Love, Suddenly

A/N: Don't run away from this story based on the first chapter. The loose ends from HBP must be cleaned up to get to H/Hr. It won't take long.

A/N dated 12/20/05—Thanks for the kind reviews. And to those who find the characters slightly off or way out of kilter…I wish I were as good as JKR. Keep reading, love is the theme and is never far from the surface. I promise you will not be sorry.

Chapter 1—Finding Balance

Harry awoke again with a start. In the past, it would have been a dream of Lord Voldemort. He would awaken drenched in sweat with a burning sensation in his now fading scar. The days and weeks since that final confrontation seemed to have flown past. Tonight he awoke wondering what to do about his love life and his notoriety as The One. Hiding from the public here at the Burrow was no secret, but did allow some privacy.

As far as being “The One”, there was no denying the loose definition. Lord Voldemort had met his end while in Harry's presence. Harry knew that he had been the only one capable of bringing that outcome, but knew that it was far less magical and heroic than his adoring public wanted to believe. They wanted the all-conquering hero who had vanquished the Dark Lord. He knew in his heart of hearts that he had benefited from the love of his makeshift family, comprised of his friends and mentors, as well as heavy doses of luck throughout the ordeal. He had been as calm and satisfied as he'd ever felt in his young life.

He looked at the faint light from the corridor beneath the door. He knew that it lead to the room where his sweet Ginny lay. He looked at Ron sleeping in the bed on the other side of the room. He had the strange desire to sneak over to the room across the hall awaken Ginny and steal a kiss. In his musings, he realized that he wanted much more than a kiss. He had awakened three or four times a night for the last week from some erotic dream. He felt guilty that it didn't always involve Ginny. What was wrong with him these days? He'd never been like this before.

A voice pierced the darkness, “Hey, mate, can't sleep again?”

“No, I can't. And most of the day I can't keep my eyes open. You too, Ron?” asked Harry as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

Ron nodded his agreement. “Bloody nightmares, Harry. They don't make any sense either. I mean I have these nightmares that I'm falling through a window into an ocean of hands grabbing at my clothes. I don't get it,” said Ron. “Maybe I'm having your nightmares with all the attention you seem to get from everyone.”

“Sure, that's brilliant. You've been with me. You know it's not nearly as fun being famous as most people would expect. I mean I was sort of famous before in a morbid sort of way as people looked at me as some kind of freak. Now they think I'm a fucking hero or something.” Harry said in rare use of coarse language as he put his glasses on. “I'm frustrated Ron. I never talk like that. Let's go down and get some milk or something. Maybe, I should eat some chocolate like Lupin prescribes for everything.”

Ron laughed as he turned on the bedside light and put on his slippers. “You know Harry—you are a hero to most of us. And, no worries mate. I suppose, if I were under the pressure you're under sometimes I'd talk like a sailor too on occasion.”

Harry looked at Ron wanting to set the record straight about his heroism and yet, pleased that his best friend seemed to understand how maddening his popularity was.

“Just because we're your friends, Harry, doesn't mean we buy into your, `Aw, gee, shucks folks it weren't nothing' routine. You found the secret even if others found it first. You knew what to do with it and did what no one else had the courage or capability to do. You knew things no one else knew and defeated Voldemort on his own terms, you outwitted him. That's a hero in my book.” Ron said looking at Harry intently. “I know I've never said it, but I am damn proud of you mate.”

Harry had tried to downplay the events that lead to Voldemort's demise. He had found the Horcruxes, their meaning, and why Tom Riddle had needed so desperately to hide behind the mask that was Voldemort. With all of these things in hand, Harry stood fearlessly in front of Voldemort and denied his power over him again and again, draining the Dark Lord of his malice. It had been as simple as showing love to Tom Riddle. He had been able to do be what he'd been all his life unintentionally. He saved another life. Only the humiliation was too great and Voldemort/Tom had committed suicide in a most ghastly way right in front of him. He had turned Voldemort's fear of dying into a desire for death. Harry felt sorrow again for what Tom could have been. How he knew he could keep the Lord Voldemort at bay as he had was still a mystery to him.

“I appreciate that you think I'm a hero, Ron. But none of you want to listen to the entire story. I didn't defeat him. Evil defeated him. It devoured his soul and all I did was put it on a plate and show him how,” said Harry. He knew what had happened. He knew it was some innate gift that made him special, but he had done nothing he hadn't done a million times. He fought against being overcome with evil thoughts and fought with his heart.

“Sure you did, Harry. We were there. We saw you come out and we saw Voldemort dead. We heard the great explosion. That's all we needed to know,” said Ron.

Harry smiled at his friend, knowing that he'd never understand the subtle differences in his version and what was widely reported in The Daily Prophet. “I suppose you're right, mate.” Harry gave in for the sake of sparing any further argument.

Upon arrival in the kitchen, Harry and Ron pulled out the milk and the gingersnap cookies. “So, Harry, how are you and Ginny getting along?”

Ooh, red flag, thought Harry. Ron was not someone with whom he could talk about his relationship with Ginny. While Harry realized that he and Ginny had never done anything together that warranted feeling guilty, but they'd talked about it and certainly come as close to that point as any two people could. Harry just couldn't say that they loved being together that way. Harry felt cheated somehow. He knew that most guys got to boast about their sexual exploits with their best friends, but Harry saw Ron as a more formidable opponent than Voldemort when it came to Ginny.

“Fine, Ron. How about you and Hermione? Have you kissed her yet?” Harry chided.

“What's that supposed to mean Harry?” Ron looked hurt. “You know, bloody well that I have. You're a nasty git when you want to be, Harry.”

It had become a running joke between Ginny, Harry, and Hermione that Ron was about as romantic as burnt toast. Many times the laughs at Ron's expense were brutal and Harry didn't like treating his best friend like that, but he hoped that one day it would force him to change and start to be a little more debonair in the romance department.

“I'm sorry, Ron, but you shouldn't ask about Ginny and I if you don't want me to ask about you and Hermione,” said Harry. “And, you know you don't like talking about it.”

“Touché, I suppose,” replied a defeated Ron reluctantly.

“So, how do you feel about going back to Hogwarts for the rest of the school year, Ron?” asked Harry. The Christmas holiday's had almost finished and Headmistress McGonagle was eager for their return.

“Okay, I guess. And you?” Ron asked.

“I think it's brilliant. I think it would be nice for the first time in my life to spend time at Hogwarts without the stigma of Lord Voldemort,” imagined Harry aloud.

“You know, Ginny's not too crazy about it, don't you?” probed Ron.

“I gathered that but she won't say why,” admitted Harry.

“She told me the other day that she's afraid that now that everyone thinks you're a hero, you'll find someone you like better,” said Ron. “That's not going to happen is it, Harry?”

Harry felt a pang of guilt for having erotic dreams that featured other girls at Hogwarts in addition to Ginny. He hated that he felt like some sex-starved laboratory animal these days. He wanted desperately to see the look on Cho's face and to see if the Patil sisters were still as beautiful as he'd remembered.

“I love Ginny, Ron. That is all I know for sure. What am I supposed to say, Ron? Tell me. She's right. Every girl who ever had a secret crush on me will probably try to interfere in our love life. I've thought about it and I'm sick about it. I wish I weren't in this position. I wish that other guys would feel free to at least approach her, because at least I wouldn't feel guilty.”

Ron looked at Harry harshly for a moment. “You mean you think you might break her heart?”

This was the reason Harry hadn't wanted to discuss Ginny with him. “No, not at all, Ron. How did you feel when you thought Hermione was stuck on Viktor Krum or that git from last year, what was his name?” asked Harry pretending not to remember the name of Cormac McLaggen.

“McLaggen, the boulder head, what a piece of work that guy was. I suppose he'll be there again this year,” said Ron.

“Well, don't ignore the question, Ron. How did it make you feel?” pushed Harry.

“You know exactly how I felt. I was mad as hell, jealous if you must know,” admitted Ron.

“Can that be healthy for our relationship if every time some girl decides to bat an eye my direction, I have to be on my best behavior. I mean, you know what it's like. It's like there are gold diggers in training at Hogwarts,” laughed Harry. His laugh became a little more subdued when he looked to the bottom of the stairs and saw Ginny and Hermione listening to their every word.

“So, if some bimbo bats an eye at you and she's got a nice figure you might wave and smile back?” Ginny asked.

Harry felt more panicked than he could ever remember. “Why would I act like that, Ginny?” Harry tried desperately to think of a way to deflect the questions that were soon to follow. “How long have you been standing there?” he asked, hoping to divert the line of questioning.

Ginny smiled. “Did my big-mouthed brother tell you my secret fears then, Harry?” she asked.

“Yeah, he did and made me feel pretty uncomfortable too,” said Harry looking accusatorily at Ron.

“First, Harry, I'll hex any bimbo who approaches you. I'll make her breasts swell until her chin hits the floor or I'll inflate her bum until she floats away like a parade float if I have to, but no one will overtly flirt with you in public. If I catch you flirting, I will make your family jewels feel like a pair of bludgers after a Quidditch match.” She didn't smile. Harry had to take her seriously since it was well known that Ginny was one of Hogwarts best at hexing people.

The silence was strangely thick for four people who were best friends. Harry looked at Hermione who looked away to avoid looking in his eyes. He could see she was on the verge of laughter and soon realized that Ginny was too.

“Harry, I heard what you said to Ron. I know you love me and after all we have been through, I also realize that we're still not exactly much more than the teenagers we were a year ago. We want to act like we're adults, but…” Ginny continued for a few more seconds, but Harry didn't hear much of it. He was in awe of her grasp on life. That's what he loved about her. She had understood when he had to leave her to find his destiny and now realized nothing was promised between them even now.

“You know that's what I love about you, don't you?” Harry hugged her and kissed her forehead. He needed to be careful in this setting. He was standing in his sweat pants next to the girl he loved and he knew any accidental contact could be embarrassing if anyone but she noticed. She might even be embarrassed, he wasn't sure.

“I just don't want to be the last to know, Harry.” Ginny's voice was weaker than usual as if she were sad.

Harry focused on her quivering lips and without thinking lowered his lips to hers. “Ginny, I'm not looking to replace you. It took forever to find you and you were right there in front of me all that time.” Harry could feel the eyes burning into them. He wasn't sure whether they were Ron's, Hermione's or both. He was going to ignore the rest of the world for a moment.

He took Ginny's hand and walked toward the closet. “Let's take a walk, Sweetheart. It's cold outside, but we'll survive keeping each other warm.” The dug out their boots, coats, hats and gloves. “Don't worry, Ron, it should expect it would be hard to do anything too out of place with your sister bundled up like an Eskimo. Harry smiled as he opened the door for Ginny as she laughed playfully swatting him on the bum.

Ron looked at Hermione and fidgeted with his milk glass for a moment. “Hermione, please come here.” Ron looked up as she approached.

Hermione walked over to Ron as he motioned for her to sit on his lap. Ron put his arm around her waist awkwardly at first, but then as she settled on his leg, he pulled her in closer. “Are we okay, Hermione?” Ron asked.

“In what way do you mean, Ron?” she responded. She looked softly at Ron as he looked off into the room. “I'm not making it that easy for you, Ron. You have to say how you feel.” There was a pregnant pause and suddenly in an almost guilty voice Hermione said, “I'm sorry, Ron.”

“Sorry for what. I'm such a klutz with you, Hermione. That's what I mean. Are you okay with me being a klutz with you?” Ron asked.

“Ron, would I be here instead of with my parents for Christmas? Or would I have come here for the last weeks before school every year if I didn't want to be with you or at least around you?” Hermione asked. “Why is it so hard for you to believe that I accept you the way you are, Ron?”

Ron stopped looking around the room and looked at Hermione who was already looking at him. “I knew we were friends, but I thought it was just as much because you were friends with Ginny. I just look at you and see that you are so many things I'm not. I'm no match in intelligence for you. I guess I feel kind of too lucky to have it this good. You're beautiful and I'm poor. Like, what did I do to deserve you? We are so different in some ways that…” Ron stopped and lightly kissed Hermione on the lips. Her response was slow, but tender. Ron had lied to Harry. They had never really stopped and held each other in an embrace and kissed. It had always been sort of a short and uncomplicated friendly kiss that went no further than closed eyes and a few soft pecks.

After a moment, they stopped and Hermione looked at Ron. “That was nice. I was afraid that we'd end up like…” Ron stopped her.

“Like me and Lavender, huh? Well, that's what I was afraid of too. I could never act like that with you. Somehow, being with Lavender made me more afraid of doing something to offend you,” said Ron sheepishly.

“Ron, treat me like you feel in your heart for me…like a prize you've won. Treat me like one that you're proud of me and put in a special place in your heart. You'll never go wrong. You once said you loved me Ron and all I said was you had a strange way of showing it. Well, it's not strange anymore. I love you too.”

When Harry and Ginny came back in only five minutes later, realizing that it was the dead of winter and too cold, they saw Ron and Hermione sitting in the living room on the sofa in an embrace as tender as they'd ever seen. Ginny smiled at Harry as they quietly moved to put away the milk and soak the glasses in the sink.

“They look happy, Harry. I mean, I guess it's hard to look unhappy snogging your boyfriend…but I mean the body language,” Ginny whispered. “Is that really Ron or did Hermione transfigure him into Prince Charming.

Harry had to agree as he silently snickered at Ginny's characterization of the situation. They weren't entwined like a couple of sex-starved teenagers, yet they were definitely unaware of the world around them. Harry was happy for his two best friends. Finally, he thought.

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Chapter 2—Hogwart's Heartbreak

Harry awoke refreshed much later than he though he would. He looked over and Ron was asleep snoring again like always. Harry got up and looked at the clock. It was nearly 10 AM, yet no one had interrupted their sleep. Harry found this to be odd, but he was thankful just the same. He opened the door quietly and looked down the hall toward the loo. The floor was colder now than it had been in the middle of the night, but he grabbed his robe from the door, slipped it on and made for the shower.

When he walked into the kitchen he was surprised to see Hermione scurrying about with Mrs. Weasley. They seemed to be working on something rather important since it was unusual for someone to come into the kitchen without being either shooed away or greeted with some delicious snack or treat. Finally, he was recognized. “Be a dear, Harry. Grab that sauce pan for me and give it to Hermione.” Hermione was wearing an apron and seemed to be concentrating on something in what appeared to be a cookbook on the counter. Harry brought the sauce pan to her as she looked up and put her finger to her lips. “Hi, Harry. Shh, don't spoil the surprise. Mrs. Weasley is helping me make Ron's favorite custard pie. I'm so confused. There are more ingredients in this than in polyjuice potion and takes only sixty minutes. I had six months to get the polyjuice potion right.” Hermione looked frazzled.

Mrs. Weasley crossed over to Harry and whispered in his ear. “It's so adorable. Hermione caught me in the corridor outside my bedroom. She looked so excited. She asked me if we could cook something together. It seemed so odd, but she's like a tiger once she gets something in her head.”

“I think Ron finally gave her some hope, Mrs. Weasley.” Harry said without thinking.

“Hope, Harry?” Mrs. Weasley gleamed at the prospects.

“I think Ron finally made a connection with her that will help them get closer,” said Harry quietly.

“I hope so, Harry. They deserve to be happy like you and Ginny,” mused Mrs. Weasley.

An hour or so later the custard pie was safely tucked away and the house became flurry of activity from all angles. Since it was a Saturday morning, Mr. Weasley came home from a brief visit to the office in the Ministry as did Bill come back from the bank. Fleur and Bill shared a separate little house near the Burrow, but spent most of their time with the family. Harry sat eagerly anticipating seeing Ginny. He'd fought back the urge to go wake her up, knowing that they had been up till nearly dawn talking and snogging in the spare room that was reserved for Charlie's visits. They hid there often. They always wondered why no one ever intruded on them.

When Ginny came down the stares talking animatedly with Ron, Harry had an odd feeling. They didn't seem to be arguing, but it wasn't a loving exchange of secrets either.

“What's up with Ron, Ginny?” Harry asked.

“Harry, we're going to have to go someplace besides Charlie's room to have privacy. Somehow, Ron and Hermione saw us lying on the bed. Ron told me he'd kill both of us if I got pregnant. I told him we weren't like that but he'd hear none of it. I'd be cautious with him this morning if I were you,” warned Ginny.

Harry was disappointed. The last thing he wanted was Ron thinking that his sister and he were sneaking off for illicit sex in the family home. Ginny and he had agreed that when they decided it was time, they would sneak off together at Hogwarts, but not here. Secondly, he felt sad that Ron might have seen them partially naked together. He could imagine the anger that would erupt at seeing someone pawing at your sisters half-naked body. They may not be having sex, but touching each other was such a wonderfully relaxing thing they often engaged in erotic massage. Harry almost laughed at what would have happened if Ron had seen the magazine describing how to be sensual without sex.

Harry and Ron's eyes met for the first time that morning and had he not had that conversation with Ginny he wouldn't have noticed the slight change in Ron's demeanor. His worry about Ron's attitude faded into the background as he listened to Mr. Weasley and Bill.

“So, Dad, is there anything more on that spot of trouble over on the west side of London?” Bill asked.

“No, the muggles in the area have been had their memories erased and the cars were repaired and the graffiti removed,” said Arthur Weasley. “Nasty bit of fun those boys had. I wish that the defeat of Lord Voldemort would have been the end to the silliness but there are still those who wish to perpetuate the hate.”

“Do they think it was renegade Death Eaters? Or, just some pranksters who got tired of being able to do that sort of thing and forbidden to do so?” asked Bill.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt and the graffiti was pretty silly really. One bit said, Down with the Ministry! Liberate our community! We've dealt with that sort of rebellion for years, but the business of protecting against Voldemort was always a higher priority. We need to start to address all of the problems facing the Ministry and thanks to Harry we can focus on them now,” Arthur beamed at Harry. “Hail to the conquering hero!” Mr. Weasley's face broke into a sarcastic smile, knowing full well how much Harry hated the hero business.

“Gee, thanks, Mr. W. You really know how to cheer a guy up,” said Harry comprehending the polite teasing he was taking.

“Oh a hero of your stature can call me, Arthur,” Mr. Weasley added.

“Oh, stop it Arthur. Harry's going to have to deal with enough of that kind of silliness when he gets back to school,” said Mrs. Weasley in Harry's defense.

Harry looked over at Hermione and saw her dying in anticipation of showing Ron what she'd done. But the little conversations and lunch would have to come first and Harry could see her plight. He walked over and put his hand on her shoulder. “It's okay, Hermione, he'll love it,” he whispered as he smelled the faint air of flowers in her hair as he got close to her ear.

“Harry, I'm sorry about last night,” Hermione said quietly.

“Sorry? About what?” Harry asked.

“Ron and I, well we were looking for a place that was more private and I remembered Charlie's old room, and well…you and Ginny were already there,” she said in an embarrassed tone.

“Were you and Ron going to?” Harry stopped for a second to think of what he was saying. It was none of his business. “I mean…,” Harry had talked himself into a corner.

“I don't know what would have happened Harry, but once he saw you and Ginny. I mean, it is one thing to see two people snogging, but clutching each other close like that in a bed well…that's a whole different story. I had to physically restrain him into the hall and shut the door. I'm surprised you didn't hear us,” said Hermione. “We argued a bit and I told him think of what would happen if Harry walked in on us? He just kept saying it was his sister.”

“Sometimes we fall asleep together like that Hermione. I don't think we ever are out of control,” said Harry trying to look as innocent as possible and feeling as if he were about to be sent to Azkaban. After all, in the wizard world, Ginny was still a minor and he was an adult. “So, how'd you get him away?”

“I told him I'd never speak to him again if he embarrassed you two. I told him to talk to Ginny and you today about it. I hope it's not a bad experience for you, Harry,” confided Hermione. “You guys did look happy together.”

“Well, I'm just glad we didn't get into a row in the middle of the night and wake up her parents,” said Harry with a sigh and a restrained laugh. “That could have been even uglier, yet.”

“Absolutely,” said Hermione.

Out of the blue, Harry heard a name that made his blood boil. “Have they ever found Draco Malfoy?” asked Bill.

Draco had led Harry to the final Horcrux without realizing his braggart ways had been his biggest weakness and it had cost Severus Snape his life fulfilling his promise to protect Draco. Harry couldn't understand him. One minute it seemed the whole world had turned upside down when Harry realized that Snape had been acting under orders from Dumbledore all along. He was sure that Draco's admiration for Snape would lead him to the Order, but he remained staunchly locked into his hatred. Harry wondered if Draco had not been subjected to his father's will for so many years would he have turned with Snape.

“No, he's gone into hiding. I fear that we may have another, albeit less powerful, Dark Wizard coming of age,” opined Mr. Weasley. “His father is dead and his mother had apparently lost her mind. She is helping him to avenge the Dark Lord and his father, it seems. No problem though, we have Harry Potter on our side. At this stage, Draco is a laughable opponent.”

Harry didn't know what made him so infuriated at that moment but he knew that he had to set the record straight. “First, Malfoy was able to get Death Eaters into Hogwarts less than a year ago and you have the nerve to say he's laughable, Mr. Weasley. And, second, I'm done with Dark Lords and Horcruxes and such. What if Voldemort taught Malfoy the secret of splitting his soul and Draco's inclined to use that knowledge as some point? He may not be strong enough now, but I don't want my children threatened by the hand of another Dark Wizard?” Harry wasn't disrespectful, but his voice was penetrating and forceful. “Who do you think he'd come after first? You think it would be the Minister of Magic or would it be me or Ginny as revenge?”

The tone in the room became dark and quiet. Harry felt sick to his stomach. The joy that he could look forward to at Hogwarts had been changed to fear in a few brief moments. He thought of the great number of teenage followers who could be recruited from his former cronies. While he could never promise the power that Voldemort might have promised, young twisted minds could make life a living hell for their enemies.

“Harry, come now. You don't believe in that rubbish, do you?” asked Ron in an unsure voice.

“I don't think that he has that kind of power nor do I think he possesses that kind of charisma to lead yet. I saw him on the tower with Dumbledore. He may be personally weak, but his is rich and should he surround himself with brutal followers he could be very, very dangerous,” said Harry.

“Sounds to me like you should join the Department for Magical Enforcement as an Auror, Harry,” said Mr. Weasley. “You seem to have the aptitude.”

“I don't want to play games of life and death anymore. I wish people would quit thinking that killing and disarming Dark Wizards is a glamorous job. Mad-Eye Moody is glamorous, isn't he?” Harry said emphatically. He knew that he may have to hunt down Draco and find out his intentions, but he would not do it as a member of the Ministry. He knew his life and Ginny's depended on it.

