Ch 38 Home Again
"We need to do something else Albus. She can't just isolate herself like this, it's not good for her. There must be something else we can do for her…"
"We cannot force her to come back to Hogwarts if she does not wish to Minerva."
"We've spoken with her several times," added Mrs. Granger. "She says she can feel the fear of the students around her…"
"And those horrid articles in the papers," chipped in Mrs. Weasley. "Even The Quibbler has gone out of its way to put her in the worst possible light."
"I assure you, we're looking at every legal angle we can to prevent more of those types of articles from coming out, but I'm afraid the damage has already been done," sighed Mr. Weasley.
"What if Harry and I took her on one of our vampire sanctuary raids?" suggested Samuel. "We've been enjoying them thoroughly. She could work out a little frustration and…"
"I do not believe that would prove particularly beneficial to someone like Hermione right now Samuel. She is trying to prevent and avoid any outbreaks of anger and violence, she is trying to distance herself from the very things the papers have been threatening will happen if she begins classes. She is trying to prove to herself that her worst fears, and those of many of her classmates and their parents, are not true-that she is not a bloodthirsty monster."
"But she's not!" protested Remus.
"I believe that we are all in agreement about that. But the truth is, we have no idea exactly what Miss Granger is right now."
Tempers flared again in Dumbledore's office until Dumbledore regained control.
"I happen to agree with Professor Snape, but wait…wait…" explained Dumbledore, trying to prevent any more angry outbursts, "but I believe it is the uncertainty about Miss Granger's status that is causing so much fear and concern."
"So what do we do?" asked McGonagall.
"Well, we will never change the opinions of the vast majority of witches and wizards, nor would it matter much if we could. The only one who must really be convinced about her identity is Miss Granger herself. And I believe the best way to accomplish that is to continue with the approach we have taken-visit with her when she allows it, be there for her and support her in whatever decisions she makes. If she chooses not to return to Hogwarts, that is her choice and I will accept it. That does not mean she cannot complete her classes on her own if she wishes-I believe that would be acceptable, if her professors do not mind. However, I do not believe we should try and persuade her to take any course of action we think might help her, but support her in whatever choice she makes for herself."
McGonagall rose from her seat. "Well, I have no problem letting Miss Granger finish her coursework in Transfiguration at home if she wishes. And I correct in assuming Miss Granger may continue her DADA studies at home Severus?" she asked sweetly as the eyes of everyone turned towards the professor.
Snape's eyes flashed for a moment before he said softly. "Of course Minerva."
"Thank you. I will go check with her other professors about sending her classwork to her with one of her classmates."
"What about Harry and Ron and her other friends? How are they doing?" asked Mrs. Granger.
"Fortunately, she has not tried to isolate herself from them. I have given them permission to visit her at Harry's house in the afternoons after their classes are done. Mr. Malfoy, Miss Lovegood, Miss Weasley, and Mr. Weasley have all taken up the additional duties that Miss Granger would normally be fulfilling as Head Girl. I heard there were a few complaints from some of the other prefects about having to do extra rounds, but I believe Mr. Weasley had a word or two with them about it. I have heard no complaints since then, though a few students have complained that he is even stricter than Miss Granger was about enforcing some of the rules." Dumbledore chuckled and then asked. "Is there anything else?"
The Weasleys left with the Grangers and the other faculty members followed them out.
As McGonagall stood to leave, Albus asked softly. "How is Remus doing?"
McGonagall laughed. "Remus hardly needs my guidance in attempting the Animagus transformation. He was one of the best students I ever had and Miss Granger has kindly lent him her entire collection of books on the subject-which is more comprehensive than that of our own library I might add. Assuming the theory is correct, he should be ready to try it in three months-he's being very thorough and taking it slow-unlike some other students we know."
Dumbledore chuckled happily. McGonagall stayed in her seat, watching Dumbledore patiently but saying nothing more.
"No, Minerva, I have not spoken to him yet."
"I can understand why you didn't while Miss Granger was still missing, but there is no reason to put it off any longer Albus. He deserves to know."
Dumbledore sighed heavily. "I know, I know. And I will tell him…I just haven't found the right opportunity…"
"There is no right opportunity for something like this Albus," snorted McGonagall. "But the sooner, the better-or I'll tell him…"
"Please, Minerva. Let me do this. I will tell him."
