Unofficial Portkey Archive

Harry Potter and the Triptych

By Vickles

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter Harry and Ginny would never have kissed in such a cheesy fashion (or kissed period, rather). That said, I don't own it, I just play with it. :)

~*~

Chapter 10: Rainbow

~*~

They soon went downstairs to eat some lunch, knowing that Gretta Runnerstrom was next, and in only half an hour. They had no idea what to expect from her, so they made sure that they had plenty of food and water before cleaning up after themselves (or trying to, at least. Dobby stopped them halfway through, demanding to finish for them).

No sooner had they left the kitchen then a familiar popping sound was heard in the foyer. Gretta Runnerstrom greeted them with a smile, shaking their hands. Hermione spoke first, "Should we head up to the attic, then?"

Gretta tilted her head with a bit of confusion, "No, that's quite alright. Today I would really just like to get to know you three. I feel a bit behind, for I neither taught nor met any of you before yesterday."

Ron smiled with a bit of relief, "Let's go sit in the living room, then!"

Gretta allowed them to lead the way, sitting on a chair to the right corner of them as they took seats on the couch, Hermione in the middle with Harry on the right.

"What would you like to know?" Harry asked once everyone was seated comfortably.

The woman thought for a moment. "How did you meet?"

Ron immediately launched into a story about how they had met on the Hogwarts Express. He spoke about sharing the compartment with Harry and how his family had reacted. He also told her about Neville's toad running away, bringing Hermione to their compartment. "Best thing Neville ever lost, I'd say," Ron told her with a smile, "Granted, we weren't very fond of her then…"

"You weren't?" Gretta asked, puzzled.

"No, they weren't," Hermione answered. "I came on a bit strong, I suppose. The truth was, in the Muggle world I always had trouble making friends because I was different, and so in the Wizarding world I felt like I needed to learn and know everything, just to prove that I belonged there. It backfired, though, and I came off as a know-it-all."

Harry went on, "Then Ron, the git, made fun of her one day, Halloween actually, and she heard him. We came to dinner and found out that she had been crying in the girls' lavatory."

Ron laughed, "And then the troll attacked…"

"Troll?" Gretta asked, clearly fascinated and entertained with the story, and a bit shocked as well.

Hermione nodded, "A troll was let loose in the castle. All of the students headed to the dormitories, but since I was in the bathroom…"

"She never heard about it," Harry continued, "Soon enough, Ron and I were trying to fight off a troll."

Hermione smiled, "They didn't even like me and they still wanted to protect me. And people think Harry's the only one with a hero complex." She rolled her eyes.

"I had no problem with you," Harry injected, "Ron was the stupid one."

Ron scoffed, "Sure, I'm the dumb one." He turned and addressed Gretta, "Do you want to know what he did?" Gretta nodded. "He jumped on the troll's back!"

Gretta laughed as Harry blushed, mumbling, "I was trying to save Hermione."

Hermione patted his shoulder, "Ron finally managed to levitate the troll's club and hit him over the head with it."

"She hasn't left us alone ever since." Ron grumbled, the corners of his lips quirking. Hermione smacked him in the head.

Gretta smiled, "I bet that makes for a great story."

Harry shrugged, "Yeah. I think we've got plenty of stories, though."

"Someone should write a book about us," Ron said.

Hermione laughed, "I think it would have to be a series with all of the things we've done."

Gretta nodded. "I've read about some of these things in the paper. Is it true that the two of you dated?" she asked Harry and Hermione.

Hermione shook her head, "It wasn't true when they said it this weekend or when they said it two, or wow, I suppose it's three years ago now."

"Really?" Gretta asked.

"Well, Hermione was dating Krum at the time," Ron answered, "And Harry had his eyes on Cho Chang."

Harry sighed, "That turned out to be a wonderful waste of time."

"What happened?" Gretta asked, and Harry noticed Hermione and Ron listened intently as well.

"Well, she's not a bad girl, I suppose. It's just, she spent most of her time crying, being mad at me, or being jealous of Hermione."

Ron nodded, "Lavender got jealous of Hermione, too, at times."

"Krum was jealous of Harry. To be honest, I was a bit jealous of Cho and Lavender," Hermione admitted.

"Really?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded, "I wasn't jealous of Ginny, but I think it's perhaps because I know her better. I'm very protective of them," she told Gretta, who seemed to understand.

