Unofficial Portkey Archive

"Gravitation can not be held responsible for people falling in love."
-Albert Einstein

Chapter Three: Torn Asunder

August 7th, 12:15 P.M.

Hermione has curves, really nice, soft curves that I just want to reach out and - Oh Gods, help me! No! Stop staring at her! That's right -raise your eyes past the curves of her hips - No! Not her breasts! When did she get those?! Damnit!

Harry clamped his right hand over his face and groaned. He had been back at Number 12 Grimmuald Place for less than 3 hours and he had spent nearly all of that time finding ways to stare at Hermione when she wasn't noticing. Of course at the moment she was sitting right next to him on his bed along with Ron and Ginny, who were all involved in an animated conversation of some sort, which made staring at her all the more difficult yet all the more tempting.

He peaked around his fingers at Ron who was staring at him looking worried, I can't shake that feeling I got from him when we shook hands in the kitchen…it was something - dark.

"Are you alright Harry?" Hermione's voice sounded sincerely concerned and when he pulled his hand away he noticed that all three of his friends were staring at him with worried expressions on their faces. Then she put her small delicate hand on his arm and he immediately felt a burst of dormant energy crackle silently throughout his body.

He turned his head to look at her face and when he saw her dilated pupils and flushed face he knew that she had felt it too.

Oh bloody hell!

Harry bolted out of the bed and across the room not stopping until he was in his bathroom with the door shutting violently behind him, he could hear Hedwig rattle her cage in surprise.

"Harry! Are you okay mate?" It was Ron and he was right outside the door.

Get a grip Harry! You have to control this! She's Ron's girlfriend and your best friend - you can't just go around staring at her and getting a hard-on every time she touches you!

"I'm not feeling too good at the moment Ron." Harry's voice reached a rather unfamiliar pitch and he covered his mouth in surprise.

Did that come out of me!? Harry asked himself.

"Harry? Please let us in." Her voice- Harry trembled, that odd sensation ran through him again and he had to balance himself on the sink to keep himself from falling face first into the toilet. A low groan followed by a light thud against the bathroom door startled him.

"Hermione, are you alright!?" Ron again, but this time his voice had a bit more worry in it.

"Umm...yes, that was odd. I guess - well, I'm ok now I think." Hermione's voice sounded distant and rather unsure and it worried him.

"Are you alright Hermione?" Harry's voice was back to normal thankfully.

"I will be once you get out here Harry" She responded softly, and he could tell that she was leaning rather close to the door because it muffled her voice more than before.

"I'll be out in a moment, Hermione." He tried to sound confident and unaffected by her and he hoped that it worked.

"You promise?" Apparently it didn't and he nearly folded over himself at the worry and tenderness that laced her words.

"I promise Hermione." He squeaked out.

Puberty sucks...

He listened as she stepped away from the door, Ron had asked Hermione how she was feeling and she had mumbled her responses - he waited until he was sure they are on the other side of the bedroom before he sank to the floor, bringing his knees up to his chest and resting his forehead on them.

This is freaking insane - I have to take control of myself. There can be no more of, well - whatever that was. Still - how did I do that? What the bloody hell was it? And why did it feel so damn good?

Harry sighed one more time and hauled himself to his feet, pushing all the emotions to the back of his mind.

I can do this. I've already got more things to worry about than any adult wizard, I don't need one more, especially if it's lusting or loving after Hermione.

Harry paused at this thought, his hand on the doorknob. Love? Well I do love her, but - do I even know what love is? Real love that is. He was sweating and he noticed that his hand was trembling slightly. Odd - it's not that warm in here...then it hit him like the proverbial ton of bricks.

Oh no way! Stop it! You fancy Cho, yeah - that's right. Hah, take that hormone's.

With a surge of confidence that he really didn't feel and with a trembling hand, Harry opened the bathroom door and re-entered his bedroom, and immediately noticed that everyone was gone - except her. Sitting at his desk, wearing a tight fitting pink tank-top and even tighter hip-hugging white jeans, this wasn't going to be pleasant.

Oh damn.

From her place at the desk Hermione watched him enter the bedroom, wondering what his reaction would be when he found that she was the only other person left in the room as Ron and Ginny had gone down for lunch and to her surprise it didn't take as long as she thought it would to get her answer. Harry looked around his room once before his eyes settled on her.

She fought back a smile as Harry's face went from totally blank to confused and then to looking absolutely terrified before finally his cheeks went red and he hung is head to hide his obvious embarrassment from her.

Gods - I could have some fun with this. At least I know now that it's not a one way thing, he's just a nervous around me as I am around him. I just need to know if it's for the same reasons though.

Hermione smiled at warmly and motioned for him to sit on the bed across from her, "Come on Harry, we should talk."

Harry fisted his hands together and shook his head, "Shouldn't we head on down for lunch, Hermione?"

She kept her smile in place and nodded, "In a minute we will - I promise. First I need to talk to you about what that was."

Harry's face drained of all color and stuttered a few times before finally, "What was what?"

Hermione fought back the blush that was threatening to overtake her and raised an eyebrow suggestively at him, "You know what I'm talking about Harry, when I touched you before you shot off like a Firebolt into the loo."

Harry dropped to the bed with a groan, grabbed a pillow and tried to subtly place it over his lap, "Oh...that, well - I'm not entirely sure what that was to be honest with you."

Hermione leaned forward and placed her hand on Harry's knee, which resulted in him closing his eyes tightly and tightening his hands around the pillow while Hermione's eyes fluttered closed and she let out a gasp as her body trembled as a wonderful burning sensation that started in her loins fanned out like a wild fire and rolled over body like a tidal wave.

