The Dark Phoenix

"Crookshanks, you bad cat," she said in a playful scolding whisper. "What are you doing on Harry's bed? You always sleep on my bed. Bothering Harry. You know, I could get jealous," as she picked up her cat. Holding Crookshanks in her arms she looked at Harry sleeping. He looked so peaceful and she knew he had been through so much. She leaned over to kiss him lightly on the cheek just as Crookshanks started purring. Harry turned in his sleep and she kissed him on the lips instead. With a small gasp she turned to scurry away, but not before Harry woke up.

Some sound had made Harry stir and then he felt a warm breath. He opened his eyes. Without the aid of his glasses all he could see was the silhouette of someone with bushy hair. "Hermione?" he said groggily. He was trying to remember where he was, the Granger's and, had Hermione just kissed him? He stretched out his hand to the bushy haired silhouette that seemed to be purring. "Hermione?" he asked again.

Hermione reached out to touch Harry's hand. Her own hand was trembling a little. "Sorry to wake you," she whispered. "I came to get Crookshanks from bothering you".

"Thanks for being a friend," he said. She squeezed his hand and hurried off without saying anything. Harry lay there trying to recall a sleepy, dreamlike memory of a warm breath and touch on the lips.

Being an only child has its advantages, like not having to share a bathroom with anybody. As was her normal routine; a groggy and half asleep Hermione trudged down the hallway from her bedroom to the bathroom. Her eyes were barely open and her bare feet moved slowly, almost dragging on the carpet. She had the usual 'pillow hair' some of her curly brown hair was hanging down in her face while more was pushed up in back. She started pulling at her pajama top, one arm was free and the other with a hand still hanging in the sleeve. With her free hand she reached out and opened the bathroom door at the same moment the water came on. Shock. The kind you get when you wake up not quite sure where you're at or what you're looking at. A split second that seemed like forever as realization hit that she was looking at someone through textured glass bent over in her shower. She shut the door quickly, the running water covered the sound. She was definitely awake now, her hand still on the door knob and shaking, charged with the sudden transition in consciousness. In her mind it was dawning on her, 'Oh my God! I saw Harry's buns!'. She looked down at herself, half undressed, 'Oh my God!' and scurried back to her room closing the door and leaning against the back side. Hermione was blushing furiously and her mind was racing at all the possibilities of how that could have been really bad. It was bad enough. 'I don't think he noticed the door open. Oh, I wish dad had fixed the lock on the door….Cute buns. No, don't think about that', she told herself and blushed again biting her lower lip and stamping the floor with her foot. But it was difficult not to.

Breakfast was ready and Hermione was the last one to show up. Harry gave her an inquisitive look, she just smiled back. During breakfast there was conversation between David and Katherine about schedules and double checking that Hermione and Harry had everything they needed.

"Yes, I'll be helping Harry with his summer homework. We'll have sandwiches for lunch. Mum, do we still have any smoked ham left? Actually Harry has already made a lot of progress from yesterday. I think he might be done tomorrow. Pass the buns, I mean biscuits." The tips of Hermione's ears turned pink. She was thankful no one seemed to notice the subconscious slip.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger left for work at the dental office as Harry and Hermione went to the library. Harry immersed himself into his studies while Hermione continued with her personal project.

"Harry….earth to Harry….honestly." Hermione came up behind Harry leaning in close to his ear, "Harry, for the fifth time, are you going to eat your lunch?"

"What? Oh, is it lunch time already?"

"Harry, it's 2 o'clock. I don't think I've ever seen you study this hard. I brought you a sandwich and some milk. It's on the tray."

"Where's yours?"

Hermione gave Harry a look and said, "Harry, I ate mine two hours ago when I brought both of ours in."

"Er, okay, sorry, and thanks."

"You're welcome"

Harry had to admit, now that he wasn't concentrating on his studies, that he was a little hungry. Harry surveyed the table while eating lunch. It was an array of parchment, charts and books. He made a mental note to sharpen his quill after he ate. He wondered what on earth Hermione was working on. It looked complex to say the least. "Is that a letter from Professor Lupin?"

Hermione snatched it up. "It's Mr. Lupin or Remus Lupin now that he's no longer a Hogwarts teacher."

"What's the letter about?"

"It has to do with my project. He seemed the most logical person to ask. He was after all a brilliant teacher, wouldn't you agree?"

"Absolutely, but what do you need to ask him about your, um, project?"

Hermione gave him a blank look, but her eyes held excitement. "I promise to show you when it's done and not before—okay?"

"Sure, okay, no need to get touchy about it."

"Harry please, I'm not being touchy," she pleaded. "I just want it to be a surprise. And I don't want anyone else to, um, know about my project besides you and Ron."

Harry grinned. "Alright. When do you think you'll have it done?"

"Before Halloween," she said in an even tone, but with the same excitement in her eyes.

