Unofficial Portkey Archive

10. In the Shadow of the Mountain

"Do you think we'll ever see them again?" Harry asked as they made their way across the grounds to Hagrid's hut. All through the night whenever either of them had tried to get to sleep they were woken by more noises from Remus' room. At one point Harry had been sure he'd heard someone fall out of bed and hoped that would be the end of it. He was quite wrong.

"Well, he'll eventually have to come out if he wants his potion. What I can hardly believe is how hypocritical he's being."

"How's that?"

Hermione huffed, "Really Harry, don't you remember what he said the morning he found us on the sofa?"

"Right, something about not seeing us for days if we went to one of our rooms?"

"Precisely. If he ever decides to show his face again we're going to have to have a talk with him about-"

"You can have a talk with him about anything you want, the only thing I would remind him would be how to properly apply a silencing charm to his room."

"Oh I see, you've no problem being my boyfriend as long as it doesn't involve standing up to a certain werewolf and his little minx."

"That's not very fair," Harry told her coming to a stop just outside the hut. "Maybe I just don't want to start a fight with a flatmate."

"So you'll just leave it to me? Have you already grown tired of kissing me?" she asked with a devilish grin.

"I don't know, lets see," he replied before pulling her close and giving her a quick kiss. "Alright. We'll have a talk with him when we get home."

Hermione stroked his cheek, "Good man, now let's see how Hagrid's doing."

As soon as they were on the steps Hagrid threw open the door, "'Bout time yeh finished wit all that. Thought yeh were gonna make me wait `round all day for yeh." After both teens failed to do anything more than blush he impatiently motioned them over to the table.

"Thanks for seeing us Hagrid, how would you feel about taking a little trip with us?" Harry asked as Fang eagerly sniffed Hermione and himself.

"'Course I'm comin. Just finished packin' and sent a note off to Professor McGonagall about watching Fang. When we leavin?"

"Well it would be Monday at the earliest," Hermione told him. "We need to stop by the ministry today and see about getting Harry a passport as we're planning on traveling as Muggles. Would you need one as well?"

"Nah. Dumbledore got me one the summer he sent me lookin fer the giants."

"That's good. How exactly did you and Madam Maxime get out of the country? No offense but I don't think there's many planes big enough for the two of you," said Harry.

"Nah, I suppose not. We took a boat over to France then hopped a train the rest of the way to her school. After tha' `twas mostly portkeys."

Hermione looked over to Harry, "We could take the train through the channel tunnel then transfer onto another that would get us the rest of the way there."

"An' where's there?" Hagrid asked.

"Oh sorry," Harry mumbled. "We're going to Albania. We need to search a forest near a specific mountain there."

"Obviously there'll be a few days worth of travel time, but if everything goes well we should be back in time for Harry's birthday," Hermione added.

A sharp knock drew their attention to the door and Professor McGonagall letting herself in. "I see you've arrived."

"Yes ma'am, Harry and I were just checking on Hagrid before arranging our travel plans," Hermione politely told her.

"And am I to take it that these plans are what prompted the both of you to return your badges?"

"Yes, in a way," Harry coolly replied not sure where the conversation was being led. "But we do promise to do everything in our power to return your Professor in time to collect first years from the train."

"An' yeh already know I intend on followin `em as long as it takes," Hagrid firmly added.

"I gathered as much. Professor Dumbledore's portrait was as disappointed as I when you opted to discontinue your education, but he seems to have changed his mind after hearing about you're traveling. I do suspect he would rather love hearing from you."

Harry's insides gave a cold little shiver, "No thank you. I don't think I'm quite prepared for that."

"Yes I suppose I can understand that. Am I to take it that you'll be leaving immediately?" McGonagall asked eyeing the large rucksack next to Hagrid's bed.

"Not quite yet. We need to make a few arrangements, so you won't need to take over watching Fang until next week," Hermione told her with a smile. The dog barked and made his way over to the headmistress, drooling slightly on her robes.

McGonagall looked sternly down to the dog, "I hope you realize that while you'll be staying in the castle I would have no reservations about locking you in a classroom if you misbehave." Hagrid looked slightly uncomfortable at the idea.

"Ah, just make sure Filch keeps tha' bloody cat of his away from Fang and he'll be a good boy, won' ya Fang?"

"Right," Hermione briskly cut in, "we need to be getting on. Hagrid, we'll be in touch by Sunday at the latest."

"And remember Hagrid, no one can know about any of this," Harry reminded him with a slightly apologetic look to the Headmistress.

"No worries `Arry. I'll take it to me grave."

"Thanks Hagrid," Harry clapped him on his shoulder. "And congratulations on the promotion. I really wish we could be here for you this year, but I'm sure Neville and probably Ron will help you out as much as they can."

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Hermione insisted on Apparating Harry into the ministry since he was technically still underage and neither of them wanted to risk being hassled. They checked their wands and got directions at the security desk before making their way to Mr. Weasley's office. The assistant outside his office gaped at Harry for a full minute before informing Arthur that he had visitors.

"Harry! Hermione! Have you heard," he yelled out as soon as they entered the office. "The Muggles have put a machine on Mars of all places! Look, they put pictures in the Muggle paper!" He was waving around a newspaper showing off the pictures from the red planet.

"Why would they do that?" Harry asked.

"No idea," Arthur happily replied, "but they've done it!"

"Mr. Weasley, where did you get a Muggle paper?" Hermione asked.

"Oh it was such a lovely morning that I decided to walk in."

"You're still staying at the house then," Harry asked.

"Bill, Fleur, Ron, Ginny, and Gabrielle should be moving our things back to the Burrow today, actually. Thank you again Harry for letting us all stay at your house. Winky has been a great help."

"Gabrielle is staying with you?"

"Yes, she chose to stay with Bill and Fleur as opposed to going back to France to live with her aunt and they've decided to live at the Burrow at least until September. She was happy to receive a Hogwarts letter along with Ron and Ginny - but my have you heard? Ron's been made Head Boy!" he positively beamed.

Harry and Hermione shared an uncomfortable look before she replied, "Yes, Professor Flitwick told us after we'd returned our own badges."

"Ah, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Still going ahead with your plan of not returning to Hogwarts to achieve whatever this mystery goal of yours is?"

"Is it safe to talk in here?" Harry asked.

Arthur walked back behind his desk and tapped an inlaid rune with his wand, a quick pulse of light shot around the room. "A benefit of working for law enforcement," he explained.

"Our plans currently require some traveling abroad," Hermione quickly told him, "and we were wondering if you had the ability of quietly getting Harry a passport."

"You're going off alone?" Arthur asked in alarm.

"No, mine is still valid for another year, and Hagrid is accompanying us," said Hermione.

"Good to hear. Are you sure you wouldn't prefer a magical passport Hermione? They don't expire, we only recommend that you stop in about every decade to make sure it still matches the Muggle ones."

"Oh, I suppose if it's not too much trouble," said Hermione. "We were also wondering if we could borrow one of the tents we took to the Quidditch World Cup."

"No trouble at all. I still have them, as a matter of fact. Poor Perkins' lumbago has gotten so bad he says he never wants to see the bloody things again. I think the mallet might have run-off however…"

"I'm sure Hagrid could just pound the stakes down," Harry reassured him while imagining the small hammer with a pair of transfigured legs running off into the orchard.

"Do you happen to have your invisibility cloak with you Harry?" Harry withdrew it from one of the pockets in his jacket, "Good, would you mind slipping under it for a moment?" Slightly confused, Harry pulled Hermione close and covered them in the cloak. Arthur smiled at the spot they vanished from before walking over to the fireplace. He tapped a spot on the mantle that brought it to life before throwing in some powder and sticking his head through. A few seconds after he pulled his head from the fire another wizard erupted into the room and Arthur closed off the fireplace behind him.

"Thank you for coming David, you have all your supplies?" Arthur asked.

"I do, but we seem to be missing the people you wanted me to help."

Seeing this as his cue, Harry pulled off the cloak, "We're right here."

"Oh! M - Mister Potter, what a surprise."

Mr. Weasley stepped up to the other wizard, "Now David, Harry and Hermione here need this transaction to be as quiet as possible. Are you willing to help them with that?"

"Of course, I'll take care of everything myself. No one else from Transportation needs to know about this," David replied. He pulled out a camera and a small silver tray, "If you would both just stand up against the wall." As he took their pictures the camera produced a blue slip of parchment, which he placed in the tray and tapped it a few times with his wand. Two passports shimmered into existence above the tray and David proudly handed them over. Harry opened his long enough to see the picture inside winking up at him. "These are perfectly legal, all I have to do is file away the papers. Thank you for allowing me to help you today."

Mr. Weasley picked up the slips to examine them as David collected his things, "I trust that is all Arthur?"

"There is one more thing, David. Obliviate!"

"Mr. Weasley!" Hermione shrieked.

"Quick now, put the cloak back on," Arthur hurriedly replied as he incinerated the papers. Harry and Hermione quickly complied as David shook his head clear. "Sorry about that David, I guess they changed their minds after all."

"No problem Arthur, just let me know if your friends come back," he happily replied before leaving through the fireplace.

"What was that all about?" Harry asked as he put away his cloak.

"You said you wanted this done quietly. Those files are public, and I'm fairly sure David would never go along with destroying them so the next best option was to wipe his memory," said Arthur.

"But, won't you get in trouble?" Hermione asked.

"I should hope that neither of you would turn me in-"

"We wouldn't want you to risk your job for us," said Harry.

"I want those bastards that murdered my wife brought to justice," Arthur replied in a low voice. "Am I wrong in assuming that whatever the two of you are up to will help with that?"

"No, you're right," Harry said after a beat. "Thank you, for helping us."

"Well then, good luck. You know where to find me if you require any other assistance." Arthur switched off the privacy charms on the room and someone pounding on the door immediately drew their attention. "Oh dear. I was slightly afraid of that."

"Can we floo out from here?" Hermione asked.

"Unfortunately not, it's only authorized for interoffice communication."

"Who do you suppose that is?" Harry asked.

"I'd put a Galleon on it being Rufus. Percy informed him that we were staying at your house after the wedding and he's been hounding me ever since to have a word with you."

Harry sighed and opened the door to find a furious looking Scrimgeour flanked by Percy who happened to be sporting a very goblin-like nose, obviously Bill's doing.

"You should know father that no matter what personal problems you may be dealing with it is a very poor decision to ignore your superior in favor of having a chat with Potter and his… damsel," Percy said in a fluster. Harry reached for his wand, but Hermione quickly intercepted his hand.

"Percival, the only decisions I would call poor were the ones I made that allowed you to grow up without learning how to care for others. I've failed you in that respect, and I am sorry for it," Arthur very sadly told him.

"Yes, family squabbling aside can you tell me why the Minister of Magic has been standing outside this office for the past five minutes waiting for a response?" Scrimgeour broke in.

"Terribly sorry about that Minister, but I was having a private conversation with Mr. Potter thanking him for allowing my family to occupy his home," Arthur easily lied.

"Ministry department heads are all required to keep their present addresses up-to-date Arthur, so why is it that while you say you've been at Mr. Potter's your home location has never changed?"

"Unfortunately the house in question is protected in a manner that none here can reveal its location, even Harry himself," Hermione spoke up.

"No one was speaking to you, young lady," Scrimgeour snapped.

"Never the less," Arthur jumped in before Harry could open his mouth, "what Miss Granger says is quite true. Is there anything else Minister?"

"I'm afraid Arthur, that you will have to inform me of your current residence if you wish to retain your position here."

Arthur calmly looked over to the clock on the wall, "My children were due to have everything moved back to the Burrow half an hour ago so I can assure you Minister that my listed address is indeed correct. You do remember the Burrow, don't you? I'm afraid you might have left a little early the last time you visited."

Scrimgeour's eyes flicked to Harry before his expression turned to ice, "Very well Weasley. I trust you will keep me informed if your situation abruptly changes in the future." He turned and strode from the room with a fury that would have put Snape to shame, Percy as always on his heel.

"I suggest the two of you get away while you have a chance. A man like Rufus can only be deflected for so long."

"What was that all about?" Harry blankly asked.

"He's taken your upstaging him at Bill's wedding as something close to a personal insult Harry. I would wager that once he learns of your refusal to return to school he will try even harder to bring you in to `join the cause' as he would put it to the reporters. In fact," he came around the desk to whisper to them both, "I would recommend avoiding the atrium. He'll be watching for you to leave, most likely to follow you. Go to the Apparition test center. It's the only other place in the building that you can leave from."

"We will. Thanks Mr. Weasley, for everything."

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After a short, but nerve-racking trip through the ministry, Hermione took them both to an alley near her parent's office to visit with their travel agent. Hermione fed her a story she concocted about wanting to help some of the people that had been displaced by the riots in the country. In short order they had arranged a trip for three to Maqellare, the closest stop to the mountain they could find, plus a return trip that would have them back the day before Harry's birthday and paid for it with most of the remaining Muggle money Harry had. He only hoped it would be enough time. They picked up a Muggle paper just to see what Mr. Weasley was so excited about before going back to the cottage.

"Well, look who's finally decided to get out of bed," Hermione said when they found Remus and Tonks sitting at the table.

Tonks' smile turned slightly evil, "Jealous?"

Hermione's back straightened slightly, "Well, some of us have had more important things to do than locking ourselves away for an entire day."

"That wasn't quite an answer, was it Remus?" said Tonks.

"No, not quite."

"Harry, please deal with them," Hermione got out before stomping off to her room.

"Boy Harry, from here it kinda looks like you're not doing your job," Tonks smirked.

"It could help if you weren't helping to turn Remus into a complete hypocrite. Really he's the one that tried to make fun of Hermione and I about locking ourselves in one of our rooms for days, and what happens as soon as you come back? You're locked away and we're forced to listen to your giggling all night. The look on the animals faces makes me pretty sure I don't want to know what sounds were coming through the door when we were gone." Crookshanks came up and nuzzled Harry's leg; when he looked down to the cat Harry could have sworn he nodded his agreement.

"I'm sorry Harry. We should have been more considerate," Remus said looking appropriately stung.

"Sounds like you're both frustrated to me," said Tonks.

"Come on! We've been best friends for years now; do you really think we'd chance ruining all of that by jumping straight into bed with each other? You've both been around us long enough to realize we don't have many friends to spare. Everything's changing between us, is it that wrong to take our time and make sure we don't damage what we already have?"

Harry made his way to Hermione's door, ignoring any response. He was about to knock when the door popped open and he was pulled inside. "You certainly have become quite preachy lately, haven't you," Hermione told him before kissing him deeply.

"Erm… Thanks?"

"I'm sorry I nearly lost my temper back there, and I don't think I would have been as nice to them as you were. I was a little afraid I'd say something I couldn't take back."

"It's okay."

"Not really Harry. I made you promise to help talk to them, then left you to do it alone."

"Nah, it really is okay. Besides, I'm the boss here, so it should be my job right?"

"And how do you figure yourself to be in charge?" Hermione asked with a shrewd look.

"I paid the rent."

"So are you reserving the right to chuck us all out if the mood strikes?"

"I could probably find a couple of reasons to keep you around," Harry said as he put his hands around her back and pulled her close.

Hermione began backing up, pulling Harry along, "Oh? And what about that nice little speech you just gave?"

"Who's leading who here?" he asked as they made it to the bed, Hermione fell backwards onto it pulling Harry down on top of her. "I'm not too heavy, am I?" he awkwardly asked.

"Of course not, you're just a big cuddly blanket with knobbly little knees," she whispered as she nibbled on his earlobe.

"W- What are you doing?"

"I feel a little bad. We were interrupted yesterday before I could return you any… affection."

"You don't have to-"

"But I want to." Hermione quickly rolled them over and rose to her knees between his legs. When she reached back to slide his boots off Harry noticed her own neatly set next to the door. Crookshanks lazily made his way through the flap she had added to the door, gave them a look that clearly said not you too and made his way over to a patch of sun streaming through the window. His attention was drawn back to Hermione as she slid her hands up underneath his shirt and lay back on top of him.

"I think your cat might be a bit annoyed at us."

Hermione looked over to the cat glaring at them then back to Harry with an odd glint in her eyes. Faster than he though physically possible she grabbed the hem of his shirt, yanked it over his head then promptly tossed it over the feline, "He'll get over it."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Harry shakily asked.

