Title: Jealously and Good Intentions
Author: Michelle
Status: Unfinished
Disclaimer: All rights belong to J.K. Rowling and her publishers. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Eight
"Harry, what is it? That prophecy was destroyed…" Hermione said her voice cracking at the look on Harry's face.
"Hermione, the thing is…" Harry was cut off by Author coming back into the room.
"Harry, Hermione, come on." He said motioning them over to the door in a whisper. Harry and Hermione looked at each other before walking over to the door.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked confusedly.
"Dumbledore wants to talk to you." He said ushering them out the door. He looked around before rushing them across the hall to a door in the corner of the large room.
Not knowing exactly what was going on Harry and Hermione followed. After they had gotten into the door they quickly realized that this wasn't another office. Quite the contrary. It was a closet. Dumbledore looked down at them with a smile.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir, I'm confused." Hermione said as Arthur exited the closet leaving the three alone.
"Miss Granger, there are times when you must behave the way you are supposed to. When you have to do what is technically right, even if it's hard and you have a good reason to do what may be perceived as bad." He said a glint in his eye.
"We know what we did was bad. No one was thinking clearly…" Harry said looking down.
"Not you, me." Dumbledore said with a smile. "I'll explain later. Take this portkey to Grimmauld place. The order members will be there and I'll be there shortly." Dumbledore said holding out a canary cream. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and then the canary cream and they felt that familiar pull at the back of their navel.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I'm here." Harry answered. They looked around; it looked different than the last time they had been there. It was cleaned up and looked like a real home. Harry heard voices coming from the kitchen and he and Hermione went in.
"We were expecting you, Harry." Lupin said. "We'll talk later; Dumbledore should be here any moment now to explain what's going on." He said. Just then Dumbledore appeared in front of them.
"Harry, Hermione, come with me. I'll explain everything." Dumbledore said. He showed them out of the room and into the sitting room. Harry and Hermione sat down on the couch opposite where Dumbledore had sat on the chair.
"I'm sure you two are wondering what exactly is going on. It has surely been quite eventful the last day or so." He said. They nodded in agreement. "What I was saying earlier was the reason Arthur and I were behaving the way we were. The ministry, as you know, is under a new man. His name is Dorjan Mallory. He just came out of no where, really. Arthur was going to help you - so do not be angry with him. I told him not to risk his job and that I would get you out of here. I no longer feel the ministry is safe." He said looking them in the eye.
When neither spoke Dumbledore continued. "It is quite clear that Mallory has no idea what he's doing." Dumbledore said. Hermione couldn't help but snicker at Dumbledore's bluntness. "Even so, some of the things you did will need punishment." He said sternly, switching moods quite impressively. "Hermione, this is your second offence at underage magic…" Harry looked over to Hermione for an explanation but she said nothing. "And Harry, this is your 3rd, I believe. Normally, this could be punishable by expulsion. But given the circumstances I think that Hogwarts is a safe place for you to be now." Dumbledore said with a smile on his face. "Hermione, can I speak to you alone?" Dumbledore asked. Hermione nodded. Before Harry had a chance to protest he was shooed out of the room.
Harry tried to listen at the door but was having a hard time hearing what was going on. He wasn't sure how long he was leaning against the door but suddenly fell when Dumbledore opened the door. "You can go in now, Harry." He said.
"Hermione?" Harry asked seeing her sitting on the couch with a plain look on her face. "Hermione?" He asked again after no response.
"He won't remember me." Hermione said simply. Not really to Harry, she was still staring at the wall.
"Hermione. It's okay…" Harry couldn't think of anything comforting to say at the moment. He couldn't help but be a little glad, but this was Hermione, and she was hurting.
"What was I thinking? That was such a stupid idea. Going there ourselves…What was going through me idiot head?" Hermione asked angrily. Harry patted her awkwardly on the back. He had to say that this wasn't something he was good at, comforting people.
"Hermione, you're a brilliant person, and you know that. So, we all make mistakes…" Harry said brushing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.
"I don't." Hermione said, obviously still angry with herself. Harry didn't think there was anything he could do so he just sat with her until she stopped blaming herself, occasionally telling her how great she was.
Harry's eyes fluttered open as a beam of light shone through the window. He blinked a few times, re-registering what had happened the previous night. He felt something heavy on his arm and looked down to see Hermione sleeping soundly against his chest. He smiled to himself and brushed some of her bushy hair out of her face.
She looked so peaceful. Like everything in the world was okay and there wasn't a dark lord trying to take it over. He wished that she could have that and decided to let her just a while longer even though his arm was still asleep underneath her.
Harry wasn't aware of the man watching him with a smile on his face. Lupin smiled. So much like his father, he is. He sighed, wishing Harry the best through the next year. He knew it would be a tough one. But if anyone could handle it; it was Harry.
A couple hours later Hermione stirred. She looked up to see Harry staring out the window, looking like he was deep in thought. Hermione had realized that she didn't this life for Jim. That he was probably happier without her.
"Harry?" She asked quietly. Harry jumped a little but looked down at Hermione with a smile.
"Morning." He said with a grin.
"Morning, yourself." She said laying her head back onto his chest comfortably. "This is nice." Hermione said with a sigh.
"It is. This really is." Harry agreed, wishing he could sit there forever. Voldemort never even crossed his mind.
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