Unofficial Portkey Archive

Harry Potter and the Triptych

By Vickles

Rating: R (for later chapters and generally just incase)

Disclaimer: The character will only see me late at night on dark street corners where JKR won't find us. It's a horrible state that we live in, for we love each other so, but in the end, it is JKR that they belong to. Curse you, copyrights!!!

A/N: Sorry it took so long.

~*~

Chapter 18: Long Day

"Where's Malfoy?" Hermione asked as she sat down at the breakfast table the next morning.

Ron yawned loudly and Harry shrugged in response, "Beats me."

"He really should be up with us. Tonks will be here in fifteen minutes."

Ron started mumbling to himself as he rest his head in his arms on the table, "If you want him up you can go wake him."

Hermione rolled her eyes as Malfoy walked into the kitchen. "You know," Hermione said with a sigh, "hangovers really don't suit you, Ronald."

Ron turned helplessly to Harry, whining, "Make her stop talking."

Harry smiled at Hermione across the table, "Okay, but I only know one way to do that and it may just give you more of a headache." Hermione blushed.

"Hey Weasley," Malfoy said as he took a seat next to Hermione.

Ron looked up at Draco like a foreign creature, "Seriously?" he turned to Hermione, "He's talking to me right now?"

Draco shrugged, "I was merely wondering if you would like a hangover potion before training starts." The three looked at Draco in surprise as he went on, "I asked Dobby to make one last night after I heard you running into every wall in the house."

"Why?" Ron asked.

"How does Dobby know how to make a hangover potion?" Hermione quizzed.

"After what I've told you, do you actually believe there was a shortage of drunk people in my house growing up? I just don't fancy listening to Weasley whine all morning, alright? I find him quite annoying as it is."

Harry and Hermione watched Ron with interest until he finally sighed, "Okay. Bring on the potion."

Instantly Dobby popped in holding a steaming goblet, "Drink the whole thing, Master Wheezy!" Ron nodded and took the goblet from the little elves hands, he winced a bit as he gulped down all of it, and then slammed it on the table.

"That has got to be the worst thing I've ever tasted."

"Even worse than Polyjuice Potion?" Harry inquired.

Ron pondered this for a moment, "No, not worse than Polyjuice, I suppose. Man, that stuff was disgusting." None of them bothered responding to Malfoy's curious glances.

"Oh," Ron said, turning to Hermione as he appeared to have remembered something, "I had Remus tell Luna where we are, you know, with the protection charms and all. She may be stopping by this afternoon before Harry and I get back."

Hermione nodded, "Okay."

"Hello, all!" came Tonks' bright and cheery voice far too early in the morning, "Ready for training?"

They nodded and followed her up to the attic, but Hermione stopped Harry before either of them entered, telling the other three, "Go on ahead, we'll be right up!"

"What is it?" Harry asked.

Hermione fixed him with a stare, "Quit it."

Harry merely smiled innocently, "Quit what?"

"You know exactly what, Harry Potter. Stop it."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, darling."

Hermione let out a hollow laugh, "Now is so not the time for pet names. Quit looking at me like that!"

"Like what?" Harry persisted with a grin.

Hermione looked around to make sure no one else was there before exclaiming in a hushed tone, "Like you've seen me topless!"

Harry simply continued to smile as he bent down a little so he was at eye-level with her, "But I have seen you topless."

"Yes, I'm fully aware of that," she paused and then simply smirked at him, "Fine, go ahead and continue to look at me like that all day." Harry waited a moment for the rest, "Just be sure to engrave that lovely mental picture you have in your memory for eternity, because if you don't quit it, that's all you will have for a very long time. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded, "I'll stop."

Hermione let go of her tension, "Good. Thank you."

Harry bent and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, "You're cute when you're angry." He smiled and walked off.

Despite the annoyance Hermione was positive she should feel at such a demeaning statement, she blushed with a smile and followed him to the attic.

~*~

"Be safe," Hermione told Harry with a warning glance, "I swear if either of you come home with one scratch you will never leave this house again."

Harry nodded and gave her a quick kiss, "We'll be good."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Alright then," Hermione gave them each a quick one-armed hug, "Best get going then." She watched as they each gave her a quick wave and then popped out.

"So what do we do now?" Malfoy asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Now I desperately attempt to catch you up with us, despite how impossible the task may be."