"So did you two ever date?" Gretta asked Ron and Hermione, who both shifted a bit uncomfortably.

"There was a short period of time when we grew closer, and something might have happened, but…" Hermione began.

"It didn't work out. I think we sort of missed our chance." Ron finished.

They all paused for a moment before Gretta spoke again. "Okay, now I want you each to tell me something particularly unique about yourselves." She gave them a few moments to think. "Do any of you have something to tell me yet?"

All three of them began speaking at once. Gretta smiled, "Okay, Ron, you can go first."

"I love chess and the Chudley Cannons."

Gretta frowned, "I don't think you understand my question. What were you gong to say, Hermione?"

"I love learning."

Gretta sighed a bit, "Was your answer similar to theirs, Harry?"

Harry shrugged and nodded.

"Okay, here's your assignment until next week when I will see you again. Your answers are telling me about the things you love. While those are important, they are not about you and you alone. I want you each to come up with something. While you are trying to figure it out, I want you to write. It does not have to be an essay, or even comprehensive. It just needs to be you writing out your thoughts as you go along. If your thoughts change in the middle of a sentence, fine. If you want to make a graph or chart, go right ahead. What I want to see is your thoughts on paper. Try to sit down and work on it at least once a night. Next week we'll discuss what you've come up with."

The three of them nodded.

"Right then," she stood, putting her cloak on, "I'm going to go. I look forward to seeing you next week." With that, she Disapparated.

The rest of the day passed with little event. A challenge in hand, Hermione immediately went to her room to begin writing. Stalling, Ron offered to play some Exploding Snap with Harry, who obliged.

They ate dinner together and then Ron left to go begin working on his own paper. Harry and Hermione retreated to his room, where Hermione found him another book to read. After changing into his pajamas, they sat on his bed in silence. Harry struggled to read the book in front of him, and eventually closed it, turning to Hermione.

Hermione finished her sentence and then marked her page, "Yes, Harry?"

"What happened with you and Ron earlier?" Harry asked. "You looked so… but he didn't… and…"

Hermione set their books on the table and turned, motioning him to lie down. He did so and she laid her head on his stomach, looking up at him. She waiting a moment before speaking, "I'm not sure if I can describe it. Do you remember telling me what it was like whenever Professor Snape worked with you on Occlumency?"

Harry nodded, remembering all of the memories whizzing through his mind.

"I think it was like that," she told him, "Only there were no memories, just the feelings behind them. There were all kinds of emotions. Happy ones, sad ones, angry ones… and they were all being crammed inside of me at once and I felt like I was suffocating. Like I was trying to breathe in water. It was absolutely horrible. I could not have taken it much longer." Hermione shuddered slightly.

"What was Ron trying to do?"

"He was trying to channel one emotion to me. At first, he could not do anything. Then he finally did it, and I guess he just could not control it. I don't think that he even realized that he was doing it."

"He didn't," Harry replied, "I had to knock him over to get him to snap out of it."

Sighing, Hermione spoke softly, "Harry?"

"Hm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"I suppose."

Hermione bit her lip, "Why do you think Ginny reacted the way she did?"

Harry shrugged, "I didn't give it much thought, to be honest."

"Do you think she was jealous?" Hermione asked.

"Why would she be? She told me before we left that she thought breaking up was a good idea. Besides, she told me that she's going out with Dean now."

Hermione tilted her head, "She is? When did she tell you that?"

Harry took a moment to remember, "That day her and the twins came over. Remember, when you wanted to cut my hair?"

Hermione smiled a little, the memories playing in her eyes, "I still need to do that. It's getting rather shaggy."

"If you say so."

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever given a girl flowers?"

"No. Why would you ask that?"

Hermione shrugged, "Well, earlier you said that Cho was jealous of me. Perhaps she would have felt better if you had given her flowers. Every woman likes getting flowers."

"I suppose," Harry replied, puzzled, "I can't say that I regret losing Cho, though."

"I guess you're right." Hermione turned her body, resting her cheek on his abdomen, her eyes fluttering open and closed. Harry watched her, beginning to feel drowsy himself.

After a few minutes, Hermione yawned and sat up, a bit reluctantly. "I suppose I should go to bed."

Harry nodded despite his inner struggle. "Right. Good night, Hermione."

