AUTHORS NOTE: Well here's the next chapter… I had more planned for this one, but I reached a point where it just felt like the end of the chapter had come… therefore I have a lot written for the next chapter already since it didn't get transferred into this chapter YAY… as you all can see, I am indeed continuing this fan fic and plan to continue with my trilogy idea.. if everything works out a-okay that is… Also, I do think I will be taking part in that Portkey contest with another fan fic idea I have up my sleeve (which I've already started by the way) I do hope I can balance both fics out appropriately and there's no way I will abandon this one.. if I feel the need to abandon one, it'll be my Book 6 fan fic (which is currently unnamed, but will have a name soon without a doubt)… I do hope this chapter is fairly enjoyable and as the ending creeps up on me faster and faster I am getting more excited!! Take Care and thank you all for all your support! Enjoy…
CHAPTER 21
It was an angry yet collected tone of voice. Even though Harry's mind was weak from the effort of keeping his patronus from fading, he knew who it was.
The magnificent blinding light that exploded from Dumbledore's wand immediately caused the dementors to flee like thousands of mice scattering to their dens from the sharp teeth of a hungry lion.
The white light circled around Harry's head, and only then did he realize it was the patronus of a dazzling phoenix.
Harry fell to his knees, unable to steady his wobbling legs any longer.
In a few effortless strides, Dumbledore reached Harry and rested his hand on Harry's shoulder, before giving him an enormous piece of chocolate.
"You did very well Harry… I apologize for not being here sooner, are you alright?"
Harry nodded and took a large bite out of the dark chocolate.
Dumbledore waved his wand around in large sweeps and slowly lowered the Hogwarts Express back on its tracks.
"HARRY!" Hermione screamed jumping out of the broken window and stumbling over to him.
"I'm alright, are you okay?" He asked cradling her in his arms.
"Yeah… I'm okay."
"Is everyone else,"
"They're just fine… a little shaken up, but they'll be okay… Ron's passed out though, but I'm sure he just needs some rest."
Harry nodded taking another large bite of the chocolate before persuading Hermione to eat the rest.
The stag Harry created floated down before them and reared up on its hind legs. Hermione's otter circled around the stag playfully before they both meshed into one wisp of smoke and faded.
"Harry are you alright?"
Harry turned his head to find Ginny pulling her fiery sleek hair into a messy bun.
"Yeah, just fine Gin." He answered softly, tangling his fingers into Hermione's bushy hair.
Ginny stiffened. Her eyes darted from Harry to Hermione, before they fell on the dirt she kicked at beneath her feet.
"You okay?" Harry questioned.
"Yeah… I'm going to check on Ron." She answered turning her shoulder and slumping off towards the train where Dumbledore stood.
Harry pulled himself up from the ground and helped Hermione to her feet.
"Are you our headmaster again sir?" A nervous girl asked.
"My responsibilities are too great to allow myself to be the headmaster of Hogwarts Anna,"
The young girl looked stunned at being addressed by her name.
"But sir, we need you here." She said quickly.
"My brother Aberforth will make a good headmaster. I on the other hand, must use my strength, knowledge and skills to protect Hogwarts, its students and staff from harm."
"Professor what happened?"
"It's alright Harry, everything's under control." Tonks stated with a wink.
"I must ask that we continue this conversation later." Dumbledore said softly, staring deeply into Harry's emerald eyes.
Harry, Ron and Hermione nodded while the rest of the students looked disappointed.
"Let us board the train to Hogwarts." Dumbledore instructed, opening a door and ushering the students forward.
"You'll be coming with us sir?" The Slytherin boy questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Dumbledore smiled and gave him a slow nod.
*
Harry, Ron and Hermione found themselves in a compartment all to themselves as the train sped through valleys and across bridges. They passed around handfuls of chocolate frogs and shared a large bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans; it was as though nothing had happened.
Maybe it was because they had grown used to strange things happening, Harry thought.
