A/N: Well, that was fun. That chapter was about 7,668 words. The last part of the chapter was mainly fluff, but there is more to the world than meets the eye. Anyway, J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and co. and I happen to own what she doesn't. I would like to point out that Dumbledore is uniquely like President Eisenhower. Both men defeated great evils, in Eisenhower's case it was Hitler, are grandfather figures of men and also have the twinkling blue eyes, carefree and kind. This is my own observation, nothing more. I just thought it would be fun to see what you all thought about it.
I've been told I need to show more of Hermione's side. I like to continue points of view until the end of a chapter but at because as the spirit moves me, so do I move the point of view. I write what I feel like and if the point of view changes, so be it. I may even have to do an ominous point of view, encompassing both Harry's and Hermione's emotions in one swing.
Warning! Warning! I'm not being political correct. I'm writing about religion, more so Harry's involvement and commitment to it. Warning! Warning!
What do y'all think of my quotes?
I appreciate the reviews. Thank you all.
Chapter Four:
Anger under Compassion
"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." J. R. R. Tolkien
Harry awoke to someone trailing their fingers over his chest. He slowly opened up his eyes, finding Hermione lying on his chest. He let her stay there for a while, seeing if she would do anything else.
"I love you Harry," she said, beginning the trail of fingertips once more. Harry shivered under the slightest touch she gave him. "I don't think I'll ever be as strong as you. I know what you have to do, and I know what you are going to go through. I just wish that I could be there with you, if only to comfort you before have to go."
"Mione, you are the strongest witch I know," Harry said, sitting up, and pulling her closer.
"You're awake," she said, her voice full of surprise. She picked up his glasses and handed them to him. He smiled as he put them on.
"Yes," Harry said, kissing her forehead. "And if I had to choose someone to stand by me in the end, where time stands still, I would choose you."
"Why?" Hermione asked him, staring deeply into his eyes.
"Because there are things more important than books and facts," Harry said, smiling at her. "I may learn how to defeat Voldemort, but I don't believe I would have the confidence to do so without you at my side. I need you Hermione; you are my rock, my sunshine, my moonbeam." She blushed as she sighed into his chest.
"I don't want to go anywhere today," she said, as he played with her hair.
"Then we'll stay here," Harry said. "Now, would you like to shower first or would you like me too?"
"Will you wait outside for me?" she asked with pleading eyes.
"Anything for my Mione," Harry said kissing her head once more. She giggled, smiling.
"I like that," she said softly. "Come on." She sat up on his chest. "Why aren't you sitting up? I'm not going anywhere without you."
"I really can't," Harry said making his smile grow larger.
"Why not?" Hermione said, her hand running through his head. "Your head hurt?" Harry just chuckled as he shook his head. "Does your chest still hurt?"
"No Mione," Harry said, trying to contain his laughter.
"Well, what is it then?" She asked, in her bossy tone.
"You're sitting on me, and I don't want to hurt you when I sit up," Harry said with a smile. She began to blush and she moved off of him. "Thank you," Harry said sitting up. He moved his feet toward the end of the bed and stood up, only to feel the blood rush to his head.
"Harry!" Hermione said, her arms were around him as he sat back down. "Are you okay?" He had his hand up to his forehead, trying to stop the throbbing inside. He nodded once, not daring to speak. "Stand up," she said, getting off the bed. "I said stand up." He looked up at her, quizzically. "I'm helping you over to the bathroom."
"But I thought you were showering first," Harry said, trying not to turn his head. The throbbing was just beginning to subside as he sat, rubbing his temples. He felt his hands slapped down and two calming and soft hands replaced his. He let out a moan as the pain and throbbing began to decrease.
"You are walking there with me," Hermione said, as he looked up at her. Hers were the hands that lessened the pain. "You are going to wait for me to finish my shower, and then I'll wait for you to finish yours." Harry nodded as her healing hands continued it's magic. "Now, stand up." She commanded.