Mrs. Weasley's timing could not have been more appropriate. “Lunch is ready. And for everyone's information, we have a surprise dessert.” Harry could see Hermione looking about to see if anyone knew or looked her way. It appeared to Harry that everyone was clueless. And, judging from past experience, no one would ever guess at Hermione being the cook of anything outside of the magical community. Harry looked at Hermione with a new sense of admiration he'd never had before. She truly put Ron's happiness before her own.

Once dinner finished, Mrs. Weasley stood up to make an announcement. Ron looked a little sheepish and Hermione began to squirm as it appeared that the secret had been let out. “Ron has an announcement.”

Harry looked at Hermione. She looked back startled.

“I have been recruited to be a member of with the Chuddley Cannons at the end of this school year with the promise of a starting position as goalkeeper if Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Cup,” beamed Ron. “I've made it Harry. I think I can do it. With you and Ginny on the team, we have the two best flyers in all of Hogwarts. We can win the cup hands down.”

Harry smiled from ear to ear and joined in the cheer for Ron. He looked at Ginny and smiled while out of the corner of his eye he saw Hermione cheering but not jumping for joy or running to hug him as one might expect a girlfriend to do. She seemed to be in a state of shock.

Mrs. Weasley stood again and turned toward Hermione. In celebration of this wonderful news, Hermione has a surprise.

Somewhat stunned still, but very happy, Hermione looked at Ron. “Well, I'm surprised to find out about your success like this and had I known I would have done more, but…she paused… and with a tear she looked at Ron. I made something for you before I knew. I made it because I wanted you to know how much you mean to me and how special our friendship has always been.” With a very smooth movement Hermione brought her wand out and silently summoned the custard pie from its hiding place. I cooked for you Ron.” She looked at Ron for his reaction.

Harry stopped worrying for a moment about Malfoy as he watched Ron display more public emotion than he'd ever seen. “Thank you, Hermione. It's my favorite too.” Just when everyone thought Ron was finished speaking he spoke up again. “Hermione, I accepted the position on the Cannons so you could be proud of me and I could give you and my family more than we've ever had. But this is just the greatest,” said Ron looking at the custard pie. A simple custard pie had more to Ron than he would have believed just one night before. “Oh, and Harry, you aren't off the hook. You know what I mean, don't you, Harry?”

Harry knew very well what Ron meant, but he was also sure that the events of the day had softened Ron a little and he might be more reasonable. Harry walked over and put his arm around Ginny as dessert was served and everyone left the table.

“Harry, you don't really think there is any danger, do you?” asked Ginny.

“No,” Harry lied. “It's probably my overactive imagination. We'll just see how things play out.”

Harry sat in the common room looking around at all the kids studying either for end of term exams, OWLs or NEWTs. He, Ron and Hermione were given an exemption and could come back and do what was necessary to take their NEWTs at their leisure over then summer and first semester of next year. The Department of Magical Education had seen fit to allow this because of Ron's, Hermione's, and Harry's accomplishments.

He was distracted tonight as he looked at Ginny doing a group project with the sixth year students. She was beautiful, but it had been as they'd feared. Harry had to constantly be aware of unseemly advances by girls from every house at Hogwarts. But what was more intriguing was how he could feel the competition with other boys his age for Ginny's attention. Harry knew that if he were present with Ginny he had her attention and no one else could take that away, but watching her now from a distance unannounced, she was the most popular girl in any room and loved it.

He felt guilty as he spied Parvati Patil across the room. Her long raven black hair and beautifully statuesque figure made him sigh without realizing that he was fantasizing about her. He shook his head wondering how all of a sudden a girl for whom he had no romantic feelings could stir feelings of lust and desire with his girlfriend in the same room. He didn't know why he went to the library, the common room and the Great Hall by himself when he was apart from Ginny. But it always ended the same way. He went back to his dorm after saying good night to Ginny and fell into a deep dreamy sleep that included erotic thoughts that left him spent when he awoke. He felt sad, because in his heart he truly loved Ginny, but something told him it wouldn't last.

He walked over to Ginny at her table as the group broke, surprising her. “You are beautiful, you know.” Ginny turned in shock from the young man she was talking to at the table. “You command everyone's attention. Even the girls seem to look at you with envy.”

“Hi Harry, aren't you stealthy tonight?” she said as they kissed each other on the cheek. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I sat over there at the table for over an hour and watched you. I mean some of the guys didn't take their eyes off of you and others ended up with bruised ribs, because the girl next them wanted attention. I'm sure you wouldn't notice that though,” said Harry cordially.

“Do I sense a little jealousy, Harry? That's not like you,” replied Ginny. “I'm not stupid, you know. Sure I realize some of it, but what do I do. I have to graduate like anyone else.”

Harry knew she was right. During all the time he watched her she had not acknowledged the flirtations of those around her and she had been all business, but she was a beautiful rose tonight among a bunch of thorn bushes. It suddenly dawned on Harry that the Hogwarts honeymoon was over. The girls had gotten the message to stay away from him, but he'd not put that same fear in the boys. They were as aggressive as ever.

“I know, Ginny, I'm not saying you're asking to be flirted with. I said, you are very beautiful and boys don't exactly look for smart girls or interesting girls at our age. I know you as all three,” he added quickly before Ginny read him the riot act about not being just another pretty girl in school.

Harry had a sudden desire to walk with Ginny and talk, so he invited her to walk with him. He took out the Marauder's Map and looked to see if there were any traps to avoid. He knew neither he nor she was in any danger of expulsion anymore, but he felt a duty to set a good example for the younger students and tried not to let his obvious larger-than-life stature get in the way by thumbing his nose at the rules in public. They walked quietly and held each other's arm as they walked. He felt so happy with Ginny, yet he felt the growing desire to try something new. He wondered how she felt.

“Ginny, what's going on between us?” he asked seriously. He could feel her arm tense in his.

“You mean, why we don't feel the passion we did last year at this time?” she responded.

Harry was relieved that she felt the same uneasiness but put it into better words. “Yes, I think that's exactly what I mean.”

He could feel the tension grow as Ginny's body slackened and slowed. “Harry, I've loved you since I first heard of Harry Potter. Then I met you and fell in love again and again. We are wonderful together, Harry and I don't know why we both feel that same emptiness compared to another time in our lives.” Ginny cried openly.

Harry soothed his lovely friend. He knew at that moment that girlfriend from now on was a poor term for their relationship. Her love had strengthened him at a time when he was desperate for a love. He needed a girl who could love like she could. But that time had come and gone somehow for both of them. He was sad as she cried. They were sad because of the loss of something that had promised to be great and lasting had been built around different circumstances. He'd found strength while they'd been apart and she had grown from beautiful swan to a magnificently, beautiful swan that couldn't be controlled in his world.

“You know I can't stand the way guys look at you, Ginny. I know you are with me and completely faithful. So it makes no sense to let that bother me, but it does. It's as if you were born for the bright lights. I have the bright lights but one day I will shed them for the happiness of obscurity,” said Harry. “Does that sound stupid?”

“Kinda, yeah, Harry. Because the truth is that I want to be with you and no one else. I don't want to share you with the world either, but it's impossible. No one is as beautiful as you make me sound. I certainly don't feel that beautiful right now,” she sniffled.

Harry took her hands and looked into her face as they stood at the very top level of the winding circular staircase looking down. He kissed her softly as she responded he pulled away. “Ginny, I love you, but one day you would hate me when I found someone who was more of a homebody and had to tell you. You made me promise that you would not be the last to know, Ginny. I love you enough to be cruel now to be kind later.” Harry couldn't believe his words. His heart ached as he felt desperate in his silent internal world. He knew every person must feel the same thing when love is at the center of the controversy. He walked away feeling more miserable than he'd ever felt.

That night as he slept, he dreamt of making love to Ginny along with many other dreams of reconciliation. He wanted her to love him and he wanted to love her, but each successive dream seemed to end in despair. He awoke to the sun just breaking the horizon and sudden need to use the loo. He felt out of place this morning. He felt sense of emptiness he'd not felt for a long, long time. He stood in the loo doing his business as the night before played again in his head. He washed his hands and walked toward the bed when like a rush of wind, the emotions took over. Harry had never remembered crying aloud for anything other than his parents, but at that moment his eye burned and his chest heaved as he sat down on the bed facing the opposite direction from his roommates.

He felt it all coming at once. He thought hard as his body wracked with the silent convulsions of a good cry. He was not crying because he'd never love like that again. He was crying because he knew he'd hurt someone he still loved very much. As the waves of sadness passed, he looked over at the calendar to see what day it was. He was dumbfounded. It was March 19^th. Happy Birthday, Ron. Guess what I got you for your birthday, mate? You'll never guess, a reason to hate me for the rest of my life, he thought. And I probably might as well give myself a black-eye to boot. He snickered at the dark irony of that and got ready to shower and face the music.

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Chapter 3—Harry, the Typical Human Male

Harry didn't know whether it was his imagination or Ron had already beaten him into a lifeless pulp and he was just now checking in for the next great adventure. He laughed to himself for stealing that wonderful line from Professor Dumbledore. He was miserable. But, he also knew from his daydreams that he was one miserable excuse for a boyfriend. She deserved a boy that wasn't imagining almost every girl he saw in some stage of undress. He was sure he was exaggerating about everything including how bad he was and how popular Ginny was. That's what made him miserable. He knew had concocted a story that gave him a reason to leave Ginny without saying that they just weren't as happy as they could be.

As he descended the stairs to the common room it occurred to him that Ron didn't know yet. If he had, Harry would have died in his sleep or awakened in either the Infirmary or St. Mungo's Hospital. He was sad when he saw Hermione standing in the common room. He was sure she would also regard him as a foul git. But she smiled at him like always and looked excited about something.

“Harry, I have something so fantastic for Ron on his birthday. I can't wait for him to come down.” Harry's heart sank. The news of he and Ginny would ruin Hermione's surprise. That was totally unfair. She and Ron had taken forever to get rolling as a couple and he felt they deserved to be happy. He decided he couldn't be the one to tell them.

“Ah, yeah, that's great Hermione,” he stammered. “I'll just let you surprise him. I'll see you in transfiguration.” He wondered if today would be the day that Ron would perfect changing the human form into something else. Maybe he would change Harry into a gnat and, with one smack of the hand, end him that way. A slight bit of foreboding hit him because it wasn't impossible.

Harry didn't even want to be cornered in the Great Hall at breakfast. He grabbed a couple of cherry Danish and a paper cup of pumpkin juice and scurried to find a place close to Mrs. McGonagall's classroom. There, alone, he could sit and think. His mind had begun to clear and along with it a smidgeon of the guilt. He knew he'd done the right thing and Ginny would soon find a young suitor who would make the pain go away. She was resilient. Or at least, he'd hoped he hadn't been wrong about that.

He stepped into the transfiguration classroom several minutes early, immediately wondering why so early. Why didn't he wait to the last minute so that neither Ron nor Hermione would have time to chastise him. Only thirty seconds later, he heard Ron and Hermione laughing on their way to class. “Hiya, Harry,” said Ron looking almost too friendly. “Look what Hermione had for me this morning.”

Harry hesitated, but when he looked he was a bit perplexed. Ron held up two cards. And, then it dawned on him. They were tickets to a Quidditch match. “Brilliant, Ron. Bravo, Hermione. How'd you pull that one off?”

“Well, you remember Oliver Wood, right?” Harry could tell Hermione loved telling this story. She was so animated and full of life. He nodded and she continued to tell him the story. She'd written to Oliver long ago and asked if he ever had tickets to a match could he please tell her how much he wanted for them and she'd buy them for Ron. She received the tickets by owl just days ago with a note that congratulated them on being together. Apparently someone told Oliver about Ron. Oliver must have felt obliged since Ron would one day be an opposing goalkeeper.

Harry looked at Ron. He was immensely satisfied. Ron was filled with happiness to see that Hermione had long thought of him as special. Ron was always looking for confirmation that Hermione was satisfied with him.

Then one of the strangest comments he'd ever heard came out of Ron's mouth. “I hope you're okay, mate. I'm always afraid of what it would feel like if Hermione broke up with me.”

Hermione lowered her voice, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Ginny told us she broke up with you last night. We're here for you if you need us.”

Harry didn't know how to react. One part of him wanted to jump for joy that he wouldn't lose his best friends today and the other hated having to play the victim. He knew he'd have to come clean and he felt sad for Ginny. Why would she do that? Maybe she just didn't want to see Ron and he fight. Or, maybe, secretly she was happy that at sixteen she wasn't under so much pressure of being Harry Potter's girl. Harry hoped that was it and then all worry was gone.

“Class, please. May I have your attention?” requested Mrs. McGonagall.

* ^ # *

Harry left transfiguration in one piece and ironically, today had been the day when Ron had successfully turned Harry into monkey. He felt lucky. They had been partners ever since they're return to Hogwarts. Harry had succeeded a month before turning Ron into a donkey. Harry had a bit of fun with Ron that day too. It had strained their relationship slightly because Harry said it had been easier to turn Ron into something he was similar to his personality wise and someone yelled out—Jackass. Ron had not been so cruel in return. Probably, Harry thought, because he was on cloud nine with Hermione today. They all laughed as they ran from transfiguration to enjoy a three-hour free period for study. Other students would have had to labor through those three hours just to complete their homework. Harry saw a difference in Hermione. She'd stopped being a bookworm now with Ron by her side.

“Harry, I know it's like the next morning, but Parvati heard Ginny had dumped you and asked if you were okay,” Ron's face winced in pain as Hermione's elbow crushed him in the ribs. He looked at Hermione and realized what he'd said. “Sorry, mate, you know I didn't mean it like that.” Harry could see that Ron wasn't exactly as apologetic as his words. He either remembered the humiliation from transfiguration or he liked knowing Ginny had jilted him. Either way, Harry was sure Ron wasn't that insensitive without thinking.

Harry had the ace in the hole though and was going to let it go, but saw an advantage. “It's alright Ron, I know you are a social retard when it comes to sensitivity.” Ron's face turned as red as his hair, but he held his tongue. “Parvati, huh? Well, tell her I'm okay and thanks for thinking about me. You know I like her, but I'm not sure that Parvati deserves a guy on the rebound. Also, I'm not sure I want to deal with girl problems right now.” He was ecstatic with how this was going. He had told the complete truth, garnered sympathy, and had basically kicked Ron in the nards at the same time. A brief pang of guilt hit Harry but he ignored it. “You know, maybe it would be nice to go to Hogsmeade with someone this weekend and not be a third wheel.”

“Brilliant idea, Harry. I'll talk to Parvati later, is that okay? I think she'll understand. I'll tell her you'll talk to her in the next day or so,” said a wonderfully tender Hermione. He looked at her again and thought how lucky Ron was to have Hermione in his corner. He would always be happy, Harry thought. The more he thought of it the more sure he became that Ron had tried to humiliate him. He couldn't believe it was transfiguration. It had to be because of Ginny.

Harry spent that night feeling sad in the common room as he watched Ginny, Hermione and the other Gryffindor girls. They were organizing a spring dance for just the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors. Apparently, the Slytherins, under their new headmaster Horace Slughorn, were going to match up and do the same with the Hufflepuffs on a different weekend. Harry was happy this was a girl thing. It didn't require the boys to be involved in the planning, but he was sure the blokes would end up suffering through some kind of formal or dance and that would just be a pain in the Royal bum.

He wished that he understood what he wanted in a girl. It was apparent that physical characteristics were easy to come by. There were tall ones, short ones, well-endowed ones, incredibly cute ones, sturdy ones and frail ones from which to choose and every shape and size in between. He felt sad though because he knew he'd never have trouble finding a girl, but he'd never know if it was the fame or him that attracted her. That was one thing with Ginny that was always true; it had always been him and not the fame. Again the sadness fell heavy in his heart as he looked at her.

Harry sighed and forced himself to make some decisions. One, he would not get involved with one girl exclusively. Two, he was going to at least be open-minded enough to be friends with even some that he didn't find particularly attractive as long as she didn't act like a giggly idiot. Three, he would explore his sexuality without trying to find Miss Right in every one of them. There has to be someone who's my soul mate somewhere.

As that night came to a close, Harry thought of Parvati once again. He saw her near the entrance to the girls' dorm talking with a few of her friends. He watched her flip her beautiful mane of long black hair back off her shoulder as she began talking to Hermione. He couldn't help but feel the excitement of knowing that Hermione was probably setting the groundwork for him to ask her to go to Hogsmeade. Yet, he felt a little uneasy as he realized he'd still have to ask her himself. He liked her and he'd fantasized about her. He'd even had erotic dreams of her, but he didn't want complications. He wanted a friendship that could grow and if she was willing, wanton sex in the prefect hot tub. Harry knew that was not what he really wanted, but it was exhilarating to think about.

He inched closer to hear their conversation. He knew he was taking a chance of being seen and having to greet Parvati tonight. Neither she nor Hermione noticed him ducking in and out of the crowd as he closed in. It was kind of cool to get so close in plain sight and not be noticed, he thought. He sidestepped a group of fourth years and put his back to the wall some ten feet away off to the side. He would really look like a creep if they saw him. There could be only one explanation as to how or why he got there. He was snooping. Hermione would kill him if she caught him. He listened intently.

Hermione and Parvati were finishing up their conversation. “He likes you Parvati and I think he wants a friend. He's a very good friend by the way,” said Hermione. “It kind of depends on you and whether you want to have a boy you like as only a friend.”

Parvati looked a little discouraged. “Why do you think it is that you two never hit it off?” she paused. “I'm sorry Hermione, that's really none of my business. But you don't think he's ready for a girlfriend then?” she asked trying to divert the attention from her comment about Harry and Hermione..

“Me and Harry? You have to be joking. The Daily Prophet had us doing everything together besides making love on the front lawn of Hogwarts. I think we both reacted the same way to that and it strengthened us as friends. So we never thought about it again. As far as Harry looking for a girlfriend goes, you two will have to work that out. But seriously, I think he's kind of `relationship-ed' out, if you know what I mean?” Hermione, looked down at her feet and said, “Is that even a word?” She and Parvati laughed. “I don't think so. Anyway, Parvati, you are a good person and I trust you with him. I mean he's my friend and I wouldn't just put him with anyone. You guys will figure it out. Just have fun and enjoy each others' company.”

Harry walked up the stairs to the boys' dorm thinking carefully about how he really felt about her. He knew that a stupid saying like, “she's only a friend” would only go so far if they really hit it off. He was confused again. Was he thinking of Parvati or Hermione? He shuddered as he undressed and tried desperately to clear his mind. When he had succeeded, he faded off into the first dreamless, restful sleep he'd had in days.

It was Thursday when Harry realized he'd better stop dilly-dallying about asking Parvati about Hogsmeade. Parvati's and Hermione's conversation was hard to interpret. Harry understood now why people shouldn't eavesdrop. Unless you are in the conversation and can ask for clarification through body language and/or questions, you don't necessarily understand what you're hearing. What were Parvati's facial expressions when she asked Hermione about me wanting a girlfriend? For the past day or so he'd nearly driven himself mad thinking about it. Harry looked over at the opposite corner of the common room and saw Hermione sitting alone.

Harry approached her with a hardy greeting. “Hi Hermione! How's my favorite almost-sister, kind-of almost sister-in-law?”

Hermione looked at Harry like he had two heads and was speaking Troll. “What are you talking about?”

Harry smiled, knowing full well that neither she nor Ron had ever heard him refer to them in that way. “Hermione, sometimes I think of you guys like my family… I mean, like my real family with brothers and sisters and stuff. The way you two are going I have to decide which of you I consider my sibling so that I don't get the creepy feeling of incest between my brother and sister when you get married.” Harry took the plunge, making Hermione blush which was often hard to do since she was as witty as he.

Hermione smiled. “You are a crackpot, Harry Potter. A certifiable nut.” They laughed. “I take that as a compliment. And I will seek psychological help for you at the first opportunity. I guess I never really regarded you as a `brother' so-to-speak. That's just weird.”

That was a strange answer, thought Harry. He was sure she'd agree that they were like brother and sister. “You don't look at me like a brother? What then?”

“Harry, I look at you like my second best friend. Brothers and sisters fight. We rarely do. And, you and Ron compete like jealous siblings all the time,” said Hermione warily. “So, I guess that part of the analogy holds.”

Harry sensed a little sadness and sensitivity in Hermione this afternoon. She had a book open, yet he hadn't seen her even glance at it. Instead, she'd been looking off into another corner of the room. “Is everything okay, Hermione?”

“Sure, fine. Spectacular even,” she replied absent-mindedly.

“Hermione, this isn't you. You don't seem to be yourself. What's up?” pressed Harry.

Harry wasn't ready for her answer.

“Ron is such a jerk sometimes. He goes off and makes decisions without asking my opinion. Or he gets sidetracked and as is twenty-minutes late for studying because of your stupid Quidditch practices. Harry, Ron told me last night that he was going to go to London today to meet with the Cannons' representative. He didn't ask me to even go with him. Plus, he said that he didn't know what they had planned. He might not be back for the Hogsmeade weekend.” Hermione's voice changed from one of hurt to anger over and over again as she railed on and on. She told Harry of other times that she and Ron didn't connect. “It's ironic Harry. Ron treats me more like a sister than you do.” She smiled broadly and broke into a laugh. “I'm sorry Harry. I just had to get some of that stuff out. He and I are okay. But he is an insensitive git sometimes.”

Harry smiled at Hermione. She was rolling with this disappointment pretty well he thought. Ron had only briefly mentioned that he had to do some business with the team the week he turned eighteen. It didn't dawn on him that Ron might not share everything with Hermione. “He didn't ever really make a big deal to me about it either, Hermione. I forgot until you mentioned it.”

“I love him, Harry. I think you know how I mean,” she paused. “I don't mean to be insensitive Harry, but like how you and Ginny are under each other's skin. You may have broken up, but you'll always love each other. I can see that for sure.”

Dammit, thought Harry. How do girls do that? They see everything. Hermione was still talking and jerked him out of his thoughts.

“I'm not sure that Ginny told us the whole story about you two, but it's your business so we accepted it at face value,” said Hermione.

Harry got butterflies again. This time it was because Hermione suspected Ginny of not telling the whole truth.

“I never asked you what Ginny said about us, Hermione. What did she say?” inquired Harry.

