After the funeral for her parents, they tried to return to their daily routine for the remainder of the school year. Her wounds had healed, but only on the outside, she still needed to heal an emotional wound. After their secret love was revealed, Harry and Hermione became inseparable; they attended each other's classes together, and to the rest of the school they appeared almost as husband and wife. As much as they meant to each other, the bond they shared pulled them closer together than if they had become parents. She was the one spoke of in legends and did something never seen before, she returned from death, and in doing so, shared with Harry more then a physical or emotional bond; they had a spiritual bonding of the souls. She was not his equal; she was his mate.
No one asked any questions of that day. Even Rita Skeeter had been mandated to leave them alone, and since her affliction from last year, she had avoided any contact with the wizard. Those that had witnessed the events after Voldemort's defeat knew he lost his wand, and it was apparent he no longer needed it. Harry and Hermione were left to themselves by most, some feared them both, he was the wizard that defeated The Dark Lord and she now was simply known as The Lost Witch. Those that were closest to them knew they were the same two people; the only true difference now was everyone knew what they meant to each other.
One quiet Sunday morning they sat together in their common room with Ron and Luna. Hermione had brought an old manuscript they both had forgotten and started to thumb through it. She began to read it, as she had many times before, and noticed the notes she jotted in the margins were gone.
"Harry, did you re-write this? This isn't the copy we used before." She asked.
"Uh, no, there's my copy. You have the original." He pointed to his copy on the desk to the side of the room.
"Don't be daft, Harry, this is a copy, how else could I read it. And the wording is a bit different," she straightened in her spot and turned the page. "Also, there are new passages you never translated."
He stood and crossed the room, and took the book from her hand, "Hssttthh ehhhhsst ssseethhh" he hissed.
"No, I'm certain this is a copy. Why don't you believe me?" she hissed her reply.
"Uhh, Hermione," Ron interrupted, "He just said something in Parceltongue, and you replied in Parceltongue."
"Nonsense, I can't speak… Harry?" She looked to him in utter confusion.
"He's right. I told you it was the original and I have the copy here." He held up the other book. "Remember when Dumbledore said Voldemort transferred some of his powers to me? Do you think that when we, you know, joined, that I gave you some of those powers?"
"Rubbish, I don't have anywhere near your power, Harry. Here I'll prove it." She snatched the book from his hand and turned to a specific page. "Here, this is the same spell you used against him. And see, it's, uh, different?"
"Here, here's the page where you made those changes. It's all still here." He said.
He handed her the copy, with their combined notes still scribbled in the margins. She took both copies and read them very carefully. She closed her eyes and thought for a moment. Suddenly, as if startled from a deep trance, she jumped from her chair and let out a gasp of fright.
"Harry, your right, I can understand it, this one in the original manuscript, I think is the one he used on you when you were a baby. When you translated it, you made a small mistake, here." She pointed to a specific phrase. "And it didn't make sense when I read it, so I did the best I could to correct it. That was the spell we practiced and you used on him. Here, in the copy you can see where you made the error and my corrections."
"So, you're saying if I had copied this spell correctly, what happened to him that day would have happened to me?"
"Possibly, I think it was written that way intentionally, I have no idea why I changed it for you."
He let out a whistle, and looked the books over again. "You can actually read this? He asked.
"Yes, but there's more here that you missed. I can't believe you messed this part up too, this part about that city, it's not ' Crescent' but I can't recognize the name. And that name isn't the Caribbean as we first thought, but Corrieban. I'm going to translate this again, but I also think we need to safeguard this one with that spell." She tapped the book lightly with her wand and all the writing vanished, as she did with her diary.
Harry sat next to her as he looked at both books in front of them. He thought about what could have happened and laid his hand in her lap. She closed her fingers around his and nuzzled into his side, sensing his concern. She could also feel her palm sting, but with "an icy cold feely, she knew he was scared and a little angry.
"You ok?" she finally asked, almost in a whisper. "You suddenly seem preoccupied."
Luna watched their private interactions, still not use to seeing them this affectionate with each other and gave Ron a glare.
"I think so, it's just those strange dreams I had and those visions seemed so real, and now I get this feeling they're connected to this book."
"Real or not, they're over. He's gone and can't hurt us. And there's nothing in this book that can hurt either of us." She gave his hand a squeeze, and he responded by lifting her chin to his lips for a deep kiss.
"I know." He finally said after they broke from their kiss.
The end of their final week at Hogwarts was coming; soon they would leave these halls as students, forever. The memories they made together in these halls became their foundation for their life together; their struggles and loss became the stones they would use to build their life together. As simply put, they were finally happy.
