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The Black Hole by Torsten
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The Black Hole

Torsten

15. The Press Conference

After lunch, Harry and Hermione found they had an hour to kill before it would be time to go to the Ministry for the press conference. They decided to get ready for the trip and then go for a walk around the lake. The familiarity of the walk had a calming effect on their nerves. They had made the round trip plenty of times on various occasions and in various moods.

They walked slowly, side-by-side in silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts, enjoying the company of the other. After a while, a smile curved Harry's lips. A casual observer, meeting the two, would have noticed at the same time a bewildered frown in Hermione's face.

"Why did you block me?"

"I know you and waited for you to try to enter my mind. The Hermione I know wouldn't miss this opportunity for an exercise. Legilimency was a natural topic to try," Harry answered.

"My intention was to offer to help you. When you sit there together with Minister Fudge and maybe some other, facing the journalists, I could give you some support," Hermione said slightly hurt.

Harry wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her closer. "Thanks; I meant my blocking you as a joke. A thought you were in on some exercise, having an hour to spare. That's why I was expecting your attempt. I haven't been worrying about the press conference. - Maybe I should."

They continued walking. "Why can't I be mad at Harry? If Ron had made that comment, I had been furious. He hadn't bothered to explain himself though," Hermione thought. The thought made her warm inside. A couple of minutes later she said:

"I don't trust him."

"No, I think he still will try to save his own image," Harry answered. Hermione pondered his reply.

"Maybe we don't need Legilimency. Somehow you know my thoughts anyhow."

"Well - we did learn it rather fast - maybe because we were used to each other already. Come to think of it; we haven't tried our ability on other people," Harry said. "Might be interesting and rewarding. - By the way; Fudge will be playing his political game as Dumbledore put it. He thought it best to let him do it," he added.

"If I know the press they will be more interested in you - or us," Hermione said with a sigh. "That will be their game."

"The important part will be to allow the investigation into the ministry to proceed. Fudge will play that part down so he can stop it. 'The operation was a success; the ministry was engaged in the operation - no more problems.' "

"I think you should give away some unimportant details. The journalists will catch on to those and ignore Fudge. You are more interesting to the readers than ministry issues. - I know you hate it though, Harry."

"The best would be if Rita Skeeter was representing The Daily Prophet. You could strike a bargain with her, like you did before."

"That's an idea," Hermione answered, biting her lower lip thoughtfully.

"By the way; what was that about some students having personal issues with you? Marietta Edgecombe I know, but those pimples were her own fault. But Justin? Or is it no business of mine?"

"Well, Justin. He made a pass at me at the Halloween ball. I think he was fairly drunk, maybe to improve his courage. He wanted a date and was rather insistent, but he wouldn't accept a refusal, so I had to knee him rather forcefully. He apologized a few days after, so I haven't given it any thoughts. I can't stand him, though. - Becoming a Death-Eater though; it makes me sad."

Harry continued in thoughts. So Hermione had had an offer for a date. Had some other guys asked her out? He realized he had not given this possibility much thought. Had he unconsciously taken Hermione for granted? - It was time to go. Harry decided this was something in the past anyway.

---

When Harry and Hermione arrived to the place of the press conference, a lot of people had already arrived, including the elderly gentleman from the military office Harry had met a few days before. He came forward and greeted Harry heartily, congratulating him for the outcome of the operation. When he greeted Hermione she dropped a small curtsey, blushing slightly, something Harry had never seen her doing before. She was rewarded by a benevolent smile and an "I've read about you, Miss Granger." The man also greeted Professor Dumbledore with a smile containing a mixture of reverence and curiosity. "A pleasure. I've of course heard about you as well."

The man then turned to Harry: "I think you and I are meant to be seated up front behind that table. Come, let's go." Hermione managed to squeeze Harry's hand briefly before he left. Minister Fudge entered the room at the same time. He gestured towards Harry to take his seat and sat down behind the table.

