Author's note: We apologize for not responding to the reviews this time---Christmas shopping and real life prevented that this time, but we did read them all! We are going to try and do better next time! See you all on Tuesday and please review!
Later that evening after they'd made love, Hermione and Harry were both lying in bed with their backs to each other. Both were pretending to be asleep. Hermione couldn't speak for Harry, but she still had questions swirling in her mind about what could have been so horrible that he didn't want to talk about it with the person he loved most in the world.
She resolved to find some way to put this behind her. He'd tell her when he was ready and that was all there was to it. They loved each other too much to let this push them apart. She felt guilty for pushing him to relive such a traumatic experience. Hoping not to wake Harry up, she slid back the covers and went into the closet to grab a pair of pyjamas. As soon as she'd stepped into the closet, Harry sat up in bed.
"Where are you going?" he asked, slipping his glasses back on.
"To put on something warm," she called from inside the closet.
"Oh," Harry let his head fall back onto the pillow. "The bed isn't warm enough for you?" he asked, his voice teasing.
Hermione came back into the bedroom wearing an old t-shirt of Harry's and a pair of pyjama bottoms. "I just caught a chill is all," she said with a smile. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"I wasn't asleep yet," Harry replied as she got back into bed.
"Neither was I," she admitted.
He pulled her close and kissed the side of her head. "I think that was just what we needed," he said softly.
She smiled. "I think so, too."
Harry smiled into the darkness as Hermione snuggled closer to him. His mind began to travel as he tried to fall asleep and Harry wondered if telling his girlfriend about his battles with Voldemort really was a bad thing. Lupin had suggested talking to someone other than him about it as it might help his nightmares but he wasn't sure.
"Everything okay, Harry?" Hermione whispered as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"Yeah," he replied absently.
"I should call my parents tomorrow and explain why I dashed out of the house like I did," she said. "I'm really sorry for acting like that..."
"It wasn't your fault," Harry interrupted her. "I guess... I don't want you thinking I'm an awful person. Deep down it scares me that you might think that way if you knew..."
Hermione lifted her head from his chest and stared at him. "How can you say that?" she asked him, looking into his green eyes for some sort of answer. "I love you. I'd never think badly of you. You believe that, right?"
"I know," Harry replied, looking down at their sheets. He sighed heavily. "Lupin told me to talk about it with someone else, that maybe it would help get the feelings off my chest and make the nightmares not so bad..."
"What happens in the nightmares?" she asked gently.
"Sometimes... sometimes it's the same as the night I faced him. It was around this time of year two years ago." Harry replied. "Other times... people I love are there and he kills them in front of me and I can't do anything to stop him."
"Harry..." she whispered, her heart breaking at the sad, lost look on his face.
"It was awful," Harry replied. "In a way I'm almost glad I didn't know you at that point because things were so different then. We were all scared and I hated my life so much. All I did was train and worry, and then..." he trailed off for a moment. "Cho's parents were killed... before that my godfather died because I was a stupid git..."
"But that wasn't your fault, Harry," Hermione interjected, but he held up a hand to stop her. Reluctantly, she acquiesced.
"I pushed away a lot of my friends and the people that cared about me. I was horrible," he said quietly.
"Why did you push them away?" Hermione asked. She already knew the answer. He'd tried to push her away at first, too. She figured it was some sort of defence mechanism he used to keep himself from being hurt and from hurting the ones he cared most about.
"To keep everyone safe." Harry replied. "I thought I was going to die. I thought either I wouldn't be able to kill Voldemort, or I'd have to die along with the bastard. And I didn't want everyone to mourn and make me out to be some sort of martyr."
Hermione felt tears welling up in her eyes as she listened to him talk. She wanted to hold them off because right now, he needed her to be strong. But, she couldn't even imagine what this must have been like for him.
"I guess my main problem with this is that no matter what way you look at it, I killed someone. Someone, something... whatever you want to call Voldemort." Harry said.
"But you had to, Harry," Hermione said softly, squeezing his hand. "I read about the Prophecy. It was him or you."
"I guess," Harry still didn't look convinced. He gave her a small rueful smile. "Guess you weren't expecting this when you got tied up with me."
"I wasn't expecting you at all," she answered truthfully. "And you're the best thing that ever happened to me. Don't you see, Harry? What happened back then...it made you into the man you are today....a man that I love so much that I can't imagine living a day without him. You're not a horrible person, Harry. You're human."
