Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Hi everybody! Thanks muchly for your feedback-makes my day. BTW, if anyone's interested, I just posted a one-shot called Wide Awake. It is rated NC-17, so sorry to my younger readers. There is a PG version on fanfic.net under the same name if you want to read it instead.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Harry slowly became aware of something moving against the side of his head. He opened his eyes to see Hermione smiling softly at him. She had turned over on her side with her face toward his and was running her fingers through his hair as his head still rested in her other hand.

"Hi," she said with a quiet smile.

Harry felt tears prickling his eyes as his throat constricted and he couldn't respond. She fixed her eyes on his and Harry knew she was seeing what he had seen-and feeling his fear and guilt at not having been able to protect her and at having hurt Ron and Luna in the process of stopping the Death Eaters.

"Harry…" Eyes bright, she held out her other hand to him, silently beckoning. Harry turned his head slowly, kissed the hand his head had been resting on then crawled onto the covers next to her. He encircled her with his arms as best he could and she enclosed him in hers. He let the tears fall and could feel her soothing hand running up and down his back.

"I'm all right, Harry…" Hermione whispered as he began to calm.

"How many times will I have to watch as you're hurt and not be able to do anything?" Harry wiped his eyes.

"Hopefully neither of us will ever have to watch again as the other gets hurt-or anyone else for that matter," she responded and kissed him softly. "It's one of the reasons I chose to become a healer instead of an auror."

"What do you mean?" Harry lifted his head slightly.

"I saw what happened at the Ministry and what happened today. When I was attacked, you lost all focus on the danger at hand for a few seconds." Hermione reached a hand to Harry's cheek. "I would have the same response in those situations and that could lead to much worse things."

"But-" Harry began.

Hermione put her fingers on his lips to stop him. "I would love to work side by side with you and Ron-we've always been a team. But I don't have the same, well…street smarts, I guess as you do. It was stupid of me to take my eyes off Dolohov to congratulate you on a spell-look what it got me. And if I'm out there making mistakes like that, it'll make you less able to do what you need to do."

Harry nodded. He understood what she was saying although he felt a pang of loss. He had thought of the three of them as always being together. Harry smiled wryly and said, "I guess with my history, it'll be good to have a girlfriend who's a healer."

"That thought crossed my mind too," Hermione smiled back then changed the subject. "So…what's this?" she asked, bringing her arm up a bit to admire the bracelet.

"Just something I saw today and thought of you." Harry answered quietly. "Do you like it?"

"I love it, Harry. It's beautiful-thank you so much." She pulled him closer to her on the bed and caressed his lips with hers.

Just then they heard a squeak of hinges and a gasp sounded through the room. Harry and Hermione froze then quickly broke apart and lifted their heads toward the noise. Mrs. Weasley was standing in the doorway with a tray of food gaping at them.

"What do you think you're doing?!" She almost yelled at them.

Shocked, neither Harry nor Hermione could seem to come up with any response and Harry heard footsteps running up the stairs. Remus appeared in the doorway behind Molly and took in the situation quickly.

"Molly would you step out here with me for just a moment?" Remus took her by the arm and quickly led her into the hallway, closing the door behind her.

Harry and Hermione could hear Mrs. Weasley's shrill voice through the door exclaiming, "But I'll not allow that kind of `goings on' in this house!"

"Molly, I understand how you feel but it's not as though you found them…" Remus lowered his voice and they couldn't hear what he was saying although they had a good idea what it had to do with. Harry and Hermione's faces were growing red with embarrassment at being the subject of this conversation. Harry sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed to the floor. He could still hear Remus and Molly talking in low but heated tones outside his door. Gritting his teeth, he crossed the floor quickly and jerked the door open. Remus and Molly looked at him in surprise.

"Would you both mind stepping in here?" Harry said in a low even voice. It wasn't an invitation. He stood back to allow them through then closed the door and cast an Imperturbable Charm on it. He turned to face the people he now thought of as his surrogate father and mother. Mrs. Weasley had put the tray of food down on the small table by the other armchair.

"Now that we're somewhere a little more private for this discussion…" Harry said, eyeing Remus and Molly meaningfully, "I want to make it clear before I begin that I love you both and mean no disrespect, but," and he let that word hang in the air for a moment, "I will not allow you to decide for Hermione and me what's right or wrong regarding our relationship-and especially in my house."

