The end of August rolled on and it was time to return to Britain and the safety of Hogwarts. The flight home was uneventful and tiring. Harry held her hand through the trip and she wore a smile just for him as they trekked through Heathrow International Airport. They were greeted on their arrival at the terminal gate by the Grangers who were accompanied by an extremely attractive woman of slender build with long flowing blond hair, dressed in formal business attire. The woman stood back as an observer and watched anyone that approached the group. The instant Hermione saw her parents waiting, she ignored all else and broke from his hand to run to them.
She jumped into her father's arms and gave him a huge 'glad to be home hug'. He looked at her deep glowing tan and saw in her eyes his innocent little girl still inside. True to their promise to each other, the time they spent together sealed their emotional bonds, but have not consummated further. Harry's reluctance still confused and upset her greatly, although she rationalized that he was right to wait, her heart wanted more and ached for more then stolen kisses behind sealed doors. She was still his little girl, for now, but he also could see Harry's protective glare, and then could see in them more then just the look of friendship they left with. He knew she would always be safe in this young man's arms. It was a father's instinct.
Harry watched Hermione's interaction with her father and sighed. Scenes like that never happened in his life and deep down he wished for a welcome home hug. A wish that was filled by Hermione's mother, she could see the longing in him and put her arms around the young man, planting a kiss on his cheek.
"Welcome home to you too Harry. You both look wonderful." She exclaimed, as she looked him over, as if inspecting for the slightest change. She vaguely remembered Harry as being underweight the end of every summer, but this year he seemed perfectly fit, a testament to her daughter's care.
Still in the arms of her mother, he looked over to the woman that stood to the side and glared at her, trying to figure out who she was and why she was there. As if invited, she walked over and welcomed Harry in the same manner with a firm hug and tender kiss. "I'm glad you're home Harry, you have no idea how glad I am that you're home."
Hermione watched the exchange and gave Harry a glare of death; the jealous rage she was feeling rose quickly. She pushed herself from her father's arms and walked to her soul mate to address the stranger.
"Excuse me, have we met?" She inquired as she thrust her hand out in an attempt to part the two's embrace.
"Yes, we have, Hermione. I'll bet you both are happy to be back." She beamed as she left Harry to give Hermione the same greeting, swooshing her long blond hair across Harry's face.
Hermione looked at Harry as if questioning him, and motioned to him to wipe the lipstick from his cheek.
"And who are you, miss?" Harry asked, with his hand to his cheek trying to wipe the smudge off.
"Harry, I'm shocked, after all the time I spent sleeping in your bed? And I must say you really should have replaced that lumpy mattress years ago. I still have a stiff neck from it."
Hermione turned beet red as she glared at Harry, hoping he had a reasonable explanation. But from the expression of surprise and shock, he was as confused as Hermione.
"Umm… did you say… you slept in his bed?" She interrogated.
"Yeah, all summer, and I almost had Remus visit that git of a cousin of yours on the first full moon of the summer when he walked in on me in the shower, and he would have too." She said as she winked to him. She leaned very close, between the two and put an arm around each of their shoulders in a double hug adding, "It's me, Tonks. Couldn't show up as myself, now could I? Dumbledore had me stay with your family all summer, to cover your trip. Now I can see why you hate it there."
After another quick exchange between Harry and Hermione, they both let out a smile and a chuckle.
"Alright, kids. Let's get your things loaded in the car; we're going to head to Diagon Alley. We were instructed to get you two there as quickly as possible. You two will be staying there for the next couple days, until school starts." They managed to load the luggage into the boot of the car, without resorting to magic. And the young couple climbed into the rear seat. Her parents both sat in the front, leaving Tonks with a wide grin, waving as they drove off.
"Did my letter arrive yet, daddy?" she asked as she leaned to the front seat.
"Yes, and Harry's too." He reached into the glove box produced two matching envelopes with the same distinctive green writing and handing one to each of them.
Harry took his parchment envelope; carefully broke the seal, and a silver pin with a large 'H' fell out. He remembered this was the same pin Percy had in his 2nd year. He had been made 'Head Boy'. Stunned at the object in his hand, he turned to her.