“She said that you two agreed that she was too young to be tied down to a boyfriend and she needed to be free at her age,” said Hermione. “She didn't really elaborate which seemed odd. I felt she left some things out. I know Ron doesn't think so, because he agreed with her. He figures you must be hurting because you don't have anyone to snog with anymore. I swear, I wanted to slap Ron when he said that.”

Hermione's gaze was icy and calculating. Harry remained silent hoping Hermione would just move on, but she just looked at him. “We did agree, Hermione. That much is true. As far as Ron goes, I don't think he ever got over catching us in Charlie's room that night. I think he still thinks we were having sex.”

“I knew it. You're being the same way she was. What happened, Harry? I'm curious. Did you break it off with her? Did she cover it up so Ron wouldn't kill you?” Hermione was scaring him. She was hitting every little point.

He didn't want to admit the truth yet. If she was just fishing, then he'd be stupid to confirm it. “What do you want to know, Hermione?”

“The truth is a good thing Harry. I won't tell anyone. Was it because you guys just couldn't get back the feelings you had before? Or did you hate the fact that you had to share her because she is one of the most popular girls here? The look on your face tells me I'm close Harry.” Hermione was getting one of her superiority things going.

“Does it matter, Hermione? I mean as long as we both moved on without animosity and a big row. Does it really matter?” asked Harry trying not to answer the question directly.

“It matters to me Harry. I care about both of you. I know it must have hurt to come to the realization that things weren't right,” said Hermione as she put her hand on Harry's.

Harry appreciated the comfort Hermione was offering, but he was struggling against the pain he'd thought he'd buried a few days before when he thought he was off the hook. “It's really kind of my fault, Hermione.” Ooh, thought Harry. I don't know if she'll understand my motives. He paused.

“Harry?” Hermione prodded.

“I started feeling guilty about having fantasies about other girls, okay? She seemed to enjoy all the attention, so I just decided to tell her we had to move on. I'm a right foul git for that. She doesn't know. I just couldn't stand the fact that I was thinking about other people and she was passing up some really good opportunities with her classmates. Every guy likes her. I'm exaggerating the situation, of course. But I was feeling guilty all the time,” said Harry almost angrily. He hated what he'd done even though he was sure now while telling Hermione that he'd done the right thing. He felt the tears burning in his eyes.

Hermione respectfully turned away to let Harry settle himself. When she looked back at him Harry expected to get an earful about being a typical guy. But he was surprised. “That explains a lot, Harry. She told me a Christmas that she knew that one day she'd have to let you go so that you'd be sure she was the one. She's one smart cookie. I disagreed with her but she told me that someone as famous as you was going to have too many choices and you'd get confused. She just hoped that you'd tell her sooner rather than later. I'm sure it hurt her deeply to lose you and she might be a little angry, but she knew she couldn't let Ron get the wrong idea. She just did what someone who loves us would do. She only told us what we needed to know.”

Harry sighed with relief that Hermione didn't mark him as some evil womanizer stalking every girl he saw. He supposed the guilt made him feel just like that sometimes. “Thanks for understanding, Hermione. It's important to me.”

Hermione's expression changed a bit. “Harry, don't think that I like what I heard. To a degree, you showed me what a man should be like. Instead of taking advantage and letting the relationship become intimate and totally physical like you could have done with Ginny, you showed some integrity. But you're still a rotten scoundrel for thinking with your pants.” She paused. “You have fantasies about other girls?”

Harry knew he'd screwed up somewhere in this conversation. It had gone too well. He didn't know how to respond. So he tried the truth again. “What? I'm not just like every teenage guy? I can't look at girls and see a beautiful girl and imagine what it would be like to kiss her or whatever? I just knew that I had to be free in case I really wanted to act on one.”

“Men,” said Hermione. “What do you guys think anyway? Don't you get the love part of it? Or do you focus on the sex part of it?”

Harry's head was spinning. He would never have expected this conversation with Hermione in his wildest dreams. He felt like he was defending every guy who ever looked at a girl. “Hermione, girls at this age think about marriage and romance. Guys think about sowing their wild oats before they pick the girl to settle down with. Some have no conscience and others do.” Harry sighed and wished he could get away.

They sat in silence. Harry could handle silence at the moment. He didn't want to be so defensive. He looked at Hermione more closely. She seemed lost in thought. “Hermione, are you okay?”

“Why I thought you were different than other boys is beyond me, Harry. Maybe it's just because I admire you so much that I expect you to be perfect. Ron's my boyfriend, Harry and I love him, but you were my `hero',” said Hermione.

Harry felt uncomfortable talking to Hermione for the first time in his life. She'd been disappointed in him before when he had had a row with Ron or failed to do his homework, but this sense of disappointment made him sad. He felt he'd let Hermione down. “I'm sorry, Hermione. I mean for not meeting your expectations.” He wanted the words back almost as soon as he said them. To him, they sounded sarcastic in a way he didn't mean to sound. He truly felt sad that he wasn't a “hero” to her anymore. A pang of sadness hit as he thought of that word and how he hated for most people to think of him as a “hero” but wanted Hermione to see him that way.

Hermione smiled at him. “Oh, Harry, lighten up a little. We grew up together, you, Ron and me. I just never thought of you as one who would look at girls as sexual objects.” Her chest rose in a brief sigh as she recanted. “No, I mean I just didn't see you as someone who could be shallow like that. You know why don't you? It's because it means that I have to adjust my thinking since I now have to care for a womanizing, creepy friend without wanting to hex him into the next millennium.” She smiled and softly touched his hand. “In short, Harry, you were the last person I expected to act like the typical human male following his crotch like a divining rod, I guess.” Again, she smiled.

Harry didn't know how to take this and before he knew what he was saying, he said, “I don't know how to take that, I really don't.”

Hermione looked at him and said, “Let's just say I won't tell my friends you are harmless anymore.” She smiled and tilted her head at him in a playfully sexy way and hissed like a cat that was trying to keep an intruder away.

They laughed. “And, Harry, I still love you. You know that right?” Hermione said as Harry got up to leave.

“Yeah, likewise, Hermione,” Harry said as he turned away even more confused. “Likewise,” he whispered under his breath as he walked away thinking that she had always been a shining light in his life and she had cheered him up when he needed it badly. And he'd thought she'd needed the cheering up.

He turned and looked back at her when he got to the door. She was talking to Parvati. He could see them laugh. He wondered if Hermione was warning Parvati. He decided he'd better approach Parvati now instead of searching her out later. He crossed back over toward them.

As he approached, he heard Hermione say, “And I though I was trying to cheer Harry up. But he ended up making me feel better. There you are. I thought you'd just left.” Hermione looked startled at the sight of Harry.

“I was on the way out and caught sight of Parvati. So I came back,” explained Harry.

“Hi, Parvati. I know this is a little awkward, but would you like to go with me to Hogsmeade Saturday?” Harry asked with his courage buffeted by the presence of Hermione. Somehow he was sure that Parvati couldn't say no in front of her.

“Sure, I'd like that,” replied Parvati.

“Okay, then it's settled. I'll meet you here on Saturday and we'll spend the day together,” Harry smiled and turned toward the door again. He stopped and turned again. “Parvati, I really am looking forward to seeing you Saturday.”

Harry went through the door aware that both girls were still watching him. He laughed at the irony of Hermione feeling exactly the way he did with the roles reversed.

“Parvati, I might have told you Harry was harmless before. Well, don't believe it. He's just like every other boy here,” Hermione smiled at Parvati.

Parvati was still smiling at Harry's admission that he liked her and said, “So, he is subject to the wiles of a woman, you think?”

“Careful, he may be up to the challenge,” Hermione and Parvati both laughed.

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Chapter 4—Azkaban anyone?

Saturday morning arrived, even if Ron hadn't. Harry wanted to beat Ron to a pulp for leaving Hermione alone on Hogsmeade weekend. The whole purpose was to have fun as a foursome. Since they were all of legal age, it wasn't out of the question that a few too many Guinness Stout would be on tap instead of that weak Butterbeer that they'd always been restricted to.

“Hermione, I'm sorry that Ron's not here. But you have to come with Parvati and I anyway,” pleaded Harry. “You can't sit here alone today.”

“Harry,” Hermione whispered. “I know you aren't as devastated by breaking up with Ginny as everyone else believes. If you were, and if it were just a friendly trip to Hogsmeade with Parvati, I'd go. But you guys might not hit it off like you should if I'm there.” Hermione looked hurt still even if she was trying to look strong for Harry at the moment.

Harry had to think of something. “Hey, who knows? Maybe you and I will hit it off and I'll get lucky with two girls?” He leaned back and pretended to beat his chest like a gorilla or caveman. He couldn't hold back the laugh. “If Parvati and I are going to get on well together, it won't be spoiled by you in one day like today.”

“You really do need help, Harry. Maybe we should take you to a veterinarian and get you neutered like a little puppy. That way you can't do so much damage,” she responded playfully.

“Come on, Hermione. We'll all go get some candy and some lunch. If you feel uncomfortable, you can always come back early,” reasoned Harry.

Hermione looked out the window of the common room and mumbled something under her breath. “That's reasonable, Harry. I'm not pleased that you have beaten me at my own game and used a logical argument I can't argue with to get me to go though.” She smiled. “I'll wait upstairs until you and Parvati have had time to reacquaint yourselves.”

He sighed as he watched Hermione go up the stairs. She's right though, thought Harry. Parvati and I might be a little uncomfortable with her there all the time. He thought about how it might mess up his chances for getting a kiss from Parvati. Her long, sleek dark face, brown eyes and ruby red lips suddenly appeared in front of Harry. He wanted to kiss her right there. “Hi, Parvati. You look really…uhh…byoo…nice…ah, heck. You look great Parvati.” Harry was at a loss for words. It wasn't his daydream. She was right there.

“That's sweet, Harry, thanks,” replied Parvati as she kissed Harry ever so lightly on the left cheek. “I didn't mean to surprise you. Were you thinking about something?”

Harry almost laughed out loud and blurted that he'd just been thinking of kissing her, but he held back. “Yeah, Ron isn't back from London. I hope you don't mind that I convinced Hermione she should at least come with us for lunch.”

“No, I don't mind. After all, Hermione kind-of helped us get together.” Parvati paused and tried to hide a bit of a forlorn sigh, but regrouped. “No, no problem at all.”

“So, it's been like three years since the Ball, right Parvati?” Harry mentioned to break the ice. “You are stunning Parvati. I must admit…you took my breath away just a minute ago.”

Parvati lowered her head a little to hide the blushing red cheeks that probably wouldn't have shown through her dark complexion in any event. “Harry, you have to stop making me self-conscious. This is hard for both of us I think. I think you're cute too, but…,” she stopped short as Hermione saved them from the awkwardness of that moment.

Suddenly, both of them were glad Hermione was there. Harry certainly hadn't expected their first little conversation to heat up so dramatically. He loved being part of the three-way conversation with them. They laughed and joked. Harry even enjoyed some of the friendly jabs at guys. Before he knew it, he'd convinced them both to join him for a couple of ales at the Three Broomsticks.

Finally, he could feel that he and Parvati had gotten over the initial uneasiness. He took her hand softly and said, “What would you like to drink?” Part of Parvati's beliefs included no alcohol for her, but she said she didn't mind if Harry did.

“I'll have something fruity without alcohol, please.” Parvati she emphasized as she watched Harry walk to the bar.

“Hermione, you didn't tell me that Harry could be so direct. I mean I never felt so much like blushing in my life as when he looked at me and told me how gorgeous I was. He's a flirt,” she said fanning herself.

“Should I leave, Parvati? I don't mind. I want to be there when that jerk, Ron, gets back anyway,” said Hermione.

“Well, stay for a drink or two and some laughs. But it would be nice to see where Harry and I are alone,” she winked.

Harry hadn't made it a habit to drink a lot of beer, so after his first one he felt a little more light-headed than he'd felt before. It was good. He figured if he could drink that skele-gro and all the other potions he'd taken over the years, he'd get used to the beer taste too. He could feel himself loosen up a little, but he was careful to not get carried away. He took Parvati's hand quietly under the table and almost immediately, Hermione began babbling about having to get back. Harry laughed aloud.

“So, timing is funny thing,” he said as he laughed. “I begin to hold Parvati's hand and a message from God all of a sudden calls Hermione away.”

Both girls turned beet red. “Okay, Harry. You could have handled that a little better,” chided Hermione. “You're going to embarrass her, Harry.”

“Oh, no, you got it wrong guys. Both of you. I would have held your hand earlier if I'd known it would get us time alone. That's what I meant,” said Harry apologetically and honestly. He wanted to be with Parvati, even though he was having fun with Hermione too. But she was his best friend's girlfriend and he was single.

“Harry, you know you could have said something to me earlier. I'm not stupid,” said Hermione.

“I thought, maybe Parvati was more comfortable with you here until now,” he asserted.

Parvati wasn't shy, but had never been known for outlandish behavior or witty comebacks so what she said next, shocked both Harry and Hermione. “Harry, it's you who might be safer with her here.” Harry could hear the nervousness in her voice, but it relieved the tension as they all roared with laughter.

“Can I get you something before I go? I'm up,” offered Hermione.

“Yeah, tell the bartender we want two of whatever he calls what he's been making Parvati,” said Harry. He didn't want to get drunk and he knew the two he'd had were probably enough for a light-weight drinker like him.

Once Hermione left and they had their drinks, Harry looked at Parvati in all seriousness and said, “I was really nervous today when we met. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, but I was kind of fantasizing about kissing you and … boo…you were right there. I'm not asking for a kiss. I just wanted you to know I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.” Harry didn't know why he felt obliged to tell her what he was thinking when she approached him, but he was glad a moment later.

“I thought you were going to be really melancholy about the break up with Ginny, but it seems it was a bit of a relief for you,” she said. “I mean you don't look like a guy mourning a lost relationship. My brother went into a deep depression and stopped eating for a month when he broke up with his girlfriend.”

“Maybe I'm not, but don't think I didn't love Ginny and still do probably. I don't want to hurt someone else though or get into another relationship too soon,” he confided.

“That's what Hermione said. We have a lot of room to grow as friends though Harry. I'm not really looking for anyone special so we can be friends and not worry about jealousy,” offered Parvati a bit timidly.

Harry leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. They were soft, smooth and tasty with the faint taste of the fruit juice. He hadn't been close enough to smell her perfume until then either. He felt a little weak so, he backed off quickly. “I should have treated you better at the Yule Ball.” He didn't want to act like a horny teenager with Parvati or any girl for that matter. He'd learned how satisfying romantic kissing could be with Ginny. He wanted romance without being tied down and knew it would be hard to achieve.

“Ah, that's in the past. A lot has happened since then,” said Parvati as her whole body seemed to relax. As if she was going to ignore the kiss at first but changed her mind, she said, “That was nice, Harry. I can see why Hermione told me to be careful. You are a charmer.”

“Is that a good or a bad thing, Parvati?” asked Harry softly.

“For now it's a good thing,” she smiled as their lips met again.

Harry and Parvati sat quietly in Madam Puddifoot's later that afternoon just chatting and laughing. “Harry, you are so full of it sometimes.” Harry had just told her another story of summers at the Dursley's. “There is no way you can convince me that you let those pitiful muggles treat the great Harry Potter like a red-headed stepchild.”

Harry was somewhat offended, because the conversation had just switched to the Dursley's. They had been talking about all the danger he'd faced in the Tri-Wizard tournament and the Ministry of Magic. Parvati said that she couldn't think of anyone more fearless than Harry. “Parvati, stop. Look at me. Yes, I lived in a broom cupboard under the stairs at my uncle's house for years. Those rumors are true. I swear to you.”

Parvati's face still bore the smile she had as she'd been laughing, but it was fading slowly as she saw the pain in Harry's eyes. “That's why Ron and Hermione were so important to me. They were the first real friends I ever had in my whole life.” Her smile had changed to a frown.

Harry saw her change and felt bad for acting like a poor, neglected child even though he had been. The love he'd experienced since had all but erased those memories. “Don't you dare cry, Parvati. I never did because I met wonderful people like you who made me forget all that.” It was almost too late. “Don't you dare,” he warned as he held her hand tightly. “You're a bright spot too. You make me happy. Don't let me live in the past with you.”

She looked at him. “That's why you're everyone's hero, Harry. You come to their rescue faster than your own. How can you live with knowing they got away with it?” Parvati said.

“I learned a lesson that helped defeat Voldemort, Parvati. That's how. Evil is it's own reward. If you breed evil in the things you do, you will receive it as your reward,” said Harry.

“What happened with Voldemort, Harry? I want to know what really happened,” said Parvati looking into Harry's eyes. “There's more to it than anyone knows, I can feel it.”

Harry couldn't believe the warmth of Parvati's gaze could be so strong. He didn't know what to make of it. It was sensual, but not sexual. It was as if she longed to understand him. It was a completely new experience. One, if anyone asked at this moment, he loved above all other encounters with a woman he'd ever had. “Okay, but you have to listen and believe every word. You'll want to say that's just not possible, but I tell you I won't lie or embellish it. Okay?”

“It's a deal, but I might ask questions.” Parvati got up and grabbed a chair moved in toward Harry as close as she could so she could look Harry in the eye as he told the story.

Harry began with his first year at Hogwarts and how the whole thing transpired with the Philosopher's Stone. He even put in details about how Hermione and Ron helped him. He was sure she understood that without them, there was no way he could have succeeded.

He continued through confrontation with Voldemort, including his dreams and his suspicions about Professor Snape. It was at this point that Parvati said for about the tenth time, “I wish I understood what was happening then. It makes so much sense.”

The closer he got to the present, the more incredulous the story got and the more questions Parvati asked. “You mean that Professor Dumbledore's murder had been planned between Snape and him? That sounds crazy.”

“No, it wasn't planned, but Professor Dumbledore knew of the Unbreakable Vow and I think he had made Professor Snape promise that no harm should come to me either and if he must maintain his identity as a Death Eater and confidant of Lord Voldemort, he was expendable--he being Professor Dumbledore.” There were tears in Parvati's eyes and she ran her hand through Harry's hair and down his cheek.

“All this time, we watched you in a life and death struggle that we didn't want to believe was happening. Professor Dumbledore may have been the bravest man I've ever known,” Parvati said kindly.

Harry had to stop at that for a moment. She had hit a nerve he had thought had long since healed. Professor Dumbledore was also the wisest man he ever knew, but she'd pointed out something he'd overlooked. Maybe that's how he could trust his instincts with Professor Snape and never flinch. “That's very well put Parvati. Thank you for recognizing that.”

When finally, Harry came to the part where he, Ron and Hermione arrived in Godric's Hollow to investigate the last of the Horcrux Parvati looked at Harry and whispered, “No matter how scary it is, don't leave anything out, Harry.” She looked terrified.

They had arrived late on Sunday, November 27^th and found a place to stay that night while trying to maintain a low profile, Harry explained. No one but Death Eaters or Voldemort himself cared who they were, but, as Harry explained, no one knew who was or wasn't a member of the Death Eater's anymore. They sat in the little diner near the Inn and ate a very nice meal and listened to the towns people talk. One older gentleman seemed to be at odds with a frequent visitor to town and immediately Harry knew who that was.

The man, Harry thought, was probably in his late 50's and would have been around ten years older than his parents. He described the visitor as this creepy guy who wouldn't look directly at him and always wore a black hood. He had rented a bungalow somewhere in town a year ago and had said he would only be staying for a few months. He kept hoping the man would say where the bungalow was. Harry now knew the man as the Landlord and called him that as he recounted the story to Parvati.

“You see, Parvati, the Landlord wanted nothing to do with this guy and even went so far as to tell anyone who would listen that he didn't believe in truly evil people, but this man who demanded to be called Lord Voldemort was one. He even thought about calling mental health authorities to come get him, but was scared. Ron and Hermione sat frozen in their seats that night as he said the man's name. I began to shake. We had to leave for fear that our recognition of the name as the rest of the crowd guffawed at the Landlord. We feared anything we said or did from there on would get us an unwanted visit from some Death Eaters. As it was, I think that was the night he was alerted to our presence,” related Harry.

“We moved out of the Inn in Godric's Hollow and lived in the car I had rented. We used the car to hold our belongings thinking that no one would expect wizard kids to use a muggle contraption and it would give us a safe haven if we needed it. It turned out to be true. We read in the paper two nights later that our room in the Inn had been ransacked and several of the tenants scared out of their wits by men dressed in black, early 20^th century attire. That was what brought the whole thing to a head. The paper also contained an article about the explosion and seeming deaths of several residents on Halloween some sixteen years before. The similarities were the subject of the article. The same kind of menacing presence had been reported to police before and after the blast all those years ago,” Harry continued.

“The exact location where the explosion happened was in the newspaper,” said Harry. “It freaked me out because the names of the people that owned the house then were James and Lily Potter, according to the article. I was infuriated and missed the most obvious. There was no way their names were on the title or lease. The house had been protected by the Fidelius Charm. Those facts had to be added for our benefit. But I wouldn't listen to Hermione.”

“No, you're kidding,” Parvati said in a raspy, terrified voice.

“I should have smelled the set up by the Death Eaters. They had successfully lured us out into the open, because I wouldn't listen to Hermione.” said Harry. “Luckily for me, Hermione was against exposing ourselves completely. So much so, that she apparated back to the Burrow warning Lupin and the others. When they arrived, they saved my bacon by battling the Death Eaters who nearly had captured me and Ron. The Ministry was notified and several members of the Auror staff joined them. See, Parvati, I was lucky too. Without Hermione and Professor Lupin, it might have turned out differently.”

Parvati sat motionless and transfixed on Harry as he spoke. “Now that the Ministry and the Order of the Phoenix were involved we made a plan to put the bungalow under surveillance. But as with all plans, there was a flaw. We forgot that Voldemort might have us under surveillance. In the middle of the night the next Sunday night, Hermione, Ron and I were taken from our rooms at the Inn we had left and taken forcibly by portkey into the bungalow. We had been under the protection of Alistar Moody too. I would never have guessed it possible.”

Harry admitted that much of what happened after that was a blur, but he remembered the pain as he was hit with the Cruciatus curse for what he thought had to be the fourth or fifth time. “I fought Parvati. I had to remember what I'd learned. I told him that the Tom who wanted only to be loved and taken care of would hate him for what he was doing. It made him madder and the pain was worse each time for what seemed like forever. I couldn't remember what he said as he tortured me. But every time he stopped he said, `Beg for death Potter. I'll grant your wish, I'll make it stop. You will obey me eventually.'” Harry touched the back of his elbow and wrist where they had been bruised from thrashing around on the floor. His back hurt as well for the same reasons. He could feel the crushing again in his ribs as the curse had tried to crush the will to live out of him. No one knew that pain. And he had blocked it out ever since. Parvati noticed him rubbing his wrists and fidgeting.

