Credit Given

Disclaimer: It’s JKR’s not mine. It’s J.K Rowling’s stable of characters, settings, and ideas; not mine. I’ve never profited from my writings and frankly never plan to.

The following morning Harry and Hermione snuck out of the burrow early in the morning in order to avoid the Weasleys and begin their summer in earnest. As the exited the burrow Harry took one last look at the house that was the closest thing aside from Hogwarts that he had ever had to a home and sadly said, “Goodbye childhood.”

Hermione frowned as Harry spoke, but honestly she couldn’t disagree with the sentiment. Hermione was well aware that things were only going to get more and more difficult and the last vestiges of her childhood were gone. The only difference between her and Harry was that she was able to enjoy her childhood loved. While Harry spent his childhood more concerned with avoiding the belt or the cupboard beneath the stairs.

As they reached the end of the driveway Hermione gently grasped Harry’s arm and said, “I imagine that when we have our children, you can experience all of those things for the first time.”

Harry smiled slightly as he pulled out his wand and shrunk his trunk before he released Hedwig from her cage and said, “Can you follow us there girl?” Hedwig hooted dutifully before Harry took her cage and shrunk it, placing it in the same pocket of his pants as his trunk.

Hermione repeated the maneuver as she used her tracking charm-free wand to shrink all of her belongings before she sat Crookshanks down and said, “Think you can follow us without chasing any birds or mice?” Crookshanks eyed Hermione balefully before he began to walk with Harry and Hermione into town and their home for the rest of July.

Fortunately they never noticed Molly’s tearstained face as she watched them walk away from the kitchen window. Molly vowed to herself then and there, that she would do everything she could for the young couple.

Harry and Hermione reached Ottery St. Catchpole just as the sun was starting to dawn over the horizon and with a playful smile Harry asked, “Would you like to have some breakfast love?”

Hermione smiled as she wrapped her arm around Harry’s and said, “That sounds lovely.” Hermione then turned towards Crookshanks and said, “If you behave while we’re in the restaurant then we’ll bring you some bacon.” Crookshanks suddenly became very obedient as Harry and Hermione entered the small muggle restaurant with the name of Darlene’s Kitchen.

Harry and Hermione entered the restaurant and found a small booth open near the entrance. An attractive blond waitress walked over to the table and with a very friendly smile to Harry asked, “Hello sweetheart, what can I do for you and your friend this morning?”

Harry politely answered, “I think we’d like to start with a pair of menus, thank you.” The waitress smiled and handed them a pair of menus before she left to give them some time to decide. As soon as the waitress had left Hermione conspicuously and deliberately moved from her spot on the other side of the booth to Harry’s lap. Harry chuckled and asked, “Are you feeling alright?”

Hermione quickly replied, “Just showing that waitress the lay of the land love. That is unless, you’d like me to move.”

Harry wrapped his arm around Hermione’s waist pulling her tightly to his chest before he said, “No thank you, I like this very much.” Hermione smiled and leaned back before she planted a kiss on Harry’s lips in her appreciation of his closeness.

As they thumbed through the menus the door to the restaurant opened and Luna Lovegood and her father entered looking about as un-muggle as humanly possible. Luna spotted Harry and Hermione and grabbed her father’s arm as she dragged him towards their booth.

Harry and Hermione had finally decided what they wanted when they heard someone say, “You do both realize that sitting so close together makes you susceptible to clodhopper infestations.”

Harry and Hermione smiled and turned to find Luna and her father standing right next to them. Hermione smiled and said, “Luna, Mr. Lovegood what a lovely surprise. Would you two care to join us for breakfast?”

Luna shook her head and said, “No thank you, we just wanted to say hello and offer our condolences. I heard about what happened with Ginny, I’m so sorry.”

Harry shrugged and said, “I guess it’s better it happened now than later. At least no one was hurt too badly and Ginny will learn her lesson.”

Luna nodded and as she was about to leave to a table with her father Harry smirked slightly and asked, “How’s Ron’s chess game?”

Luna smiled and replied, “Oh he is a little tentative, but I'm confident I’ll have him making the right moves soon enough.”

