AUTHOR NOTE: So yes… it has taken forever to put this chapter up.. it's been a struggle of my own emotional turmoil, mixed with writers block and the length of this chapter *sigh* and the story just keeps getting longer as I find I need to wrap certain things up… here it is.. I hope you will enjoy, and I hope you all havn't given up on me! I told you I wouldn't stop writing this… it's just taken a while… a really long while! LOL.
CHAPTER 23
Harry awoke with his face covered by Hermione's bushy brown hair, with her head partially resting on his shoulder and partially against his toned chest. She had a leg thrown over his stomach while the other one was tangled between Harry's legs.
Gently, he brushed the loose strands from his face and peered at her sleeping features. Caressing her face with the pads of his fingers, he reminisced the time they had already been together, how wonderfully bliss life felt because he had her to wake up to every day, he had her to comfort, to hold, to love.
He kissed her parted lips and brushed a finger down her cheek, trialing down her neck and across her collar bone.
He felt her shiver as her eyes fluttered open.
"Hey beautiful."
"Mmmm." She moaned, staring lovingly into his pool of emerald eyes.
"Like that good morning?" He questioned smiling softly.
"Best good morning ever." She grinned before pressing her lips against his.
He swept his hand down her back, straining against her in an effort to deepen the passionate kiss.
He felt her fingers trail down his side; he groaned at the feathery touch, causing her to gently clasp her nails into his bare skin.
"Mercy…" He pleaded, breaking their kiss and panting quite heavily.
Hermione grinned; a mischievous spark erupted within her dark eyes.
"Oh you think I'll let you off that easy?" She questioned raising an eyebrow and running a finger down his chest.
"H-Hermione, that's not fair." He protested, grasping her wrists, and pressing them gently against the mattress.
Her grin only spread wider.
Harry felt a foot sweep his right ankle and slowly trail his calf and upper thigh, before moving back down again.
He desperately tried to swallow the lump bunched in his throat to fill his lungs with oxygen once again.
She repeated the action to his other leg.
"You're positively evil, you know that?" He managed to state.
"It's a shame it took you that long to figure it out." She giggled with delight.
Still pressing her wrists to the mattress, he gently lowered himself to her and kissed her ever so slowly, ever so tenderly; feeling every crevasse of her warm, moist mouth, and tasting the breath they shared.
Breaking the kiss, he blew a soft breath against her neck where it tickled, making her squirm, and try and break free from his grasp.
"Hey, cut it out!" She squealed ready to kick her legs up, but Harry was too quick, he managed to hold her legs down with his own.
"Pay back time." He laughed poking her stomach.
"Ahhh, Harry no, your horrible!"
"Say mercy." He ordered tickling her further.
"No." She answered still squirming.
"Come on, say it and I'll stop." He laughed still tickling her and sending a wisp of breath against her neck.
"MERCY, MERCY!" She screamed in a fit of giggles.
Grinning, he gave up his tantalizing act.
"I can't imagine my life without you Hermione,"
"Harry,"
"Shh." He silenced her gently by pressing a finger to her swollen pink lips.
"I'll keep you safe, and we'll get through this together…I have so much to live for because of you."
He saw her eyes gleam as they glazed over with silent tears.
"But what if," She choked "What if,"
"No, there is no what if's Hermione, I wont let him take me, I wont let him win this…I need you to believe in me."
"Harry…Voldemort's the most powerful wizard in the world, not even Dumbledore can defeat him,"
"It doesn't matter how I'll defeat him, the point is I will…Just believe." Harry pleaded quietly.
"That's not what I was going to say." She gave him a weak smile, before continuing. "Not even Dumbledore can defeat Voldemort, but I trust you, I believe in you. I think together we can put him to rest once and for all."
"Together? Hermione you know,"
Now it was she who put her finger to his slightly chapped lips, shaking her head lightly.
He took to deeply staring into her luminous brown eyes, with a tenderness that caused the hairs on the back of her neck to prickle.
Mesmerized, his eyes took in her soul; binding it as one with his own through the power of a silent agreement of undying love.
He kissed her again; a chaste kiss.
But a kiss that held promise and devotion between their hearts.
***
"Lois Robertson was an outstanding woman, with great strength, courage, and perhaps quite a handful of luck. Being of African descent, she was often ridiculed and her ideas were discarded, she fought for witches rights for many years- Now, Miss Granger, perhaps you'll tell us what Lois also did?"
It was no secret that Hermione was Professor Kilmore's favorite pupil, he never tried to hide it, nor deny it in any way. He showered her with various dark magic defense gifts (which Hermione often ended up giving to Harry to use), and charmed her into blushing quite frequently with his constant reassuring praise.
