As she began the walk up the steps to Dumbledore's office Hermione purposely took her time to gather her thoughts. "Calm down, Hermione. Nothing has to happen tonight," she told herself. Harry had never had a chance to really have fun in his life without having to worry about something. She wanted him to enjoy the evening before she let him know how deep her feelings ran for him. As she walked the internal dialogue began.
"You can do this. For tonight he's still only your best friend."
"Unless he initiates something of course."
"Don't be silly. He couldn't possibly be thinking the same thing, could he? Of course not. Just be patient."
"You never know…"
"Oh shut-up!"
By the time she reached the top step she'd convinced herself to remain suitably calm when she saw him. She would hug him of course, but she would not let her emotions get the best of her. "He's had people fawning over him for a week, the last thing he needs is me carrying on."
And then she heard his voice.
"Hermione!"
"Sod it," she muttered as she sprinted to Harry and wrapped him in a hug.
As she hugged him all the thoughts and emotions that she had felt in their five and a half years together hit her in a rush. There had not been a day since their friendship had begun that she didn't think about his safety and worry whether she'd ever see him again. She remembered the horrible minutes that passed after Harry and Cedric Diggory disappeared after the third task. Everything in her brain had screamed to her that Harry was dead and she could do nothing about it. The helplessness and despair she felt in those minutes had never been forgotten.
As Harry held her she realized that she had begun to cry. She knew that she should stop, she should step back from those arms that seemed to fit around her perfectly and compose herself. But she couldn't. She had reigned in her feelings for too long and never wanted to do it again. Harry instinctively tightened his embrace as her crying intensified.
Harry knew why she was crying because he was feeling the same thing. A few tears dropped from his eyes as he comforted his best friend. He began to speak in a voice slightly above a whisper.
"It's okay Mione…it's all over. We don't have to worry anymore…we're safe. You can cry as long as you like. I'm not going anywhere."
His words echoed in her mind.
I'm not going anywhere.
She didn't think it was possible but she somehow pulled him closer. As she thought about those words her tears began to ebb and were replaced with a smile.
"How do you do it?"
"What's that?"
"Say exactly the right thing at exactly the right time."
Hermione pulled back and began wiping her face. "I'm sorry to be so emotional Harry, I've just worried about you for so long. Until I heard your voice I don't think it fully dawned on me that it's really over."
Harry gently wiped a remaining tear from her face and embraced her again.
"Don't be sorry. I've been waiting five days for that hug and it didn't disappoint."
Hermione chuckled to herself. "You're doing it again."
"What?"
"Saying exactly the right thing at exactly the right time."
"What can I say? It's a gift."
She smiled and playfully pushed him away. "It's good to see your victory over Voldemort didn't go to your head you egotistical git."
Harry quickly raised his hands in mock protest. "Just kidding…just kidding. Please forgive me, it will never happen again."
"Well, since you single handedly saved the wizarding world again, I suppose I can give you another chance."
The clearing of Dumbledore's throat broke Hermione out of her trance as she realized there was someone else in the room. "Well it is his office after all," she thought.
"Miss Granger, where is the third member of the trio?"
"Yeah, where is Ron?"
She wondered if she should repeat the lie she had told earlier. Hermione was certain Dumbledore knew the truth but she supposed she should play along anyway. "He's sick and went to bed early."
Dumbledore gave her a knowing smile and, to Hermione's relief, accepted her excuse.
"Well then, it looks like it will be up to you to escort Harry. I trust you have everything well in hand, Hermione?"
Harry shot a confused look Hermione's way as she prepared to respond.
"Yes sir, thank you for the book."
"Excellent. I won't keep you two any longer as I'm sure you are anxious to see your friends."
Harry glanced at Hermione. "Are they still awake?"
"Oh Harry, sometimes you really have no clue do you? Everyone has been on pins and needles waiting for you to return, even the Slytherins."
"What? You're joking right?"
Dumbledore interjected. "Please forgive Harry. I don't think the gravity of his accomplishments have quite sunk in. I trust you can help convey how much he is appreciated?"
"Yes sir"
"Very good, now off you go."
As Hermione turned to walk down the steps, she was stopped by Harry's voice.
"One second, Hermione, I need to get something."
She watched him lean down, pick up his cane, and hobble over to her. It took all of Hermione's willpower not to wrap him in another hug. The reality of what could have been the outcome of his encounter suddenly hit her but she did her best to hide it from Harry.
"Oh Harry, are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine really. But I think I need some help getting down the stairs. Do you mind?" He reached out his left hand to her so she could steady his walk down the steps.
