A/N: **clears throat** **takes a deep breath and says in a dramatic tone** DUN DAHN DUN!!!! ~that's really all I have to say!
Secrets From the Past
The rest of September through November seemed to have flown right by. Hermione had gotten used to playing along in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and played the usual role when it came to being around Liz. Hermione really liked Liz, but she just wished she would tell her the whole truth behind the secrecy. And even with the time that had gone by, Hermione still had not learned the reason why she was told all of this in the first place.
Aside from the secret keeping, life couldn't have been better. She and Harry had been together for nearly two months now and things were going great. They'd come to taking turns sleeping in each other's rooms. Neither, it seemed could be separated for too long before both of them went mad.
Ron had been right. Most of Hogwarts had been extremely relieved that the two of them had finally figured it out and gotten together. They were constantly told that they made wonderful couple. The Gryffindor's were extremely happy. They had seen it coming since the beginning.
It was plain to all who were around them, that it was a pure love would inevitably lead to marriage some day.
Of course, not everyone thought Harry and Hermione were a lovely couple. Those who had read a certain article back in their fourth year, published by none other than the notorious Rita Skeeter, still believed that Hermione had bewitched Harry into loving her somehow. Hermione could care less. She knew the love between herself and Harry was genuine. Harry was hers and she was Harry's. Whatever anyone else thought didn't matter.
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Christmas was now around the corner. Harry was feeling extremely anxious. Should he ask Hermione about staying with her? Or would she come to the Burrow? What about Grimmuald Place? She could come and stay with him and Remus, and the rest of the Order. But maybe she didn't want that. It was out on a Hogsmeade visit that his question was answered. He and Hermione were walking through the village buying their presents for Ron, Ginny, Luna and now Liz. Harry and Hermione bought Ron's gift together, a new Chudley Cannon's T-shirt, some sweets from Honeydukes and a book, Quidditch Tips and Broomsticks, and they got Liz a magical snow globe of Hogwarts that showed it's current state. Students could be seen running through the snow in front of the castle. They'd also combined their money and gotten Ginny a full year's subscription to Witch Weekly (Ginny liked those sort of magazines) and some sweets as well. Luna...Luna was a hard person to shop for.
"D'you want to buy her's together as well?" Harry asked Hermione while she inspected a quill. Hermione had insisted they go to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop for some new quills. "Yeah, that's fine." she said absent mindedly.
"Hermione, why are you buying new quills?" Harry asked. "What happened to those new quills Ron got you for your birthday?"
"Oh, those. Nothing..." Hermione said in an unusually nervous voice. Harry looked at her for a moment before she caved. "Alright, Crookshanks decided to play with them...and well now they're completely destroyed...and I couldn't tell Ron. I really love them and Ron hates Crookshanks...I just can't tell him that their ruined and - "
Harry could see she was on the brink of tears.
"Hermione, it's okay, it's okay." he said, wrapping his arms around her and rubbed her back reassuringly. "Ron doesn't hate Crookshanks and I'm sure he'd understand." But Hermione continued to cry.
"Look, I was with him when he bought them, they're over there in the corner...why don't I go and get them for you? He'll never know."
Hermione nodded into his shoulder and pulled away to look at him. "I'm sorry I'm being such a crybaby." she said brushing her tears away with her hands. "Okay." she managed and they went to purchase the quills.
After leaving Scrivenshaft's, Hermione composed herself and led Harry into the Three Broomsticks. They ordered two butterbeers and seated themselves cozily in the corner.
"Harry," Hermione said, staring at her butterbeer. "There's something I want to ask you."
"Whoa! Deja Vu." Harry chuckled. Hermione let a smile spread across her face.
"There's the smile I love." Harry said kissing her on the nose. "What's wrong Hermione?"
"Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to ask you about Christmas."
"Oh, here it is..." Harry thought. "She's going to say - "
"Harry, mum and dad want you to come for Christmas." Hermione blurted out.
"Really?" Harry asked in shock. "They want me to spend Christmas with you all?"
