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The Black Hole by Torsten
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The Black Hole

Torsten

10. The man in green uniform

Hermione woke up in the morning, feeling an urgent need to go to the bathroom. Reality slowly began to present itself. She had been sleeping in Harry's bed. There was nothing alarming in that; they had been sleeping together a few nights now but she had somehow no memory of having gone to bed. She also found she was dressed in one of Harry's old pyjamas. No memory bells were ringing there either. However, finding she was using a tampon made sense. She recalled having discovered she had started her period yesterday and thinking that now, being a big girl, she could try a few tampons from Lavender's supply, returning the correct number later. But that had been yesterday afternoon. Discarding the used item, she found it was well used indeed. She badly needed a replacement. With a temporary safety device made of toilet tissue, she started down the corridors to the girl's dormitories to finish the change.

Thinking back to the previous day, she remembered having been unreasonable upset by Harry's late return for dinner and later on the very nice moments in front of the fire in the common room, but then - nothing. Returning to Harry's bedroom, Hermione found him in the early stages of wakefulness. His face lit up when he saw her.

"Morning Mione; slept well?"

Hermione climbed into the bed and sat down on top of him, holding down his arms over his head. "Now Potter - Tell me what you did to me yesterday night."

"Nothing I couldn't tell even fairly small kids."

"How come I can't remember a thing AND wear your pyjamas?"

"I followed an advice by Professor Dumbledore." Harry answered cheekily, but he sensed an underlying need for knowledge. Hermione was the one with a need to know.

"Mione, please give me a hug and I will explain the details truthfully. I need to go to the bathroom first though."

When Harry returned, he joined Hermione in the bed for a long kiss and a lover's embrace. They ended up holding each other close together, faces just an inch apart. Harry started his narrative:

"Remember - We sat before the fire, talking about our afternoons. You fell asleep after a while, and I remained sitting there with you in my arms. I sat thinking for a while - feeling happier than I can express." - There was some renewed kissing before Harry continued. - "Then Professor Dumbledore came in with two envelopes - they are on the table - and told me what we should do today. He ended by telling me to take care of you and putting you to bed. I hated to disturb you so I put a sleeping spell on you; not using much force, mind you; and also a levitating spell."

"So you had me sleeping and snoring and then you took me up the stairs like a heavy piece of luggage?"

"In principle, yes - but no. You were sleeping very calmly and serenely, and I carried you carefully and reverently so you would not bump against the walls or something. And - before you ask - then I took off your clothes and found one of my own pyjamas, rather old and too small for me, but clean. I put it on and lowered you onto the bed and removed the sleeping spell. You just let out a sigh, snuggled down into the pillow and went on sleeping. I sat watching you for a while and then went to bed myself. I acted like Professor Dumbledore told me: 'Very precious, handle with care.' "

"Many boys would have made some explorations of their own, having a sleeping girl to themselves like that, but I know you didn't, Harry."

"I've seen you naked before; maybe I'll never get used to it; it stirs something deep inside me and I would like to know more about you, also about your outer self. But we should do that together. I would never use you. You know that, don't you?"

"Yes I know. That's what makes you Harry, and that's one of the many things why I love you." - "By the way, you noticed that I got my period yesterday, didn't you. Usually I get a bit edgy those days. Maybe that's what made me especially upset at dinner."

"Do you feel any pain?"

"Usually the first day, but I think the excitement with the apparating lesson made me forget. Then the anxiety with your trip made everything add up to that stress point yesterday. Now I feel fine. I will have to continue with tampons till tomorrow, I think." - "What had Dumbledore planned for us today?"

"Practising to apparate directly after breakfast - to Grimmauld Place at 10.30; Tonks will await us - then a visit by the major I met yesterday and finally, Diagon Alley. Exactly what all this is about, I don't know. He mentioned that Kreacher is making problems, though."

"What time is it?"

"Yikes, it's time for breakfast. It must be bad weather; it is still quite dark outside."

Hermione found herself quickly. "We'll be practising outside. Winter robes, but bring some indoor clothes and your backpack. We'll meet at the breakfast table." In an instant she was gone down the stairs.