"Fine, but the longer you wait, the harder it will be. And the longer you wait, the angrier he will be when he discovers you've kept it from him."
Dumbledore said nothing as McGonagall stood up and left.
*-*-*
"So how did it go today with Aardus?" asked Harry as he visited with Hermione several days later.
"It went fine. I understand exactly how he does everything he does as a vampire, but for some reason, it doesn't work for me."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, vampires can't exactly Apparate like wizards, but they can use shadows to travel. As long as there are shadows in the room, they can disappear and reappear at will."
"Uh-huh. What's the problem?"
"I can't Shadow Walk like that."
"Oh."
"But I can travel if there's a source of light."
"What's the difference? If there are shadows, doesn't that imply there is a light somewhere?"
"Well, yes. But it's a completely different skill. For example, I can do it in daylight. Aardus can't. He can only move in shadows created by other light sources-candles or lanterns or street lights for example. More importantly, I move in the light, not in the dark. Symbolically, that's important to me."
"Well, that's good then," grinned Harry, happy to see Hermione smile. The first skill she had learned from Aardus was how to control the almost hypnotic veela effect she seemed to have on people, she felt very uncomfortable with it. Every time Harry visited her, she seemed like the old Hermione he knew, except for the bright blue eyes and the silver lock in her hair. Of course he thought she was still beautiful, but she had learned to control its effects, like with an anti-Glamour potion. Training sessions with Saldar had become very interesting, since now Hermione was much faster and stronger than Harry. For the first few mornings, Harry had wished that she could hide those powers as well, but Hermione didn't seem to mind winning most of their sword duels.
"What are you grinning at?" she asked.
"Nothing, just thinking about the last time I disarmed you."
"Harry. That was over two weeks ago and you distracted me with that fake limp. Besides, I've beaten you dozens of times since then."
"Yes, well, sometimes it's the small pleasures that are the most enjoyable. Anyways, I brought you a surprise this afternoon."
"Really? What is it?"
"It's a list of homework assignments from all of your professors."
"Really?! Oh, let me see!"
Harry smiled again as he pulled out the thick scroll. "I should warn you, it's pretty long. And I think Snape made up a few extra things just for you-I don't remember covering them in class. Dumbledore said you could finish your classes here at the house if you want to, they're going to stop trying to pressure you to go back to school."
"Oh, thank you Harry!" she shouted and threw her arms around him tightly.
"Thank you so much, Harry. You've been the only one who really understands what I've been going through. They all think I'm running away or hiding from what happened. But I have to make sure I'm in complete control before I go back. I have to know that no matter what has happened to me, that I am in control and that I won't hurt anybody."
"That's good to hear Mione. You just take your time and when you're ready…"
"Thank you Harry. Have I told you how much I love you today?"
"Umm, no. I don't think so."
"Well then, come here." Apparently, judging by the kiss she gave him, she loved him quite a bit.
*-*-*
Luna and Ginny walked along the hall chatting and laughing. Ginny pulled up a parchment and glanced at it as they reached the stairs heading back down. As her eyes surveyed the map, she sighed happily. "Well, at least there's nobody on the Astronomy Tower tonight. I hate climbing up those stairs at night…"
"unless it's with Neville?" teased Luna.
Gin smiled. "That would be nice, but Neville is a perfect gentleman."
Luna laughed. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"I sometimes think he's afraid I'm going to break into a million pieces if he gives me a real kiss instead of one of his goodnight pecks on the cheek," lamented Ginny. "So, do you and Ron get out often?" she asked with a glint in her eye.
"Well, your brother is learning to be a gentleman. He's had very good role models in Harry and Neville, but he's picked up a few bad habits that some of his past girlfriends have encouraged. He's trying very hard to get rid of them now…"
Ginny laughed out loud. "You should be in Slytherin. No snog sessions until he shapes up, huh?"
"That's a very crude way of putting it Ginny. I prefer the term `character refinement through sensitivity training and behavior modification with positive reinforcement,'" explained Luna.
Ginny laughed again, harder this time. "Call it what you want but it still sounds like…"
"What is he doing here?" hissed Luna, pointing at the Marauders' Map in Ginny's hand.
Ginny looked down and saw a bunch of figures in Dumbledore's office. The five figures seemed to be in a semi-circle around Dumbledore, but Ginny was unsure which figure Luna meant. When she looked up again from the map, Luna was halfway down the hall headed towards Dumbledore's office at a run.