"Well I'm not going to shag you, if that's what you think."

"No I-" Harry's brain abruptly stopped working as Hermione bent down and began leaving a trail of kisses similar to what he'd done the day before. His hopes of her not noticing his body's reaction to her actions were dashed when she ran her hands up his thighs. She didn't seem to realize what her right hand had come upon until she had traced the bulge almost all the way to the source.

"I'm sorry," she quickly stammered while jerking her hand away as if burned. Harry could feel her quivering slightly and realized she was as nervous now as he had been at her parents.

"That's fine, really," Harry muttered as he tried to clear his foggy mind. His efforts proved moot as she resumed her actions. Her hand never made it all the way back, but remained close enough to cause a few twitches in his leg. As her mouth made its way up his chest she seemed to reluctantly remove the offending hand only to surprise Harry by reaching around him to squeeze his bum.

"Oh dear," Hermione mumbled between the light kisses she was laying on his lips, "I'm just teasing you horribly now, aren't I?"

"Maybe a bit," he weakly replied as he forced himself calm. "It might be best to stop here."

"Should I apologize?"

"Never," he confidently told her as he guided her head down to his bare chest.

"mmm… I could get used to this," she said while bringing her arms around his back and hugging him tightly. A jolt of excitement shot through Harry as he imagined regularly sharing a bed with Hermione. The couple of times that they'd actually ended up sleeping with one another were almost accidental, now he was assaulted with mental images of the two of them happily slipping into bed and cuddling up together, Crookshanks pawing around the covers looking for a comfy place to join them.

"I think I could too."

"Listening to your heart makes me feel safe," Hermione quietly told him. "Do we have to do anything else today, or can we stay like this?"

"I need to go see the goblins, but I can wait until you fall asleep. Sounds like it won't be long. I'm sure you got as little sleep as I did last night thanks to them."

"Why the goblins? Need more money?"

"That, and Ragnok said he'd help me make a will."

"Why would you want to do that?" Hermione asked, suddenly a little more alert.

"I'm not expecting anything to happen," he carefully told her, "but I just want to make sure that if anything does happen that some people are taken care of. Remus, the Weasleys… you."

"Harry, I don't want-"

"Neither did I." Harry gently stroked his fingers through her hair until he was sure she had fallen asleep before slipping out from under her. He almost forgot to retrieve his shirt and boots before exiting the room.

"Feeling better?" Tonks asked as Dobby herded him to the table for lunch.

"A bit. I'm sorry if I went off on you earlier, but really, silencing charms are not that hard."

"Of course you're right," said Remus. "We should have been more thoughtful."

"So who made the youngest person here the master of the house?" Tonks joked.

"He is the one who paid for it," Remus reminded her.

"Anyway," Harry broke in, "I need to go to Gringotts and send off a couple of letters yet today. Hermione and I were thinking of checking London tomorrow. She looked over Dumbledore's memory with her father and they think they've gotten the general area pegged down. We're leaving with Hagrid on Monday morning."

"I have to report in soon, and I promised my mum that I'd be by tonight so you can take Moony here to the Alley with you. I'll meet you tomorrow morning at the Leaky Cauldron," said Tonks.

"Just so you know Tonks, the Minister has been hassling Mr. Weasley pretty bad about trying to find me. We ran into him this morning but managed to sneak away through the Apparition center. And you don't need to come Remus, it's just a quick trip."

"If Scrimgeour's gone back to trying to locate you then you can't go anywhere alone," said Remus.

Harry went to Hermione's room to write Neville a quick note telling him when to meet them in the morning and another to Hagrid letting him know when to meet them at Kings Cross. Hedwig seemed anxious to get out of the cottage so he sent her to Hogwarts while Dobby went to Neville's. He gave Hermione a tiny peck to avoid waking her and gathered Remus to get on with it.

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Harry debated with himself about how to leave Remus behind inside Gringotts as they walked up the front steps, but the goblins inside proved to be a great help when he asked to see Ragnok alone. A menacing sneer and an axe were enough motivation to send the werewolf to a nearby bench.

Dividing Harry's estate turned out to be fairly simple, mostly due to the low number of beneficiaries according to Ragnok. Less than half an hour later Harry reemerged in the lobby with another slip for the exchange counter.

"So what exactly are you trying to hide from everyone by seeing Ragnok alone?" Remus asked as they made their way for the exit.

"I'm not hiding anything, I just didn't want anyone trying to talk me out of making arrangements for if I… you know."

"Is Hermione aware?"

"She's about as uncomfortable with it as you appear to be but I didn't get a choice about what I was left, so neither do you."

"And I doubt anything I say now could change your mind."

"Not a chance Moony," said Harry. Suddenly a faint blue shield sprang to life around him. Harry turned to find Remus violently twisting a cloaked man's arm and forcing him to the ground. "What was that?"

"Mr. Potter please come with us," a security goblin said. Harry looked around to realize they had barely made it through the doors of the bank.

"Go with him Harry, I'm right behind you," Remus said as he hauled the man to his feet and with the assistance of another goblin forced him inside with them so he couldn't Apparate away.

"What is the meaning of this?" Ragnok burst into the room they had been led into.

"This filth," Remus snarled while further twisting the man's arm behind his back, dropping him to his knees, "was trying to hit Harry with some sort of spell, unfortunately for him I was able to shield Harry in time."

"Is he a Death Eater?" Ragnok asked. Remus shoved up the sleeve on the arm he was holding and shook his head. Ragnok grabbed a handful of wiry grey hair and jerked up the man's head, "Who are you and why are attacking wizards on goblin land?"

"Dawlish?" Harry blurted out when he saw his face.

"You know this man Harry?" said Remus.

"He was one of the Aurors that tried to arrest Dumbledore and Hagrid in my fifth year," Harry replied.

"Why are you here?" Ragnok dangerously asked Dawlish.

"I- I wasn't attacking! The minister wants to know where Potter is going. It was a tracking charm, I was sent to watch the bank incase he came by."

"Why does he want Harry tracked," Remus growled. Harry heard something pop in Dawlish's arm.

"He's worried!" Dawlish shouted through the pain. "Potter's done more against You-Know-Who than anyone. There's been rumors of him meeting with the goblins for weeks. He's up to something and the Minister wants to know what. How would it look to have some kid-" there was a sharp crack as his arm finally broke.

Ragnok leaned over the Auror as he collapsed on the floor, "You will go back to the Minister and inform him that the next time he tries to interfere with either Mr. Potter or the workings of this institution the results will not be as pleasant." The guards jerked him to his feet and shoved the man from the room. "Thank you for your assistance with this rather unfortunate incidence, Mr. Lupin."

"Always a pleasure to do business at Gringotts. And to think Harry, you wanted to come alone," Remus chuckled.

"Shouldn't we be a bit worried that you just attacked an Auror?" Harry asked.

"Not when the Auror tried to assault you in goblin territory," said Remus.

"Quite true. We run our lands according to our own laws. The ministry has no say as to what happens here," Ragnok added. "But I do believe it would be beneficial for you Mr. Potter to listen to your friend's advice about not traveling alone, at least for the time being."

"I'm taking a trip in a couple of days. Hopefully we'll be able to avoid any more problems until then," said Harry.

Ragnok wished him a safe journey before escorting them outside. Harry noticed a few more goblins at the doors than normal.

><><><><><><>

"So, do you think we should call off tomorrow?" Harry asked Remus as they sat by the stream behind their cottage.

"I think as long as we avoid any magical places we shouldn't have much trouble. We'll have to find a new meeting place, but other than that…" said Remus.

"Neville can Apparate to me, so he won't be a problem. What about Tonks?"

"There is a good chance she will check in at Headquarters tonight, we could leave a note with Winky." Harry quickly called for her.

"Yes Harry Potter sir?"

"Winky, if you see Tonks at anytime tonight could you tell her it's very important that she contacts us?" said Harry.

"Of course, is there anything else I can do for Harry Potter?"

"Not right now, how are things at the house? The Weasleys are all gone now, right?"

"Harry Potter's Wheezys have all left for home. There are many visitors, but none stay for long. Winky spends most of her time cleaning Harry Potter's home."

"Are you okay? I imagine it gets lonely there, you don't have to spend all your time cleaning."

Winky's ears drooped a little, "What would Harry Potter like Winky to do?"

"Whatever you like really. I want you to be happy, not feel like you're locked away in some rickety old house," said Harry.

"What about Kreacher?" Remus nearly spat out.

"The bad-elf stays hidden away from all, but Winky can hear him talking to his Mistress. She is most unhappy about what has become of her home."

"Too bloody bad," Remus muttered.

"Just remember Winky, you don't have to stay in the house. You can always come here to visit, maybe watch the telly. I'm sure the Weasleys wouldn't mind if you visited. Hermione and I are leaving on Monday for the rest of the month and I think I'm going to send Dobby to stay with her parents, you'll always be welcome there I'm sure."

"You're leaving me to fend for myself?" Remus asked.

"Not just yourself but Sirius too, and if you even think about complaining I'll have to make Winky come over every night and make sure you take your potion," said Harry.

"Winky will check on Wolfie every night," she proudly announced.

"What about during my transformation? Are we going to leave this place empty?" Remus asked trying to ignore the elf's sudden motherly turn.

"I'll talk to Neville tomorrow, he might like to get away from his Gran for a few days," said Harry.

"What potion must Winky be sure Wolfie takes?" she asked, trying to get back to what she considered more important things.

"He doesn't need to take it yet Winky, but Hermione can tell you the specifics," said Harry. She straightened up and popped away, "Crap, she's gonna wake her up."

"Why is Hermione so tired?" Remus asked.

Harry glared at him; "Neither of us got much sleep last night due to certain noises coming from across the way."

"Well, you have nothing to worry about tonight, but do I?"

"It's a good thing Sirius went to Azkaban when he did. I'm afraid to think what you'd be like with another twelve years of his influence."

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"Harry?" Hermione groggily called as she came outside. She found Harry and Remus howling with laughter, "What's going on?"

"Hermione guess what, Remus attacked an Auror today," Harry managed through the laughter.

She surveyed them closely, "Have you been drinking again Harry?"

"No Hermione, he's telling the truth. The Minister tasked the Aurors to find Harry; we caught one trying to place a tracking charm on him as we walked out of Gringotts."

"'We' didn't catch him, you did. And you broke his arm while we questioned him," Harry smiled. "Ragnok was pretty upset that the ministry tried to make a move on their property and sent Dawlish off with a pretty firm warning."

"And a broken arm," Hermione added looking not quite sure if it was a good or bad thing.

"I didn't mean to fully break it," Remus supplied, "but sometimes I forget my own strength, especially when upset."

"At least you were there, why did you let me sleep so long Harry? And why did Winky wake me up talking like she's suddenly become Madam Pomfrey?"

"I let you sleep because you needed it Hermione-" said Harry.

"Which is my fault and I'm sorry for it-" said Remus.

"And Winky is taking a little joke about her checking that Remus takes his potion while we're gone a little too serious-" said Harry.

"Which is also my fault, I suppose-" said Remus.

"It's not you're fault you're a bloody werewolf!" said Harry.

"All right, that's Greyback's fault," said Remus.

Hermione stared at the two of them, "You haven't been visiting the twins have you?"

"Of course not," they answered together.

"Right, I'm just going to go… away," Hermione said before fleeing back inside.

Harry made his way in a few minutes later and found her sitting at the table sipping a cup of tea while watching Dobby go about making supper, "All right there Hermione?"

"Of course, though it appears I missed something out there."

"Just a bit of silliness I suppose."

"And did everything go okay with Ragnok?" Hermione quietly asked.

"That's all set."

"I don't like the idea that you're planning for-"

"I'm not expecting to die for quite a while Hermione. I feel better knowing that if something happens the people I care about will be taken care of. Really if I didn't do this, everything would go to my aunt."

"Oh, well that's just unacceptable."

"Dobby," Harry asked as the elf slid plates in front of Hermione and himself, "you know Hermione and I are leaving Monday, right?"

"Dobby will go where ever Harry Potter goes."

"No Dobby, I have something more important for you to do."

"What?" Hermione and Dobby asked at the same time.

"Dobby, while we're gone, it's going to be your job to keep the Grangers safe. Stay with them and help them if they need it, okay?"

"Is this something I need to warn my parents of?" Hermione asked.

"I talked to your mum last night," said Harry. "She was helping me understand that ledger and some other money-stuff and I asked her if it would be okay. She said she'd put him up in their guest room. You're fine with that, right Dobby?"

"Of course Harry Potter sir, is there anything else Dobby can do for you?" His eyes noticeably flicked to the television. Harry scribbled out another quick note to Neville and sent the elf on his way.

Hermione sighed, "So, now what?"

"Now… I don't know. It's a few more hours until you can work on the potion, but we don't really need to get anything ready for tomorrow. I suppose we could try packing for Monday."

"Why don't you go get some sleep," said Hermione.

"It's too early for that-"

"You're tired Harry, I can see it in your eyes and I know you didn't sleep well last night."

"Really, I'm okay-" Harry was cut off with a kiss.

"Go to bed Harry. If you have trouble sleeping you can try packing."

Harry tried debating a few more times before finally giving in and stalking off to his room. After he shut the door, drew the curtains, stripped down to his boxers and slipped into bed he discovered he was remarkably tired and quickly drifted off.

Some time later Harry became aware of some movement. Thinking it was Crookshanks he half-heartedly tried to brush him away only to hear a soft giggle.

"Hermione? What are you doing, is it time to go?"

"No Harry, I just finished with the potion and thought I'd check on you." The room was almost pitch black but he could tell her face was quite close to his own. He also noticed something else.

"Why are you under the blanket?"

"Is there something wrong with that?" The tension in her voice was obvious.

"I guess not. I'd ask if you're okay with it, but since you came in here…"

"We did agree earlier that this was quite nice…"

"Definitely nice, also unexpected." Harry reached out to get his bearings before kissing her softly, "And most welcome." Hermione snuggled up closer to him, drawing him into another, much deeper, kiss. As his hand glided down her back and across her bum Harry realized she had changed into her pajamas, on the way back up her back he also discovered something missing, "Hermione, you're not wearing a…"

"I usually don't," she nervously told him. "They're not the most comfortable of things to sleep in."

Hermione rolled herself onto her back and pulled Harry almost all the way on top of her. One of his arms was trapped under the pillow her head was resting on but the other was free to roam, a concept that slightly frightened him. As they continued exploring each other's mouths Harry had to concentrate on keeping his hand on either the side of her face or the back of her neck. This became much harder when she began trying to gently brush it lower. The fact that he couldn't make out her face gave him the most hesitation. He needed to know if she was as nervous as he was; if he could only remember where he'd put his wand he could cast a light spell and get his answers but the last thing he wanted to be doing now was groping around his nightstand. He inadvertently focused his mind on the spell instead of the location for a second but it was enough to ignite their wands on the nightstand and his parents' on his dresser illuminating the entire room.

Surprised by the light Hermione gave Harry a very shaky smile and gently took his hand and placed in over her breastbone. They simply stared into each other's eyes for what could have been hours until the sound of Sirius and Crookshanks both pawing at the door briefly drew their attention, but only for a second. When Harry's gaze moved back from the door it landed upon his hand resting over the top button of her pajama top.

He focused his attention on his own movements as he slowly undid each of the four buttons that held her top closed then staggeringly slowly traced one finger down the thin strip of bare flesh from her neck down to her navel; Hermione's body quivered the entire time and she let out a tremulous moan. Harry brought his hand back up to cup her face; he found himself torn between asking her what she wanted him to do and simply kissing her until they both turned blue.

Both sides were beaten by Remus' voice coming from the other side of the door, "All right, I'll let you in. Honestly, I don't know how he could sleep through all the racket you two are making." Harry grabbed the sheet and jerked it over their heads, but Remus did catch enough of a glance to notice he wasn't alone. "Ah. That's how."

"Do you get the feeling someone's trying to stop things from going too far?" Harry asked after the door had shut again and they could feel Crookshanks moving around over them trying to get comfortable.

"Not exactly. Maybe this is just the bad that goes along with all the good luck we've had recently, after all there is supposed to be a balance-" Hermione was distracted by Harry clumsily trying to button her top back together with one hand. "Is something wrong? Am I not…" she asked in a slightly hurt voice.

