Thanks for the reviews, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear what people have to say about my work, well my view on Rowlings work anyways =), especially after I took so long to load Chapter 7.
With HBP coming out soon, I don't think I'm going to finish in time, but I do want to update as many as I can before then. With that in mind, and seeing as how I'm taking longer than I expected to write these chap's, please excuse any grammar mistakes I might have made. I am checking it on my own, but there's just something about checking your own work that makes me miss my own mistakes. I also don't want to ask a beta, which I'm lacking at the moment, to quickly correct my work. It's not like I'm paying them or anything, so I wouldn't feel right to ask that of them. Anyways, hope you guys like it.
- MuggleMike
Chapter 8 - Going Home
Hermione woke up to the familiar buzzing of her clock. She sat up, stretched, and smiled as she remembered the past few days. After patching things up with her father, she had gone out to dinner with her parents. Everything seemed so peaceful, so serene. For that night Hermione didn't think about school or Voldemort or anything. She just went out to have dinner with her parents. At the time, she couldn't remember when was the last time they had done this. It had been fun, enjoyable, but when her father asked for the check, Hermione started thinking about the year that was to arrive shortly.
Hermione got out of bed and decided to go wash up. It was barely sun up, but she felt refreshed and energized. She was exited about today, she was going back to Hogwarts, reassuming her prefect duties, but most importantly, she was going to see Harry. Her summer had been an emotional roller coaster, but through everything that had happened, she had gotten what she always wanted, Harry.
Hermione dressed quickly enough and looked at her appearance in the mirror above her dresser. Her mother had bought her the outfit the day before. It consisted of a pink skirt and a white top. Hermione had told her mother that outfit was unnecessary, but her mother kindly hinted that it was worth to dress up a bit for her boyfriend, who she hadn't seen in a long time. Hermione had blushed profusely at her mother's words and told her that she wasn't like those giggly girls who loved to doll up. As she saw her reflection, she smiled at herself, and thought that maybe her mother knew what she was talking about after all. Before she could stop herself, Hermione was twirling around like a six-year-old playing dress up with her mother's clothes. She sat down had also sat down and started fiddling with her hair. Hermione remembered how Harry had commented on her hair the night of the Yule ball, and it was her mother who taught her how to fix her hair for the ball, so after thirty minutes of getting absolutely nowhere, she called for her mother.
Hermione's mother opened the door to room and smiled as she saw her daughter struggle with her primping.
"Mum," Hermione called in desperation.
"I'm here darling," her mother, answered, "I see you liked the outfit."
"Yes, it's the hair I can't decide on. I've got some sleek easy hair potion around here somewhere."
Hermione saw her mother smile to herself.
"What could possibly be funny right now?" Hermione asked, a bit irritated.
"Nothing, nothing. It's just, well, you, worrying about your hair. I wondered how long it would take, if ever, for you to worry about the, shall we call them "girlie" things in life. It's been hard for me, not being able to share these types of things with you before. Now that we can, well it me glad that there is still something I can help you with that you can't do only by reading it out of a book."
Hermione smiled and gave her mother a hug.
"So what do you think," Hermione said, "pulled up, some kind of weird twist, or how about…"
"Pigtails?" her mother offered with a laugh.
"Mum!"
"I'm kidding, dear. Harry doesn't seem the type to go for anything to fancy, so we don't want to alarm him with you having changed your hairstyle completely. Plus, it will get old, and take you a lot of time to do at school. Why don't we try this?"
Her mother took the sides of Hermione's long hair and fastened them behind her with a silver clasp.
"Mum," Hermione said excitedly, "that's perfect."
"Well I'm glad you liked it. I've always been a fan of the less-is-more fashion. Besides, with your hair like this it will be easier for Harry to pass his fingers through your hair."
"Mum!"
"Just a thought," her mother laughed, "come on, your dad's probably finished loading up the car."
"Be right down," Hermione told her.
Hermione got up, grabbed her bag, which had her uniform, robes and wand inside, picked up a wrapped parcel and look at herself in the mirror again.
"Hermione!" her mother called from below.
"Coming," she answered.
She pressed down her skirt, looked herself over again, breathed deeply, and headed downstairs.
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Dumbledore walked down the steps towards the kitchen of Number twelve Grimmauld Place. Inside sat Remus Lupin nursing a cup of tea.
"Feeling better Remus?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, headmaster, thank you," Lupin answered. "The potion makes the after effect more bearable, but I understand that Severus has been quite busy as of late."
