Harry Potter and The Maturation of Sorcery

David nodded, “Yes sweets, the way you explained it all this summer, it was a mere formality in magical relationships. Tonks here told us that is was more like a magical engagement.”

Hermione sighed, she knew this conversation was inevitable, but she had assumed it would be taking place in the coming summer and not now. After a moment to her compose her thoughts she explained, “I told both of you how serious I am about Harry. Part of what makes our relationship so special is the extremes we go to in order to protect each other. I understand that I am only sixteen, and the idea that I could be in love with someone a difficult one to grasp, but that is really the truth of the matter.”

Hermione looked around at the slightly sheepish grins of the others and demanded, “Where is Harry by the way?”

Tonks finally managed to speak up, “He erm, is having a similar discussion with Sirius and Remus at the moment.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes, “I haven't even really discussed this with Harry, but we can feel each other’s emotions if they’re strong enough. Perhaps one of you would explain the abject terror and mortification I feel coming from him right now?”

Apparently the others realized they had been outmaneuvered by the brightest witch of her age, and wisely decided to plead ignorance.

Meanwhile in the library Remus and Sirius were grilling Harry on the specifics of his relationship with Hermione.

“How far have you actually gotten physically with Hermione?” Remus queried.

However, before Harry could answer Sirius was next, “Do you have any idea how serious a betrothal is in the wizarding world?”

Harry managed a quiet, “Not as important as it used to be.”

Sirius snorted and continued unabated, “Betrothals are perhaps the most public means of showing a relationship in the wizarding world. If you had hoped to keep your relationship with Hermione quiet then it's ruined.”

Harry sighed, his earlier terror and mortification disappearing as he retorted, “First of all, with all of the death nibblers in Hogwarts the only way Hermione and my relationship would be kept quiet is if we dated in secret. Now seeing as how I have no plans of that and Hermione has made it abundantly clear that she doesn’t either, a betrothal makes the most sense. Now I’m not going to go into elaborate detail, but suffice it to say it was Hermione’s idea, and after reading the books on betrothals I agreed.”

Remus and Sirius quieted as they took in Harry’s words before the younger wizard absently added, “Moony, it really isn’t your business how far I’ve gotten physically with her.”

Remus opened his mouth to retort but Harry beat him to the punch as he added, “I understand that you’re my muggle guardian, but I will assure you we haven’t done anything to make anyone worry. Beyond that it really isn’t any of your business.” Fixing the two marauders with a look that reminded them of pre-lecture mode that Lily had perfected they winced as Harry asked, “How exactly did you two get Hermione’s parents here anyways?”

Thankful that Harry didn’t say the words he had so obviously wanted to, they quickly explained their plans in a ping pong of activity that only someone with years of practice listening to the Weasley twins could follow. By the end of the long and convoluted explanation Harry merely rolled his eyes and said, “You two are off the hook for now. But, don’t think about giving me another reason to unleash a prank war on you.” Remus and Sirius grinned, glad that they had a reprieve from Harry’s pranking fury.

Hermione opened the door to the library looking at the older marauders with suspicion before she turned to Harry and asked, “How was your talk?”

Harry merely chuckled and shook his head before he said, “I'm sure it was the same as yours; although probably without any of the tact.”

Hermione grinned in response before they walked out of the library intent on finding Hermione’s parents to share some time with them.

They found a contrite David and Maureen in the den quietly discussing something, or at least they had been, until spotting the younger couple walk into the room. Hermione smiled tentatively at her parents as she said, “I think it would be best to discuss the betrothal with all of us present.”

After everyone was comfortably seated Hermione’s eyes lit up and she said, “Oh I have an idea. I’ll be back in a moment.” With that Hermione disappeared in a blur of motion, leaving a confused Harry and her parents wondering where she was going. About three minutes later Hermione returned in a blur with a board game in tow.

After a moment to catch her breath she said, “I completely forgot that I had my old scrabble board in my trunk. I even charmed it to reset itself after we finish a game just like a wizard’s chessboard.”

Harry look completely confused, while David and Maureen actually looked excited beyond what would normally be expected. Seeing Harry’s confusion Maureen explained, “You see Harry, scrabble was Hermione’s favorite thing to do growing up. In fact the only thing she enjoyed as much as playing scrabble with us was burying her face in a good book.”

Harry smiled, he enjoyed hearing stories of Hermione’s childhood, and it gave him valuable insight into what a normal childhood was. With a small inner grin he amended to himself, normal in terms of family, not in terms of other content. As he tuned back into the conversation he heard Hermione ask, “Have you ever seen anyone play scrabble before Harry?”

