asked.

Hermione blushed profusely. “Well, Luna, you see - don’t be mad…”

“Duh, Luna! She lost it to Ron!” Lavender blurted out, rolling her eyes.

Luna laughed and almost choked on her drink. “Really? I figured it was with Krum!”

“Oh.” Hermione smiled. “I lost it with Ron right after that cause he was so jealous of Krum. We were probably too young.”

“Oh whatever!! After that you started humping like rabbits until you got bored!”

Hermione smacked Lavender for her comment. “Well I’m not a whore, Lav. But I did date a lot.”

Luna reddened in embarrassment. “Ron’s the only guy I’ve been with.”

“Oh, Luna! That’s fine!” Lavender swatted at the air. “It doesn’t matter how many guys you’ve been with, just how many times you’ve done it!” The three girls started laughing hysterically and Hermione, eyeing the bartender, ordered one more round for the girls. “So Hermione.” Lavender raised her eyebrows at her. “Tell me you got a piece of Harry’s fine ass before he left.”

Luna cringed, afraid that the topic of Harry was going to put Hermione down in the dumps again. But apparently the topic of having sex with Harry was completely different. “Obviously, Lav. Just once though.” She said sipping out of her new drink.

“AH!! Was it amazing?” Lavender asked sitting up in her seat and leaning closer to Hermione in order to hear every detail.

“Beyond words amazing. I couldn’t have dreamt up a better time. Although I did dream up a pretty good one that same night.” She smirked as Lavender and Luna bent over laughing.

“Is he big?” Luna aked.

Hermione was shocked at her bluntness! “Luna!!!” She hid her face for a moment, but then popped her head up, grinning. “YES!!” she squealed.

The rest of the night was spent laughing about their past sex experiences and embarrassing moments, of the guys of course. It wasn’t until the wee hours in the morning that the girls apparated back to Luna’s flat. They were stumbling around the flat, trying to find extra blankets and pillows for Hermione and Lavender. They were giggling quiet drunkenly, meaning very loudly with occasional “SHHH!”s in between. Luna said they had to be quiet because Ron was sleeping. But when she finished her sentence and turned around, she walked directly into her boyfriend. That sent her flying to the ground and the three girls busted out laughing.

Ron bent down and helped Luna up before yawning and saying, “You were supposed to bring her out to get her mind off Harry, not get her piss drunk.” He said to Luna, now swaying as she stood still.

“I’llll haf you know, Ronaaald, Hermini didn’t cry onsssss.”

Ron raised an eyebrow at her. “I bet she didn’t.” Scratching his head and surveying the scene he declared, “Go to bed, Luna. I’ll take care of them.”

Luna let out a slurred thank you before disappearing into their bedroom. By this time Lavender and Hermione had practically passed out on top of each other on the small couch. After expanding the couch to fit the two women properly, he conjured up some blankets and pillows and positioned them into better sleeping positions. He tucked Hermione after Lavender. Sitting by her he slowly combed her hair with his fingers. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. “I didn’t say ‘I love you’ or goodbye.” She said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Ron hushed her. “He didn’t need you to say you loved him, he knew. And it wasn’t goodbye, Hermione. You’ll see him again. Go to bed, hun.” He kissed her forehead and stayed with her until he heard the steady breath of a sleeping person. Sighing and rubbing his face in frustration, he returned to bed, not able to do anything to combat her heartache.

The next morning Hermione woke up with a killer headache. She tried to sit up, but the light of day stopped her. Eventually she stumbled into the kitchen and sat down next to Luna, who had her head on the table, and Lavender who had conjured an eye mask to block the light. She looked at Ron, who was smiling smugly reading the Prophet. The headline on the front page read: Three more Muggle houses Marked in the Dark. She sighed, Back to reality.

“Ron?” He looked at her. “Can you pass the orange juice?”

He handed her the orange juice and said, “I wasn’t planning on being woken up at 3 in the morning by a bunch of drunk women last night. Too bad you’re all taken, or I would have taken you!”

Hermione gasped at his crude comment, and Luna smacked his shoulder as she got up to pour herself a coffee. “You better watch yourself, Weasley.”

He chuckled to himself. “Seriously, Hermione. How are you doing?”

She sighed and sipped her juice. “Seeing that this is the start of day two without Harry, I’m doing fairly well. But I don’t know whether that’s me or the pulse in my head talking.”

“Vodka will do that too a girl.” Ron laughed.

Hermione looked at him and smirked, “I had gin martinis all night, Ron.”

He put his hands up in surrender, “I didn’t realize we were dealing with a professional.” He got up and kissed all three girls on the forehead. “I’m off to the office.”

Hermione looked at him. “Tell me if you hear anything?” Ron nodded and apparated out of the flat. “Well,” Hermione said standing up, “It was a fun night was it not?” The two other women groaned in response. Hermione laughed. ‘Well I had fun. But I think I’m going to go home. Get a shower. I have some reading to catch up on.”

Luna looked up at her. “Ok, but only if you come over for dinner.”

“Yea, yea.” Hermione waved her off. “That’s fine. I’ll see you at 6.” Luna grinned at her, and she apparated back to her house.

Sighing Hermione walked up the stairs and into the bathroom. She stripped down naked and waited for the water to heat up. I’m not going to mourn this, she thought as she stepped under the hot water. Ahh, that’s nice. I’m going to go on as if he was just down the road. No problem. She tried to convince herself.