"Good night," Hermione smiled a little gave him a kiss on the cheek, lingering for just a moment before leaving the room, turning out the lights. In the dark, Harry sighed and wondered how high he could count before sleep would eventually come to him.

Two thousand, one hundred and nineteen.

~*~

Harry woke up rather early, just as the sun was beginning to rise, but out of sheer stubbornness refused to leave his bed. It was not until Ron came in and suggested that he try to eat some lunch before Remus' arrival that Harry finally gave in, yawning almost continuously.

"You okay, mate?" Ron asked as they head downstairs.

"Yeah, why?" Harry asked, stifling a yawn.

Ron rolled his eyes, "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you have not stopped yawning since I forced you out of bed? Have you been having nightmares again?"

Harry shook his head and almost laughed. "That would be impossible. To have nightmares one has to be asleep."

"You're having trouble sleeping? How is that possible? You have the nicest bed in the house!" Ron exclaimed as they entered the kitchen.

Hermione served Harry some mini sandwiches and gave them both the highlights from the Daily Prophet. Just as Harry forced down a fourth sandwich (Ron's orders) Remus entered the kitchen, smiling at the three of them.

"What punishment are you planning to put us through?" Harry asked as they headed to the attic.

Remus grinned in a way that reminded Harry of Hermione whenever she learned something particularly fascinating. He opened the door to the attic and ushered them in, speaking, "Actually, after our discussion Monday I decided to do some research. Today I want us to work on your Apparating powers. Have the three of you worked with them at all yet?"

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Have you tried Apparating to each other using the necklaces?" Remus rephrased his question and they shook their heads. He nodded, as if he had assumed as much, and turned to Hermione. "Hermione, I want you to go anywhere in the house, anywhere you like. Don't tell us."

Hermione bit her lip, "But how will you know when I've gotten there?"

"Dobby?" Ron called.

Dobby popped in with a smile, "Yes, Mr. Wheezy?"

"Can you go with Hermione and then come back here when she gets where she needs to be?" Ron asked the little elf.

Dobby nodded enthusiastically and took Hermione's outstretched hand, following her down the stairs.

As they waited Remus turned to Ron, "Now Ron, when Dobby comes back here, I want to you attempt to Apparate to Hermione. You wont be able to use you `Three D's' …" Harry snorted and then sent an apologetic glance Remus' way, motioning for him to go on, "So instead you will have to concentrate on Hermione and your connection with her. When you feel ready you can try to Apparate to her. If you do not find her, simply Apparate on back to the attic. If you find her, tell her to move to a new spot."

Ron nodded, "Got it." A moment later Dobby came back, giving Ron his cue. Ron's face screwed up in concentration and after several minutes he Disapparated. Immediately following, Ron's voice sounded from somewhere downstairs, "Bloody hell! I thought I had it." Ron cursed and then Apparated back. Harry swore he heard Hermione giggling, but the sound seemed to be coming from somewhere inside of him.

"Where did you go?" Remus asked Ron.

Ron shrugged and smiled a bit sheepishly, "The library."

Remus rolled his eyes, "You're supposed to concentrate on Hermione, Ron, not a location."

"I did!" Ron exclaimed, "Can I help it that when I think of Hermione the first thing that comes to my mind is the library?"

Harry laughed and prepared himself, knowing that his turn was next. Before he could begin to think, however, and light pop sounded in the room, and Tonks stood grinning.

She gave Remus a quick peck on the cheek before speaking, "I'm on a lunch break and thought I would stop by. How's training going?"

"Good," Remus answered, "We're working their special Apparition powers." Tonks eyes widened with fascination and Remus continued, "Ron just tried it and now it's Harry's turn. Go on, Harry."

Harry nodded, focusing in on Hermione. Immediately a picture of her popped into his head. How she looked when studying, or when she was angry. He remembered her storming into his room the night of her disaster with Ron. He also remembered how she had looked in the morning, sleeping peacefully despite Ron's presence in the room. Harry tried to focus on his connection with her. What was his connection with her? He was her friend. Yes, he was her friend. Harry mentally slapped himself. Remus was talking about their connection with the Triptych.

There was that giggling again. Harry focused all of his energy on it, then closed his eyes and Apparated, not exactly sure where he was going. He was quite surprised to find himself sitting on his bed.