"Who?"
"Pidi! He may know what happened to my mum!"
Ginny sprinted after the Ravenclaw, but couldn't catch her until they reached the stone gargoyle. Luna started calling out all the different types of candy she could think of, but none of them were the correct password. She kicked the statue in frustration and yelled a few words Ginny was sure she'd never heard from the Ravenclaw prefect.
Realizing how desperate Luna was to get in to Dumbledore's office, Ginny reached into her pocket and pulled out her DA coin. She rubbed it and whispered "Harry."
*-*-*
Harry and Hermione were in his huge library studying when Harry felt his DA coin warm up in his pocket. He had modified some of the charms on all of the DA coins to try and prevent another attack like the one which had resulted in the kidnapping of Hermione and the other students right before Christmas.
Looking at the coin, he saw that it was Ginny that needed help. He stood quickly and Hermione glanced over at him.
"What's wrong Harry?"
"Ginny's in trouble, I've got to go…."
"I'm coming with you,"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Come on then." He grabbed her shoulder and they disappeared together.
*-*-*
Luna was holding her foot and still yelling at the stone gargoyle when Harry and Hermione appeared out of thin air.
They lowered their swords and wands and looked at Ginny curiously as Luna's head snapped around.
"We thought you were in danger, Gin. What's going on?" asked Harry.
"We need to get into Dumbledore's office, there's someone there…"
"He might know who killed my mum! I've got to talk to him!" screamed Luna.
Harry glanced at Hermione and reached out for the two girls. A moment later, all four appeared in the middle of Dumbledore's study.
*-*-*
"She is a danger to more than this school, Dumbledore. She is a threat to the entire wizarding world. You must let us deal with her…"
"Miss Granger is a student at my school and under my protection," stated Dumbledore firmly, his eyes blazing. "and I guarantee that she is not a threat to either the students of this school or the world at large. She is…"
"She is the new Dark Queen Dumbledore! You have no idea what kind of creature you are dealing with! She will destroy us all! It has been prophesied!"
"Most prophecies aren't worth the parchment they're written on," spat out Harry from behind the group of robed and masked wizards. "And the last imbecile that believed in the one you're blabbing about turned out to be your fearless leader Primus. It also turned out that he happened to be a power mad vampire bent on the destruction of the world, but I guess he kept that little goal pretty well hidden from the rest of you morons."
One of the robed figures turned and paused in shock at the sight of the four angry students staring back at them. "How? What? Dumbledore! What is the meaning of this? What are these children doing here?"
"I told you that it was highly irregular to meet somewhere besides our normal room and without notifying me first. I do have considerable protections in place on my private chambers, but Mr. Potter is an exceptional mage after all. As for why they are here, you will have to ask them."
Luna was staring intently at the wizard who had been yelling at Dumbledore earlier. "Daddy? Is that you?"
The wizard known to the council as Quintus took a step back and raised his hands. "Luna, you don't understand. I…"
"You're right! I don't understand! What is going on here!? What happened to Pidi? He was here just a moment ago on the map. Where did he go? And why are you here? AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO MUM!?!?!" Angrily, she raised her wand and pointed it at the robed figure.
Gin glanced down again at the map. "There's no Lovegood on this map, just Pidi and a bunch of other…"
"That's not a wizard-it's a house elf," snarled Hermione, raising her wand and sword. "And we've met before, Pidi. In France, in Egypt, and again today. Harry, NOOO!"
Harry had disappeared behind the startled wizard and raised Shadowbreaker high as Hermione shouted. He then brought the hilt crashing down on the base of the skull and the wizard collapsed to the ground unconscious. Harry stepped closer to examine the body when several of the robed wizards raised their wands as well.
"You have struck down a member of the Council!" exclaimed one.
Crouching down with his wand and sword held at the ready Harry replied coldly. "You want to be next?" The speaker suddenly noticed that not only was Harry ready to fight, but so were the other three students, Dumbledore and one of the witches on the Council. He and his two companions were outnumbered six to three and two of the six were the most powerful wizards in the world, and nobody had any idea how powerful the young vampire witch was now. He slowly lowered his wand, followed by his companions.
"What is going on here?" asked Luna.
"Who is Pidi?" asked Hermione.