Harry surveyed the crowd before him. Most faces showed interest and expectation. Somehow they seemed to already know that the news would be important and positive. He recognised Rita Skeeter on the first row of chairs. She sat next to Walter Concise, the famous news editor on Wizard's Wireless, the counterpart to the muggle Radio and Television. There were also some cameramen aiming at him from among the back seats. Harry felt well at ease initially but his composure was broken when he recognized a toad like face on one of the back rows. It had to belong to Dolores Umbridge, he thought, although time could not have been easy on her. He could not avoid her stare and the scar on the back of his left hand began to itch.

Harry then sensed Hermione's mind in his own. "I've also seen her. Just ignore her - she has no power here. Professor Dumbledore has also seen her. Look at me instead." Harry sought out Hermione's face in the crowd. The sight of her warm brown eyes steadied his brain and he became aware of his surroundings again. Minister Fudge had already greeted the audience welcome and had begun his information, reading from his notes.

Harry listened absent-mindedly to the account by Minister Fudge. It centred on the evil doings of Lord Voldemort, how the ministry had been aware of them, and how the ministry had been active in the defence. Harry heard his own name mentioned occasionally. When the big news was dropped - The Defeat of Lord Voldemort - a great stir and whispering started in the audience. His mind drifted back to the face of Dolores Umbridge. Looking into her face showing a mixture of emotions, he without actually taking a decision entered her mind. He was not prepared for the turmoil within. Thoughts of disbelief were followed by thoughts of conviction. Hatred was followed by devotion, hope by despair. In an effort to save his own sanity, Harry quickly withdrew. He found it about time. Minister Fudge was about to finish, leaving the word to Harry.

Harry started with the narrative he had rehearsed in his mind the last hour. He told of the invitation, how he had been suspicious because of the pain in his scar, how he had discussed his doubts with 'my long-time friend Hermione Granger' and how he had gone to Professor Dumbledore with his idea of playing against the weakness of Lord Voldemort. Harry then told part of the story of his visit to the Ministry of Magic, thus supporting the tale of Minister Fudge. He finally told about the setting of the trap and the wait outside the house.

"We first saw Bellatrix Lestrange come to cast a curse in through the door, causing a green light. Then Lord Voldemort himself appeared on the scene. Hermione switched off the lights in the house, but Voldemort hesitated outside the front door. He might have sensed my anxiety but she gave me a reassuring hug which calmed me down. I thus had the mental power to block his mind. Voldemort then entered the house and I finally pushed the button that sprung the trap."

Harry looked over the audience and felt the satisfaction of having an audience eagerly listening to your words. "And in that moment, when Voldemort ceased to exist, I suddenly felt a calm in my mind I seldom have felt before," Harry finished his tale.

It was now time for the military gentleman to present himself. Harry got a great surprise when he heard his first words:

"My name is Bond - James Bond. - I represent the military branch of the secret service. We have for a while been aware of a band of outlaws trying to infiltrate agencies and departments of her Majesty the Queen's government."

"At first, we were at a loss what to think and what to do. We found that our adversaries seemed to have powers we didn't understand. Then, however, we established contact with the Ministry of Magic, a part of the government few had heard about. In our initial contacts with the so called Auror division, we found they were equally at unease. They had strong evidence of being infiltrated as well."

"We then started the tedious work of establishing a network of people with unquestionable integrity, and from that to find the various paths of illegal influence. It was then we were advanced with a proposal to support a new tactics."

"I briefly met young Harry and saw the merits of his idea. I appointed an agent with some prior knowledge of the magical world and had him and Harry work out the details. Partly together with Miss Granger as I understand. I have to admit that the results greatly exceeded our expectations. We have now a hectic time ahead to observe and filter information on the ripples caused by this event."

As Mr Bond seemed to have said what he intended to say, minister Fudge declared it was time for questions. The first to raise his hand was Mr Concise from Wizard's Wireless.

"Can you please Mr Bond explain the meaning of 'observing the ripples'?"

