'Oh, and if you break her heart again, Harry, I'll have to beat you to a pulp.'
~ The Ceremony ~
Ron wasn't kidding when he said Hermione had gone into hiding. Cooped in the darkest corner of the library, Hermione sat at a desk concealed behind a thick wall of stacked books. But there was no studying taking place, at this point at least. How could she possibly study now? Any moment the library would close and she'd have to go to dinner and face the entire school! And Harry. Every time she thought of Harry it hurt…
'Hermione! Are you still behind there?'
Ron had entered the library. Hermione poked a book from her 'fort' and peered out.
'Hi, Ron,' she said in a sapped voice. 'Come to lure me away?'
'I was thinking about it,' said Ron, crossing his arms. 'Unless you have plans to stay behind there until the end of sixth year?'
'That's tempting.'
'Oh, come on, Hermione!' he griped. 'This is getting creepy now. Dinner's about to start!'
'Is he out?'
'He who?'
'Harry!'
'Yeah,' said Ron in a casual tone, deliberately not revealing too much. 'He's out.'
Hermione bit her bottom lip. 'Does...does he remember anything?'
'This and that,' Ron replied vaguely, annoying her.
'This and that what?'
'Would you come out already!'
Grudgingly, a jaded Hermione came out from hiding.
'What does Harry remember, Ron?'
'Come to dinner and ask him yourself!'
'But he must have said something to you, surely!'
'What am I? The bloody messenger? Come on! The food's getting cold...'
Too tired to argue, Hermione let Ron drag her out the library and down the grand staircase. As they neared the Great Hall, Hermione naturally went to turn back. Though it was always full, the Hall sounded particularly crowded to her at that moment.
'Oh no you don't!' said Ron, giving her a tug forward. 'Keep coming, it will be okay.'
Focusing on her breath, Hermione prepared to go in; ready for the quips and the scrutiny. But, as they entered the Hall, Hermione was welcomed with a sudden explosion of cheering and applause?
'See?' smiled Ron. 'I told you it would okay!'
Ron directed Hermione's attention to the Gryffindor table, where everyone held banners reading 'Welcome Back, Hermione'. Hagrid was standing there too, waving and looking tearful. And, sitting in front of him, was Harry, breaking into an ecstatic grin once he saw her. Hermione was in an extreme state of shock, loosing all ability to move or speak. Ron laughed.
'Well, go on! It's your welcome home party.'
'Wha...?' Hermione could hardly say.
Giving her a poke in the back, Ron guided - or rather, pushed Hermione towards the awaiting Gryffindors. She blushed and smiled as friendly faces bombarded her from every direction.
'Hermione!' It was Neville. 'I'm so happy they found you!'
'We missed you, Hermione!' said Parvati, glowing and giving her a hug, followed closely by Lavender.
'This is cool!' she heard Seamus say. 'I've never met a missing person before!'
'Yeah!' Dean said to him. 'Except she's not missing any more, you git!'
'Miss Granger!' It was Fred, taking her hand and shaking it enthusiastically. 'Splendid to see you!'
'Likewise!' said George, shaking the other.
'Hermione!' called Ginny, hugging her too. 'I was so worried! And guess what? I'm not in love with Ron any more!'
'Hermione!' cried Hagrid, smothering her in a monstrous hug that was more like a headlock. 'I'm so happy yer safe and back at Hogwarts!'
'Ha...gr...id!' strained Hermione, suffocating.
'Hagrid, let go!' said Ron, trying to wrench her out. 'You don't know your own strength!'
'Oh!' said Hagrid troublingly, loosening his arms. 'Sorry, Hermione! It's jus' I was so worried 'bout yeh and all.'
Hermione, whose hair was now even fluffier then usual, said, 'I'm glad to see you too, Hagrid.'
Finally, she reached him.
'Hi, Hermione,' said Harry simply, smiling.
'Hi, Harry,' said Hermione, mirroring him.
Hermione hadn't really known what to expect from Harry, now he was cured. Did he remember any of his feelings for her? And if he did, was he angry? Ashamed? Indifferent? Physically sick? What he was, however, made her uneasy: he was fine. Calm and normal, though smiling rather excessively.
'This welcome home thing was Harry's idea,' Ron butted in. 'But I organised the banners!'
'It...was?' she said, peering at Harry curiously and feeling warmer.
Dumbledore suddenly addressed the Hall. 'Silence please! No more talking.'
Slowly, the volume in the Hall turned down, until everyone was quiet. Hermione, still a bit stunned, sat nervously between Harry and Ron.
'Before dinner commences, there are a few things that must be brought about. Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic,' Dumbledore gestured to the man in a pin-striped suit and bowler hat to his left, 'is our special guest this evening. He brings with him a cheque, for one thousand galleons. Mr Fudge, if you please...'
Fudge took the stage, holding an oversized cheque made of parchment.