Molly gaped at him once again. "But…"

Remus held up his hand, "Let Harry finish, Molly," he said quietly.

She rounded on him, "But they're still children!"

"We're young, but we're not children," Harry said calmly as he walked back to stand beside Hermione, "Both of us will be of age next year and we've seen and dealt with things most grown wizards will never face. She and I care for each other deeply and we have for a long time, I think, even though I wasn't aware how deep my feelings really were until very recently." He paused for a moment regarding Mrs. Weasley. "If it makes you feel better, what you saw was us trying to comfort one another after what happened today and a kiss-and we've never done any more than that. I realize that you care for both of us and you're coming from a `parent' perspective. Please just realize that we're not children anymore. Please talk with us instead of about us."

Molly wiped a tear with the hem of her apron and nodded, then walked to Harry and pulled him into a hug. "I'm sorry I flew off the handle…it's just been a difficult afternoon, is all."

"'Course," Harry said returning her hug.

"You've all grown up so fast…" she went on a little tearily letting Harry go and smiling slightly at him and then at Hermione who was still resting on the bed. "Hard for a mother to get used to…well, I best be getting back down to dinner. I'm glad to see you're better, Hermione. Ginny will be happy to hear that, too." Molly said as she walked out the door and they heard her steps fade down the stairs.

"Sorry, Harry," Remus said with a contrite smile. "I should've just come in and asked Molly to stay in here instead of taking her out in the hall where anyone could've heard us."

"It's all right, Remus…" Harry shook his head dismissively.

"Thanks. By the way, Dumbledore and Moody want a word with you after the meeting." Remus said. "It'll probably be in about two hours or so. I'll come up and get you when they're ready." He paused for a moment then continued. "That was a seriously powerful bit of magic you did this afternoon." He lifted his eyebrows. "I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like that before and I've seen my share. You'll be happy to know that Avery, Nott, and Dolohov are in custody and back in Azkaban, although who knows for how long this time…" Remus shook his head. "Well, I'm going to go and get some dinner before the meeting starts…glad you're better, Hermione." He turned and went back downstairs.

Harry closed the door and walked back to Hermione. "You okay?"

She nodded. "I think you handled that very well."

"I'm just so tired of being thought of and treated like I'm starting my first year at Hogwarts," Harry said, his voice tinged with frustration as he sat next to her on the bed. "I mean, after last year, you'd think they'd communicate with all of us a little more-and I guess to be fair they've been doing better but-"

"It's something they're still getting used to, Harry." Hermione broke in softly. "They've been in the position of trying to protect you for so long that they're having trouble changing the way they think and react where you're concerned."

"I know…you're right. But that whole situation just now was a little embarrassing and I wonder who heard what they were saying when they were out in the hall."

"I certainly don't want to be known as the `scarlet woman'," Hermione grinned.

Harry snorted and shook his head but then grinned cheekily back at her. "Well, you know if you've already got the reputation, we may as well-"

"Harry!" Hermione punched him in the arm.

"Ow! Just kidding-sort of!" he said rubbing the spot where Hermione had gotten him.

"You deserved that," she said with another grin. "But seriously, while I obviously hope you'll be the one to…introduce me to that, I'm not sure I'm ready to go there yet."

"Neither of us is going anywhere the other isn't ready to go." Harry leaned in and gave her a smacking kiss. "Now, how about I bring that food tray over here."

~>^<~>^<~>^<~>^<~

Harry was watching Hermione sleep when he heard a faint knock on his bedroom door. He crossed the room quietly and opened the door to find Remus.

"How is she?" he asked quietly.

"Sleeping right now. She ate some but got tired again."

"Do you think you can leave her for a bit?" Remus asked hesitantly. "Dumbledore and Mad-Eye have finished talking to Ron and me and they're wanting to speak with you for a moment."

"Can someone sit with Hermione while I'm gone? I don't want her to be alone if she wakes up."

"I'll ask Molly or Luna. I think it would upset Ginny."

Harry nodded. "All right. I'll come down as soon as one of them comes up, then."

Remus turned and hurried back down the stairs and soon Harry heard softer footsteps on the landing below and saw Luna gliding up the stairs.