"I mean that we continue our investigation and that big events cause actions that we observe. Many people will be forced to do something, one way or the other."

"Does your investigation include the Ministry of Magic as well?" This question was posed by a reporter on the second row. Harry didn't recognise him.

Mr Bond merely nodded affirmatively.

Then a young witch on one of the back rows presented herself with a question.

"Mr Bond, I write for Witch Weekly and my main subjects are theatre and muggle movies. The movies where you appear are they smokescreens for your real job, or did you get your job because of the movies?"

"Well, that question is beside the issue at hand. You know of course that there were different actors playing my part in those movies, although the first one bore a close resemblance to me, I think. In a way, those movies acted as a smokescreen as you put it, yes."

The next question was from Rita Skeeter. "Harry, what made you get this idea, initially?"

"Actually, it started with a Christmas gift Hermione got from her parents. That led to my first visit to the 'Muggle Studies' class room. I then realised the vast amount of muggle technology that is unknown to most magical people. I concluded that Voldemort and his followers would not be prepared for a classical muggle weapon. That was the main concept we were building on."

"What was the Christmas gift?" Rita Skeeter asked next, but then minister Fudge interrupted the press conference. Clearly he had been more and more ill-humoured by the lack of questions directed at him. "I find that the questions now tend towards other topics than those pertinent to the present case. I therefore pronounce the conference finished. Thank you!"

Cornelius Fudge left the room immediately, followed by some people on the first few rows, presumably people working at the ministry. Harry saw that Dolores Umbridge also left her seat and walked directly towards the same door. Without realizing his own action, he re-entered her mind briefly. Then movements in the other end of the room drew his attention away from her.

Mr Bond had joined Professor Dumbledore for a close chat in a corner of the room, and Rita Skeeter had advanced on Hermione, who was gesturing towards Harry to come.

"Rita has asked for an exclusive interview with us," Hermione explained.

"We thought you would," Harry commented to the journalist as they moved away to a corner of the room.

"Rita, I have made a deal with you before, and we will propose a new deal with you," Hermione began. Rita Skeeter nodded indicating her interest. Hermione continued.

"Harry and I know we are news, and we know there will be more events following today's. We are willing to give you some details of those events exclusively. Details that are fit for publishing and will enhance the official story. Of course provided we know such details. We admit that Harry and I are very close friends, but any romantic gossip or hints about Harry as a wealthy bachelor and similar rubbish will make the source dry up quickly. You know what we mean, don't you?"

"You may write that Hermione is a very smart witch," Harry added with a grin. Hermione glared daggers at him but made no comment.

"I understand and I'm in on the deal," Rita Skeeter answered. "Let's see - My first question is then: What was the Christmas gift you got from your parents?"

"I got a mobile phone," Hermione answered. "Going to a school like Hogwarts means being away from my parents for long periods. With a phone we can have a talk now and then and thus keep contact more easily." Hermione took out her phone from a pocket and showed it.

"Oh is that a tele … telephone. I've seen muggles walking with those things to their ears, but haven't really understood their use. You say you can talk in them; like those things muggles have on their walls?"

"Yes, I've got one as well." Harry showed his own phone. He dialled Hermione's number.

Hermione held out her phone, which now produced a string of beeps. "See, Harry can continue talking to you and in the same time talk to me, even if I was in Diagon Alley, at Hogwarts or any other place."

"You see, Rita. You didn't know how this device works, although many muggle kids have no problems with them. Many even have one of their own," Harry said.

"I needed to charge … - I had to do things with my phone in the muggle studies class room, Hermione continued. "When we did that, Harry had his great revelation," she teased with her eyes locked with his.

"Yes, namely that most magical people will not recognise the use of an everyday muggle device, but also that the same principle used in the phone can be used to make things happen from a remote location, without using magic."

"Harry, how come you came across that idea?" Rita Skeeter asked.

"Simple; Hermione and I share this background; we are both raised in a muggle family."

"So you consider that an advantage?"