"Hermione, look, what---" He exclaimed as he revealed the object in his hand. She too had the same pin in her hand.
"Here we are, 'the Leaky Cauldron'. All out. Let's get the luggage."
"Daddy, you and mum coming in?"
"Yes, we'll help you get settled;" he answered as they left muggle London.
Inside, Tom the bartender was prepared for their arrival. "Your are rooms ready, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, I took the liberty of putting you two next to each other and across the hall from the Weasleys, Professor Dumbledore requested you stay together."
"Thank you. Can you have our things put in our rooms, please?"
She pulled Harry aside just out of earshot for a minute. "Harry, I want to spend some time with my parents today, is it ok if I go shopping alone with them? I get this sick feeling I might not be able to do this again. And as this is the last time in Diagon Alley before our last year, I just need to be with them."
"I'm a bit hurt that you even needed to ask. Of course, we'll be together all year and after that. Spend the day with them, you know I'll never deny you time with them; I'll see you later tonight for dinner." He gave her a sweetheart peck on the cheek.
"Mum, daddy, Can we go shopping?"
"Certainly dear, where to first?"
"I'd like to get my books, and maybe some new robes. But can we sit and talk first? I haven't seen you all summer; I've really missed you both." The three Grangers strolled arm in arm with the daughter in the middle through the archway into the magical alley.
"Mum, I need to talk about what happened with Harry." Her father upon hearing this got quite nervous and a bit angry at the thought of any boy taking advantage of his little girl. But she was no ordinary girl; she was a young woman with all the charm and grace to attract any man she desired.
"Harry and I spent a lot of time together and…"
"Do you love him?" Her father blurted out.
"Yes…" a slight look of confusion rolled over her face.
"And?"
"Well, this is difficult to talk about. We were on this deserted beach late on his birthday." She paused as her lip quivered at what she was about to say. "We were alone, and I wanted him, so I threw myself at him, and wanted to make love to him, but he refused." This time she held her tears back.
"WHAT? You threw yourself at him and he did WHAT?"
'That boy either is a saint or just isn't normal' her father thought, and began to gain respect for the young man, that he hoped might become his son-in-law.
"He said we have to wait. He doesn't want to make a mistake." She needed to hide some of the facts. "He said he wants to have children and grow old and gray with me, but he doesn't want me that way right now. I can't help think something's wrong with me."
"Bunny, there's nothing wrong with you, and there's nothing wrong with that young man. He must truly love you to be able to wait for you both to grow up. So, is that what's bothering you?"
"I mean, there's got to be something wrong with me for him to just walk away?"
The elder woman wiped the tears from her daughter's cheek and gave her a gentile kiss. "No, there's nothing wrong with either one of you two. Let me tell you about your father…" She glanced warmly at her husband. "We were young sweethearts in school like you two. And we were very passionate with each other. I wanted him so badly, but he also wanted to wait until we were married, just like your Harry. So don't worry, there's nothing wrong with you or him, he just seems to be a kind and sweet young man."
"Mum thanks, I love you…" She said as she wrapped her arms around her neck. "Can I have a few minutes with daddy?"
"Sure. I'm going to look at the gowns and robes. I'll pick out a couple for you to try."
"Daddy, there's more I need to ask you."
"More?"
"Yes, how well do you know Eileen?"
Draco Malfoy was a powerful young wizard at a crossroad that could lead him to the destination he desired, or the one he was being pushed down. Many considered him to be the next great dark wizard, following in his father's footsteps.
He sat alone in his flat at the Leaky Cauldron. It had been a little over two months since he left his childhood. He was still the unofficial leader of Slytherin house; Prefect for the past two years, now lived in a form of self exile. After his father was sent to Azakban for his part in the Ministry raid over a year ago and had escaped and murdered innocent people along the way, Draco questioned his own beliefs. Why were all muggle-born wizards to be hated, why follow someone that is willing to kill without reason? His doubts first started when he discovered his father's involvement when Ginny Weasley almost died in the Chamber so many years ago. And over the last year, he noticed that she was growing into a beautiful young witch, and she was a pureblood. His own father was partially to blame for his cousin's death, Sirius, although they were never friendly; he was a blood relation and also a pure-blood. And now his father had escaped from prison and is hiding with the other Death Eaters like the cowards they are.