"Are you saying you can't do it?" he asked, egging her on.

She stopped abruptly, turning to face him. "There is nothing I can't do." With that, she turned and led him the rest of the way up the stairs.

"You've got to think more creatively," Hermione told him later that afternoon, "It's not enough to use the standard jinxes and curses that they use in school. You've got to know others, and you've got to have a plan when firing them."

"What do you mean?" he asked, rubbing his butt like a wounded deer after being knocked on the ground yet again.

Hermione thought for a moment, "Let's say you just managed to expel my wand, sending it across the room. What's the best thing to do next?"

"Stupefy you?"

"No," Hermione said, shaking her head, "Stupefy has a very narrow path, meaning that, even without my wand, I could easily dodge it, so the only way you would hit me is by attempting to anticipate my movements, and by that time I might have already reached my wand."

"So what would I do?"

"Something at my legs, probably, such as a Jelly Legs Jinx. This would limit my movement, keeping me from my wand and allowing you to incapacitate me."

They began dueling again, and Hermione allowed him to expel her wand, but as he uttered the jinx, she summoned a table from across the room, putting it in the spell's path.

Draco threw his hands up in the air, aggravated, "What did you do that for?"

"What do you mean, what did I do that for? I was defending myself," she replied as she restored the table to its original condition.

"But you told me to the Jelly Legs Jinx!"

"That was an example. Do you think your opponent is not going to defend themselves?"

Malfoy opened his mouth to argue but a soft pop announced the arrival of Luna. "Hello. Am I interrupting?"

"Yes."

"No," Hermione said with a pointed look at Malfoy, "Of course not." She turned to Draco, her arms crossed, "I think we're about done here today anyway. I want you to get started on a list of all of the Death Eaters, former and current, that you know of. I want any information on them that you can give me."

"What do you mean by any information?" he asked, irritated.

"I mean any information. You know, how do you know them, how close are they to Voldemort, are they in prison, are they married, how old are they, what are their jobs for him, any interesting facts or stories involving them, have you slept with any of their daughters…any and all information you have on them."

"Pardon?"

Hermione ignored him and went on, "I'll check on you later to see how much you've done. If your progress is not sufficient, we can find something besides training to do tomorrow afternoon."

He rolled his eyes, "What are you going to do if I refuse?"

After realizing that he was in fact not joking, Hermione simply crossed her arms, watching as he was pinned to the nearest wall by The Chair and enjoying only a little that she could do such a thing with no visible movement. Slowly she walked up to him, "You have a few choices. I can let you down and you can act like a civilized human being - something that is a struggle for you, I know, but I am confidant you can handle it - or you can stay here until Harry and Ron get home and I will simply let them deal with you."

Malfoy rolled is eyes again, "Oh, so you're sending your big-bad boyfriend after me, are you?"

Hermione had to give Luna some credit. She simply stood and watched the scene with detached interest; she was silent, observant, and making no reactions whatsoever. Taking a calming breath, Hermione stopped her slow strides, standing in front of Draco. "Why are you doing this?" she asked, an eyebrow lifted.

"Doing what?"

Hermione sighed, "You say that you want to help us. I don't know if that's because you want revenge for your mother's death or if you simply want to save your arse. I do know that it's not because you suddenly have seen the light and want to change sides. Yet, you continue to contradict yourself."

"Like how?"

"Like nearly killing Ron because he made some off-hand comment about love. Why do you have to prove that you know anything, let alone about that? What's more, why do you have to prove it to us, the people you probably hate the most in the entire universe?"

Draco seemed puzzled, "I…"

"And then you act surprised when we insult you," Hermione added, "As if you shouldn't expect or deserve such treatment from us."

"Perhaps he simply doesn't know any better," Luna interjected, focusing briefly on Draco before resuming her study of the attic.

Draco glanced at her perplexedly, before starting in again. "Look Granger…"

"That, right there!" she exclaimed, "Then, after all this hurt, but-oh-I-am-a-good-guy crap, you refer to us just as always, and then constantly contradict our requests and orders." Hermione leaned against the wall next to him, "I think we've established that none of us trust you, but despite that, we are trying to make the best of the situation we have been given. You say that's what you're trying to do; yet, your actions don't display that. So what is it you want, Draco?"

He looked at her; seeming to have an internal battle waging, "Let me down, please."