"Harry had a bad childhood, having lost his parents as a baby - as you know. But generally; yes I think it is an advantage to have both a muggle and a magical background."

"Thank you Hermione. I see that you care for him. - Another question; Harry, why were you suspicious when you got that invitation?" Rita Skeeter looked through her notes before bringing up her next question.

"You know, when Voldemort tried to kill me as a baby, I got this scar on my forehead. What not many people have realised was that a strong mental bond was created at the same time. I have been able to feel his state of mind in my scar for several years. Especially when he felt happy or angry, my scar hurt really bad. That's what happened the same day we received our invitation."

"Did that happen often - that your scar hurt I mean?"

"We, that are his friends, saw it clearly. He had some bad nightmares as well," Hermione added.

"How many knew of your ability to sense you-know-who?"

"Lord Voldemort, you mean. His name doesn't bring him back. My close friends and some teachers knew why I had my headaches. That's why we were prepared and knew Voldemort was back. That I was sensitive to him and his actions was nothing I tried to keep secret. Most people though didn't believe or chose not to believe. Others merely thought I was nuts. Hermione never doubted my sanity."

"What do you intend to do now that he is gone?"

"A new term is about to start. There will be much work to do." Hermione showed the planner she took out of a pocket.

"What is your immediate concern?"

Harry and Hermione exchanged a quick glance. "Ron," they both began.

Hermione continued. "Ron Weasley is our best friend and the three of us have been into a lot of adventures together. This is the first time he has not been joining us and we will as soon as possible fill in the details for him."

"OK then, thank you for now. I'll try to have this article ready for tomorrow, together with the news report." Rita Skeeter folded her notes with a smile. Her eyes followed the young couple when they slowly and close together walked towards the corner where Mr Bond and Professor Dumbledore still were in a low-voiced discussion. She gave silent words to her thoughts: "Close friends - phooey! Why would they be afraid of romantic gossip if there were no romance? - I'll see this as an investment. Exclusive: Disclosure at the Ministry, Marriage, First Kid. - 'We are news.' What did Harry say? Hermione is a very smart witch! - Indeed. - And there was a feeling around Harry I've only felt with really powerful wizards or witches. - I should have asked! 'Mental power to block his mind' - talking of V...Voldemort." Jotting down a few last notes in her book, Rita Skeeter also left the room while Harry and Hermione joined the two gentlemen.

"Hi there, Harry - and Hermione, if I'm allowed to use your first name. I would like to invite you for a visit a couple of weeks from now. I know our dear Major would like to have some information on the magical world from you. If that can be allowed for in their school timetable?" Mr Bond directed the last words to Professor Dumbledore.

"We will make that visit a part of some assignment in school. - Are you ready to return to Hogwarts?"

"Actually, Professor, we intended to go to Diagon Alley to meet Fred and George," Harry answered.

"I see, to bring your news to Ron carefully!" Professor Dumbledore said smiling.

"No, I mean yes - partly that, but also to convince them this would be a good time to win their brother back to the family," Hermione said in a low voice.

"Oh yes, Hermione. You are a most impressive young lady. Thank you for your empathy. If you can achieve this, Molly and Arthur will be most happy. I will drop a word here and there to make Percy see the light." Professor Dumbledore laid his arm around Hermione's shoulders in a gesture few pupils at Hogwarts had experienced before. "Take care of yourselves. You know Tonks will keep a discrete eye on you!"

Harry and Hermione stepped a few paces away and disappeared in two distinct pops. A few seconds later a young man approached Professor Dumbledore. He answered quickly, "Diagon Alley, Fred and George Weasley." A few seconds later a third pop was heard.

Mr Bond lifted his right eyebrow in a glance above his shoulder. His gaze returned quizzically to Professor Dumbledore. "Wizard transportation," he answered. "Fast and fairly reliable. The young man was actually a woman in disguise. A very capable magic agent - auror as we call them."

"It seems I will have to try some recruitments." Mr Bond took farewell of the older man.