Harry stared at her a moment. "I really didn't give you enough credit," he caressed her cheek. "I kept thinking you'd hate me for being a murderer."
"I could never hate you," she whispered without a moment's hesitation.
Harry buried his face in her shoulder. "I'm sorry I was such a prat," he said.
"I'm sorry I was so pushy," she said, wrapping her arms around him. "I...I wish I could have been there for you back then. I wish I had known you then."
"I wish you had too," Harry said. He kissed her gently. "You know... I think Lupin was right."
"About what?" she asked.
"I do feel better telling you all this," he sighed. "Guess I should listen to other people once in awhile aye?"
She smiled. "Every now and then would be a start."
Harry wrapped her in his arms as Hermione cuddled next to him. "I'm really lucky that I have you," he said, dropping his glasses back on the nightstand.
"I'm the lucky one," she said as Harry again began running his fingers through her hair.
"Oh yeah?" Harry asked. "How do you figure?"
The tears she'd been trying to hold off now flowed down her cheeks. "You've had to put up with a lot from me, Harry. My insecurities...my pushing you to tell me about your nightmares. You could have walked away from me a long time ago, but you stayed..."
"Why on earth would I leave?" Harry asked. "Everyone has insecurities Hermione. And you might have been pushy... but that's how you are. And I love you, and that means I love everything about you, even those few bad habits." he smiled at her.
Despite herself, she couldn't help laughing. "So you think I'm pushy, do you?" she asked, wiping her eyes.
"Of course I do," Harry kissed her, pulling her lower lip out gently. "But it comes with the rest of you so I can't complain."
"Just like your large ego comes with you," she teased back. "I still love you in spite of that..."
"Hey now," Harry ran his hand along her side. "When did this turn on me?"
"When you called me pushy," she retorted. "Need I remind you that I give as good as I get?"
"Yes you do," Harry said licentiously. "I'd never argue with that."
"Harry!" Hermione gasped. "You know I didn't mean it like that!"
"Yes you did," Harry chortled. "Deep down you know you meant it that way."
"I did not!" she said with mock indignation. "And that's another thing I'm adding to your list. Large ego...always taking the most innocuous things and putting them into the wrong context..."
"Uh huh," Harry replied. "Just like that night we were waiting for Luna's article to show up and you thought I was asking you for a shag when I really wasn't."
"Yes you were," Hermione said stubbornly.
"No I wasn't," Harry was chuckling. "You assumed that's what I meant. You're as corrupted as I am."
"If I am," she countered, "it's because of your bad influence on me."
"Bad influence?" Harry raised himself on an elbow and looked down at her.
"I meant bad in the best sense of the word," she said quickly, a smile playing on her lips. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she and Harry were back to normal.
*** *** ***
"And Harry asked if you had the time, if you'd try and look Gordon Devereaux up in the papers," Ron said, his fingers weaving through Luna's. "He'd do it himself except you have all the access that he doesn't."
Luna nodded. She and Ron were walking Paddington in Hyde Park. She'd just arrived back home that morning and as it was such a nice day, she'd suggested a walk and she'd jumped at the chance. It felt great to be home.
"I need to stop by the Quibbler to check in with my father," Luna said thoughtfully. "I can start researching Gordon this afternoon."
"Harry will appreciate that," Ron gave her cheek a kiss. "As for me, I'm just glad you're home. I really missed you this week."
"I missed you too," she said smiling at him. "I was so ready to come home. You have no idea."
Ron slid his arm around her. "And can you believe how big the monster has gotten?" he asked.
"I know!" Luna said with a laugh. "I could hardly pick him up."
"He eats more than I do," Ron complained.
"No one eats more than you do," Luna deadpanned.
"That was true until this guy got bigger," Ron said defensively.
A sad expression came over Luna's face as she looked at her dog as he sniffed along the ground. Paddington had grown so much in such a short time and she'd missed most of it. Time she'd never get back.
"What's wrong?" Ron sensed her change in attitude.
She led him over to a park bench and they both sat down. "I've missed a lot, haven't I?" she asked. Without waiting for his answer, she continued. "When I get together with everyone, they have all these stories and jokes and I have no idea what they're talking about. You all are getting on with your lives here and I'm so far away and I'm missing everything. I haven't even seen Chiaki more than three times since she was born. She'll be off to Hogwarts before we know it and I'll have missed it all!"