Oh Gods! That was - Bloody hell, is that what I think it was?!

She pulled back after a moment and shook her head, "I-I don't know for sure what this is, b-but I can tell you what it feels like."

Okay - now how do I say this to him without freaking him out?

Harry opened his eyes - she was smirking at him, "Why are you smiling at me like that?"

Hermione bit at her lip a moment before answering, "Harry - I felt that, whatever it was I felt it, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I have felt it before - well, in a way I have..."

Just kill me now!

She trailed off, her face was burning and she had begun to sweat in places that she didn't know she could sweat in and Hermione could tell by the expression on Harry's face that he had realized what she was referring to because his face and neck had flushed to the deepest shade of red that she had ever seen on a person before.

Harry leaned forward his mouth opening and closing a few times before he closed his eyes and shook his head. He leaned back again and with a strained voice asked her, "Did - was that...er...I mean - are you talking about what I think you're talking about?"

I knew he was smarter than he let on...

Hermione nodded slightly and whispered, "You gave me an orgasm Harry - and I have no idea how."

It's not wrong that I want him to do it again is it?

Harry jumped off the bed which startled Hermione and began pacing around the room, "That's impossible! There is no way - you felt it wrong Hermione."

Felt it wrong? What?

He stopped and looked at her, "I don't understand it, but I know that isn't what I did; besides...how would you know if that is...er...exactly what I gave you?"

Oh crap!

Hermione blanched, "I'm umm…I have read books about the subject, I practiced some of the - well, the self…umm…I just know, ok Harry?"

Harry's eyebrows arched into his hair line and for a moment she thought that his emerald eyes were twinkling behind his rimmed glasses, "You've read books?"

What? Like I was really going to tell him that a few nights a week I play with myself with an image of him parading around in tight fitting Gryffindor red boxers in my head? I don't think so!

Hermione lowered her head and fisted the hem of her t-shirt, pulling it flush against her chest. She snapped her head up at the sound of Harry's groan, "What? What's wrong?"

Harry had placed both his hands over his face, "You! You just did that thing - with your shirt, and it brought attention, to-to...umm them!"

He finished the statement off by gesturing at her breasts wildly.

Hermione looked down and noticed that her breasts were pushing out against the t-shirt that she was practically pulling off herself. Immediately she released her hold on the shirt and looked back up at Harry, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to -"

Damn! I might as well just ask him to grab hold of them...what the hell was I thinking!?

Harry shook his head, "No...It's alright - I guess I should get used to you having those shouldn't I?"

Hermione smiled at him warmly, "Yeah, you might want to do that Harry. It's ok though, I completely understand."

Harry grinned, "You understand do you?"

Oh I do...

Hermione let her gaze wonder down his lean body stopping at the apex of his upper thighs and the impressive bulge that rested there.

Wow - I wonder if he's really that - Ugh! There goes another coherent thought.

She raised her eyes back to his face and off his flushed expression began giggling.

"I'm sorry Harry - I'm just teasing you." She said between fits of laughter.

Harry crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a stern look, "I don't think I have ever seen this side of you before Hermione. What gives?"

Her laughter stopped and a thoughtful expression came over her face, "No. I don't think you or I have ever seen this side of me before now."

Can you figure it out Harry? Or do I have to say it - because I highly doubt we are ready for that yet...

Hermione watched as he slowly understood the silent implication of her words. Her heart began to flutter as she watched Harry try to fight the smile but failed as his heart melting grin finally won and broke out across his face. He opened his mouth to say something that Hermione knew would change their lives forever, when suddenly his eyes glanced behind her and the warm grin quickly drooped into a troubled frown.

That can't be good.

"Oh...umm...hey Ron, were just...uh...talking for a minute before heading down for lunch." Harry stammered.

Hermione felt her gut twist painfully and she slowly turned her head to see Ron standing in the doorway with his arms crossed and wearing a blank expression. She smiled feebly at him, "Hey - umm...we we're just heading down."

Ron looked between the two of them, his eyes narrowed for a moment and Hermione thought she saw a muscle in his jaw twitch, "Mum is keeping your lunch warm for now…"

Harry nodded quickly pushing his glasses back up on his nose, "Right - I'll just go and eat, I'm starving...eat a horse I could!"

Harry gave Hermione a little smile which she returned and walked out the door.

"What was that Hermione?" Ron asked quietly.

Hermione raised her eyebrow at him curiously, "What was what Ron?"

Ignore it and it will go away...that works right?

Ron sighed, "The flirting thing you have going on with Harry. I mean don't get me wrong - I don't mind you flirting per se, but…" He paused and seemed to be going over the words in his head. "It's just you don't flirt like that with me and I'm sort of your boyfriend."

He did not just say that.

Hermione rose to her feet quickly, her face red and her eyes clouded in anger, "Oh honestly Ron! We went on one tiny date - which you had to talk me into going with you on, and then on said date you were either not listening to what I was saying about the subjects that I cared about or you were off staring at a naked bloody statue whilst trying not to drool all over the floor!"

Ron's face went crimson and he tightened his hands into fists, "Oi! You selfish little brat! I had to endure two hours of you ramble on about `subjects' that I listen to you talk about all year at school! Excuse me if I wanted to talk about something else, something that didn't have to do with school or Death Eaters or Harry-Bloody-Potter!"

He took a menacing step towards her, "I have feelings for you Hermione - I don't know why, but I do!"