Harry shook his head and with a grin he said, “No, the Dursleys were more of the telly-watching sort. Board games would have required too much thought.”

Hermione nodded, “Well you see the board here.” Harry nodded, “The letters you draw are used to form words. The highest score wins the game. Now letters like X, Q, and Z are worth more than other letters because they are harder to use in a word. If a word or letter falls on one of the tiles then you get that added bonus to your final word score. Does that make sense?”

Harry nodded, and a moment later each of the four was drawing their letters before it was decided Harry would go first. After a long moment of pondering Harry put six letters on the board that spelled D-R-A-G-O-N. Hermione rolled her eyes but totaled the score as Harry grinned madly, as though his placement of the word was horribly clever. David was next and he asked as he shuffled his letters, “Hermione told us that you faced a dragon before Harry. If you don’t mind me asking, what was that like?”

Harry shrugged, “It was pretty scary, but I guess it wasn’t any worse than say a Basilisk.”

Maureen smiled, “Yes from the sounds of things you have quite the track record with deadly magical creatures. First year it was a giant three-headed dog. Second year you had to deal with a Basilisk. Third year a Hippogriff and a grim. Last year you had the dragon. Anything interesting so far this year?”

Harry looked at Hermione significantly, it had been one of her many concessions with her parents, to completely disclose their adventures via letters for the current school year. While David and Maureen had agreed not to pull her out of Hogwarts, they had also stipulated that she keep them abreast of new developments.

Harry sighed as David spelled Z-O-O with relish, happy to be rid of the Z for the remainder of the game. Hermione scored the word before she said, “Go ahead mum it’s your turn now.”

Maureen smirked as she quickly arranged her letters and spelled T-O-P-A-Z before she said, “Yes Harry, we’ve forced Hermione to tell us the truth about the magical world. I’d like to thank you for coming for her first year and saving her from that troll. The way Hermione describes it you were like a knight in shining armor.”

Hermione blushed furiously and managed a scandalized, “Mum!”

Harry smiled and said, “Well...I don’t know about a knight really, and I’m pretty sure Hermione has never been a damsel in distress. But, I like to think we have both gained a lot more than a friend in the process.”

Hermione didn't know whether or not to be pleased or disappointed with his answer so she settled on rearranging her letters before she pulled them from her holder and spelled her word.

As the turns progressed the questions and comments ranged from the magical world, to the Granger’s dental practice, the benefits and reasons for their betrothal, and even a fair bit more about some of the magic Harry and Hermione had learned over the years. Seeing as how Hermione had been working harder at her studies over the balance of that time she knew quite a few more spells, but Harry could do the more elaborate ones that required a bit more power to perform that Hermione hadn‘t mastered yet.

By the end of the night all of the other inhabitants of the house had piled into the den by the tree and opened one present apiece from their respective piles as they sipped hot cocoa and shared Christmas stories of the past. Harry had been especially proud when he told the room of his one Christmas with his parents in a spot-on retelling of the tale Sirius had told him.

By the end of the night everyone said their final good nights and the group separated to the various rooms, all of them wearing their Weasley knitted sweaters. Harry and Hermione were the last two remaining as they stood under the eve of the den, which so happened to be decorated with a sprig of mistletoe.

Sharing a small smile they kissed softly for a moment before pulling away and with matching smiles they said simultaneously, “Sleep well.” They walked in silence up the stairs before separating to go to their own personal rooms, tomorrow was Christmas and it would be a day for a different kind of excitement.

Waking up with a start, Harry glanced blearily at his clock, it was nearly seven in the morning and his body’s internal clock was blaring the alarm to start the day. Harry had never been one to sleep in too much, but even he had to admit his pleasure derived from having a lie in had increased since he had started at Hogwarts.

Shaking his head in an attempt to free his mind from the just awoken haze he slipped his legs off of the bed and slid into his slippers before throwing a shirt on to go with his pajama pants. Trudging down the stairs Harry smiled as he spotted Remus and Tonks already in the den snuggled together as they looked at the fire. Clearing his throat loudly they pulled away from their embrace and Harry sheepishly said, “Merry Christmas.”

Remus and Tonks grinned and quietly replied, “Merry Christmas.”