"Why do you think you can boss me around?" Harry asked, staying seated.
"Because I could before we started to date," Hermione said with a beautiful smile. Damn that beautiful smile; it could make him do anything. "Now, stand up." Harry did so laughing. Hermione kept a strong grip on his hand as he stood and wobbled a bit. She helped keep him steady, as he gained enough sense to put an arm around her waist. "See that wasn't so hard."
"Easy for you to say," Harry mumbled as they started to walk. He only took small steps in fear of what might happen if his head spun again. That and he wanted to hold onto Hermione for as long as possible. Hermione just smiled at him as they walked to the door.
"You wait here," Hermione said, pointing to a comfortable chair. "I'll be out sooner than you think." She kissed his forehead and helped him into his chair. "Stay." She said firmly.
"Yes, Mione," Harry said smiling as he picked up the book on the table next to him. It was the same one about enchantments. He kept being drawn to this book, for reasons he could not explain. Sighing, he began to read, waiting the time when Hermione would return, which he hoped would not be long.
Some small wishes come true, and Hermione was out sooner than he had expected. She was wrapped in a terrycloth robe and drying her hair as she walked over to him. "You're turn." She said with a kiss to his forehead. She picked up his hand and helped him toward the bathroom. "Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything," Hermione said as he closed the door behind her.
"Yes, Mione," Harry said, walking slowly. As much as he appreciated the offer, he honestly did not want her to help him shower. He did not want to be an invalid.
The shower took him longer than he expected. The cut on his head stung as the hot water hit it, forcing him to take a very cold shower. But even the cold water did not stop the pain exploding in his chest. It took everything He still could not move fast and his head spun if he did so. It was a problem drying himself, especially the bandages on his chest and head. He was thankful Hermione could not see them; both look like they had bleed through the bandages. The pain on his side was long gone; it had been the first to be fully healed, though he could not figure out how. Sighing, Harry put the terrycloth robe on over his boxers as he walked back into the room.
Hermione sat, her legs dangling over the arm of the chair, reading the book. She had a smile on her face and twirling a lock of hair in a finger. He walked slowly over to her, knowing she would yell at him if he moved too fast. Not that he could, but that was beside the point. That and Harry just wanted to take in her beauty with each step he took. And with each step, a smile grew wider on his face.
She finally looked over at him, surprise mingling with the happiness and joy. Harry found an extra hitch in his step after that, walking slightly faster. The only problem was, he had not even gone three steps before the throbbing returned to his head.
"Harry!" she said, hopping off the chair and over to him. "You have to be careful." Her arms were around him, holding him tightly. "I can't lose you."
"I'm fine, Mione," Harry said, trying to smile, but it only turned out as a grimace. She glared at him, helping him stand back up.
"Now back to the chair," Hermione ordered. "I'll have Dobby get us some breakfast." She helped him walk back to the chair and he finally was able to notice the book she was reading: Healing for the Hopeless: A Book for Beginners..
"Why are you reading this?" Harry asked, lifting the book off the table.
"I've been thinking about what Guile said, about me being good at healing," Hermione said, moving Harry's hands so she could sit on his lap. "And I want to be able to help you when you hurt yourself, instead of always running to Madame Pomfrey." Harry smiled, loving that he could actually hold this angel in his lap.
"Is someone jealous?" Harry mocked, earning a glare from her.
"No," she said picking up the book, and marking her page. "I just want to help you, in anyway I can."
"And I love you for that," Harry said, kissing her lightly on the lips. "I'm content right now." He leaned back, pulling Hermione with him.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"Because for the first time in my life," Harry said a smile widening. "I know that someone believes in me, and I have the surest proof there is under God."
"I've always believed in you," Hermione said insulted.