---

Harry and Hermione reappeared safely in Diagon Alley and headed directly to Fred's and Gorge's joke shop. They encountered Fred on a ladder taking down Christmas and New Year's decorations. The shelves behind the counter looked embarrassing empty.

"Hello Fred. What is this, are you moving away?" Harry couldn't keep his fear out of his voice.

"Oh no, on the contrary. We have sold nearly everything in the shop."

"We actually should expand or move to new premises," added George, showing his head above the counter. He had obviously been cleaning the shelves close to the floor.

" - if we could find any," Fred added.

" - where we can stock up again," George concluded.

Harry and Hermione moved forward and gave the twins a great hug each.

"Good to see you, and happy New Year!"

"We thought we should go out and have something to eat, and then you can tell us your big news," said George.

"And we can tell you ours," said Fred. "Hoi, girls!" he shouted into the room at the back of the shop.

"Alicia - and Angelina!" shouted Harry and ran forward to hug his former team-mates. He was followed by Hermione greeting her older Gryffindor friends in a similar manner.

"There is a new restaurant, opened just before Christmas," Fred began.

"Piero's Pizza Parlour," George said. "Very popular among the muggles, those pizza meals I've heard."

Harry and Hermione exchanged a short amused glance. "Yes, I've made some at the Dursley's. I do like the taste and it's been a long time," Harry said.

"Sorry, we didn't think …," Fred started.

"Oh, no problem really," Harry said.

After the twins had closed the shop, the three couples headed along to the nearby pizza restaurant. Harry and Hermione with a mutual smile joined their hands, seeing Fred and Angelina and George and Alicia doing so. The restaurant looked at least to Hermione who had best experience with the muggle world, very common by muggle standards. In the magical world though, it seemed to be a great success. Although the street outside had been close to deserted, the inside of the restaurant was more than half full with customers of all ages. A WiWi in one of the corners attracted some attention from the surrounding people.

They found a table and sat down. Fred immediately started teasingly.

"So you are finally together, are you?"

"And afraid of what Ron is going to think!" George added.

"Yes, we are together. We are very happy about it and of course we are anxious to bring the news to Ron in a way that doesn't make him feel left out. We still want to be best friends with him, but of course things will be different." Hermione said.

"We were left alone in the Gryffindor tower, and that forced us to realize that there were no other we rather would like to be alone with. We've had a very happy but also a very eventful holiday. - But we see things have happened on your side as well. And Angelina, I had a very interesting calendar as a gift from Ron. What did Fred say about it?"

Harry's question started a loud conversation. The twins described how they finally had got the courage to ask the girls out to a fashionable muggle theatre with dinner afterwards. Alicia and Angelina tried giggling to say that the boys had tried to buy them with a display of wealth. The boys said with emphasis that since they had known each other for so long, the special questions they wanted to ask called for a special place. They said that around the kitchen table would not be the proper setting.

The facts were anyhow that both Alicia and Angelina had moved in with the boys in the small flat behind the shop. Their families had been informed after the fact, and there had not been any big objections. The calendar picture, Angelina said, was a mere joke. Fred said that he at first had felt a bit awkward, but now he felt more proud than anything. But Alicia had turned down the request to participate.

They were interrupted by the waiter coming to take their orders. Hermione didn't pause to think. She knew her favourite - Hawaii, and Harry quickly ordered the same. The others took more time to make their choices. In the mean time, Harry had the opportunity to see what was on on the Wizard Wireless set. It seemed to be the weather forecast with a news announcement coming up.

Harry made himself heard. "Actually, the reason we came to see you, Fred and George, was something different. It has to do with the news they soon will tell on the WiWi in that corner." There was something in his voice that made the twins calm down. In fact, a silence fell in the entire restaurant.