Harry had to fight the urge to laugh, "Absolutely not, I'm just completely terrified that the things I want to do will make you hate me in the morning."

"Like what?" Harry vigorously shook his head in response. Hermione appeared to be at a loss for words and eventually pulled Harry's hand away from the buttons and slipped it underneath her top. As she gently guided his hand over her silky skin Harry felt like something had pulled all the air from his lungs and was trying to make every muscle in his body contract at once. "I… trust you Harry."

When he finally caught his breath he could only mutter one word, "Nox."

><><><><><><><

"You know, I'm supposed to bring Remus in for questioning about just how an Auror was injured yesterday," Tonks said as Harry joined her and Remus at the table for breakfast. He was pretty sure they had tried to talk to him as he emerged from his room, but the only things on his mind at that point were a very cold shower and trying to be inconspicuous about holding a bundle of clothes in front of himself.

"But Ragnok said we couldn't get in trouble because it happened at the bank," said Harry.

"There's no way they could charge either of you with a crime but that's never stopped them from detaining people suspected to have information," said Tonks.

"Do we need to be on guard while we're out today?" Remus asked.

"Nope," Tonks proudly announced. "Kingsley and I both reported that the two of you have been seen quite often in and around Eastbourne, so the team investigating is focusing around there. As long as we stay away from magical London no one will notice us."

"That's good," Harry absentmindedly said as he buttered a piece of toast.

"We really should be getting on with this before all the tourists wake up," Tonks muttered looking at her watch. "Oy, Hermione! Get out here and eat so we can get a move on!"

A few seconds later Harry heard the hinges on his door squeak open, when he turned and saw Hermione standing in the doorway he silently made a vow to himself to never try buttoning anything up in the dark again. Apparently he had failed quite brilliantly last night without noticing. Hermione's eyes slowly grew wider as she took in who was at the table, then the level of Harry's blush, then remembered exactly what room she was walking out of. Harry wasn't sure if it was a show of courage or possibly her deciding that she didn't care, but once the initial shock passed she flashed a little smile and joined them at the table without muttering a word.

"Well," Remus broke the silence, "Harry told Neville to meet us half an hour from now so I say as soon as Hermione is ready we should go."

><><><><><><>

Hermione guided Tonks and Harry followed dragging Remus with him as they arrived at the closest spot to their target Hermione was familiar with. Neville joined them a few minutes later and they set off looking for the orphanage. After about twenty minutes Harry thought he recognized some of the surrounding buildings and soon enough Hermione announced it should be just around the next corner.

"Well this certainly isn't an orphanage," Remus said looking up at the forty-story office building in front of them.

"I don't understand, it should be right here," said Hermione.

"That memory was from the thirties Hermione, the entire city's probably changed since then," said Harry.

"What about Harry's park idea?" Neville asked.

"Anybody want to clue me in to what exactly we're looking for?" Tonks asked

"Hidden magic. Probably a concealed passage to a bigger chamber, if there's anything here at all," Harry told her.

"Dad said there was a World War One memorial near here, somewhere to the north," said Hermione.

"Are you sure we don't want to check around this building first?" Tonks asked.

"The footprint of this building is easily three times the size of the orphanage. Anything inside the building would have been demolished, anything outside it would have been buried," said Remus.

"Couldn't hurt to look a bit. The worst they could do would be chucking us out, and it's Saturday so most the Muggles probably aren't working," said Neville.

"You're right Nev, it's worth a shot," said Harry.

They slowly made a complete circuit around the building, helping each other over the few barriers that blocked the way. Tonks pulled a small crystal from her robes and continually waved it across their path, "Auror issue. It's made to help you spot booby-traps," she told them.

"Does it detect all kinds of magic?" Hermione asked.

"It should, and no you can't borrow it; it's ministry property," said Tonks. "But I'll bet Moody has a spare he can loan Harry," she added after catching Hermione's disappointed look.

After another twenty minutes of searching they came across a small memorial set between two massive buildings. It wasn't much, just a fountain surrounded by a few benches and several shrubs. Several trips around the area each proved no result until Harry came across a common green snake slithering through the grass singing to itself about looking for a frog.

The snake went on about how it had only heard of one other human who could speak their language, a young boy who had not been around for many, many years but used to make the animals do bad things to each other. The fact that Harry had correctly guessed about Voldemort's youth made him a little queasy.

"So, we couldn't find any sign of what you guys were looking for right?" Tonks asked after they'd all returned to the cottage. "You're not just planning to go back without me are you?"

"No Tonks, there wasn't anything in either place," said Harry.

"So what does that leave us with?" Neville asked. Tonks understood Harry's apologetic look and Disapparated. "If she doesn't know, why was she with us today?"

"Just incase we ran into trouble," said Remus.

"And she's smart enough to not ask the questions we aren't prepared to answer," Hermione added.

"But we're still not any closer to finding the other two," Neville mumbled to himself.

"Would you be able to house-sit while we're gone Neville?" Harry asked a bit later.

"I thought Remus was staying here?"

"I am except over the full moon. Harry's sending Dobby to play bodyguard for the Grangers which leaves no one here to watch the animals," said Remus.

"We'll be gone from Monday until your birthday so really you could stay here as much of that time as you want. You can use my room," said Harry. "That is, unless Remus was looking forward to some time alone with Tonks."

"I should probably ask Gran. She might want me to bring Saldie, she'll never believe I know how to clean up after myself."

"Why don't you take Dobby with you and ask her. If she says okay he can tell Saldie where we are," said Harry.

"Would I be able to bring over any… company?"

Harry and Hermione shared a look, "Just Katie," Harry told him causing Neville to blush faintly. "And that bed better be spotless when we get back." Neville's face fully erupted; he quickly collected Dobby and Disapparated.

"Are you okay with company Moony?" Harry asked.

"I've already spent far too much time alone, and I like Neville. Between Tonks and myself we should be able to keep him out of trouble. The only slight worry I have is for the safety of the potion, not that I don't trust him but I seem to recall him being rather accident prone."

"Winky charmed the cauldron so that she and I are the only ones who can get near it," Hermione told him.

"But then how am I supposed to take it?"

"Don't worry, she'll be by everyday to make sure you take your medicine," said Hermione.

><><><><><><>

By the time supper was ready Tonks, Neville, Katie, Dobby and Winky had all arrived so Remus had to enlarge the table and draw up several chairs. Unfortunately for Neville there seemed to be an informal competition to see who could draw the deepest blush from him while they all ate. While the elves were cleaning up Hermione and Katie sat on the sofa laughing about something from one of Lilly's journals. When Harry tried to find out what they snapped it shut and disappeared to Hermione's room; Harry thought it best to not investigate any further.

"I seriously doubt anything will happen," Harry told Neville as he pulled up the loose floorboard in his room, "but if it does and you have to run away from here, make sure you take these."

"Is it really safe to keep Horcruxes in the floor?"

"Well, they're all disabled so they're not dangerous," said Harry. "When this is all over I'm sure there'll be a few people that'd like to check them out."

"What about the sword?" Neville asked pointing at the Gryffindor sword still leaning against the wall next to his bed.

"Dobby will be protecting that and the Pensieve while we're gone. You can call him if you want to use the Pensieve but Katie and Tonks can't see what's inside, have Dobby guard it if you go in."

"Okay, is there anything else I need to know not to touch?" Neville laughed a little.

"The cauldron in the fireplace should be charmed so only Hermione and Winky can get near it, but you might want to avoid it anyway. My window is charmed so Hedwig can come and go when she wants. We have dog and cat food, but they've never been opened since Dobby keeps feeding them whatever we're eating, and remember if you go into the village you won't be able to tell them where you're staying so say you're just visiting. For some reason Sirius, Crookshanks and Hedwig all like to sleep in here. I added a flap to the door this morning so you don't have to worry about them pawing at the door. Any questions?"

"I don't think so. At least it should be easier to get my homework finished without Gran hovering around," said Neville.

"There's a bunch of journals on the bookshelves out there from my mum when she was in school, feel free to read through them. Between that and the fact that there's a former professor here you shouldn't have any trouble."

"Is there anything you want me to research while you're gone?"

"You and Remus can keep trying to narrow down the list we made, just don't go running off looking for anything. Relax, watch the telly. Next summer we'll have to grow up."

><><><><><><><

"So what did you and Katie find that was so interesting earlier?" Harry asked as Hermione was putting in the final ingredients of the Wolfsbane potion.

"Nothing for you to concern yourself over," Hermione airily replied.

Harry walked over to the bookshelf, "Would you tell me if I found it?"

"I would consider it, but the journal in question appears to have turned up missing."

There was indeed a gap where it should have been, "So now you've taken to hiding my mum's things from me?"

"Katie apologized to me, for the way she acted towards you the night we all went dancing," Hermione abruptly changed topics. "She also wanted me to let you know she's sorry for kissing you."

"That's… kind of mean really."

"She didn't mean it to be an insult to your kissing abilities; even if she did I would have to sorely disagree with her."

"Is Tonks still here?" Harry asked while Hermione happily cleared up her things. The look on her face made it clear to Harry that she'd mixed the potion perfectly.

"She had to meet Moody for something and said she'd be back in the morning, why?"

"Just an idea, do you still have that pamphlet on Apparition the instructor gave you?"

"It should be on the bookshelf between Advanced Rune Translation and An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe."

Harry walked over to the bookshelves and realized for the first time that she'd arranged them alphabetically. He smirked as he found what he was looking for and quietly stalked off to Remus' room. A silencing charm allowed Harry to enter the room stealthy and a quick muffliato made sure the sleeping werewolf wouldn't be disturbed. Harry magically sealed the window, swapped Remus' wand for the pamphlet, and sealed the door on his way out.

"You are aware that Remus won't let that go unchecked," Hermione's voice came from behind him.

"Yeah, but it'll be wor-" Harry turned to see her standing in the doorway to his room, her pajamas exchanged for the same jersey Winky had put her in the night of the wedding.

"Is this okay?" she nervously asked after a pause. Harry's voice failed him so he weakly nodded. "Then come to bed."

By the time he made it into the room she was already under the covers. Kicking off his boots and slowly walking around to the other side of the bed Harry couldn't help wondering how things had changed so quickly. "I thought we were going to-"

"It's just sleeping Harry. We're going to be spending the next month together in a much more cramped environment so we might as well get comfortable with things like this."

"But it's a three-bedroom tent," Harry helplessly tried.

"We don't know that we'll be spending the entire time in there, and there's all the time we'll be spending in train compartments-"

"With Hagrid, and I doubt you'll be hanging around dressed like that!"

"Honestly," Hermione huffed. She reached up from the bed and plucked off his glasses, then his shirt, "I trust you can do the rest yourself?" Harry slowly pulled off his socks and jeans as she laid down on her side facing away from him. She had traveled across the bed to start undressing him so he walked back around and slipped in the other side.

Hermione was obviously annoyed about something, "I'm sorry, for whatever I did," Harry tried.

"It's more of what you didn't do," she laughed softly, "and you don't need to apologize for being a gentleman." Hermione took pity on him and after a few minutes adjusting he found himself on his side with his arms hugging Hermione's back into his chest, the position she had apparently been trying to coax him into before.

"I think this might work better if your hair was pulled back," Harry told her as he picked a few more strands from his mouth.

"Sorry, it didn't say anything about that," Hermione apologized as she tucked her hair back.

"What didn't?"

"The ugh… book I read."

"Is it something I should read too?"

"Oh no, I don't think you'd be interested. Besides, Katie borrowed it."

"Right. That probably means I really don't want to know what's in it," said Harry. Hermione didn't respond so he assumed he was correct.

><><><><><><

Harry again woke up in the morning from a dream that made him want to rush off to the shower. It took just a moment to notice something had gone horribly wrong during the night. He realized, far to late, why the boxers next to the ones he'd bought had a button on the front. A certain piece of him had freed itself and was currently sandwiched between Hermione's legs.

As he tried to slowly pull his hips back away from hers his problem only grew, then Hermione, still sleeping quite deeply, did the worst thing possible: she wiggled her hips back to meet his own drawing a great whimper from Harry.

Her legs squirmed around as she started to wake causing Harry's eyes to roll up in their sockets. He became fully aware of how warm that area of her body was, an almost moist heat.

"Harry?" Hermione sleepily called.

"I don't know how it happened," Harry got out between his short breaths.

"How what happ - oh my…" Hermione's legs pinched together as she figured out what his problem was, which really didn't help him at all. She had to be able to notice the throbbing. After a very long silence in which neither of them dared, or perhaps wanted to move Hermione finally found her quivering voice, "I think I'll just… go to the loo." She bolted from the room without looking back but Harry's frustration only intensified when he caught a glimpse of her purple knickers. Harry paced the room for a few minutes breathing as deeply as he could. He noticed the pile of clothes they had left on the floor was gone; Dobby had insisted that they leave their dirty laundry out for him and the only time it hadn't been cleared up the next morning was the night he discovered music videos.

Once Harry felt he had control of himself he went to check on Hermione, surprisingly she was sitting at the table silently watching Dobby pour a cup of tea for her. Acutely aware that he had just walked out in only his boxer shorts, Harry almost dove back into his room to change but since Hermione obviously hadn't and Remus was still sealed away in his room he just sighed and sat down opposite her.

"I really didn't mean for anything to happen Harry," Hermione told her tea.

"I'm sorry, I honestly don't know how that happened - I mean I must have… I don't know…"

"I don't think you did anything wrong. If you would have gotten out of bed before I woke I would have assumed it was just a dream but now I'm not so sure."

"What? Are you saying you…"

"I might have at least started it," she whispered, still refusing to lift her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry," Harry told her. He was extremely relieved that she wasn't blaming him, "Can we just call it a little accident?"

"I wouldn't say little." Hermione finally looked up shyly, her bottom lip between her teeth. Harry felt the calm he had built up beginning to ebb away again.

"Right," Harry winced as his voice broke. "If you say so."

"Will it still be an accident when it happens again?"

When, not if? Harry was sure his entire body had turned red as he processed the thought. "I… We could just…"

"Decide when it comes up?"

Does she mean…? "If you're okay with that."

Hermione stroked Harry's shin under the table with her foot, "I'm just happy you're not mad at me. I would never consciously do anything to make you uncomfortable, but apparently I can't be trusted as well when I sleep."

"I'll always trust you Hermione," Harry told her before heading off to the toilet. He was worried that if he sat there any longer her foot would start causing him more trouble. As he walked by Remus' room he noticed the Apparition pamphlet he had put on the nightstand was now sitting on the floor with the words `NOT FUNNY' written across it. "Oops. I think I forgot to take the silencing charm off."

Harry grabbed his wand and as soon as he canceled the charm they could hear Lupin pounding on the door and shouting, "Let me OUT OF HERE!"

Harry and Hermione shared a mischievous smile as she came over to examine the pamphlet. "I think I'll take a shower now," Harry quite loudly told her.

"Okay, take your time," she answered in an equally loud voice. The pounding intensified briefly then stopped; they could hear Remus softly cursing on the other side of the door.

"I do hope he hasn't hurt himself," Hermione said in her normal voice. She used Harry's wand to summon a quill and some ink then wrote Destination, Determination, Deliberation on the back of the pamphlet before sliding back under the door.

><><><><><><>

"Is that lump still in bed?" Tonks asked as she strode into the cottage. Harry and Hermione had both showered and changed; she was currently talking to her parents through Harry's mirror while he wrestled around the floor with Sirius. Remus must have heard Tonks and the pounding resumed.

"What the bloody hell did you do that for?" Remus shouted as soon as Tonks freed him.

"Would you have preferred going back down the cliff?" Harry asked.

"What are you on about?" Tonks asked.

"Oh, we just thought Remus needed some proper motivation to learn how to Apparate," Hermione said as she set the mirror down. Tonks fell to the floor laughing.

"You're not helping," Remus snapped before slamming the door to the toilet.

"Mum and Dad asked if we'd come over for supper tonight," Hermione told Harry as Tonks continued to roll on the ground.

"Okay, I'm going to pop over to the Burrow after lunch and see about the tent, we can go visit them as soon as I get back," said Harry.

"You don't want me to come with you, do you?" Hermione sadly asked.

"I wouldn't try to stop you from coming, I just think it would be easier if Ron's there. I know it hurts you as much as it does me and I'd rather you not have to see another of his episodes."

