Chapter 7
Disclaimer: *sigh* Not in a million year that HP would be mine so don't sue me. All belong to JKR.
A/N: I'm so sorry that it takes me so long to update. It's because of my current situation and I just want it to be good for you all that I kept writing and rewriting so many times.
My thanks to my wonderful beta, Nakhash, she beta read this chapter and is great as always. Thanks to all of you who patiently wait for me **hugs**.
Here are some answers I have promised:
Plum Blossoms: The answer is in the first few chapters but I will tell you now - he is Draco.
Coolone007 and Lady Starlight: Great observation! Hermione does try and so does Harry. Coolone, if there is anyone could do, it's Hermione, remember her 3rd year? :-)
MrsDanielRadcliffe and Athena Hermione Riddle: Some action, huh? Here is some; there would be more to come in time, just keep reading.
tabitoo and Eleanna: I too like slow progression :-)
Shellbell18: *Gasp* Phew! It's close...
izzieq: There are so many questions, right? Well, the answers should be in the next, next chapters.
Austenlover: You would be clarified after you read this chapter.
Okay, it's getting too long for A/N now. On to the chapter, cheer!
***
Hermione spent most of her time in the next few days preparing for moving in with Harry. There was nothing much to do, but she refused to meet Harry just yet. It was as if she were preparing her mind rather than preparing her belongings. She had never been so confused before. Admittedly, she was a little thrilled at the thought of her and Harry being more than friends, but at the same time an alarm bell was ringing in her head as if to tell her that what she was thinking was dangerous.
Hermione sighed heavily. Sitting on her bed, she toyed with her Modern Art of Potions' Brewing book, unable to put it in the waiting suitcase because, if she finished her packing, there would be nothing more to distract her. She sighed once more. It was no use avoiding the topic. Hermione let her mind wander onto the current situation, which she dared not speculate on too deeply, before.
Do you really want to deepen your relationship? What if Harry doesn't feel the same? And what are you feeling? Do you love Harry? Yes, I do, Hermione practically answered herself, but another question appeared, Are you in love with him? Hermione frowned and was silent for a moment. As of now, she had no answer for that question. It was true that she loved Harry and cared for him, but was she in love with him?
She thought back to her past love life. Her first date was Viktor Krum, who was more or less a friend rather than a boyfriend. Her feelings for him were nothing more than a sort of pride that, while she was clearly a bookworm with frizzy hair and buckteeth, he, an international Quidditch star, had asked her out. She was flattered, to say the least. However, when he went back to his country, even though they had communicated by owl her feelings for him had never developed. He remained her friend, her pen pal.
After Viktor, there came Ron, sweet Ronald. Hermione smiled at the memories. It started in the summer of their sixth year at Hogwarts. They had tried to pursue a relationship and dated a few times during that year. It was the most outrageous experience she ever had in her tiny love life. If they weren't quarrelling or biting one another's heads off, they were too polite: Ron pulled a chair out for Hermione; Hermione sat next to Ron, trying very hard not to make snide comments over his eating habits; Ron held the door open for Hermione, but the worst part was the conversations they shared. One of them would just say: Oh yeah? Really? Uh-huh... That was when they were trying to avoid arguing. It was not long before they were both tired of the charade and their new developing relationship was ended by silent agreement, which both of them gratefully accepted.
Their seventh year had been so busy and stressful that she had no time for a relationship with anyone. They were all caught up with N.E.W.Ts and the war. But when the war ended and they had graduated, she had gone away, seeking her life. In truth, she had dated a few times throughout the last five years, but not a single relationship survived more than a few months. That was either her fault or her ever constant moving about, though she suspected the first. She remembered there had been a man whom she had thought was her mate; still, it turned out otherwise in the end. They were still friends, but she somehow felt guilty for what she had done to him. Hermione shook her head; sometimes it was easier to understand other people's minds than your own.
Now there came Harry. They were friends for so long but had never once tried to develop the relationship they had into something more. Unlike with Ron, Hermione was comfortable with Harry. She was able to discus problems with him, and they had worked successfully with each other on many occasions. She cared for him, loved him, and wanted the best for him, and she knew he felt the same way about her. What she didn't know was his and her heart's desire. Does he love me more than a best female friend? Do I love him more than a best male friend? Hermione sighed once more. There were too many questions, and she didn't know the answers, worse, she didn't dare to find the answers. How Gryffindor you are, Granger! a voice said sarcastically in her mind. But what could she do? Go find Harry and ask him right away? Hermione shook her head grimly.