"That was really wicked Harry, I wish I could have seen the train grow wings." Ron laughed taking a large bite out of his chocolate frog; he was still weak, but with every bite of chocolate he seemed to be regaining more strength. "It was good of Dumbledore to give us all these sweets you know."
Hermione shook her head.
"Is food all you think about Ron?"
"No, not always… I have to squeeze Luna in there sometimes." Ron laughed. Harry joined him before Hermione gave him a disapproving scowl. "Lighten up Hermione, we're only joking."
"You better be." She warned casting Harry a stern look.
Harry couldn't help but smile.
"What's so funny?" She demanded with her hands on her hips.
"You look so cute when you're flustered."
Ron rolled his eyes and looked like he was going to be sick.
"Cute?" Hermione questioned playfully.
She didn't have time to persist her teasing, Harry's lips locked over her mouth, giving her a chaste kiss while Ron gagged in the background.
"You know, its so wrong seeing your two best friends kiss like that!" He protested looking beyond disgusted.
Harry and Hermione chuckled, eyeing each other from the corner of their eyes.
"Hey Hermione," Harry said, reaching over for his bag. "can we have a look at my Christmas present now?"
"Yeah, let's have a look." She answered with a grin. Snuggling next to Harry she put her attention on the maple colored front cover of the scrapbook she made.
Ron settled himself on the other side of Harry before they opened the book and flipped past the first page where Hermione had written her letter to Harry.
"This was in our first year," Ron laughed pointing to the first photograph on the second page. "just after the sorting in the Great Hall. You were sure a bossy witch then,"
"Still am aren't I?" Hermione stated, clearly quite proud of having such authority over both boys.
"Yeah, suppose so, just not as much… and there's Harry, complete disbelief etched on his face," Ron continued.
"And there's you Ron, you look upset about something though." Harry commented.
"I was hungry."
"I should have guessed." Harry laughed clapping Ron on the back.
"Hermione… you said you read all about me before coming to Hogwarts… were you… did you… want to meet me?" Harry questioned looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Yes I did, but I wasn't set on seeking you out or anything, and when I did meet you… you were Harry… a scrawny boy with broken glasses and oversized clothes." She said with a sort of sheepish grin.
Harry's cheeks flushed red.
"Those were Dudley's." He explained.
"I know… you were always cute though." She stated with a giggle.
"Are you mocking me?"
"Maybe." She answered mischievously.
"Oh good lord! Can we just look at the bloody scrapbook?" Ron demanded.
"Alright, alright, take it easy Ron." Harry said before turning his attention back to the book in his lap.
The picture beneath their first Hogwarts meal was the three of them standing together just in front of the Hogwarts Express, they were laughing, grinning and waving.
"That was at the end of our first year." Hermione said pointing to the picture.
"Yeah, just after we, eerr Harry,"
"No Ron, it was all three of us who saved the Philosophers stone from Voldemort's grasp." Harry stated firmly.
"Yeah but you,"
"Wouldn't have gotten very far if you hadn't played that chess game, and if Hermione hadn't saved us from the devils snare and me from drinking the wrong potion."
Hermione flipped the page. Instead of more pictures there were two pages of signatures.
"Who're all these from?" Harry asked curiously, squinting his eyes while trying to make out the scribbles before him.
"There's a few more pages of signatures. There's me and Ron obviously, all the Gryffindors over the years that we've known, except the seventh years from our first year since I hadn't the idea of doing this until our second year… some Ravenclaw's and Hufflepuff's including Cedric," She paused wanting to see Harry's reaction. She was relieved to see he didn't look too upset at the mention of his name. "Cho Chang, I know that didn't work out, but she's still part of your memory and therefore a part of this book. There's also Fleur, Viktor, Hagrid," Again she looked to Harry's reaction before continuing any further. "Hogwarts staff excluding Professor Quirrel, Umbridge and Lucius Malfoy."
"Why not Lockhart as well?" Ron asked with a frown.
"I had approached Lockhart before we knew he was a phony." Hermione answered in a dignified tone.
"Right, you mean before you knew he was a phony." Ron smirked remembering how infatuated she was with their so called Professor.
