8. Hogsmeade shopping, some work and an invitation
Harry and Hermione awoke in a good and comfortable mood. The previous day meant that some old fears like the threat of Lord Voldemort was not eliminated but shared with someone dependable and resourceful. Likewise the lighter side of life was also shared, this time producing a double effect of expectation and confidence.
"Let's dress so we can go to Hogsmeade after breakfast," Harry said. "It would be great if we go together. I need your support; I get confused by all papers and paragraphs."
"Don't you just tell them what you want to be done, and they help you?"
"Yeah, but this time there will be new people that don't know me, and there will be a lot of questions. I'm not accustomed to that type of paper work."
"Of course I will come along. Besides, it's a nice day for a walk."
They were soon seated at the breakfast table in the great hall. Despite the comparably few students, the hall was filled with laughter and animated voices. Towards the end of the meal, professor Dumbledore came down to Hermione with a stack of papers bound together.
"Hermione, several years ago, I made this compendium when I taught a course in Occlumency. It was meant as a textbook, but the course was never included in the curriculum here at Hogwarts. I was very disappointed at the time. Nowadays I think it was a wise decision however. Try it. If you have any questions, please ask me."
"Thank you, I'm delighted. We will start today, won't we Harry?"
Harry read the title. "A step by step Introduction to Legilimency and Occlumency, by A.Dumbledore, teacher at Hogwarts." "Yes, sure," Harry said to professor Dumbledore, who had remained at their table. "Hermione mentioned you had been talking about that."
"Yes, we did - and about some other things as well. I will come back to them later. - You seem to be dressed for outdoor activities. Going for a walk?"
"Yes, we are going to Hogsmeade - to Gringotts - about my will. They have reminded me once or twice."
"Very good and responsible of you Harry. They may want my signature as well, as you know. I will be here this morning; they know how to contact me." With a benign smile, their headmaster left them.
When Harry had swallowed the last drops of tea, he tried to speak to Hermione. She showed him only 5% attention however. She was busily absorbing the pages of the compendium. Her eyes moved as if she was watching a game of Gnip-Gnop, the wizard version of table tennis.
Not until Hermione had scanned through what Harry estimated to be at least the first two or three lessons, he could persuade her to leave the breakfast table and go fetch their outdoor clothes. They were then off for Hogsmeade in cold but sunny winter weather.
Both Harry and Hermione were in excellent spirits. They chatted about yesterday's events; whether the re-building could possibly be finished before term started, and what professor Gonagall had said about Harry's essay, and what professor Dumbledore had said about Hermione's ideas and questions. They had left the school grounds far behind when Hermione started on the topic of Legilimensy.
"Dumbledore is really a very good teacher. The first lessons at least are very much as a game. Let's try it. You look around and fix your gaze upon different things, and I will try and see through your eyes and tell what you are looking at. Ready?" Harry gave a nod, somewhat reluctantly.
Hermione drew her wand, pointed it at Harry, made a flick and said the incantation, "Legilimens."
"It works," she squealed. I see an additional view copied over the view from my own eyes. It's difficult to see against the snow, though. Let's see; it said in the compendium to try and shift the picture to a dark area in my own field of vision." Hermione tilted her cap to one side, partly covering her face.
"Come on, continue walking looking around. - You are looking at the forest to the right of the bend in the road. Now you are looking at the forgotten haystack in the field, back onto the road, and at me - Harry!" Hermione turned and gave Harry a hug. "I sensed that feeling - you make me blush!"
"I can't help it; you ARE cute in that cap of yours."
"Now, it's your turn!" Hermione coached him on. "You can do it!"
"I know, I read Snape's mind once, and he was angry with me the rest of the term." With that Harry tilted his cap so his eyes were completely covered, muttered the incantation and took Hermione by her shoulders from behind and said "March!" He crouched down behind her and steered her along the road, sometimes aiming straight into the snow heaps by the side, avoiding them at the last instant, sometimes turning them both around several turns, but after a glance through her eyes choosing the correct way to continue. Finally he steered her up to a road sign, reading out aloud "Welcome to Hogsmeade".
Hermione made herself free and turned around giggling. "I love you!" Harry got a big kiss. "And I feel your love. It's a big, nearly intoxicating experience to sense another person's feelings through your own mind."
"I know, but I understand why it can be dangerous as well. You remember I thought I was a snake, attacking other people. I thought I was going insane. It is important to be able to defend your own mind."
"Next lesson is about that; How to deal with the other mind invading your own. - We will have to wait a bit," Hermione added as they stood on the steps of Gringotts.