Hermione sighed, and then let him down, "What is it that you want?"

Draco smiled, a sick smile, then pinned her up against the wall, "You."

Too surprised by his actions, Hermione stared up at him, "I beg your pardon?"

"You, Granger. I want you."

Hermione's breath caught in her throat, rendered speechless and utterly brain dead by the repulsive thought as he ran a hand threw her hair.

Then he laughed.

Laughed.

Malfoy let her go, chuckling to himself as he began walking away, "Had you going for a minute, didn't I?"

Hermione's thought came rushing back as she started using her lungs again, and the first thought was that she wanted to kill him. She stared at him venomously, "Where on earth do you get the gall to even…"

He turned around, smirking, "Look, you don't have to get your knickers in a twist just because I don't cooperate with your every demand. I said I want to help and I will. If our places were reversed I'm positive that you wouldn't easily do everything I asked of you."

Hermione continued to stare at him, seething, "You…" she began walking towards him, holding her magic in tight check, "are the most infuriating person that I have ever…"

"Oh come on," Malfoy continued to egg her on, "I think we both know you liked it. There's no reason to get upset just because Potter isn't enough for-" He was abruptly cut off, and Hermione turned to see Luna standing with her wand raised, appearing rather uninterested.

Luna shrugged in response to Hermione's questioning glance, "He's got a rather annoying voice, doesn't he? All low and scratchy, but certainly not in that sexy way that Ron and Harry possess, don't you think?"

Hermione nodded, not entirely sure how to react to Luna's, however accurate, bluntness. She turned her attention to Draco; walking up to him and punching him square in the jaw, then grabbing him by his blonde hair. Hermione stared down at his face, "Are you a virgin, Malfoy?"

He shook his head violently, and she went on, her voice cold and flat, "Yes, I suppose you wouldn't be, with a cocky attitude like that. Right, well, if you ever do anything at all like the stunt you just pulled again, you may rest assured that sex will no longer be an option for you with anyone, do I make myself clear?" She turned to Luna, "You can let him talk now." Luna nodded and flicked her wand.

Hermione let go of Malfoy and he stood upright again, looking at her as if she was certifiably insane. "Fine," he muttered after a moment.

"Good. Now please go work on that list. I will check your progress later."

Draco nodded a little, clearly just wanting to get as far away from either of them as possible. He had no sooner than left the attic when Harry and Ron popped in looking rather tired themselves.

"Hey," Harry said, walking up to Hermione as Ron greeted Luna. "How was your afternoon?"

"Vile," Hermione replied as he wrapped an arm around her and they walked out of the attic, giving Ron and Luna some time alone.

"That bad?" Harry asked, though clearly not doubting it.

Hermione nodded, "Did you get any useful information?"

Harry shrugged, opening the door to the room, "We got a few leads, but I doubt that any of them will lead us anywhere important. I have a feeling that it's going to take a long time to find out anything."

"Yes, you're probably right. Patience will be key. And, you know, I was thinking, perhaps I should go along occasionally, so no one gets suspicious should I ever suddenly show up. I mean, I'm supposed to be your sister and all. People would expect me to be there."

Harry smiled as they sat on the bed, "You just don't want to hang out with Malfoy all afternoon."

Hermione crossed her arms, lying back in the mattress, "Well, honestly, can you blame me?"

"No, of course not. But maybe," Harry told her with a grin as he lay back as well, "I could help you take your mind off it."

As he began to kiss her Hermione shifted away a bit. "Er, sorry Harry, but not right now, okay?"

Harry quit immediately, turning to his side and propping himself up on his elbow, "Okay…May I ask why?"

Hermione sighed, not entirely she should tell him, "Malfoy made a pass at me earlier."

"He WHAT?" Harry exclaimed, sitting up.

Hermione sat up as well, "Yes, well, apparently he was joking, the great prat, but…" she shuddered, "It just gave me the creeps, that's all, alright?"

"No!" Harry said, shaking his head, "There is nothing right about it! What did he do?"

"It doesn't matter, Harry. I took care of it, and if he knows what's good for him he won't try anything like that again. Can we please just try to forget about it?"

Harry sighed, "I don't like this. What if he had tried to do more than make a pass at you?"

"I highly doubt that…"

"It's Malfoy, Hermione. As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing he won't do, especially when it comes to doing things that will piss me off."