Hermione came over and knelt next to Harry, "When you go I'll just take Sirius out for a walk." The dog excitedly jumped up and licked her face, "No, not yet."

"It's too late," Harry shook his head, "you said the word."

><><><><><><>

Harry had hardly taken a step towards the Burrow when the tiny form of Gabrielle Delacour darted outside and clung to him. She didn't make a sound, merely desperately cinched her arms around his waist. Fleur followed sedately behind with a small smile.

"'Ello `Arry. Eet is good of you to come," said Fleur.

"Err, hi Fleur. Is everything alright?" he asked, not really sure what was happening with her sister.

"Things are better. I theenk Gabrielle is showing `er gratitude for you saving `er."

"Oh, it's okay, really," Harry said as he gave the girl a little pat on the back. "It's good you're both all right. I'm sorry about your parents, they were good people."

"Thank you," Fleur smiled sweetly. "Are things good with `Ermione?"

Harry held in a chuckle as he remembered what Hermione had told him, "Very good. She told me about the advice you gave her."

"I steel say she should `ave kissed you then, but things worked out, no?"

"We're both quite happy. Is Mr. Weasley around?"

"E is in the shed. You must bring her for dinner weeth Bill and I sometime before school begins. We hear the goblins `ave taken to liking you."

"Ragnok has been helping me out quite a lot. We'll see about the supper, maybe sometime next month," Harry said hoping she wouldn't ask why the delay. "But I do need to go," he gestured towards the shed.

"Of course. Arthur `as spent days tinkering weeth something new in there," Fleur gently pried Gabrielle away and returned to the house.

"Hello?" Harry called as he knocked on the door to the shed.

"Harry! Do come in," Arthur greeted him. Inside Harry saw a workbench littered with newspaper articles about the Martian probe and what must have been Arthur's attempt at building one of his own. "I've just got it working," he proudly told Harry. With a tap of his wand the contraption made up of six soup tins, an aluminum foil top, car aerial and other assorted odds and ends began rolling across the floor.

"That's great," Harry managed. "What does it do?"

"Oh, the one on Mars is digging around for rocks, but I'm thinking about trying to make mine chase the gnomes out of the garden."

"Err, you think it will work?"

"Well, never hurts to try." Arthur took a large meat fork and stuck it to front, "Let's give it a whirl, shall we?"

Arthur gave it a few more taps with his wand and it rolled out of the shed, surprisingly fast. They followed along as it made its way to the vegetable patch, rolled right up to a gnome trying to pluck a tomato and poked it right in the gut. "I don't think the Americans ever considered this when they designed the thing," Harry said while softly laughing. "You should show Fred and George, they'd probably make one of their own to punish any thieves in their shop."

Arthur's eyes lit with glee, "I never would've though of that."

After a few moments of watching the gnome hunter Harry finally asked, "So you said you still have-"

"Harry," Arthur quietly cut him off, "just so you know, the Burrow has been under Auror guard since Bill's wedding. You might not see them, but I'm positive word will spread of your visit, if you understand me."

"Yes, completely." Harry hoped the word would spread slow enough for him to get home before the minister arrived. "They tried to stick a tracking charm on me a few days ago," he whispered.

"I can sweep any off you before you leave," Arthur whispered back. "What you asked for is sitting under your family tree."

It took Harry a few minutes of contemplation before he figured out that he was being led to the Black family tree in Grimmauld Place, "Under the tree, got it."

"Good," Arthur said in a more normal voice. "Let's go back to the shed and make up some plans for the twins." Harry assumed he was being led out-of-sight so Arthur could sweep him but a voice from behind stopped him.

"Yes Ron?" Harry tentatively answered.

"I'll just be inside," Arthur motioned to the shed leaving the two of them alone.

"I need to say I'm sorry," Ron said while examining the grass by his feet.

"For what?" Harry didn't want to be a prat but in his mind there were a few things Ron should be apologizing for.

Ron let out a sharp breath, "What am I not sorry for. For everything Harry, for blaming you for Mum, for being a jealous prat, for almost punching you… Are you and Hermione really…?"

"Yes Ron, we are," Harry apprehensively answered.

"And you're happy?"

"We both are. And we miss talking to our friend."

"But - I mean - What about Ginny?"

Harry sighed, "We went over this before, I wasn't myself when I was with her."

"She doesn't think so, you know. She still thinks you'll come back to her after the fighting's over," Ron said, finally looking Harry in the eye.

"That won't happen. She still thinks I'm the bloody hero she had a crush on when she was ten, she told me as much at Dumbledore's funeral."

"She did?" Harry nodded. "Well, it is a pretty tough image of you to shake. I should know," Ron chuckled a little. "I don't think Hermione's ever thought of you that way."

"I know, and I think that's a part of why I like her as much as I do."

"Do you think she meant it when she said we never would have talked to each other if it wasn't for you?"

"Well, what do you think?" Harry uncomfortably replied.

"She's always right…" They lapsed into silence for a few minutes. "I was made Head Boy, and Quidditch captain. You turned them both down, didn't you?"

"Yeah, McGonagall wasn't too happy about that. Apparently Slughorn wants to have it out with Hermione because she talked me out of going back. I offered to, for her. She's wanted that badge all her life and when I said I'd go back with her so she could have it she said no."

"I can send mine back too, if you want," Ron weakly told him.

"You don't have to do that Ron."

"But I promised you I'd be there with you Harry-"

"The look on your dad's face when he told me about you getting the badge was the proudest I've ever seen anyone. You were happy when you got them, right?"

"Yeah. It should have felt wrong given everything else but at first it seemed like I finally proved myself," said Ron. "I didn't realize until the next day that they had to have been yours."

"Remember what you saw in that mirror first year? You asked me then if it showed the future but it only showed what you desired the most. You got it Ron, so you should take it and be happy," said Harry.

"But what about the-"

"Not out here," Harry broke in. "You never know who's listening."

"It's just Aurors-"

"I know," Harry shot Ron a significant look and he seemed to pick up that they weren't to be completely trusted.

"So, you've found someplace to stay?" Ron changed the subject.

"With Hermione and Remus, yeah. You should come by sometime next month."

"Next month?"

"Sorry, Hermione and I are a little busy till then. Remus and Neville can tell you more later, they're both helping a lot with, you know." Harry looked at his watch; he really didn't want to leave now that Ron had finally come around but he kind of had to, "I'm really sorry, but I have to go."

Ron nodded, "Are we okay then?"

Harry swallowed, "We're good, but you're still going to have to apologize to Hermione." Ron winced a little. "But I'll butter her up for you, how about that?"

Ron further cringed, "Please, don't ever make me think about that again or I might just have to take those fancy red boots from you."

They shared a little laugh as Harry headed back to the shed. Mr. Weasley checked him over and had to remove three tracking charms, muttering under his breath the entire time. "Mad-Eye might be at Headquarters, you can have him double-check you if you want," he quietly told Harry. "Or even Winky if you'd prefer not being prodded. I'm glad you've made up with Ron, he was quite insufferable for a while there."

"He was just upset," Harry defended him.

"Always sticking up for those you care for," Arthur happily slapped his shoulder. "You're a good man Harry, never forget that. Be careful out there, England isn't the only place with foul people lurking about and it's surely not the only place that knows who you are."

"I will. Thanks Mr. Weasley, for everything." Harry was about to Apparate when he changed his mind, "Sod it, RON! Get in here!"

"Is something wrong?" Ron asked as he poked his head in the shed.

"No, come here," Harry grabbed his arm. "He'll be back for supper," he told Arthur before Apparating them both to Grimmauld Place.

"What are we doing here?" Ron asked.

"The door is different," Harry said, not quite paying attention to Ron.

"Winky's done a lot of fixing up around here, you haven't been by?"

"I didn't want to barge in on your family," said Harry.

"Well come look, you won't believe it."

Harry walked inside and blinked a few times to make sure he was seeing things correctly. The dim interior of the house had been completely redone, the walls were all bare white plaster, all of the moldy carpeting had been removed and the underlying wood polished, and there were several gas lamps illuminating everything.

"Harry Potter sir!" Winky happily cried. "Did Winky do a good job cleaning your home?" She stood nervously in front of him waiting his reply.

"Winky, this is brilliant! You did all this by yourself?"

"While making sure we were all fed even though Dad kept telling her that you'd never want her working herself so hard," Ron added.

"Have you taken any time off since I hired you?"

"Winky is a good elf who works hard and needs no time off!"

The elf had been so happy that Harry had liked her work that he just couldn't push her to take time off; she still saw it as a punishment. "Winky, what are you planning on doing while I'm away?"

"Winky will do just as Harry Potter asks. Making sure Wolfie takes his potion, checking on his Wheezys, and making sure Dobby is doing his job."

"You asked her to check on us even though you thought I hated you?"

"Of course I did," Harry easily answered. "Winky I want you to promise me one thing."

"Of course Harry Potter!"

"While I'm gone I want you to make sure you spend a little time each day having fun. I don't care what you do as long as it's something you like." After a moment she meekly nodded. "Did Ron's dad leave something for me in the drawing room?" Winky snapped her fingers and the rolled up tent appeared before Harry; it just fit in the deepest pocket of his jacket. "Right. We've got to go but really good job on the house Winky. I'll make sure Hermione and I come back and really check it out when we get back."

Harry Apparated them to just outside the wards of their cottage and enjoyed the look on Ron's face, "Where are we?" Ron muttered.

"Just don't move, I've got to go pull our keeper away from the telly," Harry smirked when Ron's confused look only deepened. It didn't dawn on him what was happening until Dobby pulled his head down to whisper in his ear.

"Bloody hell Harry! You're living under a Fidelius charm?" Ron slapped his shoulder as the property materialized in front of him.

Remus was sitting alone at the table when they entered and flashed Harry a very relieved smile when he saw Ron standing happily next to him, "It's good to see you Ron."

"Thanks professor, you too. You've even got Sirius up on your wall!" Ron added as he walked over to the fire.

"Don't touch the cauldron; it's Remus' Wolfsbane," Harry warned. Ron visibly flinched back from the simmering potion.

Harry tensed up a little when he realized Ron was inspecting the pictures of Hermione and himself on the mantle, after a beat he moved on, "Are these your parents' badges?"

"No, they're mine and Hermione's. McGonagall told us to keep them."

"Where is Hermione," Ron asked.

"She took Sirius and Crookshanks for a walk," said Remus.

"Sirius?"

"He's our dog," said Harry. "We found him in the graveyard sleeping on my parents' grave. Really freaked us all out a bit, he looks a lot like Padfoot."

"Is that where we are then, Godric's Hollow?"

Harry nodded, "My parents actually had a store here. It's all empty now, but it was theirs."

"You never told me that," said Ron.

"I didn't know until Ragnok gave me the key."

Their attention was drawn by Crookshanks coming in through the flap on the door, the cat's eyes narrowed slightly when he saw Ron and he jumped up on the back of the sofa surveying him closely. Sirius bowled through the door after a moment, already barking from the new scent.

"Sirius, what's wrong-" Hermione froze in the door when she saw Ron. Hedwig, who was sitting on her shoulder, flapped her wings in warning.

Ron broke the silence, "You must have been a right sight walking around with this bunch." Harry smacked the back of his head. "Oww! I mean, good to see you Hermione. A- And I'm sorry I've been such a prat recently about my mum and your parents and you and Harry…"

Hermione attacked Ron with a quick hug, "It's about time Ron, we were so worried we'd never see you again." Harry caught her discretely wiping away a tear as she moved over to him, taking one of his hands between her own, "Did everything else go all right?"

Harry nodded, "The Aurors are guarding the Burrow and Mr. Weasley had to take a few tracking charms off me. We picked up the tent from Grimmauld Place, Winky really cleaned it up, and I told her we'd come by after we get back. Have you seen it Remus?"

"No but Tonks tells me the transformation is remarkable," said Remus.

"Where are you two going? Harry said you won't be back for a month," Ron asked.

"Harry thinks there's a Horcrux hidden in Albania, we're going with Hagrid to look for it," said Hermione.

"For a month?"

"Well, we don't know how long it will take so I'd rather have extra time than not enough. We're going the Muggle way so it will take a bit longer," said Harry.

"I could, I mean, do you want me to come along?"

"I'm afraid it might be a bit too late for that," Hermione sadly told him. "All our arrangements are for three and we're leaving in the morning."

"Neville is going to be staying here, probably the whole time we're gone if his Gran lets him. Now that you know where we are you can come by and get caught up with him and Remus," said Harry.

"And you can bring by your homework; being Head Boy you'll need to be extra prepared for the coming year," Hermione added.

Ron smiled weakly, "Are you sure? I did promise to be there with you guys to do all this. It feels a little wrong to think about going back to school when there's so much other stuff to do."

"Well if Harry's right and we manage to find another Horcrux, there'll only be one left-"

"What?" Ron blurted out.

"I killed the snake at your brother's wedding and the locket was in Grimmauld Place," Harry told him.

"We've been pretty lucky," Hermione added.

"I'll say. Maybe we could even find them all before school starts and you can come back!"

"You can definitely try and help figure out the last one while we're gone, but I can't go back until he's gone," said Harry.

Hermione looked at her watch and sighed, "Ron I feel really awful about this but we did promise my parents that we'd be by sometime soon."

"I understand. Harry told my dad I'd be home for supper anyway. I guess I'll see you guys when you get back?"

"We're due back the day before my birthday. Katie Bell might be over here a bit visiting Neville-"

"You're joking!"

"Not at all, but neither her or Tonks knows anything about what we're doing. Remus can show you the way to town and my parents' property; it's a nice place to go flying," said Harry.

Hermione hugged Ron again, "It's so good to have you back."

"Yeah, it's nice to be back," Ron gave her an awkward pat on the back.

"Your dad can tell you what's going on with the ministry, make sure you have either him or Winky sweep you for spells before you Apparate here," said Harry.

"I will. Thanks guys," Ron said before Disapparating.

Hermione immediately wrapped her arms around Harry and whispered, "Thank you for bringing him back Harry."

"Oh my, this place is going to be overrun with teenagers by the time they need to go to school," Remus muttered from the table.

"Be quiet old man, you're ruining the mood."

><><><><><><

The Grangers were happy to hear that they had made up with Ron but the good news couldn't completely ease the tension that hung in the air. They knew this was no vacation their daughter was embarking on, and they were fully aware that they couldn't talk her out of going.

"When are you due back?" Emma asked even though they had been told at least twice.

"The day before Harry's birthday, the thirtieth," said Hermione.

"But you promise you'll check in?"

"Yes Dad, at least every other day, as long as the mirrors work that far away."

Harry, at one point, did manage to lighten things up by slipping a Pepper Imp into Dan's pudding. The look on his face when he first started breathing fire was priceless.

"So Emma tells me one of your elves is going to be staying with us," Dan mentioned after Hermione and her mother had kicked them out of the kitchen to clear up.

"Yeah, and Winky might stop by sometimes. She really doesn't have that much to do now that the Weasleys have moved out of Grimmauld Place and if I asked her to take some time off it would crush her."

"They're kind of an odd little pair," Dan commented.

Harry smiled, "I wouldn't have them any other way. I know Hermione feels better that someone will be here watching out for you."

"Do you really think we need someone?"

"It's hard to say. Voldemort and his cronies think Muggles are vermin so they won't give you a second thought unless you do something that annoys them. One of my biggest worries about being in a relationship with Hermione is that it might suddenly make it worth while for them to attack you but you and Emma have friends and neighbors and lives that I just can't ask you to give up so I can hide you away someplace safe," Harry rambled on not really sure why.

"You have enough to deal with, why worry about us?" Dan asked.

"Being an orphan is one thing I don't want us to have in common. Hermione is the way she is because of you; she, her kids, her grandkids even all deserve to have you in their lives for as long as possible." All the cogs in Harry's brain suddenly seized. What did I just say?

Dan walked over to a cabinet, pulled out two glasses and poured some dark amber liquid in both, "I think this conversation is going places neither of us thought it would…"

><><><><><><>

"Are you okay? You've been a bit jumpy since you finished talking with Dad," Hermione asked as she sat on his bed plaiting her hair. "It couldn't have been that bad, I could smell the liquor on your breath."

