Hedwig was becoming increasingly restless from her extended grounding at Grimmauld Place. Harry looked at her sympathetically as he ran a rag over his wand. Ron's gift of a wand servicing kit lay open before him on the cluttered desk. Piles of advanced magical books that Harry was sneaking out of the library were teetering perilously as they waited for Harry to secret them away in his trunk. At first he had concentrated on bringing out all the dark curse books that he knew would be the first to go when Tonks or Moody finally got around to going through his library. Recently though, Harry began combing through the other sections for books that might be in peril and had discovered several interesting books including one dedicated entirely to something he had never seen before, the invisibility charm.
Even the tiny peek that Harry had taken was enough to tell him that the invisibility charm had a huge amount of potential. True invisibility would be even more useful now that the Ministry had banned invisibility cloaks, not to mention that cloaks were cumbersome to carry around. Harry seethed at the thought of the Ministry and its latest round of petty rules. The Order had already been forced to remove the Floo Network connection from Grimmauld Place since none of them would be able to get a passport to use a fireplace hidden from ministry inspection. Hermione had worked herself into a S.P.E.W. like frenzy over what she called the police state of that "tyrant" Fudge.
Dawn was beginning to creep into the room so Harry began stuffing the books into his trunk for safekeeping. When he finished lifting the last stack down into the larger than it appeared trunk he noticed a flat brown package that had been hidden from view. He peeked inside and saw Sirius' old two way mirror set sparkling back at him in the dim light. Kreacher had come through in a timely fashion after all.
Harry tottered into a standing position without feeling too out of balance. He had mastered his animagus falcon transformation pretty well now, but he still had a tough time remembering which body went with which stances. As long as I don't start flapping my arms, he thought wryly as he strode to the door. Moody had placed a silencing charm on the painting of old Mrs. Black, but Harry went quietly down the stairs anyway just in case. Noise seemed to be foreign to the large corridors as a general rule, except when Tonks was knocking something over.
"Wotcher Harry," came a sleepy voice as Harry pushed his way through the dinning room door.
"Hullo Tonks," Harry replied cheerfully.
Moody was there too, but he only managed to gruff out a short "Potter" before returning to his intense study of some tiny silver object Harry had never seen before. When Moody saw Harry looking at him he gave the object a pull on both ends and it turned into a mist that quickly dispersed.
"Just readin' my mail," he said cryptically.
"Speaking of mail, Dumbledore told me to give you these," Tonks said.
She whipped out four envelopes and tossed them on the table. Harry blanched uncomfortably as he saw the names on each of them. One was for him, one was for Ron, one was for Ginny and the other was for Hermione. That could only mean one thing: O.W.L.s had arrived.
"Er, thanks, I guess I'd better wait for the others then," Harry said.
Tonks grinned broadly, "I feel your pain Harry, I hated getting scores too."
Molly was back at the Burrow so there was not much of a breakfast since Moody and Tonks were almost as poor at cooking at Remus. Harry still couldn't use magic and there was little point in trying to coach either of the adults through a meal so Harry just settled on toast again. Harry sat down and waited for the others to make their way downstairs. He didn't have to wait long before the others trickled in one at a time. Ginny went ahead and opened her letter since all it contained was her list of books. Harry had wondered if she would make prefect, but she had been adamant that there was no way that she even wanted it. Hermione one the other hand was a mix between giddiness and apprehension at the prospect of her grades. Harry convinced her to wait until Ron came down so she sat and worried her lip nervously, refusing to eat.
Thankfully Tonks decided to distract her by using her metamorphmagus ability or else Harry expected Ron would have been hexed by the time he finally drug himself down the stairs for breakfast. He took one look at the envelopes and Hermione's face before nearly turning around and walking back out.
"Bloody hell, OWLs already?" he asked.
"Its mid-August Ron, school is going to start in just a few days now," Hermione said scathingly.
Ron groaned and grabbed his envelope, "I guess we'd best get the suffering over with then. I'm glad Mum isn't here."
"She's going to drop by later today to get your lists," Tonks said, hoping to torment Ron a little.
Hermione tore into her letter eagerly and read the letter. Harry saw her blush deeply before passing her letter to him. He skipped all the explanations and went right to the scores.
Subject: Written Exam / Practical Exam
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O/O
Potions: O/O
Charms: O/O
Transfiguration: O/O
Care of Magical Creatures: O/O
Herbology: O/O
Arithmacy: O/O
Ancient Runes: O
Astronomy: E*
History of Magic: O
Total O.W.L.s Received: 17
*Incidents during the examination period have been taken into account for this score.
