Disclaimer: I don't own nobody of the characters, they are property of JK Rowling
A/N: Thanks to all my faithful reviewers! I really appreciate a lot your comments. Special thanks also to my wonderful beta Petunia.
Shawnpickett: Do you really think Ron is so smart to understand? *laughs* Obviously not. *winks*
Coolone007: Well, it's the minimum Harry can do to take care of the woman he loves. However, Ron is not in cahoots with Dudley…the reality is a lot worse!
Marvybelle: No, this is only on H/Hr…sorry for deluding you…for the other answer, read this chapter!
Mister Midnight: Ok, I really cannot reply to you about Ron without giving away the rest of the story…for the Jedi thing there is a little bit more to wait.
Sk8erwitch: Well, actually it is partially true. I cannot say more, but you'll see soon.
KypDurron: Well, Harry is the strongest mage of his century…he has to do something to show it…;)
WilliamEP: This is especially from Harry and Hermione point of view, so we won't see Voldemort's followers training.
Sarastro: You'll see Harry's reaction reading this chapter. The next exercise will come soon.
Chapter Ten
"Both of Them"
Next morning, Harry woke up first, and seeing her in his arms he suddenly felt embarrassed. He released her, and thought about the previous night. He had asked her to stay, and she, without replying had got into his bed, cuddling herself near him.
"Don't think like this Harry, she'll never think about you in that way. She was probably feeling sorry for you."
He woke her up gently.
"Mione…you need to wake up…it's better if you go and get ready for school" he whispered.
She yawned, and looked directly into his emerald green eyes. Then she nodded feebly, and got out of bed. Before going away, however, she kissed him on the cheek, and whispered:
"I'll be back as soon as possible..."
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Harry had to stay in the Hospital Wing for few days and Hermione spent a lot of her free time with him. She even stayed the night a couple of times. Finally, Harry was released by Madam Pomfrey, and could return to lessons and his normal activities.
It was nearly the Christmas holidays, so Harry sneaked to Hogsmeade to buy a present for Hermione. He had missed the last weekend before the holidays, so now he needed to take care of that. He found what he wanted, and returned quickly to the castle.
The last days of the term passed quickly, and Harry and Hermione found themselves on the Hogsmeade station's platform, to say goodbye to their friends who were going home. Ron was not very happy to leave them alone, but The Man had requested him to leave the castle for the holidays and he followed his advice.
***************
That evening, Harry and Hermione were alone in the common room. She was reading a novel, to distract herself, while Harry was polishing his Firebolt with the kit she had given him.
He was just thinking that maybe he should use these holidays as a chance to finally declare her his feelings, when he was startled by a touch on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Harry…I didn't mean to startle you. I only wanted to say "Good Night" she said.
Harry was melting into her chocolate brown eyes…the only thing he could think was to kiss her, but that was not a good time, he supposed. Eventually, he found some words, and replied:
"Good Night, Mione…" He watched her disappearing on the stairs.
Next morning, they took a long walk around the lake, and started a snow ball fight. They were soon completely soaked and decided to return in the common room to warm themselves a little before the fire.
Even after having changed their clothes and being in front of the fire, Harry noticed Hermione was still trembling. He took a risk, and hugged her, to make her feeling warmer. She leaned against his chest.
"Thanks, Harry, I really needed a little more warmth." she said. He nodded, feeling so happy having her in his arms.
On Christmas morning, Harry was awakened by a soft kiss on his forehead. He opened his eyes, and saw her sitting on his bed, smiling at him.
"Harry, come on, let's go and open our presents" she said. She took one of his hands, and pulled him with her. They went to the common room and opened their presents, until only two remained - the one Harry had bought for Hermione, and the one Hermione had got for him.
Harry gave her the gift, and waited for her reaction, anxiously.
She unwrapped the small box, then opened it.
"Harry! This is wonderful!" she exclaimed, taking the object from the box. It was a gold necklace, with a hearth-shaped pendant. She tried to hold back the tears that came to her eyes and hugged him tightly. He had not expected this reaction from her and didn't know what to do.
After some moments, she regained her composure, and handed him his gift.
He unwrapped it, and then he looked at her with happiness in his eyes. Yet again she had given him something very very special. It was a watch, like the clock Mrs.Weasley had in her kitchen. There were two lancets, one with her name, the other with Harry's one. Both of them at that moment were pointing to "Hogwarts".
Harry was astonished…he never expected a gift like that from her. There was an awkward silence between them until Harry said: "Thanks, Mione…I love it…it's wonderful!"
"Well…I have one too, so I can always know where you are, and if you are in danger" she said, blushing a little. She stood up and took his hand, leading him down to have breakfast.
They passed Christmas playing Exploding Snap, reading cuddled together on the same couch, enjoying the Professors' company at meals…Dumbledore could see a new sparkle in their eyes, and he was happy they were understanding their real feelings for each other. Harry would not admit it in front of her, but every time she was in his arms or near him in any way, he felt lighthearted.
That evening after dinner, Hermione led him to the Astronomy Tower. They sat on the floor, looking at the stars. Both of them made wishes. They fell asleep with contentment on their faces.
Next evening, when the moment of his training arrived, Harry gave her a kiss on the cheek and got up to leave. Hermione however took his wrist, and stopped him.
"What's happening, Mione? You know I'll be back in a little while." he said, looking at her tenderly.
"I have to tell you something, Harry. Please, listen to me…and please…don't be upset…"
"What the hell has she to say me? Why is she so frightened of my reaction?" he thought. However, he nodded, sitting back down.
"Harry…this summer, Professor McGonagall came to my house, after the attack you suffered. She told me about you being a mage, and that Dumbledore was training you. She told me something else, too. She told me…well, she told me that I'm a mage, too."
"You're a mage? So why you are not training with me?" Harry asked. "You haven't refused the training, have you?"
"No, Harry…I'm training every evening, at the same time you train with Dumbledore. I trained during the summer too at Grimmauld Place, while you were here with the Headmaster"
Harry seemed relieved, then, another question popped into his mind.
"Why haven't you told me this before?" he asked, a very hurt look in his eyes.
"Harry, please, forgive me! I didn't mean to hurt you. Only, I didn't know if I would have been good enough to train with you…so, I asked them to train me separately, so I wouldn't hold you back". Tears were now running down her face, she was really sorry for having to lie to him, but she couldn't let him loose his trust in Dumbledore again; she preferred to pretend it was her fault.
"Shush, Mione! Don't cry! I'm not upset…I'm only a little surprised…" he said, wrapping his arms around her…
"Why you have decided to tell me this now?" he asked after few moments.
"Because from tonight we need to train together. We are now at the point that crossing imaginary obstacle courses is not enough - we need to confront with a real opponent, who is a mage too. We need to train in defeating someone like us" she replied, more relaxed, now.
"Ok, let's go, then!" he said, taking her hand in his, and pulling her with him.
They reached the Room of Requirements, and found Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall waiting for them.