"I'm fine, really," Harry lied. He had come back from the loo to find her already wearing his jersey, something it appeared she had claimed as her own. He pulled off his shirt and threw it on top of the little pile of clothes, covering her yellow bra before his thoughts could wander off in that direction. A part of him wished she wasn't in his room now so he could charm his boxers to avoid another morning like the last, oh well, he thought before pulling off his trousers. "You know, if we're going to make a habit of this I'm going to have to buy a bigger bed."

"Why ever would you think that Harry? We both fit perfectly fine on a double," Hermione patted the empty space next to her. When Harry made to climb in the bed bucked violently sending them both to the floor.

"What just happened?" Harry asked as he slowly got up, slid his hands over the sheets then climbed up so he was kneeling on the bed.

"I didn't do anyth-" as soon as Hermione tried to join Harry on the bed it bucked again, this time throwing Harry to the wall.

"Damnit Moony! What did you do?" Harry yelled.

Hermione cautiously got back on the bed, "I would guess he's made it react when more than one person tries to climb in."

"Can you fix it?" Harry immediately asked then an idea struck him. "Wait, let's go to your room. This will be a nice little surprise for Neville I bet."

"But what if he's charmed mine as well?"

"He'd expect us to fix mine or even have Dobby do it, not change rooms." As they quietly paraded themselves and the animals to Hermione's room Harry could hear the snickers from behind Remus' door.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Hermione asked as he snuggled up behind her.

I think this conversation is going places neither of us thought it would, Dan's voice echoed through Harry's mind. "I'll be fine." They laid in silence while Harry casually stroked Hermione's stomach through his jersey. "There is one thing we're going to have to do as soon as we get back."

"What's that?"

Harry smiled at her sleepy voice and kissed the back of her neck, "We need to find Ron a girlfriend."

"Why's that?"

"Between us, Remus and Tonks, and Neville and Katie he'll get to feeling left out pretty fast."

"As long as she doesn't call him Won Won…"

><><><><><><>

"Do you really expect Neville to find out about the problem with your bed?" Hermione asked as they waited on the train platform for Hagrid.

"If I know Katie as well as I think I do, then yes." Harry didn't exactly like the idea of another couple sharing his bed. It was a whole new reason to buy a new one.

"Just what does that mean?" Hermione threateningly asked.

"When you play Quidditch with someone for six years you get to know them pretty well. Katie, Angelina, and Alicia used to talk pretty loud, mostly to annoy Fred and George. There's nothing to be jealous of."

"I'm not jealous!"

"Right."

"Well what would you expect when I know you've kissed at least once!"

"Only once, I swear. Do we really want to go down this road? I'll be forced to bring up McLaggen."

Hermione winced, "All right, you win."

"We'll just have to burn the sheets when we get back."

"Agreed," Hermione said before pulling him down for a kiss, which of course was how Hagrid found them.

"I'm not gonna have to deal wit this the whole trip, am I?"

"Sorry Hagrid," they both mumbled.

"Bad enough I gotta handle kids sneakin inta the forest all year ta snog," Hagrid's voice was gruff but he was smiling.

"We'll try to control ourselves," said Harry.

"Hagrid," Hermione suddenly looked worried, "not to be rude but are you going to fit on the train?"

"Course I am! Harry's seen me do it!"

Harry remembered his trip on the underground with the excessively large man, "Yes I have, and I've never seen a car full of people that frightened before or since." Hagrid's laugh boomed across the platform as they boarded, he barely fit in the corridor and actually had to kneel to enter the compartment.

The journey to Albania seemed never ending but in a way Harry liked it that way as Hagrid seemed to be in the mood to tell them stories about the Marauders and the many detentions they had to serve with him. They had to change trains several times, and in the end it just felt like the compartments they were switching between were nothing more than cages. At one point Harry panicked when he got out his passport to have it checked only to find his picture empty; apparently his likeness decided to wander over to Hermione's for a bit.

"How is that even possible?" Harry asked once they were alone again.

"Maybe it was because our pictures were taken together," an equally confused Hermione replied. They had tried to make their pictures interact with Hagrid's but they didn't seem to have an interest.

When the interminable days and nights ended they found themselves in a small village standing on a large slab of concrete, the closest thing to a platform for miles. "Well, where to?" Hagrid asked.

"The area we're looking for is about ten miles to the north, you have the map and compass, right Harry?" said Hermione.

"Just look at the sun, that'll tell ya north," said Hagrid.

"What about at night?"

Hagrid started laughing, "You two ain't never been in any woods other than the forest, have ya?" They both shook their heads. "Get yer ruddy compass it if makes ya feel better but you'll always know what way yer goin' wit me."

Harry pulled out the map they'd marked and showed Hagrid the best path through the county side they could find; they had agreed to do everything without magic unless forced but Harry still wished he could hop on his broom. Dobby had taken it upon himself to pack for them; Harry's severely enlarged pack was stuffed full of food, while Hermione's had everything else. They didn't notice until they were in France that he'd only included one sleeping bag in consideration of their recent arrangements.

It was still early in the day when they started making their way up the slight valley towards Mount Korab and by the time the sun sunk below the peaks to their left they were all fairly certain they could see their target in the distance. Harry guessed the forest in front of them would run all the way up to the mountain and they decided to set up their camp for the night. Each of the three bedrooms inside the tent had a set of bunk beds and Harry had the idea to separate two sets and push three singles together in one of the bedrooms; it was just big enough for Hagrid, like everything else in the tent.

"Does anybody remember what day it is?" Harry asked after he and Hagrid had finished and Hermione had a fire going.

"I lost track," Hermione admitted, "but I think it's Wednesday. I wish I'd gotten a watch that showed the date."

Hagrid grunted, "Dumbledore left me his pocket watch. Woulda brought it if I could understand the bloody thing. What yeh need to know fer anyway?"

"Well it would be a good thing to not miss the train back," Hermione sassed him.

"That'd be a pretty long walk," Harry agreed. He was tired enough to think her serious.

"Harry finish up your supper and go to bed," Hermione ordered him.

Harry was about to tell her he was fine before he realized he could only open his eyes halfway. After quickly finishing he stumbled into the tent not giving a second thought to the trail of clothes he was leaving.

><><><><><><>

"Harry! Hermione's missin'!" Hagrid's booming voice jolted Harry awake.

"What's he on about," Harry mumbled to himself, Hermione was right next to him. The door burst open and Harry could just make out Hagrid's massive form without his glasses.

The gamekeeper made a series of indistinct noises before struggling out a "Ne'er mind," and leaving.

Hermione slowly rolled over and looked up to Harry, "Is something wrong?"

"I think Hagrid went to wake you up and found the other room empty."

"Oops," Hermione noncommittally said.

"When did you come to bed?"

"Not too long after you; it was easy, I just followed the trail of clothes."

"Oh yeah. We've been pretty spoiled lately haven't we?"

"I never thought I'd miss having a house-elf around."

Hagrid had to come back to wake them up after drifting off again before they could repack their tent and start off into the forest. They figured their general heading before the trees could cut off their view and checked frequently but after several hours of crashing through the underbrush it seemed to Harry that they were going over the same paths that Hagrid had stomped down earlier. He began discreetly marking trees with the knife he'd picked up with the camping gear.

"We're walking in circles," Harry eventually announced.

"We can't be, we've been heading in the same direction the entire time," Hermione told him after rechecking the compass.

"I've been marking trees for the last two hours," he admitted, "and I've already done this one twice." Harry pointed out the two small `x' marks.

"We gotta be gettin' close, the path keeps gettin' wider," said Hagrid.

"It's because we're making it wider each time we pass."

"How can this be happening?" Hermione nearly whined.

"I don't know. Maybe there's some magic around here that effects compasses."

"Hagrid, I thought you said you knew how to keep your bearings," said Hermione.

"Usually do," he grunted. "It's almost like there's somethin' keepin' us from goin' the direction we want."

"Harry, the direction spell you learned for the maze, try it."

Harry hesitated but reached for his wand, "Point me." The wand spun in his palm and pointed to his right. According to the compass north was straight ahead. "Bugger."

Hagrid heaved a heavy sigh, "Well, only one thing ta do."

"What are you doing?" Hermione yelled after he went crashing off to the right.

"Gotta head this way, maybe we'll find a clearin' an' check from the air," he boomed back.

They hurried to catch up; Harry took to marking triangles on the trees to be safe. After almost an hour the trees thinned out and they came upon a modest round clearing bathed in golden sunlight.

"Well this is certainly… pretty," said Hermione.

"It's gettin' late," Hagrid observed stretching up to look past the trees, "but at least we're still goin' the righ' way. Harry, why don' yeh get up on yer broom an' see where we are."

He pulled his Firebolt from Hermione's pack a slowly rose up in the air. The sun was setting between the hills behind him and the last rays of light seemed to be bending unnaturally to reach the clearing. In front of him Mount Korab loomed; he was thinking they could reach it in another hour or two if they continued on their path but then he noticed something. There was a section of the forest cloaked in a shadow that shouldn't be there; at the base of the mountain the trees had a grayish-tinge and looked to be surrounded by a thin layer of fog. If ever there was an evil place, a place animals would fear, a place Voldemort could call home… that was it.

"I think I know where we need to go," Harry announced as he landed next to Hagrid, but Hagrid was looking across the clearing watching Hermione talking to a… unicorn? "Hagrid, what's going on?"

"Hermione's asking fer directions," said Hagrid.

"Why is she doing it instead of you? You deal with all the ones at school."

"The herd at Hogwarts knows me, don't they. Not a unicorn around that would snub her," Hagrid happily slapped Harry's shoulder almost knocking him to the ground.

It was impossible to resist smiling while watching her gracefully stroke the creature's brilliant mane, the failing light forming a bright aura around them. He could tell she was talking to it, and it seemed to respond by making gestures with its horn and an occasional stomp of its golden hooves. Harry reached into his jacket, Remus had loaned him his camera and asked Harry to work on further decorating the cottage. He never imagined he'd find such a perfect opportunity and snapped a shot from across the clearing before creeping up as close as he dared to take another.

Hermione gave the unicorn one last affectionate pat on its muzzle before walking over to Harry still glowing, "Harry that was incred-" he cut her off with a kiss.

"You are so beautiful," he seriously told her before smirking slightly, "and I have the proof," he held up the camera. Hermione let out a happy little whimper and hugged Harry tightly.

"When yer finished," Hagrid came over, "somebody wanna tell me where we're goin' now?"

"I think the unicorn was trying to tell me that we need to head in that direction and the place we're looking for is less than a day away."

"I saw it from the air," Harry agreed. "But we might want to wait for morning. There's a patch of the forest that's so dark it's almost colorless, I don't think it's a place we'd want to walk into at night."

"Well I `aven't seen er heard anything dangerous. It should be safe enough ta camp here fer tonight," said Hagrid.

They set everything up at the edge of the clearing and cooked their supper over the fire. Harry found a large bag of marshmallows in his pack; Hagrid roasted his eight at a time. Harry felt oddly peaceful sitting outside with the moon high overhead even though he knew there was danger ahead. He wandered into the tent a few minutes after Hermione and found himself deliriously lightheaded as he opened the door to his room. Lit only by a single lamp on the nightstand she was standing next to the bed with her back towards him, wearing only her knickers. Harry stood there in awe as she dug through her pack for the jersey she seemed to be so fond of, he wanted to pull her into bed the way she was, he wanted to take a picture, he wanted to do something more than just gawk at her like a bloody idiot. As soon as she slid it on Harry let out a noise, there wasn't enough blood in his brain to know what kind of noise but he was sure he made it.

Hermione turned around, clearly surprised, "Harry! I didn't know you were there!"

"Sorry," Harry stammered. He was having a bit of trouble breathing.

"It's okay," she hesitantly answered, her face as red as her knickers.

"Erm, right. That's good…" Harry slowly stripped down and slid into the bottom bunk; Hermione joined him, her head over his still-pounding heart.

"Do you still think you need a bigger bed?"

"This is nice, but I rather like not having to worry about falling to the floor." Hermione laughed a little but quickly drifted off to sleep. Harry had to admit, even when going to bed with other things on his mind he was sleeping remarkably well lately.

"Harry," Hagrid's voice was just loud enough to bring him out of his stupor. "Grab yer wand, there's somethin' out there."

Harry quickly shook Hermione awake and they darted out of the room just as Hagrid was crawling outside, crossbow in hand. They ran out after him only to find themselves facing a centaur with an arrow pointing directly at Hagrid's chest. The snitch around Harry's neck grew warm and he realized he had just run outside in nothing but his boxers.

The centaur, who faintly reminded Harry of Magorian, said something in a language none of them could understand and seemed to grow angry at their lack of response. Hermione let out a soft `Oh' and smacked herself in the forehead with her wand, then turned to smack Harry and Hagrid in turn. Not liking the movement the centaur turned his bow towards Hermione, but Harry shoved her behind himself.

"Who are you human, and what are you doing in our forest?" the centaur's words suddenly became clear.

"I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Harry Potter and Rubeus Hagrid," Hermione introduced them in turn. "We are traveling through your forest to reach the dark place beyond." Harry noted the centaur appeared to understand her and it hit him; she must have used his mum's translation spell.

"The darkness you seek lies beyond but what can two humans and the son of a giantess hope to gain by going there?" His posture relaxed as he spoke and he lowered his bow.

"We believe the one who inhabited that area until three years ago left his mark there," Harry tried to be as respectful as he could as he spoke. "I am destined to fight that evil and have come to remove that mark."

"Your story is known to all those that watch the heavens, Harry Potter. The protector watches you in this forest but once you pass through the mist and into the shadow you will be alone. Be wary, there is an evil there that none return from."

"Thank you. Are we safe here?" Harry asked.

"Rest well Harry Potter, you are well guarded in this place. When dawn breaks you must continue your journey. Fare well."

The centaur abruptly turned and galloped away leaving Harry with a feeling that he would never see him again. "Well, least he's not as arrogant as the bloody ones around Hogwarts," Hagrid muttered. "Still, he coulda come by before we were all goin' ta sleep."

"Do you feel scared at all Hermione?" Harry asked after Hagrid crawled back inside.

"Oddly enough, no. For some reason this place is just…"

"Peaceful. I know I should at least be a little worried right now but I just… can't."

"Wait right here," Hermione darted back into the tent and reemerged a moment later holding the sleeping bag and a pillow.

"Do I not get a pillow?" Harry chuckled.

"This is yours silly. And you're mine." She took the bag out to the middle of the clearing, unrolled it and motioned for Harry to get in. Hermione once again fell asleep soon after joining him but Harry stayed awake a bit longer enjoying the feeling of her gentle weight resting on his body and gazing at the stars overhead. Mars was indeed quite bright, but tonight, it didn't matter.

><><><><>

"All right there Harry?" Hagrid asked while they waited for Hermione to finish getting dressed.

"I think so. I had kind of a weird feeling when I woke up, like there was something else out there with us. Do you think maybe the centaurs were watching us?"

"They coulda been, but I don't think they needed to," Hagrid shrugged.

"I kept dreaming that Hermione and I were riding on Buckbeak again for some reason-"

"You too?" Hermione asked from the doorway. They looked at each other in confusion until Hagrid started chuckling.

"What's so funny?" Harry asked.

Hagrid pulled Remus' camera from his pocket and passed it back to Harry, "Nothin' ta worry `bout, but yeh might be surprised when ya get these developed."

"Hagrid, what happened?" Hermione demanded.

"You know you can't keep secrets from us," Harry added when he refused to answer.

"I'm not keepin' a secret; you can find out whenever you want," he smugly replied.

Hagrid playfully deflected their badgering while they packed and then set off towards the place Harry had spotted the day before, it took just over an hour to cross into an area where the daylight seemed unable to penetrate. Harry wondered if there was something wrong with his eyes when he looked over and saw Hermione's hair had all gone grey until he remembered that from the air the trees all looked just as colorless. Not even their footfalls made a sound as they wandered through the knee-deep mist.

Having caught a glimpse of something Harry led them up to a small wooden sign that had something posted in three languages. When Hagrid made to step beyond the sign without reading it Harry's heart stopped; he jumped up and grabbed the back of his collar to hold him back.

"Harry? What are ya doin'?"

"Hagrid, the sign! There's landmines!" Harry shouted.

Hermione gasped, "How are we going to get around?"

"There's wha? What's a landmite?"

"Landmines Hagrid, they're little bombs Muggles put in the ground. When you step on them they explode," said Hermione.