---

They were just done with their breakfasts when Professor Dumbledore advanced to their table. He made a nod towards the backpack. "I see you are prepared for the day. Did you bring your envelopes? - Good. You should give them to Tonks when you go to Diagon Alley. And Harry, I have allowed an extra amount to be drawn from your account. - Let's meet in a quarter of an hour at the Gates." Harry was left with his mouth slightly open with an unfinished question in his mouth, but he had begun to be accustomed to half spoken comments from his headmaster.

There was a chill in the air and strong gusty winds and black clouds in the northwest. Harry and Hermione had been waiting at the Hogwarts gates just a few minutes when Professor Dumbledore appeared with a loud 'pop'. He started the lesson at once.

"Harry, you no doubt have heard what there is to be heard already. Apparating is really easy if you can do spells properly, as you can very well. The problem is that doing it sloppily may be fatally dangerous. That's why it is restricted to the final year students with few exceptions. - You two. Hermione has already told you the important point - be at attention the instant you speak the incantation and visualize your destination clearly. Questions?"

"No," Harry said, somewhat apprehensively.

"We will do some exercises in the Shrieking Shack. Hermione will bring you there. Remember: You can bring someone along by giving someone a hug the instant you go. You can not follow someone by giving a hug. The action must be intentional. - So, Hermione; let's meet outside the woodshed!"

Hermione swiftly stepped up to Harry. He felt a jolt in his stomach as if the breakfast had difficulty to follow, and he found himself being embraced by Hermione in the back-yard of the Shrieking Shack. His mind settled quickly. From the smug smile on her face, he understood that she actually had done it, apparated the two of them. While one part of Harry's brain registered the pop emanating from Professor Dumbledore's appearance, the other part realized that a year or two ago, he might have been annoyed at her self-confidence. Now he actually felt pride of her ability. His thoughts lingered on his beautiful and gifted girlfriend. It took a while before he noted that Professor Dumbledore was talking to him.

Harry soon became thoroughly concentrated. This was interesting indeed! After a few exercises from floor to floor inside the house with Professor Dumbledore and Hermione as supervisors, the three of them started a chase alternating between two points within Hogsmeade, the Shrieking Shack and the Hogwarts Gates. At the designated time, 10.30, Professor Dumbledore was satisfied. He ordered them to concentrate on nr 12, Grimmauld Place, London, and to bring his greetings to Tonks and Professor Lupin.

---

Tonks greeted them to London. Both Hermione and Harry were overwhelmed at being able to travel like this. Revolutionary was the word. Neither of them noticed the double pop when their headmaster for an instant checked out their safe arrival; the appearance of their hostess caught their entire attention: Violet hair with sparkling green nails and a bronze skin. Hermione was the first to comment. "Wow Tonks. That is really becoming you. Special occasion?"

"Not actually occasion, but condition. Frankly, I'm in love. Me and Remus have lived here nearly half a year and have learned to value each other much more and in many other ways than as partners at work. We have vowed to continue as partners in life, and we are very happy about it. We haven't told others about it; you two are the first we let in on the secret, but you would have found out quickly anyhow."

"In fact, Hermione and I have made a similar decision. We haven't told very many about it either," Harry said and got an embrace from Tonks. When Tonks and Hermione had exchanged hugs, Tonks said:

"Now, give attention! You will need to know on your own how to make the house appear. What you were told earlier was purposefully wrong, of security reasons. The correct ritual is to tap the pavement with your left foot twice, giving the password 'Noble and Ancient' ". Hermione quickly stepped up to the pavement, did as she was told, and pronto, there it was, cramming the other houses of the street aside!

The front door opened as they stepped up to it, and they were greeted by their old DADA teacher, professor Lupin. They greeted each other informally however, as between friends.

"Remus, I told them our secret at once. You will have to congratulate them though; they have the same little secret as we have."

"Really? I'm not surprised."

Harry and Hermione were quickly welcomed into the house. Congratulations were exchanged and after carefully having negotiated their passage past the black velvet curtains covering the portrait of the old lady Black, they took off their outdoor clothes and put away Harry's backpack. They entered the kitchen.