The End of Year Feast brought a bittersweet reunion. The many empty seats along the tables stood silent testimony to the tragic conflict. Not all the empty seats were from the battle; one Slytherin seat now remained empty, as the former occupant now sat at the Gryffindor table. The Head table had a new occupant, next to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. The subdued response to the usual festive day needed to change.
"May I have everyone's attention," The headmaster began his normal end of year speech. We are all aware of the events this past month. The threat to us all has been removed by one of our own, I know I do not need to mention his name, and his wish is to simply let this victory disappear into history. I also do not wish to dwell on what has been lost, instead, let us all focus on what has been gained, as individuals and collectively."
"In the course of this struggle, some of you have found far more then has been lost; I dare say there will be many joyful celebrations yet to come. I do wish to personally thank those of you that offered your service in this conflict and plan to continue to keep others safe."
"Now, for some news of interest to all, I know these announcements are usually performed at the beginning of the year, but I must formally welcome next year's Muggle Studies Professor, an individual that came to us and offered his unique services when they were so desperately needed. It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. Jake Stevens. And, as has been the custom over the past many years, we must say Farwell to our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Miss Madison, as she has will be replace next year by Mr. Steven's new bride, who I admit is every bit as talented as Miss Madison."
"And now, as my last official act as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I pass my authority to Professor McGonagall. I have been asked to fill the Minister of Magic Office now that is has been vacated by Mr. Fudge."
"I wish each of you success and happiness in any endeavor you attempt. Thanks you, my dear friends."
The last ride on the Hogwarts express was a solemn event for those leaving the school. Ginny and Luna would be returning next year, Draco had promised to return as Potions Master, to take Professor Snape's place, and to be near Ginny in her last year. Harry and Ron planned to become Aurors while Hermione opted for Auror-Healer training, but the three were granted a year's grace before beginning their additional three years of training because of the recent events. Ron and Luna sat quietly to themselves, while Harry and Hermione made their own plans for their future.
"Hermione, this is, well, important. We've got nearly two months before the wedding, do you want to move into the cottage now, or wait until we're properly married?"
"I think I want to wait, is that ok? I'd like to stay at my parents' home until then; to pack a few things that are important to me."
"Do you want to keep the house? We'll have four then. I plan to let the Order use Grimmauld Place as long as they want, in memory of Sirius. I also intend to visit Privet Drive one last time before I decide what to do with them."
"I'd like my little sister to have it, you've never met her, she was only three when I started at Hogwarts, so she'll likely start next year. Mum and daddy felt the house was empty after I left and found a young girl that, like you, lost her family to Voldemort. Albus had arranged for them to adopt her, since they knew our world and had taught her about us. She's been with mum's relatives since the war started for her safety. She'll need a place to live when she finishes school, and I'd also like her to have my inheritance, so she'll never need or want for anything."
"Why didn't you ever tell me about her? I'm going to have a sister-in-law?" He beamed at the knowledge they weren't the only ones left.
They sat in each other's arms the rest of the trip back to London.
The train jerked to a halt for the last time. The group in the compartment stood and gathered their belongings. Amid the noise and confusion of all the students leaving the train, being met by loved ones, and retrieving baggage, the group of close friends give each other tearful hugs and kisses as they part ways, all knowing full well they would be rejoined in just a few short weeks for a joyful celebration.
Ron and Ginny left the station together, to return to their family's home. Ron planned to live there for the year while Luna finished her last year. Ginny was anxious to return to not only finish her schooling, but to see Draco again. Draco left the group, as he still felt as an outsider, to find an apartment for the summer until he would return as an associate professor.
Harry and Hermione had plans of their own to complete. Harry looked at the luggage they had, two trunks and a couple shipping boxes, waved his arm and with a snap of his fingers they vanished to her childhood home to wait for their arrival.
"And just where did you learn that?" She asked with a smirk.
"Come, love, I have unfinished business in Little Whinning." Not answering her question, merely holding out his hand to take hers.
"Oh?" She said as she raised an eyebrow, knowing what he meant to do. She slipped her hand into his outstretched hand. He snapped his fingers again and they, too, vanished.
In a very quiet section of Little Whinning, a well-kept house on Privet Drive where nothing exciting occurred stood silent witness as a young couple walked hand in hand down the docile street, black cloaks billowing behind them as they walked. Their appearance on the perfectly normal street in a perfectly normal town marked an abnormality that would not go unnoticed.
"Harry, Harry Potter?" they heard from across the street.
"Excuse me, but who…" Harry began to ask.