"You found me!" Harry opened his eyes, just as Hermione leaned over and gave him a light hug, standing afterward.

Harry nodded. "Did you do that on purpose?" he asked, referring to the giggling.

"Do what?" Hermione asked, pulling him off the bed.

"Er… never mind. We should get back." Harry wondered if he was slowly developing the sanity of Gildroy Lockhart.

Hermione nodded, "You're right. Let's go!" She Apparated. Harry was just about to follow her when his eyes landed on something on the table. He grabbed them and Apparated to the attic.

Upon arriving, Harry handed three of the lilies to Hermione and the other three to Tonks. Both of the females blushed. Remus and Ron stared at Harry in shock.

"Very smooth, Potter. Trying to steal my girlfriend?" Remus asked with a grin.

Harry shrugged, "I just saw them in the vase and…" Harry suddenly felt rather stupid, "Just that, well… all women like getting flowers." He watched his feet, suddenly very interested in the wooden floor.

Hermione beamed and gave Harry a hug, whispering in his ear "Thank you, Harry." Harry felt a bit light headed as she let go and Ron mumbled something under his breath about how he would have done it if there were flowers in the library.

Harry looked up to see Remus going a bit misty eyed. "What is it?" Harry asked curiously.

Remus smiled, shaking his eyed, "Nothing, it's just… that was very James-like of you. He would have been proud, claiming to have taught it to you." He wiped at his eyes with the back of his sleeve and Tonks gave him a hug.

Tonks soon left to get some lunch and the other four of them soon went back to practicing. Harry and Hermione both excelled at Apparating to each other and Ron, but Ron was still struggling with getting to either of them. After a couple hours Remus called it a day and left. The three of them left to work on their papers for Gretta.

As Harry wrote, he did not feel as if he was achieving very much. Finding something unique about himself was difficult. There were many unique things about him, such as an evil dark lord after him since infancy, but he had a strong feeling that Gretta was not talking about things like that. Giving up for the day, he left to go eat some dinner in the kitchen. He could tell that Ron and Hermione had already eaten when he saw Dobby doing dishes. He had his own bowl of soup with some toast and then went to his room, expecting to find Hermione there, reading. When he did not see her, he left to go find out where she was.

After looking in her room and the study, Harry went on a hunch and found her in the attic, staring rather intently at a chair. "What are you doing?" Harry asked.

Hermione jumped and let out a tiny squeak, placing a hand on her chair as she caught her breath. "Oh, Harry! You scared me!"

Harry leaned against the door frame, "You didn't answer my question."

"What am I doing? Oh, I was just…" Hermione looked at the chair and turned a bit pink, "I was just trying to…"

"You were trying to levitate that chair, weren't you?" Harry asked, remembering their lesson with Tonks.

Hermione nodded, looking a bit embarrassed, "I still can't do it; it is quite difficult. What are you doing up here?"

"I was looking for you," Harry answered, "I was wondering if you wanted to come read, but if you're busy…"

"No, I can come read!" Hermione interrupted, holding up her hand to stop him, "I didn't realize out how late it was getting. Just let me go change and I'll meet you in a bit."

Harry nodded and headed to his room. Deciding to take a shower, he headed into the bathroom. Once he was finished, he realized that he had forgotten to grab his pajamas. "Smooth," Harry muttered to himself as he wrapped a towel around his waist. Without thinking, he walked back into his room and began looking for some clothes. He was just about to take the towel off and put some boxers on when Hermione walked in.

"I'm sorry!" She turned bright red and covered her face, "I should have knocked!"

Harry watched as she stood completely still by the door, a hand firmly clamped over her eye. Figuring that she was not about to look if Voldemort walked in with the circus, he quickly changed and walked over to her.

"It's fine now, Hermione, you can open her eyes," he told her.

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked.

Harry could not help but smile at the look on her face. "Yes, I'm sure."

Hermione peaked through a couple fingers, evaluating Harry's appearance before taking her hand down. "I'm sorry. I did not mean to just barge in like that. I assumed that you had already changed." She got into the bed, speaking at about a kilometer a minute as she grabbed her book, her face slowly returning to its normal complexion.

"What?" she asked Harry, who was still watching her from across the room, "Why are you still standing there?"

Harry shook his head and sat next to her, "Nothing. You're just funny when you're embarrassed, that's all."

