A/N: Hope you have enjoyed this short summer ficlet! There was no way I could write the whole sixth year story in 20 days! Please leave a review and God bless!
Chapter 6- Everything Will be Alright
Knock, Knock
"Harry, you in here?" Hermione opened the door slightly. She saw Harry sitting on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. "Harry, what's the matter?"
Harry looked up suddenly. His eyes looked distant. "Nothing. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"The prophecy and what will happen if I die."
"Harry! Don't even think like that! I have faith in you, we all do." Harry's eyes started to get a little wet, but he blinked back the tears.
"I try not to Hermione, but you don't understand. If I lose this war, everyone is doomed. You would be killed. I can't let that happen."
"It won't happen, Harry. It won't." Harry smiled at Hermione. He gave her a big hug.
"Thanks 'Mione." She made a mean face at him, but couldn't help but laugh at the face he was making. He was probably the only person who could get away with calling her that.
"Well, Mrs. Weasley sent me to tell you it was time for dinner. You ready?"
"I'm now." He winked at her. "Let's go." They walked down the stairs hand in hand with Harry's thumb rubbing Hermione's hand. When they got to the kitchen door, Hermione let Harry walk in first. He pushed open the kitchen door and walked in.
"Surprise!" Everyone screamed once they saw it was him. There was so many people there…..for him! There was Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Ginny, Dumbledore, Remus, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape (even though he didn't look pleased to be there), Gred and Feorge, Charlie Weasley, Bill Weasley, Fleur Delacour, and…Ron! Mrs. Weasley came forward with a cake with 16 candles on it. Everyone started singing Happy Birthday, and Harry knew he would remember this moment for the rest of his life.
Hermione came up behind him and gave him a hug. She whispered, "Make a wish Harry." Harry thought for a moment. Right now just seemed like a dream. He felt like nothing could be better although he knew why he was having fun, Voldemort was planning something. Harry decided to wish that Voldemort be defeated once and for all and Hermione stay safe through it all. Once Harry thought of his wish, he blew out his candles. Everyone clapped and started talking amongst themselves while Mrs. Weasley cut the cake for everyone. It was chocolate cake with choclate icing and there was chocolate covered strawberries…man that looked good! Harry was just standing there in awe and glancing around the room taking in everything. His eyes stopped glancing around the room when he saw a table full of presents all for him! Harry turned around to Hermione with tears threatening to fall.
"You went through this trouble for me?"
"Of course, Harry! I thought you should have something special for your birthday since I specifically remember you telling me you never had a birthday party before. Mrs. Weasley thought it was a great idea and put it all together. Dobby made the cake by the way and sent a present for you."
"I don't know what to say."
"Well, you could just say thank you and enjoy yourself." Hermione said with a smile.
Harry smiled a real smile, something no one sees much anymore, and said, "Hmm… I'll think have to think about that one." Hermione was trying not to melt right then and there.
She playfully slapped him on the arm and replied, "Yeah, you do that!"
Hermione left to help Mrs. Weasley, and Harry was left standing there not knowing what to do.
Next thing Harry knew someone whispered in his ear, "Happy birthday, Harry." Harry jumped and turned around to see Dumbledore right there in front of him.
"Hi Professor Dumbledore! Thanks for coming!"
"It was my honor Harry. I see you and Miss Granger are getting along really well."
Harry blushed at this and said, "Yes, I guess you could say that."
"Well, I will talk with you later. I need to get back to Hogwarts."
"Alright thanks again for coming."
A few more minutes passed with Tonks, Fred and George, and Bill and Charlie stopping by to talk with him and wish him a happy birthday.
"Really Harry you are going to love the present we got for you!"
"Honestly Harry it isn't a product of our shop."
"Right Fred and George and I was born last night." Harry said laughing. A few hours later everyone was full of birthday cake and was slowly leaving. Mrs. Weasley was cleaning up and started giving orders out. Harry went to try and help but got told off for trying to do such a thing on his birthday.