"That he has, Remus. Any thoughts on what we talked about during the last meeting?"
"Same as before, headmaster, and while I don't like using someone who might be biased and unprofessional in their work, I think they are our best shot. They have proved to be… resourceful in the past."
"That they have," Dumbledore conceded with a nod, "that they have. Very well then I must be off. I'll have them report to you as soon as they're finished with their previous task so you can brief them on the situation and what is expected of them."
Dumbledore got up and left, leaving a tired and pensive Lupin stirring his tea.
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Hermione had been the first student to arrive at the station. It was no surprise considering she arrived at seven thirty in the morning and the train left until eleven. Hermione had intentionally wanted to be here early in case Harry showed up early. Sadly, there was no Harry anywhere to be found yet. She secured a compartment at the back of the train. With everything that was going on, she considered that Harry might want some privacy. She also considered that she also wanted some privacy with Harry.
Hermione was walking out of the train to tell her parents that she would be fine, and that they should be off, when she herd a small pop behind her. She turned rapidly to see a familiar house elf balancing a very familiar trunk and an empty cage above his head.
"Dobby," Hermione called out, startling the little house elf, as she walked towards him. "It's good to you again."
"Dobby is happy to be here, miss," Dobby said with a low bow. "Dobby is here to stow his masters trunk for school."
"Where's Hedwig?" Hermione asked, noticing the lack of the familiar owl.
"Mister Lupin said she would fly to Hogwarts on her own," Dobby replied.
"Strange," Hermione said thoughtfully, "why would he do that?"
"Dobby does not know miss," Dobby answered with a low bow.
"Well that's alright Dobby," Hermione said, angry with herself that she had made the elf bow like that. "I was the first here so I got a compartment at the back, why don't you take Harry's trunk there?"
"Very well miss," Dobby answered, and without giving here a second glance, Dobby levitated Harry trunk and cage into the train.
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Harry landed with Moody in a dark and dusty room. He was happy with the fact that he had been able to remain on his feet after using a portkey. Harry lit his wand and looked around the room. It appeared to be a storage room that had long been forgotten. There were chairs and tables all over, as well as staked pillars of wooden boxes.
"Where are we?" Harry asked Moody.
"Leaky cauldron," Moody answered, moving past the labyrinth of debris. "This is an old cellar that Dumbledore procured during the last war. It helps to have a safe place to apparate or hide in. Come along, we can pick up something to eat upstairs then we're off to the Kings Cross."
Harry followed Moody, and as he did, the mention of the past war brought thoughts of realization into Harry's head. The second war had begun. He had just come back from a year of intensive training. He was going to have to deal with Voldemort at some time or another. He was going to have to cope with the death of others. Harry shook his head of his thoughts and came back to the only thing that brought him peace, Hermione.
They reached the pub minutes later, having Moody choose a table in a corner, away from the usual hustle and bustle of the place. Moody ordered a shot of firewhisky while Harry settled for a butterbeer. Harry gave his drinks two sips and got up.
"Where in the blazes are you going?" Moody asked.
"Diagon Alley," Harry answered, covering himself with his cloak, "there are a few things I want to get before I get to Hogwarts."
"I told you before that your house elf bought you everything you need," Moody answered tersely.
"He bought me everything on my list," Harry corrected, "not everything I need."
"What could you possibly need that you can't buy through owl post?"
"Look," Harry answered, "I just need to get some things, ok?"
Moody gave him a hard look that lasted about a minute.
"Very well, Potter," Moody said finally, "go if you wish. Personally, I think it stupid and careless to go shopping for some girl when you've got Death Eaters and Voldemort after you, but then again, your brujo said that you should try to live a normal as a life as you could under the circumstances. We trained you in a lot of things, but not enough when it came to you making judgements and decisions, which you will have to more of in the future. So now is a good a time as any for you to continue this practice. Off you go then."
Harry stared at Moody. He knew that Moody was using reverse psychology with him, but Harry didn't care. He was tired of running and hiding. He was tired of being afraid. He had trained hard to control his mind, and thus his fears. He knew he still had a long way to go, but if he couldn't walk around Diagon Alley, a supposedly safe and protected area, then he wasn't safe anywhere but Hogwarts.
Harry checked the fastenings of cloak a spoke.
"I'll be back in thirty minutes."
"Good, cause if you want to make your train, that's as much time as your going to get."