"Well if they're little-"

"They probably have enough force to blow even your leg clean off," Harry interrupted.

Hagrid paled a little, "What are they doin' here?"

"There's fighting all over this region. Hermione's dad said there's a huge problem with refuges, maybe the government's trying to keep people from crossing the Macedonian border," Harry theorized.

"Which would mean they're placed along the entire mountain range, how are we going to get around?" Hermione asked.

"Don't yeh know a spell Hermione?" Hagrid asked.

"For all I know we're the first wizards to have come across this particular problem."

"Could we fly over em?" Hagrid suggested.

"We could yes; Harry and I can both fit on his broom, do you have one of your own Hagrid?"

Hagrid dropped his pack to the ground, "I might have somethin' a touch better."

"You have got to be kidding me!" Harry laughed when Hagrid pulled out the rug that normally lay beneath the table in his hut.

"An' you lot think I can' keep a secret."

"Hagrid! You've had a flying carpet all these years and never told us?" Hermione asked gaping at him.

"Never needed ta know," he shrugged.

"Ron's going to have a fit when he hears about this," Harry said as he sat down in front of Hagrid and pulled Hermione down into his lap.

"How high ya reckon?" Hagrid asked as he tapped the rug with his umbrella.

"Just a few feet off the ground should be good," Harry told him. "We might miss something if we go over the trees."

"And we wouldn't want any Muggles seeing us," Hermione added.

"Carpet's disillusioned on the bottom, Muggles won't notice as long as we stay over `em."

"If you've had this thing the whole time, why'd we have to walk all this way?" Harry asked.

"Oh don't be so lazy Harry," Hermione chided him.

They drifted over the mist all they way up to the mountain. Tonks had given Harry a similar crystal to the one she had used in London before leaving and he held it up before them, in the darkened forest it emitted a faint purple glow that grew steadily brighter as they approached the rocks.

It ended up leading them directly to an open cave, "Think it's safe ta touch down?" Hagrid asked.

"They can't place mines in stone, but we might want some torches to light the way," Hermione answered. "Are you sure you want to go down there Harry?"

There was a slight tinge of nervousness in her voice, "We need to check it out. I don't like it either but we didn't come all this way to wander the woods."

Hagrid rolled up the rug and produced a large lantern. The air inside was cold and stale; they wandered down the passage for hours before they came to a fork, "We'll need to mark which way we went; do you think we can risk a little magic?" Hermione asked. They all agreed and she took to marking every turn they took they same way she had the doors in the Department of Mysteries.

The darkness was infinite and they lost all sense of time. They would take one turn and continue along the passage for an entire day only to end up at the spot they started from. Roughly three days into their wandering they found an underground lake, Hagrid made to refill his water bottle with the water but Harry stopped him fearing what might happen if they disturbed the surface; they were forced to refill them with their wands.

Sometime in their fourth day underground they came back to the original split in the tunnel, Hagrid suggested they camp there for a while to rest since they were all growing quite irritable.

"Harry, maybe we should go back. There might be someone in a nearby village that has been down here before and can help us find our way around," said Hermione.

Harry sadly looked back to her silhouetted by the dim light of Hagrid's lantern in the distance, "We can't go back Hermione, not until we check down this way."

"But Harry, we've been wandering around for days now. You can't seriously expect to find anything different-"

"There's something about this place Hermione-" Harry firmly started, feeling irrationally angry.

Hermione clenched her fists standing resolutely before him, "Of course there is. This place has known magic for centuries, and Voldemort's presence turned it all to the dark but that doesn't mean we're going to find-"

"We have to keep looking!" he shouted.

"Why? We came here on a hunch, what do you think we can accomplish by staying down here in the dark?"

"I'm not going to just give up! If you think that just because you're my girlfriend you can make me-"

"I would never try and use our relationship against you to get something I want!" Hermione was shaking, trying to repress her own anger.

"Why not? It could be a bloody useful thing to have the damn Chosen One wrapped around your finger!" Harry wildly flung his arms about as he yelled, so lost in frustration he wasn't even sure what he was talking about anymore.

Tears streamed down Hermione's face as her resolve crumbled, "If I had ever thought there even a chance that I'd use some power over you I never would have let you kiss me in the first place!"

"Like there was ever a doubt! I would have done almost anything for you before, of course it would only get easier for you if I started kissing you for some reason!"

"For some reason," she quietly repeated then rushed past Hagrid into the tent. As she fled a horrible sinking feeling overtook Harry. He'd just said something incredibly stupid, of that he was sure.

Hagrid, seeming determined to stay out of whatever was happening between Harry and Hermione, gathered up his pack and wandered down the explored passage. Harry was still a few feet away from the tent when the sleeping bag and a pillow flew outside; his mind went back to the night before they left.

><><><><><><>

"I think this conversation is going places neither of us thought it would," Dan started.

"Err, sir?" Harry was suddenly very nervous.

Dan sat back down across from Harry muttering in between sips. Harry could only make out little bits, "too soon… hoped she'd be thirty… I'm not ready… just a baby…"

"Umm Dan? I'm a little lost."

"I'd always heard every father hates this; I can't believe I was stupid enough to think I'd be different," Dan mumbled, already getting up for a refill.

"D-Did I say or do something?" Harry's spine had gone rigid.

"I doubt you meant anything by it, but yes you did."

"I'm sorry," Harry automatically replied while thinking, This is bad, very bad. Does he know she's been sleeping in my bed? How could he?

"I have no idea where to start this," Dan admitted, giving Harry a calculating look.

"If it helps, I haven't been this nervous since I knew I had to fight a dragon in the morning."

Dan softly laughed, "Well then I guess I'm doing something right."

What the hell is going on here? "So, you were starting something?"

"How long do you expect this war to go on Harry?"

A quick flood of relief shot through Harry, "I did promise Hermione we'd be back at Hogwarts in time for our exams."

"You think you'll be ready to fight that man so soon?"

"I don't have much of a choice," Harry wryly told him. "He's got it out for me. There's a couple of things we have to find before I can get rid of him, and there's a few other people that need to go down with him before I can really move on. I'd love for Hermione to go back to Hogwarts, but I'm positive she won't let me go on without her."

"Who are the others?"

Harry's blood turned cold, "The rat that betrayed my parents, the bitch that murdered my Godfather, and the traitor that killed the Headmaster."

"You want to kill them all?" Dan uneasily asked.

"I don't even want to kill Voldemort, but I have to. If that's what stops them, then so be it, but I can't just let them go."

"And what happens after that?"

"Then, well I'm sure I'll be living by Hermione's study schedule, then exams… After that, I don't know. I spent a couple years thinking I wanted to be an Auror like Tonks, but that's three more years of training and honestly I'm not too keen on the idea of working for the ministry at the moment."

"Things could change," Dan diplomatically responded. "You're bound to become a war hero, your ministry will have to listen to you and you could always take a year off before going on with the training."

"I think I'll need more than a year to unwind from all this. I'm sure Emma told you about helping me look over my bank ledger; I have enough money to never really need a job. Tomorrow is actually going to be the first time I'm leaving England; it could be nice go around the world just for the fun of it. Maybe eventually reopen my parents' store."

Dan sighed heavily, "And where does Hermione fit into all of that?"

"Well, wherever she wants to. I'd love for her to come along but I wouldn't be surprised if she wanted to stay behind and seek out a career. She really could do just about anything she wants. I've never really thought about what it would be like to go on without her," Harry explained suddenly feeling quite sad. "If it came down to her asking me not to go I would probably stay, but I don't think she'd ask."

"Hermione might like to take a little time and unwind just like you…"

"I don't know about that," Harry chuckled. "She'd probably go mental with nothing to do for that long."

"You might be surprised there Harry. When we went to France on holiday a few years back I assumed we'd be spending our time on the beach but Hermione insisted on learning everything she could about the area."

Harry smiled fondly, "I remember, she wrote me while you were there. Hedwig must have known she needed an owl and showed up. She completely re-wrote her History of Magic essay with the stuff she learned there." Harry cottoned on to the idea Dan was trying to feed him but it still didn't feel quite right, "I've never… It's hard to really start planning for a future that you're not entirely sure you'll be around for."

Dan collected his thoughts for a moment, "There was a man over in the States by the name of Malcolm X who said `The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.' It's not my place to tell you how to go about your life, but if you were to ask my opinion I would tell you that the more vivid you imagine your life past this conflict, the greater your drive to get there will be."

Harry nodded, "I appreciate what you're saying, and thanks…" Harry finally took a sip from the glass Dan had given him and suppressed a cough as the liquid burned its way down his throat. He also took a moment to imagine what his life could really be like after Voldemort. Certainly trying to lie back and enjoy a normal life would be near impossible, he had already been nearly mobbed in Diagon Alley. Defeating Voldemort would only make that problem worse. It would be easy to spend some time abroad, years even. He had the money, but could he really enjoy himself with just Hedwig and probably the elves? With Hermione along he imagined there'd be a lot of time spent in museums, learning everything they could. She would love that, Harry thought, hearing of some interesting area half a world away and going to investigate just for fun.

"How's the future look now?" Dan asked. Harry hadn't realized he was smiling.

"Good. It could be a lot of fun."

"And Hermione?"

Harry gulped, was he really supposed to tell her father he was imagining taking her away from him? "She's there."

"Harry, I can understand why you haven't given any of this much thought and why you might not be ready to fully recognize what is happening in your life… Hermione is definitely closer to Emma than myself but that doesn't mean I don't know my daughter. She's different when she's with you, like a light's been turned on somewhere inside her. I doubt she's even come to terms with it but I recognize the way she looks at you. You said Emma and I deserve to be in our grandchildren's lives, I just hope you don't take them so far away that we never see them."

Dan's implication rang clearly through Harry's head and he downed the remaining contents of his glass in the hopes of avoiding a response. The subsequent coughing fit was loud enough to draw Emma and Hermione into the room, mercifully ending the conversation.

><><><><><><><>

Hermione stood in the room throwing clothes from her pack wildly about, "Of course he wouldn't pack any actual pajamas…"

"Hermione?"

She spun around and glared at him, "What are you doing in here?"

Harry closed the door behind him, "I'm sorry Hermione. I didn't know what I was saying-"

"And that's just supposed to excuse what you said?"

"What did I say that has you so upset, that kissing you was an accident?"

"Oh, so now it was an accident?" she snapped.

"In the sense that when I woke up that morning I never could have guessed-"

Hermione laughed bitterly, "Of course not, you'd been off kissing Katie Bell the night before!"

"That was a mistake-"

"Which is probably how you see things between us now too," Hermione's voice turned hollow.

"No. Hermione you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. Through everything that's happened to me you're the only one that's always been there, even when you were annoyed that I was using Snape's book you still helped me when I needed it," said Harry.

"I'll never abandon you Harry, and I'll understand if you don't want…" she choked back a sob.

Harry walked over and raised her eyes to meet his own, "I can't explain what possessed me to kiss you that night. The best I can say is that it felt like the right thing to do at the time, and I will be happy I did it until the day I die. The whole wedding and reception I couldn't help but notice just how gorgeous you looked; when that snake lunged for you, and later with Voldemort I just couldn't help remember the feeling…"

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked after a moments silence.

"Think about what you've seen in the Pensieve Hermione. What happened when I had to watch Dumbledore and Sirius be murdered? I was filled with such a blind rage that I chased after their killers with nothing but revenge on my mind, but when you fell at the ministry and I thought you were dead it was different."

"Harry, what does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything Hermione! Whenever anyone else is in trouble or gets hurt I try my best to help them out, but that night, I thought I had got you killed! It destroyed me; until Neville told me you were alive I couldn't function at all…"

Hermione's eyes were shining with unshed tears, "Harry, what are you trying to say?"

Harry took a deep breath to steady himself, "I love you Hermione. I'm a bloody idiot for not seeing it sooner. The idea of losing you is too much to handle; if it were to ever happen I don't know if I'd be able to go on. You're everything to me, if you only knew how much I want to just take you and your parents and run away from all of this."

"H - Harry, could you please say that again? Just the first part."

"Hermione Jane Granger," Harry softly spoke while cradling her head in his hands, "I love you. More than anything, and nothing you say or do will ever be able to change that."

Hermione sniffed once before yanking his head down for a kiss that lasted several minutes. Harry eventually found himself thrown down on the bed with Hermione straddling his lap, "This still doesn't mean I'm going to shag you," she primly told him.

"Of course not, we still have to follow your parents rule," Harry smiled broadly for the first time in days.

"Well, that wouldn't really be a problem," Hermione blushed.

"Why not? Is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. I just came across some information that helped me make sure that doesn't happen."

"Is… whatever you did safe? Can you really trust the person that gave you the information?"

Hermione was again not looking him in the eye, "I'd trust them as much as I do you."

"Who? I mean anything Remus might have told you-"

"It wasn't Remus, but really I don't think you want to know," Hermione bit her lip.

"Hermione, please. I just want to know what you did was safe."

"Oh all right, I used a charm… from one of your mum's journals."

A massive quiver went through Harry's body at the thought of his mother working on a contraception charm, "And you hid the journal for that?"

Hermione stretched out on top of him, "Believe me Harry, there's nothing in that particular journal you want to read, and I didn't hide it. Katie borrowed it."

"Great, so now she and Neville are working through Mum's journal in our bed."

"We're burning the sheets," Hermione reminded him.

><><><><><><>

"Do you realize what you did last night?" Hermione asked as they followed Hagrid down the next path.

"I rubbed your feet until you fell asleep with that goofy little grin you still can't seem to get rid of," said Harry.

"That, but you also referred to `our bed' back at the cottage. You've never said that before."

"Really? Does that mean we have a guest room now?"

Hermione kissed his cheek without breaking her smile, "I wouldn't be surprised if Dobby's already moved the rest of my clothes."

"Maybe we should move my things into your room, since they're pretty much the same anyway. Neville's the most likely person to be staying over, probably not alone-"

"We're not going to let our home become a place for him to… Are we?"

Harry shook his head; "Hopefully they'll get all of that out of their systems before we get back. What about when your parents come by, won't they notice?"

The way she ducked her head made Harry sure she was blushing; "Mum already knows. I told her the night before we left. I'm sorry it's just, she kept pushing me for answers and promising me she wouldn't get mad. She really wasn't upset," she said still smiling.

"That's good. Doesn't beat what your dad and I were talking about," said Harry.

"Which was?" Hermione prompted.

"The short of it was him asking me to not move his grandchildren too far away." Hermione jumped as if she'd received an electric shock and fell silent.

"Anyone notice somethin' funny about this?" Hagrid asked after a few hours of silently walking down the same straight passage.

"All the walls down this branch are smooth," said Hermione. "The other main branch was roughly hewn with stalactites and stalagmites scattered about all over."

"Just don't ask Hagrid to tell them apart," Harry weakly joked. Hermione shot Harry a confused look when Hagrid simply grunted in reply. "Is it me, or does it feel like we're going downhill?"

"Think you're right Harry. It ain't much, but we're goin' down," said Hagrid.

They set up the tent after what had to have been a dozen hours of walking down the same straight, smooth, never splitting tunnel. The further they went the less they talked; everyone was growing uneasy with the stark contrast to their earlier explorations. What didn't help things was the fact that the bright purple crystal Harry was still carrying was slowly turning grey.

Harry couldn't sleep. He was pretty sure his massaging of Hermione's legs and feet was the only thing that let her finally drift off. Once everything was repacked they silently continued. An hour later the crystal turned solid grey. Another hour and a deep green glow appeared in the distance; Harry forced the images of the locket's hiding place from his mind.

"Where in the world are we?" Harry blankly asked as the tunnel finally opened up. They stood looking over an entire village enclosed in an emerald green bubble.

"We - We're underwater," Hermione stammered.

"Well, least we won't be needin' the tent," Hagrid stated as he headed off towards one of the crumbled buildings. "Am I leavin' the lookin' up to you two, or you gonna tell me what we're here for?"

"We're not exactly positive what we're looking for, but we should be very careful what we touch down here. If we disturb the wrong thing we could collapse that bubble or worse, wake something up," said Harry.

"Like what?" Hagrid asked.

"Last time Professor Dumbledore and I found one of Voldemort's little nooks it had a lake loaded with Inferi," Harry grimly informed him.