"Why don't you and Ron bring your presents up to your room?" Harry instantly knew that parents were absolutely clueless. He started to say he could get manage on his own, but Ron jumped in and said 'ok'. Harry gave him a skeptical look and started to pick up his gifts. As they were climbing the stairs to Harry and Ron's room, Ron started to talk.
"Look Harry, I just want to apologize for reacting the way I did with you and you know, Hermione. It still hurts, but I understand I was wrong. I also know that Hermione doesn't deserve to be treated as someone's property."
"Thanks Ron, that means a lot. I'm sorry for not thinking about your feelings too."
"Just one favor to ask, Harry."
"What's that Ron?"
"Just don't get all 'lovey-dovey' in front of me until I'm used to the idea of you two being together."
"Sounds like a good deal to me. I'm just glad to have my best mate back! I was pretty bored at times without you, you know?"
"Yeah, and I've been itching to whip you in wizard's chess!" Harry punched Ron in the arm and started laughing at Ron's expression. A few minutes later Harry and Ron were laughing as Ron continued to clobber Harry in chess.
Hermione and Ginny were in their room talking when they heard them laughing.
"Guess they patched things up." Ginny said.
"Yeah, it seems that way. I'm glad because I hated Ron being mad at Harry for dating me." Hermione replied.
"Kind of like me being mad at you for dating Harry." Ginny said, instantly regretting it because Hermione's face quickly went into stubborn mode.
"What do you mean kind of? What are you jealous of me and Harry dating?"
"No, I'm not jealous. I'm a ticked that you didn't even consider my feelings when you started snogging Harry senseless!"
"Um, I'm sorry I didn't consider your feelings since you were and still are dating Dean Thomas!" Hermione couldn't help but wish Harry was here right now to set her straight. As she thought this, she heard her thoughts echoed. Harry received this little piece of information and started staring around his room. He just knew he was going crazy, but it sounded like Hermione was talking to him inside his head.
"Ron, did you just hear Hermione?"
"Um, no can't say that I have mate." Harry began thinking again. He knew he was going crazy, but he decided to see if he could talk to Hermione. Inside his head he thought, 'Hermione, is that you?' He heard these thoughts echo in his head while Hermione received his question. She started staring around the room and said "Harry, is that you?"
"What are you talking about Hermione? It's me, Ginny! I don't look anything like your snogging partner." Hermione gave a Ginny a stare that could kill and went back to thinking. It sounded like Harry was right there inside her head. She just knew she was going crazy, but she decided to see what she could do. 'Harry, are you there?'
'Yes, Hermione it's me. What's going on?'
'I don't know, but this is weird. I thought I was going crazy'
'I still think I'm going crazy, Mione.'
'Meet me down in the living room in five minutes so we can discuss this.'
'Alright'
"Ok look Ginny, I'm sorry I took Harry while you had a boyfriend and supposedly like him. Okay well that's a lie, but whatever makes you feel better. I'm not going to apologize for loving Harry, and Harry isn't just some snogging partner. Get over it."
"Yeah, I guess I did overreact. How were you suppose to know?"
"I still think he would look better with me though."
"Whatever you say Ginny. I'm going to go down to the living room to read. Talk with you later."
Meanwhile, Harry was trying to let Ron win…not that it ever mattered. Harry was just making stupid moves and Ron seemed to be eating it up!
"Man, Harry it's kind of obvious you haven't spent time playing this. I think you have gotten worse!"
"Yeah maybe I have. Okay, well I'm going to go downstairs and see if I've left anything down there. I'll be back later."
"Okay mate."
Harry made his way down stairs and saw Hermione lying on the couch reading a book. Surprise, surprise!
"Hermione?" Hermione looked up to see Harry standing there with a look on his face that she couldn't really figure out what he was thinking.
"Yeah, Harry. So what do you think is going on? I mean I have only heard of a few people sharing a connection in their mind. They were shared with that person's spouse, though, once they were married."