“What's wrong, Harry? If this is bothering you, you don't have to satisfy me with the story. I'm satisfied that he's gone,” she said when he recognized his writhing hands. “What happened to you, Harry? I want to call you sweetheart and every girl whoever heard this story would too, so don't take it wrong. You are such a sweetheart for what you did to take that menace out.” Her hand touched his face and tilted his head to hold it between his shoulder and face. It soothed him. He had no idea how much recounting this would take out of him.

“But don't you see, me, Harry Potter had no wizard powers to match his malice, his hate. I was no hero. I cried like a baby in pain. But I wouldn't let him kill me like he did Cedric, my parents and Merlin knows who else. I don't know how long it was that this cycle continued until I could tell he was hurting me out of his own pain and suffering. Yet, he still threatened to kill me and take the pain away. That's when I said, `Go ahead and kill the only good thing that your mother ever gave you. Kill your mother's gift.'” said Harry.

“Parvati had been listening with her elbows on his knees and her face in her hands at this point kneeling in front of him. But she sat up with a start, “Okay, now, what are you talking about?”

Harry had only briefly touched on the meaning of his scar and had not mentioned that during this ordeal the pain there made him want to die. He hadn't mentioned the voices of his mother and father in his head telling him, urging him to fight it. He hadn't mentioned the sound of a baby crying in the background that buoyed him. He hadn't mentioned that that baby was Lord Voldemort/Tom Riddle at his birth or shortly there after. He had been bathed in the same love from his mother that Lily had shown him. She died to make sure he survived with a good name and a future.

As he explained this to Parvati, she wept. Harry couldn't stop her and he felt an immense burden in his chest almost the same as he had that night. “Parvati, I was blessed by my mother's love and that part of him that had been blessed by his mother's love was transferred to me. He never stood a chance, Parvati. Love was going to win, because it is unstoppable. It had nothing to do with me. It could have been anyone who had that old power in them. They could have accomplished it too. His anger grew but his power waned. Each successive time he cursed me, it became less powerful and his questioning between more calm. It doesn't matter what was said after that until one moment when I said that I was proud of him letting Tom take over again and that I would gladly let him have his mother's gift if he would give over completely to Tom. He raged and at that moment I thought I was going to die. He looked at me and screamed the killing curse at me, the same as he had over sixteen years before, but nothing happened. He did it over and over again. And finally, he turned his wand on himself and did the same. The explosion knocked me to the wall. My tailbone is still bruised underneath. He hated what he had become and the curse worked.” Harry sat staring off into space. “I had a huge headache and a blinding flash that probably meant that the proximity between us that he destroyed the Horcrux at the same moment as he killed himself.”

Harry looked on the table and found a clean napkin and handed it to Parvati. Her mascara had run because of her tears. He put his hand tenderly to her face. “See, I wasn't a hero. Hero's don't cry and just hope to live.” He felt embarrassed a bit.

“Harry, you are silly. I take back what I said before. You are the bravest man I've ever known. I can't believe you trusted me enough to share this with me. Your secret is safe though. I won't tell anyone what a hero you really are. I'll let them decide for themselves. They'll know by just getting to know you,” she said as she initiated a passionate kiss for the first time. It lasted only a minute, but Harry could hardly wait for more. But she backed away and said, “Okay, so we're just friends, but you are one heck of a special friend to me. I have to freshen up and I suppose we should be going.”

He looked around it was probably much later than the time they should have been back. He realized he'd be in no trouble but Parvati could get grounded from future visits. “I'll go to the loo and meet you here in a few minutes.”

Harry walked toward the loo as he watched her disappear into the women's loo. He felt both excited and ashamed for his fantasies about her. She was special. He knew he liked her, but he also knew that he had to be careful. Not every girl was the one, just because they were kind and beautiful. The urinals were covered in tape and appeared to be overflowing so he went to the stall. When he finished, he grabbed the handle on the side and it came off in his hand. Suddenly fear rushed through him. He was spinning and a moment later he fell on the ground. He looked over and realized he was in the square in the middle of town. His heart raced. Some one was using a portkey to get him out of the way. “Oh, my God,” he said aloud. “Parvati.”

He ran as fast as he could. He screamed at the top of his lungs. “No, no…not again.” The flashes of Cedric's lifeless body laying in the cemetery haunted him. “No, please no,” he begged.

It was only a few hundred yards, maybe a minute or so to get there. He looked inside. The bartender looked at him angrily as did several of the patrons. Parvati's things were still sitting on the chair next to the table. “The girl, where did the girl go?”

“You tell me, you lousy bastard. I hoped she'd kicked you and got away. Looks like she did,” laughed an old drunk. “That'll teach you to drag a woman by the hair.”

“You'll get more sex by asking than demanding mate,” said another as he stood up and hit Harry so hard he passed out in the middle of Madam Puddifoot's. “Matter of fact, once we get a constable here, maybe you'll end up the girlfriend of your cellmate in jail. How about that for a little unwanted sex, mate.”

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Chapter 5—Harry Potter?

Ron had returned to Hogwarts about the time that Hermione was getting the drinks for Parvati and Harry. He sat with a look of satisfaction on his face when Hermione came into the common room and walked right past him. “Whoa, where's my hug, Hermione?” he asked, oblivious to her fury.

“Try wrapping your arms around yourself, Ron. After all, you are all you're worried about,” she said as she continued up the stairs.

Ron forgot all about the protections against males getting into the girls' dorms so when the stairs turned into a slide he went crashing down hitting his head hard on the table nearest the stairs. He put his hand to his head and felt the blood that came from the nasty abrasion. “Don't you even care that I could have just killed myself and could be bleeding to death?”

“Yeah, that could have happened today to you in London and I wouldn't have been there to help you either, would I? And, come to think of it, it might have made things easier.” she screamed. The other girls were annoyed and began to shush them both.

Hermione was livid and wouldn't annoy the girls anymore. She bolted down the stairs where an obviously badly hurt Ron sat in a pool of blood. Hermione panicked a bit, because she really wanted to let Ron have it, but realized it was the wrong time. “Can someone help me here? The idiot has really gone and hurt himself.” One of the third years named Kelly showed up quickly and helped Hermione get Ron to his feet. They got a towel to hold to his head and started leading him to the Infirmary.

It took about an hour for Ron to feel better and the dizziness to wear off. The fall hadn't broken any bones but he had hit his head in a place where there were lots of little blood vessels to make it look worse than it was. Hermione had still not spoken to him again but she sat next to him as he lay on the gurney. He'd nodded off because of the pain potion he'd been given. He was still a little groggy.

“Hermione, I'm sorry,” said Ron as he looked over at her with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face.

“Do you even know why you should be sorry? Being sorry for something that I don't care about won't get you off the hook,” said Hermione. She was going to make him figure out the whole thing. She was still livid. “Do you know?”

“I'm sorry for not getting back for Hogsmeade weekend,” he said. “That's what's got you so bloody riled up I'm sure.”

“WRONG! You'd think that with all the blood that came from your head, some of it would be nourishing an actual brain,” she said sarcastically. “Duh!”

“That's just brilliant. Are you going to act like that all afternoon? I'll just go find the guys and tell them about my visit to London. I'll tell them about negotiating a contract and trying to make a life for myself and the love of my life. Piss off, if you're going to be mean. Mad, I can take. Raving lunatic mad, I can take. But I won't be humiliated like that anymore by you, Harry or anyone.” Ron stormed off.

“Oh, and, it's not humiliating to me to have your boyfriend decide everything without you like your opinion doesn't count,” she screamed after him.

Hermione turned the opposite way as she left the Infirmary just so she wouldn't run into Ron if he had a change of heart and came back. She saw Mrs. McGonagall in the corridor as she walked slowly toward the Gryffindor Tower.

“Hermione, child, whatever is the matter? Your eyes are all puffy,” said the Headmistress casually but very concerned.

Hermione burst into tears and rambled off almost all the things she'd told Harry a day or two before. But this time she was truly sad. Mrs. McGonagall gave her a hug and asked her into her study. She had left Professor Dumbledore's office and chambers just as they had been when he died out of respect.

“So, now, now. Hermione, tell me what's wrong in sober English. I couldn't understand what you were saying,” she said jokingly. “I'm just kidding of course, Hermione. But please just relax for a minute.”

Those thirty or so minutes with Mrs. McGonagall were a godsend for Hermione. It opened her eyes and gave her a plan. She was about to march straight back to the Gryffindor Tower to confront Ron, when someone came to the door. “Headmistress?”

The voice was unrecognizable to Hermione. But it definitely was a voice of authority. Hermione sat quietly trying to hear the conversation, when she heard Professor McGonagall gasp. “That's just not possible. No, impossible. There has to be some explanation.” Hermione was scared, but nothing compared to what came next.

“Hermione, you must go back to your dorm. Something terrible has happened. I want everyone in their dorms at once. We have to make sure everyone is accounted for,” she said.

Hermione did as she was told. She didn't run into any students until she arrived just outside Gryffindor Tower. “Is it true, Hermione?”

She stood there confused in front of four or five Gryffindors. “Is what true?”

“Harry Potter attacked Parvati Patil and almost killed her. Is it true?” said the second year.

Hermione didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Was Harry going to be blamed for everything from snow to earthquakes for his entire life? But something told her that there was too much detail. Parvati? Who would make up a story like that? “I don't know. What's your name?”

“Robert, Hermione,” he said.

“Robert, I don't think Harry's capable of such a thing. Where did you hear that?” she asked.

“I was in the Infirmary when they brought her in and the medi-witches and Mrs. Pomfrey were being told what happened,” said Robert holding up a bandaged finger.

Hermione's heart stopped. “This just isn't possible,” she said aloud. She realized now that those were Mrs. McGonagall's exact words too.

Hermione stepped through the picture frame and into the common room to long faces and glares. “You put them together. I think he's still a freak. I think Voldemort got to him,” said a young Gryffindor Hermione didn't know.

“What in the world would make you say that?” she asked.

“My dad says there is no way some magic school student could destroy the Dark Lord completely,” he said.

At that moment, Ginny came down the stairs with tears streaming down her face. Hermione ignored the young student and went to Ginny. “You don't think?” said Ginny. “You don't think he lost it do you, Hermione?”

Hermione sat down in the chair next to Ginny and put her head in her hands. She just didn't know what to think. That was when she decided that she was going to get answers of her own. She headed toward the door as Ron came through it.

“He's really done it now,” said Ron. “He's being brought back here in shackles. There are six eyewitnesses that saw him drag Parvati out of the tavern by her hair. See why I'm glad he's not with my sister, Hermione?” he continued.

“Oh, shut up, Ron. He's no more capable of doing something that evil than you are,” said Hermione. “Just go hug your bludgers, Ron. I'll take care of the really important stuff.”

Hermione walked out of Gryffindor Tower more worried now for Parvati's health and Harry's sanity than Ron. Did the torture by the Dark Lord destroy part of Harry? That kind of torture made vegetables out of Neville's parents. Hermione's pace increased with every moment. No matter how bad it looked, she'd never desert Harry. Never, she thought, even if he's crazy and did this horrible thing. Something or someone made him do it, if he did it. Eyewitnesses? What the hell is going on?

“Child, I thought I told you to go to your dorm. I need you to quell the fears of the students Hermione. You can't help here,” said Mrs. McGonagall.

“At least let me talk to Harry when they bring him here,” she said.

“Hermione, no student will be alone with Mr. Potter until we get more facts, especially female ones. It would be too dangerous, given what we do not know at the moment,” she said.

She looked over at the gurney near the wall. It was Parvati, alright. Her face was bruised and her shirt torn.

“Is she conscious?” Hermione asked.

“Not for long,” said Mrs. McGonagall. “She will be sedated and when she wakes up interviewed. Whoever did this, and all the evidence points to Mr. Potter, just wanted to hurt her to prove some point.”

Hermione saw tears in the Headmistress's eyes and was relieved that she seemed incapable of believing a hundred eyewitnesses. Hermione was sure that never in the long history of Hogwarts had a female student ever been assaulted physically like that. The worst ever had been Ginny when she was taken by Voldemort. Come to think of it, there was Moaning Myrtle. She couldn't even think of a male student subjected to that kind of abuse other than Harry.

“Can I talk to Parvati?” Hermione asked. “I was with her and Harry this afternoon. This is just insane.”

“Pompy, can Miss Granger talk to Parvati?” asked Minerva.

The head nurse of the Infirmary was busy shooing all of the onlookers away as she asked. “I don't know if she's lucid enough. She's pretty banged up. But if you think it will help find out what happened, go ahead,” she said.

Hermione walked over to Parvati. The nurse was right, Parvati was semi-conscious. Hermione had to see if she could get a response. “Parvati, can you hear me?”

Her eyes flickered in recognition and a pained smile crossed her face. “Is Harry alright?” she muttered. “I mean the real one.”

Hermione could hear her but just barely. Parvati's jaw and cheek were swollen so she wasn't able to speak clearly even if she were fully conscious. “Did you just say something about the real Harry?”

Parvati nodded as her eyes rolled a little and became distant again like when Hermione had started talking to her.

Hermione went back to Mrs. McGonagall and told her what she thought Parvati said. Startled, the Headmistress looked at Hermione carefully. “You wouldn't fabricate something like this to protect Mr. Potter, would you?” She paused and sighed. “Of course, you would. And, were I you? I might also. You are not making this up, correct, Miss Granger?” Headmistress McGonagall's face was steely serious.

“Certainly not, but I can't say that's what she said for one-hundred percent sure,” Hermione admitted.

“I'll see if the Ministry will allow Mr. Potter visitors tomorrow. But you must promise me that you will tell the truth if you suspect that he's not himself. And, you will take a potion in with you to incapacitate him in case he becomes violent,” she demanded.

“I promise. Will I be able to see the schools version of the report prior to talking to him? I mean, I need to see how much he knows and I need to be able to compare what he knows to what the report says. He won't lie to me. I know, Harry. I've been able to get him to admit stuff that others wouldn't have dared try to do,” boasted Hermione thinking of the other day. Her heart sank as she thought of Harry being treated as a criminal.

Harry sat in the cage they were using for a cell and wondered what he was going on. He was scared and no one would tell him what happened to the girl, to Parvati. He had gone from elation to desperation to unconsciousness in less than ten minutes last night and everything was a blur. He'd answered every question fully and honestly.

The sight of Hermione at the other end of the corridor being searched and carrying several sheets of paper with her made his heart leap for joy. Hermione didn't smile or frown. Her face was impassive and unnatural for Hermione. He decided to try to be the same way.

“Hi, Harry, I came as soon as I could,” she couldn't hold back the tears seeing him restrained in a cage after all he'd done for everyone. “I read the police report and I talked to Parvati, who by the way, was more worried about you than anything else.”

Harry would have smiled, but the tone of Hermione's voice even with good news sounded ominous. “So, what happened? What are they saying I did?”

“They're thinking about charging you with Assault and Battery, Harry. Some of your enemies, it turns out, are trying for a charge of Aggravated Assault (with the intent to do great bodily harm). I'm just quoting from the report and the newspaper articles. What happened, Harry?”

“Hermione, I'd never hurt Parvati. And, if I wanted to hurt someone badly I would use a spell on them, not my fists,” said Harry.

“Be careful about what you say Harry. The evidence shows Parvati was hit with a blunt object, so using a spell to pick up something and bash her is something that could be used against you,” said Hermione with a frown. “Don't give them ammunition.”

“I swear, I had just finished tell Parvati the story about Voldemort and we were freshening up to come back to Hogwarts when I grabbed the handle on the toilet and it came off in my hand leaving me stranded a few hundred yards from the tavern. I mean, I wasn't gone more than two minutes and then I was being cold-cocked by this guy in the bar.”

“You said that you went into the loo and all the urinals were taped up and unusable so you went to the john and used the regular toilet where the handle came off, right?” she asked.

“Yes, that's exactly what happened,” Harry asserted.

“The investigators roped off the area and said every piece of plumbing in the place worked as it should. There wasn't even a leaky faucet to be found,” said Hermione.

“Wow, whoever wanted to get me succeeded spectacularly this time, didn't they, Hermione?” said Harry rhetorically. “All that matters is that Parvati will be okay. She will be, right?”

“Yes, I think so. The concern is that the beating was pretty severe and may mean that she'll look like hell for a few weeks. After that, they're not sure if any of the damage is permanent. The bruising could cause permanent discoloration of her cheeks and neck,” said Hermione sadly. “This was no prank, Harry. This was mean and diabolically planned.”

“Malfoy,” said Harry. “He could only get to students in a neutral place like Hogsmeade. I'd take bets. And, it didn't matter who it was. It could have been Ginny had we not broken it off.”

“Tough to prove, since no one knows where Malfoy is, Harry. Plus, physical violence isn't like Malfoy, remember? He didn't even have the courage to fight you when you insulted him or something. He always tried to hex you. He used a spell on me to enlarge my teeth, remember?” Hermione recalled painfully.

“No, that's not true Hermione. Remember last year on the train. He stomped my head pretty good and he wasn't afraid of me then,” said Harry rubbing his forehead and nose cringing. He smiled at Hermione. “I think this is an effort to discredit me and make me come after him. He'll want credit for his brilliance sooner or later.”

Hermione looked at Harry and shook her head. “You and Malfoy are just going to have to kiss and make up one day before one of you gets killed.”

Harry laughed. He was sad that Parvati was hurt but he told Hermione to drop it for now and see what happened.

Three days later, Harry was free again and immediately went to see Parvati. “I'm sorry, Parvati. I wish I could have seen it coming.”

“Harry, I heard about the package at the Ministry and … well, I hope you're not offended, but I think I want to stay away from you for a while. But you are the sweetest Harry. I just can't …” cried Parvati.

“No, no, I understand… all things considered.” Harry admitted.

A package had arrived that morning at the Ministry addressed to the Minister of Magic. It contained a vial of polyjuice potion, several of Harry's hairs, and a note. “Beware to anyone who befriends Harry Potter. Is it he or I that you're talking to? Will you end up worse off than Ms. Patil? Welcome to my party, Harry.” It had no signature or markings.

Harry hugged Parvati avoiding anything that would hurt her and headed off to see Hermione and Ron.

In the common room once more he felt at home, except that there seemed to be a wall of ice around Ron and Hermione. And, Harry almost felt like allying with Hermione against

Ron, given that he was so sure that Harry was some whack-job woman beater. “Hey, Ron, anything else in the Daily Prophet that you're sure I am part of. I mean criminally of course. It's not possible for me to be part of any of the good stuff,” said Harry. Just the look on Ron's face made Harry want to start a fight with him.

Ron ignored him, but Harry thought he'd have another go. This time, he was going to confess dumping Ginny. “Ron, I'm sorry that you couldn't trust me with Ginny. You know, mate. I wish she'd have told you the truth though. You know it was my idea to break up, not hers.”

“Yeah, so what? She was happy to be rid of you by her account anyway,” said Ron.

Harry hadn't been ready for that comeback, but he looked at Ron and said, “You really are slow, aren't you? You have the world at your feet. Our best friend is in love with you and your best mate has more respect for your sister and you than to let a losing proposition continue. So he does the right thing. He lets go of the one true romantic love he's ever had to preserve a friendship with her and you. All you can do is act the fool and want to hurt me by embarrassing me. Now you've reduced me to wanting to humiliate you. You had better figure out things fast mate. Good people like Hermione won't suffer a fool like you for very long,” said Harry as he looked over at Hermione who looked away.

“You leave Hermione out of it,” yelled Ron.

“Like you do, mate? You leave her out of everything. She would do anything for you. I'm jealous to see it wasted on a loser like you, if you want to know the truth. If you want a piece of me for saying that, I'm right here. She believed in me when no one else would, so I have every right to talk about my friend Hermione and stick up for her,” Harry left the common room on that note and laid down on the bed in the dorm above.

Harry laid there and thought for several minutes about what he'd just said. He hadn't said anything to apologize for and he vowed he wouldn't either. He sighed and took his glasses off. “Look out, Ron. If you don't take care of that girl, I will.” He felt at peace and drifted off to sleep.

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Chapter 6—Lost and Found Love

Harry could usually tell what kind of day it would be by the way he slept the night before. He sat on the edge of the bed at 4AM with head in hands and elbows on his knees thinking that if that rule holds true, today will be one very fine day. Yesterday and last night were a blur. He was out of the cage by supper, but somehow he was in bed not too long afterwards. By now he'd ambled into the shower and let the water run over his hair and caress his body. Then a faint sting of recollection hit him. He'd told Ron, where and how deep to stick it.

Harry was amazed that he had been able to partially block that out of his memory for even two seconds. When he and Ron fought it usually included about three words and two weeks of silence. Using that scale, Harry figured he'd next talk to Ron at 50. Harry didn't feel guilty about what he said, but putting that together with the threats received by the Ministry he may have chased away one of the only friends that wouldn't be intimidated by the threats. Harry sighed and whispered, “Okay, so maybe I jumped the gun on the `one very fine day' forecast.” He had to chuckle to himself though because he knew that he'd awoken once with a much more foreboding forecast for his day and it hadn't been horrible.

He decided that he'd just lounge on one of the large chairs in the common room until the sun was out and then he'd get some fresh air. He knew he could probably slip into a nap again so early in the morning. As he hit the last stair, he heard a voice coming from the common room, “Harry, is that you?” It was Hermione.

“Yes,” he replied in the same half-whisper.

A light blinked on and off in the furthest away corner. He was amazed that Hermione could see that far. “How did you see me that far away?”

Hermione's eyes were red and swollen. She couldn't have been sleeping in that condition. Harry's heart ached for her.

“I didn't. I knew you'd be down soon. I was in your dorm when you woke up. I was watching you and Ron sleep,” she said rather sadly. “I was contemplating which of you to kill first.” She forced a smile. “I'm kidding.” She added with a sniffle. The box of tissues suggested that more crying was on the way.

“What in the world are you doing up at this hour? Forget the insanity of being in the boys' dorm,” Harry asked.

“I don't know, Harry. But after you left, Ron and I talked. I know he loves me, because for the first time I saw him cry. He doesn't want to lose me but he doesn't have the foggiest idea what he did wrong. Even after I explained how I felt. I can't tell him how to treat me because then he'd be just acting to please me. I don't want a trained seal for boyfriend,” she said painfully.

