Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter Six

Later that night after dinner, they sat in the living room. Ron and Harry played Exploding Snap while Hermione read a book and Remus read The Daily Prophet. Harry stretched and yawned. "I think I'm going to turn in. Remus, did Dumbledore leave any Sleeping Draught? I think I might take some if he did."

"He did leave some-it's in the kitchen." Remus got up to get it.

Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. "Would it be all right with both of you if you slept on the floor in my room tonight?"

"Sure, mate," Ron said as Hermione nodded.

Remus came back with the draught. "Don't take this before you get in bed," he warned. "It acts quickly."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I've taken it before. Thanks." He took the vial from Remus' hand then asked, "Is it all right if Ron and Hermione sleep in my room?"

"I don't see why not if it's okay with them? Remus looked at Ron and Hermione and they nodded. "Here, then, I'll just move their sleeping bags upstairs." Remus raised his wand as he walked to the stairs and said, "Locomotor!" The mattresses and sleeping bags floated up the steps in front of him.

When they had gotten changed and were settled in their beds, Harry turned on his side and propped his head on his elbow. "Ron, there's something I need to tell you."

"What?" Ron asked sleepily.

Harry took a breath. "Well, I don't know how to say this so I'll just start. I've heard the prophecy that Voldemort wanted from the Ministry."

"What!" Ron sat up fully awake now.

Harry recounted what had happened the morning after the battle. He recited the prophecy as best as he could remember it and told what Dumbledore had said.

At the end, Ron shook his head and said somberly, "Bloody hell…I'm sorry, mate. I always wondered if it would have to be you who did You-Know-Who in but now…" he looked at Harry determinedly, "I'll help you in any way I can-you'll not fight him alone."

Harry mustered a smile. "Thanks. But we have a lot we need to learn. I'm going to ask Dumbledore and Remus for help for all of us."

"You've already taught us a lot in the D.A. meetings so that should help," Hermione said quickly.

"And even with that, too many people were injured. My knowledge is too limited. Have you heard what happened with Voldemort and Dumbledore in the Atrium after Sirius…you should've seen Dumbledore-"

Hermione sat up at this. "What do you mean…?"

Harry told how Bellatrix Lestrange had escaped and how he had broken Remus' grip and gone after her.

"I was going to kill her…" Harry said looking at the floor.

"That's perfectly understandable after what had just happened but you didn't-" Hermione started.

"I used the Cruciatus Curse on Bellatrix," Harry cut in, looking to see what Hermione's reaction would be to that information. Her eyes had gone wide. "She was laughing and taunting me about Sirius…" He stopped and his jaw clenched painfully as he remembered. "I was so angry I wanted to hurt her and I was glad when I did."

Ron and Hermione remained silent but the sad look in her eyes made Harry pause. He looked away from Hermione and continued.

"Then Voldemort came and he was very angry that the prophecy had been broken." Harry went on to tell of the battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort. "Voldemort tried to kill me and then Dumbledore several times but Dumbledore never did anything but try and bind him. He even called him, `Tom', as though there were still some other person underneath somewhere." Harry recounted Voldemort possessing him and then Fudge and the other wizards arriving just in time to see Voldemort before he escaped.

Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. "During my Occlumency lessons with Snape, he loved calling me `weak' because I couldn't control my emotions…"

"That git!" Ron said softly, shaking his head.

"No…he was right…" Harry said quietly. "The reason we all went to the Ministry was because I allowed Voldemort to get me wound up-I wouldn't listen to reason." He looked at Hermione remembering how he had angrily shouted in her face-wanted to shake her…how he had insulted her. A heavy feeling began to grow in his stomach as he remembered the fearful look on her face even as she persisted in trying to stop him from making a mistake. `She had cared enough to-'

"Harry, you all right?" Ron was trying to get his attention.

"Yes." Harry's mind snapped back and he gazed steadily at Hermione. "I want to apologize again for the way I treated you that day."

Hermione shook her head. "Thanks, Harry, but it's all right. You were really upset…quite understan-"

"No, it's not all right. I was horrible to you when you were trying to stop me from making a terrible error in judgment. Thanks for going with me even when you knew I was wrong."

Hermione nodded and lowered her gaze to her hands which were nervously clasped in her lap. "You know, I was really afraid I was going to lose you-your friendship several times in the last year." She lifted her eyes back to his and whispered, "I just wanted you to be safe…"

Harry slid off his bed to sit on the sleeping bags below and looked at his friends. "Neither of you will ever lose my friendship and I hope I never do anything to lose yours. I want to thank both of you for sticking with me this past year and staying with me now. I know I've been difficult so many times. Hermione, there may be times when I disagree with you, but I promise you I'll never treat you that way again." She nodded, her eyes shining with tears.

"Ron, same goes for you…don't be afraid to challenge me if you think I'm on the wrong track…I'll need your help even more from now on." Harry thought for a moment and then said, "I need to talk with Neville, Ginny, and Luna about that, too."