"I can't say that I'm surprised Hermione, but well done," Harry said warmly as he passed the letter to Ron. Harry opened his own letter, his sense of dread magnifying.
Subject: Written Exam / Practical Exam
Defense Against the Dark Arts- O\O
Potions- O\O
Charms- E\O
Transfiguration- E\O
Care of Magical Creatures- O\O
Herbology- E\E
Astronomy- A*
History of Magic- A
Divination- P
Total O.W.L.s Received: 14
*Incidents during the examination period have been taken into account for this score.
Harry felt an immense feeling of relief as he passed the letter on to Hermione. He didn't do nearly as good as she did, but at least he wouldn't have to try to conceal his grades from her like she had feared he might last year.
Hermione let out a little squeak as she read his scores. "This is great Harry, now you can continue in potions and you did really good in the important classes."
"I want out of potions," Ron said, then let out a whoop, "no more Snape."
"You still need potions Ron, it's important. You can read my books and homework so that you don't fall behind even if you can't go to class," Hermione said as she snatched his letter.
Subject: Written Exam / Practical Exam
Defense Against the Dark Arts- O\O
Potions- E\A
Charms- E\O
Transfiguration- A\E
Care of Magical Creatures- O\E
Herbology- E\E
Astronomy- A*
History of Magic- P
Divination- A
Total O.W.L.s Received: 14
*Incidents during the examination period have been taken into account for this score.
Harry took Ron's scores after Hermione finished reading them. "These are still good scores Ron, even if Snape is ridiculously picky."
"Yeah, I did a lot better than the twins, Mum will be right chuffed," Ron said happily, than broke off in an even louder whoop than the one he had let out earlier. Harry looked up to see him holding a shiny gold badge. Gryffindor House Quiddich Captain
"Well done Ron, Quiddich Captain, its brilliant," Harry said with genuine elation for his friend.
"Yes, very well done Ron, Professor McGonagall must have thought you did a good job as Keeper last year," Hermione said.
Ron was absolutely beside himself, but he still tried to be gracious, which was unusual for Ron. "I hoped I'd get it, but honestly mate, I thought it would probably be you."
"Nah, I'm seeker, you're the one who lives and breathes team strategy. You're the perfect choice," Harry said.
Ron eagerly polished and brushed his badge much like he had done last year when he got prefect. Hermione blinked suddenly like Harry noticed she was apt to whenever she remembered something important.
"Harry, can I borrow Hedwig, I want to tell my parents about my OWLs," she said. Harry waved his hand airily, she didn't need to ask him, she was always spending time away from her parents, usually because of him. Inspiration hit Harry suddenly as Hermione disappeared up the stairs.
"Hermione wait," he shouted as he leapt out of the dinning room to follow her. He bounded into his room just as she was attaching her letter to Hedwig's foot.
"What is it Harry?" she asked.
"I've got a better idea, take a look at these," he said as he grabbed the paper package up off of his desk. Hermione opened it and saw the two mirrors inside.
Harry took one of the mirrors out and closed the other one up in the package. "This is a two way mirror. We'll send one to your parents and you can keep this one. Just tell them to say your name out loud and it should activate them."
"Harry!" she exclaimed, "This is wonderful, now I can talk to my parents easily all year long. This is the best gift anyone has ever given me."
Harry felt his face warm as she hugged him briefly, "I'm glad you like it."
"Where did you ever get such rare magical objects anyway?" she asked as Harry fastened the package with the mirror, along with a note of explanation, to Hedwig.
"They belonged to Sirius," Harry said quietly, a pang of guilt stabbed his heart as he remembered that had he used the mirrors Sirius might still be alive.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Harry, I didn't mean…" Hermione said sympathetically.
"Its ok Hermione, I want them to be put to good use," Harry said.
After they had seen Hedwig off Harry grabbed a quill and some parchment before heading back downstairs so that he could make up a list of the things he wanted Molly to get him in Diagon ally. Harry sat down at the table across from Hermione, who was reading one of his books, and began trying to assemble all the things he needed. In retrospect Harry decided that he should have written things down as they came to him, but it was too late for that now. Ron and Ginny were playing a game of wizards' chess in the corner; Ginny was faring better against Ron than Harry usually did.
The first few items were easy enough, a set of full body dragon hide clothing for himself, Ron, and Hermione. The twins had given Harry this idea with their dragon hide vests. Dragon hide was very resistant to potions, acids, toxins, and even to minor spells. They'd do well to always have a set on underneath their robes to help protect them from a sucker shot in the back. He also had some potion ingredients that he had seen in various books that he wanted to try, but he couldn't remember them all. I can probably get the twins to send me stuff during the school year, Harry thought.