'Thank you, Professor Dumbledore,' he said genially, and then turned to look out at the sea of students. 'I'm sure you're all well aware of the happenings at this year's Annual Drakon Hunt, and the sudden unexpected hunt for Hogwarts student, Hermione Granger.'
At the sound of her name, Hermione reddened and sunk in her chair. She would have disappeared beneath the table all together if Ron hadn't hoisted her back up.
'I'm honoured to present this cheque to the person responsible for finding Miss Granger and returning her to safety. I thus call upon Mr Harry Potter!'
Everyone cheered, especially the Gryffindors. The only people who looked far from cheery were the sneering Slytherins students. Professor Snape, sitting at the far end of the teacher's table, was doing his fair share of sneering too.
'Mr Potter, you may come and collect your prize.'
Wild applause from the Gryffindor table followed Harry as he modestly stepped to the front. Ron started whistling and Hermione clapped her hands raw. Fudge handed the cheque to Harry, who found it surprisingly heavy.
'Before you go, Harry,' said Fudge, `there is something else.' Fudge looked back out at the Hall. 'May I also have Ronald, Fred and George Weasley up here?'
Ron's mouth fell open in shock, as did Hermione's. Fred and George turned at each other and shrugged. What was this all about? The three Weasley's stood and walked towards Fudge and Harry, Fred and George waving and winking at everyone as they went.
'Now boys,' said Fudge, smiling at the Weasley's as they approached. 'Your bravery in helping find Miss Granger has not gone unnoticed. I am pleased to announce that the Ministry has decided to award all of you, an honourary Order of Merlin, Third Class.'
Jaws dropped all around the Hall now. Professor Snape looked ready to kill someone, while Harry, Ron, Fred and George wanted to jump out of their skin! They couldn't believe it. A real Order of Merlin! Fudge went round to each of the boys and pinned a shiny gold medal to their robes, just as Dumbledore stood up again.
'Congratulations to Harry and the Weasley brothers,' he announced. 'You make Hogwarts very proud. And now,' he paused for effect, 'dinner is served!'
Bowls and plates appeared on the four House tables, crowning them with a delicious assortment of food. Harry, Ron, Fred and George returned to the ongoing cheers and praise of the Gryffindors. Hagrid hugged - and hence, suffocated - each of them as they came to sit down. Hermione congratulated them all graciously, and reddened even more when she came to Harry. Harry wanted to say something to her, but decided against it. This was neither the time nor the place. Hermione, for her part, felt Harry's eyes on her all through dinner. Overall, the ceremony was a complete success - especially for Gryffindor. Though the festivities were far from over...
'PARTY IN THE GRYFFINDOR COMMON ROOM!' Fred broadcasted.
The Gryffindor table cheered again and leapt from their seats in a single wave.
'Only until nine thirty and no later!' Professor McGonagall called out sternly.
Protests followed this, but Professor McGonagall remained firm. As the rest of the Great Hall moved out, Harry decided he couldn't wait to talk to Hermione any longer. He needed to find her and take her somewhere where they could be alone…
Unfortunately, she'd been swept with the crowd and disappeared from sight. With his oversized cheque tucked under one arm, Harry forced his way through the crowd and out into the Entrance Hall. He spotted her, about to walk up the staircase.
'Hermione! Hey, Hermione!' he called out, traversing towards her. Hermione stopped and turned to where he was calling. Harry hurried to the foot of the stairs. 'Can we - '
'Harry!'
It was Fudge, approaching him from behind.
'Just the man I wanted to see. Congratulations again!' he said, shaking Harry's free hand.
'Thank you, Mr Fudge,' said Harry, quickly glancing at Hermione. Fudge then noticed her as well.
'And Miss Granger!' he said happily. 'How are you feeling? Settled back at Hogwarts?'
'Yes, thank you, sir,' said Hermione, tearing her focus from Harry.
'Very good, very good,' said Fudge, satisfied, and then looked back at Harry. 'Listen, Harry, do you mind if I steal you away for a minute? A reporter wants to do an interview with you for the Daily Prophet. The Weasley's are already there, it shouldn't be too long. Here!' He took Harry's cheque. 'I'll have someone deliver this up to your room.'
Harry had no choice but to go with Fudge. He looked helplessly at Hermione, mouthing the words 'I'll meet you later', before being escorted away. Hermione was left with her mind racing; so much in fact, she accidentally bumped into the last person she wanted to see.
'Granger!' Malfoy growled, with a sinister glare.
'Good to know we're on a second name basis again, Malfoy,' said Hermione, staying poised. Malfoy scoffed.
'What are you bumping into me for? Trying to get your hands on me again?'
'Why, do you want another punch in the head?'
Hermione was delighted to see the bridge of Malfoy's nose was nice and bruised from their last encounter.
'A word of advice, Granger,' said Malfoy menacingly, a vein twitching in his temple. 'Stay the hell away from me! Keep the love potions between you and your boyfriends, Potter and Weasley, because if I catch you near me again, you'll be out of this school so fast it'll make your hair flat!'
