17. Professor Dumbledore's theory
Harry went directly from the potions classroom to the library. He found Hermione at her desk as expected and went up to her and gently put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them fondly. She had heard him coming so she greeted him with a contended sigh.
"Feels good. - How was your afternoon?"
"Good, Snape said the quality was excellent."
"Excellent? That was a rare occasion. He says something positive only grudgingly."
"Thing is he explained his behaviour as something he does in order to enhance our progress as Slytherins and Gryffindors." Harry related his experience with Professor Snape. At Harry's mention of the reference to Miss Tanner, Hermione giggled affectionately.
"So now we should be upset by his injustice, but excuse him because he's doing it for our own good. I think life is getting complicated." Hermione began to collect her belongings and stack the library books in an orderly fashion. "Don't you think we can go and have a look if the new corridor is open?"
Thus Harry and Hermione walked back to the Gryffindor tower, Harry carrying their bag.
"I'm still thinking on Snape," she began. "What he said is only partially true, I think. We know he was badly treated by your father and his friends, Sirius and Remus. It certainly left some traces of malignity which you have suffered from. That's what I think is the main reason behind the treatment he has given you - and actually quite natural. But I do think he's temper has been different the last couple of months, maybe because of Miss Tanner, and I clearly saw his emotions when he discovered his dark mark was fading. Let's think he actually wish that what he said were true."
"I'm not sure I follow your reasoning, but I got the feeling he actually wanted some sort of understanding. We continue the act, but it isn't more than that."
"I think that given some time, also the act will change. I don't think judging from myself, I could be mean on command, not in the long run."
"Because you are happy?"
"Yes Harry, I am!"
They drew closer. "Me too."
---
When they entered through the portrait hole, they saw the big door in the oaken portal standing open. Clearly from the design of the newly installed draperies, it was now intended to remain so. The staircase was now cleaned and an inviting light could be seen coming up through it. They started hesitantly down the stairs.
On the bottom landing, they met Professor McGonagall talking to a big man in working clothes. She introduced him.
"This is Mr Mason who has been helping us to rebuild this part of our school. This is Harry Potter and his very good friend Hermione Granger. They are among the students that will move into these new rooms."
"Ah, I do recognize you from the paper this morning. Now I have something to tell the missus when I come home. Well done. That Voldemort chap was a bad 'un. - Good day Professor." Mr Mason touched his cap in a farewell gesture.
McGonagall took farewell from the big craftsman and greeted her two students.
"You came at the right time. Mr Mason was just done and ready to part. I think he has done an excellent job, as usual. You can explore the other parts as you wish - let my show you your new rooms. Albus told me he wanted to introduce some parts himself."
"First of course we come to the common room. You will recognise some of the furniture from the room above. I have understood that to most of the Gryffindors, this couch and table was considered yours anyhow." Professor McGonagall gave Harry and Hermione a thin smile. They looked around and found that their misgivings from the first visit had been unjustified. The damp room with its bare walls with cobwebs in the corners had been converted into a wood panelled room with a warm and intimate atmosphere.
"I see there is enough space and furniture to allow some of our friends here as well," Hermione said.
"Yes please bring them in here; that will be good in order to maintain your friendships. - This is your study, or what is officially called Hermione's room. The desk is large enough for two to sit here and you will notice the house elves have put Harry's books into this cabinet as well. The bed is unmade, I believe." Professor McGonagall made the last comment rather hastily and Hermione claimed afterwards that she saw a slight reddening of her cheeks.
Through a second door in the study, they entered a bathroom of the same design as the prefect's, only this was slightly smaller.
"Does Moaning Myrtle come here as well?" Harry asked.
"Do you want her to?" the old teacher said in a surprised voice.
"No, not really. I felt sorry for her and she did help me once or twice," Harry answered.
"Maybe I should be jealous?" Hermione said.
"Of a ghost?" Harry answered while giving her a hug as they went out through the other door. They entered their bedroom, or officially 'Harry's room'.
"This is close to a mirror image of the study," Professor McGonagall said. "And this bed is as I understand fully made up. Again you will observe that the house-elves have put your relevant things together in the cabinet." On inspection, Harry found that 'relevant things' actually meant clothes. When he saw Hermione's flimsy underwear in a drawer next to his own pants and undershirts, it was his turn to blush. He followed silently Hermione and Professor McGonagall into the common room.