The last item was most difficult though, he had several ideas but none of them seemed good enough. He needed a great present for Hermione's birthday, but he didn't feel like settling for another book that she wanted. After all, with his library open she had tons of books at her fingertips anytime she wanted them. He knew that she didn't really care for clothes, jewelry, food, or any other typical "girl" gift. Hermione wasn't likely to appreciate enchanted nick-knacks either, unlike Ron. Hermione needed an intellectual gift that wasn't a book. Harry thought back to Dumbledore's office and all it's little silver items, many of which had been dark detectors. Those would be useful, but they didn't seem to make a good birthday gift, more of a paranoid Moody gift. Other than those there had been paintings and not much else except his shelves with the pensieve. Harry grinned to himself; a pensieve would make the perfect gift for Hermione. She was bound to have tons of excess thoughts and with a pensieve she could even review her memories from class in a third person perspective.
After their third game Ginny quit playing chess so Harry went over to keep Ron occupied. After he found out he was going to be captain of the team he could barely keep himself still and with no twins to threaten to attach his badge to his forehead with a sticking charm Harry decided preoccupation was the only other choice. Harry tried to drag each move out and that strategy seemed to work for a while until he got bored.
Harry was barely on autopilot when Molly showed up to get their lists. When Harry gave her his she glanced at it and then looked at him sharply.
"Are you sure you want one of these?" she asked.
"Yes, but don't tell anyone, it's a surprise," Harry whispered.
"Alright," she said, "I suppose it is very useful at times."
Molly urged her children to begin packing for school so that they wouldn't rush and forget things before leaving with the lists. Harry mumbled something about having already started so that he wouldn't have to hear Ron tease him about the mountain of books sitting in the bottom of his trunk. Ginny didn't complain, surprisingly, so Harry decided that she must have been so bored that packing seemed a nice diversion. As soon as they were all gone Hermione began fidgeting in her chair.
"What is it?" Harry asked, sensing that something was up.
"Well, I was thinking that maybe we should tell Ron," Hermione said, then lowered her voice, "you know, about us."
Harry winced uncomfortably, "You know I've been dreading this."
"It won't get any easier Harry and with almost everyone gone right now is as good an opportunity as we're likely to get. If we wait until school starts we'll have a hard time telling him without a chance of being overheard by someone."
She had a point, as usual. "Alright then, I can't argue with that."
After Hermione quickly glanced around to make sure Tonks wasn't lurking somewhere nearby they set off to Harry's room. Ron was emptying drawers of stuff out haphazardly onto his bed before stuffing everything unceremoniously into his trunk. Pig was flapping about excitedly at all the commotion.
"Hey guys, you already got most of your stuff packed?" Ron asked when he noticed them enter.
"Uh, the big things that I don't use on an everyday basis," Harry replied. Ron wasn't paying attention to him, which was good because Hermione kept nudging him expectantly.
"So have you decided what career you're going to tell McGonagall you want to pursue?" Harry asked.
"Honestly Harry, you are such a coward," Hermione said peevishly. Ron looked up confused at her strange outburst, but she continued unflinchingly. "Harry and I wanted to talk to you because we've recently discovered that we care about each other as more than just best friends and we wanted you to hear it from us first."
Ron's jaw dropped just slightly, "Blimey, that's a bit much to throw at someone all at once."
"You know that you're our best friend too and we don't want you to think that we're going to start leaving you out of things," Harry said, finally finding his courage since Ron seemed to be taking it well.
"Well, I can't say that I never expected this," Ron said slowly. Now it was Harry and Hermione's turn to feel their jaws drop slightly. Ron paying attention to people's feelings?
"So you're ok with us?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, we're fine, just don't go snogging each other in front of me, it would feel a little weird," Ron said with a grimace.
"We won't," Harry said quickly, "and we don't want anyone else to know either. It could be inconvenient if the wrong people found out, not to mention dangerous."
Realization crept across Ron's face, "The tabloids wouldn't give you guys a minutes peace, not to mention Hermione would be bumped up to number two on you-know-who's hit list."
"I'm probably already tied with you for number two as it is," Hermione said.
"Yeah, which is why I had Molly pick up a little something extra for us," Harry said cryptically, then when they started pelting him with questions added, "it's a surprise."
"I'm just glad that we're all still friends," Hermione said hesitantly, "I was afraid that you might take this badly Ron. It's been suggested that you might have, er, wanted to date me or something."
Ron's shocked reaction told them that nothing could have been further from the truth.
"No offense to either of you, but you're not my type Hermione. You work too hard and take things far too seriously for my liking most of the time, not to mention you're bloody scary. Brilliant, but scary. You're like the little sister I never had."