"Hey," Ron pulled her close while keeping Paddington's leash wound around his hand. "Luna... you're living out your dream here. You're so excited about being in Boston!"
"I was," she said morosely. "What does it mean, though when the entire time I'm there...I'm wishing I was here?"
Ron gave her a quick kiss. "It's natural to miss your family and friends when you're away from home."
She nodded. "There's something else, though. I meant to tell you first thing this morning when I got back, but you and I sort of became distracted..."
"What's that?" Ron asked, pulling on Paddington's leash to keep him by them.
"They finally made Michael and I an offer," Luna said, looking at him. "They were quite pleased with what we've done and think we'd make a great addition to their team... permanently."
"Hey..." Ron smiled. "That's great news!"
Luna gave a weak smile. "If I took the job, I wouldn't be able to come home as much as I have while I've been doing freelance. It could be weeks before I'd be able to come back."
"Oh..." Ron looked ahead of them at the other park goers. "Well... I told you before that I'll go along with any decision you make," he looked down at his feet. "It won't be easy... but we'll make it work."
She nodded, but secretly wondered if that was true. Every time she mentioned having a boyfriend back home, some of her co-workers in Boston would pull a face and say how long-distance relationships never worked out.
"I have a few days before I have to decide," she said quietly. "I'm going to talk it over with my father and see what he thinks."
"That's a good idea," Ron encouraged her.
She smiled at him. "You're absolutely fantastic...you know that, right?"
"I try," Ron grinned. "Especially with you Loony."
"Ronald," Luna countered, resting her head on his shoulder.
*** *** ***
Neville smiled at his wife as he set up another table in the middle of the room. She was positively glowing and was humming a happy tune as she set out some champagne. They'd invited their friends over for an impromptu get together to share the news that Cho's loan had been approved and to let them know she was planning on opening up her own dance studio.
"I can't wait to see the looks on their faces," Neville said, as he set up the portable stereo.
"They were all wondering why I gave them this address but I wouldn't say why," Cho grinned.
"The first time you've ever managed to keep a secret," he teased.
"Hey," Cho replied. "I've kept other secrets..."
"For about two minutes," he said as he walked past her.
"Watch it Longbottom," Cho said. "I know things about you that everyone would find hilarious to hear about..."
The smile on Neville's face fell. "You wouldn't?"
Cho's grin widened. "Oh... I think would," she laughed.
Neville leaned in for a quick kiss, but was interrupted by the sounds of voices in the hall. "Our first guests..." he said with a smile.
Cho let out a squeal. "Get in here you guys!" she said as Harry and Hermione appeared in the doorway, Seamus and Lavender behind them.
Hermione and Lavender exchanged confused looks as Seamus and Harry found themselves enveloped in a bear hug from Cho.
"Is she okay?" Lavender asked Neville.
"She's fine," Neville chuckled. "She's just excited."
"Obviously," Harry choked out. "Cho...oxygen becoming an issue here..."
"Sorry," Cho pulled away. "Well come on in, don't be shy."
Hermione grinned. "So....what is this place exactly?"
"Are you ready for this?" Cho clasped her hands in delight. "You are officially standing in the Chang School of Dance for Witches and Wizards!"
"Dance school?" Harry asked, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"I've opened my own dance school!" Cho replied. "And you all are standing in it!"
"Cho, that's fantastic!" Hermione exclaimed, coming forward to hug her friend.
"Thanks," Cho hugged her back. "I had the idea about a month ago... and I got a loan from Gringotts and with some hard work, Neville and I have this place all ready to open up next week!"
Everyone congratulated Cho, but she couldn't help notice that someone was not saying a word. "Harry?" she asked hesitantly. "What do you think?"
"I think this looks great," Harry replied. "How come you didn't ask me for help?"
"I wanted to do it on my own," she said with a smile. "I wanted to know I could do it by myself...and I did."
Harry smiled at her. "I'm proud of you," he hugged her. "It's weird, I feel as if I've looked after you for so long, and now you don't need me anymore."
"I'll always need you," she said with a laugh. "I expect you to come in every now and then and help out."
"Of course," Harry grinned. "Just don't expect me to put tights on."
"I think he'd look smashing in a tutu," Seamus said as he helped himself to a glass of champagne.
"And a tiara," Hermione chimed in.
"All right," Harry said. "Enough of that because it'll never happen."
