Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Resuscitation of Agapé ❯ We Will Meet Again ( Chapter 17 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: jessica_x 
...in which several patrons in King's Cross experience temporary blindness, and we bid farewell to Hogwarts once again.
Non Anime: Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.09.2008 | Updated On: 08.09.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.8K | Visits: 358 | Status: Completed
...in which several patrons in King's Cross experience temporary blindness, and we bid farewell to Hogwarts once again.
Non Anime: Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.09.2008 | Updated On: 08.09.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.8K | Visits: 358 | Status: Completed
Harry Potter and the Resuscitation of Agapé
Year 6 At Hogwarts
by Jessica X
************************************************************************ *****
WARNING LABEL: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. INGREDIENTS OF PRODUCT NOT COPYRIGHTED BY AUTHOR, BUT THE RECIPE IS. RATED R FOR MILD VIOLENCE/LANGUAGE, AND MATURE THEMES: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. IF INGESTED, INDUCE VOMITING, THEN TAKE OUT A HIT ON JESSICA X.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I won't even try. Shoot me, hang me, burn me at the stake, slip arsenic into my chai... do as you must. Really, you have Rhadia/Valirie to thank for this; she's goaded me into finally uploading it. SIX GODDAMNED MONTHS TO FINALLY GET OFF MY SORRY ARSE AND FINISH THIS STORY. All I can do is apologise.
I won't even lie to you; it's been sitting on my hard drive all the while. I just haven't seemed to be able to find time to post it. So there. I am a lazy twat.
Of course, many of you will probably have forgotten me and my story by now. You'll see the Author Alert and say to yourself, "Who?" That's okay; I deserve it.
The title of this chapter is taken from a song of the same name by VAST.
And yes, of course this is the last chapter. If you have any questions, there's always email. If you do ask them in your review, provide an email address so I may answer.
Thanks go to CookiMonstr08, rixXwan, scorpio-1983, snifflers unite, Mocolate-Chuffins, Wytil, danuschka, nol, jmbrock (Anonymous), Madam Whitbrook, LadyLuck13, Scott, Voici, Rachel, and Jennawenna for their reviews of chapter 16. Thanks to everyone who reviewed earlier chapters, too.
Gratitute and love to Rukato86, Mr Blader X, Luna Lovegood8, Galadriel Hermione Potter, coolone007-2, Harmony8390 and Benjamin, especially.
Au Revoir!
************************************************************************ *****
~*~ Chapter Seventeen: We Will Meet Again
A month drifted by in a dream, and Harry could not recall ever having been so content in his life. Even homework and exams seemed like a treat when he shared the task with the one he loved. Fortunate did not begin to describe how he felt, but it was a start.
It became routine for her to jerk him into empty rooms between classes, for them to meet under the tables in the greenhouses, for paper airplanes to navigate their way between each other's desks, bearing messages of deepest desire, or even simple endearing phrases. Once, they had been caught in the throes of a passionate embrace during Charms, and Professor Flitwick could barely contain his bemused (and somewhat embarrassed) laughter as he docked their house a few paltry points.
One day in the final week of the term found them lying under the tree again, the sun sending scattered beams slanting down through the leaves, casting a dappled light on them. One of her fingers was tracing the cross-shaped scar in the crook of his arm - one line courtesy of Wormtail, the other his own doing. She had taken to doing this often, though every time she did, a hint of a sad tear danced in one of her eyes - too insubstantial to reveal itself, but not enough to ignore completely. Harry wished she wouldn't do this, as he couldn't stand seeing her unhappy; after all, the second line was created so they could be together again.
"You're so radiant today," he whispered as he watched the light shine from her abundant fluffy hair.
"And you," she returned fondly, smiling as her hand moved upward to his cheek. "I am with you, and I find joy."
"You are joy."
Their lips met briefly, then parted. A sigh escaped Hermione's.
"What is it, sugar-buns?"
"Stop that," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Silly, childish nicknames."
"No, really... what's up?"
She fell onto her back and stared at the branches above them. "Summer."
Undoubtedly, they had both been thinking of this for a while, but had not the nerve to discuss it. Now, however, Hermione wanted to, and he could not deny her what she wished.
"I know."
"I don't want it to come, but... time persists."
"Go to McGonagall and get some back?"
She smiled. "Delay the inevitable, even if for but a few hours."
"What we could do with a few hours..."
"Harry!"
They both laughed, then lapsed into a comfortable silence. She broke this again.
"What will I do?"
"Be miserable." A sigh escaped his lips as he joined her in watching the leaves. "It's all I had planned."
"Maybe this time we... we really can get you away from there... I swear, I'll try as hard as I can, I'll plead your case every chance I get..."
"I would be enthralled. To be near you is to be in heaven."
Blushing. "Stop that."
"You keep telling me to stop things, and I keep doing them. I wonder why that is?"
"It's because you're incorrigible." She thought for a moment. "And puerile. Definitely puerile."
He grinned. "Guilty. What's the Wizengamot's ruling?"
"Forty kisses."
"Not the forty kisses! Anything but that, guv!"
"Better keep quiet, or I'll make it seventy."
"La la la la, la la la-"
Her lips silenced his, and she did, in fact, count out every single one of those seventy mirthful kisses.