Harry nodded as Luna walked away. After a moment Hermione poked Harry in the ribs and asked, “What was all that about Harry?”

Harry smiled and he nuzzled Hermione’s neck and said, “Just confirming my suspicions about Luna is all.”

Hermione arched her eyebrow and dangerously asked, “Meaning what, Potter?”

Harry chuckled and said, “Simple, Luna is Ron’s girlfriend.” Hermione’s eyes widened before she smiled and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek.

Harry asked with a slightly sill grin, “What was that for?”

Hermione laughed and replied, “That’s for having a larger emotional range than that of a teaspoon.” Harry laughed as the waitress returned.

She nodded respectfully at Hermione before she asked, “Did you guys figure out what you want?”

Harry smirked and said, “You mean besides the angel in my arms?”

Hermione blushed and said, “I’ll be having the crepes with orange marmalade and he is having the American breakfast special in your menu.”

The waitress nodded and asked Harry, “Would you like your eggs fried or scrambled?”

Harry replied, “Fried please.” The waitress nodded as she took the menus back and left to go place their orders.

As they sat together in the restaurant Hermione asked, “Harry, why did you call me an angel?”

Harry smiled and replied, “It’s simple really, you have been my guardian angel for the last four years, you look like an angel when you sleep, and you are the most wonderful girl I’d ever hope to meet and love.”

Hermione flushed and said, “Thank you Harry. But, that’s not exactly what I meant.”

Harry looked genuinely puzzled and asked, “What did you mean then?”

Hermione sighed and said, “You’ve just been complimenting me and saying these wonderful things to me so much lately, and I wanted to know why.”

Harry sighed and said, “I say those things because I mean them and I want you to know that I love you for the wonderful things you do.”

Hermione bit her lip and softly said, “You do realize that while I appreciate and love when you do that, I don’t need for you to constantly compliment me to keep me in love with you.”

Harry smiled and caressed Hermione’s cheek before he said, “I know that love, and I don’t do it so that you will stay in love with me. I do it because I love you so much and I can’t always snog your brains out to show you that.”

Hermione giggled and said, “I’ll keep that in mind Harry.” Harry nodded as the conversation steered to less heavy topics as they waited for their breakfast.

After they enjoyed their breakfast, Harry left the waitress a large tip for taking the hint and he took the piece of bacon that Hermione had promised Crookshanks, well aware that his mistress had forgotten her prescribed award.

They got outside of the restaurant and Crookshanks who had apparently been working some covert surveillance from the alleyway across the street. Hermione blanched when she realized she hadn’t gotten Crookshanks any bacon.

As Hermione planned several ways to get back in her familiar’s good graces, Harry kneeled down and pulled a couple of strips of bacon out of his pocket wrapped in a napkin. Crookshanks gave Harry an appraising nod before he feasted on the bacon Harry had given him. Hermione arched her eyebrow and with a smile said, “I imagine this means that he is going to swear an oath of allegiance to you now instead of me.”

Harry chuckled as he stood up and said, “Not at all love. This was just more of a matter of showing your very protective familiar, that I am an acceptable, well mate, for the lack of a better word.” Hermione smiled brightly as she grabbed Harry by the waist and gave him a very fiery kiss.

She pulled away and nearly purred as she said, “Let’s go get ourselves settled in at the manor.” Harry eyes were slightly gazed and he nodded happily as they took off towards Canterbury lane and Lupin Manor.

As soon as the came within view of Lupin Manor, Hedwig swooped down from the sky and landed lightly on Harry’s shoulder. Harry smiled as they entered the large manor and felt a strange peace as it occurred to him that this was his home now and for the first time it was true.

His peace abruptly came to a halt however when Remus and Sirius pulled Harry into a rough embrace separating his hand from Hermione’s which came as an abrupt shock.

Remus hoarsely asked, “Harry, why weren’t we informed yesterday when you went to St. Mungo’s?”

Before Harry could answer Sirius pounced and said, “When we read today’s prophet we nearly died when it said you had survived an assassination attempt due to your leanings towards the dark arts.”

