Harry Potter and the Galator Chapter 31
Until We Meet Again
As with everything else that happens at Hogwarts, the events in the Forbidden Forest spread like wildfire with little or no fact to any version. There was a mention of the murderer Sirius Black, but nothing of the miraculous re-birth of Peter Petigrew. There was a version where there were about a hundred death eaters surrounding them and how Draco single handedly defeated them all, or Ron or Neville depending on whom it was that was telling the story.
Of course the biggest surprise and the only rumor that was true and not taken too seriously was Draco and Ginny's relationship. Either they didn't want to believe that a Slytherin and a Gryffindor could get along and be in love or no one just wanted to put much stake in hearsay unless it had something to do with someone getting hurt or mutilated.
The one disappointment with all the rumors was the fact that there was no mention of Voldemort. They knew that he was back, but still wanted to imagine that he was behind any type of dark activity. Though Professor Dumbledore tried to set them straight during the end of feast celebration, the students were only willing to believe what they wanted to believe until they received an affirmation from their parents.
The seven just took everything in stride. They answered the question they were able to, but had to keep most of the details to themselves. Neville was being seen in a different light. He was even given a little more respect now that before.
Harry on the other hand was not being harassed as the rest. He tried to put the same unapproachable spell on the others, but was only able to work on his person or when the people were near him. When they were at a distance the spell did not work and that was when they were hounded.
The last week at Hogwarts was a bit of a mess, but the seven young people that were bound by something that they have yet to understand made the best of their last week by not talking about what happened in the forest. Draco started his occlumency training. He and Ginny were showing their affections freely despite all the funny looks they received. Ron and Lavender spent more passionate nights than before. Neville began to study for the next term. Harry and Hermione spent most nights just cuddling with each other. Merlin visited Harry once to tell him how proud he was of him and that training will be put on hold for a month and a half so that he could rest and try to enjoy his holidays.
The only highlight of the week was the end of the year feast where Gryffindor won the house cup and Slytherin came in a close second. Apparently their Forbidden activities were rewarded house points though most of the students didn't know what they were receiving the points for.
The last day came faster than they anticipated and were rushing to pack to catch the Hogwarts Express. None of them wanted to be away from the others, but they had to go their separate ways except for Ron and Ginny. They felt as if they were being torn apart in seven pieces. The connection they felt was unmistakable especially to Harry who felt each of their hearts break a little at the thought of being apart for the holidays.
Neville tried to brush it off, but deep inside the last few weeks he spent with Harry and the others training for a purpose meant a lot to him. It meant more to him than anything in his life since he'd lost his parents to St. Mungo's. He felt as if he was part of a unit again and he knew that being away from them would be like almost losing his parents all over again.
Draco, on the other hand, was a little afraid. He knew when he got home he would hear it from his father. He didn't know what type of punishment await him, but he knew he had to prepare his mind for the onslaught. He didn't want to be away from Ginny and wanted to be there for her when she told her parents about them, but he also knew that he couldn't risk his father knowing about his relationship. He knew that his father wouldn't hesitate to use Ginny to get what he wants from Draco and that was something Draco was not willing to do. And although he'd given Harry, Ron and Hermione the worst time of their lives the first five years, he now shared something with them that he couldn't comprehend. It was stronger than mere friendship, but was something he could not explain. He tried to act as if he didn't feel it, but deep inside he could not deny it.
While Ron was the most important person in her life, Lavender couldn't deny the new bond she shared with the others. There was some type of friendship with Ginny, Hermione and Harry before but she knew there was something much more. Neville and Draco were just acquaintances and annoyances respectively, but in the short time they spent especially at the forest, it seemed to her as if a new relationship was forged within them. She couldn't deny it and decided to learn to accept it.
As for Ginny, she'd always known there was something special about her brother's friendship with Harry and Hermione, but she always felt as if she was never really a part of their inner circle until now. She loved Draco dearly. She was devoted to Ron, Harry and Hermione. Best of friends with Lavender and Neville, until that moment when she knew she would not see them for a time, she didn't know just how much each one of them meant to her. She knew there was something more, but couldn't quite understand what it was. She was just sad she had to be content with owling them if at all.
For Ron who was usually oblivious to things around him, the link he now had with the others was obvious to him. He actually felt a warmth within his soul when they gathered together and something he'd never actually understood when Harry was trying to explain to him about feelings, he knew that his feelings were quite clear and that for some reason he knew the others would feel the same disconnect when they were apart. He knew there was no way around it. And he knew he had to keep himself guarded while they were apart.
Harry and Hermione were already like one, bound by the heart and soul. But Hermione felt another link to her heart and soul and it was unmistakable that they were for the others who shared the months with her. She didn't realize before how much they'd become a part of her until that moment when she had to say good-bye. She knew it wasn't for long, but the ache was still there for her to feel.
Harry was a wreck, not only could he feel his own heart ache, but he felt everyone else's and although he'd tried to block them, he couldn't. It was as if blocking his own feelings. Merlin had told him about that type of bond, but he thought he'd only bonded with Hermione. He didn't know the bonding was possible for other people. He didn't know what to do about it yet, but he knew he would have to find a way to figure it out. For some reason he had the feeling that their lives, all seven of them, were bound by one type of connection or another and he had to find out before it was too late.