"What's behind this veil?" Hermione asked innocently, walking up to a thin black veil hanging in a narrow portal close to the entrance door.
"Stop, don't touch it. It's something Albus wanted installed. I don't know myself what it is, although I can guess. He will be here shortly to explain its use; and some other things as well. He told me to ask you to wait for him here. - As I said when we saw these rooms the first time; you may invite me for tea when you have become comfortable in your new home." With that Professor McGonagall left them.
---
"Sit down my young friends" began Professor Dumbledore taking his seat in a chair close to the fireplace. "There are a lot of things I feel I must explain, and there is a part of the prophesy I still think has not been fully understood. Maybe it's not serious, but nevertheless, the explanation given so far is maybe not altogether correct. Let's come to that later."
"First of all, you must ask yourselves why the school has provided you two with this most extraordinary privilege of not only sharing a room, but also to have a small flat for yourselves. The normal policy here at Hogwarts is, as I think you know that any relation between boys and girls of a sexual nature is forbidden. We have of course never accepted promiscuity but we have from time to time chosen to look through our fingers when we have learnt that the natural and inevitable cases of love and affection between some of our pupils in some cases have turned into what I think you call 'heavy snogging'. Such cases have been ignored, provided the young couple are known to take the situation seriously, and that they keep their activities discreetly to themselves."
"Why should we treat you differently, then? Indeed to the degree that I not only allowed this sharing of rooms, but actually suggested it, without conferring with your parents, Hermione. The explanation is of course the prophesy. I had pondered it very often even before you first came here, Harry. I of course wondered what was the power mentioned? One very natural alternative was that you would meet your love at school. Love IS a great force and it also has great magical effects. And love was something I knew Tom Riddle lacked badly as a kid. He had learned to hate, and hate is also a strong power, but love is stronger. - So I looked through the girls that would be at Hogwarts at the same time as you Harry, and I made inquires."
"I maybe seem to be a confounded busybody, but you have to keep in mind that this indeed was important for many thousands of innocent people, and of course for you as well," Professor Dumbledore continued.
"Harry, you have often heard that you resemble your father James, have you not? It is true; you have the same looks, you are damned good at Quidditch, you disregard rules and are generally charming when you want to - and you have great magical powers. But we should not forget you had a mother, Lily Evans. She was a very powerful witch, with a quick brain, a sense for justice and fair play and an ability of showing love and compassion. You have inherited her qualities as well, as we that know you already know."
"The thing is," Professor Dumbledore continued, "that the same year you started at Hogwarts, a young witch came here for her first year as well and she resembled Lily Evans in many respects. She also was muggle born, had great brains, was loyal, compassionate and loved her best friends. I of course talk about Hermione."
Professor Dumbledore let his words sink home. "Now, I was of course very pleased that you made your acquaintance already on the train ride here and that you became best friends in a couple of weeks. You see, with all those similarities I have mentioned, I reasoned that if James Potter and Lily Evans could become a pair, so might Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. I hoped for a phenomenon that sometimes happens to powerful wizards and witches that fall in love with someone with a very similar mind. I talk about what is called 'soul mates'."
Harry and Hermione when they heard Professor Dumbledore mention that word got rather hot in their ears and reached for their hands. They exchanged a glance and nodded their understanding. Hermione started hesitantly. "Yes, I was in on that notion in my research this morning - only I didn't dare presume …"
"It's OK! Let me continue, because I had a different aspect in mind as well. If we go back to the prophesy, it says that the Dark Lord marked you as his equal, Harry. And actually you were equal for many years. As a one year old baby, you had little power - and so had Lord Voldemort. He vanished from the world to the extent that many thought he was gone for good. In your first year with the Philosopher's stone, in your second year with the basilisk, with Peter Pettigrew, in the Triwizard Tournament and in the Department of Mysteries, always your dealings with Voldemort ended in a draw. So I was looking for the new factor - the power he knew not. And I have to admit, I thought it would be love, as I just told you."