---
They entered the bank where a rather young-looking goblin was seated behind a desk. "What can we do for you," he asked in a not too nice manner.
"Well, Ah … ," began Harry rather unsure of himself. He then felt more than saw Hermione take a step closer to him. "My name is Harry Potter; I've got an account with you." His tone was now more confident.
"Ah … Harry Potter," the clerk scanned his file. "Here … Ah, Harry Potter, sir. Welcome, what can we do for you?" The goblin stood up from his chair, which made him one or two inches shorter, and extended his hand to them.
"I have received one or two letters from my solicitor at Gringotts recommending me to write a will - And now, I've made up my mind about it."
"A will, yes, and - yours is one of our main accounts, sir. I will inquire, will you please wait a minute." The young goblin went into an adjacent room, subdued voices were soon heard, and after a while he came back.
"Mr Griphook of our London office will attend to you personally, sir. It will unfortunately take some ten minutes. Can you wait? We have a room back here." The clerk led them into an empty office with a big desk and some comfortable chairs. "Can I serve you something? A cup of tea maybe?"
"Yes, please," Harry answered. Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Your name carries some weight here," Hermione commented with her eyes on Harry.
"I'm glad someone shows me the respect I deserve," Harry answered in mock seriousness.
"Surely! - I think the first lesson was a success. The next one focuses upon sensing the intruder in your mind and giving it a face." Hermione opened her briefcase and flipped through the pages of the compendium. "It says here: 'Try giving the intruder a face of your own design. A simple sketch will do. This will help you to deal also with dangerous adversaries.' Here is an example included. Look!"
:-)
"Why! Dumbledore is the one that invented the smiley! That compendium must be twenty years old! A few years ago, Dudley always had a yellow button with that design. I wondered why because smiling was so contrary to his person, and I don't think he even could spell the word."
"No Harry, the smiley comes from the Internet."
"The inter … what?" Harry asked.
"The Internet - a muggle system to find information. I learned about it last summer at my parents' clinic. You can use smileys to represent your feelings." Hermione was recounting from her vast amount of knowledge to a slightly doubtful Harry. "- Anyway, let's try sensing an intruder. You sit looking down the street outside. When you sense me in your head, think of me as a smiley in the back of your head. Then wave your hand as a sign."
Harry seated himself looking out of the window. Then he imagined the smiley as looking through his head out of his eyes. How had it felt to have Snape within his mind? Harry tried to connect the smiley with that sensation. Was this it? His mind wandered. Mr Griphook was the goblin he met on his first visit to Gringotts together with Hagrid the summer before his first year. He was also the one that had taken him through all paperwork last summer when Harry had been brought there by professor Dumbledore in connection with Sirius's death. He remembered his emotions at the time; his constant thoughts on Sirius, the veil and what was beyond it. He remembered Sirius flying backwards through the veil.
Suddenly Harry was aware of the smiley. Had it been there during his earlier memory scenes? No, this was the point where Hermione had entered his memories. He made a wave with his hand and turned towards her. He was met with her dark eyes filled with compassion. She didn't say anything. Their eyes just locked for some seconds.
At that instant, the door opened to what appeared to be a child entering with a tray with two cups of tea and a basket of muffins. On closer inspection the person turned out to be a young female goblin. Neither Harry nor Hermione had seen a goblin girl before. She was very thin around her waist, her slanted eyes were pepper brown and she moved her long fingers with graceful motions. Her feet were covered in long shoes with the tips turned into a loop. Hermione was the first to talk.
"Sorry we were staring. We have both been to Gringotts in London, but I can't remember to have seen a single woman in there. We were both taken by surprise."
"I don't mind. Normally we wives stay in our homes, but when my husband, Mr. Rockshield, whom you just met, was asked to run this small office, we decided that I should help him. Thus we could keep company. There is not much to do in this small village."
"How long have you been here? I can't recall a bank in this building last year." Harry asked politely.
"My husband was asked to start this branch office this autumn. We seem to be the only goblin family in this village." The young woman made a nod and walked hesitantly out of the door.
"They must be lonely here," Hermione said.
"Do you often think about Sirius?" Hermione asked after some minute's silence, after having eaten her muffin.
"Not any longer. Last time I was at Gringotts was because of Sirius's death. That's what led my thoughts to him."
---
They heard a sharp 'pop' in the adjacent room and a minute later Mr. Griphook entered followed by Mr. Rockshield. Harry and Hermione quickly rose and in turn shook Mr. Griphook's outstretched hand.
"How do you do, Mr. Potter. And this is Miss … "
"Hermione Granger," Hermione said.
"Ah, Miss Granger, nice to meet you. Please take a seat. I brought your entire file here, Mr. Potter. I understand you want to make 'A Will'."