Harry turned to walk towards the entrance to the alley. As he did, he herd Moody mumbling something that sounded like "…the fool, just came back and the first thing he wants to do is shop, the bloody nancy…" Harry laughed to himself and went into the alley.
The alley was just as Harry remembered it, bursting with people everywhere. While he could see a witch here and there keeping her children close to her as she rapidly moved from shop to shop, Harry was surprised at most of the people's attitudes and poise. Harry remembered that in a conversation with Moody this had come up.
"Most people," Moody had said, "go about their daily lives as if nothing is wrong. For them, it's always someone else's problem. What's worst is when this, inexistent problem turns its ugly head at them, leaving them as the worst whinnying lot out of all of them. "How could this have happened? Why didn't we know? Why didn't someone come to protect us?" And all the while they convince themselves to the innocent victims of chance or my personal favourite, of incompetent government officials."
Harry hadn't believed it when he herd it, but now seeing all of these people, he could tell that for many of them, Voldemorts comeback ha the same negative effect on the as their favourite quidditch team loosing a game. Harry felt a bit envious. He wished for a moment that his problems were someone else's problems, leaving him just a young teenager in love with a friend. Harry sighed deeply and looked at his watch as he continued to move towards the bank. If he was going to be able to buy anything at all, he was going to have to hurry.
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Hermione was sitting on a bench beside the train keeping herself busy by reading through her copy of Arithmancy for N.E.W.T.'s for the fourth time. During her time on the platform Hermione had already paced through the entire platform at least twice, sat in all the compartments trying to decide which one was the most comfortable, reread her prefect assignments for the train ride to Hogwarts, rewritten her potions homework and had just about driven her parents to insanity. Her mother had excused herself at nine by saying she had root-canal surgery to do a ten.
It was now close to ten when the first students started to arrive. Hermione's father was sitting next to his daughter with a cup of coffee and copy of the London Times. Hermione knew that her father was only pretending to read the newspaper. He, just as she, was looking at each person that cape through the wall into the platform. The majority of the students that were coming in were either really young, being accompanied by their parent or parents, or Hermione's age and older, looking bored and tired, as they pushed a cart with their trunk on their own into the train to find a compartment. To Hermione's surprise, at ten thirty she saw a familiar redheaded group walk through the wall. She closed her book and hurried over to greet them.
"Hermione!" Ginny called, noticing her coming towards them. "How've you been?"
"I'm good," Hermione answered, "Ron, Fred, George," she greeted with a nod.
"He here yet?" George asked offhandedly.
"No," Hermione asked sadly, "and it's almost time. Do you think he…"
"Hermione," Fred cut her off, "he's fine. He'll be here."
"And how would you know?" Hermione asked pointedly.
"We."
"Just."
"Know."
The twins answered, still looking around the platform.
"Hermione, you got a compartment picked out already, right?" George asked.
"Yeah, it the second one, starting from the back, why?"
"No reason," Fred answered as he levitated Ron and Ginny's trunks with his wand, "we're just going to put these in there, ok?"
The twins didn't wait for an answer, turning to walk towards the back of the train.
"Ok, what's going on with your brothers?" Hermione asked, turning to face Ron just as soon as the twins were out of earshot.
"Don't know really," Ron answered, scratching his head. "They've been acting weird in the past few days."
"Protective is what Ron means," Ginny added. "A bit overprotective if you ask me."
"What makes you say that?" Hermione asked.
"Well they've been bugging me about my past boyfriends…"
"Boyfriends?" Ron asked, interrupting.
"Yes Ron, as in plural, more than one," Hermione answered, motioning Ginny to continue.
"Well my friends, who I write to, who writes to me, who are they friends with, a whole bloody inquisition. It's got on my nerves as a matter of fact."
"What about you Ron? Have you been interrogated as well?" Hermione asked.
"Not really," Ron answered, "I mean they know all that stuff about me already. They just pelted me with comments and questions about Harry."
"I don't understand, why is this strange?" Hermione asked, a bit confused about her friends take on the subject. "Shouldn't you be happy about their concern?"
"We are," Ginny answered getting a look from Ron, "well at least I am. It's just that it feels weird coming from them. Ron thinks it a gag, as if they're setting us up for a joke or something. I just think it strange. I mean, it's like they've matured or something."
"Yeah," Ron agreed, "and seeing them act maturely is something I know that nobody ever expected. I mean, it would be like Percy suddenly walking into Fudge's office, taking off with pants, bending over and singing a single from the Weird Sisters from his butt."