"Luna," Ron snorted.

"Ron, there's more to Luna than you'd think…there's a reason she's in Ravenclaw. Yes, I know she's a bit…different…but she's really smart in her own way and a good friend," Hermione said firmly.

Ron rolled his eyes.

"Hermione's right, Ron. Luna is unusual but she understands things lots of people don't." Harry paused for a moment, considering, and then went on quietly. "Ron, she saw her mum die when she was nine."

"What?" Ron's face fell.

Harry, hoping that he wasn't betraying a confidence but feeling the need to help Ron hopefully understand Luna better, repeated what she had told him ending with, "…so I hope there won't be anymore `Loony' jokes."

Harry shook his head as he remembered something else from that terrible night. "There's more to Neville, too. You know, after you were unconscious, Hermione, Neville wouldn't do what I asked him…I told him to take you and go up to the Atrium to try and get help but he refused to leave me. He carried you `til we found the others and got to the room with the brains. Then he came to the Death Room and fought as best he could- he actually saved me from a Death Eater who was doing a rather good job of choking me."

Ron turned to Hermione. "Remember at the end of our first year when Neville tried to stop us from going to save the Philosopher's Stone and you had to put the Body-Bind on him?"

Hermione dropped her head in her hands. "Don't remind me…poor Neville." She looked up. "He really is doing better, though, at least with the D.A. stuff."

Harry smiled. "I have a feeling he's going to surprise us all someday."

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

Harry woke again in the middle of the night but not because of nightmares. He lifted his head and looked at Ron who was snoring quite loudly. He sighed and let his head fall back to his pillow.

`Harry?" Hermione whispered as she propped herself up on her elbows.

"Hmm?" Harry turned over on his side and reached for his glasses.

"How do you sleep in the same room with him at school?"

"It's not usually that bad," Harry said softly and shrugged. "Or maybe I'm a little farther away from him in our dormitory and I'm sure the drapes on the beds help muffle the sound a bit."

Hermione shook her head. "When I first woke up, I thought there was a helicopter hovering over the house."

Harry chuckled quietly. "That's our Ron…"

"Harry…are you going to be all right going to Grimmauld Place tomorrow?"

"I think so." Harry replied quietly as he inwardly thought, `I hope so.'

"You're sure it's not going to be too difficult to be in Sirius' home?"

"I think it'll be very difficult in some ways. Obviously there will be reminders of Sirius everywhere…but I'm hoping that having Remus and you two there with me will help. That house isn't a cheery place by any stretch of the imagination. I'm hoping to be able to make some changes to it and make it better."

"What sort of changes are you wanting to make?"

"Definitely take those house-elf heads down…remove all the portraits except for Phineas Nigellus', I guess…chuck the serpent stuff…clean the windows to let more light in…things like that at first."

"Those are good ideas…I'll be glad to help," Hermione said encouragingly.

"Sure," Harry shrugged. "We'll see what all needs to be done. I think they were still cleaning it last spring so hopefully it will be better than we remember it from when we were there last Christmas."

"Erm…Harry, I hope this is all right but this morning I asked Dumbledore if I could study Legilimency and Occlumency in order to help you learn them." Hermione's voice was a bit apprehensive.

"What did he say?"

"He said he would bring some books about it the next time he came-I guess later this morning. I hope you're not angry…I should have asked you first."

"It's fine, Hermione. You'll certainly be better than Snape," Harry said with a small smile.

Hermione made a face at Harry. "Thanks so much!"

"Well, I was kind of hoping that Dumbledore would help me, too."

"I think he's planning to," Hermione quickly reassured him. "I just wanted you to get a head start."

"That's a good idea, then." Harry said and then changed the subject. "So…tell me about your trip to Austria…what cities will you visit?"

"Mostly Vienna and Salzburg. I'm so excited-I've been reading about the cities and there's so much to see." Hermione began to name different places she was planning to go to.

Harry smiled at Hermione's enthusiasm but inwardly thought, `Two weeks…' "I know you'll have a great time," he said sincerely.

"Have you ever traveled, Harry?"

"Not unless you count going to Hogwarts every year. The Dursleys weren't very interested in that sort of thing…much less taking me with them. I can't really imagine what it would be like to visit other countries…I would very much like to someday."

"I'm sorry, Harry…you've not ever been allowed much scope that way, have you? Have you always had to live cooped up in this house?"

Harry nodded. "Mostly." Then he smiled wryly. "At least I don't have to stay in the cupboard anymore."

"What do you mean, `cupboard'?" Hermione said her eyes narrowing.

Harry swore under his breath. "Nothing, Hermione…just a joke."

Hermione shook her head and said quietly, "I don't think so, Harry. What did you mean?"

Harry regarded her silently for a moment. Then he scooted to the end of his bed and got up. "Come with me," he said shortly.