Hermione straightened up in her chair next to Harry, a proud grin spread across her face, along with a pinch of shyness.
Harry frowned and clenched his hands into fists. He tried so very hard not to be jealous of the less-than-middle-aged professor, but sometimes he just couldn't help it.
"Lady Robertson, as she has been known to be called after her death, was a witch who dedicated herself to the muggle community. She was a hero not only for creating various muggle medicines for serious epidemics and diseases, but a hero for starting up proper healing facilities. She also was the inventor of quite a few of the most powerful healing spells." Hermione stated properly, as if she was reading straight from a book.
"I see you've been reading on Mrs. Robertson beyond the textbook." Professor Kilmore smiled.
"Ppfff, that's not dark magic!" A Slytherin smirked.
"Awh, but it used to be Mr. Mcormick. Healing was a banned practice, it was thought that a witch or wizard should never be healed from his or her battle wounds- it was a symbol of victory and loss."
"So, we're studying Healing spells then Professor?" Susan Bones asked with her hand raised.
Professor Kilmore chuckled.
"No, unfortunately not Miss Bones, for that, you'll be needing to attend a wizarding school for Healers…I just thought I'd bring it up, since quite a number of you seem to have chosen that career," He said calmly, staring deeply towards Hermione's direction. "I warn those who have chose it, that it is extremely difficult to be accepted, and even more difficult to pass your certification… though some," He grinned softly at Hermione. "I believe, will have no trouble."
Hermione's cheeks flushed; she quickly broke the eye contact by staring at the open book on the table.
It took every ounce of control for Harry not to lunge out of his chair and wrap his hands around his professor's neck. He had dreadful, unwelcome chills whenever that man looked at Hermione that way; it wasn't just the jealousy, it frightened him.
Hermione noticed Harry's pent up frustration, his protective posture, his angry face. Creasing her forehead, she tried to make eye-contact with Harry in order to silently question what was wrong. When that failed, she cupped her delicate hand on Harry's clenched fist, and rubbed her thumb against his knuckles.
"So what're we learning then?" Harry barked through gritted teeth.
"Patience Mr. Potter, though that is something you never had, is it?" He chuckled making his way up and down the isles of the classroom. "I think today, we'll do something most unpleasant."
"Hexes?" Ron asked with a tint of excitement.
"No Mr. Weasley, hexes, don't even compare to the…discomfort… of unforgivable curses, I think we'll play with the Cruciatus Curse."
"Play?" Neville squeaked.
"Mmm indeed…we'll make it a game. Students still standing at the end of this class, and ones that haven't stopped participating will have House Points awarded, and will receive one of my dark defense prizes." He stated offhandedly. "Wands out, lets begin."
"E-Excuse me sir...a-are we to cast the spell on one another?" Susan questioned, worry etched on her face.
"Well of course silly girl, its part of the learning process!" Professor Kilmore exclaimed.
Before Harry even really realized what was going on, he felt the unforgivable spell hit him from behind.
Crumpling to the ground like a sheet of discarded paper, he twitched helplessly.
"How does that feel Potter? That's for Draco's father!" Thomas Mcormick spat.
Harry regained his composure, he turned his focus from his pain, to his freedom, remembering Dumbledore's instructions.
"Aquamenti!" Harry shouted, causing a large burst of water to shoot from his wand and throw Thomas to the floor.
Mcormick retreated to the safety of the corner designated for those who choose to forfeit, muttering things under his breath.
"Well done Potter, you just may find yourself in the winners circle." Professor Kilmore praised while inspecting the remaining students carefully.
Some, Harry noticed, retreated to the safety wall without having even tried the unforgivable curse; most being those that had parents tortured by Voldemort and his followers.
Fighting off the curse was one thing, performing it on someone was another.
Harry recalled how he had retaliated and refused to use the curse when Dumbledore had been instructing him in private last year.
*
"Come now Harry, I'm a powerful wizard, I can fight the curse off just as well, if not more effectively then yourself… you need to master the weapons that will be used against you. To understand them, is to use them to their most efficient manner."
"Can't I practice on something that's not living?" Harry asked desperately when Dumbledore placed a rather large spider on the table before him.
"I'm afraid not. You cannot cast this spell on something that you cannot torture…that is the purpose of the spell."
Harry sighed heavily and steadied his wand.
"Crucio!"
The spider gave a light twitch.
"Pretend it's not feeling pain, try and think its feeling pleasure." Dumbledore said simply.
Harry took a deep breath.
"Crucio!"
The spider flipped to its back shaking violently.
"Much better!" Dumbledore stated triumphantly. "Now, try the same on me."