Harry stepped over and wrapped his arms around Hermione. Her forehead at the brow came to just below his lower lip and without a second thought he kissed her forehead. “Love sucks, doesn't it, Hermione?” he said.

She was silent for a few seconds. And then, surprisingly she pressed her face into his neck and sobbed. Harry didn't know what to do with a crying girl. He hadn't known what to do with Cho nor Ginny for that matter either. He just tried to get comfortable so she would be too. He put his arms around her waist and locked his hands and rocked her. “Hermione, everything will be just fine. Let it out.”

Harry could feel the wetness of her tears and the warmth of her breath on his neck. He didn't know if she'd thought of it, but he didn't want anyone to see them and get the wrong idea. Yet, he was fighting the thoughts of how good her body felt in his arms pressed against him. “Hermione, we can't let anyone see us like this or we'll never live it down.”

She turned her head and laid her ear on Harry's shoulder. “Thank you, Harry. I needed someone to hold me. I needed someone.” Hermione's voiced trailed into faint sobs again.

Harry was worried. Hermione had always been more resilient than this. He'd have thought she'd have told Ron off and still been ranting about it this morning. But he supposed, just like he and Ginny there was a time when were just drained of the strength to fight the inevitable. He hoped for their sakes that that time hadn't come already.

Harry started to feel guilty holding Hermione the way he was. She was warm and soft. And, she'd made it a point to tell him she wasn't his sister. He stopped himself before this became too awkward. “What are you thinking, Hermione? What's the thing that makes you hurt the worst?”

“We, all three of us, have been together for so long,” she began. “We all love each other and respect each other. Maybe we've grown too familiar. Ron is really a wonderful guy and…,” Hermione's voice trailed again.

“And, what?” Harry asked.

“And I have to be nuts to let something like this ruin our relationship. He needs me and, in a warped way, I need him too,” said Hermione resolutely. The teary voice was fading a little.

“I know what you're saying, Hermione. The thing is that at some point you have to make yourself happy and not worry about everyone else. I may have a saving people thing, but you have a I can take care of everybody thing going on. We love you for that Hermione, but I can't stand to see you sad like this.”

“But I don't want him to hate me. I don't want his family to hate me because I can't just be happy watching Quidditch and getting his friends beer. I can see myself being a barmaid to Ron and a few of his friends all the time. I don't mind the cooking thing. If we had kids, I wouldn't mind the cleaning and laundry, but I'm not fond of being someone's other half. What's wrong with them being my other half?” The tears were just trickling now, but her eyes were even redder than when he first saw her.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You're getting way ahead of yourself. You don't have to marry him if he's not the one to make you feel like who you want to be,” Harry said.

“You think I don't know that Harry,” Hermione said testily. “Geez, I'm sorry Harry. I mean six long years and when I finally get him to recognize me a simple `I love you, Hermione' was enough to make me feel obligated to him for life.”

Hermione was talking about the lack of romance. She never got flowers or silly gifts. There was no spontaneity she said. Harry just closed his eyes and listened to the sound of her voice. “Harry, you didn't fall asleep on me did you? Sheez, maybe that's the problem. Maybe I'm the problem.”

Harry opened his eyes saying, “Stop that, you are not the problem.” What he saw though was something that he knew at that moment would stick with him for the rest of his life. The light through the window behind Hermione gave her a glow. An aura surrounded her and Harry thought he was looking at an angel. He remembered the Yule Ball and how beautiful she was then. His heart raced as an incredible urge to kiss her raged through him. He could feel himself shaking nervously with her hands in his. She turned her head and exposed the skin of her neck and Harry melted. When she turned to look at him he was close from smelling her hair and kissed her softly. He didn't kiss and run. He did it again. And, finally, the third time he felt her respond slightly.”

Hermione looked a little panicked, thought Harry, but not angry. And, her response confirmed it. “Don't tell me you've fantasized about me too?”

Harry never thought words could penetrate so deeply. He didn't know how to respond. No, he never had, not consciously anyway. Until a moment or so ago, he could have said she was like a sister. And he never had a dream he remembered about her. “No, Hermione, it wasn't like that. I just looked at you now and realized how…how beautiful you are and as a person, the most caring I have ever met…and…I just had to see what it would be like to kiss someone like that. Forgive me if I offended you,” he pleaded. “I'm going for a walk. I'm sorry.” He took two steps and turned to her again as his heart rose in his throat. “I shouldn't say this, but I'm going to. If you need me, I will always be there for you. Always. I love you, you know that, right?”

She recognized the words from the other day. She wasn't sure why they felt right then, but she did now. Hermione's hand took his as she pulled him to her. She leaned in a kissed Harry as passionately as he had kissed her. Harry felt the excitement grow in his chest and throughout his body. He pulled her closer until he could feel lithesome waist pressing against him as his hand held her bottom firmly as he started to lift her and pull her into him closer. He pulled her legs around his waist. He slowly separated her lips with his tongue just lightly touching them until she did likewise. He started put her back into the chair next to them when…

In an instant, Hermione pulled away. “Oh my God, what am I doing?” She was breathless and smiling. “That can never happen again, Harry. Do you hear me? Never. Looks like you might need a cold shower before that walk.” Voices carried down from both dorms above. “Harry, that can't happen again. I'm serious.” She smiled at him. Yet just as she hit the stairs she turned to him aglow saying, “But it did feel pretty good, I must say.”

Harry didn't think she meant it. She couldn't mean they'd never do that again. It was too right. She was right about needing a cold shower, but how would it look if Harry went up to the dorm, took his clothes off and walked into the shower with a woody. He laughed at the prospect of seeing Ron and some stupid idiot making him the butt of a joke and him responding with, “Oh, I was just comforting Hermione and one thing led to another. He started to jog as he got out to the corridor. He grabbed the next staircase as it rotated and ran the corridor until another one met him. Once at the bottom, he ran out the front door to Hogwarts into a beautiful spring morning and screamed, “I love Hermione Granger!”

Harry missed the first class of the morning as he sat out by the lake. The realization of what this morning had meant to him and to his life began to sink in. He was about to either have an affair with his best friend's girlfriend or he was going to outright steal her from him. Either way, Hermione was not escaping him. He couldn't decide whether guilt was the right word for how he felt or not. There was no guilt in loving Hermione, he thought. He sighed as those words formed in his head. `Loving Hermione,' he thought again. He said it aloud, “I love Hermione Granger.”

The next thing, how do I dispose of Ron? Do I take on of the bats from one of the beaters and bludgeon him to death by mistake during a match or do bring him out here and drown him. Harry laughed at the silliness of those two ideas. He finally took some serious thought into the matter. If I just hang around enough, he'll eventually fall on his sword like he did this weekend and I'll be there for the pieces. Harry liked that idea. It might be hard to explain in the long run, but it would be much easier than Ron finding him grinding with his girlfriend one morning in the common room. Harry felt like a rebel this morning and decided that he'd stay out of classes until lunch, especially since it was the only day of the week that he didn't have a class with Hermione until after lunch. He folded his arms behind his head and continued to daydream.

Harry walked the path toward school watching everyone as he walked. Some looked at him with apprehension and others greeted him the same as always. He couldn't go to lunch without his robe if he didn't want to draw more attention to himself. He climbed the staircases one by one passing in and out of the dream world that now included Hermione. He reached the portrait and stood for a brief second immobile. He hadn't thought at all about how he'd greet Hermione if she were with anyone else or, for that matter, if she were alone. Finally, he just threw caution to the wind and walked in.

Mercifully, with the exception of Neville, the place was empty. “Hi, Neville.”

“Harry, where were you this morning?” Neville asked.

Harry decided that the truth was real easy. “I had a lot on my mind, Neville so I ditched classes. I hope there wasn't too much commotion when my name was called and I didn't answer.”

“Nah, not too much. You've been gone enough that they don't pay much attention.” He said as he went back to reading. “But there was one thing,” he added. “About an hour ago, before last period, Hermione came looking for you and when no one knew where you were she left looking worried.”

“Thanks, Neville.” Harry moved swiftly to get his robe now. He hoped he hadn't been off daydreaming when Hermione needed him. He grabbed his books and robe as he whisked off quickly toward the Great Hall. He had to look the part and come up with a good story for the staff. Even if it were that he'd been thinking in the library or something more constructive than the truth.

He saw her immediately as he entered. She sat next to Ron with an open spot on the other side. Ron was engaged in a lively conversation with one of the other members of the Quidditch team. He was motioning with his hands and Hermione was listening intently and smiling. Harry's heart sunk a little at the scene.

He approached the table warily since he'd not confronted Ron since their row the night before. A chorus of “Hi, Harry's” greeted him and broke the ice. Even Ron said “Hi” in spite of sitting with Ginny on his other side. She moved as Harry sat down. Ron didn't sound enthusiastic but it was better than the silence like during past such occurrences. It was Hermione who hesitated to greet him until Ron and everyone was focused back on the Quidditch story.

“Hi, Harry,” she said rather shyly. She quickly looked over at Ron and back. “Ron, Harry and I have something to talk about. Be right back.” She snatched Harry up by the robe and dragged him off.

Ron turned to her and muttered, “Sure, sure. Whatever.”

Harry looked back too as they reached the door to make sure that even Ginny was busy with something other than what they were doing. He didn't know why, but that seemed important.

Once in the corridor, Hermione looked right and left, led Harry about 20 feet to the back entrance leading back around to the other end of the Great Hall and the little room that was there. Harry didn't know what to make of this. Once inside, Hermione turned to Harry in a very somber tone and asked, “What happened this morning?”

Harry could only just stand there. He shifted from one foot the other several times over the next moment or two of silence. Finally, he decided what he was going to say. “For me, Hermione, I got tired of hearing you cry over someone who is incapable of seeing your beauty. It overwhelmed me. Something that was there all along just came to me like a bolt out of the sky. I just hope it didn't ruin our friendship. God, I hope that that didn't happen.”

Hermione's face changed perceptibly from very austere to shock. “Harry, where were you this morning? I came looking for you. If you didn't go to class you should have come got me. We need to talk.” She turned and paced the small area between the table and the door. The room was there for a place for a secondary instructors and exam proctors to rest while another presented lessons or read the instructions for the test. “Damn you, Harry.”

Now it was time for shock on Harry's face. “What? Damn me, why?”

“Damn you because you've confused me now,” she turned with a trickle of a tear. “I've kissed boys besides Ron. But I never felt so wickedly free and sexy.” She wouldn't look up. “Damn you.” She said three times fast again.

Harry didn't know what to do. His heart pounded and his head began to hurt from the tension. “I didn't mean to…” Hermione stopped him by throwing her arms around his waist.

“I know you didn't. Shush. Just hold me and don't get funny. This is no time to go back into the hall out of breath with my clothes and hair all messed up.” She pulled back far enough so Harry could see the devilish smile that she'd shown him earlier this morning. He smiled back. He started to speak and she shushed him again. “Just hold me. Words can't describe how I feel.”

The bundle of clothes that came with the uniform and the robes hardly made for an erotic embrace. It slowly dawned on him though as they stood together there in that secluded room that he'd found what he'd been missing. What was a simple, natural impulse this morning was full-blown love this afternoon.

Then Hermione stepped back tracing his arms and holding Harry's fingertips and leaning back. “Hold on Harry, don't let me fall.”

He realized she was serious, so he held tighter as she leaned back harder. “Hermione, I may not be able to hold you.” She pulled her self up again and let the pressure be ever so slight.

“You passed the first test,” Hermione said softly.

“What test was that?” Harry looked puzzled.

“You can hold me without feeling me up and you make me feel safe and warm.” She said smiling leaning back pulling at Harry again. “After we kissed, I didn't know if I would ever feel safe in your arms again--like I did when you comforted me all those millions of times the past six years. I didn't want to feel it was all about sex.”

Harry listened as that word came out of her mouth in a completely different context. He could feel it. It wasn't used generically or about someone else. It was about them. It was about Harry and Hermione. “Is this why you didn't see me as brother?”

A change came over Hermione's face. One of puzzlement and playfulness had replaced one of joy, but she didn't look angry at his question. “Harry, I never, ever thought of it that way. I said that the other day too. But now, right now, I wonder if somewhere in my mind there was an attraction that kept me from making that distinction.”

That was the Hermione, he knew—analytical to the core. “So what are you going to do? It will drive me crazy to see you everyday now with Ron.”

“Harry, that's something we have to talk about. You're sweet and I do love you. I'm not sure it's crossed over to romantic love. It's crossed over to desire and it's very close. But what happens if you console another pretty girl and you decide to kiss her too,” said Hermione. “Don't get me wrong. We will be together everyday, at every opportunity. I'm not ready to have you and Ron kill each other. With him being so busy with Quidditch and the Cannons, people will just get used to seeing us together more when he's gone. If this is real, I'll tell him one day soon. Let's give it time.”

Harry hung his head. He started to shake his head. “Hermione, are we going to have some kind of affair under Ron's nose? I don't know if I can take that. I'll kill him if he treats you that way again.”

“No, absolutely not. But it will work itself out. I love you both in different ways. You'll just have to be yourself. And, he will be himself. I'm sure that I'd rather have wild sex by the lake than a good bedtime Quidditch story any day,” she smiled. “Harry, don't go macho and say you want to confront him. If one of you were hurt seriously in some caveman duel to the death over me, I couldn't live with the winner. Just let nature take its course and let me get used to loving, Harry Potter as more than a friend.” She kissed him again. “Time to go. I'm sure Ron's starting to ask questions now. Follow me.”

Harry caught on to her ingenious plan very quickly. The door at the end was next to a single commode loo for students and teachers during exams. “Harry, go in here and wait about three or four minutes. I'll go back the way we came and you come out from up here.” She pointed to the door that opened into the Great Hall. Everyone knew about the loo, but no one had the guts to use it so close to the head tables and the staff. So, Harry Potter coming out of it would seem appropriate. He wouldn't be intimidated.

Harry waited and popped out at precisely the time Hermione had mentioned. He came clear into the Great Hall and walked briskly to the table where Hermione was already sitting. “Harry, I though you would have been back ages ago,” she said with a smile. “I just got back myself.”

Ron looked up from his plate with a surly expression, “Yeah, where the bloody hell did you two go anyway?”

“To talk Ron, in private. Not everything I talk to Harry about is for everyone to hear,” said Hermione.

“Oh, brilliant. Now you're sneaking around with my best mate,” said Ron with a wry smile that suggested the uneasiness he felt with what he said.

Harry's heart skipped a beat when Ron looked at him and said, “About last evening Harry. I was a bit of a jerk. And you're right, I was wrong to think you capable of doing something so horrid. But face it Harry, I never liked you going out with Ginny. I don't apologize for that.”

“Well, only you know how you feel in those circumstances, Ron. But I swear to you, that Ginny and I were conscientious and didn't get carried away. That's what I meant by respect, Ron. I respect and still care for her today as much as the day we broke up.” Ginny heard the conversation from the other end where she was now chatting with a boy from her class. Harry saw her from the corner of his eye and felt a little self-conscious when she stuck her tongue out and take began talking to her friend again.

“Yeah, Harry, I have to go to London this weekend. I asked Hermione if she would mind staying here with you this weekend. I know that she wouldn't have much fun. Would you mind keeping Hermione's company while I'm gone? This is going to be mostly a workout. And, she just came back and said she'd rather stay here with you. What do you say, Harry?”

Harry felt sorry for Ron at that moment as he refrained from jumping with joy. “Oh, sure mate, just leave me enough food and instructions when to feed her.” They all laughed except Ron. Even when he was trying to take her feeling into account it sounded like he was taking care of a pet for the weekend. “Just kidding, Ron, come on, mate. It was a joke. It sounded kind of like leaving a pet with a friend that's all.”

He winked at Hermione as the three of them laughed.

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Chapter 7—Boundaries of Love

A day later just before the last class of the day, Ron stopped Harry in the corridor outside the new potions lecture classroom. Ron could careless about lectures because Hermione took all their notes anyway. “Harry, you know I'm leaving today. Don't let Hermione get too lonely.”

Harry felt sick for a brief moment. Ron struggled with even their friendship as guys. He was always jealous of Harry's notoriety and hoped for his own. Harry knew that Hermione's news would either be devastating to Ron or a gift. Right now, he realized that either way it was Hermione Ron loved, but couldn't connect with totally. Harry was being entrusted with the well-being of his girlfriend and he had no idea some of the things Harry might do to fulfill that charge. “Mate, why didn't you stick to the original plan and finish school before getting involved with this Quidditch stuff? You're taking mighty big chances if you ask me.”

“I don't expect you to understand, Harry. Your parents left you money and you are famous so everything's easy for you. These guys, the team, they invited me to their workouts and when they saw how good I could be. They signed me without having to win the House Cup. These workouts are designed to make me good enough for the regular season when the regular keeper retires,” Ron explained. “Hermione's never going to stay with me anyway. I can feel it. I just don't think I'm right for her. We love each other but…” His voice trailed off and he changed gears. “Okay, gotta go. They have a stag party planned for someone getting married tomorrow and invited me so, maybe I'll get lucky there.”

Harry was shocked at that admission and the noise in the classroom died down as if it were going to begin. “Don't tell her what I said. I'll kill you if you do. I'm serious.”

Harry bounced into the room at the precise moment Professor Slughorn began his lecture. “Ah, Mr. Potter, the prodigal son returns. Please find a seat.” The giggles continued as Harry proceeded to step over everyone all the way to the opposite side of Hermione where there was one open seat always left for Ron. He looked down and the mass of their robes made it easy for him to slide his hand into Hermione's nonchalantly and inconspicuously. It shocked her, but she accepted it anyway.

Hermione wrote quickly taking the notes so fast he couldn't believe. She was almost as fast as Rita Skeeter's Quick Quotes Quill. He was glad and she looked at him and shrugged realizing he was letting her take his notes. But it wasn't that Harry was taking advantage of Hermione at all. His mind raced on the fact that Ron was leaving school and preparing for a life that might or might not include Hermione. And just last night, he let her believe that he was trying. He was trying to see the math in that equation. He wanted a kiss or hug when he came back, but he might have been shagging some bimbo his older teammates found him. Harry doubted that was the case. He thought Ron might have been posing a bit for him in a guy way. He couldn't let Ron get by with it if he was unfaithful, but if he wasn't he needed to stick to the plan. Now, he was really confused.

He pretended to rearrange himself to get more comfortable, leaning into Hermione, “Love ya.” He said quickly and quietly. He wasn't sure he said it loud enough for Hermoine. When she squeezed his hand and smiled still glancing from Slughorn to her notes, he knew she had. Harry sighed and wondered what to do with permission to be with Hermione. He didn't need it, but being charged with spending time with her this weekend in light of the morning events took on new meaning. He fooled with the pencil in his left hand so that Professor Slughorn would at least think he was making an attempt as he drew crude tiny hearts and stick figures holding hands and tapped the pencil so Hermione would look. Finally, just before the end of class she gripped his hand hard and scribbled “stop” at the top of her paper and “can't concentrate”. He smiled and looked around the room. Everyone had their faces buried in their notes. He'd been back three months and it had never dawned on him that Pansy Parkinson had come back to Hogwarts. He saw her writing just as furiously as everyone else but him.

When the bell rang, Hermione whispered in a semi-annoyed almost playful voice, “You are worse than a two-year-old Harry.” There was that playful smile again Harry thought.

As they walked out he walked up to her from behind and bumped her in the crowd several times, “Pardon me. Excuse me. Sorry for that.” He tickled her, tugged lightly on her hair or did something to annoy her every five seconds for the minute it took to get out of the class. “Two year-old, huh? He whispered. “I'll show you a two-year-old.” He laughed and so did she as he pinched her bum amongst the flow of crumpled robes and people. Hermione squealed to the amazement of everyone around.

Nowhere had Harry felt the freedom he felt today. He couldn't explain it as he chased Hermione down the corridor. The odds that he were running like this were that something or someone was going to get him instead of just the pure exhilaration of being alive and being in love. Hermione stopped abruptly making Harry dodge her as he nearly crashed into her. Breathlessly, Harry looked around to make sure that there was no one too close to overhear them. “So?” Harry said simply.

“Harry, I know you want the fun to start right away,” she giggled, “but I think we should finish any homework we have to do then relax. If we do that, we will have all the way until Sunday night to do anything our heart's desire.”

Harry didn't like that idea. But if Harry knew anything for sure, it was that Hermione liked things to be organized. He knew he'd have to get used to things like this being more than suggestions. “Sure,” he said sort of sadly as his eyes diverted from her face. “That's probably the best idea.”

“Come on, let's get changed and get dinner, Harry. I have to show you something too,” said Hermione.

The entire time they were in public Harry thought how nice it would be not to have to be on guard. It was somewhat nerve-wracking to think that touching each other laughing at a good joke would cause suspicion. Or some other innocent gesture or smile from one of them would sound an alarm leaving Hermione marked as unfaithful or some other not so nice term. He knew it was his own conscience that caused these thoughts though because he knew most of his reactions couldn't be stopped. His love for Hermione felt like it came out of every pore in his body. Look, he thought, I agreed to study without a fuss. I must be in love. He'd tell Hermione later the sacrifices he was making.

“Hermione, are you changing your mind? The library is the other way.” Harry followed as they climbed up instead of going down the one level to the library.

“You'll see and you'll recognize my genius,” she said turning to him with a smile.

Finally, it dawned on him as they passed familiar classrooms. The Room of Requirement would be perfect for studying. The book you needed for a paper would just appear on the desk next to you if you recognized what you needed. “Brilliant, Hermione, brilliant.”

“Sometimes I come here when I need to do my homework really, really fast because the resources you need just appear. Is that fantastic?” beamed Hermione. Once in the right spot, door appeared and they opened it together and peered inside. “Wow, this is different than other times I've been here,” she said.

Harry looked at the bookcases filled with books just like the library, but the furniture was puffy and soft. And almost every piece except the high-back chairs at the study table and the executive chair at the desk could seat two or more people. Harry wondered if those things weren't there for the romantic side of the equation. “This is fantastic.”

Hermione sat down at the table. She spread her books and materials out like always. Harry wanted to be close to her but he was so tempted to sit in the large golden-hued chair and a half by the fireplace. He could put his feet up and read until he fell asleep. Then he realized the folly of that idea. “Okay, Hermione, shall I bow down now in deference to your wisdom?”

