Unofficial Portkey Archive

Harry Potter and the Triptych

By Vickles

Disclaimer: It's not mine, but I do what I want with it anyway. Feel free to sue me for piracy, I have nothing to give you.

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Chapter 11: Adjusting

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After several minutes (and many more kisses) Hermione turned to Harry. "You know what we have to do now, right?" she asked.

Harry, only half hearing her because he was thinking about how pretty her hair looked when she was wet from the rain, shook his head.

Hermione smiled at his expression, "We have to tell Ron."

Harry blinked confused, "We do?"

"Yes, Harry," Hermione laughed, "Because, aside from the Triptych and that our powers are tied to the bond we share, he is also our best friend and it would be good to tell him."

Harry winced. This would be wonderfully difficult. "But couldn't we just," he smiled and kissed her, "do this," he kissed her again, "instead?"

"You're going to be trouble," Hermione said as he began to leave a trail of kisses along her neck, "I can already tell. Still," she gently pushed him away and laughed at his sad expression, "we need to talk to Ron."

Harry nodded in defeat, able to tell that she was not going to let up. "Come on, then," he said, taking her hand in his, "Let's go find him."

After searching the house for a few minutes, they looked in the kitchen, where they found a note on the table. Hermione read Ron's untidy scroll aloud, "Gone to Diagon Alley. I'll be back later. -Ron."

Harry checked to make sure that Ron had not written anymore, "Why do you think he left without telling us?"

Hermione shrugged, "Maybe he couldn't find us. I mean, I doubt he would think that we'd be on the roof."

Harry nodded, though he had an odd feeling. "So what do you want to do now?" he asked, unable to contain his grin.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly Harry," she sighed and left the kitchen, Harry closely on her heels, "We've been together less than an hour and already I can't get rid of you."

"Do you want to?" Harry asked with seriousness as they reached her bedroom.

Hermione turned around and sighed. "Of course not, don't be silly," she replied, lacing her arms around his neck, "Do you want to get rid of me?"

Harry shook his head, "Never."

She smiled and gave him a peck on the forehead, "Good, now go to your room so I can change into my pajamas. You can change, too, while you are at it. I love the rain, but I don't like wet garments."

Harry looked at his watch, puzzled, "But it's only four o'clock. Why are you putting on your nightclothes?"

Hermione shrugged, "Are we planning on going anywhere?"

"No, I suppose not."

"Well then I say we can change into our nice and dry pajamas, you can ask Dobby to make some hot cocoa, and then I can meet you in your room where we can sit in front of the fireplace, next to each other... How does that sound?" Hermione asked, her eyes dancing.

Harry felt a bit lightheaded, "I…I say that sounds good. I will get right on that." With that, he let Hermione push him out of her room and proceeded to head up to his own, still in a slight daze.

"Dobby?" he called, closing his door behind him.

"Yes, Harry Potter?" Dobby asked.

"Could you make Hermione and me I some hot cocoa and bring it up here when you're done?" Harry asked as he pulled out a change of nightclothes. Dobby nodded and left.

Harry had just pulled his shirt over his head when Hermione walked in wearing penguin pajamas, complete with a bathrobe and fuzzy slippers. Smiling at the sight, Harry walked over and pulled her to him. "You're beautiful," he whispered in her ear, then placed a kiss on top of her head.

Hermione blushed and smiled, "You're going to spoil me rotten, Harry."

"I plan to enjoy every minute of it."

Hermione left his arms and walked over to the fireplace, sitting on the couch across from it. Soon crackling flames began to dimly light the room. Harry walked over and sat next to her, but then tilted his head in confusion. "Where is your wand?" he asked.

"I left it in my room, why?" Harry waited a moment and then watched as realization donned on her.

"Harry, I did it!" Hermione exclaimed, hopping onto his lap and kissing him as she continued speaking. "I did it! I used wandless magic! I cannot believe it! This is," she paused and gave Harry a long kiss, "This is unbelievable!"

Harry watched as Hermione got up and began dancing around the room, and then began jumping up and down on Harry's bed in a way that much resembled a five year old. Ron walked in and looked at her like she had sprung a third head (never mind the second).

"What finally made her go round the bend?" Ron asked Harry with an eyebrow raised.

Harry watched as Hermione ran up to Ron and pounced him, giving him a bone crushing hug as he held her up, still confused. Harry walked over to them, speaking, "She just did wandless magic, Ron."