"W-What? No!" Harry shouted throwing his wand to the table.
"Would you prefer it to be Miss Granger, or Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
Harry just stared at the old man with the silvery long hair and beard. He didn't want to use the spell on neither of them.
"Just keep in mind Harry, your friends haven't been subjected to the cruelty of this spell in a real life situation… I have. So is it safe to assume you've chosen me as your practice target?"
"I won't do it!" Harry shouted angrily.
"Would you be more compliant if I was to fight back the spell and subject you to the same treatment?"
Harry thought about this for a moment. It did seem to be fair, and knowing Dumbledore's amazing skills it would be a challenge to perform the spell correctly on such a powerful wizard.
Harry nodded in agreement.
"Good…we shall start dueling tomorrow, I think we've both had quite enough for today." Dumbledore dismissed the lesson with a grin.
*
"Crucio!"
Harry felt his arms give a shudder as the spell passed through him. He turned around to see a flushed Susan Bones with her wand arm outstretched.
"Pretend I'm not feeling pain Susan." Harry instructed quietly.
"Huh?" She asked with a frown.
"It'll make your spell more powerful…its how I learned…from Dumbledore." He whispered back.
"Oh…thanks." She mumbled, looking at her feet.
"Come on, try again." Harry urged.
"You serious?" Susan questioned with disbelief.
Harry nodded.
"You want to become an Auror don't you?" He asked.
"Yes." She answered, a determination sweeping across her aerial features.
"Give it your best shot." Harry instructed.
"CRUCIO!"
Harry found himself on his back, shaking violently once again. His scar gave a burning throb he hadn't felt in a long time, and his bones felt as though they were going to be pulled from their sockets.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" Harry shouted.
Susan's wand shot out of her hand.
"I'm sorry Harry." She said weakly, helping Harry to his feet.
"Don't apologize, you did well."
Susan made her way to the safety wall with a sheepish, shy grin on her face.
"Well, well, well… I did see this coming I must admit." Professor Kilmore announced.
Harry wondered what he meant exactly, but realized it the instant he noticed himself and Hermione as the only remaining students not standing in the safety corner.
"This should be an interesting test of luck against knowledge." Kilmore mused.
Hermione looked horrified.
"I-I can't fight Harry." She said softly.
"And why not Miss Granger?" The professor asked; disappointment etched in his tone of voice.
"I-I…We're together Professor…I can't." She stated, staring into Harry's emerald eyes.
"I won't do it either Professor." Harry added, throwing his wand to the floor with a clatter.
"No? … How about if I fail you if you refuse?" Kilmore questioned, a smug grin slithered across his handsome face.
"Then fail me Professor." Hermione stated calmly.
Harry took Hermione's hand in his and together they marched across the safety line.
"Cowardly Potter?…Afraid someone may have what it takes to take you down?" Kilmore teased. "And you Miss Granger… I did expect more from someone who idolizes the feminine rights Lady Robertson stood for…class dismissed."
They ambled to Potions class in complete silence, while Ron excitedly elaborated on his spell work.
"Did you see it? I sure gave Smith the left-right, I sure showed him, you saw it right Harry, Hermione?"
Hermione sighed.
"Ron," Harry tried.
"If only Malfoy was still at Hogwarts, it would surely have been amusing to try that spell on him, I would've showed him," Ron continued.
Hermione frowned angrily, putting herself in Ron's path and pushing his chest with her hand.
"Those are Unforgivable curses Ron Weasley! How can you talk about that class as though it was one of the most exciting ones you've ever had?" Hermione stated acidly.
"We were given permission to learn them Hermione." Ron said coolly.
"To know your enemy!" She shot back.
"Hermione's right Ron, the only time you ever use an Unforgivable curse is when no other self defense spell is capable of beating your opponent, and then your opponent had to have tried an Unforgivable spell on you first."
"Don't you think I know that Harry? What, do you think I'll go prancing up to the Death Eaters asking if I can join so that I can watch people squirm under the power of the Unforgivable Curses?" Ron questioned furiously, his ears scarlet with anger.
"I never said that Ron." Harry answered calmly.
"Nor did I," Added Hermione. "You just seemed slightly over excited to use Crucio on your own classmates, your friends, and if Malfoy was here, you'd use it as a revenge, doesn't that sound wrong to you?"
"Yeah…I guess…I'm sorry." Ron apologized sadly as they neared their Potions class.
"I don't like him." Harry said bitterly.
"He's just following Dumbledore's plans for this year's curriculum." Hermione said in defense. "Though, I'll admit, he was… odd…today."
"You only like him because you're his favorite." Ron chuckled.
