Seven Strong | By : LeilaMalfoy Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 2953 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. |
Voldemort already knows how much you care for them, so they are in more danger than I am. I am going. End of discussion.” Stated Ginny.
No one had any argument to her point so they all remained lost in their own thoughts, all of which circled the same chain of events: Dumbledore’s death, vault number seven, and, hopefully, the upcoming death of Voldemort so they could move on with their lives.
As silence filled the compartment once more, Harry found himself slipping into a memory. One not long since passed…
After the funeral, Ginny followed the golden trio as they made their way up to castle. There weren’t many students left, and the ones that had stayed behind were now gathering their belongings. The train was to leave in only two hours time, but when they stepped through the castle doors, Professor McGonagall was waiting for them.
“Follow me please,” She announced, as curtly as ever.
And so they followed her down the nearly deserted hallways, thinking that they were going to her office. Though, when they stopped in front of the large stone gargoyle outside the Headmaster’s office, that was when it hit them. Now she was Headmistress, and the office belonged to her now, for Dumbledore was no longer in the land of the living.
“Lemon Drop.” Said the newly appointed Headmistress. To which, in reply, the Gargoyle stepped aside, thus bringing into view the spiral staircase. The group mounted the stairs and climbed into the sanctum. Slowly they settled in around her desk, adjusting to the new changes made by McGonagall.
“I won’t keep you for long, I know you must still gather your belongings before the carriages are scheduled to leave,” Said Professor McGonagall.
“What brings us here Professor?” asked Hermione, always the curious one.
“I brought you here because of something that happened earlier today. As I was settling myself in, I saw the portrait of Albus point to a small side-table in the corner,” She stated and pointed to the portrait of the ex-headmaster, that was now sleeping so peacefully that it made it much harder on the young students to follow her hand motion that now pointed to a little side table. Harry immediately became interested and was now trying to figure out how had he missed that little table in all the visits he made to this same office. “Well, I thought it a bit odd because I had never noticed that little table on the corner… and grant you I’ve been in here countless times.”
At this Harry couldn’t help but interrupt, “My thoughts exactly, Professor.”
“That was when Albus explained to me that he had an incantation on the table that it would only reveal itself when… he had passed.. on.” said McGonagall with a great sigh. Hermione and Ginny rushed to her side at the sight of tears.
“It’s alright Professor, we know how you feel, it’s alright to cry,” Murmured Ginny soothingly, while fighting back tears herself.
“Yes, yes I know. Thank you girls, but I think that what I have to show Mr. Potter might hold importance at this moment. Please sit down girls, I’m fine.”
They didn’t really believe her, but they weren’t about to argue either. Once they were back on their seats, McGonagall got up and went towards the little table. She opened the drawer and took out an ancient looking box that instantly captivated everyone’s attention. With a quick stride she returned to her desk and took her seat before them, she leaned forward in her seat and handed Harry the box.
“What’s… in it professor?” asked Harry tentatively.
“Well Mr. Potter, I don’t know much about it, but Albus told me that when he died I was to give you this box.” She than pulled a chain from inside the box and a golden key came into view.
“What’s that key for?” asked Ron.
“To a door Mr. Weasley.” Answered McGonagall in a strained and irritate tone.
“Please go on Professor, Ron won’t interrupt anymore..” Trailed Ginny while giving Ron a look worthy of Molly Weasley.
“Please, go on Professor,” Said Harry, wanting to know more.
“Thank you Mr. Potter. Albus had told me to give you something when he died, but when I asked what I should give you, he then said that when the time was right he would show it to me. Alas here we are. This key is to a vault in Gringotts, supposedly containing something that he thinks could help you with the final battle,” She finished, and handed Harry the key.
“I’m terribly sorry to interrupt, but Professor when you said ‘when he died’, do you mean to tell us that he knew he was going to die the way he did?” asked Hermione.
“I believe he knew death was looming ever so close, Miss Granger, but if he knew how I can not say. Unfortunately, we don’t have time for this talk now as you still have to gather all your things. I think the carriages will be leaving soon and… besides I have a feeling you’ll be returning soon enough.”
“Does that mean Hogwarts will reopen in September?” Asked Ginny
“I’m sorry Miss Weasley, but I don’t know that for sure, but really you children should be on your way now,” She said regretfully.
Harry heaved a sigh, coming out of the memory. The train was nearing Kings Cross, and it was time he got his act together.