Hermione looked at Harry in mock disdain. "Well, I suppose, since you're injured I could force myself."
"Mother Theresa has nothing on you Hermione."
They had held hands before, they'd been best friends for almost six years after all. But this time was different. Instead of cupping their hands together, Harry purposely intertwined his fingers with Hermione's. Harry's action quickened Hermione's pulse and suddenly that little voice returned.
I told you.
If she were honest with herself she would have to admit that a part of her liked the fact that Harry was injured and needed her help. She hoped that wasn't the only reason he had wanted to hold her hand as they continued their cautious walk down the steps.
When they reached the bottom, the hands remained together as they continued the slow walk back to the Gryffindor common room.
As they walked it dawned on Hermione how odd it was that that Harry's leg had not healed in the five days since he was injured. After all, Gilderoy Lockhart had removed Harry's bones and he healed overnight.
"Harry, why is your leg taking so long to recover? I would think with all the magical healing spells and potions at their disposal, they could have fixed you straightaway."
As he prepared to respond, a slight frown appeared on his face.
"My leg was injured by a powerful curse. Because of the nature of the spell they told me it would take longer to heal as the magic involved still lingers inside. They were very encouraged however by my progress. I was told that they've never seen anyone recover quite as quickly from this type of injury. Some have been crippled for life."
Hermione let out a small gasp at his words. "Do they think you'll make a full recovery?"
"Yes, but it looks like it will take some time. I'm afraid Quidditch is out for remainder of the term as well."
"Harry, I'm so sorry."
The smile had returned to Harry's face as he replied.
"It's okay, really it is. If you had told me that the worst thing that would come out of facing Voldemort is I couldn't play Quidditch for a few months I would have been very happy. Besides, I think it's time I started devoting my time to other interests."
Hermione raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Such as?"
"Well studying for one thing. I've been thinking it would not do well for the Boy Who Lived to fail his N.E.W.T.s. You wouldn't mind having a little more company in the library would you?"
"Not at all," she said as she bowed her head, attempting to hide her now burning cheeks. "Were there any other interests you were thinking of?"
Her question was interrupted by an extremely irritable voice calling from behind. It was Severus Snape.
"Mr. Potter!"
As he turned to face Snape, Harry spoke in a hushed tone that only Hermione could hear.
"I can't believe he's going to yell at me now. Well at least I know I'm officially back."
Hermione smiled to herself and glanced up to look at Snape, who seemed to be very conflicted.
"Yes Professor"
"Congratulations."
"What?"
"I said congratulations." Snape paused, a pained look grew on his face as if his mouth refused to say the words he wanted it to. "Your parents would have been very proud."
"What?"
"If you think I'm going to be saying that ever again you are sorely mistaken. Good evening."
As Snape turned and walked away, Harry shot a confused glance at Hermione.
"Did that just happen?"
Hermione let out a small laugh. This really was going to be a fun evening. "Harry if I hadn't heard it with my own ears I would not have believed it."
Harry laughed as well as Snape's words repeated in his mind. "I have a feeling I'm going to have to pay for his kind words for the rest of the term in Potions class. But it was worth it."
As they continued their walk, Hermione returned to the conversation that had begun before Snape's interruption. "You never did answer my question, Harry."
"What question was that?"
"You know very well what question, Potter. Were there any other interests you were going to pursue?"
Harry smiled and continued walking, looking straight ahead. "Oh, that question. Well as a matter of fact…oh look Hermione we've made it to the portrait hole. Wouldn't want to keep our fellow Gryffindors waiting."
"Very well then, but don't think you're getting out of it that easily. We will continue this discussion later."
Harry smiled and squeezed her hand. "Looking forward to it. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes"
The fat lady smiled at Harry and turned her eyes toward Hermione. "Sorry dear, Miss Granger changed the password while you were gone."
"Trying to keep me out eh Granger? Well what's the password?"
Hermione tried to keep a straight face as she began to tell him. She'd been looking forward to seeing the expression on his face ever since she had changed it.
"Duddy Dearest"
A smiling look of disbelief crept unto Harry's face as her words sunk in. "You didn't really did you?" He started laughing out loud as he thought of the cousin he hoped he never had to see again.
"Well, I wanted to think of a proper way to welcome you back."
Harry looked at her suspiciously. "You didn't conjure up a cupboard for me to sleep in did you?"
She could barely get the "no" about between her laughter.
"Good, I wasn't sure I wanted to go in but I think I'll risk it. I cannot imagine what other surprises you have in store for me, Miss Granger."
As Harry entered the portrait hole, Hermione whispered a quiet answer.
"You have no idea, Mr. Potter. You have no idea…"