"Okay," Hermione said, slightly put off, "that's strange on a variety of levels. Anyways, I think that maybe you should appreciate what they're doing and be thankful for it. Maybe they're trying to fill in the older brother slot."
"That's what Charlie said when I wrote to him about it," Ginny commented. "I mean with Bill in Egypt, Charlie in Romania, and Percy keeping his lips glued to Fudge's butt, it kind of makes sense."
"I still think it a gag," Ron said, making Hermione and Ginny laugh.
A loud whistle called their attention.
"Is it time to board? Harry isn't here yet!" Hermione yelled.
"Relax Hermione," Ron said soothingly. "If my memory serves me right, and it should seeing as how we're always late. The departing whistle blows when the train begins to move."
"I know, its just that, where is he?" Hermione asked looking around.
"Maybe he travelled directly to Hogwarts, for safety reasons and all that," Ginny offered, getting no signs of comfort from Hermione.
They herd a loud bang, causing them all to turn, wands at the ready. They breathed deeply when they saw it was just a group of second years crashing their carts into each other.
Without warning, Hermione felt someone take her from behind, curling her into his arms and planting a kiss on her lips. Hermione was alarmed at first feeling nothing but the fabric of clothes, but she quickly recognized the lips that were kissing her and kissed back energetically. They broke off seconds later looking into each other's eyes. Hermione felt tears begin to form on the edge of her eyes as she looked into those familiar green eyes.
"I missed you," Harry whispered.
"I missed you too," Hermione whispered back, hugging Harry tightly, and feeling him hug her back.
A light cough broke up their reunion. Hermione saw Harry mouth the word "later" to her as they both turned to see Ron and Ginny, still in each other's arms.
"Hello Ron, Ginny," Harry greeted.
"I was going to ask you if you missed us, but it's obvious who you missed," Ron said with a smile.
"Ah Ron," Harry said, "don't feel left out. Here let me give you a kiss as well."
Harry grabbed Ron by the arms and moves towards Ron as if he was going to kiss him.
"Get off me you prat," Ron said, a bit put out at how his joke had turned on him a causing Hermione and Ginny to giggle.
"So, tell us all about it!" Ginny encouraged.
"Later," Harry said with a cautioning tone, "Hermione's dad is coming over. We'll meet you guys in there in a minute."
Ron and Ginny nodded in agreement and left for the train.
"You didn't have to tell them that," Hermione said looking at Harry and hugging him tightly again, "my dad's sitting over at bench over…"
A sharp, slightly more base coughs interrupted Hermione. She turned to see her father standing behind them.
"Dad," Hermione said, slightly alarmed as she separated herself from Harry's embrace. "I didn't see you walk over."
"I don't see how you could, seeing where your attention was focused."
There was dense silence that lasted a few seconds.
"Hermione the train's about to leave, would you mind if a had a quick chat with Harry before you left."
Hermione shook her head and said goodbye to her father.
"Take care of yourself, Hermione," her father said, giving her a strong hug, "and write to us as often as you can."
"I will," Hermione answered, giving her father a hug and kiss. "I'll see you inside," she said to Harry.
Harry watched Hermione walk into the train and then turned to see Mr. Granger.
"Harry," Mr. Granger began, "I…"
"Mr. Granger," Harry interrupted, "I know that you know what's happening in our world. I can see it in your eyes. I can also tell that you know a little bit about my involvement in all of this, and danger that poses for Hermione."
"To put it bluntly, yes" Mr. Granger considered.
"Am I aware of the risks? Yes. Do I love your daughter? Yes I do. I love her very much, but I have to consider your feelings in this. I can tell you this, it would break my heart to do so, but if you ask it of me, I'll stop seeing her and alienate myself from her. She's too important to me. I know her feelings on the subject. I would like to know yours."
Mr. Granger studied Harry for a minute.
"I must say Harry that I am impressed," Mr. Granger said. "I won't deny that I would prefer to keep my daughter away from all the danger that is to come, which primarily involves keeping her away from you." Mr. Granger made a small pause making Harry cast his head down. "However," he continued making Harry look up at him, "I have to consider my daughter in all of this as well. I can't honestly say that I would prefer my daughter to be miserable but safe, than happy but in danger. I have talked with her about this, so I must ask you a simple question. Can you guarantee my daughters safety?"
"No," Harry answered, "I can't guarantee that. What I can say is that I would do anything for you daughter. That I can guarantee you that I love her, and I will most certainly do everything in my power to keep her from any harm."