That evening Katherine cooked and Harry offered to help, but Katherine told Harry to help David set the table and that he could help Hermione with dishes after dinner. During dinner David and Katherine talked about their day, the root canal, the laborer that lost some teeth to a fellow worker, and their recent summer vacation to with Hermione. They noticed that Harry got quiet.

"What's wrong dear? You're awfully quiet all of a sudden," said Katherine.

"Really, it's nothing Mrs. Granger. I just…have never had a summer vacation except to stay with the Weasleys once. And of course I got to come here."

David and Katherine looked at each other briefly and changed the subject so that Hermione and Harry were talking about Hogwarts and the magic they've learned.

After dinner the table was cleared with Harry and Hermione doing dishes again while David and Katherine sipped some coffee at the table. Katherine had been eyeing the two teens when she said, "Come on David, let's take our coffee to the living room."

"Any particular reason we're in the living room?" just as some giggling was heard from the kitchen.

"Does that answer your question?" replied Katherine with an eyebrow raised.

"I suppose it does but how did you know?"

"I just happen to notice how they looked at each other as Harry put a dish in the drainer and Hermione reached for it before Harry had let go of it."

"Ahhh, I see."

Harry wasn't quite as tired when he retired to the guest bedroom and lay there thinking how everyone else seemed to have a family but him. The door pushed open just a few inches when once again Crookshanks slipped into Harry's room and onto his bed, but Harry didn't drift off to sleep right away. He heard footsteps coming down the hallway and the door push open.

Then a playful scolding whisper, "Crookshanks. You're starting to make a habit of this." Hermione picked up her cat.

Harry could feel Hermione looking at him while he pretended to be asleep. She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, but he turned slightly and leaning up gave her a kiss instead. He had caught her completely by surprise. She was motionless until Crookshanks started purring. She gave a small giggle and hurried from the room.

The next morning at breakfast, almost every time Harry or Hermione would catch the eye of the other they would smile and look away. Just before David and Katherine left for work Hermione asked, "Mum, can Melanie come by this afternoon?"

"You two won't keep Harry from his studies will you? Besides I thought you were working on a personal project."

"She won't stay long and Harry's almost done. I can't do anything more with my project until I get to school. I need to put the magic touches to it and I'm not allowed to do magic outside Hogwarts."

"It'll be fine," she said, leaving a happy Hermione at the door.

Hermione liked how Harry had taken to his studies, his concentration, compared to last school year, was astounding. She figured he would finish his summer homework by this evening and would go to the Burrow in the morning. She thought it would be good for him and hoped he could spend the rest of the summer with the Weasley's. It would, after all, be a simple matter to drop in and see him by Floo.

"Harry, I brought you a sandwich and some milk….Harry….Harry." No reaction, she went around behind him to lean in and get his attention by talking in his ear. But with sudden inspiration, she kissed him on the cheek instead, then backed away slowly to watch his reaction. Nothing, but then a delayed reaction took place; he dropped his quill and blushed. Hermione started laughing, "I'm sorry Harry, but I was having a tough time getting your attention. Lunch is ready. Want a sandwich?"

"Uh, yeah, sure," he said still looking surprised.

After last night Hermione figured turnabout was fair play. Still laughing, "You okay Harry?"

"I'm fine, really", as the flush left his face and he realized she had gotten him back.

"Oh, Harry, my friend Melanie," she corrected herself, "my muggle friend, Melanie, will be coming over for a visit this afternoon. You wouldn't mind meeting her would you?"

"Not at all"

"Good —all she really knows about you is that we go to the same school together. A 'private' school up north. When I take her to my room you can go to the guest bedroom and I'll tell her that you're studying, and then you can slip back to the library. That sound okay?"

"Sounds okay to me."

Harry met Melanie, she was a little shorter and maybe slightly thinner than Hermione. She had light blonde hair that was almost straight but curled at the ends and her eyes were a stark blue. His impression of her could be summed up in one word, 'spry'. Everything worked out just as Hermione intended, which was usually the case Harry thought. It was, after all, important that Hermione's muggle friend not be aware of any magic in the house. After Melanie and Hermione went to her room, Harry went back to the library. He was quite sure he didn't want to know anything about their girl talk. He would have been right.

"Hermione! Harry is just the cutest! That messy hair, and those green eyes are just to die for. I've never seen anyone with such green eyes. Oh, can I go to your school? Are there any more like him? Is he taken?"

Hermione giggled, "Whoa, slow down there girl. I thought you had a boyfriend. What's his name, Bradley? I agree Harry is cute and not just his adorable face."

"Oh Bradley was two months ago. And don't stall. Is Harry going out with anyone?" Melanie paused, "Hey, wait a minute. What do you mean by that— 'not just his adorable face' ?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and absent mindedly turned a pillow over in her hands as she told Melanie about the 'almost' shower incident. Hermione blushed and giggled burying her face in the pillow as she finished.