Harry slowly walked over to his and Hermione’s usual large plush chair and plopped down into it with relish much to the quiet laughs from Remus and Tonks. Of course the laughs weren’t for how Harry had settled into the chair, they were because of the dreadful bed head Harry had sustained in battle with his pillow from the previous night. Tonks whispered into Remus’ ear, “I’m going to go get a camera, make sure Harry doesn't go anywhere before I get a picture.”

Remus smiled and Harry was absently watching the fire, so he didn’t notice the pink haired witch scamper out of the room. The twins were next to arrive and they were too engrossed in their own conversation to even notice Harry or Remus as they took their seats the furthest from the tree and presents.

Tonks finally returned and she sidled over towards Harry before she motioned to Remus who called out to him, “Harry?”

Harry blinked once before he turned towards Remus’ voice only to be greeted by a bright flash as Harry instinctively raised his hand and sent Tonks flying through the air before she crashed into Remus on the couch, which was sent toppling over along with the two passengers on it.

The twins were broken from their conversation long enough to begin laughing uproariously as Remus and Tonks’ heads popped up over the couch with their arms and legs in a tangled mass beneath them. Remus groaned as he muttered, “Bloody stupid wandless magic.”

With a grin and wave of his hand the couch toppled back over righting itself as Remus and Tonks were once again taken along for the ride. After a few more harried minutes the couple on the couch had smoothed their respective feathers just in time as the remainder of the house stumbled into the den.

Hermione immediately draped her legs across Harry’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck in an attempt to find a comfortable position. Most of the others grinned at the younger couple as they settled into their respective seats. Sirius waved his wand over his head and a red hat much like Santa Clause’s appeared over his head.

Clearing his throat he said, “Merry Christmas everyone.” A chorus of the same came from the room and he smiled before he continued, “I am electing myself master of these proceedings and I will hand out the presents. Now before any of you ask, we will be having a Christmas lunch together so I hope the more voracious of the appetites can wait a few extra hours for food.” Ron’s groan brought forth several more laughs from the room before Sirius walked over to the tree and began to hand out presents. One from each pile at a time was handed out and the only sounds heard for a few moments were wrapping being ripped and the thanks given to the gift givers.

Hermione received mostly books from everyone and her parents gave her a miniature version of a traveling bookcase. Fortunately, it was a magical item meaning that nearly one hundred books could be placed in it at once. Harry gave her a lovely bracelet from the Potter vaults although he had the goblin metal smiths personalize it for Hermione and imbue it with some strong goblin protection charms. Harry would never tell Hermione that it cost one thousand galleons for the modifications, and all he did say was, “Make sure you wear it at all times.”

Harry had also gotten several books, a Canons jersey from Ron and the twins, and some very interesting gifts from the Marauders both present and past.

Hermione had given him a book, but unlike the other books it was really one of a kind. Harry opened the plain brown leather cover and read the opening page,

Harry smiled as he read the familiar writing before he said, “I wasn’t aware you even had a diary.”

Hermione merely grinned, “Wait until you see what I wrote about you in there.” Not knowing what to say to that he merely nodded and prepared to open the final gift from Remus and Sirius. It was a small box and Harry carefully peeled the wrapping paper off of the box to reveal a box very similar to the ones he had seen in Mr. Ollivander’s shop four and a half years earlier.

Opening the box he saw two wands, with intricately drawn runes along their lengths and with a wordless inquiry Remus replied, “Sirius had found your parent’s wands after arriving at Godric’s Hollow. He placed everything of value in a hiding place that only the Marauders knew of. Of course he had also placed Riddle’s wand there too. Wands are far too valuable to just let burn up in a fire after all. Apparently Peter came back for his master’s wand but had the decency to leave your parent’s wands and a few other possessions that had survived the fire and explosion. James’ wand, Mahogany, 11 inches, pliable, with a demiguise hair core, and was very well suited to transfiguration.”

Sirius picked up the conversation at this point as Remus became too choked with emotion, not sadness just emotion, and Sirius added, “Lily’s wand was Willow, 10 1/4", swishy, with a unicorn hair, and it was particularly adept for charms work.”

Harry reverently stroked the wands before he asked, “Why are certain wands suited to specific kinds of magic?”

Remus softly replied, “Certain kinds of wand cores are simply better at harmonizing certain kinds of magic.” Harry nodded as he closed the box with care before sitting them on top of his other presents. By the end of the day Harry could easily say that this Christmas was the best of his life.

The days following Christmas went by quickly and Mr. Weasley and the rest of the Weasley clan returned to the Burrow to enjoy some family time free of the gloomier atmosphere of Grimmauld place. The Grangers had been long gone, working on their end of the year patients and extracting a promise from both Harry and Hermione to attend a New Year’s party.