"He…he was our house elf. My father dismissed him after my mother's death-I don't know why. But that…that sounded like my father. I could have swore…"
Harry reached down, rolled the unconscious body over, and pulled off the mask over the protests of several members of the Council.
Luna fell to the floor. "Daddy! What…what happened to my daddy?! I thought he killed my mum?"
"That is what we thought we saw in your memories, Luna. But I think what we saw and heard was your dad getting attacked by your house elf."
"But that's impossible," snorted one of the members. "House elves cannot kill wizards. They cannot even harm them. They live only to serve and…"
"This elf can. He's attacked us several times, though he can't kill us directly. Believe me when I tell you he's tried a variety of means to kill us. Luna, I think your father was trying to persuade your mother to brew a Veritaserum to use on Pidi. Your father thought he was hiding something and wanted to know what it was. I think Pidi cast a spell at the cauldron, perhaps not knowing the possible effects, and accidentally killed your mother. But I don't know what happened to your father, we'll have to ask him when he wakes up."
"I don't think that's such a good idea, Mione," replied Harry. "If we let him wake up, he's just going to escape and…"
"Well, we can't just kill him, no matter what he's…"
"I thought we'd ask the Council here if they've got any bright ideas. They're the experts right?"
"There is no need to restrain a house elf. They are unable to harm a…"
"Yeah, yeah. You already said that. If you'd like to see the scars I have from this house elf who can't harm wizards, I've got ten minutes to spare. We've got to find a way to counteract his magic before he wakes up and…"
"Go get Dobby Harry."
"What? Oh.Yeah. I'll be right back."
A few moments later Harry reappeared with a very nervous looking Dobby at his side.
"We need you to make sure that he doesn't escape or try to hurt anyone when he wakes…"
"Is this the one who tried to harm you and Mistress Granger?" asked Dobby.
"Uh, yeah,' replied Harry.
Suddenly Dobby's eyes flashed and his hand swept forward. The prone wizard was flung against the side of Dumbledore's wall with such force that several shelves fell from the wall with their objects. Metal cuffs appeared around his wrists and ankles, anchored securely to the wall and a light buzzing was heard as a shimmering field appeared around the elf, who no longer appeared in the form of a robed wizard.
"Pidi!" cried out Luna. "It is you! What have you done?"
The elf's head moved slowly as he tried to raise it.
Harry and Hermione stepped closer with their wands raised.
"He will not harm anyone again," assured Dobby.
"Mistress Luna, I…I am so sorry for everything that has happened. I…I never meant for anything to happen to your mother. But I couldn't let your father find out. Nobody must know about…"
"What? What is so important that my mother had to die?!" screamed Luna.
He raised his eyes and glared angrily at Hermione. "Her. I have been telling you all for years. The Dark Queen must not be allowed to destroy the world."
"I am not the Dark Queen," insisted Hermione quietly. "I am…"
"You are no longer human! You are not even mortal. You are death reborn and…"
His voice stopped abruptly when Hermione grabbed his throat in one of her powerful hands and squeezed. Nobody had even see her move.
"Go ahead. Destroy me and reveal to them your true nature."
"Mione."
"Miss Granger."
"Where is Luna's father? Have you found one of the portals? Where is it?"
"I'll never tell you! I'll die first!"
"Tell me," she insisted and squeezed harder.
His face turning blue, Hermione released him and he started coughing and sputtering as he drew in several ragged breaths.
She turned towards Luna. "Your father is alive, but very sick and weak. He's hidden in a secret room of the basement at your house."
"What was that about portals?" asked one of the members of the council.
Hermione turned to him in surprise. "How long has your council studied Atlantis? You have never heard of the portals? And you can't even recognize an Athlantean or one of their descendents when you meet one?" Hermione snorted in disgust. "Then again, you couldn't spot a vampire or a house elf among your own members, so I shouldn't be too surprised."
"An Athlantean?" asked Harry.
"I know, it took me forever to figure out. I should have realized that it was no coincidence that the guardians of the Athlanti portals attacked us as well as the Ashanti while we were…abroad. Pidi here wanted to make sure that we either never found the…information we were looking for or that we didn't survive long enough afterwards to use what we learned. And with both house elves in the room, I suddenly remembered which group of magical creatures we had visited that think like the Athlanti."