~*~
A hand shot out in front of Harry as he raced toward the Transfiguration classroom. He skidded to a halt just in front of it, but it moved forward, grasping his collar and jerking him into a doorway. He blinked as the door to the empty classroom slammed shut, then turned to stare into the face of his kidnapper.
"Cho! Wh-what-?"
"Is it true? You and Hermione Granger are engaged?"
The question startled him. "I- eh?"
"Are you engaged?"
"Well, no, but why-"
"Everyone says so," she said. Her face looked pained, and her shining black hair was in a right state. "Please, just be frank with me... at least this time, Harry."
"Really, we're not, we've only just started going out, it's-"
"Liar!" she shouted. "You've been going out since Christmas, I know it!"
"No, we haven't!"
"I'm getting sick of this, forget I-"
"DAMNIT, you stupid git, would you shut up and really listen to what I'm saying for once?!"
Shock vibrated through her, and she finally let go of his collar, backing off a step. Harry took a deep, calming breath before continuing.
"I was not in denial, nor was I trying to two-time you. When I told you Hermione and I weren't dating, we weren't. Just because we are now doesn't mean you were right when you said-"
She waited for a moment, but Harry did not continue. "When I said...?"
"You were right. You were right all along."
"But you just said I was..."
Harry's face had slackened with a bemused surprise, and he slowly sat on the desk behind him. "No, I mean... when you said we weren't aware we fancied each other. I chalked it up to you believing the rumours, but... you turned out to be one-hundred percent correct. I'd been falling for Hermione all year, but I was too thick to realize it until just a few weeks ago."
He looked up at her, beginning to giggle, but he stopped short when he saw how utterly crestfallen she looked.
"Cho, what... what's wrong? I thought you'd be thrilled to know your prediction came true."
She slowly turned to leave, but he caught her arm. She turned to back to him, her almond-shaped eyes shining, and she leapt forward, attacking his mouth with her own.
Harry sat there, stunned, for several seconds, his lips adamantly set against her advances. Then he firmly grabbed her shoulders and held her at arm's length.
"What was that?"
She tried to wriggle free, but he held firm.
"Why did you do that?"
"I..." She was still fighting him.
"Explain. I think I deserve that much."
And she broke down, sobbing, sinking to the floor. He sunk with her, not about to let go before she told him.
"Harry, I've... I've been such a fool... I pushed you away, I know that now, I... I..."
"You're not making sense, what are you-?"
"I still love you."
The room was still, and it remained so for a few moments before her sobs broke the silence again.
"I've missed... missed my win- window. I should've f-fought harder for you, I- I just let you go. I'm the world's biggest p-p-prat."
"That 'scent' business, is it?" He sighed. "I hate to say it, truly I do... but you're right. I... I love Hermione."
"But we... we had something... you can't say we didn't have anything, that- that kiss, on the g-grounds, it..."
He found he could not keep the smile away. "That was rather nice, and it's something I'll never forget. But... you've got to understand, Cho... that's the past. My heart is securely in Hermione's possession, now, and hers in mine. It's the latter that's my main concern, not the former."
She looked up at him, and he felt a pang. This beautiful, fragile girl's heart had just been shattered into a thousand pieces, and the only thing he could do to mend it was the one thing he never would.
"She is so lucky."
"What?"
"You are the warmest, kindest, most honorable wizard I've ever met, Harry Potter. I envy that girl of yours... I hope she makes you very happy, because you deserve it more than anyone I know. I'll... I'll just step out of your life now." She made to leave, but he did not release her.
"Oh, no you won't. Just because I don't love you doesn't mean I hate you. You're still a brilliant girl, and a wicked-sharp Seeker."
They both stood, and she backed out of his reach, smiling as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Maybe. But... I don't think so."
"...why not?"
"I don't think I could bear talking to you... knowing you're something I can never have. I understand why you can't be with me, but... that doesn't mean I've stopped loving you. I lost C-Cedric to circumstances beyond my control, but... but for losing you, I have no one to blame but poor, stupid me. Being your friend now, it's... it's far too painful."
She moved for the door again, but he blocked her path.
"Cho, don't do this. I know you'll probably come to hate me, but... I can't help it. I'm really sorry."
"It's my own damn fault!" she exclaimed tearfully. "I did everything but shove you into her arms myself!"
Another grin he couldn't suppress. "That you did. But know that... you have my eternal gratitude. I don't want you thinking that just because you played a part in my falling for Hermione that I've forgotten you exist; in fact, it's all the more reason for me to remember you." He sighed, and stepped out of the way. "But... if you need time... I'll understand."
They stood there for a quite a while. Then she smiled - a brave smile that masked a deep sadness. "Very well, Potter. But I will say this. If that Hermione of yours so much as puts a toe out of line... I'll find out, and she'll have me to answer to. I may have lost you, but I'll be damned if you get treated like dirt."
To this, Harry hadn't the slightest inkling of how to respond. He tugged at the neck of his robes, but no sound came from his mouth.
"See you around!" she said brightly, striding from the room. Harry stood there blinking for nearly two minutes before he could speak again.
"What have I landed myself in?"
~*~
As Harry was packing hurriedly, wanting to rush down to the end-of-year feast as soon as he could, he heard a knock on the dormitory door. He gingerly slid the snapshot of himself and Ron grinning and waving (and a zombified Hermione scowling between them, opal eyes moving left and right) into his photo album and threw it into the trunk.