Hermione shook her head sadly and her voice cracked with emotion, "I'm sorry Ron. I love you dearly I do - when we aren't at each others throats - but I don't have those feelings for you. I just…I just don't, I'm sorry if that hurts you, and I know it must - and it hurts me to hurt you, but I don't feel the same way you do."

She observed wearily as Ron's expression switched from confusion to one of anger, "It's Harry isn't it? It's always Harry!"

Hermione closed her eyes and sighed, Yes - but I think if he knew now it would tear us all apart.

"I'll take your silence as a yes!" Ron gritted his teeth and stomped away while throwing over his shoulder bitterly, "Don't bother inviting me to the bloody wedding - I only attend those for people that are my friends!"

Hermione stormed after him, "Damnit Ron! I didn't mean to hurt you! Please - just come back so we can talk civilly about this!"

She raced down the stairs after him, dreading that his course would take them right into the kitchen - which it did. Hermione tried to catch up with him but his legs were much longer than hers and when she saw Ron stalk into the kitchen and pause for a second, his head turning quickly to the left and then he was off again.

"You bastard!" Ron's angry bellow gave her the speed she prayed was needed as she raced into the kitchen just as Ron stopped in front of a confused Harry and swung at his face -which connected solidly with Harry's jaw knocking the other young man back a step.

"Ron! No!" Hermione thought the scream came from her, when in fact it came from her and the two other witnesses who were standing in the kitchen - Molly and Ginny, whom were both looking terrified by Ron's actions.

"You just couldn't stand it could you!?" Ron roared as he swung at Harry again, who hadn't had a chance to recover from the first blow, and Hermione screamed again as the next punch, which caught Harry in the mouth, splattered some of his blood on the wall behind them.

Harry stumbled holding his hand to his lip, but again didn't go down and choked out, "What the hell is wrong with you Ron!?"

Hermione and the other two women dashed forward to separate the two boys when they ran straight into an invisible barrier, which knocked them back a few steps.

What the hell? Who put this up?

Hermione looked at her two best friends again and gasped when she caught sight of Harry's emerald eyes, glowing lightly in the poorly lit kitchen. Molly and Ginny each went for their wands as Hermione stared petrified at the scene before her.

Professor Snape's annoying voice rushed through her mind - "These displays of wild magic are getting out of control."

Ron stepped back involuntarily, or stumbled back from the expression on his face, Hermione assumed it was the latter.

He must see it too. How are you doing this Harry? You don't have your wand...

Harry took a step towards Ron - his arms were spread out to his sides and his palms open, "Ron - calm down. What is this about?"

Whatever Ron saw in Harry's eyes, it didn't distract him from his anger, "She was mine! Not yours! You just had to flash the scar and that bloody Boy-Who-Lived smile and you had her eating out of your hands!"

Hermione slapped her hand on the invisible wall in frustration, "Ron! Stop this please! Let's just talk ok? Don't hurt him!"

Ron shook his head, "Don't hurt him!? So going to happen, No - you want her Harry? You have to fight me for her!"

"Ronald Weasley! You get over here this instant!" Molly Weasley screeched indignantly while Ginny stood just behind her mother sobbing.

Ron ignored her and the other screams from Hermione and Ginny as he lunged at Harry who quickly sidestepped him and allowed Ron to fly past and tumble head first into the brick wall behind him. Hermione cringed as Ron's head made a dull thud noise on impact and he dropped to the tiled floor like a stone, unconscious.

Harry squatted next to him and rolled him over onto his back, he quickly checked for a pulse and let a sigh of relief when Hermione figured that he had found one. Harry looked to the three women, his expression one of horror and shock.

"Someone want to tell me what that was all about?" He asked as he started to stand up and then stopped as he noticed that the girls were slapping their hands on some sort of barrier that had separated them from himself and Ron.

Hermione gave him a frustrated look, "Did you erect this Harry?"

He frowned at her, "Do you see a wand in my hand?"

They both paused at the double meaning behind their words - Harry shook his head and sighed and stepped over to the table to pick up his wand.

Hermione smiled a little, "Just get rid of it Harry, please?"

Harry nodded and waved his wand at the area in front of him and muttered, "Finite Incantantum."

Hermione reached out and felt nothing in front of her, and with a sigh of relief she ran forward past Harry and kneeled down by Ron. Molly reached her side a second later, her wand in hand checking her son over while Ginny stayed back her eyes still filled with tears and clutching at the hem of her pink skirt.

On the edge of Hermione's peripheral vision she saw Harry frowning at her with an unusual look in his eyes, while she tended to Ron. Hermione turned a little to see Harry back away until he hit the edge of the table.

After a few moments Molly looked up at Harry with a frown, "Harry - I'm not going to pretend that this is your fault, but do you have any idea why this happened?"

Hermione winced and answered before Harry could open his mouth, "Ron and I got into an argument - over Harry."

Harry pierced her with a look that made her stomach twist painfully, "Over me? What the hell did I do? And what was he yelling about - talking like a madman is what he was doing!"

Molly gasped, "Harry! Please - let's not raise our voices." She turned to face Hermione, "Why were you two fighting over Harry, dear?"

Okay…here we go; this should just go over real well with his mother.

Harry sighed again, "Let me guess - he got mad because we were talking and he mistook it for flirting or whatever."

We were flirting Harry...

Hermione nodded sadly, "Then he - well he told me that I was his girlfriend, I mean we only had one date - and it wasn't really a good one at that - but who is he to tell me that I'm his girlfriend?"