“You can, but you will be bowing so often we should just set up a worship service every few days,” she laughed. “You could wait on me hand and foot like my male slave.”

“If it includes you-know-what, sign me up for that job,” he winked.

“Harry, I wonder where the line should be drawn for a healthy interest in sex and obsession. I swear if the word hello wasn't so short and harmless you'd find a way to pervert it too.” She laughed.

“I can do it I think. I'd like to say hello to you naked rolling in jello,” Harry laughed. “I'm sorry that's just plain being a jerk.” He kept his head down in embarrassment. He knew some things were better left unspoken.

“So come over here and study before I change my mind and decide you're too creepy to be alone with,” she said.

Harry wasn't surprised that the chair for this table was as comfortable as he'd ever sat in before. He read some of the History of Magic material, read over the potions covered in lecture today and began his paper for transfiguration. During one part of the reading he felt sleepy and just as he started to doze off he felt an uncomfortable bump grown in the back of the chair which woke him right up. He was glad for that because Hermione would have been disappointed to see him snoring away. He loved this set up. He could hold Hermione's hand when he didn't need to take notes and he sat close enough to smell her wonderful scent. He mused that love must allow you to feel, smell and see things differently or women were experts at perfume to entrance their mates.

They'd started just a couple hours ago and Harry was still working on the last part of his outline for the paper when Hermione shut her books and announced she was finished. Harry had never had so much luck being able to concentrate in his life so he wanted to finish. Hermione looked at him approvingly. “Yes, you shall bow down and adore me once I transform you into a brilliant scholar as well.” Harry coughed and pretended to choke.

“Yeah right. That'll be the day.” He said.

To speed him up Hermione moved to one of the big fluffy sofa-like loveseats nearer the fireplace and started a fire. She had some book that had magically appeared some time after she finished her homework. Harry feverishly thought of the points he wanted to wrap up the paper with and the conclusion. They weren't coming fast enough. Soon though he read it over and felt he'd done pretty good work. He'd be proud to turn it in. Of course, he'd asked Hermione questions and her opinion on certain things but by-and-large it was his work.

He walked slowly over toward Hermione where she sat reading some travel guide to London and the surrounding areas. “May I sit with you?” he asked politely.

“I'd be really upset if you didn't.” She flipped the page as Harry scooted in beside her and put his arm around her shoulders.

“So, you trying to find someplace that Ron mentioned?” Harry asked seriously. He thought about Ron going to wherever it was tonight. He put his hand through Hermione's hair as he thought of the fact that Ron probably wouldn't be surprised if she left. But Harry couldn't imagine a scenario where Ron could envision Harry with her. They were friends, but they were rivals too.

Hermione turned each page a little faster and Harry could see her flash her eyes toward him every few seconds without turning her head. About ten minutes went by before Hermione closed the book and put her head into Harry's shoulder shifting to do so. “So am I going to have to beg you to kiss me now that we're alone?”

Harry thought about answering, “yes” just to see what would happen, but he couldn't take the chance that she wouldn't do it. “No, sweetheart.” He said softly. “But just feeling you next to me is so cool that I almost don't want to move.” He laid his arm down the length of her curled up body and closed his eyes. Hermione didn't argue.

Harry sat peacefully, blocking out every sensation he could, except how she smelled and how soft she felt at every spot they touched each other. He could feel the rise and fall of her breathing. His hand rested on her hip. It was so small, yet fleshy and soft. It was remarkable how petite she felt in his arms. Her hand against his chest was surprisingly erotic. He was glad he hadn't put on one of his thick sweaters that wouldn't have allowed him to feel it much at all.

He didn't know where it came from but through all the sensations all he could do was sigh out loud sounding kind of like, “Whew.”

“Is everything okay, Harry?” whispered Hermione.

“Fine, more than fine. Perfect even,” he whispered back as if a loud voice would ruin the effect. He felt Hermione's hand move on his chest the sensation as caressed him sent shivers down his spine. Finally, he had to say something to Hermione or he'd go nuts.

“I never thought something as simple as caressing my chest could be so...,” he didn't want to sound weird. Joking was one thing. This was serious. He liked it. “I guess I'm trying to say that feels nice, almost too nice. If you catch my drift.”

“Do you want me to stop?” Hermione asked.

“Maybe for a minute or so. I admit it drives me nuts, in a good way though,” Harry said.

He kind of expected Hermione to stop but she didn't. She found where his nipples had hardened and began to concentrate there. “Hermione, that's not fair.”

“What's not fair? Just because you're satisfied to let me caress you and you're scared to touch me doesn't mean it's not fair. The way I figure it, the one who's best at distracting the other both wins and loses. You'll get me to stop but you won't be getting a massage either.” She said in a cooing voice he hadn't heard before.

“Oh, so that's how it is, is it?” replied Harry he could feel the excitement grow all over. She was right though, he was kind of scared. It was one thing to be doing things in the passion of the moment and another to set off in search of a way to stimulate your partner.

He couldn't figure out which would be best. Shift his weight toward her and put her on her side with her head on the arm of the chair, roll to the floor, or pull her on top of him and enjoy the ride. He wanted to see her face and feel her weight on him so he moved a little to his left and motioned for her to straddle him. “Help me out here. I'll take the challenge just give me a fighting chance.” She sat up for a second and he had her put her knees on either side of his waist. He put his hands on her tummy as she did and ran his hands up her sides carefully avoiding any obvious erotic zones trying to entice her. He pulled himself up until they almost sat face to face with weight on his lap. He could feel her settling on him as he felt himself swell under her.

“Ooh, Harry. Looks like I'm winning,” she said coyly. “Of course, that probably happens in a stiff wind too.” She laughed as her face turned beet red.

Harry loved that she didn't mind embarrassing herself a little talking ever-so sexily. “Don't worry, there will be a day that that fact will come to your advantage,” he smiled.

“Ooh,” she put more wait on him and rotated her hips once or twice to grind into him. That was when Harry knew today was a loss. She could make him crazy by smiling and barely touching him and he couldn't think. He pulled her closer and kissed her neck softly.

Their entangled body's writhed as each felt the other's attempts to get the upper hand. While she could no longer massage his chest, the movement of her hips was to die for. Finally, Harry realized that she wasn't playing fair using direct contact so he'd change too. He slid his hands deftly under her blouse from behind and brought her shirt up over her head. He was surprised at the lack of resistance. No further than that he told himself. He kissed her shoulders. It was she that pulled Harry off the side of the restrictive chair.

The thud, as they hit the floor made them both laugh as neither avoided some little bump or bruise but they didn't care. He was glad for the area to move his hands. He went immediately to her inner thigh and softly up just under breasts where he kissed her softly around her bra. “Harry, don't let that little bit of cloth stop you.” He pulled the cup down and exposed the most perfect nipple he could have ever imagined. He teased it with his tongue, softly swirling.

It was a dream Harry thought. This can't be happening. Their lovemaking continued for how long Harry couldn't tell. He knew they both were naked except for the underwear bottoms and neither of them could breathe normally. He folded her in his arms to catch his breath. Her soft breasts against his chest was maybe the most warming and safe sensation he'd felt yet. He didn't want to move. He was afraid to move because there were only a few avenues to pursue now and he wasn't sure they were ready.

“So, what now Hermione?” he asked quietly.

“Do you give in? Do I win?” she smiled she lifted her head from his shoulder.

“If this is losing, I can afford to lose a few rounds,” he said through a sigh. “I want you Hermione, in the worst way. I want to feel what we're missing but I know we're not ready.” In all his dreams where he'd seen himself doing it with someone, he never had the feeling that he had now. He wanted to make sure that he'd never lose her. He couldn't imagine making love to her and one day someone else doing the same. Even now, he felt sad that his first experiences touching a girl weren't with Hermione.

“I'm not afraid with you Harry, but I don't want to right now either. I couldn't bear to feel you inside me and one day I might imagine someone else having the same experience. We need to make sure we're ready for a lifetime of this. That's how it is for me, Harry.” She smiled kissed his chest and laid her head once more in the crook of his arm.

Harry felt the pangs of maleness that said to finish the job and yet he loved this girl…this woman so much he couldn't go against her wishes when they were so much like his own. He looked down his body to hers the black hair of his legs in contrast to the smooth, white silky softness of hers. He looked at her as if he were taking pictures of this in his mind's eye. He added it to the picture of when they had taken it all off and changed their minds and pulled their bloomers back on. The picture of her figure with her brown hair flowing over her shoulders and white skin to the patch of brown hair at the apex of her legs made him take a deep breath and let it out. “Hermione, I never expected this tonight. Who needs silly magazines about erotic massage?” he laughed. “You and I could write our own.”

“Harry, it was nice because we talked. We let each other know the boundaries and searched for each other's pleasure. Had I gone this far with someone who was in a rush, I'd be running from them right now. As it is I'm shocked to be down to my bloomers and nothing else.” They had long since strewn watches, glasses, bras, and everything else to the wind. Neither of them knew the time or cared. The wonderful thing was that once the Room of Requirement is locked and the door shut no one could get in. It was only open to others if the door was ajar. They were quite alone.

“So do we lay here for the rest of the weekend naked teasing each other to insanity or do we go to London?” inquired Harry.

Hermione playfully touched his manhood through his underwear and said, “Sorry, Harry, no dice. It's definitely a tour of London. Do you really think you could keep Little Harry chained if we stayed like this for long? I know each time I look at you I want more as we lay here,” she said as a tear ran down her face. “I'm happy right now, knowing that we love one another and I can almost convince myself that it's forever. But I think of you and Ginny and Ron and I, when we thought those relationships were forever.”

For the first time Harry understood another struggle in Hermione's heart. If it was possible he loved her more for it, because he knew she'd feel the same for him. Ron was still in her life and vows or not she'd already been unfaithful to him in her mind. “This is why I couldn't stay with Ginny. I could see us living happily in our environment now, but once I left here and went to work for Merlin-knows who, I might end up meeting someone who would be a temptation for me. I didn't want the guilt especially if we'd made love or God-forbid she got pregnant.”

“Do you think I'm horrible for cheating on Ron?” she was crying.

“Hermione, I'm not objective in this. I love you and I can't see anything wrong in what you've done. Yet, there is something lingering for you,” he said as he rolled to his side and let Hermione get her balance where she could look him in the eyes. He thought he knew a test, but he was afraid of the answer. He felt anxiety building as he said, “Are you afraid you're cheating from your heart or your head? If you love him more than me, then I have no business here. If you don't want to hurt him but would go with me no matter what then it's in your head. They're both painful, but one you can fix. The other, well, you can't ever change it.” He blinked back a sudden urge to let a tear go. He couldn't stand the answer that she loved Ron more. He knew he would run out.

“My heart is yours Harry and has been for longer than just yesterday or the day before. But for some of that time it was shared. I didn't have to choose. When I wanted a laugh, the two of you together sometimes would put me in stitches. I always knew you were the romantic and lover. And he was my protector, my knight in shining armor. He would kill for me, Harry. But I sense that with you too now. I need to feel safe. I don't know why, but it's like that's my need that has to be fulfilled first. Or, until the past, few days I thought it was.”

Harry traced figure-eights on her collar bone and upper chest as he listened.

“There's a longing to have things the way they were when this wasn't a choice that needed to be made. Ron deserves my respect and love. I can't give it to him the way I can share it with you. Do you know what I mean? It's like I give him my love and when he can he gives me his. When he does, it's enough. But the look in your eyes when you look at me fills my soul.”

“Does love have limits, Hermione? I mean, can you love someone as long as they do this or that and call it love?” Harry asked.

Hermione looked at Harry for several seconds. “I think I know what you mean. But give me an example.”

“Okay, if when I met you and Ron could I have said I like them only when they're nice to me?” Harry asked.

“Sure, that's how we pick our friends and decide who's our best friend by the way the treat us,” said Hermione.

“Exactly, but once it crosses that imaginary boundary where friendship and love connect, we hurt when they hurt us and love them anyway and try to reconcile. Maybe it's not always that complex, but real deep and meaningful love is that way. Even loving friendships are that way. We can suffer great injustices by the ones we love and still stick by them. It becomes the opposite. We may stop liking them for a while, but we still love them.”

“Okay, I feel stupid Harry. Everything you said makes sense, but I don't get the boundary thing. I can't believe I don't get what you mean,” apologized Hermione.

“You are my best friend, equal in all ways to Ron as friends. I would trust you or him with my life and have. I love both of you. So, now I will do anything to help you and him for the rest of my life. I may not like Ron at this point in our lives. I may think he's making some big mistakes. But other than true self-preservation I would never hurt him in any way. I guess what I'm saying is that there is only one boundary. Once you step over it, love rules your life with that person. You can't put limits on it. It will grow beyond imagining and with that so will the pain and disappointment when it's not returned. I thought I knew love when I lost Sirius and Dumbledore, but Hermione, everything in my universe is you now. You confirm my theory on love because of your caring toward Ron, but don't make a mistake and think that some loves don't penetrate deeper and further from that line. While others, well, they stay very close to the line between friendship and love. I think that's where you and Ron as well as Ginny and I were.” Harry looked at Hermione and kissed her. “That's why when you cross that line you are in love, suddenly and completely.”

Hermione didn't have words at that moment. She kissed him and put her head in his chest again. Harry closed his eyes and fell asleep.

In London, miles and miles away Ron sat with a beer talking with his Quidditch teammates. “I can't do it, Bosley. Hermione's at Hogwarts alone except for my best mate. I can't do it.”

“Sure, you can, mate. She likes you and you like her. It's only drinks in her flat. You're a big strong bloke. She can't make you do anything you don't want to do,” said Bosley again.

“Unless you like us better than her, in which case you need to go back to Hogwarts and give Harry a hug for us. Come on. What, are you afraid of girls? Just give her the high hard one mate, she'll be glad to accommodate,” said another. “And, I doubt you'll be sorry.” Ron's teammates burst into laughter.

Across the room coming out of the Ladies' Room was a tall slender brunette dressed in hip hugger jeans, knee-high boots, and a leather jacket over a white blouse that barely covered her ample breasts as it strained the buttons. Ron took a deep breath as she approached. “Hi, Sasha, are we still on for that drink?”

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Chapter 8—Second Thoughts

Harry and Hermione awoke at nearly the same time. Both of them seemed a little more self-conscious than they had a few hours before. They dressed slowly giggling about how they couldn't believe the hour and what had happened.

“Harry, I don't know what came over me. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not sorry. I just….well…I've never had to get up and get dressed in front of a boy before,” she said nervously.

Harry wasn't much better because he felt bad that Hermione looked so out of sorts. He reached out and put his hand on the couch next to him as he pulled on his right shoe. Hermione was sitting on the other side of the couch and he felt self-conscious sitting next to her.

By the time they gathered their books they seemed to have settled down. Harry put his arm around her shoulder and he patted his hand softly and smiled. “Whew, that was a night to remember,” she said. She looked around the room almost as if she wanted to get a good look at the first place that she and Harry had been together. She said, “I knew there was trouble when I walked in last night. The setting was too beautiful, too cozy.”

“Hermione, don't regret anything. You are everything to me,” Harry said.

“I might be a little more cautious though, Harry--at least for a while anyway.”

Harry was okay with that, he thought. Things had moved a little too rapidly and they could just hang out. They'd proven that for the previous six years.

Harry and Hermione walked out the door to the Room of Requirement without the slightest bit of fear of discovery. Immediately, they realized their mistake. At the far end of the corridor two people shuffled noisily into a classroom in an attempt to hide their presence. Calmly, Harry reached for his wand and looked at Hermione. “Did you bring your wand?”

“No,” she said fearfully. “You don't think we'll need them, do you?”

“I hope not, but I learned how to obliviate short term memory and it would be useful if they couldn't remember seeing us. Whoever it is.” Harry asserted to a nodding Hermione.

Harry added, “It could be other young lovers who had the same idea but had to use the classrooms up here for a midnight liaison. Let's just be on our way and take no notice of them.”

“Alright,” said Hermione. “What if..” she began.

“It's too late to deny we were here, so we'll just have to wait and see,” he said trying to be calm, knowing that word back to Ron or anyone for that matter would be catastrophic.

Harry wished he'd always brought his invisibility cloak in his bag. He could keep going until he was out of sight and sneak back if he had it, but no such luck. And, what a night for them to come out of their dorms wandless. He and Hermione just walked at a normal pace toward their destination not looking into the classrooms as they passed and hoped for the best.

The first staircase was about twice as far as Harry could see clearly from the door of the Room of Requirement he estimated. He had an idea. He motioned for Hermione to go down the stairs. “Start talking about anything. Just give the impression that we're getting further away.” He stood plastered to the wall and just in a little indentation. When Hermione reached two floors down, Harry saw two hooded figures come out of a room much closer than he thought to the Room of Requirement. He ran trying to see who it was but was careful to not get in range where a wand hex or something could get him. He remembered flashes of something familiar but nothing he could definitely recognize. But if someone asked him he'd definitely say one was a girl. They were gone into the Room of Requirement. To his surprise, the door to the Room of Requirement was ajar as he got there. He waited as he heard Hermione coming. He was not in any hurry to run in and get ambushed.

“What happened?” asked Hermione. “Who was it?”

Harry put his hand on the door knob and pushed the door further open. Harry's heart raced as he looked into the room. It was as he'd seen it when Old Professor Trelawney had been there last year and when he'd stashed the Half-Blood Prince's potions book in there. “Hermione, it looks just like last year when Malfoy brought in the Death Eaters. We need to alert Professor McGonagall. There was an intruder in the school tonight.”

“Harry, do you realize what you're saying?” she pleaded.

She was right, of course. They couldn't tell Mrs. McGonagall that they'd been somewhere like the Room of Requirement at this hour. It would certainly bring suspicion. Anything that happened could be blamed on them just as easily as anyone else. He looked around for any signs of anything like the safe or old strong box that Malfoy used the year before. Harry started to wonder about who might have been here. They were student robes on at least one of them. Harry was too tired to worry about it now and there was nothing he could do.

“Harry, let's go. Let's get out of here before someone does come up and see us,” said Hermione. Harry agreed. They were stone cold silent as they walked back except for a brief kiss outside the common room a floor down. Harry waited 20 minutes before going in after Hermione.

It had been several hours since he'd seen Hermione and he wondered if she were alright. It was almost noon and Harry thought for sure she'd be down by now. He went to the Great Hall and got some lunch. There didn't seem to be any murmurs going through the students and the members of the staff seemed unworried for the moment. Everything seemed okay to him, yet as time since seeing Hermione grew longer he became more anxious.

Just then he saw her coming across the aisle with her tray and she sat down with a smile. “Hi, Harry.” She began eating right away.

Harry knew he couldn't ask anything remotely connected to last night because of the wacky way it had gone. For the first time in three days or more he had no idea how to approach her in public. And, apparently, she must not either, he thought.

He slowed down his pace. He had been eating fast to get back to Gryffindor Tower. “Man, I almost ate the whole plate in like two minutes,” he said to break the silence.

“You did look a bit rushed,” she said looking at The Daily Prophet.

He couldn't help himself. He knew she often brought the news with her to the table but he felt different about it today. “Is everything, okay?”

“Sure, why wouldn't it be, Harry?” she said curtly. “It's not like anything exciting or confusing has happened around here to make me feel otherwise.”

A second year whose name Harry couldn't remember, guffawed at her remark. “You can say that again. It's boring here on the weekends.”

Apparently, Hermione thought that would be a good nondescript answer and the young boy's answer through her off. She tried to hold back the laugh at the irony. She'd been sarcastic and the tension broke her. “Yeah, boring. Exactly,” she said.

Harry laughed too. Somehow he understood what Hermione was saying. She was nervous about the whole thing. “So, let's go out on the grounds today and study. We could take a walk toward Hogsmeade Station to kill time, later too.”

“Yeah, sounds better than sitting inside all day,” she replied. Neither of them had the foggiest idea that it had been raining cats and dogs all morning.

“You'll get wet,” said the eavesdropping second year.

Hermione turned to Harry and just smiled shaking her head. The kid was driving her nuts.

“Hey, what's your name?” Harry asked politely.

“Gary, Gary Benton of the Oxfordshire Bentons,” he said proudly.

“Gary, thanks for the bit of news about the rain and stuff, but could you kindly do me a favor and keep that stuff to yourself unless we ask you?” Harry said. “We're having a bit of tough time this morning.”

“Oh, sorry. Sorry Harry, Hermione. I didn't mean to be a busybody. I'll be quiet,” said Gary.

“Thanks, Gary. I just have a headache and now our day is ruined by the rain,” said Hermione. She smiled at him. “I wish Ron were here.”

That last comment was quite unexpected, yet Harry realized that it was in character and the lack of those kinds of comments would seem a little odd. “Yeah, he'll be back, when? Tomorrow night?” He went with the flow even though caught off guard.

“Maybe the rain will stop for a while so the whole day isn't ruined,” said Hermione.

At around two o'clock the rain stopped and Hermione woke Harry sleeping in the chair next to her in the common room. “Harry, let's go out for a while. The rains stopped.”

They walked slowly through the castle toward the Entrance Hall carrying backpacks that umbrellas sticking out, passed through the Entrance Hall and the huge doors that sealed the entrance at night. Hermione, didn't turn her head, but muttered, “Did you bring money?”

“Yes, of course, what did you have in mind?” he asked.

“London, of course, there's plenty to see in all sorts of places inside. We can take taxis if we have to. We just couldn't be drenched before we got outside the grounds to Apparate,” she said. “The clothes are in case we get caught in a downpour in London, silly. I hate being the brains of this outfit,” she chided with a wry smile.

Harry smiled. That was the Hermione he hoped to see again today. That was the story, but they intended to stay the night there, since the Room of Requirement was absolutely too dangerous now.

They Apparated directly to Platform 9 and three-quarters. Even though it was risky being seen there, it was the best excuse available. They were coming to see Ron. Their conversation picked up the further into the city they got. He wanted to go past Buckingham Palace and see the river Thames. Hermione wanted to go the Royal Art Museum and just walk some of the city streets. For late March, the cold rain was pretty common. They felt lucky to have the three or four hours they did to walk before it started just after nightfall. Hermione had copied down a hotel near movie theaters and restaurants. They got in the taxi just in time before the deluge made even the windows of the cab hard to see through.

“So, what was your favorite part Harry?” she asked.

“I couldn't believe those blokes can stand there that still and motionless. I'd have to move or something at least every ten minutes or so. Probably, more often than that, I'd say.” Harry said.