The well-known face of Walter Concise could now be seen. He was reading an announcement from a piece of paper. "The Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort, often referred to as You-Know-Who has been announced dead today by the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. He perished along with a number of his followers, known as Death-Eaters, in an attempted assault at the strike of twelve pm on New Year's Eve. We will now listen to the young man behind this victory, Harry Potter, as he told us about the event in a press conference earlier today."

Harry, rather red on his ears, could then listen to himself telling the story. A short cut with words "from the famous James Bond" was also shown before the narrator summed up with the words that the investigation would continue to 'find the remains of Lord Voldemort's illegal infiltration into government offices'.

Shouting and merrymaking noises had begun in the restaurant before the news announcement was finished. Harry's friends sat gaping for a few seconds before they also began shouting and slapping his back. Hermione tried first in vain but soon with increasing success to make herself heard.

"We must avoid letting Harry be recognized. It would not be safe. There are still people who might want to have their revenge." She got a reply that they all would rather die than to allow any harm done to Harry. And now they wanted to hear the details. Harry then raised his hand.

"Thank you, friends. This was still not the reason we came to see you. The real reason was that Percy is in custody. He was taking part in that assault - on the Death-Eater side. We promise to tell the details, later."

It took some time for his words to sink in.

"The git; he asked for it." George said through gritted teeth.

"Exactly my meaning," said Fred.

"I think you now have the chance to win your brother back. He's not that old, so there should still be many years worth in him. I give that he was overly ambitious and naïve. But he has a wife and a child. I think that the best present you could give to Molly would be her son and grandchild back." Hermione talked with eagerness in her voice that clearly impressed everyone at the table, not least the other two girls.

"I don't know Penelope very well, but I think you and I should look her up Alicia, being sisters-in-law, sort of," Angelina said solemnly.

They now got their orders served, so silence reigned at the table for a while.

"We'll meet at the Burrows fairly soon, I think," Harry said. "I promise all the details then. I also have an idea or two what to do with Percy, but I will have to do some checks first."

"We actually need some help on the manufacturing side," George said.

"We have talked about it, but it is too early. Gringotts are happy but they want us to consolidate. - And we have other obligations now as well." Fred added the last words with a nod of his head in the direction of the girls.

"Maybe I know the ideal place," Harry whispered.

The boys were interrupted in their business talk by a fit of giggles from the girls. Harry noted Hermione were rather red in her face. He decided to wait to ask what the joke had been though he feared he could guess. Most of the other guests had left the restaurant and there was singing in the street outside. Harry noted that Diagon Alley actually now seemed rather crowded. A couple in grey clothes entered, asked for a cup of coffee and sat down a few tables away. It then hit him. Of course - Remus and Tonks. He decided to let the observation pass.

"Did you mean Grimmauld Place?" It took Harry some seconds for Fred's question to register.

"Oh, no! Didn't you listen? Voldemort went in and we blew the place up. Voldemort is gone, Bellatrix is gone, the elder Crabbe and Goyle are gone, and the house is gone. Maybe someone more, I don't know yet."

"Was Percy injured" George asked.

"Not much. He claimed he was deceived when he joined the assault. He left early, so to say. He singed his eyebrows and his hair. I think they will let him off easy after interrogation, - if he hasn't done more than he told us today."

"Told you …?"

"There was an unofficial investigation at Hogwarts this morning. It has been a long day. I promise more details later, and don't forget to read the Daily Prophet tomorrow. I hope it will be a nice article this time - by Rita Skeeter." Harry looked at his now empty plate and towards Hermione who now looked really tired.

They all rose from their table, saying their farewells. When on their way out, they passed the new customers, they heard a whisper. "Hello, Gred and Forge!" Tonks made a sign to talk silently. "Nice to see you and that your business is a success. I will accompany Harry and Hermione back to Hogwarts. Be careful! Don't stay in the street. Not everyone is happy just now. If you don't mind, Remus will accompany you back home."

In a minute, three distinct pops could be heard from the back of the restaurant. The waiter seemed annoyed, so Remus Lupin stepped up, showed his badge saying, "You had two rather prominent visitors. They shouldn't be recognised in the street just now. Sorry, - we know it is bad manners to disapparate from a non-designated area in a public place like this." He received an appeased smile.