"What? You don't want to spend Christmas with us all?" Hermione asked in a slightly hurt voice. "Well, of course if you don't want to. I mean you've always spent Christmas at the Burrow except for when Sirius - Oh my! Harry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to - "
"Hermione! Calm down please. I would love to spend Christmas with you and your parents."
"Really?"
"Yes...I've been wondering about that actually." Harry said, taking her hand in his. "I mean, I didn't know whether or not I should ask...I mean that would be really rude, and I didn't know if you wanted to spend Christmas at Gimmuald Place with the Order...that would be really boring for you...and I know you wanted to see your parents and - "
"Harry!" Hermione said, stopping him mid sentence and pressing her lips against his.
"It's settled. You're coming home with me for Christmas."
Harry threw her a killer smile and kissed her back.
By the end of the day, Harry was as giddy as a schoolboy, he couldn't believe that he was going to spend Christmas with Hermione...alone...well, not completely alone. They'd walked through Hogsmeade and decided to give Luna a book they'd found: The Never Ending Additions to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The book had a spell placed on it that magically updated the book whenever new creatures were discovered. The Crumple Horned Snorkack was the most recent to be added. Harry and Hermione knew she would love it.
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They returned to the castle and were both startled when Colin Creevey popped out of nowhere.
"Hiya Harry!" he said in his usual enthusiastic manner. "Hi Hermione."
"Hi Colin. What's up?" Harry said.
"Oh, I just wanted to give both of you this." he said as he handed them a medium-sized package.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"Open it." said Colin, waving his hands as if it were going to make them unwrap it faster.
Harry and Hermione sat down on the stone steps to the entrance of the castle and began to unwrap Colin's gift. As the last piece of wrapping paper was removed, Hermione let out as gasp and then squealed.
"Oh, this is wonderful!" she said, standing up to give Colin a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Wow Colin, this is amazing!" Harry said as he stood to pat Colin on the back.
"I was hoping you'd both like them. There's two there, one for each of you." Colin said, relieved that they had been so pleased with his gift.
"Colin, we love them! Thank you so much!" Hermione said giving him another hug.
"You're welcome." he said. "Well, I've got to go now, I have some more gifts to wrap. So, I'll see you two later."
"Oh, right. Thanks again Colin! This really is great." Harry said. Colin gave them both another smile and walked away, leaving Harry and Hermione gazing at their new gift.
They walked upstairs and went straight into Harry's study. Hermione set down one of the two beautiful frames that Colin had given them. Both of which contained the picture he had taken of them two months prior.
"It really is beautiful" Hermione said as she gazed at the memory.
"Yeah, you really are beautiful." Harry said behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Smooth Harry!" She said as she turned around to look at him. "Very smooth." Harry leaned down and kissed her. "I know I am." he said.
They moved into the bedroom collapsed on the bed.
"I'm beat." Harry said as he rubbed his temples.
"Me too." Hermione sighed. "But, I've got to go and send that owl to Mum and Dad. They'll be really happy your coming Harry."
Harry reached next to him to grab Hermione's hand. "Thank you, Hermione." he said. "I can't tell you how excited I am." Hermione gave him a smile and squeezed his hand. "I'm glad. Mum and Dad have been so anxious to meet you."
"But I've already met them." Harry said raising an eyebrow at her.
Hermione let out a laugh and rolled over next to him. "I know Harry, but now you'll be meeting them as my boyfriend..."
"Oh." Was all Harry could say. Was that the only reason they wanted him over for Christmas?
Hermione seemed to have read his mind.
"No, that's not the only reason they want you over." she said, patting him on the chest. "They want you there because they know I love you, and they know that I want you there." She rolled on top of him and kissed him firmly. "I love you so much, and I just want our first Christmas together to be perfect. And," she said briskly, "I think Mum is a bit relieved that you and I finally hooked up. She won't say it, but I know she gets really tired of me jabbering on about you all summer."