"Are you all right?" she asked quietly, laying a hand softly on his arm.

Harry nodded. "Thanks for staying with her-I'll be right back."

He watched as Luna settled in the chair by the bed, then closed the door and turned to go and find Dumbledore and Moody.

Remus was waiting for him on the landing below. There seemed to be quite a few of the Order still in the drawing room, all talking in little clusters and some munching on snacks from silver trays positioned throughout the room. Harry spotted the two men he was looking for speaking with several others in low tones by the window. As he crossed to them, Dumbledore lifted his eyes to Harry's and clasped Moody's shoulder as though to alert him to Harry's entrance. The two men excused themselves from their group and met Harry and Remus in the middle of the room. Dumbledore beckoned Ron to follow as well.

"I think it would be best if we went to the dining room," Dumbledore said quietly.

The others nodded and they followed him down the stairs. Dumbledore opened the door, lighted the lamps and conjured some plump armchairs. "Please…" He gestured to the seats and the others sat down.

"Harry," Dumbledore began, "I believe Alastor has some questions he needs to ask about what happened this afternoon."

Harry nodded and looked at Moody.

Mad-Eye cleared his throat but it seemed to do no good. His voice was as gravelly as ever. "Yes, well, I want you to tell me what you observed this afternoon. Be as detailed as possible."

Harry recalled as completely as he could the events that had happened that afternoon beginning with his standing on the steps of Gringott's waiting on Remus and ending with them taking the Portkey back to Grimmauld Place. Harry slumped back in his chair when he had finished.

"Do you remember what magic you used against the Death Eaters?" Moody's magical eye was fixed on Harry along with his regular one.

"I remember doing it but I have no idea what it was," Harry shook his head, looking at his knees. "It was like something just burst out of me-it looked a like…like a traveling wave of air. And it knocked people and things over as it went." Harry's head shot up suddenly, his eyes going from Moody to Dumbledore as he gripped the armrests. "I know it knocked Ron and Luna back-did I hurt anyone else?" he asked anxiously.

Dumbledore answered him quickly. "There are a few others who have some bumps and bruises but no lasting injuries. They were quite understanding and happy that the Death Eaters had been stopped."

"What about the things outside the shops?" Harry went on worriedly. "I'll pay for whatever damage I caused."

Dumbledore shook his head with a slight smile. "It's been taken care of, Harry. Don't worry."

"Thank you, sir." Relieved, Harry sank back into the cushions.

"I'm sorry to have to ask you this, Harry but what color were the spells that hit Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked softly.

Harry closed his eyes trying to remember. "I think one was blue and the other was white." He opened his eyes quickly, not wanting to see the rest.

Dumbledore nodded. "How is she feeling?"

"Better now after sleeping and eating a bit but she fell asleep again and was still asleep when I came down. Luna's with her now." Harry glanced at Ron and he nodded that he knew.

"Would I be correct in thinking that your relationship with Miss Granger has changed?" Dumbledore asked with a slight twinkle in his eyes.

Harry nodded, feeling his cheeks warm a bit.

"Very good. Now one more thing that we need to discuss…" Dumbledore leaned forward a bit in his chair. "As both of you know, you received ratings of `Exceeds Expectations' in your Potions examinations. While these are good marks, as you probably know, Professor Snape usually requires that students receive marks of `Outstanding' on their O.W.L.s in order to continue in his advanced classes. However, I have spoken with him and he has graciously agreed to allow both of you to continue as you will need Professor Snape's courses to be considered for Auror training after you complete your education at Hogwarts." The look on Dumbledore's face grew serious. "I'm sure that you'll both work hard in his classes and prove yourselves worthy of his time and effort to teach you."

Harry and Ron both nodded quickly. Although Harry was relieved to be able to take Potions as he did need it to be considered for Auror training, he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach at having to spend yet more time with Snape who was probably quite irritated, angry even, that he was being made to bend his rules and especially for Harry.

"Well," said Dumbledore rising, "I think we've covered everything we need to for now and I for one want to see if there are any of those wonderful lemon squares left." Bidding them good bye, he and Moody went back upstairs.

Ron said in a low voice, "I'm thankful to Dumbledore for getting us in Potions but I bet Snape is going to be even more awful than usual since he was forced to take us." He shivered involuntarily.

