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Disclaimer : Harry Potter ain't mine, I claim no money over this.
Harry Potter was having his best summer so far, about 1 week after he was back in privet drive he was almost enjoying himself. . .Who was he kidding, he was thoroughly miserable. Prisoner of this house with his relatives without contact with the outside world. His only source of information was Dumbledore and that particular source was possibly corrupted. Harry was no foul; his headmaster had kept information from him too long and with dire consequences for all of them. Maybe he was too young in his first year but surely he was ready after the trywizard. No doubt the aging man was still withholding information from him for his personal protection. The worst part of his summer was the dreams caused by either his own mind or Voldemort. He was now at least able to tell them apart when they were true or not. But his nightmares never let up either way unless he used the dreamless sleep draught.
Harry was sleeping that night after a day of studying. After his OWLS he had a summer free of assignments but he still needed to keep his average notes up to par if he wanted to become an Auror. He immediately fell into his dream, this one was from Voldemort, he was a snake again, going towards a normal looking house. These were the worst perhaps, when Riddle decided to play with him and kill muggles this way. When the reptile made it inside the house he immediately remarked one particular picture of a familiar looking girl. Harry panicked : 'Not her! Anyone but HER!' those thoughts would seem pretty selfish for anyone but Harry was already too selfless most of the time and if she were to die, he would lose all control over his sanity. The snake eventually made it inside her room, it was easy to make sure since it was full of books, quills and a picture of himself. The snake slithered towards the bed and Harry tried as hard as possible to stop it, by all the ways he could, screaming, parselthoung, anything.
The venomous animal coiled back for a second and was a second from striking when her body disappeared with a soft 'pop' as though she had apparated. Harry woke up at that same second to find something next to him.
Meanwhile, outside the house, Alastor 'Mad-eye' Moody was looking at what could be fireworks.
"What the hell is happening?" Tonks asked the retired auror.
"It seems Potter is overpowering the wards around this place, the anti-apparition ones at that!" The old man seemed impressed with the boy for some reason. A loud cracking noise was heard forcing them both to block their ears as a complete black-out of the city immediately took place. "Very powerful thing he just did Nymphadora. He overpowered every last barrier to protect him except the natural one from being with his relatives. Dumbledore will have to come and set them back himself tomorrow."
Inside the house, Harry was looking for his glasses. To say he was curious about his bedmate was an understatement especially since said bedmate was holding him close. He seized them on his bed stand and saw an hint of bushy brown hair, long hair which looked like Hermione's. After a second of reflexion it WAS Hermione. Harrylooked at her a second and remembered his dream.
'Maybe it's one of my bursts of wild magic. Who knows when I'll get that bloody owl for doing magic out of Hogwarts. The night seemed surnaturaly dark as the only source of light were the moon and the stars. Harry tried to move for a second but Hermione had taken hold of him, she was mumbling in her sleep but Harry didn't quite catch what it was she said. He sighed, removed his glasses and got to sleep as well.
When his head hit his pillow he understood what Hermione was saying.
"Humm, Harry. . .I love you." She mumbled.
Harry blushed bright red as he felt very weid all of a sudden, it was as though he could take on a dozen Voldemorts. He could swear he glowed with some sort of feeling, it wasn't like with Cho. It was different. Hermione actually. . . He didn't know what it was but he felt like nothing he had ever felt.
For one rare time, his sleep was free of any nightmares but dreams of his future were there. With him, a wife, a beautiful white house and children a boy with unruly black hair and brown eyes and a girl with bushy brown hair and green eyes.
The first thing Hermione felt in the morning was the firm pillow she held and the tangle her legs were in. there was then something rather wrong with her bed. It seemed less comfortable then usual. Then there was the smell, the worderfull smell as though he was here with her. Her pillow smelled especially like him, it almost seemed as though it breathed like him. Hermione opened her eyes to unfamiliar surroundings. The room she was in was half full of junk and the other half actually had his stuff. She dreaded looking at the lump next to her but did so anyway.
'Is this a dream? Am I really sleeping in Harry's arms?" The said wizard shifted in his sleep. His arm was already being used as a pillow but he moved as such that she was pressed against him. 'Dream or not this is so. . .right.' She thought as her own arm came to rest upon his chest. The fog of her slumber was still clouding her mind at that moment and she was content just to stay where she was. Her mind then became more aware of it's surroundings.