Harry couldn't stop the smiles that kept forming on his face. "I love you Hermione. This is going to be a wonderful Christmas." Hermione kissed him once again, then rolled off of him to stand up. "I'm going to go and send that letter now. I'm just going to leave these things here for now." she said pointing at their purchases.
"Sounds good." said Harry, still smiling.
Hermione gave him a tiny wink and left the room leaving Harry grinning to himself.
He sighed and whispered into the air. "God, I love her!"
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After dinner, Harry and Hermione were lying in Hermione's bed. It was her turn to share tonight. When they had first begun this ritual, Harry thought Hermione would have had a lot more objections to them sleeping together every night. He thought she would worry about getting caught or something. After all, they were Head Girl and Head Boy...they were expected to act as such. And both of them sleeping together was definitely not proper Head Boy/Head Girl behavior. To Harry's surprise, Hermione wasn't worried at all. For Hermione, her lack of worry was only because a certain teacher already knew. She and Liz had become close over the past two months. However, Hermione was still constantly frustrated that the secret couldn't be let out yet.
The next few days flew by and before they knew it, Harry and Hermione were boarding the Hogwarts Express to visit Hermione's parents for Christmas. Ron, who was going to spend Christmas with Luna and her father, was quite relieved when Harry and Hermione told him that they were off to have a muggle Christmas with Hermione's parents.
"Are you going to visit your mum?" Harry had asked Liz while on the journey to Kings Cross.
"Er...yeah I am. I can't wait to see her. I miss her so much!" Liz had told him.
They finally entered Kings Cross Station and were saying their "see you soon's". Just before going through the barrier that separated the muggle station from Platform 9 3/4, Hermione broke away from Harry for a moment to say goodbye to Liz. She gave her a hug and whispered, "I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Say hello to your "mother" when you get there."
"I will." Liz said pulling away. "You and Harry have a wonderful Christmas...I'm so happy for the both of you."
Hermione went to rejoin Harry and slipped her hand in his. "Ready?" she asked him.
"Yep." Harry said, and they walked through the barrier to be greeted by Hermione's parents.
"Hermione!" her mother called out to her.
"Mum! Dad!" Hermione squealed, holding tight to Harry's hand and racing toward them.
She ran and threw herself into her mother's arms. Harry watched as she held onto her mother. "Merry Christmas Mum." she said. Then she let go and did the same with her father.
Finally letting go, she took Harry by the hand again and led him towards her parents. "Hello Harry." Mrs. Granger said. Hermione edged him closer until her mother enveloped Harry into a hug. "It's great to have you for Christmas."
"It's great to be here." Harry said as she pulled away. "I can't thank you enough for letting me stay with you."
"Oh think nothing of it." Mr. Granger chimed in shaking Harry's hand. "Anything for the love of Hermione's life. At least that's what she calls you in her letters."
"Dad!" Hermione screeched.
"Sorry sweetie!" her father said chuckling. "But I think he already knows that he's the love of your life. Don't you Harry?" he added turning to Harry.
"I hope I am, sir." said Harry, smiling at Hermione. "Because she's the love of my life."
Hermione's cheeks turned a violent shade of pink as she reached for Harry and hugged him tightly. "You are Harry!" she whispered in his ear. Harry said things like this all of the time. But for him to say it to her parents was something on another level. She loved it. "You are the love of my life."
Hermione's parents stood silently to the side as they watched the two of them whisper "I love you's" back and forth until finally ushering them to the car.
The drive to Hermione's house was short, yet it seemed to take forever for Harry. He was so excited. Hermione caught him nervously twiddling his thumbs and placed a hand on his to calm him down. "We're almost there Harry." she said, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Before Harry knew it, he had arrived at the home of the Granger's. It was a beautiful townhouse. Harry's face was pressed up against the glass in anticipation. He looked like a little kid in front of a toy shop. Harry stared at the beautiful home before him. A rod iron fence encompassed the yard, and was accented by beautiful red roses. And just when Harry thought it couldn't get any better, it began to snow.
"Roses in the winter?" Harry asked turning to Hermione. "I put a small charm on them..." she said shrugging. "I love seeing them in the snow!"