"Spoken like a true man of honour, Harry," Mr. Granger said, finally smiling. "Can't be to surprised though, Hermione has always been an excellent judge of character. I can see why chose you. All that I ask from you Harry, is that you promise to do your best at protecting my baby girl."
"Now that," Harry said, smiling back, "I can guarantee."
The trains whistle blew loudly again as it began to move. Harry shook hands with Mr. Granger and walked over the edge of the platform, entering in the last door to the train where Hermione was waiting.
"Everything ok?" Hermione asked him.
"Everything's perfect," Harry answered giving her a soft kiss.
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Severus Snape was sitting uncomfortably in Dumbledore's office. He had longed and hoped the headmaster had forgotten that they needed to talk, but under the present circumstances that would never happen. Snape rested his head on the back of the chair he sat on as he felt the exhaustion take its toll on him. An exhaustion he hadn't felt in years, not since the last time that he decided to fill in as a spy. While grateful to get physical torture from only one side, he couldn't help but feel that this war was going to be different from the last. Since Voldemorts return, he had become increasingly impatient. Severus sometimes thought that Voldemort was under some type of time restriction. While the ritual to get his body seemed permanent enough, maybe Snape thought that perhaps a bit of transference had occurred when Voldemort had chosen to use Pettigrews blood.
Snape had concluded to himself that Voldemort was getting sloppy. He got to the height of his of previous power by being careful, cold and calculating. The three "C's" system Snape was very fond of. However, for the last five years he has made choices that not only have they weakened him, they have weakened his image, and thus, the image of his followers. Snape knew all to well how powerful a tool fear was. Fear had been the banner that rallied supporters to Voldemorts cause and fear was what made defeating his opposition easier. There were many highly skilled people that got killed in the last war simply because they couldn't control their fear. When you can break a man by simply standing before him is a power that the Death Eaters had learned to use all to well. Now, it seemed, Voldemort no longer cared about instilling fear into the hearts and minds of people.
Voldemort had made many promises to many different races and species that had suffered greatly after his fall. The fear that had made some of them join him was gone. All that remained were the unkempt promises and the bad publicity. Publicity that continued to enrage Voldemort every time somebody reminded him of it. Publicity that bore the name and face of Harry Potter.
Potter. For decades now it seemed Snape had grown to hate the name and whom it belonged to. He hated to admit it to himself but it was growing increasingly difficult to keep those feelings towards Harry. Snape tried fiercely to stick some of James's qualities and characteristics on Harry, but try as he may, the boy always turned out to be more like his mother. It had been startling for Snape to bear down insults and shadowed hatred when two very familiar green eyes looked back on him. Snape was in no way growing fond of Harry, but there was something that made Snape want to keep Harry close. At first Snape had attributed this feeling to being ironic that James Potters son came to be in his class. The boy would now suffer several of the pains that James had forced Snape to live during their school days. Now it seemed that Snape wanted him around to find flaws within Harry character. It wasn't difficult, considering that there were many, but there was something else that bothered Snape. He couldn't understand how this child could stay as simple and as pure as he was now. From Snape's point of view, it was impossible. Harry was a celebrity in the wizarding world, he had what Snape had always considered to have a small fortune, he was talented at sports and the list went on. With all of that, how could Harry have turned out the way he did? He hadn't turned out to be an obnoxious, ego-inflated brat because of skills nor had he turned out to be a rebellious, hateful, and cruel person because of his upbringing. The boy seemed to prefer live a quiet life, well outside of the limelight. For this reason, Snape wanted to keep an eye on him. Snape couldn't help but think that Lily had transferred more than protection when she sacrificed herself.
He sighed quietly and lifted his head to look at the Headmasters desk where he saw Dumbledore surveying him through his half-moon spectacles.
"Forgive me, Headmaster," Snape said, regaining his composure, "I must have dosed off. How long was I out?"
"Not long, Severus," Dumbledore said, giving Snape a familiar smile, "I just came in myself. I saw you resting and I though it prudent not to startle you."
"Yes, well," Snape began, shifting uncomfortably, "I have several things I wished to prepare for my classes tomorrow, so if we could…"
"Postpone?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Yes," Snape answered, "I still haven't found out who the possible leak may be. That fact is still a mystery to me, as it is to many other Death Eaters. However, Malfoy has been unusually tight lipped. At first I attributed it to post-dementor syndrome, but now, it seems he knows more than he's letting on."
