A/N: Erm, I guess I got my chapter 4 done earlier than I thought! I am working on two essays for university coursework as well, so I am a bit proud of myself for getting this in!
Ok, this is where I introduce the mystery ship…I don't think I have seen it anywhere before and it comes at the very end…and it will be completely revealed next chapter…
Thanks again for reviewing - feedback is much appreciated. I anticipate that the story might not be longer than 10 chapters; the trouble is that there are quite a few directions the plot can take and I am trying to settle on the strongest one..
Will try to get chapter 5 out on the weekend.
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Why on earth was he staring at her like that? Hadn't she just demanded an answer?
Even as her emotions ran rampant colliding blindingly and making her feel completely overwhelmed, she knew that she wasn't being entirely fair. Harry hadn't made his remark with any snide undertones, it simply contained an affectionate warmth and if anything, was teasing at its very worst.
But she couldn't help it. His innocent observation had unleashed a sudden tidal wave that she was utterly being submerged by. The events of the day were catching up with her - all these months of waiting and wondering and imagining the very worst horrible scenarios, all involving Harry and running the gamut from hearing him declare his engagement to some unknown and incomparable bombshell of a witch, to being summoned by the Ministry to identify his body, to his abrupt arrival and her own horror at the fact that she was oh so close, to desperately revealing the deepest secret of her heart.
And now, it seemed like her very worst suspicions were confirmed….wasn't she even a girl to him?
'Hermione!'
Harry's voice brought her out of her reverie and she squinted trying to make him out in the blanketing twilight. He was in front of her, wasn't he? So why was he all fuzzy? And why was the ground suddenly moving up to meet her?
'Oof!'
Harry caught Hermione just in time as she almost pitched forwards into the ground. Supporting her with his arms, he lowered them both to sit upright again and peered closely at her. Her face was pale and drawn, there were black circles under her eyes and her fingers were quivering. He grasped them firmly, and rubbed them to bring a little warmth. He was thankful that this was just a dizzy spell - she wasn't completely unconscious, but was quite disoriented - but he was very concerned all the same. She had seemed fine earlier today, and what was all that about his comment? He had simply teased her, he honestly couldn't see a Hermione that wasn't fiercely passionate about her work…
Well, they would be discussing this soon enough. The object of his thoughts was giving off a soft moan of discomfort as she attempted to bring the world back on its orbit and straighten her vision. Harry helped her steady herself as she swayed for a bit yet again and waited while she composed herself.
Hermione, on the other hand, felt anything but composed. Had she really almost her head there for a moment? Drawing a deep breath and steadfastly ignoring the bright, little darts of light that still seemed to be merrily clouding her vision, she nodded, 'I'm…I'm better now, Harry , thanks.
Harry was still gazing at her with concern. 'What was that all about? Are you really alright? And you look so pale, have you been sleeping well?'
Before she could stop herself, the words flew out with a biting sting that was quite alien to Hermione's normal demeanour, 'Oh yes, I have. Considering that my every waking moment was spent wondering what had become of you and imagining the most terrible things possible, I had a smashing time of trying to force my mind to shut down!'
Harry's eyes snapped to hers and she flinched at the way he seemed to recoil at her words. Internally she throttled herself. What was wrong with her? Why was she being so mean to him? For Heaven's sake, he had promised to come back, kept his promise and here he was and instead of showing him the school and helping him integrate himself back into the wizarding world for his first ever attempt at a semblance of normal life, she was berating him and none too tactfully at that.
Harry's voice was low and defeated and Hermione instantly hated herself for that, 'I'm…I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to make you worry, you know that.' He ran a hand thorough his hair in a combination of frustration and what she recognised as guilt and continued, 'Look, I just had to get away alright? What with all the parties being thrown every which way, there wasn't a pebble in the wizarding world that could shield me.'
He raised an eyebrow at her unladylike snort and grinned when she looked abashed. 'Anyway, I could get no peace here at home, and I had to leave. I didn't do it to escape from you or anyone, surely you know me better than that. And I didn't sneak off, I did tell you, all of you in fact.'
Hermione sighed and then squeezed his arm, 'Harry,' she began, trying to keep a hold of her voice, 'Its not that you went away that really gets to me, although I am a tad selfish for wishing you hadn't gone. Its just that…that…I kept wondering what had happened to you, because there was no word, not even a little snippet of information. Merlin, Harry you can't blame me for that!,' Her voice rose and Harry closed his eyes against the emotion in her tone. He opened them to see she was looking at him intently and felt his heart break at the tears streaming down her face, 'Do you have any idea how I've been these past months? Everyday I kept expecting an owl from someone telling me that they had found a green eyed man lying dead by the side of the road!' She broke off on a choked sob and pressed her lips together.