'What, you mean plastered to my head like yours?' she smirked.
'You - ' but Malfoy was unable to think of witty comeback. 'Just…STAY AWAY FROM ME!'
Steaming, Malfoy stamped away up the stairs. Hermione then caught Pansy's eye, who courteously stuck her tongue out at her, before chasing after Malfoy; probably to mother and lavish him with affection.
Malfoy Hermione thought, contented with herself. Always so pleasant to run into.
~ The 'After-Party' ~
Harry and the Weasley's interview with the Daily Prophet went on longer then expected. When it was finally over, they eagerly raced to the Gryffindor common room, set on catching up with the party. After passing the Fat Lady, they were thrown to find the vicinity totally and utterly empty?
'It's a school night,' said Professor McGonagall, meeting them on the inside of the portrait hole.
'But you said we could stay up 'til nine thirty!' Fred reminded her, outraged. 'It's only eight forty-five!'
'I'm aware of the time, Mr Weasley,' she said shortly. 'I'm afraid the Slytherin's have filed a noise complaint.'
'They did WHAT?' shot Fred, his outrage peaking.
'Those GITS!' said George in fury. 'As if they can hear us! They're just jealous, Professor. None of they're stinking lot would ever get an Order of Merlin!'
'That will be all, thank you very much!' said Professor McGonagall, raising her voice slightly. 'Off to bed please, and congratulations to each of you.'
Once Professor McGonagall left via the portrait hole, Harry, Ron and the twins trudged up the stairs to the boy's dormitories.
'I can't believe we missed our own party!' Fred continued to harp on. George continued, too.
'Bloody Slytherin! Fred and I had some really fun ideas for that party, didn't we Fred?'
'Indeed, we did George! Canary Creams, Wild-Fire Wizbangs, Ton Tongue Toffees...'
'…Ron doing a naked table dance for the girls…'
'GEORGE!' Ron spat, on cue.
While the twins were clearly scorned, Harry and Ron were less torn up about missing the party. The excitement of receiving an Order of Merlin had by far been their highlight.
'C'mon guys, it's not all bad,' eased Ron. 'Just think! When we get home, we're going to be the only ones in the house with an Order of Merlin!'
'You're right brother!' said George, eyes glittering. 'We'll be mum's new favourites!'
'That's right!' said Fred, sharing his vision. 'We'll get first dibs on everything! And Percy, wait until we see him! And he thought he had it going on with the Head Boy badge...'
They all laughed their way up the remaining stairs. Fred and George bid their goodnights, and then separated, giving Ron a chance to talk to Harry.
'You gonna talk to her tomorrow then?'
'Guess I'll have to,' said Harry, wishing it could be sooner.
'I just - well, want to say,' Ron started, becoming somewhat tongue-tied, 'well, good luck when you do. And no hard feelings.'
Harry smiled appreciatively. He knew how difficult this must be for Ron.
'Are you sure?'
'Yeah! Really mate, like I said, better her with you then Malfoy. Oh, and if you break her heart again, Harry, I'll have to beat you to a pulp.'
Harry chuckled. 'Thanks, Ron. I suppose you were right all along.'
'Of course I was!' said Ron wittily. 'It was easy to tell you didn't have love potion relapse. It's no wonder Dumbledore saw through you. Why do you think the Ministry let you have the reward and an Order of Merlin?'
Harry shrugged innocently, mainly to tick Ron off.
'They wouldn't have given it to you if you were under a spell! That's why Krum missed out on the Order of Merlin. He genuinely had relapse. Doesn't count.'
When Harry and Ron came to their room, they were pleasantly surprised to see Neville, Dean and Seamus all awake.
'Where have you guys been?' asked Seamus from his bed, dressed in pajamas. 'You missed the party!'
'Yeah, we noticed,' said Ron obviously.
Nobody felt much like sleeping. Instead, they talked thrillingly into the night, Ron and Harry recounting their adventures at the Hunt. Seamus and Dean were laughing at Ron's stolen underpants story, when Neville whispered something to Harry.
'Hermione was really upset when you guys didn't come back.'
'She was?' said Harry, very disappointed he hadn't talked with Hermione as planned. He wanted to say everything to her now. She didn't deserve another night to go by without knowing the truth. `Did she say anything to you, Neville?' Harry asked.
`Not really,' Neville informed him lowly. `I heard from Lavender that she was waiting for you. She was one of the last people to leave the common room. Professor McGonagall had to kick her out.'
Harry smiled a touch. Hermione must have wanted to see him as much as he did her. `Thanks Neville.'
Eventually, an hour before midnight to be exact, the boys surrendered to their beds. Harry however, was purposely keeping himself awake, waiting patiently for everyone else to fall asleep. Once Neville's snoring kicked off, Harry prepared to leave. He quietly slipped on his bed robe and slippers, before bending down and collecting his Firebolt from beneath his bed.
A/N: Next up, fluff city ;) And this is the last chapter before the end so crank those reviews!
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