She put the last book in the opened suitcase, closed it, and stood up resolutely. She would wait and reserve the decision for later; besides, she had not got a clear view of the whole situation between Harry and Cho yet, so it was better to wait and see. She wouldn't want to do something that could ruin their friendship, least of all something that she, herself, wasn't even sure of.
As she looked around the room for anything she might have left out, a snowy owl flew in through the opened window. Hermione smiled at the owl when it landed on her shoulder.
"Hello, Hedwig," said Hermione, patting her soft feathers. "Have you been out on mission, girl? I haven't seen you since I've been back."
The owl nipped Hermione's ear lightly as if to reply to the witch's question. Hermione chuckled and untied a note from Hedwig's leg. It was from Harry.
Dear Hermione,
Have you changed your mind, now? Why don't you come and visit? Agnes keeps saying M'nee; I think she misses you. (Hermione smiled as she thought of Agnes but frowned at seeing a long scratch on the parchment) Are you angry with me, Hermione? I'm sorry if I have offended you. I suppose it was out of my control; I didn't mean to upset you. Can you forgive me?
Love,
Harry
Hermione read the letter one more time before turning to Hedwig. "Can you wait a minute? I will write a note back to him." Hedwig nibbled her ear again then flew to stand on the windowsill. Grasping a piece of parchment and a quill, she wrote:
Dear Harry,
I'm not angry with you for any reason. The event (she began but thought better of it and crossed the words out) - I have not changed my mind. I just need a few days to arrange everything (there - it's true, she thought) and go to visit my parents. I will meet you when I return. Kiss Agnes for me, okay?
Love,
Hermione
PS. I'm going to Floo my things to you, first.
Hermione tied the letter on Hedwig's leg and bid the bird goodbye as she took off. Relief washed over her as she skimmed over Harry's letter again. How foolish of her to think Harry meant it. It would save them both from terrible awkward feelings once she moved in with him. Ignoring a slight disappointment in her heart, she waved her wand over her luggage, using the Mobilibuxus charm to move them to the fireplace. She threw a handful of Floo powder in and said clearly, "Harry Potter's house!" The fire burnt bright green and her trunk vanished in a minute.
Picking up a small bag, stuffed with some clothes and other useful things, from the bed, she went downstairs to thank Mr. and Mrs. Weasley for kindly allowing her to stay with them.
***
Hermione arrived at her parents' house around midday. The door was locked, indicating that her mother and father had not yet arrived home. She searched her bag and purse for the key but found nothing. She must have lost it or left it in her trunk, which she had already transferred to Harry's house. She sighed. Pulling out her wand, she looked around for any sigh of Muggle, but there was none. She tapped her wand lightly on the doorknob and muttered "Alohomora". The door clicked open, revealing her childhood home.
Everything was the same, clean and tidy. Hermione smiled and walked in. She closed the door with another flick of her wand. Hermione was on the brink of tears as she looked at her surroundings and memories came back to her. Her gaze rested on the set of furniture in the middle of the living room. There stood a beautiful golden frame with a Muggle photograph in it.
In the photo was a beautiful woman with brown hair and dark brown eyes. She was Hermione's mother, sitting on a coach. A little girl, young Hermione, sat on her lap; her father was standing behind them, wrapping his arms around her mother's shoulders. Hermione brushed her fingertips over the tiny figures in the photo. She had missed her parents very much and, now, looking at the photo was just making the feelings come crushing down. Hermione hugged the picture to her chest as tears of emotion melted down her cheeks.
A few minutes later, she calmed down. Hermione put the picture back on the table and brushed the remaining teardrops from her face. Still remembering her way around the house clearly, Hermione eagerly climbed the stairs to her room. It was a nice little room with one bed, a writing desk, a dresser, and two rather large bookcases. Hermione dropped her bag on her bed and started exploring. The room was as clean as the living room, no dust on the furniture or wrinkles on the bed sheet; her mother must have cleaned it regularly. She walked to her bookcases. Pulling her wand out, she tapped it on the right onside and muttered a spell; every book in the bookcase sparkled brightly for a second. Hermione smiled; she placed her wand on the desk and picked a book up, turning a few pages for confirmation. Her smiled broadened in satisfaction. She had set up a ward on her room, particularly on her bookcases and her desk, which contained most of her personally magical things, before she took off on her journey. It was not likely that her mother and father would go wandering through her personal things, but it was better safe than sorry, for some of her things were quite nasty.
She prepared a few more things, and then took a bath. While traveling had done nothing to make her tired, her emotions over her childhood memories had drawn a lot of her energy and she had become exhausted. So Hermione thought she would take a nap before she went off hunting for some Muggle lunch, maybe a sandwich, a humbugger, pizza, or whatever; she really missed those kinds of foods very much.