"But I didn't always believe it," Harry countered, forcing her to calm down. "Until yesterday, I never had proof that my heart would recognize as true that someone believed in me. Hermione, there is no worse feeling than when nobody believes in you. Nothing." Harry said, closing his eyes, remembering his childhood. Years in a cupboard, years of malnutrition and lack of love. "I can't take any other minute of it Mione. Just you being here with me makes all the difference in the world. You have no idea how high my heart flew when I saw you before the memorial service."
"Harry…"Hermione said, taking his head in her hands.
"Please, let me finish," Harry said, wiping a tear from his eye. "You don't know much about my childhood, because I have never wanted to talk about it before." She nodded, letting him stare at her with glazed eyes. "I lived for most of my life inside of cupboard, with barely any food and clothes too large for an elephant. My Uncle routinely berated me verbally and sometimes even hit me. My cousin regularly hit me or tried to beat me up. My Aunt was just there."
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, wiping the tears now easily sliding down his chin.
"I can't go back to that, Mione," Harry whispered, trying to maintain some of his composure. "I can't go back there. Not again. Please don't make me go." For the first time, in his life, Harry acted like the small child he never was allowed to be. Crying and holding dearly to Hermione, he begged and pleaded her not to send him back. He found his heaven, and he could not leave it; Harry was sure if he did, it would kill him.
"You're not going back," Hermione whispered, trying to comfort him. "You're home is here, with me." She picked his head up and forced him to stare at her. "You're my home, and I'm yours. Where you go, I go. I'm not letting you out of my sight for the remainder of my life, Harry James Potter. I love you damn it and I will not let you be hurt again." Tears joined his as she held his face.
"I love you Mione," Harry said, pulling her closer. He wiped the finally few tears from his eyes before smiling. "Thank you for being here."
"I'd do anything for my Harry," Hermione said, wiping a stray tear off his cheek.
"Your Harry?" He asked, trying to hold back the laughter.
"Yes my Harry," Hermione said proudly. "My Harry that will become the world to our children."
"Children?" Harry asked, surprise and fear mounting in his voice.
"Yes," Hermione said with a mischievous smile. "We are going to have lots and lots of children, ones that will have the best life love can give them."
"Well, if we are going to have children," Harry said, finally regain some sense, "then I'll have to get you an engagement ring."
"Harry, I was just kidding," Hermione said, blushing madly.
"You think I was?" Harry said with a large smile. "When the feeling moves me, you will find your engagement ring on your finger. It may be a few years, it may be a few days, but know this, Mione. I love you, forever ever and ever." Her eyes clouded over, and a smile rose on his face. "Now, what do you want to do today?"
"How about get dressed?" Hermione offered, but Harry only tightened his grasp around her.
"I don't think so," Harry said with a large smile. "You are staying in the robe for the rest of the day."
"What?" Hermione said, surprise, rising across her face.
"The world can wait a day, but today is ours," he placed his head on her terrycloth-covered shoulder. "And today, we are going to relax and let the world go on. No Voldemort, no worries, just love." He felt her place her head over his.
"For a while, maybe," Hermione said, running her fingers through his hair. He melted even further into her embrace. "You know I only have my underwear on underneath this right?" Harry nodded with a smile.
"I only have my boxers," Harry said with a smile. "Now, let's just be with each other." He drove his head further into her shoulder, loving the soft vanilla smell.
"Alright Harry," Hermione said, continually running her hands through his hair. "But can we at least go back to bed."
"If you want to," Harry said, not really, caring as long as he could stay near her. She stood up from his lap, taking his hand with her. He moved her so he could immediately wrap his hand around her waist. Pulling himself up slowly, he immediately wrapped his arm around her waist for balance. Slowly, they began to walk toward the bed, and with help, Harry got in first, followed by Hermione. She snuggled up to him, resting her head on his chest.
"I really could get used to this," Hermione said, as he began to slowly rub her back. "A little lower please," she said as he slowly began to scratch her back. He complied, smiling at her closed eyes as she moved into his hand. "Thank you."