"Er, come in?"
He nearly dropped his pocket Foe-Glass when Dumbledore stepped inside.
"Professor!"
"A quick word with you before the feast begins?" His face was not cheery, but not sad; Harry couldn't read it at all.
"Wh... what is it?"
"I would like to say that I am terribly disappointed in you. You thumbed your nose at the rulebook, flying off for parts unknown, and returning when you pleased. I should be taking a thousand house points from Gryffindor and expelling you." He moved to the window and stared idly out at the Quidditch pitch, hands clasped behind his back.
Harry could manage nothing more than a gulp.
"But the truth is... despite these things, I cannot. For I know why you did what you did, and the fact that you actually did it is the real matter here."
"Excuse me, but... what?"
Dumbledore smiled slightly. "The Elixir of Agapé is most certainly not something any Dark wizard could ever hope to administer. Their hearts have been so calloused by years of hatred that they do not remember just what love is. You have perhaps seen evidence of this in Professor Snape; his emotions are always as far from his sleeve as he can manage to put them."
Harry nodded as the wizened man turned to him again. He understood, but had no idea where Dumbledore was going with this.
"The truth is, despite the fact that you broke the rules and risked so much, you did manage to restore Miss Granger's life. That, more than anything, shows me that you are in no immediate danger of turning into a Death Eater. The force of love is obviously strong within your heart; it must have been, as Miss Granger is indeed back with us."
A nervous grin reached his mouth. "Thanks."
"I do feel a responsibility to reiterate what I said to you when last we spoke: you must not continue to purchase Dark texts. While I am relieved things worked out so well on this occasion, I simply do not think it would be so the next."
"Yes, Professor. Don't worry, I won't be doing any shopping down Knockturn Alley again." His eyebrows knotted. "Professor?"
"Yes, dear boy?"
"Was it... did you ask Snape to help us?"
"I did. I felt it necessary to make sure absolutely nothing went awry in the brewing of that elixir. Too many miscalculations, and Miss Granger may have been revived in a weakened state, only to pass on a few months later. Worse yet, it may have backfired, and you may have done yourself in. The Elixir is extremely powerful, and errors in use are not errors you will have an opportunity to correct. To that end, who better to oversee such a thing than a Potions master?"
Harry nodded again, and a shiver passed through him as he realized just how foolhardy brewing such an abomination was... though he didn't regret doing so for a moment. He also felt an unwanted rush of appreciation for Snape's assistance, but was mercifully distracted from it by Dumbledore.
"Before we get on with our meal, I would like one more quick word... though I should really be saying this to both of you."
"Yes, Professor?"
"Congratulations! I trust I will be invited to the ceremony, of course... and if you could just have Hedwig inform me of the shops at which you're registered, I would greatly appreciate it. Gifts for newlyweds aren't the easiest to pick out."
And before Harry could sputter out a response to this, his blue eyes once again twinkling merrily behind those half-moon spectacles, the bemused headmaster left the dormitory.
~*~
It was a subdued Harry and Hermione that stared out the window of the Hogwarts Express as it snaked through the countryside. Neither the fact that Gryffindor had won the Quidditch Cup again, nor that they had also managed to scrape the House Cup, did anything to raise their spirits. The tiny, warm, safe corner of the world they had spent a month building was about to be silenced, thrown into a glass case to be gazed at wistfully until the Summer was over and they could enjoy it again.
"Cheer up, you somber bunch," Ron said, slightly annoyed with them. "You're not off to the guillotine."
"Might as well be," Hermione muttered, fiddling with her crystal (light brown, once again).
"I feel like I've got a Dementor in my pocket," Harry grumbled. He was also toying with his necklace.
Just then, as if waiting for the perfect opportunity to rub salt in wounds, Draco Malfoy stuck his head in.
"Oi, Potter. Mudblood. Weasley." He spat all three of these with equal disgust.
"Hello, Lucius Junior," Harry said coldly. "You all right? You're looking a little... green."
Draco's face somehow went a bit paler, and it almost seemed as if he began shaking ever so slightly. "Good to see Granger didn't snuff it, after all. That is, I've got to have something to look at next term when I need to induce vomiting - it makes skiving so much easier." With that, he left. It seemed to Harry that his tones weren't as harsh as they normally were, but he couldn't tell if that had to do with his renewed death threat, or... something else. But that was silly; Draco Malfoy was not one to harbour respect for Gryffindors, no matter the circumstances.
"How rude," Luna said, going back to The Quibbler. Harry noticed she was sitting suspiciously close to Ron, but Ron didn't seem to be taking any notice of this.
At that moment, Cho walked by the door and stopped to look in on them. It seemed to Harry as though she must have been standing there for a few moments before he noticed this, but as soon as she realized he was looking back at her, she smiled briefly, then moved on.
"Why was she staring at me as if I were acting dodgy?" Hermione whispered. Harry did not answer her.
Much too soon for either of their liking, the train arrived at Platform Nine-And-Three-Quarters. As they grabbed their things and stepped off, Harry felt the knot in his stomach tighten as they bid Seamus, Dean, Parvati, and Neville goodbye. He did not want to do this. He wanted to grab her arm and haul her back aboard the train, perhaps to just sit there for the entire Summer, but to at least be near each other. Alas, he knew that was an impossibility.