'Wait a minute! I wasn't here yesterday and How did I, why did I end up here?' The logical part of her mind screamed for answers. The sentimental part however didn't see the situation the same way. It was singing softly in fact just as it entered Nirvana itself. 'I'm actually sleeping with Harry. Still clothed but in the same bed none the less! His chest is so firm and strong. He's been working out.' She shuddered in delight as her sentimental and hormonally boosted side won the argument. She was to worry about that later, now she was to enjoy herself a bit.
Not long after she awoke, Harry did the same. He knew she was there but not that she would sleep so close to him. The fact that he was holding her close didn't come into his mind at that instant but he did look at her. His eyesight was just good enough for him to see her perfectly and outline her face with a white halo of sheets.
"He. . .Hello Hermione." He said as he looked at her.
"Hey there Harry." She answered with a heavy blush. She was under the covers but her night clothes weren't the most modest ones she owned. "I believe you may know about why I'm here." She asked him as her logical center retook control.
"Well. . . It's like this, I was having one of those dreams, you know where Voldemorts shows me things and he made me see what one of his servants was doing. It was in a muggle residential area and. . .it was your house to be precise. The snake went up to your room and was about to bite you when you disappeared only to appear in here, next to me." He finished his explanations and looked at her awaiting the questions.
"I suppose this was one of your wandless magic episodes. But haven't you been working on Occlumency at all?" she asked as it hit her.
"I have, I can tell true visions from lies and dreams now but I still have a ways to go.." He told her truthfully.
"Ok then Harry, I suppose the watchdogs outside will want to take me home once they see me in here." She said as she started to move to get out of bed but Harry wouldn't have it for a minute.
"Oh not you don't, you are not leaving this bed until I say so Ms Granger!" Hermione looked at him for as second and started softly laughing as she got back to her previous position next to him.
"You know how corny that sounds?" She asked.
"Yes but I don't care about corniness, I want to hear all about your summer and what you know of our world." It was almost an order but Hermione complied immediately. In short she knew even less then him on some isues but more then him on some others. Dumbledore had given him the information he desired about the attacks while Hermione was at her parents house. She was more up to date with the Weasley family though. Ginny and Dean were through and she was dating Neville who had almost a heart attack every time any one of her brothers were within striking distance. The twins had decided to use him as their test dummy full time when they weren't working. Ron was still single and was training hard to keep his instincts as a keeper and little things like that. There was still no real sign of Percy but he had sent a letter to his parents who seemed to approve the choice he made in it. She didn't know what but Ron didn't either.
Just as she was about to tell him about her summer a soft poping sound barely audible announced a visitor.
"Why Hello Mr Potter, I didn't expect to see Ms Granger here as well though. Did something happen for this little reunion to occur?" Dumbledore asked as he summoned a chair. Harry retold the story from A to Z not sparing any details while both Dumbledore and Hermione listened.
"I see, so it would seem I was right in moving Hermione's parents to a safer location." He poundered out loud. "I believe Mr Potter informed you of the attack on your house or that you just learned of it Ms Granger and The order was able to pull your parents out of there just in time. It seems, however, that Mr Potter made the big save first. They have been moved towards a secure spot provided by us until such a time where Voldemort won't try to attack them. You however, cannot rejoin them for the time being. We believe Dolohov may have placed a temporary curse upon you to track you." Dumbledore said.
"I. . . I have to leave then?" She looked dreadful as she said those words.
"Not at all Ms Granger. You see, this house is the best protection for a lot of reasons. First, it houses the highest ranking student in defence against the dark arts Hogwarts ever had since someone called James Potter. It also has wards against such detection charms, apparition and unforgivables like in Hogwarts and there are. . .other reasons that even IO cannot tell you about." Dumbledore said with his spark in his eyes.
"Are you hiding something Professor?" Harry was frowning at his mentor who smiled at him.
"Not exactly Harry, this is more like something you will have to figure out yourself and you probably already know it on the subcounscious level." Dumbledore had his sparkle shining brighter then ever as he looked at his pupil who was still holding Hermione.
"On another note, I have taken the liberty of taking your results for your OWLS personally for the both of you. You may open them once I'm gone and discuss it. I hope you have a good day and bid you farewell." The headmaster bowed as he dissapparated from the room with barely a sound.