"Feels good?" Harry asked, scratching right above the small of her back. She nodded with a smile secure on her face. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"Mmmm," Hermione just said as he continued the small massage.
"I'll just summon Dobby," Harry said with a smile. Within moments of speaking, a tray of food had appeared on the table, steaming hot. "Thank you, Dobby." Harry yelled as Hermione began to entangle her legs with him.
"Keep working," she mumbled as he wrapped his other arm around her. "Breakfast can wait."
"Alright," Harry said with a smile. He was sure he could spend the rest of his life, looking at her with the content and safe look on her face as she hugged him.
"Quit stalling," she mumbled into his chest. He slowly began to run his hands up and down her back. She sighed once more, and before he could say anything else, was asleep in his arms.
"I love you Mione," Harry said, with a smile as he rested his head in her hair. Slowly he too drifted off to the sureties of sleep.
* * * * *
Harry awoke with Hermione still nuzzled on his chest. He could feel her gently breathing through the robe and smiled to himself, as he began to rub her back once more. She sighed again as he began to play with her hair in his other hand.
"Hello heaven," Harry whispered to her. He looked up at the ceiling. Although he never had been one for religion, now seemed like the best time for any. "I think I've died. I must've because you've got to be the sweetest angel in the world." He looked down at Hermione, kissing her head. "I just pray you won't send me away, God. I need her. You're sent me Sirius, Remus, the Weasleys, and Hogwarts. I think I could live without them, but please, I beg of you, don't take her away from me. She's all I really have left in my heart." He looked down at Hermione, caressing her cheek. "You've given me a gift, God. Until she came into my life, I honestly didn't believe you existed. But the moment, when I met her on the train my belief flew out like the phoenix rising from the ashes. I want to thank you for sending her to me. I know she's the one. I just have one request of you; one and I'll never bother you again.
"I want you to keep her safe," he said as he looked back down at Hermione. "She's my princess, a new one that I just thought of. One of these days I'll write them all down, but I know she'll find the list." His smile grew on his face, thinking about Hermione's reaction. "I just want her to be with me. Please don't take her away from me. Keeping her safe is keeping me sane and safe. Knowing she is alive is like wining the Quidditch Cup for your house. Knowing she is happy is like all is right in the world. Knowing she loves me is worth more than life itself God. I haven't felt like this, about anyone. My parents and Sirius are gone, I accept that. She helped me through that." He swelled with pride for some unknown reason but continued, undaunted. "Remus is all I have left of my parent's lives, and I know he loves me, but Hermione, she does wonders for me. You know that right? Life wouldn't be worth it if she weren't here. So my first and final request of you is to keep her alive and well for a very, very long time. Thank you for listening."
Harry looked back at the resting form of Hermione. She still seemed at peace, making him feeling ever better about every word he had just said. Relief flushed his body as he relaxed and began to run his fingers up and down Hermione's back once more.
"You really should warn a girl," Hermione mumbled into his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I think Guile was lying, you've got the magic fingers." She began to play with his hair, sometimes lightly touching his neck, sending chills down his body. Harry tried to smile, but memories of why they currently were sharing a room flooded his mind.
"We have to talk about it Mione," Harry said.
"About what?" Hermione said, snuggling further into his embrace.
"About the pain you're holding in," Harry said, lifting her slightly so she would look at him. "About what you are feeling right now."
"I don't want to talk about," Hermione pouted, trying to drive herself deeper into his chest.
"You have to Hermione," Harry said, pulling her up onto his chest, despite the pain in brought him. He pulled her so she was completely on top of him, her back on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist. "You have no idea how much just talking to you about Sirius helped me get over everything. Now, I'm going to help you."
"They can't be gone, Harry," Hermione whispered, turning around to lie on her chest.