"You've got a little sister," Harry pointed out.
"She's like an out of season Fred and George twin," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Hermione sat down on the foot of the bed next to Harry as Ron went back to packing. Harry got out his trunk and showed Hermione all the books that he was going to take with him. Many of the books were old and rare, but Hermione was still familiar with a good number of them. She had never read them, but she had read of them. Some of them weren't even in the extensive Hogwarts library she informed him. Ron had just finished sorting his stuff and Harry had slid his trunk back under his bed when Hermione let out a little gasp. She fumbled with her robes for a second before finding the mirror.
"Hedwig must have flown really fast," Harry said.
Voices were coming from it that Harry recognized as belonging to Hermione's parents. He had met them briefly several times in the past at King's Cross or in Diagon ally.
"Hermione?" a soft feminine voice asked.
"I'm here Mum," Hermione said finally as she got the mirror out.
"Oh sweetie, it's so good to be able to actually see you," her mother gushed.
"Yes, wherever did you get such an amazing thing darling?" asked her father's deeper voice.
"Harry gave it to me, get over here Harry," Hermione said as she gave his robe a tug. Harry stood next to her and looked down into the shining faces of Hermione's parents gazing back up at him.
"Thank you Harry, this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for us," Mrs. Granger said.
Harry blushed, "It's nothing really, I had no use for them, and Hermione doesn't get to see either of you very often."
Harry stayed and chatted with Hermione's parents for a while, but he felt like he was intruding on her family so he invented an excuse to get away and give her some time alone with them. A little later Hermione came bouncing into the study where Harry had retreated to read his pocketbook, her face aglow with happiness. She bounded over and gave Harry a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Thank you so much again Harry, I can keep in touch with my parents all the time now, you don't know how much that means to me," she said breathlessly.
"I'm glad," Harry said, silently wishing he could talk to his parents, but not saying so out loud for fear of making Hermione feel guilty.
Ron's head popped through the door, "Remus and Moody are back, but Mum is still out, and I'm starting to get worried."
Harry and Hermione glanced at each other before following Ron downstairs. Ron was questioning Remus about his mother, but the werewolf seemed less concerned.
"She can't use the floo network remember? Give her some more time," Remus said.
Harry and Hermione sat down at the table with Remus, but Ron was too agitated so he continued to pace. When they heard the door finally opened he sprinted out to meet his mother, who was fine, but nearly hidden behind a mound of packages and books. Harry hurried over too; he wanted to get to his packages before Hermione could spot her birthday gift.
"Yours are right there," Molly said as she pointed to a few big stacked boxes. Harry noted with relief that they were all wrapped in sacks as he grabbed them and headed upstairs. Large though they were, nothing was particularly heavy since most of his purchases were clothing items.
Hermione had carted her schoolbooks off to her room and Ron came in bearing a slightly smaller stack of books for his own classes. Harry watched Ron try to stuff them into his trunk as he waited for Hermione to join them. He sat the three boxes containing the dragon hide clothes on the bed.
"Ok guys, there's one for each of us," Harry said as Hermione walked into the room. He grabbed the box with his name and began opening it. Ron and Hermione gingerly opened their own boxes.
Ron goggled and let out an exclamation, "Whoah, you got us dragon hide?!"
Hermione fingered the scales that had been tanned soft and black, "This is very fine material Harry, it must have been expensive."
"It's not for fashion though, its to protect us," Harry said, "We can wear them under our robes."
"What? You want us to wear them under our robes?" Ron asked indignantly. Ron had never owned a set of clothes so fashionable before and his stance indicated that he considered it one step up from criminal to hide such clothes under his drab robes.
"Yeah, so no one will know you have them on, dragon hide will naturally deflect spells, protect against poison or acid, and this dragon hide has been treated to make it even more resistant." Harry explained.
"That's brilliant Harry, this will cause many spells to rebound or simply have no effect," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"So wear them under your robes at all times, that way any potential enemy won't realize you're defended. That way you may escape their first attack without a scratch and be able to fight back." Harry said.
"I suppose, but its still a bloody shame to hide dragon scales like this," Ron said.
Night had fallen by the time the trio had put away all their new clothes and books. Molly had stayed to fix dinner, much to everyone's delight. Harry felt a slight twinge of excitement that he would soon be back at Hogwarts and could finally start practicing the spells he had been studying all summer long. It amazed him how much happier he was compared to when the summer started and he knew that most of it was due to the bright young witch who was busily chattering with Tonks across the table from him. Hermione was the last thing Harry thought about as he went to sleep later that evening, the first real night of sleep that he had gotten since those terrible events at the Department of Mysteries.