"Oh," Ron said as Hermione got back on her own feet, ran over, and hugged Harry again, "What did she do?"

"I lit the fireplace!" Hermione exclaimed, still bouncing on her feet slightly. Then she seemed to realize that Ron was there and calmed down quite suddenly, "Hey, Ron, come over here. You too, Harry." She walked over and sat on Harry's bed. With a shrug, Ron followed her, Harry close behind.

Harry sat across from Ron and next to Hermione, letting her speak since she had clearly already thought this through, "We've got to tell you something, Ron."

"Okay," Ron said slowly, studying them, "Is this about you two getting together?"

The expressions on Harry and Hermione's faces would have been quite comical to an outsider. Their jaws dropping in unison, looking like a pair of deer caught in headlights.

Harry was the first to find his voice, "How…how did you…but we just…"

Ron sighed, "I bloody felt it, that's how."

"You felt it?" Hermione asked, astonished.

Ron nodded and made a face, "I felt like I was stuck in some girls' movie, only I did not get to see the scene. Mind you," he said, holding up his hands, "I am quite sure that I'm better off without the visual, thanks."

Hermione reached out to Ron but he drew back. "We're sorry, Ron."

"Yeah," Harry added, "we didn't know that it was going to happen, and definitely didn't know how it would affect you like that."

"Is that why you went to Diagon Alley?" Hermione asked.

Ron nodded, "I also went to go see Fred and George since Harry and I didn't get the chance this morning."

Hermione sucked in a breath, "You didn't tell them anything, did you?"

"No. Would it matter if I did?" Ron quizzed.

Harry and Hermione shared a look and Harry spoke, "Could we keep it between just the three of us?"

"Yeah," Ron replied, biting his lip, "Why?"

Harry sighed, "Because I don't want the bloody world knowing, I suppose."

Hermione nodded in agreement, "And I have my parents get the Daily Prophet. I just told them that the last article was not true. They'd be horribly confused, and I would like to tell them."

Hermione moved to sit next to him. "Are you okay with this?" she asked him softly.

He shrugged in reply, "Would it really matter if I wasn't?"

"We probably wouldn't end things if that's what you're asking," Harry replied, "but it would definitely matter." Ron looked at Hermione, who nodded in agreement.

He shrugged, "Is this real or is it just something you two are doing?"

"It's real," Harry and Hermione responded without so much as a glance at one another.

Ron made an indescribable face, "I suppose I'll just have to get used to it." He turned to Hermione and smiled, "So you did wandless magic?"

Harry watched as Hermione immediately forgot the subject at hand and began to talk rapidly, recounting what had happened in extensive detail (though leaving out any kissing that took place) for Ron. Harry, however, was not as easily distracted, and watched as his friend occasionally sent him a guilty glance.

About fifteen minutes later Ron finally managed to escape and Hermione began to return to a human state again. Hermione came over to Harry, who had moved back to the couch, and sat on his lap. She grinned at him.

"What?" Harry asked with amusement.

Hermione ran her fingers along his shoulder, seeming to ponder something, "You'll think it's stupid."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Nothing about you is stupid."

"Fine," Hermione grinned again and took a deep breath, "I'm Harry Potter's girlfriend."

Laughter erupted from Harry's chest as Hermione recited the words, "You say it like it's some kind of award you've won. Like an Order of Merlin or something."

he laid her head against his chest, exhaling contently, "You know, nothing has really changed, if you think about it. We just kiss now."

"Oh, so that's why you were smiling then," Harry kid.

Hermione swatted him on the arm, "You know what I mean."

Harry nodded, "I suppose. We were rather close to begin with, weren't we?"

"It's a bit of a relief, actually. We do not have to go through that awkward stage of getting to know each other. I already know almost everything about you." They sat in silence for several moments until Hermione spokes again, "Do you really think he's okay?"

"I don't know," Harry sighed, "He seems to be taking it rather well…" he bit his lip, "How about I talk to him some tomorrow. Will that make you feel better?"

Hermione nodded and smiled, but it soon faded, "So are we going to pretend that there's no other reason that we don't want people to know about us?"

Bending to kiss her forehead, Harry whispered, "Is it so bad that we haven't been together a full day and I already don't want to lose you?"

"No. It's odd, but certainly not horrible," Hermione said, her voice no longer louder than a whisper as well, "The thought of losing you is far worse than anything else I can imagine."