"They aren't," Harry said, knowing what her fears truly spoke of. "They are not dead." He said forcefully, making her flinch. "Do you feel an emptiness in your heart?" She shook her head. "Only a fear?" She nodded before resting her head. "Then they are alive, Mione." She looked at him quizzically, but did not say anything. "When Sirius when through that veil," Harry started, trying to keep the tears at bay. It still seemed a very hard topic to talk about. "I felt cold, Mione, and empty. I still feel cold and empty at times when I try to think of my parents. But with you here, there is a beat of life my heart never knew before."
"They're alive," she whispered as he felt her tears falling through the gap of his robe. "Thank you." She whispered looking up at him, smiling through her tears. "Maybe, we go to Dumbledore's library today."
"But that would mean you'd have to get dressed," Harry said mischievously. "And I happen to like you like this." He saw the blush cover her face despite hiding it in his chest. "You do know you're beautiful right?" She looked up at him, the blush deep on her face. She shook her head, smiling slightly. "Well then, my princess, I'll have to tell you every day for the rest of our lives."
"Thank you," Hermione said, her face retreating back to his chest.
"You are beautiful," Harry said kissing her forehead. "What would you like to do, beside leave this room?"
"We really should leave this room Harry," Hermione said, sitting up slightly with her elbows on his chest. "We need to talk to Ron." Harry just nodded and closed his eyes. "Also, Madame Pomfrey has to give you your potions for today and reapply the bandages." He felt her open up his robe to look at the bandage on his chest. "Harry! Why didn't you tell me it was this bad?"
"Don't worry, Mione," Harry said, opening his eyes to see her getting off of him. "Where are you going?" He said up, seeing her moving away from him slightly.
"I was hurting you," she stared at his chest. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it didn't hurt," Harry chuckled honestly. He rolled onto his side, trying to take her hand only to have her pull it away and get off the bed. She began to walk to the door. "Please don't leave Mione."
"I need to get Madame Pomfrey immediately," Hermione said, opening the door and closing the door quickly. He surprised at the speed she was moving across the room at.
Harry probably registered it more, had his head not gotten heavy and the room not started spinning. He vaguely heard someone running up the stairs, or rather several elephants. He could not decide. But he knew his head was beginning to pound and it was only made worse. The pain increased as did the loneliness. He felt his guilt pulling itself out of the depths that he had sent it too. In seconds his head began to fill of the guilty words that plagued him before the memorial.
"It's my fault," he whispered as Lestrange's evil laughter echoed through his mind. The picture of Sirius falling into the veil with a combination of a smile and surprised was burned into his irises. "It's my fault." He whispered once more, as the guilt and dizziness became too much, and fell unconscious.
* * * * *
"Harry!" Hermione said running back into the room after calling for Madame Pomfrey. Harry's bandage was bleeding profusely and looked like it had been for some time. She did not want Harry to be hurt anymore than he already was, and thought that she had caused him pain. She cared for him deeply and never wanted to see him hurt again.
"What is wrong with him now, Miss Granger?" Madame Pomfrey asked, with Dumbledore behind her.
"Harry's bandages are soaked through," Hermione said, trying to control her fears. She led them back to the room, expecting Harry to be looking at her, only to find him, lying unmoving on the bed. The blood was clearly seen through the robe that he wore. "Harry!" She screamed, as she ran over to his side. "I'm sorry," she sobbed into his chest as she felt a strong set of arms attempt to pull her away.
"Relax," Dumbledore's voice said. She just gripped onto Harry's robe tightly, shaking her head. "Poppy shall take care of everything." Hermione only increased her grip on his robe.
Through her tears, she watched Madame Pomfrey removed the soaked bandage and poured a boiling clear liquid onto Harry's chest. Hermione watched as his chest was thrown forward and smoke began to come off the wound. "Harry!" She screamed as Dumbledore pulled her back even further. Her hands slipped out of Harry's robes and she felt herself turned away.
"Relax, child," Dumbledore said, wrapping his arms around her. Hermione just grabbed onto the man.