Several of the council members looked as if they were going to say something, but wisely kept their mouths shut when she glared at them again. "As far as Pidi, I suggest that you allow Dobby and Professor Dumbledore to `deal with him.' He is still dangerous, but it's not intentional. I'm afraid that his obsession with protecting the secrets of Atlantis have driven him quite insane. Maybe the healers at St Mungos can help him. I would certainly suggest trying that rather than simply killing him. Which reminds me, what do the rest of you propose to do about me?"
Though she appeared quite calm, her eyes flashed dangerously as they moved over the different members of the council. Harry quietly stepped beside her and heard Dumbledore step on her other side.
"Thanks for the offer, but I can take care of myself."
"I know. I just didn't want them all feeling bad when they got whipped by one little witch. If they get beat by all three of us, their feelings won't get hurt as bad," explained Harry.
Hermione did a good job of keeping the smile off of her face.
The one known as Secondus cleared his throat and said, "I move that we allow Septimus to continue handling this situation. I believe he has it under control. All in favor?"
Everyone's hand rose.
"Well, then. I believe we will take our leave." One by one, they all left. The fourth one, the only one who had stood with them earlier, paused in front of Harry and then pulled back her hooded mask. She then gave him a huge hug. "I am so glad you found her, my young padwi," she whispered and then stepped closer to Hermione while Harry stood and watched in shock. She wrapped up Hermione in a tight embrace as well and whispered, "You are even more beautiful than I envisioned, my young roweni." Then her eyes twinkled as she continued, looking at Hermione's shining silver eyes, "Take good care of my young padwi, I believe he is worth all the trouble, though he has a very hard time avoiding it himself. I am afraid he will always need someone like you to watch over him-as you doubtless know already." Laughing, she turned towards Dumbledore and bowed. "Don't be a stranger, my friendly old gurgpa. You may stop in for tea anytime. Goodbye and good luck." Then she, like the others before her, touched the inkwell on the corner of Dumbledore's desk and disappeared.
Only the four students, Dumbledore, and the two elves were left in the room.
"Did you learn where one of the portals is located?" asked Harry.
"No, I don't think he knows. And even if he did, it could take me years of searching through his brain to find it. He's pretty messed up from what I could see inside that little head of his."
"But how did…
"Part of him wanted us to find Luna's father. He feels very guilty about what happened to her parents. But he definitely does not want us finding Atlantis."
"So you guys have been looking for Atlantis?" asked Ginny, her eyes wide in shock with everything she had seen.
"Yes, but nobody else can know Ginny. Luna."
"Who would believe me if I told them?" joked Luna.
"Don't worry. I'm a Weasley. Nobody can keep a secret like…"
"Ron isn't very good at keeping secrets," said Harry.
"Well, he's an exception. I take after the twins."
Dumbledore chuckled. "If you could assist me for the rest of the night, Dobby, I will speak with Arthur and see if we can arrange some help for Pidi."
Dobby bowed. "Dobby is glad to be of some service."
"Oh and Dobby? We'll need to talk again," added Hermione.
"I'm sorry Mistress, but I cannot help. I do not know where the portals are, none of the house elves do. We don't want to know Mistress. We…we fear the prophecy. Dobby is not afraid of Mistress, he knows she would never hurt house elves or anyone, but we fear the Dark Queen. She, and we, almost destroyed the world once-it is better that Athlanti stay lost rather than she come back and finish what she began so long ago. Please, Mistress, please stop looking for it."
Hermione looked at his sad, fear filled eyes and sighed. "Thanks, Dobby. I won't bother you again about it." She then turned to Luna. "Did you want us to come with you to look for your father?"
"I will take you Miss Lovegood. If you would remind me of your address, I will make a portkey."
"I'll go too," volunteered Ginny.
"Thanks," whispered Luna. "It means a lot to me to have you all there."
Dobby stayed behind, watching Pidi, while the others left with Dumbledore.
*-*-*
Later that evening, Harry stood on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, a little ways from his house. He seemed to be talking quietly to himself, but closer observation would reveal that he was talking into a small cellphone.
"Can you meet me at that address then tomorrow night?"
"Good. Make it eleven thirty. The shift will change at midnight and the mediwitches on shift will be tired and ready to go home."
"Will it make any difference if the subject is insane? That wouldn't hurt you would it?"
"Good. I need to know if he knows anything more than what he's already told us."
"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow night then."
Harry slipped the phone back in his pouch and stared at the clear sky for a moment before teleporting back to his room at Hogwarts.
