Story: War
Chapter: 4
Rating of Chapter: PG-13
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only things I own are the plot, any characters, spells etc that you do not recognize.
Author Notes: Chapter 4, a little short, but there is a reason. Portkey.org readers might want to note that for some reason my fic didn't appear in the updated page when I removed my ill message and posted a new chapter. Therefore THERE IS A CHAPTER BEFORE THIS!!!!
Chapter 4: The Leaky Cauldron
Later that day, darkness had fallen. Sleepiness was suddenly overtaking them all. They had stayed at Fred & George's for most of the day, but were now sitting inside the Leaky Cauldron with a warm cup of coffee.
"Are we stopping here tonight?" asked Ron. Everybody looked at him as though they had been waiting for him to ask.
"Yeah, I don't see why not." Harry said uncertainly.
"Ok, me and Harry can share a room, while Hermione and Ginny share another." Ron said. Harry knew this would happen, and he couldn't help but think about sharing a room with Hermione. Ron got up from his seat and made his way over to the reception. Ginny turned to Harry and Hermione.
"Did you two want to share a room?" she asked uneasily.
"No, this will be fine," answered Hermione, causing Harry's heart to sink slightly. Ron then returned to them.
"Some good news and some bad news. The good news is, there are two rooms available. The bad news is, one room is a double bed, it's the only rooms they have available. And let me go on the record and say I am not sleeping with my sister."
Harry suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable, and judging by their faces, so did the rest of the group. The unfortunate thing was, all eyes seemed to be on himself and Hermione.
A few more moments of silence passed before Hermione surprised everybody, especially Harry. "Oh for god's sake, me and Harry will share a room. I don't see what the big deal is." Harry manoeuvred awkwardly in his seat.
"Ok…I'll book the rooms," said Ron.
"I'll help him." Ginny added, following him to the desk. Harry turned to Hermione.
"What was that all about?" he asked.
"Well it's not like we're going to do anything, and it saves all the fuss," she replied casually.
"Yeah, err, I guess."
*
Harry and Hermione had said goodnight to Ron and Ginny, who had entered their room feeling a little ill about the thought of Harry and Hermione sharing a room.
Hermione sat down on the edge of the bed, while Harry stood across the room from her, gazing out of the window. "This is awkward," she said.
"Well then why did you volunteer us?" Harry asked.
"It was the easiest thing to do, I couldn't bare listening to another one of Ron's moans. Besides, I'm tired and I want to go to sleep." Harry walked over to her and sat down on the bed.
"So, where do we start? I mean, we don't have any clothes to change into other than our robes…do we just, get in bed?"
"That's usually how one falls asleep. Come on Harry, this isn't a showdown with Voldemort we're just sleeping in the same bed, we've done it before," she said softly.
"Well, things were a bit different then weren't they?" Harry answered. He then pulled open the covers and sat down on one side. "Sorry," he added when he saw the uneasy look on her face. She then smiled at him and crawled up the bed next to him. She got under the covers and lay down comfortably. Harry followed her lean and lay down next to her, he faced away from her as they lay awkwardly, neither of them daring to move.
After about ten minutes, neither of them were asleep. Harry could feel Hermione shiver slightly next to him; the weather had gone a little cooler now it was September. Harry considered lighting the fire, but he didn't know if it would be a little too warm. Instead, he plucked up his courage and moved an arm over her waist. He felt her shudder slightly under his warm touch, but moved his other arm over her back until his hands were encircling her body. She folded neatly into his body as they relaxed into the night.
*
The next day, the four friends were aboard the Hogwarts Express, after a quick shower at the Leaky Cauldron and a change into their robes. They were seated in a small compartment with their suitcases packed neatly away somewhere in the train.
After quick meetings with Neville, Seamus and Draco, the group arrived at Hogwarts where they heard Hagrid barking out orders to the first years as always. "Allo," he called from a distance. They all waved to him on their way in, and Harry always felt he was home when he saw Hagrid's huge smile.
They took their seats in the Great Hall, where they watched the teachers take their seats at the front of the room, and Professor Dumbledore stand up. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts, I am sure that it will be most enjoyable, despite the war that is upon us." Dumbledore ran over the usual first year rules, in which most students over third year now ignored. "For some of you, it will be your final year." He glanced quickly at Harry. "I wish that you enjoy it very much. Now, let the feast begin!"
The once empty plates on the table were now piled up with a mixture of food; their goblets were filled with butterbeer. "Here's too a New Year," said Harry, raising his glass to Ron and Hermione. He froze when he noticed something odd at the teacher's table. "Where's Professor Lupin?" he asked.
"He's probably just late, or he's planning some sort of surprise" said Hermione, brushing it aside.
"Maybe he's buying some new robes, that would be a surprise," added Ron. Hermione glared at him.
"I don't know, I'm sure he's be here by now…Hermione?" Harry said.
Hermione looked up as though she had been her own world. "Oh, I don't know where he is, like I said he's probably late." Harry continued to stare at her in a disbelieving manner. "Ok, he had to quit, there's just too much work with the Order."
"I suppose it's nothing for us to worry about," said Ron. "He wouldn't be teaching us anyway."
"Actually we do have a couple of Dark Art's lessons this year. Only a couple, but still." Hermione answered.
Harry looked around anxiously. "I just wonder who the new teacher is…"
Author Notes: Before you say the chapter was too short, the reason is, I used this chapter mainly to get them to Hogwarts and continue the story.