---

Soon, they were discussing the plans for the New Year party. Tonks and professor Lupin had made detailed plans, for groceries and other foodstuffs as well as for decorations. Harry and Hermione helped with revisions but no major changes to the plan had to be made. There seemed to be a problem concentrated on the cooperation of the house-elf, Kreacher.

"Kreacher has taken after the vocabulary of the old lady. He complains that he is used to run errands to riff-raff like ourselves. He wants the good old days back, when wizards and witches were honourable and belonged to long-established families, like the Black family," Tonks explained.

Hermione tended to take Kreacher in defence: "We must understand his feelings when we took away all the things in the house that reminded him of the old times, like family portraits, old furniture and so on. Not that some of the people in the portraits weren't rather rude and old-fashioned in their views. I understand that Sirius wanted to get rid of those outmoded beliefs, but we must take into account that it meant great changes to Kreacher's world." Hermione had not abandoned her devotion for the case of the house-elves. She however received feeble support for her view of the present case. She was soon to have a sample of his uncivil tongue.

Harry asked Tonks to call Kreacher so as to hear the arguments first hand. Tonks reached out for an old bell-rope hanging down from the ceiling above the kitchen table. After a while a shuffling sound was heard and Kreacher appeared in the scullery door.

"What do you want?" he asked in a nasty tone.

"You know, we are having a New Year party, and we will require your services. We have made a menu and a list of things we will need," Tonks explained.

"I see you have two youngsters here. Let them run your errands and spare my old legs. I hope soon to be released from this house when the Dark Lord finally disposes of that upstart Harry Potter and his mudblood sidekick." It is unclear if Kreacher had noticed who the newcomers actually were and if he was intentionally rude. Hermione's eyes filled with tears of anger at these words. Harry, on the other hand, had been warned. He held his voice distinct and calm.

"Kreacher! Who is the master of this house?" Kreacher winced visibly under the stare of two brightly emerald eyes. Maybe he realised he had made a bad move, but he remained silent.

"Answer! Who is your master?" Hermione saw to her amazement how Kreacher's ears seemed to lengthen.

"You are, Mr Potter!" Kreacher was now clearly under some outside influence. His ears were standing straight up, and obviously, it did hurt.

"Mr Potter, Sir!" Harry said, stressing the last word.

Harry's voice was hard and commanding. He was making clear to anyone that he was to be treated as the master of the house. Hermione cast a sideway glance to see if her boyfriend actually was still there or if he had been replaced by someone else. She found her own Harry, but also Harry, the young powerful wizard, marked as the equal of the Dark Lord. Harry made small movements with his fingers. Hermione understood to her amazement that Harry could do what many had talked about but few had seen; doing magic without his wand.

"You are my master, Mr Potter, Sir!" This time, Kreacher's answer came out correctly. Harry was not satisfied yet though. He maintained his magic grip of Kreacher's ears.

"Now, Kreacher, I will not tolerate such behaviour as we heard right now. You will apologize to Miss Granger." Kreacher made a stiff bow towards Hermione, mumbling an excuse. Harry thought to give an indication that good behaviour would pay, so he released Kreacher's ears. He was not done lecturing, however.

"Mr Lupin and Miss Tonks here live in this house as my guests. They complain about your lack of service. You will have to make amends."

"I'm sorry, Sir. I will take that list and do what I can to fulfil your wishes." Kreacher turned and started towards the scullery door, bringing the list. On his way there, he stopped and turned again to Harry.

"I've made arrangements to - ah - visit friends, celebrating the New Year, Mr Potter, Sir. May I have some hours free - Please?"

"Yes, of course, Kreacher. If everything is ready by 6 pm on New Years Eve, you may visit your friends. There will be some cleaning up to be done before the morning though." Harry answered, now with a hint of warmth in his voice.

"Thank you, Sir." With those words, Kreacher left the kitchen.

"Wow that was an exhibition of power. Harry, I'm impressed!" was Tonks' reaction.