Hermione in a startled voice asked, “The prophet said what?”

Harry roughly broke the smothering embrace of the two older marauders and said, “Remus, Sirius please let us get unpacked and settled in and then we can talk, ok?” Remus and Sirius nodded as Hedwig, who had fled upon seeing Remus and Sirius, perched back onto his shoulder as Hermione gently took Harry’s hand and they walked up the stairs in silence.

Hermione’s mind was in a whirlwind as she desperately thought of something to say to Harry to help him through an identity crisis that she knew he would have, especially when accused of practicing the dark arts. Meanwhile, Harry was concerned but not for the same reason as Hermione was. He was worriedly trying to think of a way to protect Hermione, while still keeping her at his side during what was going to be a very long year.

They parted ways as they went into their rooms directly across from each other. They continued as their own private thoughts spilled over into so much worry that they left their rooms at the same time and ran into each other, bumping their heads and falling to the floor in a heap. After a moment to regain their senses they each blurted out, “I know how much this is going to hurt you and I just want you to know I’m here for you.”

After a moment of staring at each other dumbly they each began to laugh heartily realizing that the other was more concerned about the other than themselves. Finally Hermione said, “Well, let’s just forget this happened and we’ll deal with it when we’ve each finished packing.” Harry laughed as he stood up and helped Hermione to her feet before kissing her forehead and heading back into his room to finish unpacking. With a fond smile as she watched Harry’s back, Hermione turned around and walked back into her room to do the same as Harry.

Harry and Hermione finally returned down the stairs to find Remus and Sirius sitting in the study with the prophet spread out on the drawing table. Harry sighed and nodded as Remus said, “Read the article before we talk about anything else.”

Harry and Hermione shared a look before Harry dryly said, “Amazing what garbage they print in the papers nowadays isn’t it.”

Remus snorted and said, “That’s all you have to say, after it has been publicly stated that you are the next dark lord in the making.”

Harry sighed and said, “Well, considering I don’t give a damn what anyone named Malfoy thinks it is all I have to say.” Remus made to retort but Harry continued, “I am well aware that many, far too many, people will believe this garbage and send me various pieces of mail trying to kill me or hex me. But I have been prepared for this since Dumbledore told me that the ministry was out to discredit me. Although I must admit turning an attack on me into a proclamation of my dark intents was quite creative.”

Everyone in the room aside from Harry shared incredulous looks before Hermione said, “So let me get this straight. Dumbledore told you that the ministry wants to discredit you and you never mentioned this to us because...”

Harry chuckled and replied, “Well at the time I thought Dumbledore was full of shite after trying to keep me at the Dursleys for the rest of the summer, before incredibly changing his mind and allowing me to go to the burrow.”

Remus calmly asked, “So then you had some idea that something was coming?”

Harry smiled sheepishly and replied, “I did mention that it was Dumbledore who told me this and that he has kept some very important stuff from me in the past.”

Rather than ranting at Harry for not being prepared for such a situation, given that it truly wasn’t his fault that he was slipped a love potion or that the ministry had it out for him Hermione said, “It’s ok, that doesn’t matter any more love. Now all we need to do is figure out what this means for us.”

Harry nodded but it was Sirius who spoke next, “I say today we celebrate, but tomorrow we deal with this.”

Remus smiled and looked at Harry and Hermione who were also smiling before he said, “That sounds like a lovely idea.” After a moment Remus added, “A party for Marauders old and new.”

Before Harry and Hermione knew what had hit them, they were herded together and sent to the library as the manor was put into full party mode.

Harry and Hermione sat down and began chatting about mere nonsense as for once Harry had a pleasant conversation about his Dursley experience as he relayed to Hermione how he used to sneak out early on Saturday morning and watch some cartoons on the telly. By the end of the talk Hermione had laughed for so long and so hard that she had cried several times out of laughter. Her face was flushed and in a word Harry thought she looked more beautiful then, then she had ever looked before.