She could not lose Harry; she just could not lose someone that important in her life. His face was so pale and he felt limp when she grasped onto Harry's robe. She vaguely heard another hissing sound. Turning to look out of Dumbledore's robes, she saw water being poured onto Harry's chest, getting rid of the caked blood and excess potion.
"He'll need his rest," Madame Pomfrey said, as she began to place a new bandage over the wound. "For a long time perhaps, but with any luck, he'll be well enough to start his training in a few weeks." Hermione looked over at her quickly then turned to Dumbledore.
"Harry has requested that his training to better himself for the coming battle with Thomas Riddle," Dumbledore said. He helped her sit back down on the bed. Hermione ran through her list of names to remember, mental kicking herself for placing the name so low on the list.
"Voldemort, sir," Hermione said. She looked over at Harry as he grew a childlike look on his face. Madame Pomfrey changed the bandages on his head and already given him several more potions. "Can I participate, sir? I mean, I really want to be there at Harry's side. Not when he's fighting Voldemort because Lord knows he's not letting me anywhere near that battle, but can I help in the ones leading to the final battle? I'd do a really good job and I-"
"Yes, Hermione," Dumbledore said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I knew that you would want to and have already planned separate but just as important, training for you. I also believe that something very important was discovered today." His eyes began to twinkle wildly.
"What?" Hermione asked. She had been looking at Harry and was not paying attention.
"You must stay with Harry while he is recovering," Dumbledore said. She nodded, trying to hold the smile at bay. She would be able to sleep with Harry as long as he was recovering. She loved the idea of being so close to him. "Your training will be directed mainly in healing techniques but you also will learn a great deal of dueling techniques as well. Now, both of you get some rest." He patted Hermione's shoulder and left with Madame Pomfrey.
"I'm here for you Harry," Hermione said as she crawled into the bed. She picked up his hand, thankful for the warmth coming from it. She finally began to relax, and her fears subsided as she lay down next to him. "Everything will be okay," she whispered. She gently ran her fingers across his forehead, pushing away some of his hair.
"It's all my fault," he whispered. Hermione let a breath as his eyes slowly fluttered. Only hours before he was comforting her on her worries and now it was her turn to help him. She removed his glasses and placed them upon the bed table.
"I'm here for you Harry," she said as she turned back to him. She lifted his head slightly and felt him winced just a much. "What happened?"
"You left me to my thoughts," he grumbled. His anger was quickly replaced by tears. "I told you I couldn't be alone. Why didn't you believe me?" Hermione felt the tears swell in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered back, knowing his fears. "I just wanted to get you the help."
"Please don't leave me again," he said, closing his eyes. "Not now, not when I'm like this." She nodded, as the tears fell off her face. It hurt her so much to see him like this.
"Never again," Hermione said. She slide beside him and cuddled up next to him. It hurt her so much to hear him speak with such pain and hurt. Even if it was in his best interest, she had hurt him by leaving him alone. "I'm here for you." She slipped her hand into his robe, placing it on his stomach. It felt so good to be touching him like this, and yet it made her uneasy. She had never touched a boy like this, and it felt so natural it was scary.
Harry was the first boy that treated her like a princess. Krum had only treated her like a prize or some political wife. With Harry, she knew where she wanted to be, and with Krum, only confusion reigned in her mind. Harry calmed her down beyond belief and Krum made her nervous and anxious for Harry to return. She began to lightly tap her fingers on his stomach when he moved his hand over hers.
"Tease," he coughed. Fear creep back through her as some blood rippled down his chin.
"Are you sure you are okay?" Hermione asked, wiping the blood up with her sleeve.
"As long as you stay with me," he responded relaxing as she began to trail her fingers across his chest. "I'm just tired, so tired." She slid his robe off his arms and let it lay beneath him. He gave her a questioning look, but looked too tired to comment on it.