"Well done, Harry! I would not like to be on the wrong side of your wand in combat!" Those words from his former DADA teacher made Harry relax into a smile. The warmth in Harry's heart was not lessened when he felt Hermione's hand stealthily seek his own, giving it a soft squeeze.

Tonks threw a silencing spell around the kitchen before she spoke. "Now, we know for sure where we have him. Remus and I understand what is going to happen the day after tomorrow - at least in principle. We have prepared to take all our personal belongings away already tomorrow. You will find us at Hogwarts for a while, but that is quite unofficial, mind you."

---

Harry and Hermione left the kitchen and went to look around a bit. Their memories of the house were not altogether pleasant. Nowadays, the look was more commonplace, and not so depressing. After a while, Tonks called from the kitchen were she and Remus had been sitting talking over a cup of tea.

"Hey Harry, there is a bewildered chap in green splotchy clothes walking back and fro on the pavement. Perhaps he is the one you are waiting for."

"Yes, that's him," Harry confirmed when he had had a look through the window.

"Harry. This may sound strange, but remember that the house will be in appearance mode to you when you get out on the street. Obviously, it isn't to him. When you get near him, either of two things will happen: Both of you will see the house, or neither of you. In the second case, you know what to do, but remember that he certainly will get a slight shock in either case. I'll watch through the window. It'll be fun."

"Harry opened the front door, stepped down onto the pavement and walked a few steps up to the man. "Hello, major Shout. Looking for number twelve?"

"Oh, there you are, Harry. I was prepared that this would be a weird day, but I hadn't thought that merely following the numbers on the houses should be a problem. Where is number twelve?"

"As we told you yesterday, we use this house, number twelve, as a secret hiding place. In the wizarding world, we take it literally. That's why you can't see it. Actually, it is situated between number eleven and thirteen. Here." Harry performed the ritual without the man noticing.

"Whoa. My god!" Major Shout earned his name. Number twelve, Grimmauld Place seemed to push the other houses aside to appear in its own glory. In the porch a young witch stood smiling. Hermione was still dressed in her robe while Harry had abandoned his and was dressed in muggle clothes.

"Welcome, please come in!" Hermione said, reaching out her hand.

"This is Hermione, my girlfriend and ally." Harry said.

Major Shout took the offered hand. "I'm charmed. As I told Harry yesterday, I'm very intrigued by this magic business. Am I to understand that you are a young witch?"

"Yes, I certainly could be called that. - I have passed the first level tests and I am allowed to perform magic outside school. - Remus and Tonks went upstairs, to the attic." The last information was directed to Harry in a whisper while the major put down his briefcase by the kitchen door.

"Let's see. The attack you expect would be coming through this front door, right?"

"Yes."

"Good, you could hide in that shrubbery in the park over there and watch for any intruders. We will hide some high power explosives here behind these curtains. That will be the trap you wanted. When that person you talked about, Lord What-you-called-him, enters, you spring that trap with a remote control device. Let's see …."

Major Shout with a swift motion drew the curtains open, revealing the portrait of Lady Black. She gave a start like being awakened in a deep slumber, looked at them and opened her mouth and started to scream.

"Filth! Scum! How dare you befoul the house of my fathers! You traitor to the world of wizards, why do you bring this mudblood slut of a witch and - and good gracious - an ordinary muggle. Come! Help! Come help me put this disgrace to an end!"

At that instant, Hermione had her wand in her hand and directing it towards the portrait she shouted "Silencio!" There was a sharp 'crack' and a white flash. The Lady Black staggered backwards and, clutching her heart, she muttered: "You certainly have strength in your spells, mudblood!" That was the last words heard from the old lady, she stared malevolently at them and she moved her lips, but no further sounds could be heard.

"Sorry, we should have warned you." Harry said to Major Shout. "I inherited this house from my godfather. This old lady you see in the portrait was his mother, and she still thinks herself as the guardian of the house. She is not willing to accept the new times. We have been able to remove all other portraits, but this one seems integrated with the building in a way no one has figured out yet. Hermione is the first I know that has been able to silence her."