Hermione looked at the letter in her hands as though it was just a dream. She thrived on schoolwork and expected results.
"Shall we?" Harry asked, looking at his own letter like it was a burning temptation. He half expected only D or worst T for troll, the worst note possible. Harry read his results with shaking hands.
Ministry of magic, board of education
OWL results for : Harry Potter
Charms: O
Potions: O
Defence against the dark arts: Outstanding Achievement
Herbology: E
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Astronomy: A
Transfiguration: O
Divination: T
History of Magic: E
Average: E
Number of OWLs: 9
NEWT program: Auror training
Recommended classes: Advanced DADA; Advanced Transfiguration; advanced charms; advanced potions; mediwitch basic first aid; Dueling; basic Dark arts.
Note: accepted in Auror training program. We await confirmation by the 25th of august.
Harry had to read the letter three times to make sure he wasn't dreamoing. He had O in potions!
"Is it that bad Harry?" Hermione asked from beside him. She had a wide grin as she waved her sheet.
"Not bad, incredible! I have O in potions!" He was still gawking at his sheet of paper when Hermione took it from his hand and passed hers to him.
Ministry of magic, board of education
OWL results for : Hermione Granger
Charms: O
Potions: O
Defence against the dark arts: O
Herbology: O
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Astronomy: O
Transfiguration: O
Ancient Runes: O
Arythmancy: O
History of Magic: O
Average: O
Number of OWLs: 11
NEWT program: Mediwitch
Recommended classes: Advanced Herbology; basic mediwitch first aid; medical stage; Advanced potions; advanced care of magical creatures; Advanced Charms; Advanced Transfiguration.
"Hermione! Congratulation!" Harry exclaimed, there was no note for her to confirm yet but maybe she never asked for this one in particular while Harry had done so.
"You're the one who needs them Harry! I'm so proud of you! But now we'll have to work even harder to keep these for the Newts!" She had a fire in her for studying.
"I'm already on it, Dumbledore got me the sixth and seventh year DADA books and some other titles I asked for." He motioned to the pile of books on the floor with a notebook opened with DA meeting number 4 written on it. "I'm also keeping up the DA, it'll be open only to who we want and the room of requirements is still ours. Dumbledore just asks that we have him look at the class plans we make."
Hermione looked at the book for a minute as Harry took his glasses and cleaned them with the sheets.
"Quite good Harry, you cover a lot of theory in these and we still practice quite a lot." She said as she examined his plans.
"I also arranged for a guest lecturer. I want to have Moony come to talk about lycanthropes, when they are dangerous or not. Why some are dark creatures while others are victims. You know the drill I believe." Hermione nooded at this. Every member of the DA knew of Lupin.
"We should include some new people too, some fourth year would help keep the DA alive when we leave. I don't think this should go to waste when we get to our seventh year." Harry nooded at her as he took out a second letter from the envelope.
"Oh my god. . .Hermione, I'm a prefect!" She looked at him and at the badge in his hand and then at the letter.
Mr Potter
It came to my attention that after last year it was your wish to be treated as though nothing was different about you. At the time I gave prefect duty to your two friends I believed it was in your own best interest but every man makes mistakes in his life and when one believes he is doing the right thing the mistakes are even greater in proportion. I believe this may seem special but you have earned this badge and office through your hard work and efforts.
As a prefect, you are to be an exemple for your fellow students in that you may not abuse your position or break rules. Your precise duties will be explained by the head boy and girl in the train ride. On another note, due to recent events at the ministry of magic, you are now authorised in the use of magic outside the school for the purpose of either training or defending yourself.
A good day to you.
Albus Dumbledore.
Hermione gapped at him. Harry was hardly a model for prefect in the aspects of rules but he was the Griffondor model. Unruly, courageous and daring.
"Oh my god! I . . . I don't know what to say Harry." There was an hidden message in this letter that only Harry and Dumbledore understood but Harry had a genuine smile upon his face. He took the pin and looked at it.
"I guess we just have to get up and get changed. I'll take the bathroom. I need a shower anyway and I should be there when the Dursleys see you. It could get ugly." He got up, not really caring about his lack of decency, and took some of Dudley's old clothes and his wand before leaving.
If Harry didn't exactly care about his attire, Hermione saw it quite clearly. She blushed hard while trying not to look at his lean and slightly muscular form. She failed miserably and thought once he leaved.