Melanie's jaw dropped and she looked at her long time friend in surprise. "Hermione Granger, I can't believe it. You really like Harry don't you? All this time I thought you had the hots for this Ron guy, which I haven't met yet by the way. I've heard the names Ron and Harry for years. I finally meet Harry and he's a walking dream. Well, you do like him don't you?"

Hermione looked perplexed, "Of course I like Harry. And I like Ron. They are my best friends. The three of us are best friends."

Melanie put her hand to her mouth, "Oh my gosh you have the hots for both of them and their best friends to boot. Hermione, what a pickle you've put yourself in," just as Melanie started laughing and a pillow came across her head.

With mock anger and through gritted teeth, "Mel-a-nie, how can you possibly say such a thing?" They both laughed. Then more calmly, "This is the honest truth. I like them both. They are my friends. I couldn't possibly risk the friendship of either one." What she just said seemed to have hit a somber note somewhere in the back of her mind.

"Okay, okay, I believe you. Just one thing."

"Yes?"

"Couldn't you have at least got a picture?" Melanie teased with a pleading look.

"Oh, My, Gosh," said Hermione as she attempted to hit Melanie with a pillow again and they both giggled.

After dinner that evening Hermione and her mother went to a baby shower which was not exactly something David or Harry wanted to attend. David took it as an opportunity to talk with Harry. What David really wanted to know was what Voldemort really meant as a danger to his daughter, or for that matter, the rest of the world. It was a long talk. Harry had a respect for David and not just because he was Hermione's father, he liked him. Harry liked the Grangers. Harry did his best to tell him the truth, as best as he understood it. Until.

"Harry, I want to thank you for talking with me. I believe you've been very truthful, though I think you may have left out a few details. Possibly about my daughter's adventures." David looked knowingly and thoughtful at Harry. Harry suppressed a slight grin. "You've only told me a little more than what Hermione has already told us." David paused, "Harry, I was wondering if you could tell me about the boy that died last school year. What was his name?"

"Cedric….Diggory," was all that came out. The silence was deafening, but Harry couldn't bring himself to say anymore.

"That's alright Harry, I'm sorry I brought it up."

"Crookshanks," she whispered. "How did you get in here? I shut the door when I took you to my room." She came over closer to Harry's bed but didn't pick up Crookshanks. Still whispering, she said, "Harry I know you're not asleep."

Harry turned and opened his eyes. There was no fooling her tonight. Hermione sat on the edge of the bed and leaned a little closer to Harry. He could almost make out her face and eyes in the dim light.

"Harry, you have no idea how much your friendship means to me," she said softly. She laid her head on his chest, under his chin.

Her curly hair was soft and he could smell the slight scent of honeysuckle. She lay there, her head still on his chest as though she were listening to his heart beat. She seemed to be trembling just a little. Harry stroked her hair and put his hand on the back of her shoulder. "Maybe I do."

Her trembling seemed to calm and she lifted her head. He could just make out a smile and something glistening on her cheek as she leaned over and kissed him. "Good night, Harry".

"Good night Hermione," said Harry as she scooped up a purring Crookshanks and quietly left.

"Cedric!" Harry lay there shaking. It seemed hard to breathe. He had dreamed it again, all of it.

"Harry?" came a soft and familiar voice. "Harry? Are you all right?" as Hermione came closer.

"I…" came his choking response. Harry sat up as Hermione came and sat on the edge of the bed next to him.

"What's the matter? Does your scar hurt?"

Still difficult to breathe. Harry shook his head no. Trying to get out some kind of explanation. "B..bad…dream" he barely got out.

She reached out and touched his shoulder. "Harry your shaking…. anything you want to talk about? Sometimes it doesn't seem as bad if you do."

Harry shook his head no and tried to say, but stuttered, "I…I'm f…fine."

"No you're not."

Harry clutched both hands to the sides of his face, bent over and wept, rocking back and forth. Hermione held him, and she too, cried.

There was someone outside the guest bedroom that had been listening, and watching from the darkness of the hallway. A tear was wiped away and a dark figure went to the master bedroom. "Katherine? Is everything alright?"

"Yes," as she got back into bed, "I think Harry had a nightmare, but it's alright now." They hugged each other, but both of them knew that it wasn't all right - not yet.

Hermione woke up. It was still dark. She found herself under the covers curled up to a sleeping Harry. He had cried himself to sleep. She quietly slipped away, back to her room.

In the morning at breakfast the quick looks and sudden smiles of the previous morning were absent between the two teens.

"Everything alright this morning Harry?" asked Katherine.

Harry nodded, "Fine Mrs. Granger." Then he added, "Maybe better."

Katherine seemed satisfied, "I take it your summer studies are done and that you will be going to the Weasley's after breakfast. We've enjoyed having you. Feel free to call on us anytime."

            Harry thanked Katherine and said that he might take them up on the offer. Even though things seemed to have cooled between Harry and Hermione, Harry did manage a mouthed 'Thank you' to Hermione when her parents weren't looking. Hermione nodded, an understood, 'Your welcome' in return.