Hermione felt her stomach twist again as she watched Harry gently touch the cut on his lip which was bleeding rather badly. She stood up and walked to him and as she raised her hand to his face he took a step back with a frown on his face, she stopped and gave him a hurt look.

"What's…?" She stared to say but stopped at the look of frustration on his face. He leaned forward a little, his face now only a couple inches from hers - close enough that she could smell his unique scent and the mint smell still leftover from his toothpaste and it was intoxicating enough to make her mind spin enough that she didn't notice that she had started to raise her hand to place on his chest before his voice broke through the temporary confusion that his closeness had caused her and she dropped her hand in a flash.

"I'm sorry." He whispered so only she could hear, "But I think us touching here with - well you know, it's not a good idea. I'll be fine, I swear."

Right, not a good time or place to experience another one of those - but he's hurt! I just want to help him!

Harry smiled at her as if reading her mind, "I'll be ok Hermione - just help Mrs. Weasley with Ron, he needs it more than I do."

Hermione still didn't looked convinced, "But…"

Ginny stepped up beside Harry, "Come on Harry, let's go get you cleaned up. I…umm, need to speak with you anyway."

Harry looked between the two girls for a moment before slowly walking out of the kitchen - suddenly he turned around and quickly walked back to the table and picked up his plate of food, gave the girls another weak smile and silently left the kitchen.

Ginny faced Hermione with a knowing look, "I'll talk to him - and let you know what's going on, I need to ask him a favor anyway." She squeezed Hermione's arm gently, "It'll be alright - you'll see Hermione."

Hermione's eyes followed Ginny out of the kitchen, then turned and sat in a chair her eyes finally falling on Ron's unconscious form and his mother waving her wand slowly over him. What the hell happened here? She thought to herself. Ron's never acted like this before - ever. Hermione frowned, propped her elbow on the table and laid her chin on her hand.

This is not happening - Ron just attacked Harry and Harry somehow kept the three of us from interfering by conjuring an invisible barrier - without the aid of his wand!

Ron's groan brought her attention back to him, "Is he going to be ok, Mrs. Weasley?"

Molly Weasley frowned for a moment as she swept her wand over a slowly waking Ron. Seemingly satisfied with the results she bent down to Ron's face and Hermione gasped when she slapped him rather forcefully across one of his freckled cheeks. He groaned again but this time opened his eyes and immediately his hand flew to his forehead which was now rather red and swollen.

She turned to Hermione and spoke quietly, "Ron's going to be fine Hermione - nothing that a week de-Gnoming the garden back home won't fix!"

Hermione looked back at Ron who was now looking at her, his lip curling upwards in barely controlled anger. Molly looked between them for a moment before pushing herself up and shaking her head, "Ronald - I am seriously disappointed in you! When you calm down I seriously suggest you go apologize to Harry, he is your best friend."

"Harry is no longer my friend - so I don't think I will be apologizing to him anytime soon." Ron snapped through gritted teeth.

Oh Ron...what has gotten into you?

Hermione sighed and gave him a disapproving `cluck' of her tongue before she finally stood up from her chair and walked rather quickly out of the kitchen.

Harry stood in his bathroom grimacing at his reflection in the mirror, his lip had just healed itself - thankfully after Ginny had already left, he wasn't sure if he was up to explaining to her why he could heal so fast without the aid of a wand. Of course, Harry himself doesn't understand why or how he is able to do it either. He gingerly touched the darkened area on his left cheek that hadn't yet begun to heal and winced as a sharp jolt of pain shot through him.

What the fuck is his problem? He has never acted like that before - I don't care what he thought he saw between Hermione and I, it didn't deserve that sort of reaction. Harry wrinkled his brow, Okay maybe I might have acted the same way - but I would have at least let him talk before caving his face in.

Harry ran his hands through the water for a moment, turned it off and grabbed the towel over the sink and dried his hands. He turned and walked back into his bedroom his mind going back once again to the incident with Ron in the kitchen. Harry shivered as he remembered the emotions he felt coming off Ron in waves - anger, betrayal, jealousy. All usual emotions, but what had caught Harry by surprise wasn't that he actually felt Ron's emotions but that he felt an underlying factor that was urging those emotions to the surface - a factor that really had little to do with Hermione and himself. To Harry, it felt dark - or rather twisted and not exactly evil, but dark nonetheless.

I should ask him about it, if we ever speak to each other again that is...

Harry stopped in his tracks as he caught sight of Hermione standing in the doorway, her bottom lip trembling and wringing her hands.

Uh oh

"Hey." He muttered.

"Hey." She replied quietly.

Yes this is going well...

She looked at him oddly for a moment before taking a deep breath and then she was off, "Are you ok? I didn't mean for any of this to happen, I didn't know Ron would react that way - and he hit you Harry! What the hell! He had no reason to do that, I'm not his property, I'm not even his girlfriend for Merlin's sake!"

Well obviously Ron didn't get the memo...

Hermione stepped forward into the room and ran a hand through her shortened hair, pulling her bangs away from her face, allowing Harry to gaze at her angelic face for just a minute before she stopped in front of him and began talking again.

"I'm so sorry, Harry. The things he said - I don't know what got into him, but I know it scared me, and I don't like being scared of Ron. I mean I know I don't feel for him like he feels for me, but he is still one of my best friends and I love him dearly, but to actually be afraid of him…it just doesn't make any sense."

"I forgot how much I missed your tangents Hermione" Harry blurted out.

Oopps…

Hermione tilted her head and raised an eyebrow at him, "Right. I honestly don't see you missing me go off like this."

