Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters and story affiliations mentioned in this fan fiction all belong to JK Rowling and legal associations. I own nothing of it nor am I profiting from it now and planning too in the future in any way. The only exception of profit is to my self for literary improvement.
Author to Reader Note: I do not know what everyone's view on the possible pairings of characters. I've heard both ways and I have my own opinion. My fan fiction has the relationship of Harry and Hermione develop further and it begins in this chapter. I wanted to warn potential readers ahead of time. If you feel that I am wrong, I will not disagree because I do not know for myself either.
Created
Revised 5/13/03
Harry Potter and the Turmoil Within
Chapter 2
Reunion
"Where's Harry? I thought you were going to have him here already? Did the Dursleys'," began Mr. Weasley.
His wife held up her hand to stop him.
"Harry's asleep on the swing bench in the garden out back. He fell asleep in the car before we left that nasty place and I had the twins put him there to let him sleep a bit more," answered Mrs. Weasley with a tone of self-satisfaction, "Where's Hermione?"
Mr. Weasley smiled, "She upstairs, settling, waiting for me to let her know when we're going to go 'save' Harry from those muggles. She thinks that Ron and Ginny went to run an errand for you."
"Oooh what a devilish pair we've made ourselves. They won't know what to think," giggled Mrs. Weasley.
"Maybe we're the bad influence on the twins, "laughed Mr. Weasley.
Harry woke up from a wondrous dream.
Ron's mum had arrived at the Dursleys' and taken him back to the Burrow. As he started to open his eyes Harry became aware that his room seemed different and there was strange weight on his chest. When his eyes adjusted to the bright light around, he looked down his front to see what was he was there. A particularly dirty gnome sat staring at him, chewing on a root. With a quick shudder, Harry knocked the creature from his chest and sat up to look around. It took a moment for Harry to realize where he was and even pinched him-self to make sure what he saw was true. He was in the familiar backyard of the Weasley Burrow.
-So it wasn't a dream, - thought Harry.
He staggered towards the door leading into the kitchen from the backyard. He still had a slight feeling that he may be delusional.
Stumbling into the kitchen still groggy from sleeping, Harry was suddenly made very alert from a loud clattering of metal.
There stood Ron with a mess of pots at his feet and his face white.
"Harry" shouted Ron in disbelief?
"Ron" asked Harry?
"Did someone say Harry "came a familiar voice from another room?
A moment later to Harry's amazement a familiar brunette walked into the kitchen from the opposing room.
Had it not been for the bushy hair Harry may not have recognized the pretty girl at all.
"Hermione," asked Harry?
"Harry, "said the stunned Hermione, "Ron?"
"Hermione," came Ron's blunt voice finally realizing Hermione's arrival.
"Ron?"
"Harry?"
"Hermione?"
They continued on saying each other's name in strange combinations all the while the rest of the Weasley family had filtered into the room laughing hysterically.
Finally the trio just looked at Mrs. Weasley.
"Surprise!" was all that she responded to their puzzled faces with.
Realization finally dawned on them as to what the Weasley's had done. They had brought them together without telling any of them when.
Harry looked back at Ron or at least the person who looked like Ron anyways.
Ron had definitely changed in the short time since Hogwarts past year. He was a bit taller but no longer gangly like Harry. He looked more like his older brother Charlie. Ron had broader shoulders, thickened arms & chest and his overall appearance was bolder now similar to Crabbe but not as much of a nasty gorilla appearance.
Hermione was a sight both Harry and Ron were still having trouble accepting. She was in muggle clothing so the differences were more apparent then they would be in witch's robes. Hermione at some point had gone from that lanky girl the boys knew before to a girl with a very noticeably defined figure. Her hair was still bushy but seemed to have settled a bit and with the hint of a shine to it.
Hermione had similar thoughts of Ron's new appearance. Hermione gave Harry a look over as well. She could see that his hair was still the quirked mess it had been since she met him though strangely less today. Harry's frame was still thin but no longer skin and bones. His skin was tanned but hinted paleness. The Tri-Wizard tournament had given him a small build providing more of a defined frame. He was taller now, not the same height as Ron but reasonably close. Those eyes were what caught Hermione's attention. Maybe she had not notice with the events of last year but Harry's eyes seemed even greener than ever, like a brilliant shade of emerald. She was almost transfixed by them, seeing something mystical until Ginny came into the room causing a distraction.
Ron and Harry didn't realize they were staring at their friend until Ginny walked in.