Two days before New Years found Harry and Hermione in the library at Grimmauld doing some further research on that which they would be fighting. They whiled away the hours thinking of what each spell they found could do to Umbridge if they ever used it.

It was mid afternoon when a knock at the door startled them from their thoughts. Sirius would be the only person knocking on the door so Harry walked over and opened it, only to be startled as he was staring back into the eyes of Professor Dumbledore. After a moment of silence Dumbledore smiled, “May I come in?”

Harry moved to the side and Dumbledore entered the room, which startled Hermione nearly as badly as it had startled Harry. Neither exactly knew what Dumbledore would think of their readings into the dark arts, but they were about to find out.

The old wizard scanned the books on the tables with wizened eyes before he said, “It is a great temptation to practice the dark arts to those that learn them. However, I have no doubts that both of you can resist such temptation. But, I must warn you not to practice any of these spells for your own well being.”

Harry had regained his wits enough to say, “We’re learning these spells to learn how to defend against them sir, that’s all.”

Dumbledore nodded and with a flick of his wand he conjured his specialty of a chintz chair before sitting down and sliding his wand back up his purple robes. After a moment he spoke in a grave voice, “I come today to ask if you are both still interested in accompanying me to visit the orphanage that Tom grew up in.”

Hermione glanced at Harry briefly before she said, “Sir, we both planned on joining you but what about the underage magic restrictions on me?”

Dumbledore smiled, “I believe Mr. Potter has a solution for you up in his room at this very moment.”

After a moment Harry’s eyes widened and he whispered something into Hermione’s ear, her own eyes widening nearly comically before he asked Dumbledore, “Sir, when are we leaving?”

Dumbledore grinned, “Why I imagine when you both are completely ready. I will be down in the kitchen making myself a snack of some sort.”

Harry and Hermione laughed lightly before exiting the library taking care to shut it, and protect its secrets from less understanding order members. Hermione had changed quickly and nearly sprinted to Harry’s room, a thousand spells running through her mind as she approached Harry’s room. Walking into Harry’s room her emotions suddenly got the best of her as she pounced on Harry kissing him deeply as they bounced on his bed.

Harry quickly responded to Hermione as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closely, wordlessly understanding the need to feel him close before walking off into the unknown. Hermione’s hands pulled back from around his neck and secured his hands as she forced them onto her clothes covered breasts. Harry pinched one of her nipples lightly through her clothes eliciting a throaty moan as she deepened the kiss. After the passions of the moment had ebbed into a comfort snog, Harry slowly pulled away to break the kiss before he gave her one last kiss on the tip of her nose.

Hermione sighed heavily, her emotions on haywire and she said, “I’m sorry Harry, I...”

Harry silenced her with a finger on her lips and he quietly said with a small smile, “Never apologize for kissing a bloke, it crushes our egos.”

Hermione cracked a small smile and the overbearing weight of the moment was forgotten for a second as Harry reached into his bed stand and with a complicated wave of his wand the box opened revealing the two wands of his parents. Harry handed his mother’s wand to Hermione and slid his fathers in an extra wand holster on his thigh.

Swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat he said, “Let’s go find Professor Dumbledore before he burns the house down.” Hermione smiled wanly and took his hand as they made their way down to the kitchen.

They found Dumbledore down in the kitchen in the process of dipping some Honeydukes chocolate in large jar of peanut butter, and he had with a large glass of milk on the counter next to him to wash it all down. He smiled as he spotted the younger witch and wizard and after a swig of his milk, which covered some of his beard he said, “Ah I have a bar of Honeydukes chocolate for both of you over on the other counter. I believe it would be best to have some now before we leave. Honeydukes chocolate is unlike other chocolates in that it can act much like a pepper up potion in a time of need.”

Harry and Hermione grabbed their chocolate cars on the counter, and with a sudden thought Harry pulled a piece of parchment and quill from a drawer and wrote down a quick note for Remus and Sirius. Remus was out with Tonks doing something on her day off, while Sirius had mentioned something about visiting some other Black family properties via portkey overseas.

The note read:

Dumbledore had finished his snack a moment earlier and upon seeing Harry sit the note down he said, “I have a portkey that will deposit us in an obscure location near to the orphanage. I scouted the area yesterday to ensure our privacy.”

Reaching into a deep pocket in his robes, Dumbledore revealed an old toy baton a moment later and with a smile he said, “I find that the simplest objects often serve as the best portkeys. Grab on and we shall test if a cat always lands on its feet.”