Hermione followed him quietly as they walked down the stairs so as not to wake Remus who was sleeping on the sofa. Harry turned on the hall light and pointed to the small door under the stairs. "This was my bedroom while I was growing up before I received my Hogwarts letters." He opened the door and let her look in. The small bed was still there and, like the floor, was now covered with dust and the dried up bodies of spiders.

Hermione inhaled sharply. When she turned back to Harry, her face had gone white and tears were forming in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Harry," she whispered. "I shouldn't have-"

"Don't be sorry for me, Hermione," Harry whispered back fiercely. "I don't want anyone's pity. This was my past but it's damn well not going to be my future. Someday, I'll have a family and my children will know love and…I'll make sure of that." He was shaking slightly now. "Someday there won't be `one more thing to get through'. Someday, everything I've dreaded will be over with and I won't have to live under that anymore…"

Hermione stepped closer to him, her gaze soft. "Harry…I do feel pity for the little boy that lived in that hole. But when I see you now, knowing some of what you've been through, I feel astonished and proud for you."

"What d'you mean?" Harry looked skeptical.

"Most people in your situation would have become bitter and hateful. But you are one of the best people I know. Look at the person you've become…loyal to a fault, caring, powerful, talented…"

"All right, stop Hermione," Harry said feeling his face grow warm. "But thanks…" he smiled.

"I mean it…and I know you'll have a wonderful family and make a great father one day."

"You really think so?"

Hermione nodded and hugged him close.

"Thanks…that's very important to me…" Harry whispered. "C'mon, we better get back upstairs and try and get a few more hours sleep-we've got packing to do later."

Harry switched off the light and they stole quietly back up the stairs as Remus smiled to himself in the dark.

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

Harry woke the next morning to find himself alone in his bedroom except for Hedwig who was asleep in her cage. He quickly pulled on some jeans and a T-shirt and padded downstairs to the kitchen trying to smooth his hair as he went. Remus, Ron, and Hermione were already eating breakfast at the table.

"Well good morning, Merry Sunshine. `Bout time." Ron smirked.

"And a good morning to you, Mr. Power Saw," Harry retorted.

"Hey, it's not that bad…" Ron said with a mock look of hurt.

"Sorry, Ron, but I heard it too and I have to agree with Harry." Hermione chimed in with a laugh.

"Oh, good grief! Can't a fellow snore in peace?" Ron asked.

"Not as long as his roommates can't sleep in peace!" Harry shot back smiling.

Remus shook his head and Hermione laughed again as she passed the toast to Harry along with the marmalade.

"Would Harry Potter like some coffee?" Dobby trotted over with a mug.

"Thanks, Dobby."

Remus spoke. "I'm expecting Dumbledore any minute now. He said he was coming by again this morning after meeting with some of the Order at Grimmauld Place."

"How're we getting there tomorrow?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore is bringing a Portkey with him."

"I'm really glad we won't be flying again." Harry remembered traveling by broom in the cold night air last summer from Privet Drive. This would be much better.

Just then Dumbledore strode through the kitchen door. "Good morning," he said smiling. "I see everyone is up and about."

"Good morning, Albus," Remus said. "Here, why don't you pull up this chair and have some breakfast with us?"

"That sounds very nice, thank you." Dumbledore sat, taking a piece of toast and slathering it with marmalade. Dobby brought him a very light brown cup of coffee. "Mmm, perfect, Dobby. Oh, by the way, Hermione, I left some books and notes for you on the couch."

"Thanks, Professor." Hermione's eyes lit up. She quickly excused herself and went to have a look at the information Dumbledore had brought.

"Remus, here's the Portkey that will take you to Grimmauld Place." Dumbledore reached in his robes and produced an old felt hat. "It's set to go at nine o'clock in the morning. I think you had told me that Ron and Hermione wished to go home for a bit to get some other clothes. Ron can go home by the floo network after you get to Grimmauld Place and here is a Portkey that Hermione can use to go both ways." He handed Remus a napkin ring. "Her parents are expecting her about ten. I imagine you have some packing to do?" Dumbledore looked at Harry and Ron.

"Just a bit, really." Harry replied. "Hopefully it won't take too long."

"You're looking much better today, Harry," Dumbledore smiled.

"I'm feeling better, thanks."

"I'm quite glad to hear that. I'll be seeing you tomorrow evening for dinner at Grimmauld Place. There will be a hopefully short meeting of the Order there tomorrow night. But…I am being presumptuous. I am hoping as the new owner that you will allow us to continue meeting there?" Dumbledore asked.

"Of course," Harry nodded. "Wouldn't have it any other way. Please let everyone know they are welcome to come and go as they always have. So…since it's my house do I get to sit in on the meetings now?" Harry asked hopefully.

"That is one thing among others that I want to discuss with you but at a later time. Maybe we can speak for a bit after the meeting tomorrow." Dumbledore said as he stood and looked at his watch. "I really must go or I will be late. Thank you for breakfast." And with a swish of his cloak, Dumbledore disappeared.

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