Hermione nodded, "You're right. But still, Harry, you've seen me fight him. If he were to try and do anything more than what he did this afternoon he would not be conscious right now."

"Just…be careful, okay?"

"Okay." Hermione smiled, "Look at you, so protective of me."

Harry shrugged, "That's nothing new, is it?"

"I suppose not. You've just never really been so blatantly obvious about it before."

"Does it make me more appealing?" Harry asked with his nose in the air.

Hermione laughed, "Oh yes. You are just reeking of perfect boyfriend material right now."

"Do you know what your perfect boyfriend wants more than anything right now?"

"What?"

"Food. I'm starving."

"Well then, let's see what we can do about that, shall we?" Hermione took his arm and led him down to the kitchen, where Ron and Luna were already eating.

"Luna says that Ginny might stop by later tonight and informed me of your exciting afternoon. I wanted to strangle him, but Luna…convinced me otherwise," he finished, his ears beginning to turn red.

"I merely reminded him that there were much more enjoyable activities than bothering with Malfoy," Luna stated matter-of-factly.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and grinned, trying not to laugh. They turned to their food, which effectively ended conversation.

After awhile, they all left the table, going their separate ways. Harry and Hermione headed up to their room while Ron and Luna headed to the den.

It was around eight o'clock when Ginny showed up.

"Hello?" she called softly in the empty foyer, "Is anyone home?" She heard something in the kitchen and wandered in that direction, setting her things down in the hall. "Oh," she stated once there, "it's just you."

Draco Malfoy rolled his eyes, "Yeah, just me. Is there a problem with that?"

Ginny put her hands on her hips, "Actually, yes, there is. You wouldn't happen to know where Harry is, would you?"

"Do I look like Potter's babysitter?"

"It was just a simple question. You don't have to get so defensive."

"He's probably in his room."

"Could you tell me where that is?"

Malfoy looked up at her, trying to see if she was kidding. When he saw she was not he sighed heavily and stood, "Follow me."

"Thank you."

"Whatever."

He led her up to the room, "There." He was just turning to go when the door opened, revealing Hermione.

"Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed in surprised, "What are you doing here?" Harry stood in the background, hoping that Hermione could come up with something.

Hermione shrugged nonchalantly in response, turning to Draco and handing him a book, "You need to read this before we can do any more real training. It covers basic dueling techniques and ways to trick your opponent. Do you have your list ready?"

He nodded, looking at the book as he moved it in his hands, "But not all of it."

Hermione bit her lip, "Is it in your room?" Malfoy nodded. "Okay, well, let me come see what you've got so far." She turned to Harry and Ginny, "I'll be back in a bit." They nodded and she left with Draco.

"So," Harry said, turning to Ginny, but carefully standing in the doorway, "What are you doing here?"

"I…well, actually I have a bit of a favor to ask of you three, but mainly you. Could I come in a moment?" she asked.

"Er…" Harry racked his brain for an excuse, "I'd prefer if you didn't. The room's a terrible mess."

Ginny shrugged, "I'm sure it's nothing I can't handle, having six brothers and all."

"I just think it would be rude and all…"

"Hermione was just in there and you didn't care."

"Well, Hermione's used to the mess though, you know, seeing as she lives here and all and…comes to borrow books all of the time."

"Harry, this is silly," Ginny said, smiling, "Could we please just talk for a moment? I swear I will pass no judgment."

Harry sighed, "Fine, but wait out here for a minute so I can tidy things up, alright?"

Ginny laughed, "If you insist. I'll sit right here." She instantly flopped onto the ground, looking up at him expectantly, "Well, go on then."

Not needing any further push, Harry instantly closed the door and looked at his and Hermione's actually surprisingly clean room, considering they were both teenagers. Looking around, Harry immediately began to grab anything in sight that was Hermione's, stuffing it in drawers, apologizing to her mentally. After checking the room a couple of times, he walked back to the door and opened it, "Okay, it's all clear now."

Taking his outstretched hand, Ginny pulled herself up and followed him in, taking a seat in one of the two chairs by the table. "So about why I came here…"

"Yes?" Harry asked, taking a seat next to her.

Ginny fidgeted a bit, "I…I'm just going to say it." She took a deep breath before plunging in, speaking very fast, "Mum's driving me absolutely bonkers and if it's alright I would like to stay here with you three for a few days before I go back to school."