"Welcome to our home." Mr. Granger said graciously as he opened the door for Harry and Hermione to step out of the car.
"You're house is beautiful." Harry said.
"Thank you dear." Hermione's mother said as Mr. Granger held out a hand for her to get out of the car.
Harry stepped out of the car and did the same for Hermione. She smiled at him and took his hand. "Thank you." she said. As Mrs. Granger stepped out of the car, Mr. Granger went to the trunk to unload their things. Harry went to help.
"No, no son." Mr. Granger protested. "You are our guest Harry. Why don't you and Hermione go on into the house and she can show you around.
"I'll be in to put some tea on , shortly." Mrs. Granger said.
Harry just couldn't wait to get through the front door. Hermione noticing his anticipation, took hold of his hand and led him towards the house and through the entry way. As Harry stepped inside he felt the warm atmosphere of love all around him. It was a hard feeling to describe. He could somehow sense happiness all throughout this house.
"Well, what do you think?" Hermione squealed beside him.
"It' amazing Hermione." Harry said. "It's really beautiful."
"Thank you." Mrs. Granger said as she strolled into the house after Mr. Granger. "Hermione, stop blocking the entry way and go ahead and show Harry around the house now."
"Right!" Hermione said gleefully. She gripped Harry's hand tighter and led him all through the house.
After going through the entire house and settling in, Harry and Hermione ended up in the family room. They were now putting up decorations and putting ornaments on the bare tree. Hermione's parents always waited for Hermione to come home before they put up decorations.
Harry was enjoying the experience thoroughly.
At the end of the day, Harry and Hermione were sitting on the sofa in the family room, just talking. They'd fallen asleep on the sofa - again. It felt so natural to just hold each other and drift off into sleep. It had happened so many a time and they were so used to it, that when Hermione awoke in the middle of the night, she didn't even want to go upstairs to sleep in her own bed. She was perfectly content in Harry's arms.
They secretly slept like this the rest of the week, waking early in the morning to creep into their separate rooms before Hermione's parents woke. By the end of the week, it was Christmas Eve. Both Harry and Hermione slept in their separate rooms that night.
On Christmas morning, Harry woke to Hermione tugging on his arm.
"Come on sleepy head. It's Christmas." She kissed Harry good morning and then ran down the stairs into the family room where the Christmas tree stood.
Harry stayed in bed for a moment, just to savor the memory or Hermione just a few moments ago. He smiled to himself and then got up. He walked down the stairs to the family room, where he knew Hermione was. When he got there, he could see the beautiful gifts lying under the tree. Hermione's parents were in the kitchen preparing tea and Hermione was beaming at Harry, holding up a Christmas present.
"Here you go Harry." she said, handing him the gift. "Open it."
Harry took the small box from her and unwrapped it to reveal shimmering silver ball. "What is it?" Harry asked as he examined it closer.
"It's a promise." Hermione said. Harry raised an eyebrow at her. "A promise? How do you mean?"
"It's literally a promise, Harry." Hermione said. "You see, inside this ball, resides the most important promise I've ever made to you. When the promise is fulfilled, the ball turns a different color."
"Really? And what's this promise you've made me?" Harry asked.
"You'll just have to wait until that thing turns colors." Hermione said. Harry smiled at her.
"This is great Hermione. I love it." he said before kissing her.
"And now...you're present." Harry lifted up a tiny box in front of Hermione's face.
"For me?!" Hermione squealed.
"Well yeah," Harry said rolling his eyes at her. "I couldn't just get you nothing."
Hermione sat down on the sofa and opened up the box. Inside was a beautiful sapphire necklace. The chain was as fine as thread and the stone more blue than anything that she had ever seen. On either side of the sapphire, it was accented with tiny little diamonds.
"Harry!" Hermione gasped. "You, you can't give this to me! This is too much." she said pushing the necklace into Harry's hands.
"No," said Harry, pushing the necklace back into her hands. "I'm pretty sure this was my mother's necklace. I found it in my Gringott's vault and I wanted you to have it."