Hermione pretended she hadn't heard and plowed on with her explanation.
"The Weasley's, my dad and my-my… mum." She took a deep breath. "You have the Orders signatures, that's including… including..."
"Sirius."
"Yes Harry, I… look I wasn't sure if I should have it in here, and I'm sorry if this isn't what you-I just wanted to give you a choice." Hermione said defensively, as if expecting Harry to explode on her.
"Thank you Hermione… I want it to stay." Harry said with a slightly faltering voice, pulling her more tightly into his one arm embrace and flipping past the pages of signatures.
"Can I show you something Harry?" She asked gently. The wisp of anxiety in her voice made Harry shiver.
"Of course." He answered nervously.
She slid the scrapbook over to her lap and carefully flipped the pages somewhere near the middle.
"I know it's in here somewhere." She added. "Found it!"
Harry's eyes fell on a full page of familiar handwriting.
Harry,
Hermione's been pestering me to write you a letter for your scrapbook. Although the idea sounded rather ridiculous at the time, now that I'm writing it, for some reason it just feels right to be doing this. I don't quite know when she'll be ready to give you this scrapbook, but I have a feeling it'll be somewhere near the end of your seventh year since she's filling it with Hogwarts memories.
Firstly, I'd like to thank you once again for giving me the chance to be the godfather I wanted to be. I know I'm still not able to do much for you, being locked up in my dear mothers house is like prison all over again. I hope by the time you read this, I'll be free and you'll be living with me…somewhere quiet, somewhere peaceful.
A tear splattered on a portion of his name, smudging it slightly.
You've grown so much over the little time that I've known you. I know I've said this before, but you really are your father's son. What I hadn't said before is that you have your mother's heart, courage and strength. Your mother was the foundation to your father's success in life and it's a comfort knowing you have those pieces of her to help you through the heavy burdens you carry in life. I know it can't be easy Harry. Look to your friends, they'll always be there for you, and this I can guarantee; they've been through thick and thin with you, and without a doubt will continue to do so.
I've spoken to Hermione, and she has promised that no matter what I put in this letter, she will give it to you, especially if something should ever happen to me. I'll respect her right to give it to you on her own terms, as I gave her permission to read what I have written in the hopes that she may give this next portion of my letter some thought.
I may be very wrong about this, and perhaps it's not even my place to be voicing my opinion on this matter, but I feel it's something I just can't overlook. I'm quite aware that you have your eyes set on Cho Chang the Ravenclaw seeker; she has a decent family history and is an athletic, attractive, fairly intelligent girl. However, you are overlooking something that I'm quite sure everyone else around you sees. There's a certain young lady that has been your friend since your first year, she hasn't been your friend for being Harry Potter the boy who lived, she's been your friend for being Harry, the bespectacled boy with green eyes and black hair. How many girls do you know that would risk the dangers of being your friend after they've had a taste of the day- to-day threat surrounding you? Are you catching my drift yet Harry? If you haven't caught on to who I'm hinting at, I'm talking about Hermione.
I'm hoping that maybe by the time you read this, you're already together and laughing at this ridiculous letter your godfather wrote you, but if your not with her, do try and give my words some thought. I haven't pried (and wont) to see what Hermione thinks of this idea; that will be something for the both of you to discover.
Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I wish to leave you with the knowledge that I'll always be with you, be it in person, be it in heart. I'm proud of you Harry James Potter and am honored to be a part of your life. Take care of yourself and those around you; don't forget who you are and what you fight for, and trust those who care for you most.
Love Sirius
"He… he… I can't believe he wanted us together." Harry had managed to say after swallowing the hard lump in his throat.
Hermione nodded.
"When did he write this?" He questioned, seeking her dark eyes for answers.
She thought hard for a moment.
Ron watched her closely as if anticipating the answer just as much as Harry was.
"In our fifth year…sometime before Christmas."
Harry took a deep breath and ran a hand through his messy head of black hair. The compartment fell silent except for the clattering sounds of the train sliding across its tracks.
"Why didn't you show me this before?" He asked with a tint of anger.