Harry did the only sane thing a red blooded teenage boy could do, he leaned over and kissed her deeply. After a moment his tongue begged for entrance into her mouth and she gladly opened it and she moaned happily as his tongue gently stroked hers. They had shared many snogs before in their time together at the burrow, but this one was different, it was less hormone driven and more driven by the burgeoning love they felt for each other.

Emboldened by Harry’s tender but loving kiss Hermione decided to try something new and as a show of her love and belief in Harry not to take anything to far, she grabbed Harry’s hands and placed them on her shirt directly over her breasts. Harry pulled back slightly and looked into Hermione’s eyes searchingly as he was nervous as to what he could and could not do.

Hermione smiled and whispered, “We have a lifetime together Harry, let’s just take this slow and we’ll do what feels right.” Harry smiled and ever so gently massaged Hermione’s firm but developing breasts. After a few moments Hermione broke the kiss they had been sharing and took Harry’s hands gently off her chest and kissed his palms. She smiled and said, “I love you Harry, thank you for being gentle.”

Harry smiled lovingly and said, “Thank you for trusting me to be gentle. Always remember that I love you, and I would never abuse that trust because of lust or hormones.” Hermione fixed Harry with a long look trying to find the truth of Harry’s words, the look eventually melted away leaving a radiant smile on her face as she snuggled into Harry’s chest before murmuring sleepily, “I love you Harry.”

Harry smiled as he rested his head back on the pillow on the couch taking care to cradle Hermione gently in his arms as he feel asleep, for the first time with Hermione in his arms.

Both Harry and Hermione were eventually stirred from their lovely dreams, as Remus and Sirius shook them gently on their shoulders. Harry groggily opened his eyes trying to focus on the figures in front of him, but only able to see Remus and a blurry figure to the side of him. After a few seconds Harry realized his glasses had slipped partially down his nose and as he slipped them on just in time to see Hermione twist in his arms and give him a kiss on the tip of his nose.

After they stood up and fixed their mussed up clothing Sirius rubbed his hands together and said, “Now it’s party time.”

Remus and Sirius led the two initiates down the stairs to find a large spread in the dining room a combination of muggle and magical favorites. Hermione grabbed Harry’s hand as she dragged him over to the pizza on the table as she said, “Ooh ham and pineapple my favorite. Harry, you have to try this, it’s my favorite kind of pizza.” Hermione was about to ask Harry what his favorite kind of pizza was when she remembered the Dursleys and the actual likelihood that Harry had eaten pizza before, was rather low in her opinion.

Harry took a bite of the pizza and said, “Oh this is good. The only kind I ever had before was pepperoni and I liked that too.” Answering Hermione’s questioning look he said, “I had it once at Ms. Figg’s house when the Dursleys were on vacation.” Hermione nodded and silently added another reason to hate the Dursleys although she already had plenty beforehand.

Remus walked over to the pair and said, “Let’s have a good meal here and then we can share our favorite Hogwarts stories.”

After they all ate, the meal eventually spiraled into an out of control food fight that had all parties returning to their respective rooms to clean up before the second phase of the party. The remainder of the party was to include some marauderesque games and stories, and after some serious cajoling by Hermione, music and dancing for the youngest at the party was added to the list.

When they returned Hermione was wearing a sundress which looked rather nice on her, and Harry made a point to say so numerous times. In all honesty, Hermione never was for wearing dresses in the past. But, with the positive attention she had received at the Yule Ball, Harry thought that her clothing choices might change in the coming year.

Harry had decided to wear a nicer shirt with a pair of his shorts after Hermione had indicated that she would be dressing up a bit for the dancing later on.

Remus and Sirius were cleaning up the mess from the food fight when Harry and Hermione had returned, and with a pair of smiles they shared a look before Sirius asked, “Hey you two, are you ready to fill us in on some of your various adventures at Hogwarts?”

Hermione smiled and asked, “Why don’t we each ask for a particular story from each person?”

Remus fondly replied, “Ah Potter men, and their uncanny ability to attract brilliant witches.” Hermione blushed brightly as Harry and Sirius laughed.

Hermione managed to swiftly reply, “Well seeing as how it was my suggestion, I believe we can let age over beauty determine the order. Meaning, Remus and Sirius get to go first.” Remus and Sirius playfully winced as they sat opposite the large drawing table to Harry and Hermione.

