A Lone Journey

A Lone Journey

Disclaimer: Harry Potter world is JKR's. I'm just having a little fun :-) Thanks to her!!!

A/N: Thank you, readers and reviewers!!! I'm sorry for any mistakes in this story coz I haven't got a beta reader and I'm not a native English speaker. Thanks again. Enjoy this second chapter!!!

ZzozZ

Chapter 2: A Sweet Reunion

In his room, Harry leaped over his bed and carefully untied the little bag that Alberforth gave him. There were two little bottles and a mirror. Harry recognized the mirror immediately. It was the Two-way mirror liked the one Sirius gave him on Christmas day two years ago.

He put the mirror down and went on to examine the two little bottles. One contented of crystals clear liquid and the other was silvery. Harry's eyes widened, as he knew what that silvery fluid was. He had seen Dumbledore poured those things into his Pensive many times and had even managed to get one from professor Slughorn in his sixth year. But whose memory was it? He asked himself.

Confused, Harry put every thing back into the red bag. Alberforth's last words came to him “I hope you would use it wisely”. How would he be able to use them properly if he didn't even know what they exactly were except for the mirror?

Harry lay down on his bed thinking. He had not considered about going back to school even if Hogwarts was still open for students. He had planed on going to Godric's Hollow before setting of his journey and find the Horcruxes with or without his friends companies was another matter but going back to school after all the things that happened was odd if not completed absurd.

Were there any reasons worth going back to Hogwart this new term? None he could think of unless there was a Horcruxes at Hogwarts, which he doubted. His own safety had fallen to his own hands since the day Dumbledore lost his own life. There was no question about keeping him at Hogwarts in order to protect him and the idea of learning was no better than the first.

The more he thought the more things get complicated. He could not understand Dumbledore's intention. Wasn't it his wish for him to find the Horcruxes and defeat Voldemort? If he were to stay at Hogwarts for the whole year how would he be able to fulfill his destiny?

The prospect kept Harry thought occupied for the next few days. Mr. Weasley and Ron came to fetch him just a day before Bill and Fleur's wedding. Harry arrived at the Burrow via Floo network again as Ron and he was still unable to Apparate.

It was late afternoon. The Burrow looked slightly different from what he remembered due to some new decorations. Ron told him that Bill and Fleur had decided to have the wedding at home where they thought was the safest place.

He did not see both Bill and Fleur but was told that the two had set of to Hogsmeade station to get Fleur's sister, Gabrielle, whose arrival was delayed due to accidence (Harry did not believe of accidence these days) on the train this morning.

Mrs. Weasley greeted them at the front door. She looked tired but pretty happy to see Harry. She hugged him. “Hello Harry! I'm glad you can make it to our Bill's wedding,” said Mrs. Weasley. She did not wait for Harry to reply but ushered them all into the house.

“Hello Harry.” Came a familiar voice before Harry had a chance to look around the room. Then he saw Hermione, Ginny, Remus and Tonk sitting around the high polish, old table. His eyes felt on Ginny. She smiled at him and he returned with an uncertain smile.

“How are you, Harry?” asked Remus looking up from his newspaper.

“I'm fine, thanks,” replied Harry, “how are you all doing?”

“We are fine!” It was Tonk who answered and Harry noticed that she seemed to be in a better condition than the last time they met. Her hair was dark brown similar to Hermione's.

Ron took a seat beside Hermione. Harry and Mr. Weasley occupied the other two chairs next to Remus. He noticed for the first time that Hermione's eyes were swollen and red as if she had been crying.

“What happen, Hermione?” he asked worriedly. He just remembered now that for half of the summer holiday he spent at the Dursleys' he had only heard from Hemrione once on his birthday. She had sent him a pair of magical gloves and a note explaining how useful the gloves were.

Hermione stifled a sob and Ron's hand automatically covered hers. “Her parents don't want her to come back to the Wizarding world,” said Ron.

Little was Harry surprise; no parents would want their children to face such danger. He always knew that Hermione's parents were supportive to Hermione's strange condition but he doubted once they knew what Hermione had been through (with him mostly) and how the Wizarding world nowadays they would still be that supportive. He was more surprise that it did not happen sooner.

“Are you okay, Hermione?” he asked removing his gaze from the entwined hands on the table. For some reasons, seeing the closeness between his two best friends made him slightly uneasy.

“Yes, I'm fine,” said Hermione, smiling up at him. “Thanks.”

“Bill and Fleur are coming,” announced Mrs. Weasley holding up the grandfather clock with hands pointing in different directions. Harry saw Fleur's name already in there.

They talked about current events until the bride and groom to be arrived with a girl about Ginny age with an appearance resembled Fleur. Then they had a rather early dinner with Fred and George joining them but to Mrs. Weasley dismay Charlie wasn't able to come until tomorrow morning.

After dinner Harry went up to Ron's room, which they usually shared while Harry was staying at the Burrow. Ron and Hermione accompanied him. As he opened the door a hood sound greeted him and Hedwig flew down from the wardrobe to stand on Harry's shoulder. She nipped at his ear affectionately. Harry patted her snowy feather endearingly. Just liked other time, when she got the acknowledgement from her master she took off out of sight.

Harry glanced around the room. It was the same room he stayed every time came here. His truck and Hedwig's empty cage was already in the room. He remembered the first time he came to the Burrow; he had thought it was the best house and it still was. After this year would he be able to come here again? He did not know nor he wanted to think about it.

After a few seconds of silence, Harry was aware that two pairs of eyes were staring at him. Hermione came forward and hugged him tightly. “Oh Harry! I've missed you,” she sobbed.

Awkwardly, Harry patted her back. “I've miss you two too,” said Harry, his eyes searched Ron's but the redhead wizard was looking at Hermione's back.

When Hermione emerged from his shoulder again she smiled brightly and Harry wondered why he never noticed how beautiful her smile was. But just as he realized what he was thinking he quickly scowled at himself. This is Hermione! Your best friend and Ron's supposed love interest! Kick away all the inappropriate thought this instance, Potter! He kept revising that line over and over in his mind as Hermione started to talk.

“Harry,” began Hermione shyly, “you know, Ron and I have decided that we are officially boyfriend and girlfriend now.”

For a moment Harry thought he did not hear her correctly or they might not be serious but the looks on their faces confirm any suspicion he might have.

“Are you... are you not happy, Harry?” Ron stuttered. His face was pink then turned slightly white when he thought Harry might not approve about their relationship or at some point were not happy.

Harry blinked once, twice - then he smiled tightly and exclaimed, “congratulation! Ron, Hermione, I know it, I know!”

Ron and Hermione beamed at Harry, relief showed clearly on their faces. The three of them looked at one another and busted out laughing. No matter what, the sound of their laughing always managed to cheer Harry up.

They calmed down after awhile and Hermione looked at Harry with a serious expression. “Harry how was your stay at the Dursley?” she asked.

“It was normal,” answered Harry without looking at Hermione. He did not feel like talking about Alberforth's visit or about Dumbledore's message at that moment.

“Harry,” said Hermione again and he put her hand firmly on his left shoulder. “If there is anything you want to talk with us please don't be hesitated,” she went on, “we're best friend, still, remember.”

“Yes, Harry,” agreed Ron.

Harry looked from Hermione to Ron then at her hand on his shoulder. He felt a warm energy ran through his whole body. He smiled. “I will tell you when the wedding is over,” replied Harry, “now I just want to have a peaceful day before heading for the war.”

ZzozZ