Harry nodded resignedly.

Remus looked at Harry and Ron. "I know Snape has been…less than fair to you both and especially to Harry but you've got to do your best to get along in his classes. I don't know what else to tell you-Snape's treatment of you probably will be worse, but-"

"I just wish he could get around the fact that I look like one of his worst school-time enemies and see that I'm a separate person!" Harry interjected, frustratedly running his hand through his hair. "I want to learn-I try to learn but he…he hates me-and not for anything I've done. And you should have heard him needling Sirius about his not being useful to the Order! He knew how much that bothered him."

"If James…if we had had any idea how far-reaching our actions would be…it all seemed so insignificant back then." Remus shook his head, casting his eyes to the floor.

"Remus, this isn't anyone's fault but Snape's," Ron said heatedly. "He's bloody-well grown now, isn't he? His behavior is his choice and if he chooses to be a pathetic git, so be it. Harry and I can work around it like we always have."

"Yes, he's an adult and should act like one," Remus said grimly. "But, he was very poorly treated and sometimes that's hard for people to overcome."

"I know he was poorly treated-I saw it," Harry objected. "But he's seen that my life hasn't been a picnic, either. I guess he's just happy to add to it."

Remus sighed. "I don't know what to tell you Harry. Just do the best you can."

"I will-I just hope it's good enough." Harry turned on his heel and strode out into the entrance hall but stopped short as he saw the topic of their conversation standing near the side table with a look of disdain on his face.

"Wallowing, Potter?"

Harry regarded him with narrowed eyes. "Not any more than you…" he paused deliberately. "Sir."

"Watch your manners, Potter," Snape said silkily. "You are taking Potions this next school year only by my permission."

Harry regarded Snape coolly. "And you are in my home only by my permission." He heard footsteps behind him and felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Harry," Remus breathed, "this isn't the way."

"Then what is?" Harry snarled back. "He can't or won't see past my exterior and I can't go back and change what my father did."

"Oh, I don't need to see past anything." Snape's lip curled. "So very much like your father, Potter-needing special attention, believing yourself to be above others, and-"

"Severus," Remus interjected and his voice held a warning.

"No, let him blather on," Harry said through his teeth, advancing rapidly on Snape without realizing it. "He obviously needs to work through something." Harry was almost nose to nose with Snape when felt hands grab his arms as Ron pushed between Harry and Snape trying to force them apart.

Harry laughed sardonically in Snape's livid face. "Is this scene a bit too familiar, Professor? Maybe you should ask yourself, `Is it everyone else…or just me?' Oh, and for the record, while I do appreciate your letting us into your class, I'm not going to take any of your foul treatment anymore. I'm sick of your setting me up to fail! Whose side are you really on anyway? Dumbledore may trust you but I sure can't see the reason why."

Harry jerked his arms out of Remus' grasp, strode around Ron and Snape and made his way upstairs barely containing himself until he got to the room he was sharing with Ron. Harry walked over to the side of his bed and raked his fingers through his hair. "Damn him!" Harry yelled and suddenly drove his fist hard through his headboard. "Aaagh!" He swore viciously now holding his injured knuckles tightly with his good hand. He felt a sticky warmth as they began to bleed.

"Harry?" Ron stood in the doorway his eyebrows raised.

"What?" Harry ground out with his back to Ron, still clutching his hand but trying to keep it out of sight.

"You all right?"

"Yeah…just great."

"Remus is talking to him."

"Whatever." Harry lifted a shoulder indifferently.

"Look, he's a git and he likes it when he can hurt you somehow."

"Don't you think I know that by now? What I want to know is why?" Harry rounded on Ron whose eyes went big as he saw the bed and Harry's hand.

"Blimey, Harry! Did you break your hand?" Ron hurried toward him to look.

"Dunno," Harry muttered as he shrugged. "Maybe."

"The headboard's certainly worse for wear." Ron pointed his wand at the damage. "Reparo!"

"Well, I don't think our year in Potions is going to be any easier now," Ron said turning back to Harry his lips quirked in a slight smile.

"Sod off, Ron," Harry said wearily then grimaced at his now-throbbing hand.

"Yeah, you're my favorite person, too. C'mon let's go and let mum look at your hand."

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