"But Harry - "
"Hermione, look, there's only going to be two women in my life. My mother and you. I wanted you to have this, you're the love of my life My family." he said kissing her softly.
"Harry...you shouldn't have...thank you."
Christmas Day went on without a hitch. Harry and Hermione spent the day outside making a snowman while Hermione's parents watched them fondly. Harry had gotten each of them new watches and `Thank You' cards expressing his gratitude for their hospitality; also adding a `Thanks' for raising the most amazing woman he had ever met. It was too soon for Harry that their holiday was over. Before he knew it, he and Hermione were sitting with Ron, Luna, Ginny and Liz on the Hogwarts Express back to school.
"How was your Christmas you two?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione as he hugged Luna close to him.
"It was perfect." Harry answered as he smiled at Hermione. "How about the two of you?"
"It was great!" Ron said.
"He and Daddy did a lot of bonding." Luna whispered to Hermione, who started chuckling.
"What about you Liz?"
"Oh me? I had a great time with my...mum. Yeah, I really missed her a lot."
"And how about you Ginny?" Harry asked.
"Oh it was good." Ginny replied. "Fred and George bewitched the cranberries to dance during Christmas dinner...it was hilarious.
The compartment erupted in laughter, and they continued to talk the rest of the journey.
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"Home again." Hermione said flopping down on the sofa in the Head Boy chambers.
"Hermione, `home' is that lovely place back in London with your parents." Harry said in disbelief. "How could you not consider that home?"
Hermione laughed and pulled Harry down to her side. "Harry, I do consider that my home. Always and forever." she said. "But, you know we've spent a great part of our lives living here at Hogwarts...it's a second home to me...you know."
"Yeah," Harry said. "I know what you mean."
Hermione left him a little while later to go and write her parents and let them know that they had returned safely. When she returned, she found Harry fast asleep. It was nearly dinner time, Hermione just couldn't bring herself to wake him. He looked so peaceful. She decided to leave him be.
Later that night. Harry woke to the rumbling of his stomach. He looked to his side and saw that Hermione was not beside him. He checked every room in his chambers and could not find her. He became worried as he began to rummage through his trunk for the Marauder's Map. He walked over to his bedside table, picked up his wand and tapped it to the piece of parchment, saying: "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." The blank piece of parchment instantly began to reveal it's secrets. Harry searched the map for Hermione's name but instead his eyes fell upon something he did not expect to see at all. His eyes fell instead a name that baffled him. "Who's Elizabeth Potter?" he asked himself aloud. He looked up and removed his glasses to clean them, maybe he was seeing things. When he returned his glasses to his face he received yet another shock. There on the parchment next to this Elizabeth Potter, was the name Hermione Granger. "Hermione?" Harry said aloud again. They were both located in the kitchens. "Why are they in the kitchens?" Fearing for Hermione's safety (after all, who knew who this Elizabeth Potter was...and why did she have Harry's name?) he quickly pulled out his Invisibility Cloak and headed down swiftly and quietly to the kitchens. He checked the map almost every five seconds, just to make sure that the two of them were still there.
He finally reached the large portrait that guarded the kitchens and tickled the pear that lay in the large bowl full of fruit. The pear let out a giggle and the portrait door swung open quietly. Not sure who he would find with Hermione on the other side of the door, Harry crept into the kitchens slowly. Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw next.
There next to Hermione was Liz...not Elizabeth Potter, but Elizabeth Halsey. Harry hadn't even thought of putting two and two together. He was still under the Invisibility Cloak, so neither of the girls could see him. He heard them both talking...
"What was that Liz just said?" Harry questioned himself. He listened to hear them better.
"I really had a wonderful Christmas!" Liz said. "I honestly don't know how I've stayed away from Charlie for so long."
"Really?" Hermione asked as she took a plate of crackers from Dobby.
"Thank you Dobby." she said. "I couldn't imagine being away from Harry as long as you stay away from Charlie. I heard Fred and George went out there to see you. They seem to be doing pretty well to travel all the way to Romania."