"And then, a week ago, you told me about your idea, Harry. The unknown factor might be knowledge on muggles. It was a great idea - it was new and it led to a new strategy. And it worked - or did it?" Professor Dumbledore paused and looked with twinkling eyes at the young couple on the couch.
"I have been thinking, you see. Could knowledge on muggles actually mean anything to a magic prophesy? I recall from your narrative of the events outside nr 12 Grimmauld Place that Voldemort turned towards you and for a second you lost your concentration. The moment of victory could then have passed away. You might have been able to block your mind through your Occlumency training but I fear not without making Tom Riddle suspicious. He would not have entered the house and a few moments later, I think Moody would have interfered and sent you away per portkey. There would have been a new draw."
Professor Dumbledore continued. "What happened was that Hermione turned to you and 'sent some happy thoughts'. Then you pressed the button and the Dark Lord died at your hand - according to the prophesy. The thing is that in that moment a new power was at play. The thoughts in your mind changed so that Tom no longer recognized them; so he turned towards the events at hand and joined Bellatrix in the house. Harry, I think the power you knew and the Dark Lord knew not - was Hermione."
"Other people have noticed your combined power. Rita Skeeter called it in the Daily Prophet: 'a singular degree of rapport'," Professor Dumbledore continued after a long silence. "You have observed that powerful minds give off an aura. When two soul mates join their minds they are augmented more than by a mere addition. If I understand correctly, you have noticed that when making love. You then not only join your bodies but also your souls. The aura of your combined souls produced a light - right? Don't feel awkward; the light actually proves that your love is a love between souls, not only by body and hormones. - Not that the latter might not be important as well." The old man added the last sentence like an afterthought.
"Now we come to my last point. You might be tired of my lecture, but this is in answer to your questions, Hermione. The light is the least important effect of your combined souls. More important is that you exchange and augment your abilities. This morning, Remus and Tonks commented on your agility, Hermione - I'm certain you now could qualify for the Quidditch team if you choose to apply. And Harry, they were astonished not at your fighting skills, but that you flawlessly knew a lot of spells you hadn't rehearsed in the previous exercise. And to top it off, you spent the rest of the day brewing if I recall correctly not less that seven potions of excellent quality. Professor Snape was quite enthusiastic."
When Professor Dumbledore ceased talking, there was a long silence. Harry was the first to speak. "I had a momentary feeling yesterday in Diagon Alley, just before we entered George's and Fred's shop. I felt like I was acting in a grown up sort of way, doing the responsible thing. I felt more intrigued than afraid of it. I don't know if this feeling is like Hermione is thinking or it is like growing up."
"I think you are growing up, or maturing, fast. Your observation is very to the point, Harry. This will be your big challenge the rest of your time at Hogwarts. You might think from time to time that your classmates act like kids and that you want to live your own life. You have the possibility to do so, but you must fight the temptation to do it too much. You must act like normal teenagers in front of them, and you will have to treat young Ronald Weasley the same as you did before this Christmas holiday."
"I've dreaded that very problem," Hermione cut in. "How am I to deal with my former friends from the dormitory? They will ask endless questions and start gossiping. And then we have Ron - and Ginny. They are special to us - as are Seamus, Dean and Neville to you Harry of course."
"I think that now that you are aware of the problem, you can also manage it. Discussion has started, which is a good sign," Professor Dumbledore said with a kindly nod. "And now, I will show what's behind the veil."
Harry and Hermione followed the old man as he rose from his chair and walked up to the black veil in its partition at one side of the entrance. "This works exactly like the one you have seen in my office, only this one ends up in a different place - let's enter."
They stepped through the veil and like Harry had experienced earlier from the veil in Professor Dumbledore's office, he felt a quick jolt in his stomach and then they stepped into a circular room with windows all around. When their eyes had adjusted to the evening light outside the windows, Hermione was the first to realize where they were.
"Oh, my! We are at the top of the Gryffindor tower!" Bit by bit Harry and Hermione recognized the well-known parts of the snow clad landscape; the Quidditch pitch, the ice-bound lake and far off, the lights from Hogsmeade. "It's beautiful!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Yes, I thought that the thick walls of your new home called for a compensation. The security is still high. You are the only two that are allowed to pass through the veil. If you want to bring, e.g. one or two friends, I'll give you the reference to a book explaining the working of the spells necessary. It's in the restricted section, of course," Professor Dumbledore added with a wink towards Hermione. "If you want, you can take this ladder up onto the platform at the very top. You can apparate to and from that platform, but that has to remain a secret between you and me."