Hermione sighed, "Well excuse me. It's not my fault that you and Ron enjoy walking around half dressed."

"Nuh-uh," Harry replied, shaking a finger at her, "I was in my own bedroom. This time it was your fault."

"Oh, do shut up," Hermione mumbled, burying her face in her book.

Harry shrugged, "Whatever you say."

They read in silence for an hour or so. Eventually Hermione set down her book, taking Harry's as well. "We have an easy day tomorrow. Just Tonks in the afternoon."

Harry scoffed, "I was pretty tired after Tonks' last lesson."

"My apologies. Ron and I have an easy day tomorrow. Good night, Harry," Hermione gave Harry a kiss on the cheek, lingering slightly just as she had the night before, then left.

Well, Harry thought to himself, Best get counting then. Soon Harry began his second night of counting. How high would he get this time?

Two thousand, seven hundred and forty-six.

~*~

The next day went by with little event. Tonks' training session was grueling. They worked some more on Apparating (Ron could almost do it every time now) and then moved on to basic combat skills. Harry naturally excelled, and Ron was quite good, but Hermione struggled a bit. Tonks also worked with Ron on some more Instant Reaction exercises, as she had come to call them. She tried to get Harry to perform some wandless magic, but he failed to do it. Finally, she had Hermione attempt to lift the chair again, resulting with very little success and a rather confounded and disconcerted Hermione.

Overall, the session lasted several hours, not ending until an hour after they normally ate dinner. Tonks pulled Hermione aside and then left. They met in the kitchen.

"What was that about?" Ron asked Hermione as they feasted on the wonderful food prepared by Dobby.

"You two get the day off tomorrow," Hermione answered. "Tonks is going to come back up here with Gretta tomorrow and they are going to work with me."

"Oh, okay. You want to go to Diagon Alley then, Harry?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged and nodded, chewing on his food.

After dinner, they all left to their rooms, working on their unique attributes. Once a little over an hour had past and Harry had made no new insights, he set his growing pile of papers aside and went to find Hermione. When he found her, she was at her desk, asleep on top of a stack of papers at least three times as large as Harry's. Harry gently woke her up just enough to guide her to bed and under the covers. Without thinking, Harry waved a hand over her, putting her in nightclothes.

He tried to harness what he had just done and do things similar, but it seemed to be no use. Turning out the light, Harry headed to his room, his fowl mood growing.

Three thousand and twenty-five.

~*~

Harry woke up Friday much the same as he had fallen asleep, annoyed and tired. Of course, this would not steer Ron away from his plans for the day. He mercilessly pulled Harry from his bed and forced him to dress. In no time at all, they were walking the streets of Wizard London. The weather matched Harry's mood, with clouds darkening the summer day.

"Right," Ron said, "Hermione has a couple of books that she wants us to pick up, so I figure that we should do that first." Harry followed Ron into Flourish and Blotts and stood by the door as his friend wandered around what was clearly unknown territory. After twenty minutes, and with the help of a store clerk, Ron managed to get the desired books. He then led the way to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. On the way, they ran into Dean.

"Hey, Dean!" Ron greeted their former roommate. "What are you doing here?"

"I was just stopping by Fred and George's shop. They've got some really great merchandise," Dean replied. "How's Ginny?"

Harry tilted his head, confused, "Shouldn't you know?"

Dean shook his head, "I don't think so, why? Did something happen?"

"Not that I know of. Ginny told me that you two got back together," Harry answered.

Dean laughed a little, "Not that I wouldn't love that, but if that is the case she certainly has not told me."

Harry shook his head, "No. Perhaps she said someone else."

"Someone else?!" Ron exclaimed. "Just how many guys is my sister dating, anyway?"

Harry shrugged, "Apparently we aren't the ones to know."

Dean glanced at his watch, "Well, I've got to go, guys. See you later!" With that, he turned and headed in the direction of Fred and George's store. They were just about to step through the door when Dobby popped in front of them.

"What Dobby?" Harry asked.

"Harry Potter and Mr. Wheezy must come quick! Miss Granger is not being so good. She is needing her Harry and her Wheezy!" He anxiously tugged on their cloaks.