"So there have been no new trials held for new recruits?" Dumbledore asked.
"There have been new recruits but Voldemort has kept them at a distance, outside the circle."
"This is not uncommon, aren't the new supporters supposed to prove themselves?"
"Yes, but that's what puzzles me," Snape responded. "They aren't acting nor regarded as prospects. I only now of a few but heard there are more."
There was a small pause as Dumbledore thought about this.
"Volunteers under the Imperious curse?" he asked finally.
"That would be my best guess, headmaster," Snape answered.
"I have been dreading this for some time," Dumbledore said, standing up and walking towards a nearby shelf. "With the Ministry unstable due to Fudges ignorance, there are many who could fall victims to the imperious curse, especially those who are driven by greed."
Dumbledore grabbed a thin book from the shelf and returned to his desk. He opened the book and removed a folded piece of parchment and handed it to Snape.
"There you will find a list of names that is divided into three columns."
Snape unfolded the parchment and studied the list. The list showed names and Departments of people in the Ministry.
"The first column has the full names of every Ministry employee and the department thy work in. The second column holds the names of those who were implicated during the last war, but were absolved for different reasons. The third column holds the names of all those who I believe might be targeted by Voldemort for the purpose of extracting information, and those who I believe might be willingly working for them."
Snape couldn't believe what he was holding in his hands. A list this detailed would be worth gold to Voldemort. Why was Dumbledore deciding to give this list to Snape? Was it a test or was the old man going senile? Snape discarded the latter quickly, but felt he didn't want the responsibility of owning such a document.
"Headmaster," Snape began delicately, folding the parchment and handing it Dumbledore, "I don't believe I should be exposed to such a detailed document. The implications of Voldemort discovering such information could be disastrous. While I appreciate the trust, headmaster, it would be safer for the both of us that I know as little as possible in regards to such things. Voldemort isn't as trusting as he once was, and constantly invades the minds of others. I must say if Malfoy didn't say positive things to Voldemort about me I might not even be here right now."
"Very well Severus, I wouldn't want to put you in any more danger than is necessary. I will still need your help to find those who might be already working for him."
"Of course, headmaster, I will do what I can. Now may I be excused?"
"Yes, Severus, take care of yourself. Are you sure you do not wish Poppy help you with your healing?"
"Perfectly sure, headmaster. Good day."
Snape sat up and left a very pensive Dumbledore, staring at the closed door. A man walked out of the shadows that lead to Dumbledores quarters.
"What do you think Remus?" Dumbledore asked.
"I believe what he said about it being difficult for him to blend in with the Death Eaters. I'm surprised he's still welcome. I still believe he might be playing both sides in order to stay alive in the end, but for now, his actions and intentions seem honourable."
Lupin walked over to Dumbledores desk and sat in Snape's chair.
"The parchment was a nice touch," Lupin said, picking up the discarded piece and glancing at it. "Has there been any progress on this on out end?"
"Buts and pieces, nothing solid to go on," Dumbledore answered. "Kigsley and Arthur are doing their best on investigating this."
"It must be hard for them to do so and keep a low profile at the same time," Lupin said, more to himself than to Dumbledore.
"That it is, Remus."
"How long do you figure before we can find the traitor that leaked Harry's location?"
"It's difficult to say, Remus, considering the number of suspects."
"I'm just afraid of what else he might have told Voldemort, and dangers that will come because of them."
"We all are, Remus, we just have to hope that Harry can remain safe until we find him.
--------------------------------
The trio sat comfortably in their compartment, talking about their summer. Harry sat in the seat on the left, next to the window with Hermione sitting next to him, leaning on his shoulder. Ron was standing next to the door. The conversation Ron had started was something Harry never thought he'd see.
"Hermione," Ron argued, "we're still prefects. We have to got to the meeting."
"Ron, I told you, I'm not feeling well, so I don't think I'll go. You go and take notes. I want to know everything that was said."
"You want me to take notes! I don't even do that in class, as you very well know."
"Well then pay attention and remember everything, ok?"
"No it's not ok. Since when do you dodge meetings anyway?"
"Ron," Hermione argued, "you're giving me a headache." Hermione got up and walked towards her bag. "I think I need an aspirin."
"You want mouth to mouth, more likely," Ron said under his breath.
"Ron," Harry said, "Hermione wants to stay behind with me for a while. Could you go to meeting, please?"
Ron smiled at Harry.