"Actually, that was an ordinary sound-proofing charm, but I added a little flourish with the wand to increase the power." Hermione told modestly.

"Moving and talking paintings, and a real life witch casting spells - no one will believe me."

"No - so you need not even try to tell. Especially since this is a secret operation, remember?"

"Yes of course. That was a figure of speech, rather. Now, is there any other way to enter the building?"

"The windows on the upper floor. I can imagine an attack that way to cut off a retreat."

"The upper floor. I suppose wizards can fly, can't they?"

"Surely," Harry answered. The major had taken out his note-book and were jotting down some comments. He therefore didn't notice that Harry did some movements with his wand.

"I'll need to make some measurements, but let's have a look at the kitchen first. You had some ideas on a TV-projector?"

Harry had used a simple locomotor charm on the major reducing his weight by half, so when he entered through the door, his strides took him high in the air, bumping against the ceiling and having him end up with his nose against the further wall of the kitchen.

Harry rushed to his aid: "Sorry, maybe I overdid the joke, but you seemed to enjoy some magic, and your question about flying put me on the idea of letting you try. Forgive me; you are here to help us. I should be more serious."

"Not at all, I had the sensation of flying, but I wasn't prepared. How did you do it?"

"I reduced your weight by some 50%."

"Amazing."

Harry was relieved to find the major enjoying his joke, and started to explain his idea of recording images and sounds of preparing something or other on the kitchen stove and of merry-making and singing in the living room. Major Shout found this a very good and easy idea to realize. He said that the images of course had to be recorded on-site, but that singing and merrymaking sounds could be edited onto a CD-disc in advance. He then walked around, taking measurements of distances and angles, including a visit up-stairs to decide on a suitable place for an extra explosive charge. Harry also told his idea of having a dummy of himself that could be allowed to collapse at the anticipated attack through the open front door. The major added this item to his list.

Finally, Major Shout took farewell, promising to return in the afternoon of New Years Eve.

"There will be a lot of things to prepare, but I will manage. If you can get your enemy inside, you have won."

"Provided explosives have an effect on a wizard with his shields up." Hermione had rejoined them. "I checked the back of the house for an entrance. There is a door, but I will make a locking charm that will take a while to break. We can disregard that entrance."

"The entire idea hinges on our enemy not suspecting a trap, thus we assume that he will not use a shield."

"You talk of locking charms and shields. There is a lot I would like you two to explain. Hope we can meet sometime when this is over. Bye for now." The major shook their hands, saluted, and went out the door and towards a small car parked a hundred yards up the street. He turned around now and then, looking back. When he had got halfway to the car, he gave a start. Obviously the house had vanished from his view.

---

By now, both Harry and Hermione was really hungry. They found ample supplies of food in the kitchen, so they together made a hasty lunch. When they were done, they were joined by a starry eyed Tonks, and a guilty-looking Lupin.

The discussion at the lunch table covered more neutral issues, e.g. why Harry had got this idea of a concealed trap and why it might actually work. Harry emphasised that he gladly were allowing his house to be blown to pieces for the chance to get rid of Lord Voldemort.

Finally, they came to their business to Diagon Alley. Tonks asked if they brought the two envelopes.

"Yes, but we don't know their purpose."

"Albus is rather secretive at times. He wants you to start combat training as soon as possible. Tomorrow to be exact and the latest in combat is special combat wands. They are rather expensive, but above all, they must not be sold to anyone without a special permit. That's what is in your two envelopes."

"Tonks, how come you know about this?" Hermione asked.

"Because Albus came to me the other day and told me you were concerned about Harry being able to defend himself properly. "

"And I told him that Harry must have lost an entire year when that abominable person Umbridge taught DADA," Lupin added. "That's when I heard the full story of Dumbledore's Army. I think that was very strong of you two. Harry, I understand you did a marvellous job, but Hermione did help you, didn't she?"

"Yes, as always," Harry said.

"By the way, Tonks and I will move to Hogwarts for a while, giving you this training in combat. And also to those of Dumbledore's Army that want to continue, on a voluntary basis."