Harry and Ron shared an urgent look before Apparating back to Grimmauld Place in the attic. They found Hermione kneeling on the floor with her hand cradled against her body, a stubborn look on her face as a steady stream of tears ran past her eyes. Gretta stood a bit away and Tonks was crouching next to Hermione, wand in her hand, "Hermione, if you just let me have a look at it I can heal it…"

"No!" Hermione exclaimed with a bit of fear and anger, "You can't fix it! I need Harry and Ron. Go get them, please!"

"We're here, Hermione," Harry answered taking Tonks' place and Tonks stood.

"What happened?" Ron asked as Harry had a look at Hermione's bruising arm.

"We were trying to levitate the chair again," Tonks replied. "Hermione was having difficulty so I thought that if I levitated it for her she might gain some confidence. But when I levitated it, I don't know, it was as if she was pulling it to her. It smacked her in the arm, and I think she may have fractured something. She refused to let Gretta or myself help, though."

Ron looked to Hermione for confirmation and she nodded. Harry used the healing spells that he had learned from Madam Pomfrey over the years and healed Hermione's arm. He then stood and pulled Hermione up as well.

"It's the Triptych," Gretta said, "as you wear the necklaces, your bond is strengthening. For a time period you may feel like no outsiders can reach you like each other can."

They nodded, remembering Hermione telling them the same thing. Hermione seemed to have calmed down, and everyone seemed to be okay. Harry, however, was not.

Perhaps he had simply woken up on the wrong side of bed, or perhaps he was just sick of not knowing exactly what was going on, but Harry was growing angrier by the second. Hermione was the first to notice, and backed away slightly. "What is it, Harry?"

"I… am so… sick of this!" Harry yelled. "We're doing all of this training and what have we got to show for it? A few party tricks? How is any of this going to help us? Ron is still having trouble Apparating to us and any time he tries to channel his emotions something bad happens. I can do wandless things, but only when it doesn't occur to me that I am doing them. And this chair…" Harry rounded on the chair that had been mocking Hermione from day one. "Hermione has been going crazy trying to lift this stupid chair, and for what reason? So it can sing and dance? What is the point of levitating a STUPID CHAIR?!"

Harry pointed at the said chair and simultaneously flung it across the attic room, breaking it into at least fifty pieces as it made contact with the wall that door about fifteen meters away. His heart pounded as he stared at the former chair, the hairs standing on the back of his neck.

Ron was the first to move, letting out a low whistle, "About time someone smashed that thing. Good job, mate."

"Alright, then," Tonks said, her voice slightly above pitch, "I think that about wraps things up for today. I'll see you three next week." She Disapparated, Gretta following soon after.

"I'm going to go take a nap," Ron announced. "All of this excitement has got me knackered." He saluted Harry and headed down the stairs.

Hermione approached Harry hesitantly, "Are you okay?"

Harry nodded, "That felt good."

Light laughter escaped Hermione as she led him down the stairs, "Thank you for that. I was about to smash that thing with my bare hands, but your way seems much easier."

"Well I'm all about convenience," Harry replied as he sat on a couch in the living room. Hermione took a seat by the window, still watching him.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

Harry sighed, "Yeah. I'm just in a bad mood today."

Hermione nodded, "Do you really think that training is pointless?"

"No, I'm just annoyed with how slowly we are progressing."

"It's only the first week," Hermione reminded him, "I'm sure that things will speed up plenty soon enough."

"I guess." They sat in silence for several minutes.

"It's raining," Hermione said, looking out one of the windows that was not enchanted.

"Is it?" Harry asked in return. "I hadn't noticed. It was cloudy earlier."

"Do you want to go out on the roof?" Hermione asked.

"While it's raining?" Harry asked just to clarify.

Hermione nodded and smiled gently. Harry could feel that she wanted to, and therefore consented. "Sure."

Hermione beamed and held out her hand, leading him up the stairs to the door that led to the roof. It only took about five seconds of being outside for them to get completely soaked by the pouring rain.

"What are we doing out here?" Harry asked, already uncomfortable in his wet clothes.

Hermione simply led him to a slant in the mostly flat roof and leaned next to him against it, still holding his hand. "I like the rain," she replied, watching the drops pitter-patter on the panes.

"Why?" Harry asked, studying her face and trying to understand.

Hermione shrugged just barely, "Because it's the start of something new." She smiled at him, willing him to understand. He watched as the raindrops hit her face and then slid down. Her normally bushy hair sat flat on her head. "Plants that were dying now have a chance to live, Harry, and everything is clean again. What could possibly be more beautiful than that?" She smiled as she watched the water fall from the sky.