"Yes, you have urged me to do so and now I finally have reason to." Harry then started to describe the arrangements he had discussed with Hermione the day before. Meanwhile, Hermione helped Mr. Rockshield to put aside the used teacups.
Mr. Griphook had been busily taking notes. He then asked: "I understand that one event you are thinking about is a showdown with the Dark Lord with a regretful outcome. You have no formal arrangement with Miss Granger, do you?"
"No, we have been best friends for many years, and now we have found that we are more than friends, and hope to remain so," was Harry's simple answer.
"Now, Miss Granger, may I ask you if you have any large personal fortune?" the Goblin asked. "Are you going to make a will as well?"
"No - I've not … " began Hermione.
"The reason I ask is this. It is clear what you want, should the worst happen, and I think you two have discussed this. From a legal point it is important to think about alternate scenarios. Mr. Potter has explained what should happen if he dies and you lives, or if you are dead when he dies. We should also think about what happens if you Miss Granger should die shortly after Mr. Potter. Then without another clause in this will we are about to write, your parents, Miss Granger, would inherit everything."
"Well," started Harry, "in that case … ".
"The simplest solution is that you two make a mutual will, where the both of you describe how you want things. You are both under age, so for the part of Mr. Potter, a signature from professor Dumbledore will be required as you know. In principle, your parents should sign the document as well, but since you have no great fortune of your own, it would be rather unimportant from a practical point of view. You should rewrite this will if your relation should change or when you will be legally of age to sign this document on your own. Just wait a minute, and we will have the document in writing, Mr Rockshield, please."
"While waiting for your document to be finished, I may inform you that we have changed your vault, so there is a new number. The reason is that the older one became too small." Mr. Griphook made a pause for effect.
"There is also a question I should ask you. Some of your assets have been invested in a joint housing project together with a building company. This has been done in accordance with the policy set down by your trustees. Now that firm is willing to buy you out of that project with a considerable sum. You would make a nice profit. You should sooner or later be involved in the administration of your fortune. Would you like to have a presentation of the proposal?"
"Er … Ah … I don't … ," began Harry.
"I understand that Harry has a flat at his disposal in London which will be handy when we continue our education. It will then also be easier to look into building projects and the like. Until then, I think Harry would like his business run at low risk by financial experts, like you," Hermione volunteered, looking at Harry.
Harry gave her a thankful glance. "Yes, I think we have too many other things on our minds just now," he added more confidently.
"I take it then that you would like us to confine ourselves to secure low risk investments for the time being." Mr. Griphook concluded.
"That's right," said Harry looking across at Hermione who was nodding her head.
"Then that's settled," said the goblin and continued. "I would suggest that you Mr. Potter should have one of these modern plastic cards, like most muggles use. It will be convenient for you, and also will allow us to be more efficient. Also the magical world must move forward. If you agree, I want your name on this paper here at the dotted line. - I will go fetch your will. It should be ready by now."
When Mr. Griphook had left, Harry made a kissing motion towards Hermione. "Thanks for helping me. Like I said, this business talk confuses me. What about plastic cards?"
"That's a good idea; you should have one. Both my parents have several different cards. This is called a Visa card. It can be used instead of money in most shops. The payment is then automatically drawn from your account in the bank. It's common practice, and it's a shame that you have been so locked out of the muggle world during your summers. Put your name here." Hermione held out the paper for Harry to sign. "What I have read in the newspapers lately, many people think that the price of real property like buildings are at their highest right now. That means that it should be a good idea to sell," Hermione said in her confident, know-it-all air that could annoy most people.
Harry, however, had learnt to love her for it. He reached out his hand. "Mione, I'm glad I have you. I need you!"
Hermione took his hand in hers. She had to blink away a tear or two when she looked back at him for a mutual private moment. She understood to appreciate being loved for being the one she was.
---
Harry and Hermione heard a pop outside the room. When Mr. Griphook re-entered together with Mr. Rockshield, they were accompanied by professor Dumbledore. "As one of your trustees, I was asked to sign your will after you two have done so. I understand you have discussed this in a mature fashion. It is difficult to think about death when you are young, and we must really hope that it will not happen. - and I thank you for having your old school in so high regard."
In silence they all solemnly put down their names.
Professor Dumbledore also signed the paper for Harry's Visa card. "Of course there is a limited sum you can use per term. I trust you keep track of the amount you use."
Mr. Rockshield gave Harry his card. "If you have any questions or problems, don't hesitate to visit us. Mr. Griphook will file your Will securely together with your other papers in our London office." With that, they all shook hands and parted.