Silence fell thick and heavy as they approached the barrier to the Muggle world. Harry and Hermione squeezed their hands together, keeping tight hold on their trolleys with the others, and rushed through the barrier after Ron and Ginny, who were now talking with Mad-Eye Moody, wearing the same bowler hat he had a year ago, today.
"Harry, Hermione!"
Mrs. Weasley came bounding over to them, catching them in a hug so tight it could flatten the pancreas. "How've you been? Charlie says you paid him a visit, is this true?!"
Eventually, the joyous welcomes went around from Mrs. Weasley and the Grangers, and Moody had shaken hands with them all, overlarge electric-blue eye swiveling in its socket behind the shadow of his brim, searching for any nosing Muggles or lurking Death Eaters. Suddenly, a weary-looking man stepped forward, and Harry saw he was wearing a rather shoddy grey suit.
"All right, Harry?" the man said, grinning.
"All right, Moony."
Remus rolled his eyes, his grin as broad as ever. "Two can play at that. Should I be calling you Mr. Granger, or is she Mrs. Potter?"
Harry blushed, hurriedly stuffing his right hand in his pocket. "Er, yeah, about that..."
The lot of them would have perhaps spent all day standing around King's Cross, laughing and catching up with each other, if Uncle Vernon hadn't eventually turned up, clearing his throat. They slowly began to disperse, going back to their respective vehicles, but he heard Hermione say "I'll meet you at the car" at the same moment he said this to Uncle Vernon.
"You'll do no such thing!" Uncle Vernon growled. "It's bad enough the ruddy traffic slowed us down, and I'll have no more delays! You'll come now, or-"
"-or what?" he asked. "Listen, I just want to have a word with one of my mates. I'll be along in a minute. Unless you want me to tell that friendly chap in the bowler that you wouldn't even let me say a proper goodbye...?"
Eying the nearby Moody warily and sputtering like a madman, his uncle stomped off toward the exit, pushing Harry's trolley carelessly and causing Hedwig to cry out, which only served to make the portly man grow yet angrier.
Hermione was waiting for him. She was merely standing there, hands clasped neatly in front of her, staring up at him shyly, her feet shifting in morbid anticipation. Luna and Ron, sharing a farewell handshake, looked between them, grinned knowingly, then left as well.
Ashamedly, Harry was tempted to simply wave and call out, "See you!" before dashing after the pair of them... to avoid the long, painful goodbye. But he could not do that to her, or to himself. He wanted more, and she certainly deserved it.
"Another dull Summer," he said, falsely cheerful.
"Yep." She smiled sadly. "Another Summer without Harry."
"Another Summer without my queen."
A weak laugh. "Queen?"
"Hermione was a queen, wasn't she?"
Her brow furrowed for only the briefest of moments before a look of surprised adoration took over. "You read it!"
"Verily," he chuckled. "Though I had trouble finding it at Hogwarts, I can tell you. Had to borrow it from a Ravenclaw."
"Harry, you..." At a loss for how to convey her feelings, she bowed deeply. "Leontes, my king."
"Come off it, people are staring!" he hissed, blood rushing to his cheeks.
Her head raised, an expression of mock puzzlement hitched into place. "He something seems unsettled."
"Enough of this, or I'll haul you away to the magistrate, adulterous wench!" He struck a risibly over-pronounced pose of accusation, finger wagging in her face. It caused her to at last abandon the bow, snickering.
"And who, pray, is our Polixenes? You don't have to worry about me shagging Ron any time soon, that's for sure."
Their mirth seemed like too brief a respite from the sobering situation. With a heavy sigh, Harry shoved his hands in his pockets. The discomfort had become so thick that he was relieved - and a bit startled - when Hermione suddenly spoke up.
"I'll call!" she blurted, as if saying it faster would make it seem more sincere. "Er, and write, truly, I will!"
"Oh, yeah, so will I!"
They stood there awkwardly for a few more moments. Then, to his surprise, she grinned very widely.
"You can still ride that bicycle, can't you?"
"Well... yeah, but that's far too long of a-"
"Apparition tests!"
His eyes flew open. "Oh, yeah... I can go down to the Ministry and take those, soon, can't I?" He then allowed himself a smirk. "Hope you're not planning on materializing unannounced in my bedroom. Aunt Petunia would go into conniptions if she caught us at anything."
She was too giddy with excitement to take in this remark. "Oh, I hope you pass them first try... I want to see you the very moment I can!"
"But I always figured I'd pop in on Mrs. Figg first."
"What?"
He laughed and said he was joking, but she just shook her head. "Stop being an ass. You almost had me thinking MY man had another woman."
"Oh, stuff and nonsense..." Harry felt his cheeks pinkening again at her tenacious tone, and he ran a hand through his unruly mop nervously, nearly knocking his spectacles from his nose. Droplets strained to loose themselves from his ducts, but he fought them back - he had to put on a brave face, or they'd both end up bawling. "You're my only woman, Hermione. Er, and my only man, I suppose."
"Shh!" she hissed, glancing around. Then she beamed at him, her striking, resplendent tawny eyes sparkling brighter and more beautiful than he'd ever seen them. "All of me. It all belongs to you, unconditionally... every last shred is yours. Forever."