When the train pulled into Kings Cross they found Mr. and Ms. Weasley waiting to greet them. Although it wasn’t the pleasant and cheerful greeting they were accustomed to due to recent events, it was nice never-the-less.
Mrs. Weasley informed them that Bill was now being treated at St. Mungos hospital, they had no idea of the outcome but they hoped he’d recover. The wedding was to happen on the 27th of August and that was something happy to look forward to.
But for now Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Ron had a task before them. They had to get to Gringotts and find out what was on that vault that could possibly help them to kill Voldemort, and bring down his followers.
“Let’s take this up to my room,” Ron muttered.
“You guys go on. I just want to talk to mum, she looked too depressed,” Replied Ginny, making her way to the kitchen while the others made their way up to Ron’s room.
“Hey mum...” Ginny said softly upon entering the room, eyeing her distraught mother.
“Oh Ginny, how are you, dear? I apologize for dragging you kids away from the station without proper greeting but these aren’t safe times to linger,” said Molly, putting on a brave face for the sake of her daughter.
“I’m fine mum, and we understand,” Ginny smiled at her mum.
“Where is everybody else?” Molly asked looking over her daughter’s shoulder as if expecting the other children to come into the kitchen.
“They went up to Ron’s room, Harry wanted to talk to them,” Ginny was a bit worried for her mum, she knew that Mrs. Weasley’s boggart had turned into her family’s dead bodies, and the fact that they were about to fight a war might just bring that into reality after all.
“Oh poor Harry... the poor thing must be feeling horrible. How is he?” Molly and the rest of the Weasleys had taken Harry in as one of their own, to Molly he was her black haired son.
“He insists that he’s fine, but we all know better,” sighed Ginny.
“Oh the poor child. Hasn’t he been through enough yet?” said Molly with a great sigh.
“Yeah I know mum, but I’m here for him, and I’ll still be here for him no matter what comes.”
“Oh Ginny…” exclaimed Mrs. Weasley, hugging her daughter with teary eyes
“It’s going to be okay mum, you’ll see. We’ll be up in Ron’s room, okay?”
“Oh Ginny when did you become such a comforting young lady, just yesterday you were my little baby,” asked Mrs. Weasley, a lone tear running down her right cheek.
“Oh mum,” said Ginny with a faint smile.
“Well move along now. I’ll call you lot down when dinner’s ready,” Molly wiped her cheek and busied herself with her potatoes, Ginny knew she had been dismissed.
“Thanks mum,” With that Ginny made her way upstairs, to join Harry, Hermione and Ron.
“Ginny, what took you so bloody long?” asked Ron.
“I’m sorry Ron, you know how mum gets when she’s all worried about something,” Ginny made her excuse.
“What’s she worried about now?” asked Ron.
“Oh Ronald, you can be so daft sometimes,” snapped Hermione giving him a murderous look.
“What?” asked Ron.
“Never mind that now, so Harry what’s in the box besides the key?” asked Ginny who was now ignoring Ron’s murderous looks.
“We don’t know yet, we were waiting for you.” said Hermione.
“So get on with it then I’m here now.”
“Yes boss,” Harry smiled at his girlfriend, looking down at his lap, he opened the box and took out the key and a folded piece of parchment. Harry examined the key for a little while then proceeded to the piece of parchment that was written in Dumbledore’s unmistakable handwriting.
“Come on, Harry read it out loud, we want to know what it says,” said Ron impatiently.
“Ron! Give Harry some time,” scowled Hermione.
“Please, for the love of God, don’t start bickering you two,” Harry sighed trying to prevent the two of them from going at it.
“Sorry mate.” said Ron looking rather embarrassed.
Harry took in a deep breath and began reading.
“Dear Harry,
I’m sorry to say this but if you’ve came across this letter it is because I’m no longer among the living. I know you must be upset but there are matters that need your attention. Since I’m no longer with you in person I cannot be as much help on your defeat of Voldemort as I had hoped I could be, but you must keep on going Harry, the happiness and lives of millions are on your hands.
Remember what I have taught you Harry, and remember why you survived his curse.
The only way to defeat Voldemort is with strong and powerful love.
The key I left you is for a vault number 7 in Gringotts. When you get there give one of the goblins the key they will know where to take you. When you get what’s inside you must return to Hogwarts were you will find what you need. You can trust Minerva, Harry. She knows how to help you, she knows enough to help, for you will need all the help you can get.