Harry said nothing, but silently stared ahead at the lake, letting her pull herself together. He did reach out to firmly hold her hand and listened intently as she went on, 'Its like I said earlier, Harry. I know I might be a nag and oh, I know very well, that I am doing the same thing now, but I can't help it, Harry! I have been worrying about you for eight years and I'm sorry but I can't just stop!' She ended on a defiant note and with a stubborn up tilt of her chin that made Harry give a gentle chuckle.
'Oh Hermione, never apologise for that. I am truly touched and flattered that you care for me so much. I am very grateful for you and Ron. If I didn't have friends like you, God knows where I'd be right now.'
Hermione seriously contemplated a jump into the lake. Upon realising her feelings for Harry, she had struggled with the loathing for the word 'friends' that always enveloped her whenever anyone was kind enough to point out the status of her relationship with Harry.
Of course, friends. The best of friends. Like a sister and brother.
It was all Hermione could do not to fling herself at Harry and blab all that her heart held at that second. But she knew what would happen. Harry would most likely feel guilty for not returning her feelings and things would become awkward. The last thing he needed at this moment was another guilt complex, and besides, if he didn't even see her that way, was there any point in suddenly blurting out how she felt?
'…-and so that's why I said that, you know.' Harry's voice floated through her thoughts and she scrambled to catch up.
'Oh, what? I'm sorry Harry, what did you say?'
Harry rolled his eyes. 'I was giving an answer to your earlier question. About you being all books and lesson plans.' He had a wicked glint in his eyes that made Hermione waver between jumping on him and strangling him.
'Yes?' She queried with interest and straightening, not realising that she resembled a bird fluffing up its feathers for battle.
Harry laughed at the mental imagery and replied softly, 'All I meant was that the books make you…you, Hermione. Yes, its true that you are bookish,' - he ignored her outraged gasp - 'and yes its true that you can be predictably found in the Library' - her face was becoming dangerously purple - 'and yes, its also true that you are a bit of a worrywart' - an indignant splutter - 'and you….oh, did you know your face is purple, Hermione…and yes you are all this but most of all, that's what makes you so special. That's' what makes you Hermione.'
The purple vanished to be replaced by a deep red as Harry's green eyes bored steadily into her own brown ones. She listened as if in a trance as his dulcet timbre continued to wind itself through the air around her. 'Hermione, there's nothing boring about you. So you are a tad more academically inclined, but that doesn't make you predictable or staid or in a rut. I only meant that as a tease. Its like me, whenever anyone sees me, they always tend to ask if I am being broody, just because sometimes I am quiet, not to mention that whenever I am missing, its always assumed that I am on the Quidditch pitch.'
'Yes but the Quidditch pitch is attractive to girls and not the Library.'
The words waltzed past gaily before she could stop herself and she clapped a shocked hand to her mouth. Why, oh why was she being so incredibly stupid? She sounded like a petulant thirteen year old! Didn't she fight in the war with Death Eaters? Hadn't she made the Polyjuice Potion at twelve? Hadn't she deployed the Protean charm at fifteen? Then why didn't that brain shut her mouth now when she needed it the most?
Harry raised an eyebrow, 'Erm, so you…umm…like girls then, do you?' His expression was an ingenious hybrid of curiosity, fascination and utter incredulity.
Hermione gave an exasperated huff, 'Honestly, Harry! You...it's just…men don't and they can't…like girls like me….so boring…who have books…'
Harry placed a finger on her lips and gave a devilish smirk which only made the remaining bit of rationality in her head whimper in surrender and flee. He cocked his head to the side and considered her profile appraisingly.
'So that's what this has been all about then?' There was a triumphant ring to his voice and it made Hermione feel dreadfully vulnerable, considering she hadn't even told him anything that mattered…yet.
'Hermione, are you still under the impression that no one knows you are a girl?' His voice held disbelief and Hermione bristled defensively. She wrenched her hand out of his grasp and sniffed as she turned away. Harry only sighed and placing a firm hand on her arm yet again, swivelled her back to face him. 'Listen to me. Everyone knows you are a girl and that you are pretty to look at. Come on, we aren't in fourth year anymore.'
Hermione gave a bitter laugh. 'Yes, and that's why I didn't have luck with boys in Hogwarts, other than with Ron…who liked me because we could put up with each other.'
Harry rolled his eyes, 'And what about Krum? May I remind you that he was three years older than you - he could have picked any girl in his own year or school, for that matter, and yet he homed in on a fourth year from a competing school.'