They shared a brief goodbye with Hagrid and boarded the train. They found a compartment big enough for the seven of them, but they knew once they arrived at King's Cross Draco would have to ignore them for their sakes as well as his own. He'd refused the memory alteration charm and was still trying to master the occlumency. He was progressing well, but still had trouble keeping things out.
They spent the train ride just playing chess, exploding snaps and talking. The couples were cuddling and sharing light kisses. Sometimes they'd play with Hermione's crystal of answer and laughed at each other's questions. They were being teenagers and they were trying hard to keep their sorrows of separating at bay.
When they arrived at King's Cross, they left Ginny and Draco at the compartment since they couldn't say good-bye to each other in public.
"You'll write me won't you?"
"Of course I will. Everyday if I can," Draco promised.
"You'll think of me sometimes?"
"Just as often as my heart beats."
"I love you, youknow?"
"I know. And I love you."
Ginny's tears were flowing freely and Draco tried desperately not to let his fall. He knew he had to go out with Crabbe and Goyle or his father might suspect that something was amiss. He kissed Ginny one more time as Crabbe and Goyle tapped at the door.
"I'd better get going."
"Okay." She told him and held on to his hand until they could not longer reach fingertips.
She stayed there for a few minutes and cried until Ron came in and took her in his arms.
"Ssshh. It'll be all right. You'll see." He held her at arms length and she smiled at him. "You ready?" She nodded and followed him out.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger waited as Harry and Hermione walked to them hand in hand. Mrs. Granger had a big smile on her face to match Mr. Granger's scowl. She saw him and elbowed him in the rib.
"What was that for?"
"You're scowling at our daughter and obviously her new boyfriend."
"Why do you think I was scowling? What did you tell that boy when they left for the beginning of the term?"
"I told him to take care of Hermione and from the looks of things it looks as though he did a very good job."
"Hmmph."
"Behave," she told her husband and rushed to give Hermione a hug. " Hi sweetheart. How was school?"
"It was full of surprises."
"And, how are you Harry?" she asked as she took him in for a hug while Hermione greeted her dad.
Hermione noticed her dad was acting a little more over protective than usual.
"It's okay dad. He's a great guy." He squeezed her harder.
"Welcome back princess. I missed you."
"I missed you too dad. But I need to breath."
"Sorry, sweetheart. How are you Harry?" He asked as he offered his right hand while holding on to Hermione with the other.
"Can't complain," he answered. Mr. Granger noticed how different he looked at that moment. He seemed to have grown since the last time he saw him, not height wise but grown into an adult.
"Well, let me take Hermione's things." He noticed that Ron and the other Weasley's were on their way. "I think the others want to bid you good-bye."
Sure enough, Mrs. Weasley wrapped Harry in a hug and promised him that she would speak with Dumbledore to let him go to the burrow as soon as he could. Harry thanked her and reassured her he would be fine. He didn't bother to remind her that after his birthday in July, the underage magic rule would not apply to him any longer.
He bid Ron and Ginny and the rest of the Weasley's good-bye and turned to Hermione. Mrs. Granger took her husband and walked with the Weasleys and told Hermione they'd wait for her at the car.
"I'll miss you," he told her as he placed his forehead on hers.
"I'll miss you too, but I will see you soon."
"Count on it. I love you, Hermione." He kissed her gently, but passionately. He couldn't seem to get enough of her.
"I love you too, Harry," she answered after they broke the kiss. "Owl me or call me."
"I'll try to do better than that."
"What do you mean?" She narrowed her eyes.
"I mean, that I will be practicing so that I can come visit you as often as I can."
"Harry, don't do anything that will get you into trouble. It's almost our last year."
"Don't worry too much. Remember, after my birthday, the underage use of magic law would no longer apply." She grinned then and kissed him again soundly. Just then he noticed his Uncle Vernon turning red and fidgeting near his car. "I'd better go."
"Okay. Me too." She kissed him again and walked to her parents. Her dad still had a small scowl while her mom wore a tremendous smile on her face.
As Harry walked towards Uncle Vernon, he kept trying to hold back the emotions that were busy bubbling within him. He still could not contain the feelings he was getting from the others, but he knew that Neville had gone far enough so that his feelings had diminished a little and so had Lavender. Ron and Ginny were still nearby and Hermione for some reason he knew that no matter how far away she was he would still be able to feel her.
Vernon watched Harry. He noticed something different in him. Instead of the anger that had been inside him as he waited, he'd felt fear. He knew somehow that Harry's powers had multiplied and would be a force to deal with if a time came. His fear took over his anger and instead of yelling at him, he was unable to utter nothing but grunts.
Harry in return did not utter a word. He looked back and waved at the others he could still see at the distance. Hermione blew him a kiss and he pretended to catch it. He then went inside the car on his way back to Privet Drive.
The End
A/N: Thank you for all those who posted their reviews and let me know what they thought of this story. Hope you'll read the sequel… Harry Potter and Fait Accompli.