"How come you call Tonks Tonks, now that you are a pair? Isn't it her last name really?" Hermione asked.

"Well, I tried her first name in various forms, but she didn't respond to any of those. Under special conditions, she answers to 'Sweetie', but I can't use that in public, can I?"

"Tonks is the name I'm used to, in all circumstances, and I have told Remus that I'm happy with it," Tonks said and gave Lupin's hand a squeeze over the table.

---

After some additional small talk, Tonks declared that it was time to go. Lupin intended to stay, so they bade him farewell and stepped out onto the street dressed in their outdoor robes.

"Remember the corner to the right of the bar in the Leaky Cauldron? Good. We meet there. You two go first." Tonks indicated she would check to see them apparate successfully.

When they in rapid succession popped into view close to the bar, they were greeted by Tom, the bartender.

"We'll stay a while on our way home," Harry told him before they continued out into Diagon Alley. They made their way to 'Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC' and entered. They were greeted by Mr Ollivander.

"Good Afternoon - ah - Mr Potter. And this must be Miss Granger - and you Miss Tonks. What can I do for you?"

Tonks explained that they had come to buy combat wands for her two apprentices. She handed over the two letters from Professor Dumbledore. Mr Ollivander studied the two letters for some time.

"I see your headmaster thinks highly of you two. I remember your wands. They were powerful wands both of them so it was expected you would do well at school. Yes - combat wands, we have them in a special room in here. Please follow me."

They came to a small room, much like the first one, only this had brick walls marked with black splotches. Could it be marks of fire? It seemed like a possible explanation.

"Ladies first. Please Miss Granger. Let us start with this one. As you see, combat wands are shorter and thicker and usually made of metal. They will stand more power, allow quicker movements and are more difficult to observe for your opponent. Please, Miss Granger, make a swish."

Hermione waved the wand, waved the next - and the next, without result. Not until she got a silvery slender wand in her hand. Hermione drew her breath, straightened her back and made a wave. A greenish sparkling mist flowed out of the wand, leaving a warm fresh smell like a pinewood hill on a hot summer day.

"Interesting, interesting indeed. I think Miss Granger, your magic will cause more health than wounds in combat. You will be able to defend yourself very actively though. This wand is two and a half inches, platinum with gold inserts and a core of belladonna seeds in pine resin. We all felt the refreshing fragrance. Of course I should have thought of the belladonna when I saw you." - Mr Ollivander made a small bow. - "It is a powerful ingredient in many medicines, as you know. - Now, Mr Potter, you start with this one I think."

Mr Ollivander shoved the heap of wands and boxes aside and watched Harry's first try. The wand produced a stream of stars. Mr Ollivander looked critically at Harry and handed him another wand to try. That one also produced a stream of stars.

"No, Mr Potter. You are a very powerful wizard. You can produce a stream of stars with your fingers alone, but what we are looking for is the wand that amplifies your powers best, so please relax, just wait for the proper feeling. You might find it will produce something else than red stars!!"

So Harry tried to relax. Maybe Mr Ollivander could judge the effects of the wand with senses of his own because although Harry didn't feel a thing and no visible effects could be seen, Mr Ollivander seemed well pleased.

"Now, Mr Potter, try this one!" Mr Ollivander reached down below the counter and produced an expensive looking box. He took out a short wand of a greyish metal.

"Wow!" Harry exclaimed. "It feels hot!"

"Good! Mr Potter, when you wave the wand, please stand aside a bit. Make your wave in the direction of the wall over there!"

Harry made a wave with the wand. A stream of silvery bubbles shot out if it, continuing in the direction of the wand pointing towards the wall. When they hit they exploded in a series of sharp cracks.

"Thank you, Mr Potter. That's settles it I think. Your wand is on the short side for a man, good for shield charms and defence rather than attack combat. Mind you, a good defence can prove deadlier than many offensives. Titanium and zirconium with a core of mandragora root. Three inches."