"I know that, I just wanted her to say it," Ron said with a laugh.
"Urgh, Ron just go," Hermione said, taking her seat next to Harry again.
"Remember to put silencing charms on the door, Hermione, I don't think first years should listen to a prefect snog with here boyfriend."
"Out!" Hermione yelled, throwing a discarded Berty Botts Bean that hit just as the door closed.
"Alone at last," Hermione said, turning towards Harry and planting a kiss on his mouth.
She heard Harry mumble a few words and she turned to see his wand in his hand casting a spell at the door.
"Harry!"
"What? You can't be to careful these days."
Harry kissed Hermione before she said another word. Their mouths met in softly, but the kissed turned more passionate every second. Their kisses showed their feelings completely, the happiness of being with another, the longing of the time they spent apart, their desire for each other, but most importantly, the love they held for one another. Before they knew it, their kisses expanded to touching each other innocently. Harry extended his had and felt the smooth skin of Hermione's knees. He moved his hand slowly up her skirt.
"Harry," Hermione said, stopping his hand just above her knee.
"Oh, yeah, sorry about that."
They sat up and looked at each other's eyes.
"Boy did I miss you," Harry said, giving her a kiss on her forehead and hugging her tightly.
"So did I Harry," Hermione said, snuggling into Harry's chest. "Are going to tell me about your training?"
"There's not much to say, really" Harry said, passing his fingers through her hair.
"Nothing to say?" Hermione asked incredulously. "You were gone for a year!"
"I know that, it's just that it was a years worth of hellish training with Moody. It was not something I wanted to talk about my first day back."
"What did you want to talk about?" Hermione asked, a bit ashamed at her prying.
"You, and how much I love you," Harry said, planting his lips on hers and kissing her passionately.
Their kissed had lasted only a few seconds when Harry stopped and turned hard as stone. He picked up his wand from the floor when he had left it and moved Hermione behind him.
"Harry what is it? What's wrong?"
Harry raised his hand, signaling her to remain quiet. The door jiggled for a moment and unlocked. In an instant the door was slid open, showing Malfoy and his goons with their wands out.
"Potter," Malfoy spat, "I've been looking for you?"
"Well it couldn't have been to hard, considering we're in a moving train with a limited number of compartments." Harry spat back. "Then again, you do hang out with Crabb and Goyle, so maybe they've begun to rub of on you."
"At least I'm not rubbing myself with a Mudblood, now there's a stench you can never wash out."
Without warning, the door flew out of its place, and slammed into Malfoy, Crabb and Goyle. It hit Malfoy the hardest since he was the nearest one to it. The door had flattened them against the back wall of the train. Malfoy was squished like a bug behind the glass area, while Crabb and Goyle left their silhouettes on the steel frame of the door. Standing there, unable to move, Malfoy saw Harry walk towards him menacingly. Harry moved his wand over the glass and made a small circle. A circular piece of glass fell out, leaving an empty circle an inch in diameter right next to Malfoy ear.
"If you ever refer to Hermione like that again, I'll end you. I don't care what happens to me afterwards, I will cripple every last bone in your body until you're nothing more than a mute soul, wasting away alone." Harry spoke barely above a whisper.
Harry turned back towards the compartment when he herd "…we'll see when my father has his revenge he'll…"
Harry spun around and cracked the entire glass sheet receiving a high-pitched yell from Malfoy. The glass shattered outward, leaving a panicked Malfoy.
"Don't temp me Malfoy," Harry said.
Harry flicked his wand, releasing all three, leaving them stuck to the wall. Crabb and Goyle came around rather quickly while Malfoy still stood in shock.
"Take him back to your compartment," Harry said to the both of them, "and I believe that Malfoy might be needing a fresh pair of shorts."
They retrieved Malfoy quickly and made their way towards the front of bus. As they walked away, Harry flicked his wand at them sending three yellow sparks, one at each of them. The sparks touched their heads and vanished. Harry flicked his wand again and reinstalled the door to its rightful place leaving it better than new. As he walked in, he saw Hermione sitting huddled in a corner. Harry quickly walked over to Hermione who recoiled as he came near.
"Hermione, what's…" he stopped mid sentence as he remembered what Tiani had told him while in training.
"You are aware, Mitzli, that when you use this new power, you will frighten those around you?" Tiani had said.
"Frighten them? Why? It's not like I'm going to use it against them."
"They have never been exposed to this level of magic. What's worse, it will be very difficult for you to keep it concealed."