"Well, I guess we should really talk to Dumbledore. If anyone knows what's going on, it will be him." Harry said.
"I guess you're right."
"I'll go ask Lupin if we can floo over to Hogwarts."
"Why do you need to go to Hogwarts?" A voice said catching both off guard. They turned around to see none other than Professor Dumbledore.
"Um, Professor we needed to ask you about something that happened and we aren't really sure what it is." Harry began not knowing how crazy this would end up sounding.
"Okay, go on Harry or does this need to be done some place a bit more private?" Dumbledore asked with a serious face, but the twinkle in his eyes was still evident.
"Oh no, it's nothing too serious so we hope. It's just this morning I guess was when this whole thing started," Harry began stealing a look at Hermione who nodded in agreement. "And it's like I could hear Hermione's voice in my head. At first, I didn't think anything of it, but then it happened again just a while ago. We held an actual conversation in our heads. What's wrong with us?"
Professor Dumbledore let out a little chuckle and with the twinkle in his eyes still evident, which Harry and Hermione took as a relief thinking the were still sane, and replied, "No, Harry and Hermione there is nothing wrong with you. It's actually a good thing that has happened to many powerful witches and wizards. It happened to your mother and father when the 'fell in love'. It's a gift, something that only happens to witches and wizards who posses great talents. You both share a bond and true love. You have came upon ancient magic. When you can use magic again, you may notice you are more powerful. The mind connection is just the beginning of great things you will both share. I've never heard of this happening so early in one's life, but who am I to say fate doesn't know what it is doing? I think, though, it would be best to keep this to ourselves for the time being seeming as maybe someway we can use this against Voldemort."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other, both with their mouths hanging open slightly. Dumbledore looked at the both of them staring at him as if he had lost his mind. Come to think of it, it reminded him of a slightly older version of Harry and Hermione.
He decided to break the silence, "I realize that this is a lot to take in right now and you've had a long day. Maybe you should get some rest?"
"I think I'm going to go upstairs, and finish putting away my new gifts." Harry said standing up a few moments later finally regaining thought.
"I'll help you." They both hurried up the stairs trying to get away from Dumbledore, who was enjoying this way too much.
When the got upstairs, Ron was sitting there…reading?!? He looked up when he saw them both come in. He had an angry face. Harry and Ron had planned this to pick with Hermione. Hermione bit her lip in nervous anticipation of Ron's reaction. Harry saw this and decided to calm her nerves.
Concentrating on talking to Hermione, he said, 'Everything's cool now Hermione. We've come to an understanding.' Hermione smiled at this and looked at Harry. She walked forward and gave Ron a big hug. After Ron had gotten over the initial shock, he hugged her back. When they let go, Hermione had tears traveling down her face.
"Oh come on Hermione, don't go all mushy on us! We were just playing a minute ago. We thought it'd be funny to see your reaction, but we didn't want you to cry!" Ron said trying to break the silence and stop the tears. Hermione playfully slapped him on the arm.
"I'm just glad we are all friends again. It wasn't the same without you." Hermione said when she had stopped crying.
After looking and putting away all Harry's gifts, Hermione went to her room even though she didn't really want to face Ginny. Ginny may have said she was okay with it all, but it didn't make what she said any less painful. Hermione walked into her room and let out a sigh of relief that Ginny was already asleep. Meanwhile, Ron was finally going to sleep in his rightful room again. Harry and Ron were getting ready for bed. Harry turned off the lights and climbed into bed getting some well earned sleep.
"Goodnight Ron."
"Don't let pixies bite!"
Harry just rolled his eyes and in his head though, 'Goodnight 'Mione. I love you.' A few seconds later Harry heard, 'Love you too'. Harry smiled, everything was back to normal. What a relief? He felt like he had everything he needed. No, he may not have a mom, dad, or godfather right by his side; but he knew they were never far from his heart. He finally felt like his pieces were coming together.