But the final straw was Crabbe and Goyle's part in the horrible murder of a pureblood witch during the end of year feast in front of the entire school. Both of his henchmen haven't been seen since, hiding like cowards.
He confronted his mother with his problem on his return from school at the beginning of the summer. Why? Why hate these people? Why follow evil and live in the shadow of the devil? His mother's only answer was because it was expected of him. He argued he should be free to make his own choice. But no; he was expected to follow in his father's foot steps. This was the beginning of his long road from the shadows, a path he refused to follow. The last words she said to him that day before he left were troublesome and heartbreaking. "You are NO son of mine! Go become a blood-traitor and a mudblood lover, if that's what you want. GET OUT of this house. I NEVER want to see you in this house EVER again. NOW GO!"
He was forced to do things a Malfoy would never consider; he left the wizarding part of London and lived as a muggle. To live, he was forced to find employment as a common laborer working for common muggles. These few weeks did more for his education then the years at Hogwarts, he learned to appreciate them as people. He was accepted in the boarding house where he lived as an equal.
And there was Ginny. Even though she had crush on his main rival, and she was part of a family he was taught to despise, he felt an attraction he couldn't explain. He knew there was nothing he could do to change the school's perception of him or even think she might grow to become his friend. He only dreamed that one day he would be free of the past he helped build and live a life in peace.
There were many weekends when work was finished for the day, he found himself near the Burrow, where he waited and watched at the far end of a field. He learned she spent many evenings near her home reading under a large oak tree at the near end of the same field. He cherished these moments watching her and saved them for when he knew he would need inner strength.
As a house Prefect in his last year, at least he would have a private suite away from the regular Slytherin dormitories. There, alone, he pondered his future, a different future then his parents scripted. He was reluctant to confide in any of his classmates, even his housemaster, Professor Snape. Snape always tried to remain neutral when there was an issue of which side to follow, although it was common knowledge he had at one time followed Voldemort.
With coming of the new school year, he decided to try to cope with his newfound pain. But he had to cope by himself. He vowed to aid Potter and his followers if he could. He would do anything to show he could be trusted. He would have that chance, and he would also get what he desired, friendship and maybe more with the most unlikely of people.
All he needed was a plan.
"HEADBOY?? Harry, that's GREAT, but I got one too?"
"Ron? There's never been two head boys at Hogwarts, has there?"
"No. I don't think so. I think because You-know-who is still out there, Dumbledore is trying to get you out of circulation. Who's head girl? Any idea?"
"You'll never guess, it's Hermione, she received hers when I got mine."
"Dumbledore must have gone mental to make us the student heads."
"Possibly, but if I know Hermione, she's going to have us working extra to make an impression on the underclassmen. My note said we have to report to the headmaster as soon as we arrive. Hermione should be here in a couple minutes, she wanted some time with her folks. She has a strange feeling about them."
"She had best hurry, the train leaves soon."
With only five minutes before the train left, the last of the trio arrived in the compartment they shared. Hermione arrived alone looking torn and conflicted. Her talk with her parents over the past few days didn't clear her mind of her thoughts. They did have adjacent rooms at the inn, and she continued to sleep with Harry every night, but their nightly conversations and intimacy had became distant since they returned. His feelings for her never faltered, but her deep rooted fear of failure gnawed at her thoughts. She thought her physical desires and advances and his rejections had a deeper meaning, that maybe he wasn't attracted to her. She had not only doubted Harry's true feelings for her, she also doubted herself.
There were things Harry wanted to say at that moment to comfort her, but he was prevented from saying a word. His convictions were so strong; his path with her was so perfect that he never imagined any other path his life could take. He believed he knew what was on her mind, things they said that night on the beach still weighted on his mind too; that conversation was the catalyst for her self doubts. She sat down on the bench opposite the two boys, not uttering a word, since she said 'hello'. Harry noticed, and he was sure Ron did too, that she had been crying. Her eyes were as red as Ron's hair, and the redness of her cheeks was not from blushing. "Hermione, what's wrong?" Ron blurted out.