When he ten minutes later left the joke shop, he got a big hug from Angelina. "Good to see you again Professor. I understand you now have a different job, but you were the best DADA teacher I had at Hogwarts." Angelina had a special influence on men, so poor Remus Lupin was still glowing inside when he reappeared at Hogwarts.

---

By unspoken agreement, Harry and Hermione went directly up to the Gryffindor tower. It had been a long and eventful day so both of them had much going on in their minds.

"I'm in no mood for anything other than a quiet hour before the fire and then to an early bed," Hermione said, going up to her dormitory. Harry nodded his accord and took the stairs up to his dormitory in quick strides.

He found that someone must have been preparing the move to 'the lower corridor'. Obviously it would happen the next day. The things he had thrown away in the morning had been removed. So had his laundry, and his trunk had been put back in its proper place and his bed had been remade. But most importantly, all the other beds had their linen and comforters removed. Instead they were filled with boxes containing clothes and other items. Clearly the house-elves were preparing a move for Harry's room-mates as well.

Harry took a quick shower, put on a clean pyjamas and looked for something to read. On top of the pile of books, he found his potions assignment. With a quick frown, he settled for that and went down to the fire in the common room. "I will have to do that assignment sooner or later anyhow," he thought.

Harry sat flipping through the assignment text when Hermione appeared. She had put on a dressing-gown, and she had brought the novel of the night before. She made big eyes when she saw Harry's choice of reading material, but didn't comment. They both settled in the couch before the fire, Hermione leaning onto him with her feet on the armrest. With a contented sigh she found the place in the book where she left off the night before and began to read.

Harry let his right arm rest on her chest, drawing her to him. He flipped through his assignment, taking a mental look into the various recipes. He found that some of the potions he had to brew could easily be done simultaneously. There should be time enough. His mind swelled at the insight. Somehow maybe potions really wasn't that forbiddingly difficult?

He absentmindedly allowed his right hand to sneak inside Hermione's dressing-gown cupping her left breast. Hermione covered his hand with hers. "Nice," was her only comment as she held his hand in place.

With a smile, Harry acknowledged her words. "Why, I buy you some nice lacy bras, and then you don't wear them!"

"With my firm breasts, I don't really need any!" From Harry's position, he could see her failure to conceal the grin on her face. Harry chose to remain silent but he allowed his thumb some movement.

After a minute, he got his award. Hermione turned her face back to look at him. "You big tease. Give me a kiss!" Harry was soon to oblige. Their mouths joined in a long and deep kiss.

Hermione reclined again and took up her book. After some minutes of reading her book fell down and she just stared at the opposite wall for a while. "Harry, I'm really happy. We have had a busy day, meeting a lot of people, listening to them, talking to them. All the time we have been there together, as a couple, but it never was difficult, embarrassing or unnatural. We simply work well together. Tomorrow we will read the Daily Prophet together, and we will survive that, and we will discuss Dolores Umbridge, and we will survive that as well. Actually I think our love has made us stronger. Harry, I really do think we will manage a life together." She turned her face to him with a question in her face.

Harry looked into her chocolate moist eyes. His mind reeled at the question she put to him. He answered defensively. "Of course. Doesn't love always give you added strength?"

"Not necessarily. You can feel very vulnerable when you open your soul to another person. That can feed uneasiness that sooner or later will tear your love apart."

"Hermione, you have known me better than I've known myself for a long time. I know you want to do me good. And I think I know you fairly well after these years. We used to be best friends, you know."

"That's it, Harry. We're still best friends, and we love each other. The combination is optimal!" Hermione raised her fist in the air like a victory sign, nodded her head repeatedly against his chest teasingly and took up her book again. "We are invincible."

Harry shook his head and muttered "I think my girlfriend has got a brainwave." He let his hand travel tenderly across her face, finally seeking her free hand. Then they continued their reading.