After a few minutes of deliberation Sirius said, “We’d like to hear about your second year at Hogwarts.”

Hermione smiled and said, “Well, it wasn’t the most pleasant year we had at Hogwarts.”

Harry added, “I suppose the adventure for the year started at the Dursleys.”

Hermione giggled and said, “Ron and the Weasley twins stole their father’s flying car and rescued Harry from the clutches of the Dursleys.”

Harry smiled and said, “I was formally introduced to the Weasley family and their house.” Harry’s smile faded as he added, “Back then Ginny had such a terrible crush on me that she stuck her elbow in the butter dish at the table.”

Hermione sighed and said, “My parents and I met them at Diagon Alley as we did our school shopping for the year. Unfortunately, it was also at that time that we were introduced to Lucius Malfoy and Gilderoy Lockhart.”

Harry chuckled and said, “Of course, Hermione had a big crush on the pompous git despite the fact that he was clearly a fraud.”

Hermione huffed and said, “Yes, well my taste has improved considerably since then.” Hermione then coughed Cho Chang into her hand and Harry winced slightly as the message had been made.

Harry laughed and said, “Well, when we reached the platform to board the train, Ron and I weren’t allowed in.”

Hermione shook her head and said, “Of course who can forget Dobby. He was actually the one responsible for why you needed the rescue from the Dursleys in the first place. Then he charmed the passageway to platform 9 3/4 so that Harry couldn’t make the train.”

Harry smiled and said, “Then Ron and I shared our famous flying car adventure to Hogwarts.”

Hermione sighed and said, “I was so worried about you two on the train. I was just so certain that something terrible had happened.”

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose and said, “Well, we should have been expelled, but Professor McGonagall came to our aid.”

Hermione kissed Harry on the cheek and said, “After that happened, things really got crazy at Hogwarts.”

Harry laughed and said, “Yes, it was a crazy year.”

Remus cleared his throat and asked, “When did the whole Chamber of Secrets thing occur?”

Harry smiled and said, “Patience Remus, we’re getting there.”

Hermione sighed and said, “The first attack was on Halloween night. Harry had just been revealed as a parselmouth and he was suspected as being the heir of Slytherin.”

Sirius arched his eyebrow and snorted, “That’s bollix. A complete idiot even knows that the Potter’s are descended from the Gryffindor line.”

Harry coughed and asked, “What do you mean Sirius?”

Sirius and Remus shared a look before Sirius said, “You did know that you’re the heir of Gryffindor, right?”

Harry frowned and shook his head negatively before Hermione simply said, “Just another thing that needs to be discussed with Dumbledore.”

Harry’s eyes widened and he said, “Dumbledore said something vague about that actually.” Harry smiled and then said, “That’s later in the story though.” Remus and Sirius rolled their eyes and shared a laugh.

Hermione continued undeterred, “The attacks increased and each time a muggleborn student was attacked and petrified, the students of the school all began to become publicly hostile towards Harry.”

Harry sighed and said, “Yes, the only ones who believed me were Ron and Hermione, although Ron even seemed skeptical at times.”

Hermione interjected, “Which was complete and utter hogwash because Harry’s very own mother was muggleborn, so he’d never orchestrate a rash of muggleborn attacks.”

Harry sighed and said, “The year continued on as Hermione was off doing her own thing by trying to figure out what monster was responsible for the attacks. We even polyjuiced ourselves as Slytherins at one point to try to gather information as to who the true heir of Slytherin was.”

Remus’ eyebrows reached his hairline as he said, “Polyjuice potion in your second year? Let me guess, Hermione brewed it all by herself.”

Harry chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Hermione and said, “Yes she did, and we did it all in Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom.”

Sirius laughed and said, “Does Myrtle still have a thing for chaps with glasses Harry?”

Harry rolled his eyes and said, “Unfortunately, yes she does.”

Hermione giggled and said, “I was researching the monster when I began to piece together how Harry could hear it in the walls and deduced it was something that could travel in the pipes.”