Harry I’m sorry things turned out this way, I wish circumstances were different, but the ones you love will forever live inside your heart. You were like a son that I never had so heed my advice, things aren’t always what they seem and people aren’t always the way the act.
Hermione and Ron are your friends and they love you, keep their love close for it shall help you.
Good bye Harry.
Albus Dumbledore.”
“No pressure there,” chuckled Ron, fighting back tears, but he couldn’t hide the ones he had already shed while Harry read the letter. Hermione and Ginny weren’t trying to fight them at all. They were crying freely, so much so that, at the sight of their tear stained faces Harry couldn’t help himself. His eye filled with tears that fought to escape. Ginny broke the silent sobs.
“Now what?” she asked while wiping her tears away trying, but failing, to make them stop coming.
“What are you on about?” said Ron wiping his eyes, but like his sister couldn’t really keep the tears at bay.
“Well Dumbledore’s dead we can’t just sit back and watch more people get killed without fighting back,” said Ginny.
“She’s right, you know,” Hermione agreed.
“I never said I wasn’t going to do anything…” murmured Harry, “I’m going to find that bastard and end this once and for all.”
“You mean ‘we’ are going to find him.. and kill him,” said Ginny.
“There’s no ‘we’. I’m the one who’s supposed to kill him,” Harry reminded his friends of his destiny for what felt like the millionth time.
“Oh for fuck’s sake Harry! How many more times are we going to have to go through this? WE… ARE… NOT… GOING… TO… LET… YOU… FIGHT… ALONE!” Hermione shouted at him slowly, so perhaps now he would get it. Ron, Harry and Ginny stared at her open mouthed for a minute, surprised at her choice of language.
“Yeah, we can help,” added Ginny after recovering from her shock.
“Yeah Harry, remember you need love, and don’t get me wrong, I’m not gay or anything, but we love you mate, and remember what the letter said. Me and Hermione can help you,” said Ron.
“ I can’t put you guys in danger. If I lose one more loved one to that bastard I don’t think I can live with myself,” his voice sounding slightly defeated.
“Harry you can’t do this alone, I won’t let you,” assured Ginny, Harry was about to say something when Mrs. Weasley came in.
“I’m sorry dears, I didn’t mean to interrupt.. but dinner is ready and I think you are in need of a little nourishment.”
“Thanks mum, we’ll be right down,” Answered Ron.
“Well, we have to get to Gringotts,” said Hermione after hearing Mrs. Weasley descend the stairs.
“I know. I was thinking that I could- I mean WE could go first thing in the morning,” Harry quickly correct himself at Hermione’s death glare.
“Sounds great, Harry. Now let’s go eat. I didn’t realize I was this hungry until mum came up here and brought the smell up with her... the food smells delicious,” said Ron, rubbing his stomach. His simple act seemed to have lighten up the mood a little. Hermione said a soft, “Oh Ronald,” which earned laughs all around.
After dinner they bid everyone ‘Good night’ and went to bed. When they got up to Ron’s room, Harry and Ron went in and just as Ron made to close the door Hermione stuck her head in and said, “You have better not leave without us.”
“We wouldn’t do that Hermione,” muttered Ron. “We’ll come get you when we’re ready.”
With that the girls made their way to Ginny’s room.
“So Harry, what do you think is inside that vault?” asked Ron, jumping onto his bed.
“I don’t know, Ron,” Said Harry putting on his pajama shirt and getting into bed.
“Maybe it’s a weapon.”
“If it is, it better be very powerful,” Harry sighed crossing both hands behind his head.
“Yeah... Maybe it’s a map to show us where the rest of the Horcruxes are,” Said Ron looking very hopeful.
“Yeah that would be great… but if Dumbledore had a map he would’ve retrieved them himself,” Harry told his friend, putting that idea to rest.
“ In that case I still think it’s a weapon.”
“I don’t know Ron, but we have a long day tomorrow so we better go to sleep.”
“Yeah… I guess we should… G’night, Harry.”
“Night Ron.”
Harry knew that sleep would not come easy, for though his body was relaxed his mind was racing a thousand miles per hour. It wasn’t until much later that Ron’s snores lulled him to sleep. Harry and Ron had no idea how wrong they were in the guesses they had at what might be inside that vault hidden deep within Gringotts. No idea that what was inside was about to prove them wrong about some very important events. No idea that one of the golden trio’s life would forever change. No idea how much tomorrow held in store for them as they all slept somewhat peacefully.
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