Harry nodded, running his fingers through her hair. As his eyelids began to weigh down he failed to stifle a yawn.

Hermione turned and looked at him with concern, "Why are you already tired? It's only six o'clock."

Harry shrugged and yawned again. "It's been a long week, with training and all. That, and I haven't been sleeping so well." Harry felt the heat rise to his cheeks.

She smiled sympathetically, "And what might have caused this?"

Harry raised an eyebrow at her teasing, "Maybe I just need a new mattress."

Hermione laughed and placed a gentle hand on his cheek, "I had trouble sleeping, too."

"Really?" Harry could not contain his happiness upon hearing that he was not alone, "But you always seemed fine…"

Hermione blushed guiltily, "After two nights I started using sleeping potions.

"Right," Harry mentally punched himself, "Well, I feel like the world's biggest dolt."

"No, that would be Ron. You're a close second, though," Hermione grinned. Harry yawned again and Hermione stood, pulling him up with her, "You are going to sleep right now, Harry Potter. And don't even consider arguing with me."

Harry sighed contently at the thought of getting a full night's rest, "Wouldn't dream of it." Dreaming, what a pleasant thought…

Hermione put out the fire as they got under the covers. Without thinking, Harry drew her close, and within minutes both were fast asleep.

Meanwhile, Ron felt very disconcerted as he sat and ate downstairs. The food was not making him feel better, a very rare case indeed. Deciding that he needed to talk to them, he headed up to Harry's room, stopping just outside the door.

Dear Merlin, what if they are snogging? Ron thought to himself. I suppose I could knock…no answer. Okay, it is fine, just shut your eyes, Ron, there's a good chap. Now turn the doorknob… I cannot hear anything. Are they even in here?

Ron opened his eyes and saw his two best friends asleep, rather innocently, actually. The only sign to indicate that they were a couple was Harry's arm peacefully draped across Hermione, almost protectively. Smiling despite himself, Ron quietly closed the door.

"Oh, it's fine," Ron told himself, "I can simply milk this for all of its worth in the morning." And with that he went back to his dinner.

~*~

Saturday morning came and went, with Harry not waking up until the late morning. His eyes fluttered open and he found himself alone in his bed, just as always. Blinking, he put on his glasses and scanned the room, hearing his shower on. Wondering why someone would be in his shower, he knocked with curiosity just after the water turned off.

"Yes?" Hermione's voice responded.

"Hermione? Why are you in my bathroom?" Harry did a quick mental check on how messy he had left it.

The door opened and Hermione stood in front of Harry, wet hair hanging down her back with a flannel bathrobe…

"Is that my bathrobe?" Harry asked, astonished.

Hermione smiled sweetly, "Good afternoon to you, too." She reached up and gave him a quick peck on the lips. Morning disorientation left Harry as the previous day's events came back to him, causing Hermione's presence in his bathroom to make much more sense. "And yes, I'm sorry, but I left my robe in here and didn't want to walk out to get it when I was all wet. I promise I'll ask Dobby to wash it and you'll never even know I had it."

Thinking that the chances of him ever being able to look at the bathrobe again without certain thoughts flooding his mind was unlikely, Harry smiled and gave her another kiss, "You can have it." Then he realized something, "Are you wearing anything under that?"

Hermione rolled her eyes as she walked across the room to retrieve the change of clothes that she had apparently brought up, "I just got out of the shower, Harry. What do you think?"

Harry closed his eyes firmly before opening them again and heading to the door, "I think that I'm going to go meet Ron for breakfast. See you down there."

He entered the kitchen and sat at the table next to Ron, "How long have you been up?"

Ron rolled his eyes, "Longer than you. I tried to eat some breakfast a few hours ago and I found Hermione in here trying to make breakfast without a wand."

"Did she do it?" Harry asked with curiosity.

"Are you mad? When it did not work she tried to do half of it manually, but all she did was end up burning some perfectly good pancake batter. Finally Dobby and I got her to stop." Ron laughed.

Harry remembered Hermione's concerns the evening before and changed the subject, "So are you really okay with us?"

Ron shrugged and shifted uncomfortably, "Yeah. I mean, I do not really have a problem with it; it is just odd. I never even considered you two getting together. When Hermione and I did not work out, I thought the three of us would just remain friends for the rest of our lives, each finding some one else. Now I just feel behind, or left out."