Harry sighed and said, “Hermione figured out that the creature could petrify its victims and was a snake of some kind.”

Remus in an awed whisper said, “A basilisk.”

Hermione nodded and said, “Yes it was a basilisk. Unfortunately, the day I found out what the monster was I was in the library late at night and was attacked myself.”

Harry shivered and said, “The quidditch match that day was cancelled, and when I saw Hermione petrified in that bed, I nearly lost it.”

Hermione sighed sadly and gave Harry a quick peck on the lips as she said, “Being petrified was the most surreal thing, I could hear the people who talked to me, but it was so frustrating because I could never respond to them. During one of Harry’s many visits I finally realized I loved him.”

Harry nodded and said, “Right before the attack on Hermione we found the diary of Tom Riddle, and it told the story of how the chamber was opened fifty years earlier. The story told implicated Hagrid and it was actually how he was expelled from Hogwarts in the first place.”

Sirius smiled slightly and said, “I’d always wondered how Hagrid got his job at Hogwarts.”

Harry smiled and said, “Well, Dumbledore was soon to follow because Fudge and Lucius Malfoy blamed him for not making the school safe from the attacks.”

Afterwards we visited an acromantula’s nest and we escaped thanks to the flying car once again. Everything was just so horrible that Ron and I decided to visit Hermione once again just to make our day a little bit better. It was then that I found the wadded piece of paper in her hand that led us to the chamber of secrets. On our way back to the common room we overheard that Ginny had been taken down into the chamber and that Lockhart was going to save her.”

Hermione sighed and said, “Of course the stupid git was a fraud, and he had used the stories of other witches and wizards as his own through the use of memory charms.”

Harry chuckled and said, “We figured out that Myrtle had died the first time the chamber had been opened, so we went to her bathroom to ask her what happened. I used my parselmouth ability to open the entrance and we sent Lockhart in first. Somehow he ended up with Ron’s wand and it backfired as he tried to memory charm us. Ron and I were separated and I had to go forward and save Ginny from the basilisk.”

Hermione frowned and said, “Ron told me that he disarmed Lockhart and had to stay to keep watch over him.”

Harry chuckled and said, “He was trying to impress the girl he fancied, can you blame him?”

Hermione shook her head and said, “Anyways, that’s all the further I’ve ever heard the story told, the rest is up to Harry here.”

Harry sighed and said, “I got into the chamber and Ginny was lying unconscious on the ground in the middle of it next to the diary of Tom Riddle.”

Remus frowned and thoughtfully said, “Tom Riddle, the name sounds familiar.”

Hermione nodded and said, “He has an outstanding services rendered to the school award in the trophy room and he was head boy back when the chamber was opened the first time right?”

Harry nodded and continued, “The remainder of what I am about to tell you has only been fully repeated once and that was to Dumbledore immediately afterwards.” Harry pinched the bridge of his nose as he slid his glasses off and said, “The diary of Tom Riddle was actually stealing the life force of Ginny. He had somehow imprinted himself on the diary and only needed a host to regain his body at the time in history.”

Remus nodded thoughtfully and said, “That type of magic, dealing with the soul, is very dark. In fact the only kind of soul magic that isn’t considered dark would be a soul bonding ritual that usually takes place after a hand fasting.”

Harry nodded and said, “It was then that the nearly reformed memory of Tom Riddle returned, and he revealed himself as Lord Voldemort. He turned the basilisk on me and I would have died if it wasn’t for Fawkes.”

Harry swallowed thickly and continued, “Fawkes tore its eyes out and gave me at least a fighting chance. He also dropped the sorting hat that had the sword of Gryffindor in it so I could fight the Basilisk. I was doing rather poorly until I stabbed it in the mouth and killed it. But, one of its fangs broke off in my arm and I nearly passed out from the pain. It-it hurt so much but I got up and walked over to Ginny to see if I could save her. Riddle was laughing at me and telling me that not only was he going to return but that I was going to die from the basilisk venom. It took all of my remaining strength but I pulled the fang out of my arm and stabbed the diary with it and destroyed the memory of Tom Riddle.”