"Get under the covers," Hermione ordered. Harry lifted his body slightly, and she saw the pained look on his face. She quickly stood and pulled the covers and his robe out from underneath him. He did not speak however, just laid back down as she pulled the covers over him. "Now, I'm going to put on some more clothes, you try to take off the robe and we'll go back to bed." Harry nodded as she moved a piece of his hair. "I'll only be gone for a few moments, please don't worry." She gently kissed his forehead. It destroyed her to see him like this, and she knew it was killing him to. He was the strongest man she knew, in both his arms and his heart, but both failed him as he lay on the bed.
"Okay," he whispered. "Don't be long, love."
"I won't be," Hermione said with another kiss. "I'll be back soon." She climbed out of the bed, and grabbed a shirt to sleep in. She wanted to be as close to Harry as possible, to let him know someone was there for him. At this moment, she did not care what anyone else thought or said about her, all that matter was her Harry and that he needed her. She changed in the bathroom quickly and returned to Harry's side, underneath the heavy covers.
Despite it being mid-summer, the room felt colder without being at Harry's side. She knew there was a fire beating within his heart, and it was for her. She had never seen him in more pain than when she had left that room, and never seen such a light in his eyes when she returned. She blushed underneath his gaze as she slid into the covers.
"You're back." His voice was filled with relief. She slid her arm across his chest, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I told you I would be," she whispered. She felt his arm curl around her and begin to play with her hair. "Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry," he whispered. He voice was hoarse and had cracked slightly. She looked up to see the tears for falling down his face.
"For what?" Hermione said. She reached up and wiped away a few of the now falling tears.
"For not being strong enough," he said. "I can't even stand up without hurting. I can't breathe without a pain filling my chest. I can't even protect my friends. Hell, I can't even protect my girlfriend." She placed her finger over his mouth before he could utter another word.
"You did protect me," Hermione said. She gently held his head in her hands, making sure that he kept eye contact. "That look in your eyes made me break out of the Imperius curse. I didn't think I could have done that without you. And you kept distracting Ron, so he wouldn't hurt me."
"He hurt your wrist," Harry said. He picked her hand up in his, gently rubbing his fingers over the wrapping.
"But he could have done a lot worse," Hermione said. She picked up his other hand and held it between hers. "You know, in some strange way, I think we are both helping each other out."
"How so?" Harry said through a yawn.
"Well, you've helped me get through the fears about my parents," Hermione said, lying on her side. She brushed a piece of his hair out of the way before continuing. "I'm still worried about them, but I know that they are alive and Dumbledore told me that he has his best people on it. That and I have to you."
"How did you help me?" he asked with a knowing smile. She could only return it.
"I helped you get over Sirius's death," Hermione said. "Now, I want you to rest. It is my turn to look after you." He nodded once, and maneuvered his hand around her waist, and pulled her closer. "Harry?" She giggled as he placed his head on her chest. "What are you doing?"
"Relaxing," he said. She knew the smile was on his face, and felt the blush rise in her face as she tried to find the words. Instead, all she could do was wrap her arms around his head, holding him closer.
She could feel his breath through her shirt, and it only heighten her senses. A man had never been this close to her; even Krum had not been this close. But Harry, Harry was different. He understood her and she knew that he would not take advantage of her.
"It's beautiful," he said, removing his head from her chest. She gave a soft sigh, enjoying the feeling of the closeness.
"Hmmm?" She asked, looking at him. She had been quite content with the moment until he broke the silence.
"Your heartbeat," he said with a smile. "So alive, so pure. I think I've found another reason to love you." He smiled at her and kissed her lips softly.
"Thank you," Hermione said, unsure of how to respond. She knew it was a compliment, but such a weird one that she would have never expected it from anyone. Well, anyone but Harry.
She smiled and slowly began to twirl his hair between her fingers. And slowly, Harry began to drift into a sleep, his head still upon her chest. She was on her back now, and ready for the day, despite Harry being asleep. She began to think over the last few days, not really recalling the facts but the emotions. This was a new side to her, one she wanted to explore and one that Harry had found easily. It was one she had begun to think that only Harry would ever see and she had never shown it to anyone else.