"Charlie? Fred and George?" Harry thought. "How does Liz know about them? WHAT'S GOING ON?"
"See, I told you Hermione!" Liz said clapping her hands together. "I told you that he loved you."
"What is she talking about?"
"Yes, you were right." Hermione said, pausing for a moment to look at Liz. "Liz, I know you're tired of me asking, but when are you going to tell him? Sometimes I can't even sleep at night knowing that I have this secret locked up inside of me." Harry was confused. What secret? What was Hermione not telling him. He continued to listen to them as they walked passed him and out into the dark corridor.
"Hermione, I know it's hard. But like I've said before in time - "
"Yes, yes...the truth will be revealed." Hermione said, rather annoyed. "When is that time though?"
"Soon. I promise. Hang on." Liz said as she raised her wand. "Lumos." she muttered quietly. "Hold my wand for a second while I change."
"Change?" Harry thought. "Change what?" He received his answer immediately when he saw Liz toss her hair and change it from the dark wavy locks that they were into a dirty blonde color. Harry watched as her face was somehow rearranging itself and she grew a few inches in height. Liz had just transfigured into Professor Bright.
"What the -"
"Does that hurt? I've never thought to ask Tonks before." Harry heard Hermione say.
"Well, it felt weird at first, but when I got the hang of it...it felt normal. Tonks, believe it or not, got the hang of it before I did." Liz, rather Professor Bright answered.
"Tonks?"
Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Why was Hermione down her with whoever this was? Why hadn't she told him about this? He stood a few steps behind them as they began to walk down the corridor.
"Oh, wait." Hermione said, grabbing Professor Bright's arm. "You forgot to change your eyes."
"Thanks." she said. "I swear these eyes are a curse and a blessing."
"I know what you mean." Hermione said. "Every time I see them I can see Harry."
Harry stood, staring at them more confused than before. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Yeah," Professor - Liz said. "It's funny. I can look into my orb and see my dad taking pictures of us. He'd always say that he was happy that Harry and I got our mother's eyes, but he was especially glad that Harry was starting to look like him."
Hermione laughed. Harry nearly collapsed.
"I don't know how he could tell though." Liz - Professor Bright continued. "I mean, Harry was only a year old.
"Well," Hermione said. "Harry definitely looks like your father...from the pictures I've seen. And with those green eyes, it's so easy to tell that you're brother and sister."
"Molly says that all the time, Dumbledore too; and Sirius used to tell me every day."
Harry nearly stopped breathing. His mind went chaotic. "Professor Dumbledor?! Mrs. Weasley? Sirius? They know? He knew? They never told me? But this is impossible...I don't have a - a sister." The idea of the whole thing was hilarious to Harry at first, then it finally settled into realization. The shock that ran through Harry's veins passed by quickly and turned into anger. He could feel his temper rising and all he wanted to do was scream. "Why didn't anyone tell me this? What the hell is going on?" Harry felt like throwing something, but there was nothing. He was breathing hard now and was frustrated with all sorts of emotions flowing over him. He just couldn't think straight.
"Wait!" Liz said to Hermione.
"What is it" Hermione asked.
Still under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry inched closer to try and hear what they were talking about now.
"Shhh...Harry's hear." said Liz.
"What! How do you know?" Hermione said as quietly as possible.
"Because I can feel him." said Liz in a trembling voice. "He's here. He knows."
"But how...oh...he's under the cloak."
Hermione turned around and began to grab at the air. Harry backed away from her. He couldn't even bare to look at Hermione right now. And he didn't even want to chance a glance over at Liz "whatever-her-name-was".
"Harry!" Hermione called out to him. "Harry, I know you're there."
"I can't believe you Hermione. I can't believe you kept this from me." Harry whispered darkly into the air, still under the Invisibility Cloak. His back was toward Hermione and he walked away feeling his temper rise.
"Harry, wait! Please..." Hermione pleaded.
But Harry had already gone.
Liz walked up and down the corridor, trying to sense any of his emotions. "Nothing." she said. "Hermione he's gone."
