Disclaimer
The characters and universe created by J.K.Rowling are hers alone. As imitation is the sincerest form of flattery I hope this story can be taken in that way. Some of the additional characters are mine and who knows some of them may even be real.
3. The Birthday Present.
On the morning of his sixteenth birthday Harry awoke with his mind almost wiped clear of all the doubts and fears he had been carrying around with him for so long. He was feeling very 'upbeat' as the muggles would have put it.
This feeling lasted all of ten minutes, for when he met Hermione in the sitting room she smiled, said "Good morning" and completely ignored the fact that it was his birthday.
He was now feeling distinctly 'put out' and when she merrily asked if he was coming down to breakfast he could only manage "Suppose" in reply.
The Great Hall was empty save for one table with four places set. Hermione ushered him into one of the places. He was just about to sit when with a pop Professors Dumbledore and Aegis appeared each holding either side of a brightly wrapped box.
"Portkey don't you know" said Dumbledore unnecessarily. "Also your present"
"Happy birthday Harry!" all three chorused.
Harry's good mood returned at once. "Thought you had all forgotten ...Silly really"
Harry opened Dumbledore's present. Inside the package was a shallow stone bowl standing on a small pedestal.
"Wow! a Pensieve. Thanks"
"I thought you might find it useful in times to come, keeping your thoughts in order can be very helpful, as well you know" said the Headmaster.
Harry remembered all too vividly his previous encounters with the thoughts of both Dumbledore and then Professor Snape in the Headmasters own Pensieve, none of the memories had been particularly happy. He glanced at Hermione though and thought he already had one memory he would like to relive again. After all, one's first real kiss was very important.
Professor Aegis reached forward and shook Harry's hand.
"Congratulations Harry, I am sorry, but I have nothing material to give you" said Aegis, "However, with your Headmaster's approval, I have arranged a little trip for you, Hermione and myself to my home. We will be able to go in a few weeks time".
"Thank you Professor, Hermione has told me that it's very rare for outsider to be allowed in, it's a great honour".
Hermione was so excited by the thought of visiting Avalon that she nearly forgot that it was her turn to give Harry his present. Dumbledore looked at her over his glasses and coughed quietly.
"Sorry, got carried away there for a moment". She said.
Hermione reached into her pocket and brought out a small wooden box, about the size you would keep a ring in. There was an intricately carved design on the lid, so fine that even with his glasses on Harry could not make it out. His mind began to imagine what could be hiding in the box.
They both knew that their relationship with each other had changed and so far nothing that could be considered inappropriate had been said or done in case it had spoilt the harmony that was evident between them. They wanted to take everything nice and slowly.
He didn't want to be embarrassed or cause Hermione any embarrassment by his reaction to what might be inside.
"Should I open it?" 'Stupid question' he thought.
Hermione nodded. Preparing himself for the worst or best Harry prised open the lid. The box seemed to be empty, but no, lying on the bottom was something that looked as if it was made of gossamer, it was so thin. It was red in colour but its thinness made it look as if it were blushing, and it was in the shape of a heart. He tipped the box so the others could see.
"Be very careful with that Harry" said Dumbledore, "I have only ever seen one other like it. It is very precious."
"What do I do with it Hermione?"
Hermione looked deep into Harry's eyes, those brilliant green eyes. She had taken it on herself to do this. She wanted him to know, that whatever else may happen, they had each other.
"If you are prepared to accept it, you take it out and place it in the palm of your left hand."
"But what is it …Hermione?" He glanced back at the contents of the box. He almost laughed; it looked rather like a piece of Valentines Day confetti.
Harry's thoughts were brought up short when she replied quietly.
"My heart and soul."
Harry looked up in wonder, deep into Hermione's dark brown eyes.
The silence in the Great Hall was palpable, the two professors watched the pair, they hardly dared to breathe.
In Harry's mind he could hear whispers, whispers of encouragement, of anticipation, of great longing. The whispers he realised were coming from the school; the very fabric of Hogwarts was talking to him.
'You must have the courage to do what you think is right Harry'.
'Trust to your own heart Harry'.
'You have the intelligence to make the right decision Harry'.
Harry's mouth had become very dry, he tried to swallow. He could not imagine what he had done to deserve a gift such as this. He looked at Hermione, her face shining with anticipation, he looked into those warm brown eyes, it was like being hit with a levitating charm, and he made his decision. Very carefully he placed his left hand over the open lid of the box and turning both upside-down he tipped the contents into his outstretched palm.
Hermione smiled, took her wand and touched the tip to Harry's palm.
"Credo pectus oris"
There was a brilliant flash of blue white light and the Great Hall rang as if it was a giant bell.