Harry shook his head and smiled, "No - I do, oddly enough I find it very comforting."

Hermione blushed and tried to hide the smile that threatened to overtake her by biting down on her lip.

Harry leaned down and whispered, "Come on - you know you want to smile at that. It was truly sincere and to be honest, I could do with one of your smiles right now."

Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she hugged him tightly, "Thank you Harry - I don't know what I…just thank you."

Harry was thanking all the Gods in the heavens that whatever was going on physically between he and Hermione didn't show its face at that moment, because it would have robbed him of a hug that warmed him through to his soul - causing his stomach to flip strangely and his heart to flutter for some odd reason. He hugged her back tightly, enjoying the feel of her body against his, her soft curves blending perfectly with his firmer body.

"It's ok Hermione." He whispered into her hair, "About before…"

Hermione pulled away slightly, leaving one of her arms around his waist and the other resting gently on his broad chest, absently tracing along the firm ridges of his pectoral muscles. She looked up into his face and gasped.

"Harry! Your face - it's healing, like right now! Here in front of me. How?" She gasped again as she touched his jaw that was now completely healed.

Bloody hell! Why now?

Harry tried to pull away to hide his embarrassment but Hermione held him tightly against her, "Harry - did you know that you could do this?"

He nodded and mumbled, "It started happening earlier this summer."

With a look of amazement on her face, she ran her hand down his cheek, "You haven't told anyone about this yet?"

Harry didn't notice that his hands had somehow lowered to her hips and he was lightly tugging on her belt loops when he answered, "No, and before you ask - Yes I was going to tell you but only after I had talked to Dumbledore about it."

Hermione smiled wickedly and poked him in the ribs gently, "Of course, I completely understand, don't bother telling your best friend that you can heal yourself without a wand... yes it makes sense."

Harry snorted and hugged her again, wrapping his arms around her waist and she rested her head on his chest and Harry could have sworn that he heard Hermione sniffing him.

Hermione shifted slightly in his arms bringing her lower abdomen in contact with his suddenly rock hard penis, he groaned and out of some inborn instinct she burrowed even closer against him and his erection stiffened even more.

Oh hell - What is she doing to me?

"Harry…" She moaned his name against his chest. "I think - I think we should…"

Harry gritted his teeth and moaned, "Gods Hermione - what are you doing to me?"

She wiggled her hips and his penis suddenly came into contact with her pubic bone - she grabbed a fistful of Harry's shirt and gasped, "Damnit…this feels really good...but Harry - we should...we should really stop."

Harry nodded, placed his hands on her shoulders and reluctantly stepped away, she moaned at his departure but didn't try to reclaim her position, although Harry could tell by the look on her face; her cheeks were a beautiful shade of pink and her pupils were dilated, that she wanted very much to continue what they were doing and that made him to kiss her so badly that he suddenly found himself leaning his head closer to hers and to his joy she was doing the same, and everything would have gone perfectly if not for -

"Filthy, Dirty Blood Traitors!! Get Out Of My House!! Damn Fools!!" The screeching voice of Mrs. Black's painting halted their progress and ruined what Harry thought was a perfect moment.

I'm going to toss that old hag out the window.

Hermione shook her head, licked her lips and smiled at him, "We should probably talk about this later - after the reading of the will tonight."

Harry opened his mouth - found that he couldn't string together a sentence and just settled for nodding at her while Hermione looked down at the impressive bulge straining against his jeans and shivered, "Yeah - after the reading we can…talk."

Damn bloody git! Speak! It's not difficult, just open your mouth and talk!

Harry nodded again and she giggled, "Well, I better go - I need to take a shower and umm…get some things done before tonight."

Say something you wanker!

Hermione smiled at him warmly almost as if she were inviting him to join her, "I'll see you later Harry."

She took a few tentative steps backwards, not taking her eyes off of him before suddenly turning and dashing out of the room.

Harry smiled to himself, "Hermione and I just - we just…what did we just do?"

We were grinding against each other, Harry thought to himself with a stupid grin. He liked the sound of that, Hermione grinding against him, her moaning and wiggling her hips, her breasts crushed against his chest trying to get closer to feel more of him - Ron punching him in the jaw, screaming that Hermione was his, dropping to the floor unconscious after slamming head first into the wall.

Oh shit - good timing that was…

Harry sighed, "Bloody hell - thanks a lot Ron, now I feel guilty."

August 7th, 8:30 P.M.

Hermione adjusted her pink silk top so that it covered her stomach and flattened out her black skirt to get rid of the creases that had developed after she fell asleep for a couple hours on her bed; she ran her hands through her hair making sure that nothing was out of place - took a deep breath and stepped into the hallway leading to the Drawing Room.

She stopped just outside the room and looked inside - immediately noticing Harry who stood towards the center of the room and smiled to herself as she watched the young wizard who was speaking quietly with Professor Dumbledore. She thought he was probably talking about the occurrences that went on early in the day with Ron and his quick healing without a wand. She smiled at Harry's choice of clothing for the evening. He was wearing a long-sleeved black button down shirt and a rather fetching pair of black khaki pants with black dress shoes, and to her he looked absolutely delicious. His hair was feathered back and Hermione found it very attractive and rather grown-up looking, although she preferred the usual style he kept it in - messy and untamable - but she would take what she could get.