*-*-*
Several weeks later, Luna was visiting with Hermione at Harry's house.
"So how is your dad doing?"
"He's feeling a lot better, now that he's out of the house. I can't believe Pidi was impersonating my dad for all those years-and I never realized…"
"Well, he did keep casting those memory charms on you, so…"
"I know, but still. They say it's much too soon to tell if any of the potions are helping at St. Mungos. They've never tried treating an elf before, so they're not sure whether they'll be able to help him much."
"Hmmm."
"But that's not why I came today, Hermione."
"I know."
"You've never missed one of Harry's matches before. It would mean…"
"I know. Ron and Ginny have already told me a dozen times. And Harry hasn't said anything, but I know he'd love for me to be there. It's just that…I'm nervous about going where there will be so many people."
"You're not going to lose control. You're not a …"
"I know. I know. I just hate knowing that they will all be nervous and scared if I'm there. Except for the Gryffindors, I can sense the unease in most of the other students, despite their best attempts to hide it. There will be a lot of people there who have only read those nasty articles in the papers about me. There's no sense in me ruining the match for everyone else that will be attending."
"I think that might be the stupidest thing you've ever told me Hermione."
"What?" snapped Hermione.
"You're afraid to go because some people might be afraid to see you? You know you're not going to hurt anyone. How are other people going to learn that for themselves if you keep hiding here at Harry's house?"
"That's not what I'm doing! You don't understand."
"I understand. You may not be hiding intentionally, but that is what you are doing. For someone who wants so desperately to change the wizarding world, you're going about this the wrong way. Were you able to create alliances for the war last year by worrying that people's feelings might be hurt or hoping they would come see you? NO! You went out and confronted other groups of magical beings. Did you lie low during Harry's trial when they were telling all those lies about him? NO! You went out and fought for him. Did you back down on your research about Atlantis and stay at Hogwarts when Pidi and the others were after you and Harry? NO! Do you think people are going to learn to accept you and understand you if you hide here all the time? NO!"
"GET OUT!" snapped Hermione, rising angrily "I am not afraid…"
"Then I'll save you a seat at the match this afternoon. Don't worry, I'll let myself out." Then Luna stood up and walked out, neither looking back or apologizing. Hermione picked up a large book to throw at the closing door, but then set it back down as she stared at the door thoughtfully.
*-*-*
"And Potter once again dives past the Durmstrang seeker, again flying circles around the ogre they found that could sit on a broomstick, maybe he"
"JORDAN!" shouted McGonagall for perhaps the fiftieth time in the last half hour. "Keep your personal opinions to yourself and just comment on the match itself." She was definitely going to have a word with Dumbledore about inviting back Lee Jordan to do the commentary on the Quidditch match with Durmstrang.
"Sorry folks, just another brilliant feint by Gryffindor's outstanding Seeker. And there goes the prettiest Weasley to ever fly on a broom, splitting right between the two gorillas guarding the hoops and scoring easily on the…"
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry, ma'am, my mistake. It won't happen again. And one of the twin titans from Durmstrang takes the Quaffle, oh, the clumsy oaf drops it to our very own Ferret who quickly passes it off to that auburn haired beauty, that gorgeous OWW!" Jordan shouted as a paper mache dragon bit hard his ear hard. "What the?!"
McGonagall grabbed the microphone away from as he dispatched the dragon Yowler that one of the students had sent his way. He didn't notice Neville's huge grin of satisfaction.
"I would not make any more comments about young Miss Weasley if I were you," suggested McGonagall, her hand covering the microphone, "or her boyfriend might send a stronger message."
"Boyfriend? She's got a boyfriend. Damn, why didn't the twins tell me? Oh, well. Give me back the mike, I'll be good. I promise."
"And there goes Potter again, diving through the Durmstrang formation, sending them scattering. Seems like the Durmstrang players are simply being outflown, outmaneuvered and…there he goes again. Potter's Firebolt, though a few years old is still in a class of its own on this field. In this dive, you'll be able to see it's turning ability as …
OUCH! That had to hurt.
One of the Durmstrang Beaters followed Potter a little too closely and is now eating a dirt sandwich. You simply can't turn with a Firebolt at those speeds.
And he's still not moving. Is there a mediwizard in the house? Cause that poor troll is going to need some new teeth. Actually, he'll probably end up looking better than…
Hey! Give me that mike back!"