"Nothing! Not a bloody thing. I have some reading to finish before we arrive, so if you don't mind." And she pulled an old manuscript from her bag, burying her face in it, thinking of the time he buried his face in her belly and the kisses on the beach and wondered if that had been a dream.
"Sorry, you want us to leave?"
"No Ron, she'll be fine. Just let her be." He reached out to her with the pretense of retrieving his bag from the overhead. He longed to pull her into his arms, but not wanting to further invade her privacy, leaned over and whispered "What's wrong?" She glared at him over her book that suggested this was not a tactful moment for this discussion.
Ginny burst in the compartment, dragging Luna with her. Ron's eyes lit up as she sat between the two boys completely forgetting Hermione's mood. Ginny sat next to her close friend, who was still pretending to read.
"Anyone hear what happened to Malfoy?" Luna merrily stated. "After his father escaped from Azkaban and after Crabbe and Goyle disappeared for what they did to Cho, he had a row with his mum. She threw him out of the house and practically disowned him. He's still a house prefect, but I hear he's been tossed out of Slytherin too. Isn't that perfect?"
"Stupid git, he deserved it." Ron agreed.
"Ron, that's not fair, you don't know what happened, so don't prejudge."
"Harry, I'm surprised, YOU'RE sticking up for him?" Ron asked in amazement.
"I just know how it feels to be on the outside. If he's on the outs with his crew, then maybe he's had a change of heart. Remember Dumbledore said we ALL must unite to defeat Voldemort. I for one will welcome him, if he has truly changed. I should be able to tell."
"Harry's right," squeaked Hermione from under her book, "we need all the help we can get."
"Welcome back Hermione." Ron chirped.
"Stuff it Weasley. I'm not in a mood to argue." She spit back.
The remainder of the trip was in relative quiet. They changed into their robes before arriving at the Hogsmeade station, Ginny had been chosen as a house Prefect, like her brothers before her and left for the prefect's meeting just before the train arrived. Once the train stopped, Professor McGonagall quickly sought out and found the trio, and warmly greeted Ron, Harry, and Hermione.
"Headmaster Dumbledore wishes to see the three of you before the welcome feast; I have been dispatched to bring you along," she informed the three students. The elder witch held out an old pair of eyeglasses and the trio knew what that meant, another portkey trip.
"Can't we walk? I hate these thing," Ron complained as they were whisked away.
In the Headmaster's office they were invited to sit.
"Welcome the three of you, I know you must wonder why we have two head boys this year, and the head girl all from the same house. This has never happened in the history of Hogwarts, but I have decided on this arrangement because Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger have both earned the honor. That does not mean that Mr. Potter doesn't deserve it or hasn't earned it, he has; more so then any other student in the school's history. But with the coming year and the trials we all are about to face, I felt, and the rest of the staff agreed, that to split up the most powerful friendship this school has ever seen would be wrong; even dangerous. And because the three of you feed each other's powers and skills, you will be allowed the privacy to continue training away from the rest of the students."
"And I have also decided that the house prefects will all report directly to you Mr. Potter as head boy and as the head of the Defense Association. They in turn will monitor the activities of the rest of the school. As you know, Mr. Malfoy is still a house Prefect, if you wish; I will remove him from that role and from reporting to you."
"Sir, leave him, I want to see where his loyalties lie."
"Good. You have truly begun to show leadership in your choices. Mr. Weasley, if you will excuse us for a minute, I need to discuss a private matter with Mr. Potter and Miss Granger."
"OK. I'll meet you two in the Great Hall."
He waited until the outer door to his office had closed before he began. "Harry, and Hermione, I understand your concerns, for each other and your future. I want to remind you that as long as you remain in your convictions to stay together, you both will be safe."
"So you know what happened?" Harry asked.
"I received a detailed letter from your cousin, and she seemed genuinely concerned for you both. And now, Harry please excuse us, Hermione, a word alone if you please."
Harry, perplexed at being ushered out of the office, left to meet Ron. The headmaster waited for the outer door to close once again before he began his fatherly talk with the young woman.
"My dear, he did the right thing, deep down in your heart you know how he feels about you. You know that has not changed. He has put his desires aside to protect the only one he truly loves, namely you. Please try to understand that. He might not be able to do what must be done if you are not completely by his side."