"That's right," Neville said, slapping Harry on the back. "He's more partial to rabbit ears."
Harry grinned at that and pulled Hermione into a deep kiss that left the rest of them groaning.
"Hey now is that any way to greet your friends?" Ron asked from the doorway.
"Pay no attention to them," Cho said, coming forward and hugging Ron and Luna. "Fashionably late as always eh?"
"Of course," Ron replied. "We're only late because of that bloody monster that Luna calls a dog."
"Don't mind him," Luna said, playfully slapping Ron on the shoulder. "He's just mad because Paddington left a little surprise in Ron's shoe."
"Little surprise?" Ron scoffed.
Luna giggled. "You guys should have seen the look on Ron's face when he slipped his foot in the shoe."
Harry and Seamus laughed openly while the rest of them hid their snickers. "Yeah, thanks for the support," Ron replied. "Now what's going on, why are we here?"
"Welcome to the Chang School of Dance for Witches and Wizards," Cho said, motioning around the room.
"The what?" Ron asked. Luna elbowed him in the stomach.
"Does this mean what I think it does?" she asked her friend delightedly.
Cho nodded excitedly. "I can hardly believe it myself, but yes."
"That's fantastic," Luna hugged her tightly. "What a perfect job for you!"
"I think so, too," Cho said beaming.
Neville turned on some music. "I thought this was a party..."
"Right you are," Seamus replied. "And free champagne for the rest of us."
"Where's the food?" Ron asked.
Harry laughed. "We thought YOU were bringing it Weasley," he teased.
Ron frowned. "You're kidding, right? Please tell me you're kidding."
"Because he eats the food, he doesn't bring it," Luna laughed at the look on her boyfriend's face.
Neville and Cho came back into the room carrying boxes of pizza. "I know it's not much, but it's the best we can do on short notice," Neville said, as they set the pizzas down on the table.
"Pizza works for me," Ron said ravenously.
"Somehow I thought it would," Neville teased.
"Anything works for me," Ron's mouth was already full.
"Pizza and champagne," Harry lifted his glass. "I love it."
"Hey now," Hermione gave him a reproving look. "Come on... here's to Cho and her brilliant new school!" she held her glass up in the air.
"Here, here," Luna said, clinking glasses with Hermione.
"Thanks you guys," Cho's eyes had gone glassy.
Everyone enjoyed the pizza and champagne and splintered off into different groups chatting. Luna walked over to where Harry was talking to Seamus.
"Hey," she said. "Um, Seamus, would it be alright if I had a word with Harry?"
"Sure," Seamus replied. "I'll talk to you later mate,"
Harry nodded and looked over in Hermione's direction. She was chatting with Neville and Cho.
"So how are you?" Luna asked him.
"Not too bad," Harry took a sip of his champagne. "How about you? How's Boston?"
"Okay," she said with a shrug. She briefly explained how the editors in Boston offered her and Michael permanent positions. "Michael's already accepted, but I'm still unsure."
"How come?" Harry's eyes followed hers where they settled on Ron. "He's not giving you a hard time is he?"
Luna shook her head. "He couldn't be more supportive."
"That's good," Harry said. "So what's keeping you from accepting?"
"When I'm back in Boston," she said with a sigh. "All I can think about is being back here with you guys and with Ron. And then I think about my dad...I'm all he's got left..."
Harry nodded. "I see," he said slowly. "Well... just as long as you know we all support either decision you make."
"Thanks," she said before taking another sip of her champagne. "I did manage to find out a few things about our Mr. Devereaux."
"Already?" Harry's eyes widened. "I didn't even know that Ron asked you about it."
She smiled. "He told me this afternoon. I had to go into the office anyway and I managed to find out a few things."
"Like what?" Harry dropped his voice.
"What do you know about his parents?" Luna asked in a hushed tone.
"Nothing," Harry replied. "I remember back during the holidays he was going to visit them, or so he told Hermione, but then he told her they went out of town."
Luna pulled a couple sheets of parchment from her pocket. She unfolded them and began to read the notes she'd scribbled that afternoon. "His parents are John and Margaret Devereaux. He's their only son and from all appearances they were the model wizarding family," she read off.
"Okay..." Harry tried to mask the impatience in his voice.
"As you know Gordon attended Beauxbatons with Hermione," Luna continued. "Up until his third year when he left the school. The story behind that was his father being transferred to another Ministry, but I managed to find out that wasn't the real reason he left Beauxbatons. He was expelled."