"He's a good teacher." Hermione stated. "He knows Dark Arts better then anyone who's ever taught us this far, except maybe the fake Moody."
"Shouldn't that give us something to worry about?" Harry said calmly.
"Ha, you think Kilmore's a Death Eater?" Ron chuckled.
"What's so funny about that?" Harry asked.
"He's an old friend of the family's oldest son." Ron said simply.
"And that makes him innocent?" Harry questioned with a ridiculing laugh.
"Believe me, there's not a single Death Eater bone in Kilmore's body." Ron stated. "He can be scary, for sure, but he's not a Death Eater."
"What makes you so sure?" Harry pressed on.
"Just trust me, wont you?" Ron answered.
"Take your seats please, minimal chit chat, I'd like to introduce myself and get started as quickly as possible." The tall, handsome young man instructed as Hermione, Ron and Harry entered the classroom.
"Wow…who's he?" Hermione questioned, a slight flush to her cheeks was present as she took her seat next to Harry.
Harry scowled, he was really getting tired of dashing, bright teachers getting Hermione's attention continuously; Kilmore he was still somehow able to stand, but this guy was young and seemed to carry himself with a charm that Cedric possessed.
He glanced around the room. Just as he had suspected, every young girl watched his every move, sighing deeply.
"Great, just what we need, another Lockhart." Ron muttered.
Harry guessed Ron was most definitely thinking of Luna.
"Better keep a close eye on Hermione there." Ron said with a slight mockery of humor in his tone.
Harry grinned, not noticing Hermione had taken her attention off the new professor to watch him.
"I trust her Ron." He said simply.
"Well if that isn't the sweetest thing you said all day." Hermione grinned softly. "If we weren't in class, I'd kiss you."
"What does class have to do with a kiss?" Harry teased with a chuckle.
"Well, maybe your right." She said mysteriously, before planting her lips against Harry's.
She pulled back slowly, leaving him with a dumbfounded expression, and returning her attention to her notes and her potions textbook.
"Close your mouth Mr. Potter, Valentines Day isn't until February 14th. My name is Professor Thorton, I shall be filling in for Serverus Snape, who, as many of you may know, is now deceased, Merlin rest his soul. We shall begin where you have last left off, which is Chapter Twelve, page four hundred eleven, Physiognomic Potions. Please let's have a look at the twenty four hour ingredients, can anyone tell me what this potion does?"
As usual, Hermione's lone hand shot up into the air.
"Yes Miss?"
"Granger." She said happily.
"Awh, yes I've heard much about you, Professor Kilmore speaks very highly of you."
Hermione blushed heavily.
"Please, do tell us about the potion." Thorton instructed.
"The Physiognomic Potion is simply a self transfiguration solution, it allows you to change your appearance at will, like a metamorphmagus would, though it only allows you to change your appearance in the first ten minutes, then the potion works for twenty four hours unless a counter potion is taken."
"Yes very good Miss Granger, ten points for Gryffindor. It is important to note however, that this is not like a pollyjuice potion, you cannot turn into someone, you can only alter your characteristics such as hair color, eye color, make your ears bigger, your nose smaller, but you can most definitely look like someone completely different from yourself, any questions?"
The class sat respectably silent.
"Good, here are your instructions," He waved his thick wand at the blackboard, where a list of step-by-step instructions appeared. "Do try to finish quickly, I'll be coming around to answer questions and attempt to help out, my goal is to have my students be successful…let us begin."
Harry was surprised at how relaxed he felt at the new professors presence, it was as though this giant weight was lifted off his shoulder and he was free to do his work in peace.
3 spider legs, mix counter clockwise four times, add a pinch of ground dragon tooth, stir once clockwise, add a pinch of powdered dragon tooth,
It was a complex potion, but Harry felt at ease, he was able to follow his instructions and actually felt competitive. Casually, he glanced at Hermione; she looked rather perplexed in concentration and took note that the color of her potion was quite a different tint then his own.
"Hermione?" He whispered.
"Mmm?" She replied without looking away from her potion.
"Did you add a pinch of ground dragon tooth, and then a pinch of powdered dragon tooth?" He asked quietly.
"Of course I did!" She jumped in frustration. "Or did I?" She looked through her instructions again and then at the color of her potion, a deep hot blush swept over her face. "I think I added ground tooth twice."
"You did indeed Miss Granger." Professor Thorton said simply, hovering over her shoulder.
Hermione seemed to turn an even deeper shade of red at the voice of her new professor.
"Professor, I," She tried.
"Just tell me, what are you going to do to fix the problem?" Professor Thorton questioned kindly.