Harry looked at Hermione with amazement as she stared at the surrounding houses. He had never heard her talk like this before. She had always spoken in a way of quoting facts and things that she had read somewhere or another, or by asking questions in an attempt to learn more. However this, this way of speaking, could not have been something she had read. As he watched, Harry realized that he was seeing Hermione, and just Hermione. This girl, or woman, was a person that was completely unique, and he was seeing a part of her that would have existed even if she was not a witch or if she hadn't met him. It was simply Hermione.

"You're incredible," Harry said, the words surprising him as they escaped his lips just barely loud enough for her to hear him.

She looked up, taken out of her thoughts, "Why?" Harry could tell that she was not really questioning him, but rather just wanted to know why he thought that.

Harry scooted closer to her, close enough to feel her presence, "Because of things like this." He motioned to the rain. "There's a war going on, you and your best friends could die, and it's a rainy day, but you see it for something that others don't. You see it as something beautiful and magical, but a different kind of magical than we are used to. You take something that could depress anyone else, and turn it into a fairytale." Harry marveled with amazement and awe.

Hermione stared at him intently as he spoke, her eyes becoming red, but not from the rain. She stood up in front of him as he continued to lean against the roof so that she was at eye-level with him. "Maybe with this magic you can make the world a little bit lighter, so your shoulders won't hurt so much," she suggested quietly, looking into his eyes.

Harry placed a hand on her cheek, and the corner of his lip quirked just slightly, "You already do that."

Hermione settled her face into his palm, closing her eyes, "I do?"

Harry nodded as she opened her eyes again, "I don't understand it, but it seems that every time I'm with you lately the world gets a little lighter. When you come in at night, just before we go to sleep, I often forget that anyone else ever exists or that there was ever a weight on my shoulders. Sometimes, like just now, I don't even feel it anymore."

Hermione lip quivered slightly, "Really?"

"Yeah. When you leave the feeling goes away, though." Harry brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes.

Hermione leaned in slowly and wrapped her arms around his neck, her face just inches from his, "I wish I could make it go away forever for you." She kissed his forehead, something she had done many times before. "You don't deserve this."

Harry smiled sadly and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear, "Neither do you."

As he drew away, they stared into each other's eyes for an amount of time that neither of them would ever know. It could have been hours or days, or perhaps only a matter of seconds. They studied each other, and felt something break. They did not know what it was, and did not have time to question it. All they knew was that with every inch that their faces drew closer, another piece of their friendship that they had treasured and protected for so long was changed forever. What they also knew was that it was inevitable, and only a matter of time before destiny took over. This was happening, and it made sense.

Their lips met and Harry felt his heart break, only to start pulling itself together. Her lips parted and he felt whole again, a feeling that he had not known for a long time. His lungs screamed for air, but Harry continued to kiss her, if only for just one second more. They finally let go, and they knew that they had just changed their lives forever.

Hermione rested her forehead against Harry's, holding him close and staring into his soul. After a moment, Harry turned his head just slightly, so it was still touching hers, but so he was now looking over her shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowing as she read him carefully.

"Everything's going to change now, isn't it?" Harry asked after a moment, looking down at his feet.

Hermione said nothing, but simply nodded and held him closely, resting her head on his shoulder, and giving him an occasional kiss on the cheek or neck, just to remind him that she was not taking it back.

Harry felt her lips on his skin and smiled before his chest began to hitch slightly, Hermione's doing the same. He pulled her up, looking at her, "You feel it, too, don't you?" He asked.

Hermione nodded, "This is not going to be easy."

Harry laughed a little, "Well, it wouldn't be us if it was now would it?"

Hermione gave him a kiss on the nose, frowning a little, "No, I suppose it would not be us."

They held each other for several moments before Harry smiled, speaking, "It's okay, though, Hermione."

Hermione tilted her head, smiling with question, "Why?"

Harry gave her a soft kiss and grinned. "Because it's raining." Hermione turned around and slipped into his arms, staying there for an unknown amount of time, watching as the rain began to subside, and smiling at the rainbow forming in the distance.

~*~

A/N: As always, a big thanks to Lady Starlight! Please review! :)

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