"Harry, don't you remember? Lillie Evans, we met last year."
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry, we've had a lot happen since then and…"
"No need to apologize, I'm glad you two worked out things." She smiled at Hermione. "Mark's had a spectacular year, since you broke up your cousin's gang."
"Thanks. We were on our way to see my 'relatives' before we leave Little Whinging."
"So you've completed school then? What are you plans?"
"Well. First I have some unfinished business here and then we have a wedding to plan."
"A wedding? Congratulations to you both! I see you took my advice, Harry."
"Advice? What advice did she give you?" Hermione asked quite bewildered.
"All I told him was to go patch things up with you, after I butted into your affair. I was on the way to collect Mark at his school, he's getting top marks, I would say thanks to you, Harry."
"Thanks, but we do need to finish our business here. Good bye Miss Evans."
"Bye Harry, Bye Hermione, or should I say Mrs. Potter?" she said with a wave.
They turned at Number 4 and Harry stopped just before the stoop.
"Love, what's wrong?" She asked in her soothing voice. She knew this was difficult for him, to face the people that had held him captive for nearly seventeen years.
"I--- I need to do this, I need to move on. But…"
"But you're afraid to loose your last living connection to your mum. Is that it?"
"Well… yes. As much as I despise them, she is blood."
"Then let's leave and never come back. We'll soon be married and you'll have me as your family, forever, I promise."
"I need to do this." He gathered his courage grabbed her hand and walked through the door, as it opened on its own.
The occupants of the house had gathered in the lounge, celebrating Dudley completed his schooling, making grades just barely good enough to be able to complete, but not enough to continue to the University. As they walked quietly through the hall, Hermione looked at the walls, noticing every space possible was filled with pictures of Dudley. Pictures from when he was a plump baby to his early years and on into his teens. But not one of Harry, he didn't exist, not in this dwelling. The couple turned the corner to see his aunt and uncle, his cousin, his uncle's equally plump sister and several of Dudley's friends, mostly members of his 'gang' all of which had the misfortune of running into the young man that just entered the house, only Dudley and his parents knew the young woman at his side.
"A party, I see." Harry exclaimed, startling the celebrants.
"You! I thought we saw the LAST of you and your kind!" His over-stuffed uncle spat. Harry watched as his puffy neck swelled and his face began to flush to a purple shade. He also noticed one detail he never observed before. Vernon was scared. His fear of Harry was so great, that the mere sight of him cause him to become nervous and unsteady. He never really thought about it, they were all afraid of him. It was this fear they had of him that made them hate him so. This hate made him suffer under their oppression. And he had gotten angry, angry enough to wish them harm. He remembered what he was once taught, 'Fear is the path to the dark side... fear leads to anger... anger leads to hate…hate leads to suffering… suffering leads to despair.' This had come true. But he stayed true to his fate, with Hermione by his side.
He smiled and nodded to his uncle. A smile that told his uncle they were far from rid of him.
Harry's equally plump 'aunt' Marge saw him, as her eyes narrowed; Harry simply smiled at her too. "POTTER! You horrid little creature, how did you get out of that school 'St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys'? Vernon, you should send this worthless piece of trash away."
"Uhhh, Marge, I don't think you should make him angry…" Petunia began to warn her sister-in-law, but she was cut off.
"Nonsense, what right does he have to barge in on our celebration? And bring a tramp with him, to boot, and why are you wearing those absurd clothes?"
"Ahhh, Marge. How very pleasant to see you again." Harry replied, as politely as he could stomach. "My business isn't with you, yet. I'll deal with your insults to Hermione in just a minute." He finished, gritting his teeth at the insults.
"VERNON! Are you going to let this worthless brat TALK to me that way?"
"My dear 'Aunt' Marge," he raised a hand to stop her from speaking. "You will remain silent until I'm ready to deal with you, you fat blimp!" He spat thru gritted teeth. Marge's mouth continued to move, but unable to utter a sound. Hermione bit her lip hard to keep from laughing out loud. She knew this 'family' deserved everything they were about to receive, and wondered if Harry would let her have some fun too.
"YOU, Vernon. Now it's time for reparations for your hospitality over the years. I have, as you can see, come full of age, and in my world I'm certain you know what that means. I've completed my schooling and been offered a spot of authority within our enforcement once I complete my advanced training. I have also received my complete inheritance. I believe you know what that includes." He said with a twinkle of revenge in his eye.
"Harry, son, you've been…" Vernon, tried to divert the wrath he knew was coming.