"You will need holsters for your wands. You should wear them practically always but seldom use them. We have only very few ladies' models. Maybe you Miss Tonks will help Miss Granger, having more knowledge of women's clothing? I will advise Mr Potter." Mr Ollivander indicated a few holster models on a shelf in the corner of the room. Both parties had soon decided on a suitable holster and moved back into the front room of the shop.

Mr Ollivander busied himself for a while before he came forward with two parcels. He showed the two holsters, containing their respective wands. "I have also here inserted a small badge in each holster, indicating your identity and a reference to the permits I will file here, saying you are entitled to wear these wands at all occasions." Mr Ollivander put the holster into their parcels before discreetly presented the bill. Harry now understood the meaning of Professor Dumbledore, when he had said something about an extra amount. Harry presented his plastic card.

"Oh, I see you too are using this muggle innovation. I can't say I'm happy with them, but they do have their advantages." Mr Ollivander recorded the transaction and finally bowed them out of his shop.

"Harry, what did they cost? They were expensive-looking?"

"If I remember correctly, ten times what my ordinary wand cost. But on the other hand, we got two."

"Oh", was the only word Hermione could say.

"Tonks, we are looking for a mobile phone. Hermione got one for X-mas from her parents. It would be great if I can phone her if we are away on different businesses."

"Actually, I was very nervous yesterday when Harry was late to dinner." Hermione added as an explanation.

"I see; I think I've seen a new shop selling muggle artefacts down the alley close to the bank. Let's have a look."

After some minutes walk, they spotted a muggle looking shop with signs in big letters proclaiming 'X‑mas sale'. There they actually found what they were looking for, at a reasonable price. Harry made his decision on the spot and they were soon out again in the street.

"I wonder who that chap Ericsson is. His name is on many such devices." Tonks wondered.

"I think he's the one who invented those phones." Hermione answered like one that knew the answers of all questions. "I read about it in a newspaper last summer."

They made their way back towards the Leaky Cauldron. Wet snow filled the air and a layer of slush had begun to form in the street. The warmth of the inn was welcome. They were soon seated with a cup of tea in hand, discussing the events of the day so far.

"We'll start with your new wands tomorrow. They are powerful devices. Please don't try them on your own. Promise? - Remus and I will come up in the morning with some of our belongings. Then we can have some exercises before lunch. We will go back in the afternoon I think, so as not cause suspicions. Harry - if I didn't tell you before - You handled Kreacher admirably."

"Thank you, Tonks. You did mention it, I believe."

"Yes, Harry, with that authority, you will be a tough investigator of magic crimes. I had to look twice to convince myself who sat on your seat at the table." Hermione delivered her praise with a mingled expression of awe and pride.

"Oh, that was nothing," Harry said with faintly red ears.

"Yes it was, Harry. That was showing who you are, and that is what will make it worthwhile to have you as an apprentice tomorrow. And you too, Hermione." Tonks sniffed slightly.

"Now, we are being sentimental. We should go back before it gets dark." Tonks added in her businesslike manner and rose from the table.

---

Harry and Hermione reached the Hogwarts gates safely, and walked or rather ran into the castle. The weather in this northern part of the country was more like a snow storm compared to the London gusts of wet snow. They entered Gryffindor tower with an hour and a half to spend before dinner. Hermione choose to lay down a while. She felt tired and complained of diffuse pains in her belly.

"I recognise this. An hour of rest will make me OK again. Wake me before dinner." She lay down on the couch before the fire in the common room and closed her eyes. Harry didn't feel like sleeping, and after some thought, he left for the library. He considered the Gryffindor tower a safe place and he could do some finishing work on his essay.

A good hour was soon gone and Harry returned to find his girlfriend sound asleep. He sat down on the couch, looking on her calm sleeping face. Harry's breath caught in his chest for an instant. "I love this girl," he thought. He leaned forward, placing a careful kiss on her forehead. Hermione's eyes fluttered open and green eyes met brown for some seconds of eternity.

"Feeling better?"

"Yes, much better. How long have I been sleeping?"

"It's time for dinner. Are you ready?"

"Soon. Wait for me."

Towards the end of the dinner, Hermione asked Harry how long he had been able to do magic without a wand.