Ginny smiled wickedly after glancing briefly at the two and using an interrogating tone said, "Boys?"
Ron and Harry looked back at each other in unified confusion.
Ginny leaned sideways and whispered something into Hermione's ear making Hermione blush a deep red and Ginny looked back at the two with a triumphant and knowing smiled, asking, "Something wrong?"
"No," replied them both at once!
After that, they all had a late lunch in the back yard filled with stories of the summer and other bits of general conversation. Harry remained rather quiet, a fact not unnoticed by all those present. If Harry had timed his glances better he would have notice that at different times through out the meal each person present had taken a moment to observe him and his quiet behavior.
Hermione broke the various conversations with a new subject.
"When will we be going to the Ministry's Museum of Darks Arts?"
"The what," questioned Harry?
"Its part of our holiday homework. You have been checking your holiday homework haven't you? All fifth years need to see this museum for background on stuff like talismans and other bewitched items for our O.W.L.S.," stated Hermione plainly.
Mr. Weasley spoke up then, "Oh they only allow visits at certain times of each week. So the next available time for us will be the day after tomorrow in the afternoon. You'll probably see many of your classmates there too."
Lunch continued with Ron and Hermione having yet another heated discussion about doing homework over the holidays. It developed into an argument which ended with Hermione making clear that Ron would be behind and not to ask her to explain things he missed while goofing all summer, neglecting his studies.
Late evening fell upon the Burrow, the Weasley family along with Hermione carried on in the house cleaning dishes and more loud talk. Even a scolding from Mrs. Weasley was heard as she had discovered that the twins still had plenty of their magic jokes still available in the house. Apparently as Harry was guessing the boys had decided to test their products on their family by placing items about the house.
While everyone was inside, Harry sat on the swinging bench in the Burrow garden watching as the stars began to twinkle through the early nighttime sky. He felt wonderfully at peace, more so than he had in quite some time.
Harry was jolted back to reality by the sudden quiet call of his name. He looked to his side to see Hermione had come out to the bench and seemed to be saying his name.
"Harry?"
"Err… Yeah" was all he could stumble out in that moment.
Hermione stood dressed in her Hogwarts robes now. Strangely Harry felt disappointed to see her dressed differently but he didn't know why. He had seen her in robes for nearly four years what could be so disappointing about that. Then the image of her in muggle clothes appeared in his mind and an unusual feeling settle in him.
Hermione smoothed down her skirt as she sat down on the bench next to him. These actions of her approach bothered him and yet were oddly stirring.
-Something about Hermione is making me nervous- thought Harry, -but why? -
Hermione notice his nervousness and wondered, "Am I bothering you? Did you want to be alone? I was just wondering why…"
Hermione moved to stand up but, even in his own surprise, Harry quickly clasped her hand, "No! I was just surprised. I was just staring off and didn't expect anyone at the moment."
He removed his hand just as quickly as he had placed it.
Hermione smiled shyly with her head slightly tilted. A movement Harry saw in the corner of his eye and was mesmerized by it.
"Alright, shall we just sit here and enjoy the evening then?"
Harry looked at her. The dim light from the stars and peeking moon were casting her in a strange light, Harry felt slightly excited by her presence. However his nervousness had also grown more vivid and sweat began to bead on his brow.
-Why am I feeling so… so trapped or something- thought Harry?
Hermione noticed the sweat on him and she could feel he was nervous about something. She couldn't help but find it amusing and she suppressed the urge to giggle. It wasn't often Harry got nervous but he looked ready to jump out of his skin and she found that Harry looked sweetly comical when nervous about anything. She just wished she knew what was bothering him.
Then a sudden thought came to her that wasn't so funny and may have explained his unusual behavior.
-Could he be… would he…. to me, - Hermione started thinking as she watched him, - He might be…. hiding something from me? -
"Harry? Is there something bothering you," whispered Hermione?
Harry sat stunned. What was he suppose to tell her? That her presence was making him feel like he was going crawl out of his skin and didn't know why? That he was disappointed that she had changed into witch's robes. That for some reason he wanted to sit closer but the same thought also terrified him. That his hand felt strange from touching hers and that he wanted to do so again. That he couldn't stop sweating as of she were holding a knife to his throat but also felt thrilled to be near her like this. No he'd sound like a nut telling her that. Not to mention it wouldn't sound nice at all and having an argument right now was not something he wanted.
Instead he muttered out with a weak smile, "I guess I'm still a little tired and maybe jumpy about going back to Hogwarts."