The steam from the engine departing Platform Ten swirled around the lovers' passionate embrace, their shining Soul Gems reflecting in every surface with the brilliance of a thousand suns, causing passerby to start searching their handbags or pockets for sunglasses. The two best friends paid them no mind, drinking in the sensation of each other's touch, memorizing every last detail as if worried they would be tested on it. After all, it had to last them at least a few weeks.
~*~ Finite Incantatem
Year 6 At Hogwarts
by Jessica X
************************************************************************ *****
WARNING LABEL: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. INGREDIENTS OF PRODUCT NOT COPYRIGHTED BY AUTHOR, BUT THE RECIPE IS. RATED R FOR MILD VIOLENCE/LANGUAGE, AND MATURE THEMES: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. IF INGESTED, INDUCE VOMITING, THEN TAKE OUT A HIT ON JESSICA X.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I won't even try. Shoot me, hang me, burn me at the stake, slip arsenic into my chai... do as you must. Really, you have Rhadia/Valirie to thank for this; she's goaded me into finally uploading it. SIX GODDAMNED MONTHS TO FINALLY GET OFF MY SORRY ARSE AND FINISH THIS STORY. All I can do is apologise.
I won't even lie to you; it's been sitting on my hard drive all the while. I just haven't seemed to be able to find time to post it. So there. I am a lazy twat.
Of course, many of you will probably have forgotten me and my story by now. You'll see the Author Alert and say to yourself, "Who?" That's okay; I deserve it.
The title of this chapter is taken from a song of the same name by VAST.
And yes, of course this is the last chapter. If you have any questions, there's always email. If you do ask them in your review, provide an email address so I may answer.
Thanks go to CookiMonstr08, rixXwan, scorpio-1983, snifflers unite, Mocolate-Chuffins, Wytil, danuschka, nol, jmbrock (Anonymous), Madam Whitbrook, LadyLuck13, Scott, Voici, Rachel, and Jennawenna for their reviews of chapter 16. Thanks to everyone who reviewed earlier chapters, too.
Gratitute and love to Rukato86, Mr Blader X, Luna Lovegood8, Galadriel Hermione Potter, coolone007-2, Harmony8390 and Benjamin, especially.
Au Revoir!
************************************************************************ *****
~*~ Chapter Seventeen: We Will Meet Again
A month drifted by in a dream, and Harry could not recall ever having been so content in his life. Even homework and exams seemed like a treat when he shared the task with the one he loved. Fortunate did not begin to describe how he felt, but it was a start.
It became routine for her to jerk him into empty rooms between classes, for them to meet under the tables in the greenhouses, for paper airplanes to navigate their way between each other's desks, bearing messages of deepest desire, or even simple endearing phrases. Once, they had been caught in the throes of a passionate embrace during Charms, and Professor Flitwick could barely contain his bemused (and somewhat embarrassed) laughter as he docked their house a few paltry points.
One day in the final week of the term found them lying under the tree again, the sun sending scattered beams slanting down through the leaves, casting a dappled light on them. One of her fingers was tracing the cross-shaped scar in the crook of his arm - one line courtesy of Wormtail, the other his own doing. She had taken to doing this often, though every time she did, a hint of a sad tear danced in one of her eyes - too insubstantial to reveal itself, but not enough to ignore completely. Harry wished she wouldn't do this, as he couldn't stand seeing her unhappy; after all, the second line was created so they could be together again.
"You're so radiant today," he whispered as he watched the light shine from her abundant fluffy hair.
"And you," she returned fondly, smiling as her hand moved upward to his cheek. "I am with you, and I find joy."
"You are joy."
Their lips met briefly, then parted. A sigh escaped Hermione's.
"What is it, sugar-buns?"
"Stop that," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Silly, childish nicknames."
"No, really... what's up?"
She fell onto her back and stared at the branches above them. "Summer."
Undoubtedly, they had both been thinking of this for a while, but had not the nerve to discuss it. Now, however, Hermione wanted to, and he could not deny her what she wished.
"I know."
"I don't want it to come, but... time persists."
"Go to McGonagall and get some back?"
She smiled. "Delay the inevitable, even if for but a few hours."
"What we could do with a few hours..."
"Harry!"
They both laughed, then lapsed into a comfortable silence. She broke this again.
"What will I do?"
"Be miserable." A sigh escaped his lips as he joined her in watching the leaves. "It's all I had planned."
"Maybe this time we... we really can get you away from there... I swear, I'll try as hard as I can, I'll plead your case every chance I get..."
"I would be enthralled. To be near you is to be in heaven."
Blushing. "Stop that."
"You keep telling me to stop things, and I keep doing them. I wonder why that is?"
"It's because you're incorrigible." She thought for a moment. "And puerile. Definitely puerile."
He grinned. "Guilty. What's the Wizengamot's ruling?"
"Forty kisses."
"Not the forty kisses! Anything but that, guv!"
"Better keep quiet, or I'll make it seventy."
"La la la la, la la la-"
Her lips silenced his, and she did, in fact, count out every single one of those seventy mirthful kisses.
~*~
A hand shot out in front of Harry as he raced toward the Transfiguration classroom. He skidded to a halt just in front of it, but it moved forward, grasping his collar and jerking him into a doorway. He blinked as the door to the empty classroom slammed shut, then turned to stare into the face of his kidnapper.
"Cho! Wh-what-?"
"Is it true? You and Hermione Granger are engaged?"
