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Post by Harry Potter on Jul 10, 2011 15:16:58 GMT -5
They had no choice. They needed a place to go. And if Harry still had the trace on him, something he shuddered to think about, then they would have dozens of death eaters on their tails no matter where they went. So they dissaperated from the pub before the death eaters or waitress could stir from their stupors and landed in the tiny square outside of number twelve grimmauld place. They could see it, of course, because with Dumbledore's death they had become secret keepers. Harry glanced around to make sure they hadn't been followed and then sprinted up the steps and shouldered open the heavy door. Ron and Hermione followed close behind.
They hadn't taken more than three steps when an odd sensation passed over them. Harry felt as though he may have swallowed his tongue. However, as quickly as it had come, the sensation was gone. He glanced from one side to the other quickly to see if it was just him but Ron and Hermione seemed to have experienced similar things.
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Post by Hermione Granger on Jul 10, 2011 16:30:38 GMT -5
Though she was trying to remain calm, Hermione was completely, without a doubt terrified. She took Ron's hand, nearly dragging him with her as the three friends rushed up the steps into Grimmauld Place. As soon as they got inside, she felt it - a burst of wind, chilling her, as if it was trying to see into her soul. Exchanging a look with Harry, she swallowed and tried her best to keep her voice from wavering.
"Moody's idea probably...just in case Snape came snooping around here after Dumbledore..." She stepped forward, noting nothing else seemed different. In fact, the man difference was that it was just so terribly quiet, as opposed to the bussiness of the place in years' prior. "Maybe I could fix us something to eat?" There was an approving grunt that she assumed came from Ron, making her laugh as she went into the kitchen.
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Post by Harry Potter on Jul 10, 2011 18:54:24 GMT -5
Once Harry was sure that he wasn't going to throw up or fall over, he followed Hermione and Ron into the grimy kitchen, an odd pang of loneliness hitting him as his eyes fell on their joined hands. Not that it was a surprise or anything, he knew that after the events of last year, eventually they were going to start seeing each other as more than just friends, but still...
Harry stood in the kitchen doorway, surveying the house that had been his for the past year or so and a strong urge to turn around and leave it overcame him as he remembered Sirius being trapped there after the end of the tournament up until his death at the ministry.
It was as he moving farther into the room to see what Hermione could scrounge up for food that his scar gave a sharp burning sensation and he cried out, pain that he had not known for over a year cleaved at his head as he felt the rage that did not belong to him.
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Post by Hermione Granger on Jul 10, 2011 22:01:53 GMT -5
Hermione let go of Ron's hand only to start sorting through the ridiculously large amount of pots and pans. She remembered they'd had a large supply of endless food in the cupboard for the Order, and turned to the boys. "Would you mind picking something out that you'd like me to make? Even if you're not hungry...it's good to get some food in your stomach." The statement was mainly directed at Harry, because she knew Ron was - no doubt - always hungry.
She finally pulled out two clean pots, and one frying pan, along with some utensils and glasses. Fine dining? No, but enough to eat and maybe help loosen up and wind down after all that had just happened. They deserved at least a few moments of peace...if only for those few moments. Pulling up her hair with an elastic, she set to work on turning the stove on magically, turning back to the boys to see what they'd picked out. "Well?
Her expression changed however, when she heard Harry's cry and saw his pained face. "Oh, Harry.." she breathed, dropping the pans for the moment and going right over to him. "What is it?
Ron had the same reaction - he dropped what seemed to be a box of pasta on the counter and went to his best mate, eyebrows furrowed. "Bloody hell mate, what is it this time?" It was never anything good. In fact, the last time he truly remembered witnessing this his father had ended up getting attacked by a vicious snake.
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Post by Harry Potter on Jul 10, 2011 22:22:56 GMT -5
Their concern was touching but a bit stifling. He blinked a few times and the sharp pain subsided at once into a dull throb. "I don't know..." he answered truthfully. "I just felt anger...he's really angry." Harry rubbed his forehead to try and get the last bits of pain to leave. Unnerved by their looks of anxiety, Harry tried to gloss over the sticky moment by reaching into the nearest cabinet and surfacing with the first things his fingers touched. He wasn't hungry in the slightest but knew that Hermione would keep nagging him until he at least pretended to eat something.