It wasn't an exactly lie. He had felt those things just not right now. But the look on Hermione's face showed that she believed it and wasn't going to inquire more about it. Instead she shifted closer to him and leaned against his side.
She could feel his body starting to quiver.
"You aren't the only one. Others are… unsure about this year too."
Harry's heartbeat seemed to quicken making the beating sound more evident in his ears.
"It is a bit chilly out isn't it," mentioned Hermione?
"Why would you say that?"
"Because you're pale and shaking," stated Hermione.
She stood up and took hold of his hand pulling him up from the bench. Harry followed her action without question.
"We should get back in and ready ourselves for bed," said Hermione and she headed for the house. Harry followed.
As they past through the kitchen into the living room, Hermione bid them all goodnight and started towards the stairs while Ron beckoned Harry over to him with the twins. Hermione met Ginny at the foot of the stairs, who followed along up towards the room they now shared.
As they climbed the stairs Ginny stated, "I believe you owe me a galleon."
"For what," inquire Hermione?
"Our bet"
"What bet?"
Ginny stopped, as did Hermione with a mischievous look of satisfaction on her face. Ginny had her hands behind her back and she slowly took a closer step towards Hermione.
"I said earlier this morning that I'd bet a galleon that those two would take one look at you and start gawking like petrified idiots."
Hermione could feel her face flush hot but rather than admit to Ginny's victory she played dumb.
"They haven't seen me since the end of the year and were just as surprised to see me," corrected Hermione with a nervous tone, hoping Ginny would believe her innocence.
Ginny giggled and responded, "Oh they were surprised to see you alright… Surprised that they didn't see Hermione Granger, the girl who's been their best friend since first year," she gave Hermione a look over from head to toe before continuing, "They saw Hermione Granger, young witch as obviously portrayed by her more 'revealing' muggle clothes."
And with that Ginny continued up the stairs, her smile even wider than before.
Hermione stayed where she was replaying Ginny's words in her mind as well as flashing back to the moment when Harry and Ron saw her. She could feel her face getting hotter as the truth of Ginny's word sunk true into her mind.
-Damn! - She thought - I'll have to get that Galleon from my trunk. -
"Boys," she said quietly and with frustration, "Honestly why do they have to be so stupid?"
With that she continued on to Ginny's room to fetch the indebted Galleon and ready her-self for more of Ginny's insinuations.
The next morning Hermione awoke to find Ginny writing in her diary. Hermione had a pretty good guess in mind as to what Ginny thought was memorable enough to write in her diary so early in the morning and not last night when they were both awake.
Hermione was about to put on her muggle clothes from yesterday, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, until Ginny's words from last night replayed yet again in her mind.
Ginny glanced up from her dairy with a knowing grin, Hermione shot her a dark look, and Ginny turned back to her dairy with suppressed giggles wiggling their way out with each breath.
Hermione finally settled on a knee length tan skirt with a yellow blouse and a puffy pullover sweater.
-This should prevent any awkward moments- thought Hermione.
She headed down to the kitchen following the smells of what was apparently a hearty breakfast. Laughter and clunking noises reached her ears upon entering the kitchen. There, Hermione found quite a scene.
Mr. Weasley was fighting with a kitchen chair, which had wrapped its armrests around him trapping its hostage. It was hopping about like a crazy rabbit not wanting to stay on the ground. The twins were curled up on the floor clutching their stomachs in pained laughter while Ron had his head in one hand and was banging the other against the table in a fit of laughter. Hermione was more shocked to find even Mrs. Weasley trying to contain herself stifling giggles as she tried to tell the twins to stop the chair but couldn't open her mouth without revealing her own amusement. Hermione was amazed but the hilarity was starting to sink in when George muttered something and the chair went still releasing Mr. Weasley from its restraint.
Expecting to be quite enraged by the ordeal, Mr. Weasley just sat there chuckling as he waited for his family to calm down. Finally everyone was able to take deep breaths and retain their composure. George sat back at the table while Fred walked around to the back of his father's chair and removed a small object from the back of the wood.
"We made this, and others, last year as a gag for use with furniture. With Hermione, Ron and Harry going to the Museum tomorrow we figured why not a little preview of what a talisman can do," explained George.
"Honestly we couldn't resist the temptation for a laugh and a little learning at the same time. Wished Harry could have seen it, do him some good to have a laugh. Surprised he's still asleep what with him going to bed early and all, " added Fred.
Ron looked at Hermione with an odd face, hopped up and wrapped some toast in a napkin.