It was very late when Hermione returned from exploring Muggle London. After traveling so long, she was glad to be back in her country. No place like home, she thought happily, as she crawled into her bed. Hermione drifted off to sleep, so exhausted that all thought of the Wizarding world was far away from her mind, including the object of her recent sleepless nights.
***
The next day, her parents arrived; they were overjoyed to see her. Her mother was unable to let go of her at all, and her father beamed delightedly the entire time. When she saw her parents, Hermione realized how she had missed them and thanked the gods for the hundredth time for letting them survive the war five years ago. Seeing the happiness of her mother and father, Hermione decided to take up the matter of her moving in with Harry, later, for now, she would just enjoy the family reunion.
Before she knew it, two days had passed and Hermione decided it was time to tell her parents at dinner that night. Thankfully, it was her father who brought up the topic. She had told them that she would stay for three days but never mentioned where she would go after that.
"Sweetie, what are you planning to do?" asked her father.
Her mother looked up from her plate, somewhat surprised, but quickly smiled and said encouragingly, "Yes, Hermione, will you find a job somewhere in London?"
Hermione bit her lower lip out of childhood habit, thinking of a way to break the news. "As a matter of fact, I already have a plan." She paused to look from her father's concerned face to her mother's hopeful face. "I'm going to live with Harry," she finally announced.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked dumbfounded and confused. They had heard Harry Potter was married to a woman named Cho Chang from Arthur Weasley, who sometimes dropped in after work to talk to Mr. Granger about some new Muggle inventions. But they didn't know what had happened after the marriage.
"What did you say? Isn't Harry Potter married?" her father inquired carefully as if he were trying to calm himself.
"Yes, Hermione darling, do you know what you are doing?" asked her mother when she found her voice again.
Hermione wasn't surprised that her parents knew about Harry being married, because if Harry hadn't invited them to his wedding, they would at least have heard the news from Mr. Weasley. Mr. Weasley sometimes came to visit her parents while she was still at Hogwarts. But explaining to them the current conditions wasn't going to be easy. She sighed inwardly.
"You know about Harry's wedding, then," she stated, and both parents nodded. "But do you know that Cho, Harry's wife, is no longer living with him? She left him and their daughter, almost two years ago." She shook her head pleadingly at her parents' protesting looks. "Please, Mom, Dad it's not like what you're thinking. I'm not going to develop a relationship with Harry while he's still married to another woman. We are best friends." For now, a voice in her mind added wickedly, but Hermione ignored it. She focused her attention fully on the debate with her parents.
"But why do you want to live with him? It's not that you have nowhere to go, love," her mother demanded.
"We have an agreement," Hermione explained patiently. "I'll have a good place to write my book without having to worry about anything and, in turn, I'll help him take care of his daughter. It's not easy for a man to look after a child while he still has to work." She stopped then added enthusiastically. "Oh - and you wouldn't believe how lovely Agnes is! You'll love her the instant you see her, I'm sure." Hermione beamed at her mother and father, who looked at one another worriedly.
Mrs. Granger put her knife and folk down neatly. She looked at Hermione seriously for a moment. "How about your life? Your reputation?" she asked, worry visible on her face and her husband's. "You can't just stick to him forever, Hermione."
Hermione scratched her plate with her folk absentmindedly, an annoying habit when thinking she had developed over the many times of talking while eating with her coworkers in Africa, then she said, "I know you love me, Mom, Dad, but please let me choose my road myself." Her mother gave her a dark look as if to say, Don't you always? Hermione just smiled and went on, glancing at her father's stern face. "I know what I'm doing. I just need to finish what I've started, and it's not likely that Agnes will stay small forever."
She gave her parents a sweet smile, reassuring them, but her father still looked anything but reassured and her mother's brows creased together doubtfully. "Oh, please! Mom," she pleaded desperately, "I promise no more than a few years; I'll show you my groom and settle down, all right?"
"If you say so, dear," said her mother, unconvinced, but squeezed Hermione's hands firmly in understanding.
Hermione smiled brightly and turned to her father. "All right, Dad?" she asked, her big browns eyes shining with hope.
"All right," her father grumbled. Hermione threw herself on her father like a five-year-old girl and hugged him tightly. Mr. Granger couldn't help but smile and hugged his little girl in turn. "Thanks, Dad," said Hermione, kissing her father on the cheek.