With a swirl of color the portkey flashed and activated, leaving Grimmauld place completely empty aside from Dobby and Winky.

Somewhere on the outskirts of London the three flashed into existence in the third floor of an abandoned building. In a positive result of Dumbledore’s test, Harry and Hermione both landed on their feet with ease much like the old wizard who had his wand trained on everything around him.

After a quick scan of their surrounding turned up nothing awry Dumbledore said, “Come, time may be of the essence if my suspicions are correct.” Dumbledore flicked his wand once more and transfigured his clothing into a pair of slacks and a plain black t-shirt, which was covered by a very snug looking jacket. If the situation would have been less serious Harry and Hermione might have had a good laugh at how high the headmaster’s pants were hiked up. However, it was serious, and perhaps even more so because they had no idea the exact aim of their mission.

Harry and Hermione shared a worried look as they cautiously followed Dumbledore down the creaky stairway and to a boarded door, which opened with a flick of the headmaster’s wand. As they all walked out of the door, which led to a secluded alleyway, Dumbledore flicked his wand again and the door closed leaving what appeared to be a boarded up door.

Dumbledore visibly relaxed as he said, “I had feared the necessity of an obliviation for some poor homeless person. No our dangers have been limited to the magical variety, a much more predictable quantity.”

Harry frowned in thought before they entered the connecting road and a few people came into view as they sat on the eves of their large apartment buildings. After a moment of walking in silence Harry asked, “Sir, how far exactly do we have to walk to reach the orphanage?”

Dumbledore quickly answered, “It is at the end of this block. We must move quickly, Tom’s protections will most assuredly take time to defuse or work around.”

Hermione was biting her lip with genuine worry now; she hadn’t really pictured just how intense and real this was going to be. Sure she had been on adventures before in the past, but unlike Harry she had never really stared death in the face. Her closest brush having been those yellow eyes that were staring back into her mirror. Sure the troll had been a close call, but then she had been so naive about the magical world to even understand the danger she had experienced.

Hermione relaxed her death grip on Lily Potter’s wand as Dumbledore stopped and Harry did the same a split second later. Harry turned back to Hermione her spiking anxiety floating over their bond and he quietly asked, “Are you ok?”

Hermione took a deep calming breath and managed a small nod, “It’s just so much more real now.”

Harry smiled at her warmly as Dumbledore was waving his wand at the door to the abandoned orphanage, checking for any latent spells. Leaning in he whispered, “I’ve found it helps to not think too far ahead. Focusing on one challenge at a time, well it seems to make it easier for me to keep a level head.”

Dumbledore nodded his head as he finished his scan and turned to them and said, “Step lightly; we have no idea what to expect inside the door.”

Harry and Hermione nodded as they slowly entered the door behind Dumbledore, wands trained as their shoulders brushed together, covering everything in sight. Dumbledore was flicking his wand once again as a dull blue glow kept emitting from his wand.

After a moment he said, “Very few people know that I was indeed a curse breaker for Gringott’s for a time about one hundred years ago. It is a very valuable asset to have at a time like this.”

Hermione glanced around the corridor for a moment before she asked, “What exactly are we looking for here Professor? Is it a horcrux, or is it something else?”

Dumbledore turned to Hermione, “I have reason to suspect that a cup of Helga Hufflepuff’s former ownership might be found here.”

Hermione furrowed her brow in thought before she said, “Point me Hufflepuff’s Cup.”

Hermione’s wand pointed directly to her right, directly at a closed door as Dumbledore stopped his curse scans and with a small smile he asked, “Ms. Granger, did you invent a spell?”

Hermione nodded and added, “I made it for Harry to help him during the third task.”

Dumbledore smiled, “A very fortuitous find indeed.” Dumbledore walked over to the door and began to wave his wand at the door to check for spells. After one flick a green glow was emitted from his wand and the old wizard stopped his ministrations as he began to frown in thought.

With his eyes lighting up he turned to Harry and said, “Harry, if you would be so kind as to grace us with a request in parseltongue. Perhaps open would be the best for a first attempt.”

Harry shrugged as he walked to the door and closed his eyes focusing on the image of a snake in his mind. Having the image locked into place he hissed, “Open” and the door trembled as though having been long shut before it creaked open to reveal a room much darker than it should be.

Dumbledore lit the tip of his wand before he turned to Harry and Hermione and said, “Now, we see what Tom has in store for us.”