The question startled him. "I- eh?"
"Are you engaged?"
"Well, no, but why-"
"Everyone says so," she said. Her face looked pained, and her shining black hair was in a right state. "Please, just be frank with me... at least this time, Harry."
"Really, we're not, we've only just started going out, it's-"
"Liar!" she shouted. "You've been going out since Christmas, I know it!"
"No, we haven't!"
"I'm getting sick of this, forget I-"
"DAMNIT, you stupid git, would you shut up and really listen to what I'm saying for once?!"
Shock vibrated through her, and she finally let go of his collar, backing off a step. Harry took a deep, calming breath before continuing.
"I was not in denial, nor was I trying to two-time you. When I told you Hermione and I weren't dating, we weren't. Just because we are now doesn't mean you were right when you said-"
She waited for a moment, but Harry did not continue. "When I said...?"
"You were right. You were right all along."
"But you just said I was..."
Harry's face had slackened with a bemused surprise, and he slowly sat on the desk behind him. "No, I mean... when you said we weren't aware we fancied each other. I chalked it up to you believing the rumours, but... you turned out to be one-hundred percent correct. I'd been falling for Hermione all year, but I was too thick to realize it until just a few weeks ago."
He looked up at her, beginning to giggle, but he stopped short when he saw how utterly crestfallen she looked.
"Cho, what... what's wrong? I thought you'd be thrilled to know your prediction came true."
She slowly turned to leave, but he caught her arm. She turned to back to him, her almond-shaped eyes shining, and she leapt forward, attacking his mouth with her own.
Harry sat there, stunned, for several seconds, his lips adamantly set against her advances. Then he firmly grabbed her shoulders and held her at arm's length.
"What was that?"
She tried to wriggle free, but he held firm.
"Why did you do that?"
"I..." She was still fighting him.
"Explain. I think I deserve that much."
And she broke down, sobbing, sinking to the floor. He sunk with her, not about to let go before she told him.
"Harry, I've... I've been such a fool... I pushed you away, I know that now, I... I..."
"You're not making sense, what are you-?"
"I still love you."
The room was still, and it remained so for a few moments before her sobs broke the silence again.
"I've missed... missed my win- window. I should've f-fought harder for you, I- I just let you go. I'm the world's biggest p-p-prat."
"That 'scent' business, is it?" He sighed. "I hate to say it, truly I do... but you're right. I... I love Hermione."
"But we... we had something... you can't say we didn't have anything, that- that kiss, on the g-grounds, it..."
He found he could not keep the smile away. "That was rather nice, and it's something I'll never forget. But... you've got to understand, Cho... that's the past. My heart is securely in Hermione's possession, now, and hers in mine. It's the latter that's my main concern, not the former."
She looked up at him, and he felt a pang. This beautiful, fragile girl's heart had just been shattered into a thousand pieces, and the only thing he could do to mend it was the one thing he never would.
"She is so lucky."
"What?"
"You are the warmest, kindest, most honorable wizard I've ever met, Harry Potter. I envy that girl of yours... I hope she makes you very happy, because you deserve it more than anyone I know. I'll... I'll just step out of your life now." She made to leave, but he did not release her.
"Oh, no you won't. Just because I don't love you doesn't mean I hate you. You're still a brilliant girl, and a wicked-sharp Seeker."
They both stood, and she backed out of his reach, smiling as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Maybe. But... I don't think so."
"...why not?"
"I don't think I could bear talking to you... knowing you're something I can never have. I understand why you can't be with me, but... that doesn't mean I've stopped loving you. I lost C-Cedric to circumstances beyond my control, but... but for losing you, I have no one to blame but poor, stupid me. Being your friend now, it's... it's far too painful."
She moved for the door again, but he blocked her path.
"Cho, don't do this. I know you'll probably come to hate me, but... I can't help it. I'm really sorry."
"It's my own damn fault!" she exclaimed tearfully. "I did everything but shove you into her arms myself!"
Another grin he couldn't suppress. "That you did. But know that... you have my eternal gratitude. I don't want you thinking that just because you played a part in my falling for Hermione that I've forgotten you exist; in fact, it's all the more reason for me to remember you." He sighed, and stepped out of the way. "But... if you need time... I'll understand."
They stood there for a quite a while. Then she smiled - a brave smile that masked a deep sadness. "Very well, Potter. But I will say this. If that Hermione of yours so much as puts a toe out of line... I'll find out, and she'll have me to answer to. I may have lost you, but I'll be damned if you get treated like dirt."
To this, Harry hadn't the slightest inkling of how to respond. He tugged at the neck of his robes, but no sound came from his mouth.
"See you around!" she said brightly, striding from the room. Harry stood there blinking for nearly two minutes before he could speak again.
"What have I landed myself in?"
~*~
As Harry was packing hurriedly, wanting to rush down to the end-of-year feast as soon as he could, he heard a knock on the dormitory door. He gingerly slid the snapshot of himself and Ron grinning and waving (and a zombified Hermione scowling between them, opal eyes moving left and right) into his photo album and threw it into the trunk.
"Er, come in?"
He nearly dropped his pocket Foe-Glass when Dumbledore stepped inside.
"Professor!"
"A quick word with you before the feast begins?" His face was not cheery, but not sad; Harry couldn't read it at all.
"Wh... what is it?"