***
Her last night at her parents' house went well with little tension between them. The next morning, she said goodbye to her parents, trying very hard not to shed tears. She Apparated to Harry's house, wondering if he had already left for work. That would give her a little more time to prepare herself before actually meeting him but, thinking it over again, delaying time did nothing to calm her winding mind. Well, let's get it over with it. With that thought, Hermione pushed open the gate and walked past the beautiful garden covered with soft layers of fresh snow.
Brushing off some snow on her hair and robe, Hermione knocked lightly on the front door. She expected to hear Dobby's high squeaking voice answer the door, but it slid open without any sound. Hermione looked up from the doorstep and saw Harry towering over her; his face was blank for a moment before filling up with a reluctant smile.
"Good morning, Harry," said Hermione, hoping that she sound normally cheerful.
"Hi, Hermione, come on in. It's cold out there," Harry greeted her and held the door open for her.
"How did everything go at your parents'?" asked Harry during the short walk to the living room.
"Wonderful!" answered Hermione, brushing off the remaining snow from her hair. "We were all happy to see each other again, and we had quite a good time together."
They arrived at the living room. Harry didn't show any signs of uneasiness toward her presence at all, and that was what made Hermione relax.
"Will you wait a few minutes? I'll fix us some tea, or would you prefer coffee?" Harry offered.
Hermione took off her cloak and dropped it, along with her bag, on one chair. She then sat herself in another before replying, "Coffee would be nice, thank you."
Harry sailed out of the room, leaving Hermione alone. She replayed their conversation again in her mind. Harry was polite and seemed to be careful with his words, but he showed no trace of being uncomfortable, at all. Maybe it was just her mind played a trick on her - that was all. He had been cautious and slightly withdrawn since she was back, not just after that night. Sighing heavily, Hermione decided that whatever had happened, she would just keep it in her heart. She had to be comfortable around him if they were to live under the same roof.
A few minutes later, Harry was back. Hermione forced her mind to get back on the matter at hand. Harry set the cups on the table and poured some coffee for Hermione. "Sugar or milk?" he asked.
"Neither. I prefer black," answered Hermione, taking the cup from Harry. Seeing Harry raise an eyebrow, she said, "Don't look at me like that, it's become a habit for me now. Can't change." She muffled the last words while delightedly sipping the bitter liquid.
Harry put two cubes of sugar into his cup and stirred lazily. "I'm glad you're here, Hermione," he said.
"Now, Harry, don't start again," Hermione responded and shook her head. "We have our bargain, remember?"
Harry smiled. "Of course I do," he said and drank his coffee. "Do your parents know you're living here - with me?" he asked after a pause.
"Yes, they do; I told them," she replied casually, still sipping her coffee.
"They didn't get mad at me, did they?" he asked again.
Hermione looked up at him with an eyebrow raised elegantly. "Why should they?" she inquired, even though Hermione suspected she already knew the answer.
"Because I've taken their daughter away from them," he said softly, looking down. "I always am a trouble for you, Hermione."
Hermione frowned; it was far from what she had expected and it was worse. "No, you're not," she told him slowly and firmly. "I've decided that for myself and my parents, they understand quite well." After a long session of debating, she added silently to herself. Aloud, she went on, "I hope this is our last talk on the subject, okay?"
"Okay," said Harry. His face softened as he smiled. They looked at one another silently for a few seconds. Hermione felt her face grew a little hot; quickly she turned her gaze down on her empty cup. Harry followed her direction and offered to refill it.
"Aren't you working today?" Hermione asked, changing the subject. She glanced at her wristwatch; it showed ten am. Harry should be in a dead hurry now if he wanted to get to the Ministry of Magic on time.
"No, I'm not working today," he replied. Suddenly his face felt into a thoughtful expression.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked with concern. "Has anything bad happened?"
Putting his cup down, Harry folded his arms on the table. "Not really bad, don't worry," he told Hermione, "there had been a group of Dark wizards forming a few years ago. The Ministry had once conquered them, but they've reformed and now have members in many other countries besides England."
"They're not very dangerous, are they?" asked Hermione. "You look troubled."
"Well, it's that I, along with the other Aurors, will be leaving for France this afternoon," Harry informed her.
"Is it an urgency?" asked Hermione, frowning. It didn't sound like nothing to worry about if he had to leave so quickly.
"As a matter of fact, it's not," Harry explained. "I was informed of the trip a week ago..."
"I can't believe it!" interrupted Hermione, irritably. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? In your letter?"
"Sorry, I just didn't want to disturb you ahead of time, Hermione," he said softly as if trying to make it up to her.