"Sir… Albus, I know how I feel, and but with his Legilimency skills, he can look into me anytime he wants, so he must know how I feel. Why won't he show it?"
"Yes, he can look inside you mind any time he wants, but believe this, he never has, and he values your privacy as much as you do. What you have seen, what he has done he has done on his own from his heart. What you may not fully understand is how much you alone truly mean to him. I have seen a new bond between the two of you, one I haven't seen since, well, let's say in many years. It seems he's initiated an ancient ritual, long since dead to modern beliefs but rooted in our ancient ways to show how he feels about you."
She looked at the Headmaster in disbelief, she had studied other religions before entering Hogwarts in her primary school, but that seemed a lifetime ago. "What kind of ritual? I never thought he knew of the old pagan ways."
"Let's just say he's made a very binding promise to you that would be impossible for him to break."
"Albus, there's something else I don't understand. Why did you allow him to leave his protection wards on Privet drive so easily? I was nervous most of the time we were in the open, why…?"
"The wards placed on the house on Privet Drive were there because of his mother's last act of love for him, she gave her life to protect him. Her sister being the only living person to share his blood was the reason the wards were so strong. But now those wards are now gone from that building."
"So he would have been unprotected if we stayed? Is that why you agreed to send us away?"
"No. New protective wards concealed you both. They remained with you where ever you went, as long as you stayed together, and as long as your feelings for him remained true."
"I don't under…"
"Of course not. It's quite simple, really. When you both finally admitted your mutual feelings for each other, your love for him was greater then any he had ever known. The protective wards were then attached to the strength of what you alone felt and admitted to him. So you continued to shield and protect him wherever you went."
"Me? All I had to do was tell him how I felt about him?"
"That and he had to realize he felt as strongly for you. That is the true magic. Now, go join him and your friends and remember you need each other."
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. We trust this year will not be marred with events such as in the past. We all, and I mean all houses and all students in each house must stand united as one family against the coming conflicts. I do not wish to alarm the new students we welcome into our school, I merely wish for all to be warned.
"I would like to take this opportunity to also announce that this year we have not one head boy, but that post will be shared by two exceptional young wizards. Mr. Ronald Weasley and Mr. Harry Potter, both from the Gryffindor house will be joined by Miss Hermione Granger also from the Gryffindor house as the head girl. Mr. Potter will resume his role as the leader of 'the Defense Association'. If any student not already involved wishes to participate, please talk to your house Prefects, as they in turn will report directly to him.
"As always the forbidden forest is strictly off limits to all students. As an added precaution this year, no student will be allowed to venture off the grounds without a faculty escort and no student shall venture outside the castle alone. I would also like to welcome our new Defense against the Dark Arts professor, an accomplished teacher from another continent, and an accomplished guardian within her own country's security organization, please welcome Professor Eileen Madison into our extended family at Hogwarts."
"Let the Feast begin…"
Hermione's jaw dropped as her cousin was presented to the student body. Harry was as shocked, and tried to conceal a bit better then she did.
"Hermione, Harry, you know her?" Ron asked.
"Uhhhh… no, she just looked familiar." Trying to avoid a direct answer, and looked down to her plate. She waited few minutes before she leaned to Harry.
"Harry, can I talk to you in private?" she whispered.
"Sure, I'm not that hungry anyway." He said while pushing his plate away.
The pair excused themselves and stepped into a small alcove. "Harry, I'm so sorry. I thought I understood what you did, but now I truly do know what you meant that night, I never really got over it. I had a long talk with my mum, she and daddy started like we did, as school-hood friends. Like you he wanted to wait, and I guess I can understand why. I can't believe I was so shallow to think it was all about me."
"In a way you are right, it is all about you, what you mean to me, how I feel about you. And I'll keep saying it, I love you Hermione Granger, I don't want to ever lose you. And you're not shallow; you want what I want, we'll both know when the time is right."
"Harry, when did you become so wise?" She pushed him deeper into the shadows and wrapped her arms around his neck while she planted a 'forgive me' kiss on his lips.
"We'd better get back to the feast, I'm pretty hungry."