“What about you, Hermione?” he asked.

“I've always liked the beauty of the city itself, so as far as sights…that would be it. But my favorite part, was you acting like a monkey trying to get one of the guards to move. I think you actually succeeded when you pretended to pick bugs out of my hair.” She laughed.

“Who was pretending? You got big coodies,” Harry laughed as Hermione snarled at him.

The check-in was a little uncomfortable because even though she was eighteen and he was almost eighteen they feared they'd be asked for ID. Hermione's parents made sure she got it in her brief stop home, but Harry would probably never have muggle ID. The lobby was nice and cozy with just enough traffic to give them both the vacation feel Hermione wanted.

“The last time I went on vacation I never really did. I came back for you to Grimmauld Place. I've never been sorry I did either,” said Hermione. “My parents always wonder who that Harry boy is that I talk about. I lay awake thinking last night Harry. I thought of when I crossed that line with you. You know, the love line thing is really a good analogy. We were the loving friends you talked about for a long time.”

Harry was happy that she'd listened to him. He had thought that up one night when he was desperate on how he would be able to stay focused on not hating Voldemort and loving Tom. That was it. He figured if he could just look at Tom as a disadvantaged friend who just needed one person to love him, he might be able to avoid the hate that would have allowed Voldemort the upper hand to kill him. He looked at Hermione and realized that it was too deep of a subject for now. But one day he'd tell her where it came from. “So, you see it now do you?”

“Yes, I do.” They put their things on the nightstands in front of their respective beds and got ready for dinner. “These beds will be better Harry. We can still cuddle but we aren't forced into an awkward position,” she added.

“Yeah, you snore. That way I don't have to hear it,” he smiled and stuck out his tongue. The arrangements were fine with him. He realized that he was the luckiest guy alive about now anyway.

She ignored his remark and brushed her hair. “So, I saw this Italian restaurant in the hotel guide. It's just down the block. Let's go there,” she said.

Harry shrugged. He didn't care as long as the food was hot and Hermione was there. “Sounds good to me.”

Harry found himself smiling more than usual since he was not used to wine at all and drank the first two glasses much too fast. Hermione had a good laugh when at one point Harry tried to say Cabernet Sauvignon even after Hermione pronounced it for him. The waiter stood back in the corner and smiled at Hermione asking if they wanted more and she shook her head subtly. He brought out two sodas for them.

“Hermione, where'd the wine go?” Harry asked. He was playing around a little but he knew he and wine were a bad mix. He handled beer better. It didn't go right to his head.

“No more, you lush. You can stop acting drunk, Harry. Don't embarrass me, please.” Hermione was sweet about it but Harry could tell by her body language that maybe he was carrying this joker and prankster thing too far. He could see how she might be embarrassed.

“Sorry, Sweetheart, I'll straighten up. I mean it.” Harry took his table napkin and from his lap and placed it on the table. “That was outstanding, Hermione. What next?”

The weather was still frightfully blustery and rainy so they decided that they'd see what movies would be on TV before deciding whether to go out to one. If they didn't have to go out, Hermione explained how the in-room movie might be best. As usual, Harry was all for it.

When they returned to the hotel lobby and Hermione saw that the little gift shop was still open. “Harry, over here. I want to look at some stuff.” Harry saw what he wanted, but he couldn't get it now. Hermione would know and it would spoil the surprise, so he said he'd just be over in the corner near the hotel bar.

At the door, he saw four men standing near the tap talking animatedly. He didn't know whether it was the movements of their hands or the fact that none of them looked at the television with the football game on next to them. Manchester United the screen said was beating some other team. That was when he saw Ron approaching them. Harry was dumbfounded. London, he thought. One of the largest cities in the world and he runs into Ron Weasley while he's with Hermione. His presence was easily explained but did he want to explain. He stepped back quickly and rounded the wall to avoid crossing the door. The big question he thought was whether he should tell Hermione.

When Harry got back to the gift shop, Hermione was paying for some little trinkets she bought and a postcard. “I got this for mum. I'm going to mail it in the morning,” she said as he turned toward Harry. “You look like you've seen a ghost, relatively speaking of course.” They chuckled because of the ghosts at Hogwarts. But he couldn't hide his discomfort.

“No, I'm okay. Really. I was at the door when I saw a near accident someone almost ran into someone else.” He said it that way because it was true. He almost ran into Ron. That would be a nasty accident. He felt.

“I'll walk you up but I want to check this place out,” said Harry.

“What the pub?” she asked. “Are you thinking of getting drunk?”

“No, but it's impossible to surprise you with anything if we're connected at the hip,” he said honestly. He wanted to get the last two roses in the case just inside the gift shop. He hoped he wasn't so obvious now that she could figure it out. He would have been so much more prepared if he hadn't been caught off guard with Ron. Harry had a genuine dilemma on his hands.

He walked her to the door of their room and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and told her he'd be right back. He took two steps and realized that he'd remembered the invisibility cloak today. He knocked and Hermione came to the door. “I forgot my card and I need to use the loo really quick. Too much wine,” he smiled and snuck past her.

He grabbed his key card and put the invisibility cloak in front of him so she wouldn't see it. He slipped under it and took the stairs down three flights. It would be easier to explain than being bumped into in a crowded elevator where he could move to avoid people. He slipped over to the other side of the bar and listened to Ron and his mates.

“Ron, you're really improving fast, mate. The triple move and pass fifty meters from the rings, high to low and back is hard to follow. You got it down pretty well the two of three times. That's about league average. Good show mate.” Harry was fascinated at the level of Quidditch that Ron was learning. He was proud of his friend's accomplishments.

“Yeah, it's really hard to stay calm when a break happens and that many people come at you. At school, you have maybe one person in all the houses fast enough to do what you do and he's a seeker.” Ron said.

“Harry?” asked the smallest guy.

“Yeah, we've heard a lot about him but our seeker, Louden, is young and barring injury should be around a while. Otherwise we'd look at your mate real carefully,” said what appeared to be the oldest of the men.

“Hey, how'd it go with that girl last night, Weasley?” asked the one smoking the pipe. “There's more where she came from.”

“I went to her place and couldn't do, Bosley. My girlfriend and I are on the rocks but once I realized I was about to do something with a hooker, I couldn't do it. And stop with the faggot stuff too, Novak.” Ron looked over at the fourth guy with a wicked expression. Novak was the one with the pipe gathered Harry.

“It's alright Ron. We were all drunk and we thought it would be good to get the Cherry Boy laid,” said Bosley. “I saw her picture, Weasley, I wouldn't cheat on her either.”

Ron looked proud. “Well, I mean I still went too far. I mean just because I didn't do anything to her doesn't mean I'm not guilty.”

“What a blow job and you feel guilty?” said Bosley. “Hey, if you love her, go back and make it up to her and tell us to leave your personal life alone.”

“So this is what you do on your trips to London, Ron? You go to bars and talk about getting blow jobs from hookers and how bad you feel that your girlfriend is at home?” Harry's head snapped around as he saw Hermione standing there furious. “Well, she's not at home. She's here in London with her new boyfriend. You might know him. You told him to take care of me this weekend. And believe me; he takes better care of me than you ever could.” She threw a salt shaker at him and stormed out.

Well that did it thought Harry. He could have thought of a hundred other ways for it to come out. He watched as Ron's mate's backed away in case the angry woman came at him. After she left, Novak looked at Ron and said, “Get used to it mate. It won't be the last time you piss off a woman.”

Harry looked at Ron and felt sorry for him. His mates just looked at him as he stood speechless, “You, okay, Weasley? Have a shot.” Bosley raised his hand to the bartender. “Shots around.”

Harry knew he had to get out of there now and that Hermione had probably figured it out by now. He had no idea what kind of shape she'd be in when he got to the room. He went out into the busy street and found a place where the noise and bustle was so loud no one would notice and he pulled off the cloak. He did his best to carry it like a jacket over his arm which of course disappeared beneath it. He got the roses and a vase from the porter. He got on the elevator. When he got to the room he heard the phone ringing. No one answered as he went in the lights were on and the TV was on, but no one was there. Harry panicked thinking the worst when he heard Hermione blow her nose in the loo.

When she popped out of the loo, she saw the cloak and the flowers. Harry realized the flowers were a wasted effort for the immediate moment. He put the vase on the desk and the flowers in it. “I wanted to see what was going on before I told you that I'd seen him.”

“Are you sure? You did see a ghost for all I care now.” She sat with her back to the headboard of the bed with a tissue in one hand her leg up and supporting the other as she pinched her lower lip.

Harry felt like he was in no man's land. He heard the whole conversation, saw the look on Ron's face, and was convinced that the purpose of the visits here were for Quidditch and not liaisons with woman. Harry realized that under different circumstances Ron could have saved face. Ron now knew that Hermione and Harry had something going on. Harry wished he could fast forward to see how this was going to come out.

“Hermione, don't you think you should talk to Ron? He's called here three times now.” Harry figured out what the message minder was on the phone. He knew it had rung a lot.

She remained silent and stared at the TV.

Harry put on the sweats from the backpack and propped himself up on the other bed. He could feel pain surrounding him. He felt it for Hermione, for Ron and most of all for the friendships and relationships that were crashing and burning. His and Hermione's was no sure thing he could see too.

“So, no hug or kiss, now that I've kicked him out of my life? Am I alone?” she said. “The only difference between what we did and what he did was that he got caught. And, I'm so ashamed of myself. I acted like a whore with you last night.”

Harry was in shock at the look on Hermione's face. No tears, no grimace even. She had a blank stare and just let words come out to anyone.

He moved slowly from his bed toward her to comfort her.

“Harry, I don't know if I want to be touched right now,” she said with a glance at him. “I'm tired of men. I'm tired of trying to be something to someone. I need to see who I am right now. And the first results are discouraging.”

Harry had no words of wisdom or jokes or anything that could help Hermione. He felt lost, but he knew he could take it if she was angry. He just hoped she was okay.

“Harry, don't worry. I love you and I know I'm a mess. Just let me think,” she said. “Why don't you call him and tell him that she loves to have her belly covered in butterfly kisses?”

Harry looked out the window now as he stood near the exit to the balcony.

“Sex? All guys are all about sex. Maybe that's why I liked Ron and fell in love in the first place. He wasn't like that. But we know where that got me.” She wiped her nose and got up and walked to the flowers. “Thanks, Harry. I know you must have thought of this before all this happened. Play the messages.”

“Hermione, I don't know what to say. Please call me in Room 2250. Is Harry here too then? Damn it, not Harry. What…?” The familiar line tone interrupted.

“Hermione, I knew we were in trouble, but please tell me you were just pushing my buttons about Harry? Call me.” Line tone.

“Hey, we almost caught you last night. Too bad Weasley knows now. We had a wonderful plan to expose you. Now we'll just have to go with Plan B. How's the Mudblood in bed, Potter?” Line tone.

“Malfoy, the git. I can't believe. How could he possibly know about Ron already?” Harry looked at Hermione.

There was pounding at the door. “Harry, come out and get what you deserve you traitor. I can't believe you let me go knowing…did you tell her? Did you? Faggot!” Ron was screaming at the door.

“Wow, this is a pretty sight. He's madder at you for telling me something that you no doubt have kept a secret than he is about reconciling. There goes your theory,” said Hermione who sat back on her bed. “Call security and have them take him away.”

Harry really had no choice. He called security and in a few minutes a cursing Ron was dragged away.

-->

Chapter 9—Darkness Falls

Harry's dreams took a turn toward the dark side. He would sleep for thirty or forty minutes wake up in a sweat and lie staring at Hermione in the bed across from him. The dreams were all different. One he remembered was he and Ron being interrogated for some crazy thing but Harry willing blamed Ron. Another, he and Hermione were the King and Queen of some ball somewhere and Ron ran around as the court jester. Another, the last one, Ron stood next to Hermione's body pointing his wand at Harry's chest and speaking the killing curse. He pulled the pillow up to his chest and hugged it close.

The night had ended in such turmoil that Harry couldn't remember when the lights went out, but it wasn't very late so now at two in the morning, he was exhausted and a little frightened at what dreams lie ahead. Harry rolled over to face the window. Hermione opened her eyes staring at him. Moments later, he felt Hermione lifting the covers and cradling him in her arms. The scent of her filled his imagination and allowed him to finally sleep peacefully. An unspoken act of love was never more satisfying and clear.

The faint buzz of the telephone woke Hermione first and her stirring awoke Harry. The sun was out but the trees outside the window were shaking in the wind. “I thought we turned off the phone,” said Harry.

“We did, but I think the message thing is still up a little. Yes, there's a message, Harry.” She said as the looked at it. “It's only a few minutes old.”

“What time is it?” he asked unable to read the clock without his glasses.

“It's eleven, Harry. We almost slept the morning away. Should I play it?” She said apprehensively.

“Sure, why not? It might be security asking us to file a report,” said Harry. “Turn on the ringer too, if you don't mind.”

The message began to play. It was Ron in a halting voice and obviously very sad. “I don't have any idea how to begin. It's like talking to strangers. But you're not strangers and I have to find out what's going on for my sanity. I'm not proud of my behavior. But do either of you have a conscience? That's what gets me.” There was a long pause and the sound of Ron blowing his nose. “I'm okay, if that matters to you. I'm not coming back to Hogwarts, I'm quitting school. I found out something you should know. Meet me outside your hotel at noon.”

The phone rang almost immediately after the message finished. “It's the front desk, Harry. There's a package for you. Do you want it sent up?” she asked. The look on her face was as nervous as Harry's.

“No, we'll be down to get it,” said Harry. Hermione relayed the message. Up to that moment they felt that no one but Ron and Malfoy knew they were there.

“That's curious,” said Harry. “I'm not convinced that the package is a good thing.”

“You don't think Ron will be angry do you, Harry?” Hermione said as she began getting ready to shower.

“I don't think so. Ron is pretty straight forward. If he's going to come after you he's not hiding it,” presumed Harry.

Once Hermione was out and combing the knots out of her hair, Harry went into the shower. “I can still hear him screaming through the door last night. It was dreadful.”

“I couldn't fight him, Hermione. While he pounded on that door, I wasn't afraid, but the guilt would have kept me from fighting him. Two hits is all there would have been--him hitting me and me hitting the floor.”

Hermione expected that to be a punch line to another of Harry's jokes, but he stood there and shrugged. “I couldn't try to hurt him anymore, after I saw the look on his face in the bar.” He was serious and didn't smile.

Hermione knew what he meant. She'd really gone overboard to hurt him by telling him their story like that. In front of all of his mates, he found out she was already cheating on him. It made her look and feel terrible not to mention, traitorous. Harry couldn't say anything when Hermione admitted that last night. He felt the same on a different scale. That's when the lights had gone out.

They gathered everything and left it in the room for now. They could tell the porter they'd be back for it by three if they wished to leave it there. They slipped their wands inside they're jackets and made for the desk.

The package was small and seemed to be made out in the handwriting of a woman. Harry recognized it and his stomach lurched. It was Ginny's handwriting. “Two guesses whose handwriting Hermione. First one doesn't count.” Harry had just showered but could feel the perspiration growing almost immediately.

“Ginny?” she stated in the form of a question.

“What is going on here?” asked Harry. The clerk shrugged realizing he was talking to himself or Hermione.

They walked slowly looking at the box as they approached the doorway to the hotel. They saw Ron standing just to the right as they exited. Harry carefully put the box inside his coat pocket. “Follow me,” said Ron. They walked just a little way to the small bistro next to the hotel and went inside.

“I have to go to a workout at one o'clock. Don't think that I'm not pissed.” Both Hermione and Harry had that feeling from the moment they saw him. “I'm in shock. It just made the decision to leave school now that much easier. So it's not your little bit of news that made that decision for me. It is convenient though, isn't it? I wouldn't have left until next week. Convenient for the young lovers isn't it, mates?” Ron looked up at his mates sitting at the counter near Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Hermione was a little peeved. “So, once again you decided for us that you would leave me behind. What? This time you wanted me to accept you as a weekend boyfriend?” She stopped because she realized that it was a public place and she'd already said enough last night.

Ron hung his head and said, “I suppose I deserve that.”

The pained look on Hermione's face told all. She wasn't angry. She just remembered why she was able to accept Harry's light and carefree love so easily. “Do you wonder why I jumped at the chance when someone said they loved me and I was the best thing that ever happened to them? He felt that way even as friends,” she added.

“I told you that too, Hermione. Even if it's over for us, you are still the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Ron with a tear. “What killed me was the way you said he took care of you better than you ever could. I want to know if you meant sex or if you were just taking the life out of me on purpose. I can't believe that either of you could do that to me before I knew about you.” The silence left the answer unclear.

Hermione felt she owed him the explanation and the truth. “Ron we have been no more intimate than you and I have been.”

Ron looked at Harry and back at Hermione. “That leaves a lot of room. But that answers the question, I suppose.” He saw the look on Harry's face that spoke of the guilt he felt at that moment.

“I don't kiss and tell, Ron. I said nothing to Harry except that you were not much on romance. Romance and love don't always go hand in hand in some cases. Up to a point, I accepted that. And, I will never spoil what we had together by making a joke out of you. I love you still, Ron. Harry knows it. It could be the wonderful beginning of something special. I'm sorry that I was unfaithful by not telling you before you left. That was wrong.” Ron feigned being moved as he pretended to sniffle.

“Yeah, well the look on Harry's face tells me a lot more than your words. It doesn't matter. What I have to tell you is that I'm worried about Ginny in all this.” Harry was all ears. “Harry, she was kind to say she broke up with you, but I didn't believe her. I just let it go. It was her decision and I was glad you two weren't together. But I think, she's hurting Harry. If this gets to her, she could be scary. My little sister is tough.”

Harry knew this first hand and now he was even more intrigued by the box in his jacket. “Harry, show Ron the box from Ginny.” As he did, he sensed that Ron changed a bit. He seemed to become more arrogant, more self-assured.

“When did you get this?” Ron asked. “Do you know that Draco Malfoy was spotted here last night?”

“Yes, we had a rather nasty message on the recorder calling Hermione names.” Harry said.

“Open it with caution Harry.” Ron offered as advice.

Harry opened the package and inside there was smaller box as expected. He opened the smaller box to find a scroll slid inside the friendship ring he'd given her when they reunited.

Harry read it privately. “First me, then my brother. I knew one day you might go, but you can't get away with the desecration of our love. You claim to love me, yet you sleep with Hermione while she's still with Ron. You are dead to me, Harry. I am dead to you too. You will suffer, but not at my hand. I will watch and take pleasure in it.”

He read it aloud to both of them. “Ron, she's wrong on several points.” Harry said.

“Well, I'll leave you with a riddle.” Harry knew at that moment his guess at the change in Ron had been right. “It's an easy one. Who could get enough of your hair to make polyjuice potion? It's the same person who had a fascination with Malfoy until you turned her head,” said Ron. “I never told you how many times I had to shoo away Malfoy chatting up Ginny. You were a welcome alternative at the time. That was going to be the last part of the news to brighten up your day.” Ron was holding back a smile. It was as if Ron knew that the thought of Ginny intimate with Malfoy would crush him as much as Harry with Hermione had crushed him.

Harry felt as if he'd been hit between the eyes. Hermione wasn't much better. Without a big row and ill will Ginny had she still come around Harry a lot. They never spoke personally, but she talked with Hermione and was constantly present until that day Ron asked Harry to take care of Hermione.

“She warned me that I shouldn't trust you two together,” he said shaking his head. “I don't necessarily want revenge, but other than doing you bodily harm, I can't turn on my own flesh and blood. You see, I'm not a traitor.” Ron smiled. “Thank you, Ginny for giving me this bit of satisfaction.”

“So, you won't help us?” Hermione said. “What are you saying?”

“With what? You can't handle a sixteen year old witch and a seventeen year old warlock who hasn't even completed school. The great Harry Potter and the brightest witch of her age are looking for help from the great oaf, Ron Weasley. As I see it, all there is, is a note from a distraught teenage girl who feels betrayed by her ex-boyfriend. And, suffering can come in many forms, Harry. You should know that by now. The best torture is the unexpected ruining your `wonderful beginning of something special',” He mimicked. “I'm really sorry, but when Ginny told me last night that Draco got on the phone, I almost died laughing. Oops, did I say that out loud?” Ron smiled, got up and for a moment looked disturbed that he'd just said something he wasn't supposed to say. A second later, in what seemed like an act of defiance to a script of some sort. He said, “By the way, Harry, how do you think we ended up in the same hotel?” Ron walked away.

Harry and Hermione were dumbfounded. “No, no this isn't possible.”

“Oh, but it is,” said Bosley. “I love watching mudbloods squirm. We're proud that Ron has seen the light of how perverse it is to have sex with a mudblood. We'll give your love to Draco.” He turned and followed Ron. “We'll be seeing you around; but will you see us?”

That eerie statement caused Hermione to turn to Harry and say, “That was not Ron, Harry. And, I don't believe that Ginny is that cruel.”

Harry couldn't think. It was like his whole life passed before his eyes. He saw Ginny and him in a loving embrace, he felt the warmth and passion she generated, but since he'd been back that wasn't so. “The Imperius Curse, it's the Imperius Curse Hermione. It has to be. Malfoy is trying to make sure he destroys us, you and I. He'll even humiliate them once they've served their purpose. We have to get to him.” The pain in Harry's chest grew by the second as he was reminded for the millionth time it seemed that Professor Dumbledore was gone. “He may even be capable of murder now for all I know.”

“Harry, how far could this go?” Hermione asked this question so seriously that Harry had to wonder about the circumstances that brought them together. “Love potion?”

Harry didn't want to believe it. But anything was possible. “Hermione, what purpose would it serve to control everyone? To make us mere dancing monkeys is stupid. There has to be some goal in mind. Some end that Malfoy wants to achieve. Now, I'm not so sure Malfoy isn't but the figurehead for the plan. He might be the scapegoat with some greater conspiracy behind it using his childish rage to hide a bigger plan. I doubt Malfoy is talented enough to use the Unforgivable Curses.”

They looked around at the patrons in the bistro who looked at them strangely as they talked of the Imperius Curse, Unforgiveable Curses and Love Potions.

Harry took Hermione's hand and led her to their room. He called the desk to tell them they were staying one more night. They would go back in the morning he told Hermione.

“But Harry doesn't that give them the upper hand knowing where we are and we don't have the protections of Hogwarts?” asked Hermione.