"You mean, we can come and go from Hogwarts from here?" Harry had to ask to check that he had understood correctly.
"Yes, you can, but of course, you will leave a message or consult with me before you go. That's what you do naturally in any normal family, and I want the same rule to apply here. That's how you build confidence and trust."
Hermione stood before Professor Dumbledore and reached out her hand. "Thank you Professor. I know you asked us to call you by your first name, but it's difficult. I will try. - Albus, Harry and I understand the great confidence you are showing us, and the great expectations you have. Thank you, we will do our very best to live up to them. And we will try to remember to act as normal students from time to time."
"I still have my invisibility cloak," Harry added with a grin.
"Yes, of course. I gave it to you once, didn't I?" Professor Dumbledore responded. "Now it's time for me to leave you alone, I think. Good Luck!"
Harry and Hermione followed Professor Dumbledore down to the entrance. When the big door closed, Hermione walked to their well-known couch by the fire. She sat down with a big sigh. Harry remained standing at the door, letting out his breath. There was much to contemplate. With an absent smile, he watched Crookshanks walking around close to the walls, investigating every nook and cranny. Did he too check the workmanship of Mr Mason or was he merely in the hunt of mice?
"Harry, come sit with me before the fire, please! I feel overwhelmed."
Harry sat down and put his arm around her and answered "So do I."
They sat for a long time staring into the fire, each absorbed in thought. As on command, they turned towards each other and smiled for a moment, joined their hands, and then wordlessly returned to the fascination of the dancing flames.
"Harry, does this change anything?"
"How do you mean?"
"If I change into someone like you, would we lose our identities? Will you still love me?"
Harry thought for a while, giving her hand a squeeze. "No, I don't think it changes things like that. Albus mentioned exchange and enhancement of abilities, not personalities. I do think I'm still Harry, and you are still Hermione, the girl I learnt to love."
Hermione remained in thought. "But Harry, we're no normal teenagers; I now see we have a common problem. We've been manipulated like pawns on a chess board. You have the last five and a half years been at Hogwarts, at the Burrows or more or less locked up at Privet Drive, but hardly anywhere else. You have little knowledge of the rest of the world, apart from what can be seen on TV. Likewise, I have been lost in books. I love books; I probably talk like a book. What I know of the world I have from books. Now it seems Proff… well… Albus has thought this to be ideal for his secret weapon. And OK, we've been successful, but what happens now? The main goal has been achieved. Our true abilities maybe will have to remain a secret, but we must learn to live a normal life. Harry, we have to take command of our own situation. We'll have to learn to live!"
"I just have begun to like the life I'm living now," Harry said. "And we have some real down to earth problems before us. I think the outside world will make itself known to us, and I would like to spend some time this summer in London, learning the muggle world. So there certainly will be new experiences for us. First though, we have a new term starting next week."
Hermione snuggled closer so her head was resting on his shoulder. "I long for the term to start. It will be great to begin the routine again. Each day according to a set schedule; study and facts, less thinking on ifs and buts, and the world outside."
"Yeah. You see, you are still Hermione, longing for her books in the library," Harry said teasingly.
"And you have not had anyone to talk Quidditch with for two weeks."
"Yes, we will be back to normal."
"With one big difference. We sleep together."
"I can live with that."
---
They didn't notice the click in the door when Crookshanks left, satisfied with his inspection. And that's where also we leave them for now.
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A/N:
Yes. This was the last chapter. This story has been sitting in my computer for quite a while. Recently, I have done some last revisions, and you have been able to read the final result.
The future will partly depend on you, dear readers. As I hinted at in the foreword, there could be a sequel. The observant reader has surely noted that some loose ends have been put into the story on purpose. I have some notes for a few chapters, some scenes are written and I have a master plan to follow. But it will take some time and effort.
Your comments may make that time and effort worthwhile. What do YOU think will happen in this story line? What would you like to happen? Any ideas?
The set theme is, as I have said earlier: 'Filling the Black Hole'.
/ Torsten.