Hermione blushed at the teasing in Harry's voice and kept silent. She had to admit, she couldn't argue that. 'But it didn't last!'
'Did you want it to go beyond a dance, then? If I recall, you were glad that you stopped at being just good friends.'
Hermione's shoulders slumped and she nodded wearily, 'You're right on that, of course. We had different priorities and focuses in life. And then of course there was the war…and the other things that happened at home…'
Harry reached out to give her a hug as her face crumpled, remembering the awful saga that had plagued her home throughout her seventh year, and she had to force herself not to purr. Hmmm….no wonder Crookshanks begged to be petted and scratched so often…
He pulled back and again gave her a kiss on her hairline much like the one earlier in the day and tapped the side of her nose, 'you silly goose, you are a great witch and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. And you'll find the right wizard out there.'
As Hermione tried her hardest to ignore the bittersweet pain his words caused, Harry added as an afterthought, 'Of course, he'll be thoroughly screened by Ron and me, before he can put on the moves.' He tried to say the last phrase in the suave and affected tone of a casanova but it only served to make Hermione break out in peals of laughter. She shoved him playfully, 'So you and Ron are going to assess his suitability?'
Harry returned her shove good naturedly and followed it up with a tug at her still bushy curls. 'Of course, we have already decided, no one but the best for our dearest Hermione.'
Hermione suddenly hugged him fiercely and pulled back to reach up and press her lips gently on his scar. This was a private sign of affection between them that had come about in seventh year. In yet another of his well intentioned but spectacularly misguided motions to shield his friends from Voldemort by distancing himself, Harry had finally broken down completely and yelled at them. He had gone on hoarsely for hours, alternately veering between begging and hexing them and had finally collapsed, exhausted, his body aching, his mind drained and his heart overflowing with regret at the numerous cruel utterances that he had shot with the utmost deliberation and calculation at them.
Ron and Hermione hadn't said anything for a few minutes, and then Hermione walked forward until she was beside Harry. She knelt by his slumped form, and brushed the lacklustre locks away from his forehead. The scar pulsed, a simultaneous legacy of love bequeathed by his mother and a terrifying conduit to the dark and she leaned down slowly. Harry had stared at her with wide and unblinking eyes, closing them in a soft, resigned groan when he felt her lips directly nudge against his scar and then seemingly envelop them. Out of the corner of his vision, he registered Ron, also coming to stand near by and then kneeling by him. Hardly had Hermione pulled away, when Ron - accused infamously having the emotional range of a teaspoon - had reached out and for the first time in their seven year friendship, pulled Harry in for a bone-crushing hug.
It was on that day that Harry had finally accepted that nothing he could do or say would ever force Ron and Hermione from his side and their little circle had expanded to welcome Neville, Luna and Ginny from then on.
Now, as Hermione drew back, he smiled brightly at her and her heart soared. Oh Harry, I don't need anyone else but you… 'Please promise me that you'll smile more often, Harry.' She requested softly.
Harry jumped up and then pulled her upright as well giving her a fake bow, 'Your wish is my command.' And then promptly stretched his face in an ear-splitting grin.
Hermione rolled her eyes and again linked her arm with his they set off back towards the castle, simply enjoying feeling Harry next to her again. He turned to wink at her as she attempted to surreptitiously hug his arm even tighter.
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They were met by a very excited Ginny, who was on the verge of collapsing from sheer breathlessness, as they stepped back into the Hall. Harry noted with a fervent sigh of thankfulness that the kids had all been sent off to bed and took the opportunity to really soak in the atmosphere of the Marauders for the first time since he had come back.
He had to admit, leaving his school in his best friends' capable hands had been the smartest decision he had made so far in his twenty year old life.
While the Marauders was certainly not as large as Hogwarts, it was just as infused with strong ancient magic and a charismatic charm transcending time. It was after all, one of the oldest buildings in the wizarding world and a prized heirloom in the Potter family. Harry had learned of its existence upon turning sixteen when a second round of family wealth had made itself known to him through Gringotts and it was only then that he truly comprehended the affluence of his bloodline. The Potters were as old, established and respected as the Malfoys with the only exception that they had always fiercely upheld the Light side and Harry had never been more proud of his heritage than the day when he had received a book about his family tree with a carefully preserved tapestry tucked in a pouch between its sheaves. He had noted with a strong pang of sorrow that the last names sown into it were James and Lily Potter.
And there's plenty of time to think about settling down, he observed as his eyes took in the furnishings of the hall as well as the various little touches that differentiated it from Hogwarts. He finally realised that the Marauders felt more informal and like a home, and felt a surge of pride in his friends at their success in converting a cold, forbidding and lonely stone antiquity into a house of learning where love, warmth and the innocent squeals of children seemed to pervade the very stones.