"Where do we start?" Hermione asked as they walked up the road between a crushed building and a still-standing inn.

"I don't know, find the center of the town and work out from there," Harry suggested. He took out the still-grey crystal and noted it now seemed to have a faint blue core.

On the way to the heart of the town Hermione tried to rush into a crushed school and Harry was forced to point out that it had been abandoned for at least fifteen years. As best they could figure the town was centered on a traffic circle. "Don't suppose ya brought a shovel?" Hagrid asked.

Harry wanted to laugh at Hagrid's attempt at humor but couldn't. His eyes were drawn to the window of the bank on the corner, its one gleaming red window; "Hagrid, what is this?"

Hagrid walked over and followed Harry's gaze; "Oh dear. Harry, Hermione, find someplace ta hide. Now!"

Harry didn't wait for Hagrid to finish barking his order before grabbing Hermione's arm and turning to run back out of town. They hadn't even taken their second step when a deafening roar echoed throughout the enclosure and the upper level of the bank exploded outward.

"A DRAGON?" Hermione screeched. Harry looked back over his shoulder to see a massive metallic grey beast crawling out of the bank, its deep red eyes fixed on them.

The dragon drew in a large gulp of air as Hagrid rushed over and scooped Harry and Hermione up in his massive arms to dash between the buildings, narrowly avoiding a jet of fire. "What do we do Hagrid?" Harry yelled over the sound of the dragon's wings raising it up into the air.

"Whatever ya do don't run inta any buildings, it'll just crush it overtop ya. If we get across the street we might be able to lose `em in the rubble on the other side." A dull roar sounded above them, "Go now!"

Halfway across the road the dragon landed with a mighty thud sending Harry flying back into Hagrid and Hermione further out in the open. Hermione shrieked Harry's name, which drew the dragon's full attention. It raised a leg as wide as the whomping willow to crush her but Hermione managed to get off a spell aimed directly at its eye. The beast cried out in pain as its head reeled back.

Hermione's attacked worked, but not for long. Lowering its head to street level the dragon drew in another deep breath as Harry's arm began moving on its own. A thin wisp of greenish flame shot from Harry's wand and wound tightly around the dragon's snout, the fire it was preparing to incinerate Hermione with instead shot out its nostrils into the open air.

A guttural yell from behind Harry accompanied Hagrid taking a large hunk of the bank rubble and hurling it directly at the dragon's ear. The beast's head jerked violently and it crashed down onto its side hardly moving.

"Hagrid, is it down?" Hermione yelled, her wand still trained on its eyes incase one opened.

"Hang on!" Hagrid bellowed. Harry was still holding the snout closed but looked back over to see Hagrid letting out his own roar as he lifted a fallen pillar over his head and cracked it like a twig over the dragon's head. It gave one massive twitch before falling limp. "That should… keep it… out fer a bit… till we can… get the… outta here…" Hagrid got out between pants as he kneeled between its front legs.

Harry looked over to Hermione's slightly vacant expression as she pulled Remus' camera from her jacket and snapped a picture. When his shoulders began bobbing with his chuckles she rushed over, cracking Harry's back with the ferocity of her hug. He reluctantly canceled his spell and returned her hug, "Are you all right? I'm so sorry Hermione. I shouldn't have brought us here."

"I'm fine. Don't be sorry Harry; it's just… a dragon. A bloody dragon! Who puts a bloody dragon in a bloody underwater city?" Hermione finished shouting over Harry's shoulder.

"Harry," Hagrid's winded voice called out. "Come look at this." They walked over to see Hagrid pointing at a spot on the dragon's chest where one of its scales was sitting askew. "Bloody Ironbelly that's fer sure, but he's got somethin' wedged in over his heart."

Harry cautiously placed his face up to the scale and peered inside. There was a glint of something shoved deep underneath, something with a thin golden handle. "Hermione," Harry's voice shook, "I think I see the cup." She came up alongside him and stopped his outstretched hand.

"Are you sure you want to do that? Who knows what could happen."

Harry pulled out the Auror crystal and held it up to the dragon. The outer rim was a matching shade of grey to its belly, but the rest had turned to a misty blue. "The ring and the locket both made this same color mist when they were checked. There's probably no way to add enchantments to live dragon hide-"

"Shouldn't be able to keep one a these beasts as a pet ta begin wit," Hagrid muttered, Harry and Hermione both looked at him like he'd been possessed.

"Are you ready if we have to run Hagrid?" Hermione asked. As soon as he nodded Harry made sure his pack was secure he reached out, firmly gripped the handle and yanked back as hard as he could.

Helga Hufflepuff's cup gleamed in Harry's hand, "I don't believe it. In a dragon… bloody maniac."

A low moan sounded through the street and the dragon seemed to deflate before them, "We should go," Hermione urgently announced.

"Oh no…" Hagrid was looking up at the bubble enclosing the town; the green glow was quickly fading.

"Hagrid!" Harry stuffed the cup deep in his jacket and pulled Hagrid down to put a bubble-head charm over his head, and then on himself, Hermione had taken care of herself.

The three of them huddled together and watched the bubble of air around them quickly collapse. Just before the wall of water collided with them Harry threw up a shield to lessen the blow, the shockwave caused by the impact made their ears ring inside the protective bubbles they wore. Once he had his bearings Harry grabbed each of their shoulders and began kicking with everything he had.

Harry could feel the others struggling alongside him, his legs burned from kicking while his hands ached from the death grips he had on their shoulders. The blackness of the deep water was nothing new after spending nearly a week underground, so when the first hints of daylight reached through the water Harry's eyes stung. He kept telling himself Just a few more feet. We're almost to the surface. When he finally broke through his breathing had been reduced to short gasps. He wanted to remove his bubble-head charm but seriously doubted he'd be able to keep his head above water while they swam the last hundred yards to the shore. Hermione was bobbing next to him, her face completely white except for her bright red cheeks.

Slowly, as if he'd swapped limbs with a troll, Harry led the way to the edge of the lake and they helped each other out of the water. Harry canceled their bubbles while Hermione cast a quick spell on each of them to thoroughly dry them out. "Are you… All right… Hagrid?" Harry heaved out. He was tired enough as is; he couldn't imagine how Hagrid could still be going on after chucking around hunks of a building.

"I'm alive," Hagrid sighed heavily.

Harry rolled over to embrace Hermione, "And you?" She nodded, not having enough air in her lungs to speak, and Harry began laying small kisses everywhere he could reach with his rather limp body.

"Well," Hermione eventually got out, "at least it turned out to be a nice day for a swim."

><><><><><><>

"Harry, wake up," Hermione's voice came to him.

Harry slowly opened his eyes to find Hermione looking down at him. It was a clear night and the stars were twinkling brightly behind her. "Beautiful," was the first word out of his mouth.

Hermione smiled down to him for a moment that could have lasted much longer if not for Hagrid's snoring. "I think I've figured out where we are, and we have about nine days until we need board the train back."

"How long have I been sleeping?" he asked sitting up and trying to work through the stiffness in his limbs.

"I don't know, I've only been up a short while."

"But you know where we are?"

Hermione pointed to a dam at the opposite end of the lake, "There was only one dam even remotely close to where we started out. We're near Kukës, and I can hardly believed how far we've walked. Do you realize what you did down there, when the dragon went for me?"

"Dumbledore's flame spell, I know. Like I said before, if you want me to learn something, threaten me with a dragon."

"I never thought I could find that less amusing than the first time you said it. I guess I was wrong."

Harry reached into his pocket to make sure he still had the cup only to find the pocket empty. "It gone!"

Hermione lifted her hand revealing the Horcrux dangling from the tip of her finger, "It's right here."

"You've been going through my jacket," Harry said with a wry smile.

"I had to make sure it wasn't a dream, sorry."

"That's all right," Harry said as he carefully took it back and pocketed it. "Now we have to figure out what to do with the damn thing."

"We might want to figure out what we're going to do until it's time to leave first."

"Right. I suppose we should wake Hagrid," Harry looked over to his supine form. "I don't think he's moved since we crawled up here."

"I still can't believe what he did down there, I mean the shear weight of that pillar, and he just swung it through the air like it was made of wood."

"I think we just witnessed what he's really capable of when he gets really worked up."

"Harry? I just want to say I'm sorry for not believing you in the beginning about coming here, and down in the tunnels, and thank you for thinking to bring Hagrid. If you hadn't…"

"You don't have to be sorry about anything. I think that part of loving you means that you'll never need to apologize." Hermione made a few attempts at responding without success before giving up and kissing Harry.

It took a lot of shaking and a bit of yelling to finally wake Hagrid, when they were finally able to he berated them for letting him sleep so long.

"So, we got what we came here for," Hermione announced, "any ideas about what to do until it's time to go?"

Hagrid perked up a bit and took the map, "We could go visit Charlie Weasley and his dragons."

Harry almost asked if Hagrid was really serious about wanting to see another dragon until he remembered it was Hagrid. "How would we get there?"

"Could take my carpet. If we go top speed could probably be there by sundown," said Hagrid.

"You know where it is?" Hermione asked.

"Course I do! Went down wit Charlie when he first got the job."

"It is safe there, right? We won't end up fighting anymore dragons?" Harry asked. "And how many other wizards are there? We are trying to lie low, it probably wouldn't be good for me to suddenly be seen in Romania."

"Don't worry, no more fightin. I know Charlie's got his own cabin, sure he'd put us up there and not tell anyone," said Hagrid.

"Hagrid?" Hermione asked with a little smile. "Are you just trying to get us to go so you can see Norbert?"

"Well, I gotta say he'd like to see his mummy…"

><><><><><>

They arrived at the dragon reservation the next night and Hagrid snuck them up to Charlie's cabin where Harry knocked on the door.

"Who the bloody hell is that?" a woman's voice came from behind the door; before Harry had a chance to hide he was standing before a young woman wrapped only in a bed sheet. "Oh! Harry Potter!"

"Harry?" Charlie called from inside, a second later he was standing at the door in just a backwards pair of boxers. "Hermione, Hagrid! What are you doing here, is everything alright?" Charlie urgently asked.

"Everythin's fine Charlie. We were in the neighborhood an' thought we might be able to bunk down wit you for a while?" said Hagrid.

Harry couldn't help but notice the woman's expression alternating between excitement when looking at Harry and slightly annoyed when gathering some clothes and slipping into the loo to put them on. Charlie's cabin was about the same size as Hagrid's, but since his furniture was nowhere near as large there was plenty of extra space for his Weasley genes to cause a mess.

"So," Charlie began after pulling on a t-shirt, "not many people show up in this neighborhood, did you take a portkey here?"

"Nah, flew in," Hagrid told him. "Been taking a little trip through the mountains and thought we'd stop by here."

"Be honest Hagrid," Hermione chided him. "You wanted to see Norbert."

"Well I wouldn't say no to the chance," Hagrid hotly replied.

"No problem Hagrid. We can go see him tomorrow," Charlie smiled. "Are you guys going to need a portkey back to England from here?"

"We took a train to Albania, and we need to be back there to go back on the twenty-eighth," said Hermione.

"We're avoiding any registered wizard travel, just to be safe," Harry added.

Charlie's face showed a flicker of disappointment, he obviously hadn't been expecting company but he recovered nicely, "Well, you guys are welcome to bunk down here until you need to leave. There's a guy on the other side of the camp that can make some regional portkeys without getting caught if you don't want to Apparate or fly back." Charlie's friend came back into the room with the same half-disappointed look.

"Between Harry and myself we should be able to Apparate Hagrid back to the platform," said Hermione. Hagrid let out an amused grunt at the idea.

"We are trying to keep our being here as quiet as possible; your dad lent us one of the tents from the world cup and we've been sleeping in there. Would it be okay if we set it up in a corner in here?" Harry asked.

"Harry, no matter what my brother says, you kept Bill's wedding from turning into a complete massacre. Anything I can do to help you, I will," said Charlie.

"Actually we just patched things up with Ron before we left," said Hermione.

"Fantastic!"

"And your dad's been building things in his shed again," said Harry. Charlie introduced his `friend' Liz to them all and they shared some butterbeers while they told Charlie about Arthur's invention, Ron being Head Boy, and the twins' pranking of the Dursleys before setting up the tent in a corner of the cabin. Harry smirked when he caught Charlie applying a silencing charm to it. "Is my Horntail still here?"

"Of course she is," Liz excitedly told them. "She became the camp celebrity after that tournament."

"Would you like to see her again?" Charlie asked.

"Harry! That dragon could have killed you!" Hermione cried out.

"Hermione, she was just being a good mum, she thought I was after her eggs."

"She's safe to be around," Liz informed them. "We keep her pretty well chained down."

"She's not free here?" Harry sadly asked.

"She may have been a good mum Harry, but she's a bloody terror when she gets loose," said Charlie.

><><><><><><>

No one could stop Hagrid from venturing down into Norbert's enclosure the next day. He went down in the morning and didn't return until Harry and Charlie were making supper in the cabin. His beard was only slightly singed.

"Is there anyplace around here that we could pick up a birthday present for one of our friends?" Hermione asked as they ate.

"Well, if you want anything dragon hide you've come to the right place," Liz joked, "though we don't have anything as fancy as those boots you're wearing." Hermione blushed a little and looked down at the pearly boots Harry had bought her.

"Well, I don't think he'd be the type to go for fancy," said Harry.

"I'll bring by some cloaks and boots tomorrow, maybe you'll find something," Liz offered.

"You have that much just laying around?" Harry asked.

"All the best stuff gets sold off, but all our equipment needs to be replaced pretty regularly," said Charlie.

"You don't slaughter them for their hides, do you?" Hermione asked.

"Oh no," Charlie quickly told her. "A lot of them die from illness, it's kind of unavoidable with this many species living so close to each other. Some die fighting over territory, we try to take away the bodies before the other dragons get them."

"Most of them eat the sheep we import," Liz answered their next question. "Sometimes one will escape and go for the cattle on the other side of the mountains, then there's the Muggle hikers that find there way in. Poor blokes never have a chance."

Harry and Hermione both lost their appetites but thankfully they had barely made a dent in the food Dobby had sent with them so a little waste didn't matter.

At dusk Charlie led Harry and Hagrid out to she the Horntail. She would have been perfectly camouflaged in her blackened pit if it weren't for her bronze horns and yellow eyes. When she spotted Harry she let out a great screech. "She remembers you Harry," Charlie told him.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" The dragon began pacing around the pit; Harry noticed that she was manacled to the rocks. "It doesn't seem right that something be born with wings then not be able to use them."

"Have you ever thought about coming to work out here Harry?" Charlie asked.

"No, as soon as this bloody war is over and I'm done with N.E.W.T.S. I think I'm going to need to go somewhere where no one knows me."

"A lot of wizards come out here to get away from everything," Charlie philosophically told him.

"No thanks. I might respect them a bit more now, but I think by the time we leave I'll have had my fill of dragons."

They passed Norbert's enclosure on the way back and Hagrid went down to tuck him in. Harry almost joined him, but decided better when he thought of what Hermione's reaction would be.

><><><><><><>

Late that night Harry convinced Hermione to go for a walk around the reservation. Charlie had helped them brew up a potion to develop the pictures they had taken and had a small fit when he saw the one with the dragon lying defeated before Harry and Hagrid. What was more interesting to the teens was a picture of the two of them sleeping in a clearing, next to a griffin. They learned how duplicate the pictures, and gave Charlie copies of all but the one with the Ironbelly (and a plea to not say anything about it to anyone). When they reached Norbert's paddock a pair of glowing orange eyes caught Harry's attention.

"Harry, what is it?"

"Norbert. He's watching us, almost as if he's trying to talk."

Norbert gave a little yawp in agreement as his eyes bored further into Harry's.

"What do you suppose he wants?" Hermione asked.

Harry took a step closer to the enclosure but she held him back. "I don't know. For some reason I think he wants to help us."

"Help us do what?"

Harry reached into his jacket and pulled out the cup, Norbert let out a low moan of approval, his eyes fixed on Harry's.

"He wants the cup?" Harry asked in confusion.

"To do what with it?"

"Maybe he thinks he can help destroy it."

Another moan, Harry took another step down.

"Harry no, you can't go down there."

"But what if he-"

"Harry, we were all almost killed by a dragon days ago. Please, don't go down there." Harry looked Hermione in the eye for a minute and nodded. "Can I see it?" Hermione asked.