Hermione's shoulders fell as if she was expecting this kind of reaction from him.
"I-I… I was… afraid… I had no idea Sirius was going to write something about me in his letter, if I had known what he was putting in the letter, I wouldn't have agreed to give it to you… its not that I didn't want you to have it, I was just afraid what would happen if you thought about… about us."
"What do you mean?" Harry questioned further.
Ron pretended like he wasn't even in the compartment, he felt rightly out of place in the conversation.
"I mean, what if we became awkward with one another after you had read the letter? What if our friendship fell apart all because of a few words written on a piece of parchment?"
"I don't think that would happen."
"You don't?" Hermione raised her eyebrow in disbelief.
"No I don't."
"Sorry mate, but Hermione's got a point. You'd run from the idea instead of thinking about it seriously." Ron said.
Harry thought about that for a moment.
"Yeah… I guess you're both right," He turned his attention to Hermione. "I'm just glad we're together now."
Hermione gave him a loving grin.
"Can I show you something else in here?" She questioned.
Harry nodded.
Hermione turned to a large photograph covering nearly the entire page.
"It's your mother and father, McGonagall gave this one to me." She explained.
Harry smiled as his father captured his mother unexpectedly in his arms and tilted her.
"My parents used to do that, they loved dancing together." Hermione recalled softly.
Harry nodded observing the handsome blue dress robes his farther wore and the stunning periwinkle gown her mother displayed. It reminded Harry of the dress Hermione wore to the Yule Ball.
"There's something I hadn't told you about the necklace I gave you Hermione." Harry said apprehensively.
"Hmm?" She asked running her fingers along the beautiful piece of jewelry surrounding her neck.
"It… it was my mothers."
Hermione held her breath.
"I meant to tell you right away, but we sort of," Harry looked to Ron knowing he was going to roll his eyes. "Got carried away with the moment."
Hermione laughed.
"Mmm, we sure did… but Harry, why would you give me something that I know means a lot to you?"
"Because… you're special, you mean everything to me, and I think my mum would want you to have it."
Hermione bunched her fingers around a fistful of Harry's robes and pulled him closer. She heard Ron moan and found herself pleased at making Ron squirm at their affection. It was only fair after all; she and Harry had to endure the same treatment from him and Luna.
She paused just before touching Harry's lips with her own, teasing him a little.
Harry apparently had other ideas; he pulled her up onto his lap and kissed her deeply.
"Bloody hell, why me?" Ron protested.
Harry felt Hermione grin slightly and kissed her deeper, she whimpered softly in reply.
"I would hate to disrupt a reminiscing colloquy, however, I do wish to speak to you three of the incident regarding the giant and the dementors."
Hermione jumped, Harry just caught her from falling off his lap. She scrambled to her seat reflecting about the same amount of embarrassment as Harry was.
Ron was, of course, snickering, clutching his stomach from the laughter threatening to erupt from within.
Dumbledore looked radiant with the widest smile Harry had ever seen him display.
"S-sorry sir." Harry managed to mumble.
"There is nothing to be sorry about Harry. Love is a beautiful and powerful magic, don't let anyone or anything divide you from the purest of human action. Alone you are strong, united you are stronger." Dumbledore stated wisely.
Harry nodded.
"You had wished to know what exactly is happening, I do hope you understand why I was not capable of giving you answers at that particular moment."
"Yes sir." Harry mumbled quietly.
Dumbledore looked from Ron, to Hermione and back to Harry before continuing.
"Hogsmeade was the closest village to Hogwarts. As you are already aware, it had been invaded and completely destroyed. The Dark Lord's effort wasn't so much an attack on the magical community, as it was a first attack on Hogwarts."
"Professor, don't some of the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself- Oh Ron will you stop acting so foolishly!-don't they know where Hogwarts is, I mean, they did attend it themselves didn't they?" Hermione questioned throwing Ron a disapproving scowl for flinching at the mention of Voldemort's name.