Harry stared at her for a few moments, blinking. Of all the things that he expected to come out of her mouth, that was the last phrase he would have imagined. "Seriously?"

Ginny nodded a bit nervously, "If it's okay."

"Well…I er…I think I should ask Ron and Hermione what they think. Would you mind waiting here a moment?" She had barely nodded by the time he was out the door and running down to den.

He heard talking and saw that Ron and Luna had moved up to Ron's room. He stuck his head in the door, "Ron! Meet Hermione and me in the study in one minute, okay?"

Ron nodded, standing without question as Harry took off again, arriving in Malfoy's room, where he and Hermione were hunched over his desk.

"Harry!" Hermione looked up with a smile, "You really should have a look at this list. There's so many we never knew about! What's wrong?" she asked then, noticing the edge of panic on his features.

"Come with me, please. I told Ron to meet us in the study."

Hermione nodded and followed him out, telling Draco to start reading the book she'd given him. When they reached the study, she closed the door behind them, soundproofing and locking it. "What is it, Harry?"

"Ginny wants to stay with us for a few days."

Ron visibly rolled his eyes and Hermione smacked him a bit on the arm.

"What?" Harry asked, confused.

Taking his turn, Ron smacked Harry over the head, "Don't do that, mate! You scared the bloody hell out of me."

"Well, I'm scared!" Harry said, "Ginny wants to stay with us for a few days! What part aren't you getting, here?"

Hermione sighed, "It may be a bit uncomfortable…"

"A bit?"

"But it's not the apocalypse, Harry."

"But she's my ex-girlfriend. And you're my current girlfriend."

"Current? As in not permanent?" she asked with a grin.

Harry narrowed his eyes in response to her light-hearted manner, "You know what I meant. The point is she doesn't know about us. So what are we supposed to do?"

Hermione shrugged, "Obviously we need to tell her."

Ron nodded, "About bloody time."

Harry sagged, "Fine." He glared at Ron, "You know I've got half a mind to owl Lavender and invite her up."

"That's not fair. Then I'd have two exes, since Hermione's already here."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "I'm your ex?"

Ron nodded, "Well, I admit it was rather short, but it existed just the same."

Hermione shrugged, "What an odd thought." She turned to Harry, "See? I've lived with my ex and my boyfriend for weeks and I haven't been struck down by lightning."

Harry crossed arms, "Yet." He sighed, "So are you going to come with me to tell her now?"

"Sure. Are you coming, Ron?"

Ron laughed, "I think I'll sit this one out, thanks."

Hermione unlocked the door and took the soundproofing off the room, turning to Harry with a small smile and holding out her hand, "C'mon, love. I won't let the big bad ex hurt you."

Harry smiled, taking her hand and following her up to the bedroom where Ginny was waiting, "Promise?"

"Cross my heart."

When they reached the bedroom, they released hands and walked through the threshold. Ginny was still sitting at the table, now flipping through a book featuring pictures from all over the world, looking up as she heard them close the door behind them. "So?"

Hermione smiled, "We would love for you to stay for a few days."

Ginny smiled and jumped up, giving them each a hug.

"But…" Hermione began.

"But what?" Ginny asked, confused.

Harry and Hermione shared a look, Harry speaking, "Gin, there's something we've got to tell you." They guided her over to the couch, each sitting on one side of her.

"What is it?" Ginny asked.

Just say it, Harry thought to himself. "Well, you see, the thing is that Hermione and I…we sort of…" he looked up at Hermione for help.

Hermione took Ginny's hands in her own, "We're together, Ginny."

Ginny looked up at the two of them, shocked, turning her head back and forth. "Together?"

They both nodded. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner," Harry said, following Hermione's lead and taking her other hand, "We know you must…"

"No," Ginny interrupted, shaking her head a bit as she seemed to try to clear her thoughts. "I'm just…how long?" she asked Hermione, carefully slipping her hand out of Harry's, though not moving the one in Hermione's grasp.

"Er…" Harry said as they tried to do the math.

"Were you together when the article came out?" she asked and they shook there heads. "What about Harry's birthday party?"

Hermione sagged, "It was just before then."

"Before?" Ginny asked, her voice strained a bit, "You were together when we were all here visiting and…and you just let me go on like I did?"