She looked around the rest of the room which was filled with people talking pleasantly with one another; Severus Snape stood off to one side of the room listening to something that Narcissa Malfoy was saying. Hermione pondered her presence for a moment before remembering that she was Sirius Black's cousin. She was thankful that Draco Malfoy wasn't here for the reading - she wasn't sure she would have been able to handle the testosterone explosion that would have occurred between Harry, Ron and Draco.

Speaking of Ron, he was standing the corner on the far side of the room with the twins, Fred and George and they looked to be talking very animatedly about something. He actually looked happy, and for a fleeting moment Hermione considered walking over and speaking with him, but the images of Ron hitting and screaming at Harry flashed through her mind and once again her anger resurfaced. She growled to herself and walked into the room quickly somehow finding herself at Harry's side, Dumbledore smiled at her warmly, his eyes twinkling.

"Good evening Miss Granger." He said bowing his head slightly. "You are looking rather lovely tonight."

She blushed and lowered her head, "Thank you Headmaster."

Harry glanced at her and smiled, "Yes, she is looking rather beautiful tonight, isn't she?"

Hermione gave him a beaming smile and touched his arm, "Thank you - looking quite handsome yourself Harry."

Harry's cheeks flushed pink for a moment and smiled, "Yeah - Remus said that this would be more appropriate for tonight then my dress robes. Although I'm thinking about asking Mrs. Weasley to cut my hair..."

Hermione winked, "Yes - don't get me wrong I love your hair, but it's just too long, I can barely see your face."

Harry snorted, "Yeah - like seeing my face is a good thing."

Hermione nodded and tightened her hold on his arm, "Absolutely!" She glanced at Dumbledore before adding, "Did you speak with the Professor yet Harry?"

Dumbledore answered for him, "Yes he did Miss Granger, and I must say that it is rather remarkable - and I was quite hoping that you and Harry would like to do some research on the subject."

Harry smiled knowingly, "I don't think she'll have a problem with that Headmaster."

Hermione nodded her head vigorously, "I would love to! We can get started tomorrow morning if that is ok?"

"That would be fine Hermione." Harry said and Dumbledore nodded in agreement.

Dumbledore turned his head towards the door and smiled, "Ah - Mr. Tasker is here, he is the representative for Sirius' estate and will be reading the will. Come let us take our seats."

Harry took her arm and led her to a seat next to his; Remus Lupin smiled at them as they passed by. She returned his smile then looked off to her left to find Ron staring at them, his eyes narrowed and his clenching his fists that were resting in his lap. She ignored him and allowed Harry to sit her before he sat down in his own seat next to her.

She looked around at the rather large group of people who were sitting at the full-sized round table in the center of the room. Clockwise from her left sat Remus Lupin, Arthur and Molly Weasley, followed by Ginny, Fred and George and then Ron. On Ron's left and by the look of utter contempt on his face, was Severus Snape; followed by Mrs. Malfoy then to her surprise Nymphadora Tonks, That's right - she's also another of Sirius' cousins, Hermione thought to herself. Tonks smiled at her cheekily and looked from her to Harry then winked, Hermione stifled a giggle. Next to Tonks was Albus Dumbledore followed by Mr. Tasker and then finally Harry and herself.

Mr. Tasker was a short man, with balding white hair and blue eyes that sat behind a large pair of bifocals; he was standing at what would be the head of the table with Harry on his left. Placed in front of him was a file filled with paperwork and something Hermione had only seen once before in her life - a Pensive.

I wonder if Sirius recorded his will in a Pensive…Oh Gods. How will Harry react to that?

She glanced at Harry and found him staring at the Pensive with a frown on his face. The look of sadness on his face broke her heart, her hand sought out his under the table, and she gave him a reassuring squeeze and intertwined their fingers together.

When did his hands get so big?

He smiled at her gratefully and to her great surprise didn't remove his hand from hers; instead he pulled her hand onto his lap and held it there. She smiled and turned to face Mr. Tasker who had just cleared his throat and begun to speak.

"Thank you all for coming this evening - I will begin this evening by telling you all that the Black Family Estate is both very large and very well off." He paused to lean forward and press a switch on the Pensive, "However, I think Mr. Black himself will do a better job than myself of telling you all that."

Hermione wasn't the only one that gasped as a life-sized but transparent replica of Sirius Black appeared standing over the table, peering down at them. He looked just like she remembered, his hair long and black, his handsome face showing the strain of 13 years in Azkaban prison but still retaining the strength and willpower to carry on not only for himself, but for Harry as well.

He cleared his throat and smiled warmly, "Greetings - if you all are seeing this, then I reckon I am dead." He paused and Harry gripped her hand a little tighter, "Now - I can imagine this might come as a shock to most of you but I realized not long after I…or rather Albus decided that it would be best that I remain here at my family's mansion; that I needed to be responsible and get my affairs in order."

He reached into a pocket in his robes and pulled out a scroll which he unrolled, after a moment of reading it over he began speaking again in a much somber tone, "Before I begin - Harry, there is nothing in this world that I wouldn't give to be by your side during the times to come." Sirius paused again and wiped a transparent tear from his eye. "Unfortunately - fate bloody well sucks. I know you Harry, I can guess that you are blaming yourself for whatever killed me - but don't, more than likely I am the cause of my own death, and if by some chance that my death was the end result of saving yours…then I would die a thousand times over just to see you safe."

Hermione watched Harry fight back the tears as Sirius continued, "At least I am with James and Lily again - I truly believe that, and Remus old boy- I hope that I don't see you up here for long time."