"What am I going to,"
"Use to turn your silvery pink potion into a metallic purple, like your friends here," Professor Thorton continued, indicating Harry's potion to Hermione.
"Well, I, I," Harry gave Hermione a deep reassuring grin. She felt herself taking a deep breath. "I would add two pinches of powdered dragon tooth to even it out, stir the liquid counterclockwise twice, clockwise once, then counterclockwise three more times before continuing the rest of my instructions."
"Good… continue." Professor Thorton said gently with a soft grin. "Smart girl…nice job Mr. Potter."
At the end of the class Harry filled his flask with his potion, put a stopper on it and wrote his name on the label with pride. He had done it, he had made the perfect potion all on his own, and it was a complicated one at that. All he needed this whole time was to relax and have just a slight bit of confidence in himself.
Harry liked Professor Thorton; looking around at the grins on many of the student's faces, the majority of his classmates would agree without hesitating.
Hermione took hers and Harry's potion to the front of the classroom, what a difference the absence of Malfoy made, he wasn't there to call her a Mudblood, he wasn't there to hex her, to make her feel like less of a human being. Maybe if she was lucky, she wouldn't ever have to lay eyes on that slimy ferret ever again.
Her eye's fell on Professor Thorton, she was going to really, really enjoy potions class for the remainder of their year. Professor Snape might have given his life to save hers and Harry's life, but that didn't mean she didn't hate him as a professor; Snape was cruel and made her feel insignificant, to him, she was like the fly on the window that needed to be squashed and she fought every Potions class to stay afloat.
Thorton was charming. His dark locks of hair reached his shoulders, he carried himself with ease, grace and strict posture, his face was prominent and manly, his dark brown eyes soft as her own, yet they held something within them that Hermione couldn't recognize. When he spoke he seemed noble-minded, his tone of voice calm, comforting and held a brisk edge of a foreign accent that had been diminished over time. For the first time, Hermione felt as though this teacher, this particular professor could offer her a lifetime of information on many subjects and topics, she felt challenged by his presence and knew she could not compete with this man when it came to knowledge; it was an exhilarating feeling that only came to Hermione when she was in the company of Albus Dumbledore.
Thorton eyed her briefly, giving her a warm smile.
"We're finished here for today, you may all go, your homework is to read the next chapter and write me an essay on a potion of interest, do try and give it some length and explanation as to why it interests you."
Harry threw his bookbag over his shoulder and tucked Hermione's things under his arm.
"May I see you for a moment Miss Granger, once everyone leaves?" Thorton asked kindly.
"Oh…uurrm, sure, Harry you go ahead, I'll catch up with you, see you later Ron, say hello to Luna for me." Hermione said feeling slightly hot around the collar of her shirt.
Ron said his goodbyes and practically hurled out of the classroom, while Harry lingered for a moment or two before reluctantly ambling off behind his red headed friend.
"What did you want to see me about Professor?" She questioned, hoping this was school related.
"I grew up in Spain." Thorton said, opening two bottles of butter beer.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I always get asked where I get my accent from." He smiled, his teeth were white and even, making his face all the more alluring.
"Oh," She laughed lightly. "Do you miss it?"
"At times yes, but I am glad of this job I've been offered, and to be Harry Potters potion professor…well, that is one I intend to tell my children and later my grandchildren." He chuckled offering one of the bottles of butter beer to Hermione.
"No thank you sir, I'm really not thirsty." She declined gently.
"Awh, but Miss Granger, this is a drink to a good cause, one I'm sure you'll feel the want to celebrate." He continued smiling knowingly.
"What exactly do you mean professor?" She questioned, a muddled expression taking over her gentle face.
"I am a man of many acquaintances, I am involved in many different organizations and activities around England, my specialty being within the Ministry and Wizarding Board of Education."
"I don't think I understand." She answered truthfully.
"My dear Miss Granger, I would like to present you with a full scholarship to any direction of education you so should choose, any school in the world including your accommodation needs and school supplies."
Hermione's jaw dropped, she began to feel light headed and steadied herself on the nearest desk.
"I suppose I should have asked you to sit down first." Thorton laughed kindly. "Can I assume you'll be accepting?"
"But that's… how… I mean… WOW!" Her eye's shone with ecstasy and bewilderment.
Professor Thorton carefully handed her the scholarship certificate along with a hand written note.
"Go on," He said. "Show your friends what you have achieved. You're given permission to visit Diagon Alley tonight with a few close friends. Just come to my office and you're welcome to use the Floo Network, but please, don't stay too long or I may be getting into trouble for it."
Hermione couldn't help but beam.
"Thank you Professor, thank you so much, this honestly, I can't describe what this means to me."
"You don't have to my dear, I already know."
-->