Harry sighed, "I promise that we won't try to leave you out. Minimal change is the goal."

Ron snorted, "I can be left out of some things, but thanks. I saw you two last night after you feel asleep. Is she planning on moving into your room?"

"Er…" Harry considered it for a moment and realized the likeliness of it, "I suppose so. She's already taken over my bathroom. Why? Would that be weird?"

"No," Ron shrugged, "I just want her room is she does. It is bigger and her new bed is very comfortable. She let me lay on it after training earlier this week." Ron smiled at the memory and then quickly snapped out of it, "Oh, and there's probably something I should tell you mate."

"What?" Harry asked, taking a drink of orange juice.

"She won't have sex until she's married."

Harry began choking on his juice as Hermione walked in, "Hello! Oh, Harry, are you all right? Ron, what did you do to him?"

"We were just talking," Ron replied innocently. Harry sent him a glare when Hermione was not looking.

Hermione rolled her eyes and sat across from them as Harry calmed. "So Harry, I was thinking of what we can do today."

"So much for not leaving me out…" Ron mumbled in a joking manner.

Hermione gave him an annoyed glance, "Well, you are more than welcome to watch me cut Harry's hair, but I assumed that you'd have better things to do."

"Not really," Ron smiled. Harry, still thinking about Ron's words earlier, was becoming irritated with his friend's new light-hearted manner.

Hermione sighed and then turned to Harry with a smile, "So how about it?"

Harry considered this, "You aren't going to change it, are you?"

"Just a trim, I swear," Hermione replied, clearly eager to do this.

Knowing that turning her down was clearly not an option, Harry nodded. With a happy squeal, Hermione got up and left the kitchen, saying something about special scissors. It took no more than two seconds for Harry to turn and hit Ron upside the head.

"Ow!" Ron exclaimed, "What was that for?"

"You know exactly what that was for!" Harry replied, "What was with that little tidbit of information before Hermione walked in? First of all, I hadn't even thought of that yet…"

"Liar," Ron interrupted.

"Huh?" Harry asked, thrown off by being stopped mid-rant.

"You're lying," Ron repeated, "I may not have feelings for her anymore, but a chap would have to be both blind and stupid to not see how gorgeous Hermione is. Since you spend more time with her than me, even before recent events, I know for a fact that it had to have crossed your mind at least once."

"Maybe," Harry mumbled, "But…"

"And furthermore, I did not say that to play with your head. It's the truth and I thought I'd give you a head up incase you got any ideas." Ron finished with a pointed glance.

"How do you even know this?" Harry asked.

"She told me during one of our patrols fifth year," Ron replied simply.

"Oh." Harry slumped in thought for a few moments before Hermione walked back in, giddy as ever. "Ready?"

They went to Hermione's room to cut his hair since it already had two mirrors and more light than most of the rooms in the house. Hermione kept to her word and only did a short trim. Ron, possibly for the sole purpose of annoying Hermione, sat on her bed and watched the entire time, occasionally making comments to throw her off. Harry did not know where his friend got the guts; the thought of angering Hermione as she held a sharp metal object did not seem like a good idea.

"Okay," Hermione said at last, "I'm done! Let me just get this excess hair off your neck, here, Harry…" She proceeded to begin gently blowing on his neck.

Harry tilted his head a bit, shifting slightly as Hermione's breath continued to brush across his neck. She probably did not even realize that she was doing it, but Ron grinned, knowing the plight that Harry was in.

"Hey Ron?" Harry asked through clenched teeth.

"Yes Harry?" Ron asked innocently.

"Could you go away please?"

Ron shook his head, "No, I'm perfectly fine here, thanks."

Harry glared at him, then smiled evilly. Fine, he thought to himself, if he wants to play dirty… Without a second thought Harry stood and met his lips with Hermione's hungrily.

"Bloody hell! You bloody prick…" Ron fled from the room.

Hermione reluctantly severed contact with Harry and he pushed her against the wall. "We should go after him. He's probably mad. Harry, why did you…"

Harry stopped her with his tongue, which seemed to work perfectly. He smiled, "He deserved it, trust me."

Hermione smiled back, her eyes dancing, "Well, if you say so…"

~*~

A/N: I am eternally sorry. As always, I did try to get this out ASAP, but, as I'm sure all of you know, sometimes life just doesn't cooperate. Thanks to Lady Starlight for her awesome beta skills!

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