Forever more my Lioness

Chapter 6

Hogwarts was in complete chaos and the order was spread thin. Students were restricted to the dormitories and the Slytherin head of house Professor Snape was missing, as was Hermione Granger.

"Professor Dumbledore you have to find Hermione, please, she's a muggleborn... He will kill her!" Harry Potter pleaded, his eyes rid-rimmed and glossy.

"We're doing everything we can my boy... Lupin and Kingsley are out there as we speak, the aurors are souring the forbidden forest and interrogating known Death Eaters. I'm sorry Mr. Potter... We will do everything to find and rescue Miss Granger. But you have to ready yourself if reality takes a most regretful turn." Dumbledore places his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You mustn't do anything drastic to put yourself in harm's way."

TAP! TAP! TAP!

There was an eagle owl perched on the Headmaster's window sill. Dumbledore cautiously opened the window not recognizing the bird as his or any of his known associates. He expected the owl to present its talon to him so he could retrieve the letter but instead it flew towards Harry and perched on his shoulder much to the chosen ones surprise.

"Ouch! Easy boy.... You have rather large claws." Harry tried to communicate to the bird.

The great owl offered his talon to Harry and he quickly broke the seal on the letter and began to read.

My dearest friend Harry,

   I'm sure by now you have noticed by absence. And tomorrow's paper will be full of lies. But I'm comforted by the fact that you know me well enough that I never betrayed you and you would come to the conclusion that it was concocted by Voldemort himself.
   There is one glimmer of hope in all this, he's made an unbreakable vow that he won't kill you or hurt you so long as you don't go after him. The same applies to the rest of our friends and family. In exchange he requires my hand in marriage... I've made a vow that I will do so. So there is no use in making plans for my rescue as it would kill me if I don't honor my side of the agreement. If you can be brave enough to sacrifice yourself for the greater good... Then so can I. I love you Harry. Tell Ronald I love him too. Talk to my parents for me will you?
 
  He told me to invite you and my friends to the wedding and that you guys won't be in any danger and under his protection as long as you don't interrupt. Please Harry, come... I want to say goodbye to you as I'm sure I won't see you again. Please invite Ronald, Ginny, Professor Mcgonagall, and Professor Lupin. I would like the chance to say goodbye to them as well. I love you all. I have to go now. My husband to-be (SF) wanted me to make this short.

          With Love,
      Hermione Granger

The letter dropped to the floor and the giant owl retreated back out the window from where it entered.

"No... no.... no..." Harry Grabbed his head. His temples were throbbing and he could practically hear the blood rushing around in his head. He felt on the verge of a breakdown, or blackig out approaching. "No... not my 'Mione..."

Dumbledore read the dropped letter. "This is a grave predicament indeed..."

"GRAVE?! He's going to torture her, he's probably going to rape her! And all you have to say is that it's a grave predicament. Unless you meant it as some sort of awfuly timed pun considering we may find Hermione in a grave soon you must have something better to say!" Harry was yelling so loudly that you could see the stresses ligaments in his neck and the infamous lightning bolt scar took on a more vibrant red.

"She took a vow Harry... she will perish if she doesn't honor it. You read it as well as I. I'm sorry dear boy. But your friend is lost. The best thing we can do now is work to defeat him so she is set free. The sooner you kill him, the sooner Miss Granger will regain her freedom."