"But you told me that I control my magic."
"Yes, Mitzli, you do, but think of it this way. When a baby is born, it does not poses the strength to chew anything of substance, which is why they are fed liquids, milk mostly. As they grow older, they can now eat watered down foods, which require little to now chewing strength. As the man grows, so does the power of his jaw. Wizards today can't get passed watered down foods. You poses the strength of a grown man. You may chew through cotton candy or through a bone, its up to you, but may never chew as lightly as the rest."
"Hermione, listen to me," Harry said, taking hold of Hermione's shoulders.
"What have they done to you Harry?" Hermione asked, hugging him tightly. "I tried to stop you, from attacking them by grabbing your shoulder when my hand burned as if I had wrapped it around a burning log. Then I saw you manipulating the door at will. Things happened before your wand even moved! How is that possible?"
Harry pressed his hand on her back, rubbing it up and down soothingly.
"It's okay Hermione, it's still me, I can explain, if you let me."
Hermione pulled away and nodded as she wiped a stray tear for her eye.
"Well, it all started when I came home after my talk with Dumbledore about joining the Order. When I came home I found…"
Harry stopped as he felt the train stop and students begin to walk out of their compartments. They had reached Hogsmead and it was time to take the ride up to Hogwarts.
"Keep going," Hermione encouraged.
"Okay, well when I arrived I met…"
"Oh good, you're not snogging," Ron's voice interrupted.
"It's not all we do, you know?" Hermione mouthed testily.
"Yeah well, either way, we got stuck with first year duty. We have to travel with them on the boats."
"Why's that?" Hermione asked, "Is Hagrid absent again?"
"I don't know, the Headboy said something about security measures during the meeting, I wasn't really paying much attention."
"Ron!"
"What? It shouldn't come as a surprise," Ron responded defensively.
"Go on, Hermione," Harry encouraged, "I've already made you loose your prefect meeting. We'll talk later, I promise."
"Alright," Hermione said, standing up and giving Harry a hug and a kiss, "I'll see you later."
Harry walked out of the train with them into the cool night air. Harry kissed Hermione goodbye and walked over to the carriages. He looked at the front of the nearest carriage and the thestral looking back at him. Harry wondered if this was one the thestrals that took him and his friends to the Ministry a few months ago. Thinking about the Ministry, as it usually did, made him think about Sirius. Harry felt crowded all of a sudden, so he stepped towards the edge of the wood that was next to the path that led to the castle. It felt strange coming back. Moody had told him that it would be difficult to adapt to the old routine after a year of training. Harry hadn't understood what Moody meant until now. Harry shook his head and breathed deeply, clearing his head. This technique had proven effective while training, keeping calm and focused. Harry sensed someone walking towards him. He turned to see none other than Snape walking towards him.
"Wanting to make a big entrance, Potter?" Snape asked with his usual sneer. "Or did you want Dumbledore to send out the entire school as a search party for you? You know Potter I hoped that after last term you had learned…"
"I have," Harry interrupted quietly, "I just got lost in my own thoughts, that's all. I didn't notice everyone had left."
"Really," Snape said, looking at Harry as if sizing him up, "You know Potter, if your going to get yourself involved in any more, what should I call them, extra-curricular activities, you should learn to pay more attention to your surroundings, specially to those around you."
"You're right," Harry spoke, looking directly at Snape, "You never know when a Death Eater might sneak up to you."
"Quite, lets get to the castle before Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley start asking about why you haven't arrived. You wouldn't want to worry them now, would you?"
Harry didn't respond as he walked over to the path where a thestral had just returned with his carriage. Harry climbed in with Snape behind him.
The ride up to the castle was uneventful, except for the fact that Harry and Snape stared at each other the entire way. None of them flinched or blinked during the ride, their eyes daring the other to turn away. When they arrived at Hogwarts the still sat for a few minutes continuing to stare at each other. Harry felt a prickle in his head and focused immediately, sending the jolt back to Snape. Snape went wide-eyed and looked away. Snape turned back to see Harry getting out of the carriage. From the floor Harry turned to look at Snape with a huge smile on his face.
"I've been practicing," Harry told Snape. "See you in class professor."
Harry turned and walked quickly towards the great hall, not wanting to face an angry Snape. He had just successfully blocked Snape from his mind. Harry had almost broken into Snipe's mind again as well, which gave Harry a sense of reassurance and satisfaction.
AN: I know it was short, but I had to cut it off there.