Harry handed it to her and with a flick of her wand it floated down and came to rest on the rock a few feet away from Norbert who let out another yawp before staring up at Hermione.

"What do you think he's going to do?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, lets give him a chance," said Hermione.

Norbert turned his attention from them to the cup, straightened his stance, took a deep breath and began raining down fire upon the Horcrux. He continually expelled all the air from his lungs, took another deep breath and re-assaulted the cup.

Harry held Hermione's hand tightly as they watched the rocks surrounding the Horcrux steadily begin to glow red and fuse into one smooth surface. The cup began to glow, the gold sparkling in the fire. Harry was vaguely aware of Hermione pulling Remus' out of her pocket. Norbert seemed aware of the cups growing brilliance and redoubled his efforts, billowing out a white-hot fire that made the air warp around it. The gold finally gave way, the mouth of the cup turned oblong and it wilted on its stem. A piercing scream made its way over the sound of rushing fire and with a sudden pop a magical concussion wave sent the withered cup sailing up in the air and blew out Norbert's fire.

A soft clang accompanied Helga's cup landing aside from the now-orange rocks, Norbert looked back up to them, released a pair of short moans and meandered away in his paddock. Hermione summoned the remains to her, gingerly testing it for heat before taking it fully in her hand. Harry preformed the Prior Incantato without result and looked at Hermione in amazement.

"Thanks Norbert," Hermione weakly called after the dragon.

<><><><><><><>

"Hermione?" Harry asked as she got into bed. "Do you wonder if this is maybe going too well?"

"Since when does being attacked by a dragon and nearly drowned mean things are going well?" she chuckled.

"You know what I mean, everything's just been almost… easy."

"We've been very lucky," she agreed. "I'm just hoping it holds out as long as possible."

"I'm worried."

"What ever about?"

"You said something before about there being a balance to things, and that makes a lot of sense. I think that clearing in the forest is a good example; it was a good and peaceful place balanced out by what Voldemort did to the mountain, one had a griffin protecting us, the other a dragon looking for lunch. Everything for us has been going better than I ever dreamed it could, what would balance that out… it scares me."

"Don't think about that," Hermione whispered into his chest.

"I can't help it. I'd rather live in a world with Voldemort than lose the person I love-"

"Don't say that Harry, you know it's not true-"

"Mind you we'd be moving to India."

"That's not funny," she weakly replied. "Ignoring the fact that he'd track us down, we both know that you'd never be able to truly move on in life knowing he's still out there. Running away would make you into a different person; I don't want to lose the man I love."

"Come again?"

"I love you Harry, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

Harry smirked; "My own guardian angel. Does that mean you'll shag me now?" Hermione's body went rigid on top of his own. "I'm sorry, it was just a joke."

"Don't be sorry Harry, it's just…"

"You don't want to?" Harry gently asked after a moment of silence.

"Not exactly. It's not that I wouldn't like to, I guess it's just… I always imagined I'd earn my white dress when I get married…"

Harry rubbed her back to try and relax her tense body; "I love you no matter what Hermione, and I promise I won't try and push you to do anything you don't want to do."

Hermione relaxed; "Thank you Harry. I think we've both been a bit nervous about… that sort of thing."

"Does that mean we're going back to wearing proper pajamas?" Harry joked.

"Oh, I think I rather like you in just your boxers," Hermione told him as she stroked his bare chest. "I just hope you'll forgive me if I don't get a chance to shave my legs."

"I could always do it for you, if you don't have time."

Hermione shivered a bit and lightly bit his neck, "I seriously doubt that could save me any time."

Harry stroked one of her legs with his foot, "How can you be sure without properly researching?" Hermione responded with a soft moan and Harry noticed she was breathing a little faster than normal. "Sorry, I'll stop teasing you."

"Thank you," Hermione quietly told him.

As they laid there in silence the idea that Hermione really loved him finally sunk into Harry's head. He knew others had loved him, his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, but this was different. He felt whole, like he'd been missing something his entire life and found it. Something he never wanted to be without. "Hermione, what do you want to do after we're finished with Hogwarts?"

She rolled onto her side to better look at him; "Honestly I'm not very sure anymore. I've always wanted to do something to make a difference in peoples lives, but really, defeating Voldemort will be kind of a tough act to follow. I've thought about trying to make my way into the ministry in an effort to help other magical beings, but it seems more and more like it'd be a waste of time trying to work through them. I suppose I can find something to do in London during your Auror training-"

"You shouldn't have to rearrange your life to suit mine-"

"Honestly Harry, I know I can Apparate to a job anywhere else, I just like the idea of staying close to you," said Hermione.

"What if I didn't enter the Auror academy?"

"But it's what you've always talked of doing, what could change your mind?"

"By the time this is done I think I'll have had my share of fighting, then there's the ministry. I don't really fancy working for a place that'll use me for their own image," Harry repressed a growl at the thought.

"Unfortunately I think that would be the case anywhere you work."

Harry shifted nervously; "Hermione, I'm sure you have a pretty good idea, but you might not know the full extent."

"Extent of what?" she curiously asked.

"My… wealth. What you saw in my vault isn't even a hundredth of the total."

Hermione let out a soft `oh.' "And what does that mean?"

Harry brushed his fingers over her cheek, "How would you feel about going away when this is all done - not running off to hide just, exploring."

"Exploring what?"

"Anything we want. I know how much you love learning, can you imagine being able to hear about somewhere interesting and just go there, even if it's on the other side of the globe?"

Hermione brightened up; "Harry I'd drive you mad. It could take years to satisfy even some of my simpler curiosities-"

"I'm counting on it, and you could never drive me mad. As long as you could avoid setting study schedules I'd be having as much fun as you, I think."

"What about my parents, and our friends?"

"We could come back and see them whenever we want. Maybe we could even learn how to make our own portkeys to simplify that; I know they're supposed to be authorized but Dumbledore never got in trouble for making any so I doubt we would. Your dad's the one that put me on the idea, then asked that I make sure he gets to know his grandkids…"

"And what was your reply?" Hermione asked, unable to hold down her smile.

"Didn't get around to one, I started coughing so loud you and your mum came in the room."

"Pity."

><><><><><><

Their remaining time in Romania went by quickly. Hagrid wasn't around much, quite understandably, and Harry and Hermione spent most of their time sequestered away in either the tent, or Charlie's cabin. The reservation was large enough to help them avoid anyone else the few times they went outside for a walk, usually at night.

"I miss Hedwig," Harry said as they prepared supper the night before they needed to catch the train back.

"I know how you feel, I'm so used to feeling Crookshanks prowling around on the bed it just doesn't feel right without him," said Hermione.

"You think everything's been going good while we've been gone?"

"We have smart animals," Hermione said with pride. "I'm sure they've gotten along fine without us."

"Still, I can't wait to see my girl again."

Hermione bumped him with her hips, "Care to rephrase that?"

"Not really. Hedwig's been my friend longer than anyone save Hagrid, and she's the only one I had to talk to when I was locked up at the Dursleys. What I feel for her, however, is nothing compared to how much I love you."

"You've certainly been quick to pick up being a sweet-talker," Hermione said before pulling him down for a kiss.

"Oy! Some of us are waiting for our food here," Charlie called form the table in a typical Weasley fashion.

"Wouldn't hurt you to take a few notes before he leaves," Liz retaliated.

"You two seem rather close," Hermione observed as they brought over the food. "How come I don't remember seeing you at Bill's wedding?"

Charlie's face paled and Liz hung her head, "I was a bit scared of meeting Charlie's family, given the size of it. We'd only been together for a month. I'd heard all about the jokes his brothers have played on people and how they all had been told off by… their mum. Thought it was a bit early to be going through all that and now… I can't…" Hermione laid a sympathetic hand on her arm.

"Molly was an exceedingly kind witch, I'm sure she would have loved you," said Hermione. "Fred and George however, should be kept in the dark as long as possible."

"And once they find out you'll want to thoroughly check any post they send," Harry added.

"Those gits will think twice before sending anything this way," Charlie said with a grim smile. "The last time they tried they could get more than twenty feet from the toilet without having to run back."

"You boys and your pranks," Hermione huffed.

"Are they really that bad?" Liz asked with a furrowed brow.

Harry barked out a laugh, "We ran into Percy before we left and his nose still looked like a goblin's snout."

"That's just the damage you could see. Bloody prat," Charlie added under his breath.

"Your dad's quite disappointed in him," Harry admitted.

"Rightfully so," Charlie scoffed.

"Do you think we need to be worried about what he may do, given the war?" Hermione gently asked.

"No," Charlie shook his head. "He's a power-hungry wanker, that's true, but he still has enough of a heart to not want anybody else hurt. As long as somebody's around to give him a kick in the pants occasionally he'll keep doing what he thinks is right."

"We'll make sure your brothers send you word if he ever needs a bit more than a kick," Harry said, drawing a hearty laugh from Charlie.

><><><><><><><>

After a tearful good-bye (for Hagrid anyway) they packed everything up for the last time and Apparated back to Albania. Hagrid surprised everyone by Apparating himself, when asked about when he learned he admitted that it had taken Dumbledore six years of on-again, off-again instruction for him to master it since he wasn't allowed to go through the ministry.

Harry and Hermione spent another very long train ride mostly badgering Hagrid about what other secrets he was hiding. At this point Harry wouldn't have been surprised if he was running a petting zoo in the Amazon on his days off.

They had decided to part ways as soon as they were back on English soil and just before he vanished Hermione presented Hagrid with a blown up photo Harry had snuck off and taken of him singing Norbert a lullaby one night. Harry was sure he'd be carrying a bruise from the resulting hug they'd received.

Dan and Emma had taken the day off work to anxiously await their return; Dobby wrapped himself around Harry's leg as soon as he walked into the Granger's house. Dan made a joke out of telling Harry that he'd be receiving their electric bill for the month.

Harry and Hermione had brought back a pair of dragon hide gloves for Emma to use while gardening and some boots for Dan that, while clearly not as well made as the one's they'd gotten themselves, were quite nice. The Grangers were also shown of all of the pictures they had taken and given copies of everything that didn't involve the cup.

"So you two look rather cozy here," Emma held up the picture of them in the sleeping bag as Dan and Hermione were upstairs looking for frames.

Harry felt his face flush even though he knew Hermione had told her mother of their sleeping arrangements. "It was a really nice night. A centaur came by earlier to see who we are and the griffin showed up sometime after we fell asleep."

"Dan told me about the talk the two of you had before you left. I think he was as surprised as you about what came up, he didn't scare you too badly, did he?"

"I was pretty nervous at first," Harry admitted, "but once he started talking to me rather than himself I calmed down."

"Have you given any more thought to what you want to do?"

"Hermione and I had a bit of a chat about traveling around once everything's done, she took to the idea a lot better than I thought she would. I wouldn't be surprised if she's already making a list of places to go."

"It's good for you both to have something to look forward to. You do promise not to stay away for excessively long periods, right? Especially if it's not just the two of you?" Harry felt himself turn a few shades redder and nodded.

><><><><><

Arriving back at the cottage shortly after lunch Harry was immediately bowled to the ground by Sirius. Hermione allowed the dog to slobber over his face for a bit before helping him up and inside.

"Welcome home," Remus called as they walked in. He was sitting at the table with Tonks and Katie while Ron and Neville were rooted to the sofa watching the telly.

"Thanks Moony, it's good to be back. Happy birthday Neville!" Harry slapped his shoulder to draw his attention.

"I hope you two haven't been watching that thing the entire time we've been gone," said Hermione.

Ron dramatically sighed, "Don't worry, we've done our homework."

Harry fondly stroked Hedwig as she landed on his shoulder. "How did things go for you Remus?"

"You mean besides feeling like a chaperone at a school dance?" he asked as he walked over to them.

"You know what he means," said Hermione.

Hermione made a surprised little noise as Remus lifted her from the ground in a hug, "Everything went as well as possible, thank you Hermione. Now, what have the two of you been up to for the last month?"

"Oh you know," Harry airily replied, "we wandered around for a bit, went swimming, stopped in Romania to visit Charlie…"

"You've seen Charlie?" Ron finally came away from the sofa.

"And his girlfriend," said Hermione.

"Charlie's got a girl, who is she?" Tonks asked.

"Her name's Liz, apparently she was a couple years behind him at Hogwarts and works with him now," said Harry.

"We have a picture," Hermione pulled the remaining photos from her pack and found the one she'd convinced the couple into letting her take.

"She's hot," Ron commented after taking it. "Course Charlie'll never have a problem there with those wicked burns he has."

Tonks snatched the picture away from Ron, "How would you feel if your brothers went around calling whatever girl is fool enough to date you hot?"

Ron shrugged, "Like I'm doing something right."

"You are such a pig," Hermione told him, Ron merely shrugged again being used to such insults.

"So, was it a good trip?" Neville carefully asked.

Harry gave him a slow nod, "Very good, and we brought you a birthday present." Harry pulled a wrapped box from Hermione's pack and Neville was happy to find a dark green dragon hide jacket inside.

"This is great, where did you find it?" Neville said as he slipped it on.

"A Longhorn died just before we arrived at the reservation," Hermione answered.

"So it was a successful venture?" Remus asked. Harry sent Tonks a meaningful glance.

"I think Katie and I will take Sirius for a walk," she announced. The fact that Katie went along so easily made Harry think she was somewhat familiar with the situation.

As soon as they had gone Harry had Dobby bring in the Pensieve and set the warped cup upon the table. "It was there, and it's destroyed."

"What did you do to it?" Remus asked.

Harry flipped through the stack of pictures and placed the ones of the defeated Ironbelly and Norbert with the cup on the table. "How did you get a dragon to do that for you?" Neville asked.

"That dragon," Hermione's lips twisted into a smile, "is Norbert."

"Wicked!" Ron laughed.

"And the other photo?" Remus asked.

"The Horcrux was lodged underneath that dragon's scales, in an abandoned town, enclosed in a magical bubble, at the bottom of a lake," said Harry, the others jaws proceeded to drop a little lower with every point he mentioned.

"Bloody hell," Ron weakly muttered.

Harry dropped his memories of the darkened forest, finding the city, the dragon, and Norbert's fire into the Pensieve and they all watched from over top.

"Who knew Hagrid had it in him," Neville muttered once they were through.

"It's a very good thing you brought him along," Remus added.

"The lake… it just fell on you…" said Ron.

"As soon as I pulled the cup free. The bubble must have been tied to it being with the dragon," said Harry.

"Have you had any luck with the last one?" Hermione asked.

"Our list of subjects is down to a half-dozen of Ravenclaw's things, mostly jewelry," said Remus. "A few of them are on display in museums, we were thinking of trying to covertly test them."

"Good. We can begin on that next week. I think Harry and I could both use a few days rest sleeping on something a bit more comfortable than those bunk beds," said Hermione.

Everyone stayed for supper and most of the talk was about the photos Dobby had managed to frame without anyone noticing. Harry did hold in a nervous breath when Ron was passed the one of him and Hermione sleeping outside, but she laid a hand on his thigh under the table and gave him a squeeze of reassurance before Ron quickly passed it along.

Harry was secretly very happy to learn Katie's parents hadn't allowed her to stay overnight at the cottage but still covertly asked Dobby to put all his things in Hermione's room while everyone was occupied. Winky proudly told Harry that she had checked on Remus every night they were gone, not just the ones when he needed to take his potion, had prepared at least one meal everyday at the Burrow, and taken up painting in her spare time. When Harry mentioned that they could hang some of her paintings in Grimmauld Place she promptly fainted.

Ron, Katie, and most of all Neville seemed reluctant to leave, but eventually Remus pointed out that they all had families waiting to hear from them and suggested they move on. Harry gave him a very relieved smile before staggering off to bed. The difference between the bunk bed and Hermione's - no, our bed - made Harry feel like he was drifting on air. He was so relaxed that he didn't notice Hermione coming in the room until she was in bed next to him.

"There seems to be one more dresser than I remember in here," Hermione prompted. "And a perch."

"Had Dobby move it after supper," Harry sleepily replied.

"Do you still think we need a bigger bed?"

"No… This is good," Harry mumbled before feebly trying to kiss her.

"Harry?" He grunted. "Happy birthday."

Harry mumbled, "Love you too," before drifting off wondering why she was giggling.

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