Harry made her feel so alive simply by being and it surprised her how wonderful the feeling of flying was, even with her feet planted firmly on terra firma. It was exhilarating, and if Harry was with her, she might just experience the feeling off the ground as well. Her mind began to relax as well when she heard a small tapping on the door. Before she had a chance to even sit up someone walked in.
"Harry, I wanted to talk to you and Hermione, but she wasn't in her room," Ron said; his voice was very sullen. He must have had his back turned because Hermione heard a gasp as he turned around. "I knew it, damn it, I knew it. You two were at it behind my back." His voice had quickly changed toward anger.
"Ron, please, just leave," Hermione began to plead. She sat up quickly, trying to remain calm. Harry was asleep and she knew he needed his rest. He could not handle seeing Ron in the state that he was currently at. And if she was being honest with herself, neither could she.
"Why, so you two can return to your shagging, you whore?" Ron asked, nearly spitting venom. It hurt her to hear him speak like that to her. Suddenly there was a crack of thunder and Ron was thrown against the door. His hair was a mess and there looked like there was a small burn upon his chest.
"Leave Ron," Harry's voice said. He spoke without compassion or forgiveness. Hermione looked at him, and saw small lightning bolts fleeing from his eyes. His hand was held up and his eyes were set in a glare. She flinched slightly, fearing what he may do. "You have no right to speak to her like that. You have no right to speak to her again. She is twice the friend you'll ever be. Leave, and don't come back until you learn there is more to life than sex and money. Don't come back until you grow up!" As he finished, Hermione watched as a single bolt of lightning escaped Harry's outreached hand and flew toward Ron. She let out a loud scream, trying to get someone else to come and stop this before Harry hurt someone. She had never been more afraid or felt more loved when Harry spoke those words. She knew they were from the heart, maybe that was why she was so afraid of them.
Ron struggled to stand up and quickly got out of the room, the fear evident in his eyes. The bolt still hit the door, shattering it into hundreds of small pieces. Ron must have slumped down against it because he now lay in the rubble that remained. He quickly got up and ran down the stairs as Dumbledore and Serge came running up.
Serge just whistled as he looked at the mess. "You've got to be kidding me," he said, picking up the pieces of the door. "You do this?" Hermione looked back at Harry, whose face had returned to normal. There were no longer any bolts coming from his eyes as before. She felt him tense up as he realize what he had done.
"I didn't mean to," Harry said. He fell down on to the bed, a hand over his heart.
"Everything's alright," Hermione whispered. She took his hand in hers, running her other hand through his hair. "you didn't hurt him."
"I'm sorry if I scared you Mione," Harry whispered. Tears were gently rolling down his face once more. "I just couldn't take it if he said another bad word about you."
"Sssh," Hermione said, trying to calm him down. Dumbledore and Serge must have cleaned the mess because now both of them stood in the room. "It's all right."
"Well, if he wasn't scared of you before," Serge said, letting out a whistle. "My Lord, how did you do that?" Harry shrugged his shoulders or looked like he attempted to. His face looked drained of energy. Hermione picked up his hand in hers and felt him squeeze it tight. It gave her some reassure not much, but enough to keep her from panicking.
"Give him some rest," Dumbledore said with a caring smile. "It does look like it drained him some." Dumbledore gave them a kind smile and left the room, with Serge still in awe over something.
"Thank you professor," Harry said as he rolled over, into Hermione once more. She wrapped her arms around him, and pulled the covers back around them. "Tomorrow," he said.
"What Harry?" Hermione asked as he rolled once more so she lay his chest.
"Tomorrow we'll let him speak, and see what he has to say," he mumbled before he fell asleep. Hermione nodded, not really agree, but not caring either. She would let Harry decide when they spoke to Ron again. She knew that he was hurt, but Ron had hurt them more and they both needed an explanation of it.