"I'd imagine locating Hogsmeade would not present a challenge. However, you must understand that once a student leaves, the protective and defensive spells and precautions will act against them… they are, after all, no longer students; therefore they are intruders unless they are under the invitation of the Headmaster. There are certain creatures that are unaffected by our barriers, no matter how powerful they may be." Dumbledore explained calmly.
"Giants!" Ron announced with comprehension.
"Yes, that is correct Mr. Weasley, also… dementors. They would not have known how to locate Hogwarts if they hadn't been used as a defense against Sirius Black."
"So that's why you didn't want them there!" Ron added.
"One of the many reasons." Dumbeldore answered.
"I just don't understand why they hadn't attacked sooner, Voldemort's been controlling them for quite some time now." Harry thought aloud.
"He's probably been waiting for everyone to calm down and let their guard drop." Hermione answered, her face screwed up in a calculating manner.
"That does seem like a fair prediction Miss Granger." Dumbledore smiled, setting his penetrating blue eyes on Hermione's dark brown ones. His eyes twinkled for just a brief moment.
The Hogwarts Express screeched unpleasantly to a halt. Ron, Hermione and Harry jumped to their feet, wands at the ready.
"We couldn't be at Hogwarts already." Hermione announced in a whisper.
"You think it could be those dementors again?" Ron questioned shifting carefully over to the window.
Harry's eyes fell to Dumbledore who quietly sat in his seat, the soft smile still present and looking completely unfazed.
"Routine check." He said calmly.
Harry could have sworn he heard a chuckle in his voice.
"Maybe I should go and inform the others." Hermione stated proudly. "I mean, I'm Headgirl, and they should know not to worry."
"That is not necessary Miss Granger, Tonks and Felix will take care of it." Dumbledore said gently, while Hermione looked fairly disappointed. "I am pleased to see you do your job very well."
She blushed furiously.
A tall man Harry had once seen very briefly before an Order meeting, slid the door open halfway and poked his head in.
"Alright there Albus?" He questioned.
"Yes Teegan. Anything out of the ordinary?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Nope, seems be just aight, it does… Lupin's in with the other kids… Sir, I thought you'd be one of the inspectors, nobody told me you was gonna be on the train sir." The lanky man said.
Dumbledore's smile broadened.
"We had run into… a problem." He answered.
"Problem? What's happened Dumbledore?"
Lupin appeared at the door of the compartment, sliding it fully open.
"We seemed to have had a slight run in with a large group of dementors… Thankfully… Harry, Ron and Hermione made quite the effort at keeping them at bay." Dumbledore explained.
"Weren't Tonks and Felix suppose to be on the train to protect everyone on board and alert the Order?" Lupin questioned, a scowl creeping across his scarred face.
"They were present on the train Remus," Lupin looked confused. "One of our guards made the situation difficult… it seems, the giant called Grawp decided to have a word with Miss Granger." Dumbledore chuckled.
Hermione looked terribly embarrassed while Harry and Ron muffled their laughter into their school robes.
"Oh, very funny." She said with a dignified voice.
"Glad you think so Miss Granger." Dumbledore said again with a twinkle in his eye.
"I think we can move this train again there Dumbledore, we'll return to our stations `round the school shall we?" Teegan questioned.
Dumbledore nodded.
"I will see to you all once the students are safely within the schools walls." He said looking from Teegan to Lupin.
"Right." Teegan grunted leaving Lupin in the compartment door.
"Are you alright there Harry?"
"Just fine Remus." Harry replied linking his hands with Hermione.
Lupin's chest puffed out and a broad grin filled his face, he looked rather proud of something.
"Good, good… we'll see you later then?"
Harry nodded.
"How're you feeling Remus?" Hermione questioned.
"Oh, very well, your one heck of a witch if I may say so."
Hermione flushed.
"Thank you."
"You'll be a perfect healer no doubt."
Hermione turned an even deeper shade of red and an enormous grin spread across her soft face.
"I have to get back to my post though, take care all of you… Harry, stay out of trouble."
"Troubles our middle name." Ron stated.
Harry, Ron and Hermione laughed as Lupin left the compartment .
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