"Since I was a kid. Things happened now and then without me knowing why and how. You told me it was the same for you. I was thinking about it during the last summer when I hadn't much else to do. I tried to understand the feeling that allowed me to do those things. After a while I learned the trick. Sometimes it helps to move the fingers but it's possible to just imagine them moving."

"Can you cause your napkin to fly?"

"Sure." Harry placed his hands on the edge of the table, and looked sharply at his napkin. It rose slowly and hovered before Hermione's face. She let out a sound of approval, but when Harry caused the napkin to try to slap her lightly in her face, she started giggling loudly.

"Teach me how to do it!"

"Enter my mind and you will sense the feeling." Harry felt Hermione in his brain and had a rush of feelings nearly drown him. They were enhanced by her stare from the other side of the table. After a while he sensed her mind talking to him. 'Yes, Harry, I love you, but you knew that already. - Now, show me your trick.' He drew a breath, trying to sober up. He then played with the napkin again, slowly and clearly, just to show the moves. After a while Hermione wanted to try on her own, and she withdrew.

"Thank you, I think a got the feeling. Watch me try!"

Hermione's napkin made some faltering movements, but after a while, it zoomed through the air like Harry's had been doing. Harry's napkin also took to the air, and their two napkins were soon engaged in a fight trying to slap the other in the face. Harry and Hermione were so concentrated that it took a while for them to realize that they were drawing attention from the other tables. Soon all students in the great hall were following the fight with amazement.

Finally Professor Dumbledore came to investigate. When he found the cause of the commotion, he gave a low chuckle. "Very good. A nice display of magical abilities! Ten points to Gryffindor. I challenge the other houses to come up with a similar feat, and I will award similar points to them."

Hermione was in high spirits. She loved learning new things, and also earning Gryffindor points. Later in the library where Harry continued finishing his essay, Hermione propped her reference books in a semi-circle around her, and experimented with flipping through the pages in them without having to reach out and touch any of the books.

"Harry, this is good. It will be of immense help in my studies!"

After two or three hours of work, Harry declared himself satisfied with his essay, and proposed a visit to the kitchen to pick up maybe a mug of cocoa and some muffins. The kitchen elves gladly helped them to their supper, which they brought up to the couch by the fire in their common room. They started to talk about what the day had brought them.

"That was a long day, but interesting," Hermione said finally.

"Yeah. I've learned to apparate, I've given Kreacher a lesson, met with Major Shout again, and been to Diagon alley."

"And finished your essay," Hermione said, always with her sense of the importance of schoolwork. "We haven't unpacked the things we bought - or you bought rather. Thank you for that wand; to be honest I couldn't afford it by myself," she added with a glance in Harry's direction.

"We have time to unpack tomorrow - we shouldn't use the wands on our own anyway. And - You are not by yourself - unless you want to." Harry finished the sentence in a low voice.

"No Harry, I don't want to. But it takes time to get used to being together. It's a big thing." Hermione leaned into him and gave him a kiss. They remained in an embrace for some time.

"It's time for bed." Hermione said after a while, rising from the couch. "Last in bed has to collect the laundry tomorrow," she shouted, halfway up the stairs to Harry's room.

Harry smiled at her sudden outburst of childish playfulness and followed her good-humouredly. With her head start, he knew he would lose the race anyhow. When he reached his bedroom, Hermione had already opened the bed and was rapidly undressing. He just looked at her with a good feeling in his chest. He admired her cute little ass before she jumped up onto the bed, bouncing a few times before she grabbed the blankets and wrapped them around her. He had caught sight of the white cotton string indicating she still used a tampon. He subconsciously stored the information.

"I won," she said, smiling at Harry undressing. "You look nice." She opened the bed so he could climb in.

"You look more than nice, Mione," Harry said. "Mind-blowing is a better word." He nuzzled close the her, putting his nose to her stomach, brushing his lips in a trail up between her breasts to end up on her lips.

"I've been alone to last a lifetime already; you will find me a nuisance at times - please bear with me; I need you Mione - in more ways than you can imagine."

They soon fell asleep in each other's arms. A long day was at its end.