"Expelled?" Harry's eyes widened and his champagne glass nearly slipped from his hand. He cast a furtive glance at Hermione to make sure she was still busy talking, which she was. "Expelled for what?"
"The records were sealed unfortunately," Luna said. "I've got someone checking into it for me, but there were rumours that Gordon was violent toward a few of his classmates. Apparently, Mr. Devereaux paid off their families in exchange for them keeping quiet."
Harry was silent for a moment. "This really doesn't surprise me," he began.
"He was nearly expelled from Durmstrang for the same thing," Luna said softly. "But you and I both know that they're willing to look the other way about certain things..."
"No kidding," Harry snorted.
Luna stepped closer to Harry. "That's not even all of it, Harry."
"There's more?" Harry asked. "What?"
"No one has seen or heard from his parents in nearly two years," Luna whispered. "He apparently abruptly resigned from his position at the Ministry in Bulgaria. The story is that they're travelling around the world, but I've not managed to find anyone who can verify that."
"You think..." Harry gulped. "You think he did something to them?"
"I don't know," Luna said, looking past Harry at Hermione who was now chatting with Ron. "But I think it's a possibility."
"All right," Harry said. "Thanks for looking into this for me Luna."
"I wish I could have given you more to go on," she said apologetically.
"No, this is fine," he forced a smile at her. "You've got plenty of your own things to do; I don't expect you to be burying yourself in a workroom on my behalf."
"Nonsense," Luna said. "You're my friend and so is Hermione. I'm happy to do anything I can to help."
"Thanks," Harry gave her arm a squeeze as they went to join their respective others.
"There you are," Hermione said as Harry walked in her direction. "I was beginning to think you were ignoring me."
"How could I ignore the most gorgeous woman in the room?" Harry asked.
"Care to dance?" she asked, taking his hand. "It'd be a shame to let the music go to waste."
"Too right you are," Harry tossed back the rest of his champagne before leading her out past the tables.
"Is everything okay?" she asked as they reached a spot in the middle of the studio. "You and Luna looked deep in conversation."
"She was just telling me that the paper in Boston made her an offer," Harry said. "She's not sure if she wants to take it yet."
"That's really great," she said, looping her arms around his neck. "I don't envy her having to make a tough decision like that, though."
"Me either," Harry replied. "Especially if it meant I had to be half a world away from you for the better part of my time."
She smiled as they slowly swayed to the music. "You'll have to travel when you're officially an Auror. We could someday face the same type of dilemma that Luna and Ron are now."
"Well I'm sure I'll have to travel," Harry answered. "But I'd never live away from you like that."
"I'd never let you," she said grinning up at him. She didn't think she could put into words how much better she felt about their relationship now that everything was out in the open. It meant so much to her that he'd shared a part of himself that he'd not let anyone else see.
"What are you thinking about?" Harry asked her, kissing the tip of her nose.
"Just how happy I am," she whispered.
"I'm glad you're happy," Harry brushed his lips lightly over hers.
"What about you?" she asked. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
Harry grinned. "I'd really like to shag right now."
"Harry," Hermione chided him. "We can't just leave the party...could we?"
"Maybe not quite yet," Harry said. "I wouldn't want Cho to think our sexual drive is more important than her. We just won't tell her that."
"You're right," she said. The music changed to a faster tempo and Hermione laughed as Harry spun her around. "Show off... trying to impress the owner so she offers you a job?"
"She already asked me to come in and help her once in awhile," Harry smirked.
"You are a good teacher," she said as he dipped her low. "You did teach me everything I know."
"Aye, that I did, and not just about dancing," he said wickedly.
"Show off," she teased.
"Will you look at them?" Lavender asked. "You wouldn't realise they had a huge row just a few days ago would you?"
Seamus shook his head. "They look to be getting along quite nicely now."
"Aye they do," Lavender smiled as Hermione laughed. "I was worried about them."
Seamus nodded as he tapped his foot to the beat of the music. Out of the four couples, he and Lavender were the only ones not dancing. "Don't look at me like that, Lavender," Seamus said sternly. "I won't dance, don't ask me..."
"Oh come on, you danced with me at that designer party and you enjoyed it." Lavender pleaded.
"Because I didn't know any of those people," Seamus answered.