"Well we have to look for him!" Hermione nearly shouted. "We have to go after him! He shouldn't have found out this way!" She was having trouble breathing now. "We can't - can't - and he's - "
"Hermione!" Liz said yanking Hermione towards her. "Listen to me, we have to go and tell Professor Dumbledore. I need you to calm down and pull yourself together."
"Okay." Hermione managed, and they set off to Dumbledore's office.
Meanwhile, Harry had run up to the Astronomy Tower to think. No one would find him here, he thought. He sat outside on the roof and watched as snow began to fall. His thoughts were jumbled. In his mind, he was confused, and in his heart, he was hurt.
"This is impossible." he muttered to himself. "I - I would know if I had a sister. But it must be true if everyone knows about it. Everyone, except, of course...me!" He could feel hot prickly anger surge through him. How could no one have told him. Would it have been so damn difficult to pull him aside for one moment and mention to him that he had a sister? But what bothered him most of all was Hermione. He felt betrayed by everyone, but especially her. She'd obviously known for quite some time now. Harry was finding it difficult not to be angry with her. He thought about it for a moment. He was definitely furious with her. "How could she not tell me!" he bellowed into the night. His breathing became erratic as he cursed everyone he could think of.
The night dragged on, Harry continued to dwell on what he had just discovered.
Liz, Hermione, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagal had been searching for Harry for hours.
As the morning light crept through the winter clouds, Harry awoke half frozen. He'd fallen asleep on the roof of the Astronomy Tower, crying over his anger and frustration, over the secrets and lies. He pulled his Invisibility Cloak over him and decided to go for a walk.
Just as he was walking down the stairs, Hermione ran right past him, brushing his shoulder and knocking off the cloak.
"Harry!" she gasped. "Where have you been? We've all been looking for you since last night! Harry, I'm so sorry! I never - "
"What?" Harry shouted. "You never expected me to find out? You were just going to keep this from me forever were you?"
"No! Harry, I - I wanted to - "
"You know what Hermione? Just save it!" Harry yelled at her. "You - you were the person I trusted most in this entire world. You're my girlfriend, the love of my life! AND YOU'VE BEEN KEEPING THIS FROM ME!!"
Hermione was in tears, pleading with him to listen, though she knew she'd never get through to him.
Harry glowered at her and shook his head. "I - I can't even think straight. I just - I can't even look at you right now!" Harry spat as he walked off, leaving Hermione in tears.
Harry left the Astronomy Tower and went into another deserted classroom to think once again. Harry wanted answers desperately, but he just couldn't face those who had been keeping this secret...this secret from the past.
As the day went by, Harry became further agitated. Keeping under his Invisibility Cloak, he remained a recluse, his solitude being his one companion.
It wasn't until around midday when Harry walked out of the empty classrooms. He was surprised no one had found him yet. "Maybe it's another one of Dumbledore's ideas. They're trying to lure me out or something..." Harry pulled off his cloak and started to walk towards his room when Ron came running up behind him.
"Harry!" Ron called out.
"Damn."
"Harry wait up. Everyone's been looking for you!"
"Oh to share some more of their secrets?" Harry snarled. "Tell them all to - "
"It's Hermione." Ron said, interrupting Harry.
"Well, she can just - "
"Harry," Ron said gulping. "She's gone."
A/N: I'm going to be horrible and leave you all hanging here! It's not that I want to, it's just that it's such a great place to end it...for me anyway, it makes for a smoother transition into the next chapter! So, I guess I do want to! Sorry! I've got more coming for ya!
I hope you all enjoyed this...even though in Harry's case it's pretty horrible!
Please, please let me know what you think!
If you find any errors, please let me know...I was very tired when I posted this!
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Terri: Thanks for staying up so late to push me! I don't think this would have been posted until Tuesday if you hadn't! LOL! I'm so slow! Maybe I should send you unfinished chapters more often! LOL! Anyway, thanks! I'm going to bed now, the Pixie Stix don't last long!
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