"What am I going to wear anyway?" She asked out loud. There was no way she would wear some of his run down clothes but maybe one of his Weasley sweater and his pants of his school uniform. She looked at his trunk for a second to find all she needed until she could get a hold of a member of the order to get clothes more fitting. The sweater was a little tight across the chest and the pants a bit too long for her but she was decent at least. Hunger then clung to her. She needed food and fast. The joys of teenage hood. Harry came back five minutes later finding Hermione leafing through one of his books.
"Are you fancying becoming an unregistered animagus?" He asked as she looked at him.
"You are trying aren't you Harry?" All he did was nod as he took his pin and put it on his collar. "Are you trying to become a Percy?" She asked but all he did was grin like a fool at the badge.
"I'm not, I just think the Dursleys will be very annoyed since I'm a prefect." He exclaimed as he got out of the room. "Come on, let's go eat, we'll become animagi later if we can." He opened the door and made for her to follow.
When they made it down the stairs, Hermione was quickly spotted by Dudley who was up and eating his breakfast. His status as regional boxing champion gave him some privileges at Smeltings so he could become a real whale instead of a baby whale. He also thought of himself as dashing and handsome. Hermione saw him and almost lost her appetite, too much fat.
"Hey, Potter! Who might this be? I'll bet you she sneaked into your room and you had to pay her for it! Had it been me she would have just. . ." Dudley never finished his sentence. He was shocked to see himself halfway through the ground with his legs passing through the floor. His implications had made Harry quite furious at his cousin. As though Hermione, the purest and fairest of all witches would EVER lower herself to accepting money to do things with a man! Harry took hold of enough food for the both of them and retreated to his room with Hermione on hot pursuit.Once inside Harry let out some of his steam and calmed down until his uncle tried to burst into his room. The Squeels coming from Dudley and the attack repeated by Vernon on the door made Harry lose some of his calm.
"Harry, just use a silencing charm and a locking curse on the door. Harry quickly did so and peace reigned upon the room.
"I'm really sorry about this Hermione. They are horrible even by muggle standards and Dudley is a prat. You shouldn't have to stay here and suffer with me." He looked sheepish and Hermione looked crossly at him.
"Now while I agree I didn't exactly arrive in the most conventional way and that I'll miss my parents you have to accept the fact that I'm here for better or worst Harry Potter and that there is no way for you to control your . . .relatives." She said the word with such disgust that Harry didn't dare protest. The use of his full name meant for him to accept his fate and he knew it. "Now tell me what you have studied so we can start early." The discussion went to school work and their expectations for their NEWTs and the general year.
"How about we try those animagus exercises?" Harry asked her out of the blue.
"Well. . .it's rather dangerous but. . .ok." She agreed with himrather reluctantly and he took out his book on the process.
"First of all we need a potion." She read just as Harry took out two flasks of bright orange liquid.
"Made them myself. There's one for Ron when we see him." He said as he gave her one flask. "I had Mundungus get me the ingredients under the seal of secrecy. We just have to drink it one at a time and our animagus form should come out for only a second."
Hermione nooded.
"You go first Harry." He nooded and swung his flask in one shot trying to forget about the taste.
"Ew, BURRP!" A cloud of green smoke came out of his mouth and expanded to cover the whole room. It took shape and Hermione gasped as the draconic aspect of the cloud became clear. A winged lizard which breathed a bit of fire before it dispersed.
"sorry. . . " Harry apologised for his maners while Hermione recovered.
"My turn I suppose. . ." She took a swing and instead of a bleach she hiccupped with the same green smoke rising out of her nose instead. The shape solidified instantly and took the shape of a pure white winged horse. A Pegasus which rose in the air gracefully. She stared at her own animagus form in awe. It was awesome.
"Now comes the hard part, we'll have to practice." He said as he read the next paragraph.
"I suppose once a day is enough." Hermione asked him and he nooded.
"Yeah, not more or we'll exhaust ourselves. Do you fancy a walk around the town? I suppose Moony and Tonks will go mad with worry but I need to move anyway." Harry stated.
"I need to talk to one of them to get me some clothes. Yours are fine but mine would be better." She said with a blush. She was hiding how comfortable she felt in his sweater. Harry smiled at her and got up.
"Let's go then Ms Granger." He extanded his left arm to her and she seized it with her left one. He lifted the charms around his room and leaved the house swiftly.