"Oh come on," Lavender sidled up to him. "I promise if you do I'll make it worth your while later..." she nudged his ear.
"Well, if you put it that way," he said, allowing her to lead him onto the floor. "The things I let you do to me..."
Lavender giggled. "Come on Seamus, you're not that bad."
"You're just saying that because you love me," he said.
"Well that's only partially true," Lavender wrapped her arms around him. "I do love you..."
"Do my eyes deceive me?" Neville asked as he and Cho danced beside them. "This can't be my old mate Seamus--dancing?"
"Yeah, yeah..." Seamus said. "I do it for my girlfriend."
"Aye," Neville said nodding. "I'm doing it for my wife."
Seamus grinned as Lavender leaned into him. "You're not so bad out here yourself Longbottom."
"Ow!" Cho said as Neville stepped on her foot.
"Sorry," Neville said sheepishly. "I guess I'll be your first student."
"All right, I take that back," Seamus said to Lavender as he did he best to twirl her around.
"Oi! Cho!" Ron called out. "You're out of pizza! Don't we have anything else to eat?"
Cho turned. "No, sorry Ron we only bought SIX of them!"
"Very funny, Mrs. Longbottom," Ron said sarcastically.
"Does this mean Ron ate five pizzas?" Hermione called out from where she and Harry were currently pressed tightly together. "Because between the rest of us I think we can all only take credit for one."
"I didn't eat five," Ron said defensively. He leaned in to Luna and said in a hushed tone, "Did I?"
Luna began to giggle. "I lost count after three love," she replied.
"They were rather small, don't you think?" Ron asked looking for back up from his friends, who were laughing. "Okay, okay. Can we please have one night where you lot aren't getting on my case about my appetite?"
"Maybe on a night when your appetite doesn't put the rest of us to shame," Harry teased.
"Sod off, Rabbit," Ron retorted. "Shouldn't you be mating right about now?"
Harry grinned. "Would you like us to?"
"Don't encourage him!" Cho exclaimed, shooting Ron a warning glance.
"He's always looking for an excuse," Hermione was laughing.
"Hey," Harry said, wrapping his arms around Hermione's waist. "I wasn't aware I needed an excuse..."
"You don't," Hermione leaned back against him.
"Okay..." Lavender rolled her eyes. "I don't know how the two of you always manage to turn our conversations to your sexual lives but we really don't want to know."
"We didn't start this," Hermione pointed out. "If you recall, this conversation started with Ron's never ending appetite and it sort of veered off to Harry and me for some reason."
"I think you all want to know," Harry said smugly.
"Trust us when I say we really don't," Lavender said with a giggle.
Cho rolled her eyes as Harry began whispering into Hermione's ear. "All right... how about you all help us clean up and we'll get another pizza and take it back to our place?"
Ron didn't need to be asked twice as the mere mention of food was all the incentive he needed. "What can I do to help?" he asked with a cheeky grin.
Cho grinned at him. "Mind taking down the tables?"
"Your wish is my command," he said getting to work doing as she asked.
"I wonder what has him more whipped, you or food." Seamus asked Luna.
Luna laughed. "I think right now food is in the lead."
They were all laughing as everyone pitched in and the studio was cleaned in no time. "I can't wait until you start your classes," Harry said to Cho.
"Do you really think people will come?" she asked him, feeling that familiar apprehension.
"Of course they will. Who else has a dance studio in the Wizarding World?" Harry reassured her. "Besides, you know how curious some wizards are about Muggle things."
"That's true," she said, giving her best friend a warm hug. "I can't believe this is all happening. I'm married...I have a beautiful little baby at home...and I'm about to do what I've always dreamed about. Pinch me? Just to make sure I'm not dreaming."
Harry grinned. "Do you really want me to pinch you?" he asked.
"Yes," she said, holding out her arm.
He did as he was told. "Harry," his girlfriend frowned. "Why are you pinching Cho?"
"She wanted to make sure this was all real and she wasn't dreaming," Harry answered. "Don't tell me you're jealous? Want me to pinch you, too?" He held out a hand toward Hermione who backed away. "Or how about I tickle you?" he asked, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed. "Don't you dare!" she kept backing away as he advanced.
"They're hopeless," Cho said laughing as Harry took off after Hermione, chasing her around the studio.
"Completely," Lavender replied.