"I would like to say that I am terribly disappointed in you. You thumbed your nose at the rulebook, flying off for parts unknown, and returning when you pleased. I should be taking a thousand house points from Gryffindor and expelling you." He moved to the window and stared idly out at the Quidditch pitch, hands clasped behind his back.
Harry could manage nothing more than a gulp.
"But the truth is... despite these things, I cannot. For I know why you did what you did, and the fact that you actually did it is the real matter here."
"Excuse me, but... what?"
Dumbledore smiled slightly. "The Elixir of Agapé is most certainly not something any Dark wizard could ever hope to administer. Their hearts have been so calloused by years of hatred that they do not remember just what love is. You have perhaps seen evidence of this in Professor Snape; his emotions are always as far from his sleeve as he can manage to put them."
Harry nodded as the wizened man turned to him again. He understood, but had no idea where Dumbledore was going with this.
"The truth is, despite the fact that you broke the rules and risked so much, you did manage to restore Miss Granger's life. That, more than anything, shows me that you are in no immediate danger of turning into a Death Eater. The force of love is obviously strong within your heart; it must have been, as Miss Granger is indeed back with us."
A nervous grin reached his mouth. "Thanks."
"I do feel a responsibility to reiterate what I said to you when last we spoke: you must not continue to purchase Dark texts. While I am relieved things worked out so well on this occasion, I simply do not think it would be so the next."
"Yes, Professor. Don't worry, I won't be doing any shopping down Knockturn Alley again." His eyebrows knotted. "Professor?"
"Yes, dear boy?"
"Was it... did you ask Snape to help us?"
"I did. I felt it necessary to make sure absolutely nothing went awry in the brewing of that elixir. Too many miscalculations, and Miss Granger may have been revived in a weakened state, only to pass on a few months later. Worse yet, it may have backfired, and you may have done yourself in. The Elixir is extremely powerful, and errors in use are not errors you will have an opportunity to correct. To that end, who better to oversee such a thing than a Potions master?"
Harry nodded again, and a shiver passed through him as he realized just how foolhardy brewing such an abomination was... though he didn't regret doing so for a moment. He also felt an unwanted rush of appreciation for Snape's assistance, but was mercifully distracted from it by Dumbledore.
"Before we get on with our meal, I would like one more quick word... though I should really be saying this to both of you."
"Yes, Professor?"
"Congratulations! I trust I will be invited to the ceremony, of course... and if you could just have Hedwig inform me of the shops at which you're registered, I would greatly appreciate it. Gifts for newlyweds aren't the easiest to pick out."
And before Harry could sputter out a response to this, his blue eyes once again twinkling merrily behind those half-moon spectacles, the bemused headmaster left the dormitory.
~*~
It was a subdued Harry and Hermione that stared out the window of the Hogwarts Express as it snaked through the countryside. Neither the fact that Gryffindor had won the Quidditch Cup again, nor that they had also managed to scrape the House Cup, did anything to raise their spirits. The tiny, warm, safe corner of the world they had spent a month building was about to be silenced, thrown into a glass case to be gazed at wistfully until the Summer was over and they could enjoy it again.
"Cheer up, you somber bunch," Ron said, slightly annoyed with them. "You're not off to the guillotine."
"Might as well be," Hermione muttered, fiddling with her crystal (light brown, once again).
"I feel like I've got a Dementor in my pocket," Harry grumbled. He was also toying with his necklace.
Just then, as if waiting for the perfect opportunity to rub salt in wounds, Draco Malfoy stuck his head in.
"Oi, Potter. Mudblood. Weasley." He spat all three of these with equal disgust.
"Hello, Lucius Junior," Harry said coldly. "You all right? You're looking a little... green."
Draco's face somehow went a bit paler, and it almost seemed as if he began shaking ever so slightly. "Good to see Granger didn't snuff it, after all. That is, I've got to have something to look at next term when I need to induce vomiting - it makes skiving so much easier." With that, he left. It seemed to Harry that his tones weren't as harsh as they normally were, but he couldn't tell if that had to do with his renewed death threat, or... something else. But that was silly; Draco Malfoy was not one to harbour respect for Gryffindors, no matter the circumstances.
"How rude," Luna said, going back to The Quibbler. Harry noticed she was sitting suspiciously close to Ron, but Ron didn't seem to be taking any notice of this.
At that moment, Cho walked by the door and stopped to look in on them. It seemed to Harry as though she must have been standing there for a few moments before he noticed this, but as soon as she realized he was looking back at her, she smiled briefly, then moved on.
"Why was she staring at me as if I were acting dodgy?" Hermione whispered. Harry did not answer her.
Much too soon for either of their liking, the train arrived at Platform Nine-And-Three-Quarters. As they grabbed their things and stepped off, Harry felt the knot in his stomach tighten as they bid Seamus, Dean, Parvati, and Neville goodbye. He did not want to do this. He wanted to grab her arm and haul her back aboard the train, perhaps to just sit there for the entire Summer, but to at least be near each other. Alas, he knew that was an impossibility.
Silence fell thick and heavy as they approached the barrier to the Muggle world. Harry and Hermione squeezed their hands together, keeping tight hold on their trolleys with the others, and rushed through the barrier after Ron and Ginny, who were now talking with Mad-Eye Moody, wearing the same bowler hat he had a year ago, today.