He looked down at the selection he had made, still attempting to act as though nothing was bothering him. He had chosen what looked like a moldy log but was probably just really old bread. "If you can do something with the mold, I'll just have toast" he finally said wearily to hermione. After all that had happened, the wedding seemed days away instead of just hours, and all he really wanted to do was sleep.
At that precise moment, a silvery looking weasel floated into the kitchen and spoke with Mr. Weasley's voice. "Family safe. Do not reply, we are being watched."
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Post by Hermione Granger on Jul 11, 2011 21:47:06 GMT -5
Hermione's eyes were lit with concern, worry having made her forehead crease. Connections like this between wizards were never good things; and it was even worse when said connection was to the very person they all had to fear most at the moment. She turned from him after a moment of trying to force down her comments and questions, knowing that - right now, anyway - it wasn't the best thing for him.
"Aguamenti." She filled a glass with the cold water, handing it to Harry and raising an eyebrow at the moldy bread. "Harry, even if I could do something with that log, I absolutely wouldn't. You might not be hungry now, but it'll do no good to eat the bare minimum, especially if we encounter someone we need to fight." They definitely had to keep their strength up, and toast was in no way the food to do it. Taking the bread, she tossed it - disgusted - into the trash and poured nearly two boxes of pasta into the boiling pot.
She turned only upon hearing Mr. Weasley's voice, and a relieved expression found it's way onto her face. Thank goodness they were all alright - she would have felt terrible leaving them otherwise. With a small smile to the boys, she turned back to the pot and stirred slowly, wishing there was a way they could contact them and let them all know they were safe. But truly, there was nothing they could do that wouldn't possibly compromise their position to unwanted intruders.
"Pasta'll be ready in five..." She stirred again, setting three more glasses of water on the table just in case Harry would need more.
Ron's face had completely settled down once he'd heard his father say the family was safe. Nothing else had really mattered to him, other than that at least. Bloody hell, he'd been kicking himself for leaving them all, especially since it was his brother's wedding. But what choice had he had? None, really, unless he'd wanted to ditch Harry and...Hermione.
He watched her cook with an awed expression on his face, amazed she could keep so calm even when things seemed like they were at their worst. He turned to Harry and gave him a lop-sided grin, taking a seat at the old table and helping himself to a box of crackers they'd found. "Well....you heard her, mate. Pull up a chair." He grinned, laughing and nearly choking as he grabbed a cup of water from the table and drank it down.
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Post by Harry Potter on Jul 11, 2011 22:05:19 GMT -5
Harry knew that Hermione wasn't going to leave the subject of his scar where it was but was glad that for the moment she didn't press it. He watched with a partially amused, partially tired expression as she threw away his dinner choice and added more pasta to the saucepan of boiling water.
At Mr. Weasley's voice, he closed his eyes briefly, letting relief wash over him. If something had happened because of him to anyone at that wedding, most of whom were like family, he honestly would never forgive himself. He could have left the day before the wedding since he had turned seventeen and the trace would be gone but he had made the choice to stick around and that jepordized everyone in attendance, despite him being in disguise.
Harry took the seat next to Ron as Hermione finished up dinner preparations and suddenly discovered that his appetite had seemed to fly into the room along with the silver patronus of Mr. Weasley. Now that he knew those they had left behind were safe, it might be ok to eat a little something. As Hermione said, keeping up their strength at all times on this upcoming long, difficult and dangerous task was crucial. He reached across Ron to snag a cracker.
His scar was still pulsing and he could feel Voldemort's wrath beginning to build but he thought sternly to his head, "not now." If he could just control the burning in his forehead until Ron and Hermione weren't paying attention or had fallen asleep then he could succumb to it and find out why Voldemort was angry at the present time. But not before that. "Dinner ready yet Hermione" he asked, forcing his voice to stay calm and neutral.
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Post by Hermione Granger on Jul 11, 2011 22:16:59 GMT -5
The bubbles were calming, almost. The slight froth that had started building up at the top of the water was - in a way - soothing. Funny, how sometimes the simplest things can give someone the most comfort.