"We weren't ready to tell anyone," Harry told her, "And we thought you'd be hurt."

"I am hurt!" Ginny exclaimed, standing up and looking at them as they stood as well, her eyes watering, "But aside from the hurt I'm mostly embarrassed! You just let me go on believe that there was a chance, or hope!"

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Ginny stopped him, turning to him, "A few days ago you told me it was completely over for good, and that hurt, but I accepted it, didn't I? I didn't go into some fit of pre-teen rage. I just left."

She sighed shakily as she rested a quivering hand on her forehead for a moment, letting it fall back to her side, "That hurt because I care about you, Harry, and I think you both know what it feels like to be rejected one way or another." They nodded. "This hurts because you two are my friends. I know we aren't as close as you two are with Ron, but we're friends, just the same. It hurts that I've completely humiliated myself in front of you and you said nothing. It hurts that you didn't decide to tell me until it would be impossible to hide it any longer."

Harry wait a moment and then turned to Hermione, "Can you give us a moment?" Hermione nodded, leaving them. Once she was gone, he hesitantly opened his arms.

Ginny seemed to ponder things for a moment, and then walked into his embrace; finally let the tears escape her eyes, her body rocking slightly as she cried in silence.

Harry held her for a bit, saying nothing and remembering not too many months ago when he had held her for another reason and in another way and years before that when he had shaken this very body in an attempt bring it back from the brink of death. He recalled the times when they had been just friends, missing it dearly in the face of this complication. "I'm sorry, Gin. This is why I didn't want to tell you."

She hiccupped slightly as she spoke, "I don't need protecting."

"I know."

"I've acted pretty stupid the past couple of months, practically throwing myself on you, but that doesn't mean I can't handle things."

Harry nodded, "I know."

"Do you love her?" she asked, looking up.

Harry nodded, "Yes."

"She loves you?"

He nodded again, smiling, "I'm not sure why."

Ginny smiled a little as well swiping the wetness from her cheeks, "I do."

Not sure what to say, Harry changed the subject, "So are you still staying?"

"Of course I'm still staying. Mum's driving me absolutely crazy," she said, making a face as they let go of each other, heading to the door.

"Is she really that bad?" Harry asked.

"Not really, just bored since it's just me now. Summer was always better when you guys came to visit."

Harry smiled, "Do you want one of use to come with you to get your luggage?"

Ginny blushed. "Actually, I kind of already brought it," she told him, pointing at her things as they reached the foyer.

Harry laughed, picking up her trunk and small bag, "Okay. Well, let's see if we can find you a room, then, shall we? Dobby?"

The elf popped in front of them response to Harry's call, "Yes, Harry Potter?"

"Are there any clean rooms Ginny can stay in for a few days?" Dobby nodded and led them through the house, stopping in front of a door on the second floor. Once they'd thanked him, he left, and Harry set her things on the bed. "Okay, well, I'm going to head to bed. This has been a rather long day and we have to get up early in the morning. If you need anything, just call Dobby. I swear that elf doesn't sleep."

"How early do you all get up?" Ginny asked, opening her trunk and rummaging around for a pair of pajamas.

"Well, training and workouts start at eight, so I usually get up and take my shower around six thirty."

"Why so early?"

"Er… I take mine first so Hermione can sleep in."

"Oh." They stood uncomfortably for a few moments.

"Okay, well, like I said, you can call Dobby if you need something. If you need one of us, you already saw me and Hermione's room, and Ron's is the second one on the third floor. Malfoy's is at the other end of this hall, so I'd avoid that."

Ginny nodded, "Got it. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Harry left and went upstairs, finding Hermione already on the bed. After changing and sliding in, he gave her a kiss goodnight.

"Is everything okay?" she asked quietly, her eyes closed and her face relaxed.

"Yeah. I set her up in a room downstairs."

"That's good. It's good we told her."

"Uh-huh," Harry sighed. "Goodnight."

Hermione smiled, "Sleep well."

And a few moments later that's exactly what he did.

~*~

A/N: Thanks as always to Lady Starlight, but much more so this time for some great input! :) Also, I know I haven't been replying to as many review as I used to, but I promise that I do read and greatly appreciate them all, and some of your comment really get me thinking, so don't stop!

I hope everyone's holidays went well!

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