"Harry, Hermione!"
Mrs. Weasley came bounding over to them, catching them in a hug so tight it could flatten the pancreas. "How've you been? Charlie says you paid him a visit, is this true?!"
Eventually, the joyous welcomes went around from Mrs. Weasley and the Grangers, and Moody had shaken hands with them all, overlarge electric-blue eye swiveling in its socket behind the shadow of his brim, searching for any nosing Muggles or lurking Death Eaters. Suddenly, a weary-looking man stepped forward, and Harry saw he was wearing a rather shoddy grey suit.
"All right, Harry?" the man said, grinning.
"All right, Moony."
Remus rolled his eyes, his grin as broad as ever. "Two can play at that. Should I be calling you Mr. Granger, or is she Mrs. Potter?"
Harry blushed, hurriedly stuffing his right hand in his pocket. "Er, yeah, about that..."
The lot of them would have perhaps spent all day standing around King's Cross, laughing and catching up with each other, if Uncle Vernon hadn't eventually turned up, clearing his throat. They slowly began to disperse, going back to their respective vehicles, but he heard Hermione say "I'll meet you at the car" at the same moment he said this to Uncle Vernon.
"You'll do no such thing!" Uncle Vernon growled. "It's bad enough the ruddy traffic slowed us down, and I'll have no more delays! You'll come now, or-"
"-or what?" he asked. "Listen, I just want to have a word with one of my mates. I'll be along in a minute. Unless you want me to tell that friendly chap in the bowler that you wouldn't even let me say a proper goodbye...?"
Eying the nearby Moody warily and sputtering like a madman, his uncle stomped off toward the exit, pushing Harry's trolley carelessly and causing Hedwig to cry out, which only served to make the portly man grow yet angrier.
Hermione was waiting for him. She was merely standing there, hands clasped neatly in front of her, staring up at him shyly, her feet shifting in morbid anticipation. Luna and Ron, sharing a farewell handshake, looked between them, grinned knowingly, then left as well.
Ashamedly, Harry was tempted to simply wave and call out, "See you!" before dashing after the pair of them... to avoid the long, painful goodbye. But he could not do that to her, or to himself. He wanted more, and she certainly deserved it.
"Another dull Summer," he said, falsely cheerful.
"Yep." She smiled sadly. "Another Summer without Harry."
"Another Summer without my queen."
A weak laugh. "Queen?"
"Hermione was a queen, wasn't she?"
Her brow furrowed for only the briefest of moments before a look of surprised adoration took over. "You read it!"
"Verily," he chuckled. "Though I had trouble finding it at Hogwarts, I can tell you. Had to borrow it from a Ravenclaw."
"Harry, you..." At a loss for how to convey her feelings, she bowed deeply. "Leontes, my king."
"Come off it, people are staring!" he hissed, blood rushing to his cheeks.
Her head raised, an expression of mock puzzlement hitched into place. "He something seems unsettled."
"Enough of this, or I'll haul you away to the magistrate, adulterous wench!" He struck a risibly over-pronounced pose of accusation, finger wagging in her face. It caused her to at last abandon the bow, snickering.
"And who, pray, is our Polixenes? You don't have to worry about me shagging Ron any time soon, that's for sure."
Their mirth seemed like too brief a respite from the sobering situation. With a heavy sigh, Harry shoved his hands in his pockets. The discomfort had become so thick that he was relieved - and a bit startled - when Hermione suddenly spoke up.
"I'll call!" she blurted, as if saying it faster would make it seem more sincere. "Er, and write, truly, I will!"
"Oh, yeah, so will I!"
They stood there awkwardly for a few more moments. Then, to his surprise, she grinned very widely.
"You can still ride that bicycle, can't you?"
"Well... yeah, but that's far too long of a-"
"Apparition tests!"
His eyes flew open. "Oh, yeah... I can go down to the Ministry and take those, soon, can't I?" He then allowed himself a smirk. "Hope you're not planning on materializing unannounced in my bedroom. Aunt Petunia would go into conniptions if she caught us at anything."
She was too giddy with excitement to take in this remark. "Oh, I hope you pass them first try... I want to see you the very moment I can!"
"But I always figured I'd pop in on Mrs. Figg first."
"What?"
He laughed and said he was joking, but she just shook her head. "Stop being an ass. You almost had me thinking MY man had another woman."
"Oh, stuff and nonsense..." Harry felt his cheeks pinkening again at her tenacious tone, and he ran a hand through his unruly mop nervously, nearly knocking his spectacles from his nose. Droplets strained to loose themselves from his ducts, but he fought them back - he had to put on a brave face, or they'd both end up bawling. "You're my only woman, Hermione. Er, and my only man, I suppose."
"Shh!" she hissed, glancing around. Then she beamed at him, her striking, resplendent tawny eyes sparkling brighter and more beautiful than he'd ever seen them. "All of me. It all belongs to you, unconditionally... every last shred is yours. Forever."
The steam from the engine departing Platform Ten swirled around the lovers' passionate embrace, their shining Soul Gems reflecting in every surface with the brilliance of a thousand suns, causing passerby to start searching their handbags or pockets for sunglasses. The two best friends paid them no mind, drinking in the sensation of each other's touch, memorizing every last detail as if worried they would be tested on it. After all, it had to last them at least a few weeks.
~*~ Finite Incantatem