Sirius seemed to regain his composure and looked once again at the scroll in his hands, "Now unto business - I daresay that the Black Estate is one of - if not the wealthiest estate in all of Britain, of course Mr. Tasker will be able to either confirm or deny that. Okay, here we go: To my cousins Andromeda and Nymphadora Tonks (Yes I know my dear Nymphadora that you despise that name but I figure I can get away with it now seeing as that I am dead) I leave them each two shares of the Black Family trust; now I am not entirely sure what a share is worth - again Mr. Tasker will help with that, but I am sure it's quite a lot."

He paused again and his eyes went wide, "Forgot I put her in here - oh well, she is family. Dear Narcissa, I leave you and your son Draco one share apiece - but there is a stipulation of sorts, if it comes to the knowledge of Mr. Tasker that Lucius in anyway gets his filthy-Death Eater hands on it, you will forfeit both your share and Draco's, I'm sorry but it is my money and these are my rules."

Remus grunted while Narcissa merely sneered at Sirius as he continued, "To my second cousins - Arthur and Molly Weasley, I leave their family 2 shares along with the vast amount of Herbology tools and books that I am sure that Molly will put to good use."

Molly smiled tenderly as she wiped away a tear with her handkerchief.

Sirius rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Also - to Fred and George Wesley, I leave to them the three crates of tricks, toys and gadgets left over from my Marauder days that I am positive they will find extremely useful. Make me proud boys!"

The twins gaped in awe at the image of Sirius.

"Wicked."

"Cool."

"To Ginny Weasley…" Sirius continued, "I leave her the Black Family enchanted record player - I know you enjoyed listening to it last summer Ginny and I do hope that you enjoy it for the rest of your life." Ginny beamed and nodded thankfully at Sirius.

"To Ron Weasley - I leave my autographed Quidditch Ball Set, signed by the Hall of Fame Keeper for the Chuddley Cannon's Derik Varstow - keep it safe Ron, it's very much priceless."

Ron nearly leaped out of his chair with excitement and Hermione noticed that even Harry couldn't help but smile at Ron's good fortune. Sirius paused for a moment again, and peered at the scroll before looking up and smiling, "To Hermione Granger - it came to my attention, don't worry Harry I won't tell her it was you, that you rather loved the Black Family library, of course I thought it was rather obvious - but you and I both know how dense Harry can be about some things don't we Hermione?"

Sirius winked at her. Oh Gods - I forgot that I had told him how I felt about Harry during Christmas break...

Hermione glanced at Harry who was blushing, "So - seeing as how it makes you happy, I leave all of it…to you." Hermione gasped, "There is to my knowledge over 250,000 volumes of works in that library, making it the largest personal collection of magical knowledge in all of Britain. Use it wisely my dear. Oh, and before I forget I also leave to the Granger family one share of the Black Family Trust for Hermione's continued education at Hogwarts and one share to Hermione herself to continue her education after Hogwarts or to just throw one hell of a graduation party."

Oh Gods! Oh my - Thank you Sirius...

Harry chuckled and Hermione pinched his thigh under the table which made him jerk a little in his chair. Tonks gave Hermione a strange look then winked at her again.

Sirius stopped speaking and began to pace around the table, "To Severus Snape - I offer my apologies for a childhood filled with torment and embarrassment, in the end I hope we both find peace Severus - I also leave to Severus the immense Black Family potions laboratory which resides in the basement - I think you will enjoy that Severus, despite our differences, you were the greatest potions master I have ever known."

Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione noticed that the Professor appeared to be touched by this statement as he was no longer sneering.

Sirius stopped in front of Remus and looked down at his old friend, "Remus - you and James were my dearest friends, and I thank you for straightening James and I out and not letting my petty jealousy over him getting the girl come between us."

What girl? Harry's father and Sirius fought over a girl?

Remus closed his eyes tightly and took in a deep breath, "To you my friend, I leave 2 shares of the Black Family Trust, permanent sanctuary here at Number 12 Grimmuald Place and a lifetime of wolfs bane that Severus has already agreed to brewing for you as long as it is required."

Sirius stood back up and walked towards Dumbledore, "To Albus Dumbledore, I leave one share of the Black Family Trust that is to be donated in my name and be used to purchase Defense Against the Dark Arts material, because Merlin knows the students are sorely lacking in that area - Oh and two shares more that will be donated to the House of Gryffindor and their Quidditch team for new brooms and equipment. I don't think there will be any problem kicking the crap out of the other houses - especially Slytherin, please be sure to bury them deep and on a regular basis."

Ron snorted out loud.

Sirius frowned and kneeled in front of Harry, "This is the hardest one - Harry, I have loved you like my own since the day you came into this world. I never went a day without seeing you and I regret not having noticed the way you shied away from Peter when you were a baby, because if I had you would not have grown up the way you did. I regret not having been there for you while you were growing up - I'm sorry that I wasn't able to keep my promise to your parents and watch over you...or see you get married and have children of your own one day and..."

Sirius broke off, obviously overcome with emotion. He took a breath and continued as Hermione felt a tear roll down her cheek - her heart breaking for the precious time that was stolen from Harry and his Godfather.

"To you Harry - I leave the remaining five shares of the Black Family Trust as well as the residence at Number 12 Grimmuald Place - also I leave to you what has been entrusted to me since before I went to Azkaban. To you Harry Potter I leave the ancestral home of James and Lily Potter and all the lands surrounding it, which incase you didn't know…is the entirety of Godric's Hollow."

Hermione saw Dumbledore tense and Remus Lupin clench his fists, "Harry - there is a history there, one that you must discover, because I believe that in the end it will help you realize who you are, I know you will use whatever…resources are available to you."