Remus nodded and said, “I have an idea about what the diary might have actually been, but I’ll do some research first.”

Harry smiled wanly as Hermione grasped Harry’s hand gently urging him to continue, “Ginny woke up and I was fading fast at that point. My veins were burning and all I could think about was seeing my mum and dad again. Then Fawkes came and he saved me again, he cried in my wound and then led Ginny and me back out of the chamber where we found Ron and the git.”

Hermione softly asked, “Why didn’t you ever tell us what really happened?”

Harry sniffed and said, “I really didn’t want to think about it again.”

After a moment Harry continued, “I went to Dumbledore’s office and we talked about the chamber and Riddle before I asked him why the sorting hat gave me Gryffindor’s sword. He told me it is what I believe or something cryptic like that.”

Hermione smiled and said, “It was the day after that the mandrake’s draught had been made and I was unpetrified. I ran into the great hall and gave Harry a huge hug, but he was a boy and he didn’t understand and frankly I knew that if I waited long enough he would. It just took two more years and a bunch of anvil sized hints to get him to work up the courage to ask me to be his girlfriend.”

Harry grinned and gave Hermione a quick kiss on the lips before he said, “So what did you think about our second year?”

Remus and Sirius laughed before Sirius summed it up as he said, “Let’s just say that any story we tell tonight will pale in comparison.”

Remus nodded and said, “We have the next few weeks to share some stories. For now I think Paddy and I are going to get some shut eye and leave you youngsters to your dancing.”

Remus and Sirius left and Hermione softly said, “I do believe that you owe me a dance, seeing as how you only danced once at the Yule Ball and it wasn’t me.”

Harry smiled and took her hand as the WWN player in the background began playing one of the Weird Sister ballads that they had played at the Yule Ball.

Hermione smiled as she wrapped her arms around Harry’s neck and his hands wrapped around her waist as they swayed to the music. Hermione eventually said, “I do believe that I promised to tell you the full story of Viktor Krum on our train ride back. Do you still want to hear it?”

Harry softly said, “At this point I could care less about Viktor Krum, but if you want to tell me then I’ll be happy to listen.”

Hermione smiled and said, “I guess it all started in the library. I was working on classes and also doing some research on spells to help you get through the first task. It was then that Viktor came in and he looked at me like I’ve never been looked at before. He thought I was pretty and he was intrigued by me.”

Seeing that Harry was content to listen and not ask questions she continued, “I know that I wanted you to ask me to the Yule Ball, but with the whole tournament going on I didn’t blame you at all for not noticing the signals I was sending. It was right after the first task that Viktor asked me in the library, I was so happy that he asked that I immediately said yes. What I wanted to do with that night more than anything else was show you that I was a girl and at least plant that seed of thought in your mind. When I saw your reaction as I came down the stairs I knew then and there that there was hope for you yet.”

After the ball it became achingly obvious that Ron was interested in me and I also knew how even you could see it and if you had any thoughts you subconsciously quashed them for your friend. It was your damned noble streak showing up again and it made me so mad at what the Dursleys had done to you that I had a good rant about it with Viktor. I think that he realized how I really felt about you and decided to have a little conversation with you about it.”

Harry smiled and said, “Yes at the time I thought it was rather strange to have that discussion, but again I admit I was preoccupied with other things at the time to think too much on it.”

Hermione smiled as the song shifted and another ballad picked up and she continued, “I was so proud of you after the second task. I knew then and there that no matter how long it took for you to realize how much we meant to each other, I would patiently wait. Viktor had toned down what he wanted in our relationship and he rarely even talked to me when we were in the library together. He was so wonderful about everything that I thanked him after he returned following the third task and the imperius had been removed from him. He asked me to be a pen pal and even invited me to visit him and his parents in Bulgaria. I told him I didn’t want to visit him in Bulgaria and that ended our little relationship and left us as friends and nothing more.”

Harry smiled and said, “I’m not a genius or anything, but even I know that being together with the most beautiful and brilliant witch of her generation is something I never want to give up.”

Hermione smiled and cheekily replied, “Yes I imagine your worth keeping around too.”