Hermione stirred the pasta around a few more times, looking back in time to see Ron playfully hit Harry for trying to take a cracker, before handing him the box. With a shake of her head she laughed, draining the pasta and spooning it out onto the different plates, pulling out the sauce from the cabinet. She noticed, though briefly, Harry's discomfort, probably another scar episode. Instead of inquiring, Hermione though it best to ignore it, instead focusing on keeping their strength up.
She gave both the boys huge helpings, giving herself a rather small one. She didn't feel hungry, but knew she had to eat something. It was just...she missed her family. Swallowing, Hermione kept her eyes low for a moment to regather composure, before smiling widely. "Well...Bon Appetite."
Ron dug into his food immediately, but couldn't help but notice Hermione's plate. It was smaller, and she didn't look as calm as she had a moment ago. Thinking these questions be better asked later, he remained silent except for a small, but grateful 'thank you', drinking his water deeply and looking at Harry with a some-what relieved expression. "Good to know everyone's safe, yeh'?"
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Post by Harry Potter on Jul 11, 2011 22:28:34 GMT -5
Harry took his plate, noticing immediately that Ron had started eating as was no surprise and also that Hermione continued to shoot covert glances at him as though he might collapse in a heap on the floor because of his scar or something, again no surprise there.The third thing he noticed was how small her portion was. If she was going to nag him to eat then he was going to do the same thing right back. Tilting his plate slightly, he slid some of the pasta off of it and onto hers so that they both had just about the same amount now. He did this silently and with a firm look that plainly said, "do not even try to argue with me about this one hermione". His attention was then pulled back to Ron and he gave a short nod of agreement, his throat too tight to say anything as he thought about Ginny.
After a few moments in which the only sound in the kitchen was forks scraping plates and the chewing of three exhausted, scared teenagers, Harry pushed away his plate, having only eaten about half the food there. Ron's earlier comment had doused his appetite again and he felt as though something large and heavy was stuck in his windpipe, making the act of breathing a lot more difficult. "Er...bathroom" he muttered, getting to his feet and leaving the room.
Once out of the room, his strained smile vanished and his steps became slower and more labored. He ducked into a small bathroom on the next floor and ran the cold water in the sink so that he could wash his face, hoping that that might ease the building pain in his scar.
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Post by Hermione Granger on Jul 12, 2011 15:19:15 GMT -5
Hermione had smiled a little at Ron having started eating already; the box of crackers he'd downed didn't seem to put any halt to his ever-growing appetite. Being honest with herself though, she found it quite cute, especially since she secretly enjoyed cooking. Stop it. They all had far more important things to worry about than Ron's appetite and smile and...
Her attention - thank god - kicked back into gear just as Harry dumped a portion of his pasta onto her plate. Raising an eyebrow and shaking her head minutely, Hermione pushed around her food to make it look as though she was eating, too distracted with her thoughts to actually force food down. A few bites later however, Harry was leaving the room, food forgotten to go to the bathroom. Hesitant, she turned to Ron, seizing the opportunity to shove more food on Harry's plate and ask if he'd noticed anything unusual with their best mate.
"Have you noticed Harry's behavior? I think his scar is hurting, and he might be keeping something from us. We need to try and find out what it is, Ron."
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Post by Ron Weasley on Jul 12, 2011 15:27:45 GMT -5
He'd already finished his pasta. He chewed a bit more, before grunting at Harry's departure and turning to answer Hermione's worried glances. "Hermione, you might be worrying over nothing. He probably doesn't want to tell us. It wouldn't be the first time, and though I can't blame it, it does get bloody annoying. But we can't force him to confide in us."
Ron took a look in the cabinet and pulled out some more crackers, nervous and needing something to chew on besides the metal fork he'd been eating the pasta with. He felt bad when Hermione's eyes seemed to gloss over with tears. What was he supposed to do in such a situation? Ears going pink, he tried to mutter a hasty apology, back-tracking immediately to try and fix his error.
"Oh, 'Mione, don't cry...bloody hell, I..." But what was there to say? He looked around at the dusty, grime filled house and felt his stomach sink. He pushed away the crackers and swallowed hard, his eyes low before finally looking back up to meet with Hermione's. "It'll be okay. We just have to get the horcruxes. Make a plan, ya' know? You're smart, we'll all think of something...it's just been one hell of a long bloody day..."