---
Back in the street, Harry grinned at Hermione. "Now we visit Miss Tanner." Hermione rolled her eyes, but didn't object. When they stood outside the door to the "Beauty and Lingerie shop", Hermione indicated an obviously new sign on the door, 'Visa cards accepted.' "That sign has not been there long," she said.
Miss Tanner greeted them friendly. Before stating their business however, Hermione very clearly indicated to Harry that he "Could wait for her by the window."
Harry didn't hear much of what was discussed, but when he shot a glance in their direction, he found the two women talking and giggling like old-time friends. After much debate and several visits behind a veil in the back of the shop, Hermione was done with her new things packed into several parcels. When Miss Tanner started adding the prices, Harry joined them saying, "Mione, I see there are hairpins and such things as well. You wondered if something could be done to your hair. Let's ask. Maybe you could use something to keep it together." Miss Tanner, like the good businesswoman she was, was eager with advice.
"You have a beautiful head of hair, Miss Granger. Maybe you should try something like this in the neck." She started to pick out hairclips of different designs. After much trying, Hermione was quite happy with a largish brown hair-slide low in her neck.
Finally Harry stepped up to the counter with his new Visa card. "Now let's try this. This is the first time I use it. What shall I do?"
"Oh, it will be the first time for me as well," was the answer. "I got this equipment just the week before Christmas, but no customer has been asking to use a card. I understand Gringotts are just now trying to teach people to use these things." Miss Tanner had no difficulty however, and soon they were ready to leave. After a hearty farewell, Harry and Hermione were back in the street; Harry now carrying a bag full of small parcels.
---
Without any discussion, they continued down the street, hand in hand. "There is a new pizzeria close to the railway station, I've heard," said Harry. "Yes, I know," said Hermione.
A few steps outside the pizzeria, Hermione gave Harry's hand an extra squeeze. "It feels like we were married, - doing things together like this. I like it. Harry, if you were to propose, I would say yes."
Harry stopped and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. Then he whispered into her ear: "One day, I will."
After eating more than half of his pizza, Harry couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. "What's in all those parcels?"
"You already know. In fact, you wished me to buy some new things, remember?"
"I mean, what do they look like?"
"I'm afraid you will have to wait. I can't very well demonstrate them in here, can I?"
"You'll have to show me when we get back, then."
"Harry, I didn't know you had such interests. Think what you have missed all these years!" Hermione teased him.
"You don't really mean you would have shown yourself in your underwear if I asked you a year ago!" Harry said.
"No, not just so. But I have been to the pool bathing with you and Ron and there is no big difference really. I have always thought about you as someone more special though, and if I had known you felt the same, I wouldn't have been shyer of my body than my soul. And somehow, I've always felt that you knew my soul better than anyone else, Harry."
"Yes, Mione, I always thought there was something special with us two, but I've been afraid to ruin things by acting upon it. Was that wrong?"
"Sounds complicated, but we will never know, will we?"
After some silence, Harry asked what the next lesson in the compendium would deal with. "The next thing, when you are sure you see that figure in the back of your brain, is to imagine a wall in front of the figure. If you succeed in subconsciously creating that wall, you have mastered Occlumensy."
Harry paid for their meal, this time with cash, and they left the pizzeria, both satisfied. They walked back in the direction from which they had come, Harry again carrying the bag with Hermione's parcels. A casual onlooker would have seen two Hogwarts students, walking silently close together. A more thorough observer however would have revealed their close concentration. Their minds were in deep combat, trying to gain access to the mind of the other while trying to defend their own from intrusion.
Neither of them noticed the farmer with a horse and sleigh until he was quite close, in spite of the jingling of bells from the harness. The farmer had pulled in the reins when Harry and Hermione suddenly became consciously aware of the world around. They hastily stepped aside to let the equipage pass, but the farmer good humouredly leaned down and asked:
"Dreaming love dreams, are you?"
"Actually no; we were rehearsing a lesson," Harry answered.
"In this lovely winter weather? Hop up. I'll give you two a ride."
Harry took a big step up into the sleigh and then reached down a hand to help Hermione. They then sat with their arms around each other, admiring the winter landscape, the fresh air in their faces. They soon reached the gate to the school grounds where the farmer stopped.
When they had got off, Hermione shot him a smile and thanked for the ride. "Thank you ever so much. You made our shopping tour worth to remember." The farmer touched his cap, urged on his horse, and after a while the jingling died away in the distance.
---
Harry and Hermione went directly to their respective rooms to change clothes. Harry was the first to come to the common room. He sat down before the fire. When Hermione came down some minutes later, she had her new hair-slide on.