Why did they react that way? Hermione asked herself.

Sirius stood up and walked back to the center of the table, "Harry there is one last thing - I want you to live, I want you to find love. Don't let Dumbledore or Snape or anyone else dictate how you should live your life, listen to their counsel but then decide for yourself, and whatever you do Harry - don't ever let that damned prophecy decide your fate, it's your life, live and die on your own terms. Find joy and love and hold on to them Harry - they are the most precious things in this world, protect them. Keep your friends close Harry, always…"

Prophecy...what prophecy? I thought it was broken before it could be heard. She turned to look at Harry, whose face had gone white and the eyes the Hermione loved so much were now glancing around the table nervously.

What is going on?

Sirius bowed gracefully, "As our American friends say - That's all folks - and please tip your waiter."

And with a barely audible snap - Sirius Black left this world for the final time.

Silenced reigned for a few moments before Ron spoke up, "Are we rich?? How much did he leave us exactly?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Do you really think now is the time for this Ron?"

Ron glared at her, "I think it's a perfect time Hermione - Mr. Tasker is right here now, he can answer for us…"

The short man shuffled through some papers until he found the one he was looking for, "Ah yes here it is. Now in regards to a single share…let's see - alright then, a single share of the Black Family Estate after appropriate taxes are subtracted equals 145,000 Galleons."

Ron and the twins jumped out of their seats and began dancing around the room, ignoring Molly's evil glare. "Boy's show some respect!"

Ron looked at Harry, crossed his arms over his chest and bitterly asked, "So how much did Harry get?

That inconsiderate, pompous ass! Hermione thought to herself as she narrowed her eyes at Ron. I have about had it with him!

Molly had had enough as well, "Ronald Weasley! Your behavior is unacceptable!"

Harry stood up, leaned over the table and spoke coolly, "No - it's alright, I'm rather curious myself…Mr. Tasker would you please inform me of my inheritance, the total worth please."

Mr. Tasker cleared his throat and began shuffling through his papers again. Hermione grabbed Harry's arm and whispered, "What are you doing Harry?"

You're playing right into his hands if you do this...

Harry looked at her innocently, "I'm just curious Hermione - oh and Mr. Tasker please include the Potter Trust that I inherited from my parents after Voldemort murdered them."

Every person in the room except Dumbledore and Harry flinched at the Dark Lord's name and Hermione noticed that Ron had gone a bit pale and frowned when he heard him say that his parents were murdered.

That's right Ron - Murdered! How's that guilt taste? Bastard. Gods - What is going on with you Ron?

Mr. Tasker spoke up, "Well...taking into effect the five shares from Mr. Black and the current value of the residence of Number 12 Grimmuald Place and Lands of Godric's Hollow - that comes to….two point five million galleons in monetary value plus the ten point four million galleon value of the property and lands here and also at Godric's Hollow and finally taking into account the - lets see…the three million galleons left in the Potter Trust that comes to a grand total of fifteen point nine million galleons."

Oh my...That's a lot of money.

Hermione thought Ron's jaw would come unhinged if he kept it that open much longer.

Ron shut his mouth and glared at Harry, "Just had to rub it in didn't you? Just had to one up everyone!"

Oh no! Ron - what's happened to you?

Harry slammed his fist on the table the sound echoing loudly throughout the room and nearly caused the table to buckle, Molly jumped up from her chair in shock clutching her chest, "Damn you Ron! I don't know what the bloody hell your problem is - but hear this. You want all that money - then you can damn well take it. I would give it all to you if it meant that I could have just one more minute with my parents and Sirius."

Hermione gripped Harry's arm hoping to keep him from leaping across the table and tackling Ron. Harry glanced at her for a moment and she had hoped that he would relax, but the look on his face told her that he was angry as hell and whatever he was about to say needed to be said.

Here we go...

Hermione stepped closer to Harry and placed her hand on the small of his back hoping - praying that she could give him any kind of strength or support as Harry opened his mouth and let it all out.

"I am tired of your petty jealousy Ron…tired of your immaturity and tired of you thinking that I am always trying to buy or use my so-called fame to my advantage. As my friend I would think that you know by now how much I hate this damn scar! You want that too Ron? You want everything that goes with it? The nightmares, the sleepless nights or how about hearing your mother scream every other night, begging Voldemort to spare me, to kill her instead! You want my life Ron? You can fucking have it! I will gladly take yours, I will happily take advantage of having a family that loves and protects me over what I have right now, you petty, immature, jealous bastard!"

Harry's voice boomed throughout the room as if someone had cast the Sonorus charm upon him - Immediately following Harry's outburst the Drawing Room was blanketed in silence - Dumbledore now stood with a look of disappointment on his withered face while the others remained seated with facial expressions ranging from shock to amusement - Go to hell Snape, Hermione thought bitterly.

Ron however, stood in the same place, but he had gone completely white and was twitching ever so slightly. Hermione ignored the others - what mattered to her was Harry and Ron, and she had a dreadful feeling that their precious friendship was truly over.

Harry's face was red and his breathing heavy as he jabbed a finger at Ron, "You can have it all Ron - take it."

With those words said, Harry glanced wearily at Hermione and stormed out of the Drawing Room ignoring Molly's attempts to console him.

Hermione fixed Ron with a viscous glare and through gritted teeth said, "Whatever your problem is Ron - fix it…because if you don't, you won't only lose Harry as your friend, but me as well." Then with tears in her eyes she ran after Harry knowing exactly where he was headed.

To Be Continued...

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