He walked towards Hermione with a look that he wanted her to follow his lead. She nodded quickly in understanding.
"We going to the market for a bit to get those apples you wanted for the pies, mum "announced Ron, "Tell Harry would you, when decides to wake up."
"Okay, "was Mrs. Weasley's response.
Later they were walking down the street having not said a word since leaving the Burrow and Hermione was getting uncomfortable by the silence.
Before she could mention that, Ron spoke up.
"There's something wrong with Harry," he said flatly.
Hermione responded quickly, "Wrong how?"
Ron sighed and began, "I'm not sure exactly... When you went up the stairs I asked Harry to a game of Exploding Snap or Chess but he turned them both down… Since when does Harry not want to play Exploding snap with the twins and me? He said he thought he should get to bed, so I didn't think twice about it… Later, I headed for bed too."
Ron took a breath and seemed to think hard for a moment. Hermione didn't want to push him; Ron face shone that he felt like this was leading to some betrayal or something by telling her this so she let him take his time.
Ron took a bite of toast he had in his hand, swallowed and continued.
"I've shared the same dorm with him for four years and I can tell you he's a sound sleeper... No snoring, no sounds and no talking, but not this time. He was talking but more like arguing about something."
Again he paused and she waited.
"He wasn't very clear but I could make out things about 'fault' and 'monster' among various mumblings."
"He's having nightmares," was all Hermione could say.
"No doubt but he never said anything in his letters," responded Ron, "And with what mum about picking up Harry from the Dursleys'… I'm worried Hermione, something doesn't feel right about Harry. He seems more like a stranger than the Harry we know. All he wants to do his sit in the garden on Mum's swing bench and stare out into nothing."
"Tell me about what your mum said about getting Harry," stated Hermione.
So Ron told her what Mrs. Weasley encountered when she took Harry from the Dursleys'.
They talked and went over what Ron heard while creating their own theories.
They got the apples from the village market as Ron had promised and returned. At once Hermione disappeared from everyone and re-appeared a short while later with a written letter for Hedwig to deliver. With a quick word and stroke of her feathers from Hermione, Hedwig hastily flew off. Hermione would only say that the letter was personal saying nothing more.
Ron and Hermione watched Harry through out the day and Ron was right Harry did seem different. Harry was happy only while he sat at that bench in the garden swaying back and forth oblivious to the world around him. He didn't want to play games or talk much and always seemed jumpy with Hermione. They both knew something was up and may not be easy to find out.
The day continued on with the occasional prank by Fred and George followed by their mother's claims of going mad before she even had grey hair at their trickery.
That evening after supper Hedwig returned with a package for Hermione. Before anyone could see anything she thanked the owl and fled from the room.
They were all in the living room chatting, when Mrs. Weasley decided to have another cup of tea before bed. She asked if anyone else would like one and most agreed. Hermione showed that moment.
"Let me help you Mrs. Weasley."
"Thank you, dear."
With that they entered the kitchen and return a few minutes later with a tray of cups. They passed them out to those who had asked then Hermione handed one to Harry, who had not asked.
"Hermione, thank you but I didn't," began Harry.
"Just drink it," said Hermione with a note of absoluteness in her voice.
Harry drained the cup in a single drink and Hermione snatched it from him before he could say anything.
The others in the room noticed the odd exchange between them but thought better about questioning. After all, arguing with Hermione once she made up her mind was a hopeless endeavor; one would have a better chance at getting Snape to laugh at a joke.
They began heading for bed and after some time the snoozes of the others had taken their place for the sounds of the night.
Ron was an exception. He lay awake to hear Harry talk again over an hour had passed with no result. He decided to take a walk around the house to wait rather than to be still.
He headed down the stairs but was stopped by hearing his name whispered from a voice coming from the door to Ginny' room. Ron turn and Hermione stepped out.
"Is he asleep?"
"Yeah, I've been waiting to hear him start talking again but no luck yet."
Hermione smiled with satisfaction and answered, "He won't be talking, I guaranteed that."
"Huh?"
Hermione only continued to smile.
"You going to tell me what this is about because he'd…"
"No," she cut him off, "He'll get a full night's rest then maybe we can figure something out."
"You know, Hermione, I said this before but I'll say it again your brilliant but scary."
Hermione then said goodnight and returned to her room. Ron did the same and fell asleep easier knowing his friend was in for a better night even if Ron didn't know what Hermione had done.
Next Chapter
The Museum of Dark Arts