The gossamer heart was gone but in the centre of Harry's palm was the faint outline of Hermione's gift, marked on his skin forever.
Harry stared at his hand and sank down into his seat as he looked up at Hermione. His emotions finally got the better of him and a single tear rolled down his cheek.
The professors had gone; they had melted away without Harry noticing. He and Hermione were alone; she reached out her hand and took his left in her right. He stood to face her, and gazed at her. He wondered, as he had before, how or why it had taken him so long to fully understand what she meant to him.
Harry did what Hufflepuff had suggested and trusted to his heart. He leaned forward and kissed her very gently on the lips.
As he did so he felt a burning sensation in his left hand, it caused them to part, and unclasp their hands. They both stared down into their respective palms. Harry's was as before the faint shape still visible, Hermione gasped for in the centre of her right hand was the same shape indelibly marked.
"Looks as if the feeling is mutual Hermione."
At those words she beamed at him, threw her arms about his neck and drew him into a tight embrace. The Great Hall rang for the second time that morning.
The rest of his actual birthday had whipped by in a flurry of partly remembered memories.
Ron, Hagrid and Mr & Mrs Weasley had sent him presents; there was a small pile of them on the sitting room table when they returned to their rooms later that day.
There were also two tightly rolled and sealed pieces of parchment, his and Hermione's OWL results.
Hermione had done what had been expected and received the full ten, all O's. She had insisted on immediately sending Hedwig to her parents with the news, and the owl, as always when she asked, was only too happy to oblige.
Harry had surprised himself with eight; his History of Magic was not good. As he had found concentrating on the exam difficult, to say the least, he was not surprised; at least it was a pass. The less said about the Divination result the better, he felt sure he should have seen that one coming.
Other than that things were looking up. He had what he needed to continue with his stated decision to become an Auror, but was that what he really wanted?
At the back of his mind Harry did wonder what good OWL's or NEWT's, for that matter, would be in helping to face Voldemort.
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Several days had passed since his birthday. Despite his joy in understanding that an undeniable seal had been placed on their relationship Harry was still a little worried that Hermione had given him more than she ought, but he had not summoned the courage to talk to her about it.
It was week into August before the opportunity arose for a good long talk with Hermione without the fear of interruption. They were sitting by the lake under the shade of a tree. It was a bright warm summer's day, the situation was perfect.
"Hermione, I would like to talk to you about my birthday present" mumbled Harry.
She became a little defensive "Didn't you like it, I thought you were happy." She gave a little pout "Don't you love me any more?"
"Of course I did, of course I am, and that's the last time you say that, never doubt it" he replied answering all her questions in one go. "It's the most wonderful thing I have ever, or could ever, receive. I suppose it's just that it's such a serious commitment for you to make. I know that you will be of age, for a wizard, in September but could it not cause some problems, like with your parents…err Oh Merlin! I'm not doing this very well…might they not get the wrong idea?"
"And what might that wrong idea be?"
"Oh hell! Hermione, you know…… things".
Hermione couldn't keep a straight face and burst out laughing at Harry's discomfort. "Is that what is really bothering you?"
"Yes, and the danger you are putting yourself in by being this close to me".
Hermione took a deep breath, thought for a moment, then said "OK, let's be methodical and take every question a step at a time. First off you're worried what my parents might think, well I wasn't going to tell them just yet, but I know them, they trust me and I trust you. If anyone else causes problems with us being handfasted, we will deal with that together. In fact we will tell my parents together as well, when the time is right."
Harry felt a smidgen of concern at the thought of confronting Hermione's mother and father.
"As for me being in danger, just being your friend is dangerous, as well you know, also it is my choice to put myself by your side. You may be the only one who can defeat Voldemort but I bet he won't be on his own and that is why I shall be there, and a few others from the DA as well I'm sure."
Harry's brows knitted in concentration "But that just gives me more to worry about, what if you're hurt, what if any of the others is hurt …what if I lose?"
"No! Harry. Don't think like that, not ever, this is war. This is what Dumbledore and Aegis have been trying to get you to understand. You didn't start this war, it's your job to stop it and you have to believe that you can do it ……because I know you can".
Harry stared at Hermione she sounded so sure, so passionate were her feelings about all this that she was close to tears, and he hated to see her cry.
He felt a little ashamed. "You really believe in me don't you?" She said nothing but nodded. "Well I guess I'll have to believe in me too, but you will have to remind me from time to time, if you can think of a subtle way."
Hermione laughed away her tears and threw her arms around Harry's neck and kissed him. "That will do nicely" he said when they came up for air.