Luna watched her two friends as she and Ron gathered up the last of the compact discs. Harry and Hermione truly looked happy. She hoped that her research proved Gordon Devereaux to be harmless. The last thing Harry and Hermione needed was a loose cannon on their hands. But from what she'd learned so far, she couldn't help feeling that Harry was right to be worried.
"Well I don't know about the rest of you but I'm definitely ready for more food," Ron announced as the last table was folded away.
Lavender looked at Harry who was about to open his mouth. "Harry, if you say that you're hungry, but not for food, I swear I'm going to smack you upside the head."
Harry shut his mouth. "Fine," he said. "Spoilsport..."
"She knows you quite well, doesn't she?" Hermione asked with a laugh.
"I like to think so," Lavender smiled smugly.
"Everyone ready?" Neville asked as they all pulled on their cloaks. "And did we mention that Ron's buying?"
*** *** ***
Harry walked home with a slight bounce in his step. Lupin had pulled a few of them aside that day and told them that next week they were taking an unexpected trip to New Zealand to train with a new tactics manoeuvres professor who was quite well known. Harry was excited to be picked and couldn't wait to share the news with his girlfriend.
He smiled as he thought about her, and was glad now that he'd finally opened up and told her some of the things he'd been keeping to himself for so long. Lupin had been correct and it made him feel better to see that Hermione stuck by his side even though some of the things he had done were so horrifying that anyone else would have been long gone.
"Hey I'm home!" he called as he stepped in the door. "Hermione?"
"We're in here," Hermione called out to him.
Harry went into their living room. "Guess what..." his voice trailed off as he saw the person he currently detested most sitting next to his girlfriend.
Hermione, who had been laughing at something Gordon had just said, turned to look at Harry. In doing so, she missed the frown that came across Gordon's face. "What?" she asked, smiling at Harry. When he didn't answer, she pulled a confused face. "What is it you had to tell me, sweetheart?"
"Oh... nothing special," Harry fibbed, not wanting Gordon to know he was going out of town. "We can talk later if you're busy..." he turned and went into the kitchen for a drink.
"Never too busy for you," she said, coming further into the kitchen. "Especially when you look like you had good news..."
Harry set his butterbeer on the counter. "You've heard of that guy they call the Spellbinder right?"
"Yes," she said leaning against the counter. "What does that have to do with you?"
"Lupin picked five of us to go to New Zealand and train with him next week," Harry replied.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed, enveloping him in a hug. "That's fantastic!"
Harry grinned. "I'm really looking forward to it. Unfortunately it means I'll be gone all next week as a result..."
"Are you saying you'll miss me then?" she asked coyly.
"Maybe," Harry teased. "Just a little."
She hit him playfully on the shoulder. "What about Neville? Did he get picked, too?"
"Aye he did, which really surprised him." Harry said.
"I don't see why he'd be surprised," Hermione said, shaking her head. "From what you've told me, he's really doing well."
"He's doing a lot better than he was at the beginning," Harry replied. "But yeah, we leave Monday morning and we'll be back by Saturday afternoon."
"I'm so proud of you!" she exclaimed, giving him a kiss. "I just wish you didn't have to be gone for so long."
"I wish we didn't either. I could have turned it down but--"
"It's a great opportunity," she interjected. "And you can't turn things like that down. I understand. Besides, I'll be okay all by myself. Lonely, of course, but okay."
"I can ask Cho if she and the baby want to come here and stay with you," Harry offered.
Hermione frowned. "Why would I need them to come and stay with me?"
"So you don't get lonely," Harry said.
She raised an eyebrow at him. "That's not it, is it? You think I can't take care of myself?"
"Of course I do," Harry protested. "You just said you'd be lonely so I thought maybe you'd like it if Cho stayed here that's all." He secretly thought this was a good idea so that if Gordon Devereaux was stalking their cottage Hermione wouldn't be alone.
"I'll be okay," Hermione said softly. She appreciated his concern, but she wished he'd sometimes give her credit. "Gordon will be over a lot since we're working on this project. It's over 60 percent of our final grade..."
"He will?" Harry felt his stomach drop out. "Well maybe we should ask Cho, just in case she's nervous about being alone with Chiaki."
"I wouldn't want to impose on her," Hermione said. "It wouldn't be easy for her to just up stakes with a baby and come and stay with me and hold my hand while you're gone, Harry."
"All right," Harry let the matter drop for now but he was determined not to let her be alone with Gordon.