Harry didn't note when it happened, but after a while he saw that she had changed her position, lying on her side with her head in his lap. The book had slipped out of her hand. She was sleeping. The sight made Harry think. 'Vulnerable - secure, alone - together, abandoned - cherished, hated - loved.' There were a lot of negative and positive words describing relationships and feelings. Could there ever be a negative word describing the future with Hermione? He hoped not. Could you choose? At least you could try. Maybe it had to do with attitude. If you wanted a relationship to work, if both wanted it, it couldn't be possible to fail? Harry felt he really wanted this to work out. He would never give her up.

---

Harry went back to reading his assignment description, feeling well at ease. His mind was back on his task of preparing a number of potions to hand in for evaluation. Preferably he would be able to make several at the same time. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he barely heard the small pop when Dobby appeared close to the fireplace. He was not astonished, he knew that the house-elves could apparate within Hogwarts, but he saw that something was bothering him. First of all, Dobby delivered a note in Professor Dumbledore's typical handwriting.

The note held some details of tomorrow. Tonks and Remus wanted to resume combat training after breakfast, as they had some other assignments later in the day. Professor McGonagall wanted to present their new accommodations at 4 pm. Professor Dumbledore would 'join the show' as he phrased it somewhat later. Finally he advised them to bring along the personal items they would require during the day as the house-elves would move their belongings. Harry found this would not interfere with his own plans for the next day, and he knew that Hermione had her day planned for her project in the library. Harry sent a thought at the detailed interest his headmaster took in the daily work of his school.

This was clearly not Dobby's only errand, because when Harry had read the note and returned his attention to him, he looked shy and anxious and pulled at his big ears.

"OK, Dobby, what else do you have to tell?" Harry tried to make his voice as kind as possible. "Please, sit down and take your time," he added.

"Thank you, sir!" Dobby said. In his enthusiasm, he jumped up on the other end of the couch and sat down on the armrest. The sudden movement made Hermione wake up.

"Oh, hello Dobby," she said bewildered, still groggy after having been awakened so fast.

"Sorry, Mione, Dobby came with a message from Professor Dumbledore about tomorrow's program, and then he had a problem of his own he wanted to discuss."

"I'm so sorry, Hermione, miss," Dobby said, again wringing his ears.

"No problem, I'll go to bed and you two can continue your discussion." Hermione stood up, made a sign to Harry to join her later, and ascended the stairs to the boy's dormitories.

After much reassuring talk, Harry succeeded in starting Dobby on his errand.

"Winky is much better now - nearly completely herself - and we were thinking … That is, I thought that now that you have got your Hermione, sir, that you maybe would like to start your own household. Winky and I would like very much to be your house-elves and we will endeavour to give you and your Hermione satisfaction, sir. And your household would be good for her nerves, if you take my meaning." Dobby managed finally to convey his message clearly, although with red ears.

"Thank you Dobby, that is very generous of you - and Winky," Harry answered. "I'll consider your offer and consult with - Miss Hermione," Harry answered. "I'll come back to you in a couple of days." Having said that, Harry started collecting his papers and Hermione's book, which she had left behind.

Dobby wound himself up in many thanks and finally left Harry to his thoughts. Really, earlier he had one overwhelming problem, Voldemort. Now that he was gone, he had a number of minor ones. The threat of the remaining Death-Eaters, the running of his estate where the authorities had their opinions, Percy, how to keep Ron as a best friend, Hermione's parents, his school work, combat training, and Hermione. And now also Dobby and Winky.

Correction; Hermione was not a problem; rather she was an important part of the solution. He was not alone; they were two to share the future. The thought of her waiting in his room made him confident. With a rush of happiness and a goofy smile on his face, he entered the stairs.

He found Hermione sound asleep, curled up into a ball in the middle of his bed with her face to the wall. He silently and carefully lay down close to her, with his arm around her. He drew in the scent of her hair through his nose, breathed heavily and fell asleep.