He was silently begging Harry to come back into the room, having close to no experience dealing with crying women - especially Hermione. The only time he'd seen her cry besides this was when Dumbledore died, and in their fourth year when he'd made a complete ass of himself. Yeah, he had no one to blame but himself for that one. He reached over slowly and put his hand on top of hers, offering her a rare gentle smile. "It'll be okay,"he repeated, "I'll...I'll fight for you."
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Post by Harry Potter on Jul 12, 2011 15:42:41 GMT -5
Harry stood clutching the sink with white knuckles as the pain in his scar peaked and he was no longer staring at a grimy wall or floor but a screaming, writhing death eater. When he spoke, it was a high cold voice. "More Rowle or shall we end it and feed you to Nagini? Lord Voldemort is not sure he will forgive you this time...you have called me back from my travels to tell me that Harry Potter has escaped again?" Another flick of the wand and the large blond death eater gave another piercing scream.
Harry's eyes flew open. He had crumpled to a heap on the floor and his nose was an inch away from the serpentine feet of the iron cast bathtub. Still sweating and shaking slightly from what he had seen, he pulled himself into a standing position and rinsed off his face again. Now that he had witnessed what was making Voldemort so angry, the pain in his scar had finally dimmed enough for him to compose his face into a somewhat relaxed expression and with this done, he made his ungainly way back to the kitchen, sure he would find Ron and Hermione still eating.
But instead he found them holding hands. Or rather...Ron was holding Hermione's hand. He gave an awkward sort of cough, stepping forward to make his presence known, overcome by a strong feeling that they had been talking about him when he had left the room. Then he wondered if he was just being paranoid. He retook his seat and in the tense silence that followed, he began to poke at his pasta again, determinedly not looking at their expressions.
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Post by Hermione Granger on Jul 12, 2011 16:17:30 GMT -5
She didn't know what to say. For the first time, Hermione didn't feel the need to hide or wipe her tears from Ron, but instead let him hold her hand, feeling - if only for this moment - a little better. About to say something, the bright witch opened her mouth, only to close it again upon hearing footsteps followed by a cough. Gently pulling her hand out from under Ron's, the 17 year old swallowed, standing quickly to wipe her tears and turning away. She may have just cried in front of Ron, but there was no way she'd cry in front of Harry.
She left her barely-touched plate of pasta behind to sit in the living room, taking deep breaths before sitting at a piano bench, staring longingly at the keys. Having played since a young age, it would be more than comforting to stroke the delicate instrument and listen to the soft tunes. Feeling as if it might be out of place though, Hermione continued to stare, feeling especially hopeless. There was nothing she could do for Harry or his pain. Books and cleverness could only get a person so far, until it was time to admit that - for the moment - she was out of ideas.
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Post by Harry Potter on Jul 12, 2011 16:39:59 GMT -5
Even without looking up, it was obvious when Hermione left the room. Harry hesitated for a minute, then glanced up at Ron and silently left his seat for the second time in less than ten minutes. It didn't take him long to find Hermione; she was sitting in the living room at a big piano that Harry hadn't noticed the house even possessed.
He wanted to say something to her. He wanted to thank her for all she had done and for sticking by him for so many years. And he wanted to say it to Ron as well but he just didn't know what to say or how to start so instead he sat down next to her and gestured at the dusty keys. "Do you know how to play piano then?"
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Post by Hermione Granger on Jul 12, 2011 16:58:15 GMT -5
There were so many songs she wanted to play. So many songs that would calm her down, maybe even help ease the tension in the house a bit. Surely the boys wouldn't mind then, if she played just a little.
Hermione nearly jumped at Harry's voice, but turned to face him with bright, glossy brown eyes. "Yes,"she answered after a moment, getting out her wand to clean up the dust."I have ever since I was little. My...parents taught me."Parents that would never remember her, that she could never see again.
Her fingers were on the keys before she knew what was happening, something in her finally having snapped. Fur Elise, a simple song by Beethoven, was her choice. Soft, graceful, beautiful. Just like her childhood. There were tears on her face again, but Hermione was far too concentrated on the notes to actually wipe them away. Calming, just as she'd thought. Just what she needed to start to feel as if something in this Dark world was normal again.
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