He suddenly caught sight of Ginny and Hermione chattering excitedly and walked over to them. Ginny shrieked on seeing him and then grabbed his arm, shaking it about enthusiastically, 'Oh Harry! Where were you? Remus just flooed in, he's waiting in Hermione's office and he wants to see you so badly.'
A large grin lit up Harry's face and Hermione smiled indulgently - he looked nearly ten years younger in an instant. Harry's close friends knew just how much Remus meant to him - he had been her friend's rock throughout his sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts taking on the role of surrogate parents, godfather and older brother all in one. Although she knew that Harry did think of the Weasley boys as his own family, he still possessively cherished his own link to Remus. He looked up to their former professor for advice, comfort, and a kick in the behind from time to time.
She laughed; Harry's excitement was so very contagious. 'My office you say, Ginny? But how did he get in? The only people allowed to properly floo into my office are you, Luna, and…oh' Her voice trailed off as a thoughtful frown creased her eyebrows.
Harry who was looking back and forth between the two, grumbled, 'What's going on? Is there a problem? Is Remus not supposed to floo in there?'
Hermione hastened to reassure him, 'No, no, Harry. Come on, lets go I'll tell you on the way. Thanks for the heads up, Ginny.'
Ginny caught Harry in a warm hug and kissed him lightly on the cheek, 'We need to catch up and I need to know about all the sordid things you've been up to in the last five months.'
Harry grinned, 'Sure thing. I just need a little time to settle in over the next few days but we'll definitely go for a few butterbeers soon enough. How's Neville treating you?'
Ginny rolled her eyes, 'I'm going to ask him to marry me, I think.'
Harry's jaw dropped and Hermione blinked. She spoke hesitatingly, 'Could you repeat that, please?'
'I'm going to ask him to marry me!' she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. 'Honestly, for the past two months, he's been trying to ask me the same thing and every time he chickens out at the last minute. And for crying out loud, he actually brings the box out and then quickly shoves it away, thinking I haven't seen it! Its happened about three times now and that's a time too many!' She finished looking quite angry and a shade of red only a bit lighter than her hair was spreading itself across her face.
'Come on Ginny, you know Neville loves you. He's always been shy with girls and this is a very big decision. Besides, he has his own insecurities…'
'I know, Hermione, I know.' Ginny sighed and then smirked, 'According to a muggle tradition, a woman can propose in a leap year, cant she? And this is one, so…' she trailed off, a smug look replacing the anger.
Hermione laughed and shook her head, 'A very unique idea, Gin. Oh, by the way how are Charlie and Tonks?'
Ginny walked with them until the corridor to Hermione's office, 'Oh they're fine. The moving back is taking some time though and the..'
'Hold on a minute,' Harry interrupted, 'Charlie and Tonks are moving back here?' At Ginny's nod, he laughed, 'Bet your mum will be right chuffed! She was so disappointed that Bill wanted to persist in staying on at Gringotts in Egypt.'
Ginny laughed as well, 'Oh yes. And they'll be here by the end of the week for the dinner at the Burrow. They cant wait to meet you, Harry.' She shook her head at his pink cheeks and then ruffled his hair, 'Nymphadora still thinks you have a cute backside.' And both she and Hermione went into gales of chuckles.
Harry stared at both of them, an unwilling smile on his face, 'I should never have let her see that Witch Weekly article about me. Rating men on their backsides? Don't people have better things to do?'
Hermione took his arm and led him towards her office. She called back to Ginny, 'We can never answer that no matter how blue in the face we get. You take care, Gin and keep in touch!'
Ginny waved back and they saw a flash of red disappear down the corridor.
'Hermione? What's all this about the floo and Remus?'
'Oh Harry, its just that since there are children here, the rule of thumb is to ensure that only three people have access to one's floo outlet. But each coming in can bring in someone else if they are told the passwords - something Ron and Neville came up just to increase more security, considering the amount of young children here…'
'A floo network with a password?! Wow! Who would have thought it?'
Hermione had by now undone the network of charms on her door and nodded, 'Yes that was a really novel but much needed idea. And Remus doesn't have the password, so one of my three contacts would have bought him in.'
By this time, she had opened the door and they stepped inside. 'But Hermione,' Harry was saying, 'one of them was Ginny and I bet another would be Luna..'
Hermione nodded again.
'So who would the third…' He trailed off as he caught sight of another person standing next to Remus Lupin. Hermione had a large grin on her face and he shoved her playfully, 'I should have known who it would be…'