Meanwhile, back on the field, Harry had spotted a glint of gold. It was a cold and clear March day and visibility was terrific. That gave the Gryffindors several advantages. One, the blatant fouls that were committed at Durmstrang were easily visible here. Second, it allowed the Gryffindors to use their speed and quickness to easily outfly the larger but slower Durmstrang players. Harry was now taking advantage of the very clear conditions to pursue the Snitch he had spotted from the other side of the pitch.
He zigzagged through the Chasers in the middle of the pitch, causing chaos and havoc and creating another turnover for Gryffondor to take advantage of to score on. He dodged one of the Bludgers easily and banked hard to his left. His concentration narrowed to only the Golden Snitch and its fluttering wings. He followed its every movement, slowly closing the distance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the other Seeker flying towards him, but he was too far away-he'd never get to the Snitch in time. Harry made one last cut back to his right and reached down to snatch the fluttering golden ball.
He raised his hand in triumph and looked to the spot where normally she would sit before he realized it would be empty. But it wasn't! She was there. As the roar of the crowd washed over him, he flew to where she stood, yelling and waving her arms with excitement. Part of the Gryffindor crowd around her quieted down a bit and moved away, allowing him some space to maneuver his broomstick. He bent down and stroked her cheek.
"You came," he whispered.
"Of course. I'll always be there for you Harry. No matter what," she replied.
He bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips as the crowd roared again. He lifted her up easily and sat her in his lap, then soared off on a victory lap.
"Mione! Let go of my ribs! I can't breath."
"Just don't drop me. And slow down a bit. You've already caught the snitch."
Harry rolled his eyes. "For the millionth time, I'm not going to drop you."
Wizarding cameras were going off around the stadium as finally, Harry and Hermione descended to the pitch where they were both mobbed by the rest of the team and Hogwarts students.
Half an hour later, as the team began walking off the pitch, a little girl from the crowd broke free from her mother's hand and ran straight for Harry and Hermione.
They looked up and saw the look of concern and fear on the mother's face and then glanced down at the running girl.
"Miss Granger! Miss Granger! I'm so glad you're OK! My mum says you've been very sick, it's in the papers you know. I'm so glad you look like you're feeling better!" She then threw her arms around Hermione's waist as Harry and many others in the crowd watched. Several more cameras caught the tender moment.
"You're my hero Miss Granger! I'm so glad you're feeling better-I was very worried about you. When I grow up I want to be just like you! I hope I can come to Hogwarts in two years when I turn eleven and be a prefect and a Head Girl and the best student in the school just like you!"
The girl then stepped back, as if she had turned suddenly shy. "I…I was hoping I would get a chance to meet you…I brought a book and I was wondering if you would sign it for me."
Tears were running down Hermoine's face, and then a smile broke out as she read "Hogwart's, A History," on the front cover of the book.
"Would you mind?" asked the excited little girl, hopping on one foot. "It's the latest edition, it has an extra chapter on just what you and your friends have done in the last six years-how you figured out the puzzles guarding the Sorcerer's Stone, how you figured out what the monster was that had attacked all those students-even though you were petrified, how you almost captured the prisoner from Azkaban, how you helped your best friend win the Tri-Wizard tournament, how you outwitted that awful Umbridge and started the DA club, and how you helped save Hogwarts and defeat that evil wizard Voldemort…"
Harry and Hermione noticed most of the students and adults wince when she mentioned his name, but she kept on going as if there was nothing to fear from the name itself. Which was as it should be.
Her mother came up nervously and tried to pull her away from them, but Hermione stopped her and said, "It's no problem at all. I'd be happy to sign her book, it's one of my favorites. What's your name?"
"It's Leanda."
Hermione transformed her wand into a quill and signed her name after writing a brief message to Leanda inside the front cover.
"Thank you!" shouted Leanda excitedly.
"No, thank you Leanda," whispered Hermione as she bent down and gave the little girl a huge hug. "You have no idea what this means to me."
Hermione stood and wiped away the tears on her cheek as Leanda and her mom walked away. Leanda gave her a big, wave and her mother's look of fear and concern was gone from her face.
"I'm glad you came, Mione."
"Me too, Harry. Me too."
Harry threw his arm around her shoulders and they headed back into Hogwarts.
-->