"Disturb? Harry Potter!" Hermione said hotly, "Am I not your friend? What if I had decided to stay for another week or so? Who would take care of Agnes?" She choked on her last words; somehow Harry's words had brought up so many emotions in her mind. One of the feelings was hurt. How could he think such a thing would disturb her? Shaking her head she turned away, trying to hide the sadness that was surely written on her flushed face. "You don't trust me," she said just above a whisper, but somehow Harry seemed to hear her.
"I'm sorry, Hermione," Harry said softly. He reached for her hands and squeezed them slightly. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just - I thought I'd better leave you alone for a while." He sighed.
"Of course you didn't," Hermione said pulling her hands from his. "I don't know, Harry, but you've been acting so distant since I returned. You're still thinking of me as your best friend, aren't you?" She gazed into his emerald eyes that hid behind his round spectacles. His eyes bored into hers for a few seconds before shifting his gaze to the remaining black coffee in her cup.
He nodded slowly and said, his voice clear and determined, "Yes, we are, we always will be."
Hermione smiled a small smile and grasped his hands. "I won't make you promise to tell me everything, but if you ever need a hand or an ear, please think of me as your first option, okay? And I don't think it will be any trouble since I'm going to be living in the same house as you."
"All right," he said.
"Deal!" said Hermione, beaming brightly. "So how long will you stay in France?"
"I'm not sure," Harry responded, "it depends on how soon we seize them all; it could be a week, a month, or several months."
Hermione stopped smiling and her brows knitted together again. "Are they dangerous, Harry?" she asked worriedly for a second time.
"Not all of them," Harry replied casually. When it came to danger, Harry seemed to take it with ease, easier than any other problems. "Only a few are a real threat; most are nothing more than a bunch of wizards and witches who crave Dark magic but are unable to perform it themselves."
Hermione had never heard Harry say things like that about anyone before; his voice had even a hint of amazement over the whole prospect.
Her frown deepened. "Even though you must be careful, don't underestimate them. Promise?"
Tightening his grip on her hands, he said, "I promise, Hermione, besides I don't have to face them alone, unlike with Voldemort." He grinned at her. "There are other Aurors and some staff from the French Ministry of Magic who are very capable fighters, so don't worry, Hermione."
"I can't help it, Harry," Hermione protested. "Whenever you face danger I can't help but worried about your welfare; you seem to be the one who always attracts danger."
"Can't help it, huh?" asked Harry, raising an eyebrow. "But who was the one leaving me to face danger alone for five years?"
Hermione bit her bottom lip; he sound genuinely hurt, but when she looked at his face he was smiling at her, no trace of hurt or sad at all. "It was for you own good," was all she said.
"Now, can I see Agnes? Where is she? I've missed her an awful lot."
"Dobby is feeding her, I guess," said Harry, "do you want to go to your room first?"
"No, I trust Dobby has arranged it all right. I want to see Agnes." Hermione stood up. "Will you accompany me to see your daughter?"
"Of course," he replied and held out his hand for her to take. The two left the table to make their way to the noisy nursery.
***
A/N: Thanks to: water mellon, Lady Starlight, Shellbell18, Sabrina Potter - Brazil, scorpio-1983, Tywyn, Coolone007, Angie, diggingupophelia, Athena Hermione Riddle, jchaser, WriterLady1031, izzieq, Chancellor, kpxiceboi, spaz141, pottergranny, Lunar Ecliqse, star hh5, Adriele, harryhermionecheerleader, LordIluvatar, Eleanna, Mani12191, Amdorn, Austenlover, willlow, abraxas, Kalina Malia, SakuraEtrnl, Jillian84, ginnymalfoy21, kiwibee, Harryluvr, Plum Blossoms, sweetie513, Courtney119, Mani12191, pwu, sverreault, Creepy Susie, MrsDanielRadcliffe, tabitoo, Sorrentomoon, Harry&Hermione4ever, Alorkin, Izabel, Wytil, September, XxBandGeekxX, Nakhash Mekashefah, pottergranny, mae513, twistedthoughts, Darkassasinsaint, Romps, SweetMemories, Victoria Tonks, shawnpickett, zoeii, markwirez, Rachel A. Prongs, HarryWouldBeAPaladin, Harry and Orlando, Danielle, laurie100117, whichwitch609, Lara, HPFAN1, (for FF.net) Michail A.C, Jameela, Hiscefit, Egla, Aguia8522005, Canada's finest, Princess Shadowcat, Openspy, Phelps-Lover, Gobstopper, century-girl320, twinsies, Tk Macintosh, samarakerina and many of you who don't want to be known!
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