"We shouldn't be too much longer tonight," she said motioning toward the living room. "We can celebrate your good news...provided you're not too knackered."
"For that? Never," Harry replied, sending her a grin.
"Care for a preview then?" she asked. "So you'll know what to expect?"
"That sounds nice," Harry said as she slid her arms around him.
"Hermione!" Gordon's voice called out. "I found that spell we were looking for earlier!"
"He's got perfect timing," Hermione said with a laugh.
"Aye," Harry said sourly.
"I guess I'd better go back," she said, giving him a quick kiss. "Oh and Luna sent you an owl earlier. I put it down on the table there."
"All right," Harry gave her another kiss and watched as she went back into the living room.
Harry sat back down at the table with his butterbeer and opened Luna's letter.
Harry,
I found out some more things on our good friend Mr. D. I was wondering if you'd meet me at The Leaky Cauldron tomorrow morning at nine. You're not going to like what I found out. Send me an owl to let me know if you can make it.
Love,
Luna
Harry crumpled the note in his hand as he dug through the drawers for a spare piece of parchment. He sent a note back to Luna agreeing to meet her as he tucked her letter into his pocket. "Damn him..." he muttered.
It had been a long day and Harry was tired- he wanted to take a shower and wait for Gordon to leave. He headed into the hallway and stopped short at the sight of the other man who was going quietly upstairs. "What are you doing?" he asked coldly.
Gordon froze. He'd thought Potter would be safely tucked away in the kitchen and not see him trying to go upstairs to get some more of Hermione's belongings. He cursed himself for his stupidity.
"I was going to the loo," Gordon said slowly turning around.
"The loo is back there," Harry pointed.
"Right you are," Gordon said. "So Hermione tells me you're going away..."
"Did she now," Harry crossed his arms over his chest. "I thought you two were busy studying."
"Yes she did," Gordon said, delighted that he'd touched a nerve. "Why do you look so surprised? Do you think that all Hermione and I do is study? I can assure you we do so much more than that..."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Harry's temper with the man was already short. "I don't appreciate your insinuations."
"Did I insinuate anything?" Gordon asked a sly smile on his face. "I certainly didn't mean to imply anything, honestly. I assure you my intentions with Hermione are honourable and platonic."
"Good," Harry replied evenly. "Keep it that way and you and I will have no problems."
"Feeling a little insecure in your relationship?" Gordon couldn't stop himself from asking. "I know it's none of my business, but if your relationship is as strong as you say it is..."
"It's never been stronger," Harry interrupted. "In fact..." a snide smile appeared on his face. "I'm thinking of proposing soon if you must know. That's about the only way Hermione and I could get closer by this point."
"Proposing?" Gordon asked. Now, it was Harry who'd touched a nerve. "Proposing? But you--"
"What?" Harry was enjoying himself. "But I what?"
Gordon thought quickly. He had to do something to cover his mistake. If Hermione wasn't in this cottage, he'd wipe that smirk off of Potter's face. "You're too young to get married. Hermione said the two of you had talked about it and you were going to wait..."
"We're at a perfect age to get married," Harry was getting the better of him and he knew it. "Besides, why are you so concerned if you're so honourable and things are platonic?" he mocked.
"Because she's my friend, of course," Gordon retorted. "And I don't think she realizes what sort of person you really are. I imagine she doesn't know what you do or who you see when she's not there."
"And what the hell are you implying now?" Harry's tone dropped dangerously.
"The Famous Harry Potter," Gordon said icily. "Imagine the girls drop their knickers just at the sound of your name."
"If they do, I certainly have no part in it," Harry glared at him. "And if I didn't know any better I'd swear you had something to do with those Daily Prophet articles about me back at the beginning of the year."
"Come now," Gordon said haughtily. "You don't think I'm the only one who doesn't worship the ground you walk on, do you? I imagine there's a long line of people who could have been responsible for that."
Harry stepped towards him. "You get out," he said fiercely. "I don't want you here anymore. You've officially worn out your welcome."
"Temper, temper," Gordon said with a smile. "Unfortunately for you, Hermione does want me here. And until she asks me to go, you're out of luck."
Harry opened his mouth to retort but Gordon swept past him back into the living room. Angrier than ever, Harry stomped upstairs and slammed their bedroom door shut. He would get rid of the man and make Hermione see how despicable Gordon Devereaux really was.