"It becomes you," Harry said. "It brings out your neck."
"You think so? It feels nice, free if you like. - Good idea."
Hermione sat down on Harry's lap giving him a kiss. "It's nice to be two, Harry. Hold me tight." She sank into him with a sigh.
Harry wound his arms around her and buried his nose in her hair. "You smell good, Mione!"
"What? Do I smell?"
"Yes. Warmth, security, a hint of flowers and mint. Nice."
"Oh," she said. They remained sitting together on the couch before the fire a long time. Finally, Hermione stirred.
"We really should do some of our homework. "We can't just sit here, you know."
"It's so good to have you here in my arms. Then I finally start to believe that we actually are together."
"Hard to convince, are you?"
"Yes, maybe. I'm amazed that these things really seem to happen, and they are happening to me and not to some characters in a book or something."
"You really need to start on your homework again. That will convince you that this is real."
Hermione heaved herself up and towed Harry out of the portrait hole along to the library.
---
The rest of the afternoon was uneventful. Near the end of the dinner however, something out of the ordinary happened. A large owl came whooshing down dropping envelopes at the teacher's table and to Harry and Hermione. Hermione was sitting so she could see the teachers.
"I think only Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape got any letters," she said to Harry, who was busily prying open his. He found it contained an invitation to celebrate the New Year at 12, Grimmauld Place. It was signed: 'Remus and Tonks'. Hermione's letter contained an identical invitation.
"Yippee. We will see them in a couple of days. I really like Tonks; she has a cool style. And Remus actually was a very good teacher, one of the best." Hermione was enthusiastic.
Harry was not equally happy. "I feel bad about this. I don't think that house is safe any longer. It would be unwise for the order to meet there."
"Oh Harry. Come on. It can't be dangerous with so many powerful wizards and witches together."
"You sit so you see Dumbledore. What does he look like?"
"Well - Thoughtful might be the best word."
More was not said about the invitation. Dinner was soon ended, and Harry and Hermione returned silently to their desks in the library.
Harry had made great progress with his work before dinner. The facts had been gathered. The remaining task was to draw the conclusions and write them down. The writing went slowly and Hermione caught him several times just sitting with his eyes staring into the distance.
"You are still thinking about that invitation?" she asked.
"Yes, I don't think it is safe to meet in that way. Kreacher is a treacherous creature."
"That's hard words. What do you mean?"
"Listen. Kreacher as a house elf is bound to be loyal to the owner of the house. That didn't prevent him from giving false answers regarding Sirius's whereabouts when I was fooled into the Department of Mysteries. He communicated with Bellatrix Lestrange who belongs to the old pureblood Black family. Now that Remus and Tonks live there, who are not owners of the house, why should he show more loyalty to them? I'm afraid that he's on his way right now to what he believes his true master, telling her about this New Year's party. And she will tell Voldemort."
Hermione looked really taken aback. "What should we do? Speak to professor Dumbledore?"
"We don't know anything yet. - But I'm thinking." Harry felt silent.
They remained in the library some more time, but neither did much work. Soon they nodded to each other and without more words, they both got up and they left for Gryffindor tower.
They were greeted in the common room by a tray with tea, a basked of muffins and a roaring fire. "Dobby is really a good house elf, Harry. Don't you think?"
"Of course I think so. We must remember to thank him."
The mood was improved by the hot tea, the muffins and the cosy warmth of the open fire. Harry and Hermione chatted about the things that had happened during this long day. Especially their experiments with Legilimency and Occlumency. The ride on the sleigh was also a warm memory. When they relived the arrival of the owl at dinner, however, Harry returned to his thoughts.
"I'll go to bed, Harry." Hermione was clearly troubled by Harry's withdrawal into himself.
"Sorry, Mione, I have to work this out. I've got an idea. I will tell you, later."
Harry remained before the fire a while, staring into the flames. Then he followed Hermione to her room. Harry undressed and crept down into her bed. He saw her wipe away some tears from her face.
"Tears! Why?"
"I - I thought I would have to go to sleep alone … " Hermione whispered.
"Silly, of course not! Mione. I think this may be a battle with Voldemort coming up. We can't just try to run from it. I will talk with Dumbledore tomorrow - But I'm afraid, Mione, really afraid."
Harry's hands searched for her under the covers, not like the hands of a self-conscious lover, but as the hands of a small boy, seeking comfort. "Hold me tight, Mione. I wish we will win, so we can have our life together as we should have. I wish that prophesy of yours would come true."
Thus this day ended with Harry and Hermione whispering close together, seeking consolation in the words of an old seeress against the menace of the Dark Lord.