"SILENCE! I am NOT your 'son', how DARE you insult my father's memory." Harry drew a finger to Vernon's throat, poised to strike. Every memory of every comment this man ever said about his parents flooded his memory. Hermione could feel his anger rise, but she knew he needed this to finish his own recovery. He stood up to the man that murdered his parents, now he had to stand up to the man that murdered his childhood.
Marge continued to scream at Harry, with out a peep coming from her mouth, Hermione couldn't help but smirk at the woman's frustration.
"You have oppressed me all my life. You 'allowed' me to live here. Now, Vernon here is my proposal, I will continue to allow you, Petunia and your worthless dolt of a son to live here in this house, under the following conditions." He looked to Marge, who was began to grow red in the face, "Marge, sit down!" he waved his hand downward and she crashed to the floor, landing squarely on her over-sized pride.
"Now, here is my condition. You shall never again make light of or mock my world, my friends or my family. Not even a joke about magic or this house will be forever sealed to you and your family, along with all the possessions in it. You can thank what-ever deity you pray to that Petunia is my mother's blood sister, or you and your family would be joining those that have opposed me for your actions against me. Oh, this condition I've laid out goes not only for you, but any muggle that you invite into this house." He glared at Marge still screaming on the floor. "I'll know if the wards are triggered, so remember that. Now, with that, there are some of my things still upstairs I wish to retrieve, before we leave you forever."
"Harry, isn't there something you forgot?"
"Oh, yeah. Marge, this young lady that you just insulted, is to be my wife. I don't take kindly to insults to my family. I believe you owe her an apology, or shall I let her deal with you for the insult? If you need to fully understand what that means, I suggest you ask these three."
"Oh, please, let me?" She asked as she produced her wand and stepped forward. Her tone was that of a child about to receive a treat.
He waved his hand in front of her, as she found her voice returning, a bit horse from the silent screaming. But before she could utter audible words, Vernon clamped his hand over her mouth. "Marge, do exactly as he said, apologize, NOW." She could smell the sweat pour from his body, and tell he was scared.
He slowly released his hand, "POTTER, how DA-" back his hand went.
"Marge DON'T tempt him, he can do things, strange things… just apologize." He released his grip again.
"Hrumph… I REALLY don't see the point, BUT I do apologize Miss, but if you had any sense, you would see this run---mruphh"
"MARGE… SHUT UP!" Vernon pleaded.
Hermione could see Harry was enjoying tormenting these people, and how well they deserved it for the years of neglect and mental abuse. Just as he again raised his arm, this time more to intimidate then harm, she reached to him and held his arm, pulling him to her. "Love, leave them, they're not worth the trouble. They have each other, isn't that punishment enough? Really, you're cousin's punishment is going to be working side-by-side with your uncle selling power drills for the rest of his life. Actually, I don't know which one to feel sorry for."
"You're right, as always. Vernon, my condition stands; this house will be listening always. Now if you'll excuse us." They left the stunned muggles to retrieve the few possessions in his room. All he wanted to recover were a few books and wall hangings he never packed. He stood in front of his desk and looked down at the floor at his feet. He bent down and pulled the loose board to reveal the treasure. He retrieved the few items that they missed when they hurried away last June, and placed them in the same box he used for his other meager possessions. When he had his last personal possession packed, he waved a hand as he did at the station and that box, also vanished. They looked at the room one last time and passed through the door.
"Hermione, I don't think I want them to use this room, I'd like to keep it like this." He waved his hand again, and didn't have to utter a sound; the door groaned and creaked for a minute. "It's sealed forever. Only you or I can ever enter. Come, let's say good-bye."
The couple turned from the small room he lived in since his first year at school, walked down the stairs for the last time. His relatives still stood in the living room, unable to say a word.
"Harry, wait." She pulled her wand and pointed it at the cupboard under the stairs; it too gave the same groan and creak. "There, that's another place in this house that shall never be used again."
They turned to the door to leave the dwelling, just as Petunia found her voice. "Harry, please, wait." She walked to her nephew and she held him in a hug. "Please forgive me, Harry. I really did love Lily, she was my only sister." She turned to Hermione, "I know if you truly love him you'll give him what we never did. I hope you both are happy, I really do."
Stunned, he stood there for a split second and then returned the hug. "That is all I ever wanted to hear, thank you and good-bye." In a lowered voice so the others couldn't hear, he added, "there's a small mirror upstairs in the guest bedroom, call my name or Hermione's if there's an emergency, you've redeemed yourself to me, thank you." And he gave her a last hug before they walked out to the porch, leaving a stunned Vernon and Dudley in the lounge. The instant they crossed the threshold, they vanished from Privet Drive.