Harry thought about that for a moment and realized her point was valid. Yet he felt that under the circumstances the only place he knew that they could talk without being observed by someone spying for Malfoy was right here. And, unpredictability was sure to be an ally.

“Hermione, I think that we would have a hard time finding a place to strategize there. And we'd be locked in if we thought of something after dark. We would never know where we could talk without fear of being overheard. The other advantage is that we hold the upper had as long as we don't become predictable or stay predictable, rather,” said Harry and after a pause looked at her as he sat deep in thought. He struggled with that a bit. It was he and Hermione being unpredictable that had started this mess. If they were true to Ron as they'd always been, much of this trouble would have been avoided, He thought. He decided not to say that to Hermione. “What do you think of that? We have to use every resource and you are definitely the brains in this outfit,” he smiled trying to lighten up the horrible situation.

“Harry, it makes sense to a degree. I just don't know if today's the day to be unpredictable. We have to find out their aim. On the surface, it appears to be revenge against you and anyone close to you. But whatever this is has been incredibly well planned. There are too many layers to give Malfoy all the blame,” said Hermione. “He's involved to be sure, but someone else much more powerful than he has to be pulling the strings.”

Harry considered this for a moment. He supposed it was a little egotistical to think that he would be the sole target of such a well orchestrated plan. Was Harry that hated that Malfoy, his peer at seventeen or eighteen, had the power to influence adults to simply get his revenge? The more he thought of it, the surer he became that Hermione was right. They needed to think of a broader goal that would be benefited by this smaller one.

Hermione sat down with a piece of paper from the desk and the pen in the room. “Okay, Harry, let's make a list of those who were suspected to be ally's of Lord Voldemort but were never captured or were never officially confirmed dead but reported dead. “The first on my list is Snape, especially with the level of magic we've seen used so far. Much of what we know at our age is easily detectable and traceable, but this seems to be much more treacherous.”

“Hermione, I saw him die. At least, I thought I saw him die. What about Narcissa Malfoy, is she a possibility? Or, Bellatrix Lestrange, I never saw her after she was reportedly captured,” said Harry.

“The Lestrange woman was confirmed Harry. That I'm sure is true. But Narcissa, Malfoy's mother, is an interesting case. That's who Mr. Weasley said that the Ministry believed was the driving force behind Draco's disappearance,” asserted Hermione. “Harry, at some point, and it may be only one point the answer is simple and becomes complex from there. We have to think of it that way. Otherwise there are layers and layers of `what ifs' that would be impossible for you and I to trace.”

“Do we assume that the Order of the Phoenix is intact and we can get their help? Inside Hogwarts, they are of almost no help. But if we discover the greater plan, we will need outside help,” explained Harry.

“We have lots of hours of daylight left today. Do we go to Lupin or Mr. Weasely with what we do know?” asked Hermione.

“I don't know where to find Lupin, do you?” said Harry with a sigh. “I'm not sure that I want to take a chance that the Weasleys have not been manipulated in some manner as an entire family.”

“Good point,” said Hermione. “I know where Tonks makes her home. They are getting on better and better these days. I think Lupin is starting to see the benefit of someone to help him in his time of need. I think he's starting to see that love will overlook all the problems.” Hermione looked disturbed. “Unless you're me and decide to give up.”

“Hermione, for the last time or at least I hope the last time, think of what you're saying and what we know now. How long have things been manipulated to put us in this position? You are not above human needs and desires. Don't dwell on it, because I'm sure that part of the suffering they want us to endure is the guilt,” said Harry.

“Harry, my heart knows that, but when you look at Fleur with Bill and Tonks with Lupin it's hard to say that the problems Ron and I faced were so terrible that I can justify leaving him. Maybe, this was what was meant to happen. I mean maybe you and I equate to Fleur and Bill. I think that's probably true, but there is that tiny bit of doubt and it hurts inside to think of it.” She sounded desperate that Harry understand.

Harry understood her better to a point and recognized she needed him to tell her he did. “I am not in doubt about us Hermione. I just want to enjoy our lives together. We have to get to the bottom of all this. I'll try to be more understanding and help you where I can to fight that feeling, Sweetheart,” said Harry as he gave Hermione a hug.

It wasn't long before they were off to the one place that Hermione had been that Harry had not in the magical world, Tonks apartment. Hermione had accompanied Tonks several times during the search for the Horcruxes. The house was in a secluded part of the city where it was obvious that it was the most wizard inhabited place Harry had seen in the city. He didn't know how he knew but there were signs like the Quidditch World Cup flags from Ireland or Bulgaria in a variety of inconspicuous locations. There was the surprising lack of automobiles in the neighborhood that didn't seem to have a great deal of mass transportation. For some reason, that was a tell-tale sign of a neighborhood of witches and wizards.

Hermione knocked twice in rapid succession and then used the bell. She waited a few seconds and knocked three times slowly. “Aren't you a little impatient Hermione?” he asked.

“You're funny, Harry. That's the secret greeting,” said Hermione. The door opened to Tonks with bright pink hair and a surprisingly wide and generous smile. He saw why immediately when he spied Lupin sitting in the kitchen with a cup of tea. “Harry thought I was being impatient with the knock, the doorbell and the knock again,” she smiled at him once more.

“Harry, how are you? What in the world would ever bring you to this part of town during a school year? What are you two doing anyway? Where's Ron?” asked Lupin.

They avoided the question for the moment and settled to small talk about how they'd been in London getting away from things when Ron was off doing his Quidditch thing.

And, when Lupin pressed harder about how Ron was doing, Harry looked at Hermione and said, “Should we tell them everything? You start it.”

Hermione looked at Harry with a sidelong glance. “I suppose we should.” He brushed back the windblown hair from her eyes and gave Hermione a peck on the cheek and took her hand.

Tonks looked at Lupin, “I don't think everything is as it was, Remus.”

Hermione began as she looked at Harry for confirmation, “No, things are really out of control.” Hermione started with Harry's break up with Ginny and the incident with Parvati. The only details that were left out were the ones pertaining to the extent of their relationship telling it much the same way to them as she explained it to Ron. When she wrapped up the story, Lupin looked at Harry and then took a long look at Tonks. Tonks expression was hard for Harry to read.

“I just wanted to add,” said Harry, “that we think that Ginny and Ron are under the Imperious Curse. We don't believe that they are capable of this kind of thing.”

Tonks nodded to Lupin. “First, the way this happened was very sad, indeed. It troubles me when friends so close are in trouble. Harry and Hermione, you are unfortunately victims of choices made months ago, upon the defeat of Lord Voldemort.” Lupin went on to explain that many of Lord Voldemort's followers went into hiding or simply ran. Harry had been was allowed to continue to believe that some were dead or incarcerated who were not. One was Severus Snape who Lupin maintained was still loyal to the order. Another, that no one had said much about was Fenrir Greyback, the brutal werewolf. Lupin explained that that was why he was not as frequent a visitor as they'd expected at Christmas. Lupin lost track of Fenrir around New Year's Day. The list was much longer than either of them imagined.

Harry sat in stunned silence to hear that so many people he thought were in Azkaban had escaped the Order and the Ministry. He just looked at Hermione and shook his head.

“Professor, how could you do that to Harry? After he nearly died to rid us of Lord Voldemort and survived after beating all odds,” asked Hermione as he put her arms around Harry whose hands were shaking in bottled rage.

“What kind of payment is that? Lying to me once I had done what no one else could is the ultimate betrayal. I can't believe what I'm hearing,” said Harry in an escalating but not shouting voice. His rage eased as he was able to let out a bit of how he felt.

“Harry, you were one Cruciatus Curse from breaking your own back or choking to death. You were so physically battered from your ordeal; we couldn't tell whether it was the great release of energy when Voldemort passed through the vale or the curses. No one knew if you would even survive. Harry, you have never known how brave you were. We owe you more than we could ever repay. We should be glad for your unique capacity for love and loyalty. But we couldn't stop everything as time after that first week and as time went on and tell you everything. You were unconscious for nearly a week in St. Mungo's, Harry. Ron and Hermione were there two days. We adults were ashamed that the love three friends had for each other allowed them to accomplish what we could not. We wanted you to be kids again. I will not be ashamed of that.” Lupin looked at Tonks who put her hand on his shoulder. They stood teary eyed looking at Harry and Hermione.

“I have several sheets of notes I found Harry that are written by Professor Dumbledore. The one plea he had, as he said that it was unlikely he would survive, was that you would be allowed to be free of the concerns of the adult world for some time to enjoy being young. That he believed in the end, it would be possible for you to finally be happy. I couldn't have agreed more. The Weasleys agreed and so did Hagrid. We chose to try to give you your life back and let us be your protector instead of the other way around. We tried the first time and failed. Apparently, we have failed again,” said Lupin as he walked to the other side of the small kitchen obviously distressed.

“What about the condition of Ron and Ginny?” asked Hermione as Harry sat again silent taking in Lupin's reasoning.

“I think it would be a mistake to attribute all of this to the Imperious Curse. Today's display by Ron may be the notable exception where it was used to great advantage to keep him calm enough to entice you to talk to him. It sounds as if he took liberties and told you more than he should have too. That is to our advantage,” Tonks said. “I have seen the Imperious Curse in action. It is good for short term goals, but long term personal ethics and freewill of the person can't be stopped from coming through without being controlled very closely. I hardly think that Malfoy is able to be a controlling force, but it seems he may still have access to Hogwarts. The most probable explanation of their behavior is the pain of the losing a loved one, whether through death, divorce or break up. It can make people do very horrible things when they are desperate to their ease pain. It effects their mind and reasoning. Think of the number of suicides and crimes of passion that occur.”

“Are you saying that Ron and Ginny are now evil?” asked Harry. “I can't accept that.”

“I don't say it is or it isn't what we believe,” said Lupin speaking for both of them. “But which is safer to do? One, is it safer to regard them as being malicious and hateful for the pain they believe you caused and forgive them if they are under the curse? Or, two, try to reason and let them in closer out of guilt and wishful thinking until they can affect their plan of suffering on you?”

He added, “There is a third possibility. It is possible that it is simple revenge that is not life threatening from their point of view and their need to accomplish it is served by accepting help from Malfoy. They may not see the schemes of control, fear and domination that are the ultimate end. And, while in that circle of evil, they are being used for far more heinous plans. This leaves the possibility for them to act on freewill and, at the same time, under the curse to accomplish different things entirely. You must look at all the possibilities.”

Neither Hermione nor Harry knew where to start. “Harry, what if they decide to pose as us when they find out we haven't returned? Remember, there is a large pot of polyjuice potion brewing somewhere.”

“Harry, you and Hermione need to make your relationship known to everyone as soon as possible to avoid letting them start rumors. You will have enough problems I fear even if you do that one simple thing,” said Lupin. “I will visit Professor McGonagall with Tonks. Do you have everything with you to go back to Hogwarts?”

They had left their belongings in the hotel room. With the help of Lupin and Tonks they retrieved their backpacks paid for the room and Apparated to the front gate of Hogwarts.

“Harry, Hermione. You look wonderful together. Take care of each other,” said Tonks.

Harry felt so relieved to find acceptance and he could sense the same in Hermione. They hugged Tonks. Hermione hugged Lupin. As Harry shook Lupin's hand as Remus gave Harry this piece of advice. “We are all human, Harry. But you are a hero to these kids on many levels. Be a role model too. Accept your responsibility and tell people what you told me about not being proud of your deception. It will take away some of the power from Malfoy and whoever else is involved. Be natural together, you are good together. But be judicious in your choices. Do you understand?” He said as he smiled at them.

Harry and Hermione understood. They held hands and went off to face the world as couple for the first time. “Nothing's going to ever be easy with you, Harry, is it?” she said.

“No, probably not,” he tickled her ribs and ran.

“Remus, I hope those kids can enjoy there lives together. This could either be what binds them together forever or what steals their happiness.”

“We have to move fast. I fear that destroying their image as role models is the first order of business,” he said.

“Kids spread gossip all the time, Remus. That's part of life. What could they possibly do? While the role model business is nice, I don't think the kids see it that way, but I'm with you,” said Tonks.

“I can't imagine anything more damaging than imposters engaging in inappropriate public displays of any kind. I'm sure you know what I mean. Professor McGonagall needs to know that's a possibility. The problem is that it may not be here in the school. What do they already have from when they were in London?” Lupin took Tonks by the hand and walked quickly to the main Entrance Hall and Headmistress McGonagall's study.

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A/N: Sorry for the heavy reading in this chapter, but now the story is set.

Chapter 10—The Original Prophecy

Harry and Hermione giggled nervously each time they passed someone who looked at them strangely as they walked hand in hand. The number of people who looked surprised seemed rather small to Hermione. The real test was what would happen in the Gryffindor Tower when they arrived. They knew that they were too late to beat Ginny to the punch if she decided to spread the word.

They stood at the door with no one in sight gave each other a peck of a kiss. Hermione said it first but Harry was a close second. “Good luck and I love you.” Harry said the password and they walked in proudly as planned. The only surprise as Harry took her hand coming through the door was the return of Parvati who noticed at once. “Have either of you seen Ron? Ginny said that if I saw you that I should tell you to look out for Ron.”

“What do you mean Parvati?” asked Hermione noting there were only really young Gryffindors present and probably no harm in asking openly what she'd heard.

“Well, she said that she was going to make sure that Ron heard that she caught you two coming out of the Room of Requirement at 2 AM. She was kind of sarcastic when she said that it had been a while since a Dumbledore's Army planning session went that late and only included you two. Are you two seeing each other?” she asked in hind sight.

“Yes, Parvati, we are. I think that Ginny's just having second thoughts about breaking up with Harry,” said Hermione just thinking how that may turn in their favor as far as the war of words that she could see starting was concerned.

“I always thought you two were a better match than you and Ron. But you told me you didn't ever think of Harry that way just a week or so ago?” questioned Parvati. Harry detected a tone of sadness and jealousy from their day out. Then he thought, maybe even anger that she'd been targeted and it was Hermione he longed for all along.

“Parvati, it was you telling investigators that it couldn't be me that meant so much to me. Hermione believed it and you confirmed it. It was while Hermione was visiting and standing up for me that I realized how wonderful she was. I mean in a way that I'd not seen in her before. So I had no idea when we went out that this was going to happen.” Harry tried to not make it a speech but wanted to make the point.

“Well, don't expect a lot of people to really see any difference between you two,” she said.

Harry looked puzzled. “What?”

“Anyone who has ever seen you two together knows you were in love. If they didn't they were lying to themselves, just as you guys lied to each other. I'm sorry your not single Harry, but I'm glad for you too.” Parvati excused herself. “Excuse me please; I have to meet my sister for the planning meeting. It's in the Great Hall tonight, Hermione. Are you coming or are you two still on the honeymoon?” she faked a little kiss.

They all laughed. “Parvati, what's the topic tonight? We actually just got back from telling Ron. It was not pretty and we're exhausted.”

A look of surprise crossed Parvati's face and then she replied with a raised brow, “We're selecting the type of music. We won't be looking for a band until we decide that. Any preference?” Before she let Hermione answer she added, “I'll bet it wasn't pretty. Surprised there are no bruises the way Ginny talked.”

“Well, I kind of like Rock `n Roll but not the hard stuff. I guess the band at the Yule Ball was okay? Yeah, that type if you can remember.”

“She doesn't remember because Krum was making her knees weak with his muscles and charm,” he winked and she blushed without a word.

She turned to leave saying, “You know I can't keep this a secret. The rumor has officially started. You are a couple.”

“You mean the gossip, don't you?” said Harry with a smile.

“Well, unfortunately, that too.” She left with a smile and a wave.

Hermione looked at Harry with a sigh of relief. “50 down about 600 to go, that's the number of people who will hear it tonight first hand. The other number is how many will hear it from someone, who heard it from someone, who knew someone who attended the meeting in the Great Hall.”

“I'll be sure to start one of those stories?” said a familiar voice. “I wish I'd thought of that idea before you left yesterday. I would have started it,” said Ginny.

Harry started to say something when Ginny looked at him with a smile. “So, maybe you're not as stupid as you look. It's really too bad you decided to come out in the open so soon. But there are still a few surprises left for you, you'll see.”

“Ginny why are you being like this and what's with the threats and the ring?” Harry asked.

“If what you said was true--that you talked to Ron, then you know. I don't want to talk to you. All my talking with you is done. I really hope you guys suffer for the way you've acted.” Ginny just walked back up the stairs. “Oh,” she said from the top of the stairs, “It was Draco and I in the hallway near the room Friday night. Too bad you didn't have your wands, or, did you just share your spare, short wand with Hermione, Harry?” She giggled.

Hermione and Harry felt a creepy-crawling sensation as Ginny spoke. Everything she said was venomous and cruel. Harry whispered, “I wish there were something we could do.”

He felt helpless. If he did anything at all that involved touching her or restraining her, he would certainly get in trouble because she'd claim that it's in his head. He could no more prove she was cursed than he could have proved his innocence a week earlier. He needed others and Hermione would never be considered objective.

They sat down on the sofa facing the fire. “Well, wasn't that interesting?”

Ginny walked by again and left the common room for somewhere in the castle. She ignored them.

“This is going to be really weird,” said Hermione. “So, aren't you glad all the homework is done?” Harry smiled. Shaking his head, knowing it was in appropriate and wouldn't say it aloud. Yeah, especially the anatomy lesson. He just smiled.

“I'm sure you had some smart and sexist remark to add. I do thank you for keeping it to yourself,” she said quietly. “But the whole night was wonderful, Harry. We need to study like that more often. And, I do mean the study part.” She said with a poke in the ribs.

“What? Hey, I haven't been that creepy sex-maniac for nearly three days now—give or take a day.” He smiled. “Really, I learned a valuable lesson when you held me last night. You make me feel safe from the world too. Maybe not physically, but emotionally I am really okay when I know you're there.”

They hadn't noticed, Parvati come back into the room. “Oh please, will you two get a room.” She giggled. “I came to tell you Mrs. McGonagall sent me after you. Apparently, you have visitors.”

They looked at one another and realized that maybe it was still Lupin and Tonks. They put their belongings in their lockers. First thing out of Harry's mouth when he saw Hermione, “Wand?” She nodded.

Proudly they walked hand in hand toward the Headmistress' study. Harry whispered, “I love holding your hand but I'll be glad when we've made our point.” Hermione laughed as they let go for a second and wiped the sweat off their palms.

“I know what you mean, Sweetheart.” She said.

Harry thought how wonderful it was that she used that term. She'd never said anything like that before. “And, out of curiosity. Do you remember what I did just before you wrote `stop, can't concentrate,' on your paper?”

“Of course, you'd just drawn these dreadful little men with a third leg on your paper,” she answered. “Why would you ask that horrible question?”

“I wanted to make sure I was with you and not Malfoy using polyjuice, since you'd never called me sweetheart before,” he grinned and raised his eyebrows. “I was going to make sure before I kissed you. By the way, that sounded wonderful.”

They'd just arrived in front of her study as the door opened. “Ah, Harry and Hermione come in,” said Minerva as she gestured for them to sit. Indeed, it was Lupin and Tonks who were visiting.

Hermione sensed a bit of a speech coming from the Professor. It hadn't been any more than a week or so since the night Harry was brought back and charged with assault. It was that night that she'd poured her heart out to the Professor with no mention of Harry in any romantic way. Yet today, they were together. Hermione sighed with relief when the topic was different.

“First, we have a security problem, I believe. If I permit you to come and go as you please because of your stature Harry, I will not have control of the rest of the students. It is that reason that I permitted Mr. Weasley to make his decision to quit school last week. I know that will be a shock to you, Hermione. But Lupin tells me that you heard a different version which indicates that indeed, it is probable that the Imperious Curse is being used again. Tonks will start the investigation tomorrow to begin documenting odd behavior patterns.

“However, I do not disapprove of the two of you leaving campus with prior notification to my office and, face-to-face with me. You will explain where you are going and what you are doing. I will become your moral chaperone,” she said with an air of authority. “I quite agree that it is a wonderful thing for two people such as you to begin a new relationship, but I am also quite aware of the pitfalls of unsupervised young love. You are wonderful children and while you may be adults in the eyes of the Ministry, if you are to be in my school you will behave like students and role-models. Understood?” Harry and Hermione nodded.

“There have been many changes and a great many losses over the past year. One of those changes was made hastily. And, I am about to make amends. It would please me if the two of you would assume the position of Head Boy and Head Girl for Hogwarts. The positions had been disposed of, but I am reinstituting them. You are afforded special quarters that I have been told would already have been violated by your behavior this past Friday night. And I do not approve, nor will I condone it. Yet, Lupin and Tonks have ensured me that you are capable of spending the next nine weeks in close quarters without further incident requiring a reprimand. I trust you understand that I am aware that young couples will display affection from time to time, but there are bounds which must not be crossed. This is my official stance on the subject. Do you agree before we continue?”

Harry and Hermione were in shock and unable to speak. Officially, Harry knew that this was a great sign of trust from the Headmistress, but she was not one to be crossed. It would mean that events such as Friday's would not and could not happen again until after they graduated. He looked at Hermione. “I will accept if Hermione accepts.”

“We accept,” said Hermione.

“Very well. I am now speaking to you as one of the ranking members of the Order of the Phoenix. I am serious that you must avoid any type of untoward behavior. But I will not expect perfection, you are human. Just don't be too human until after you graduate.”

“The primary reason other than you will be great examples for our students, if you do as I ask, is that I can place many magical safeguards around your rooms. These safeguards will not only repel intruders, but will have the capacity to keep a record of the goings on between the occupants.” She looked at both of them. “I will not enable the ones which would involve your privacy without your permission. Unless there is a reason to think that you are willfully violating my earlier instructions. The threat of impostors being able to involve the two of you in scandals is reduced to almost nothing. If nothing else, I believe that exposing an agenda of hate toward you both will strengthen the message I want to send regarding study habits and good citizenship within Hogwarts.”

“Lupin, please explain to Harry and Hermione what you were telling me earlier,” the Professor said to Remus.

“There will no doubt be an outcry of favoritism. Those who expose themselves will be noted, but since it is a school and not a dictatorship they will simply be regarded as non-conformists. However, the ire of those who desire retribution will be raised exponentially. In other words, Harry and Hermione, they are gonna get really pissed, really fast.” Lupin said quickly.

“Must you be so vulgar, Remus,” said the Headmistress with a smirk as she attempted to maintain her dignity as Headmistress to the hushed giggles of everyone else.

“They may be left with nothing but brazen frontal attacks when the smear campaign fails or proves less effective than planned. You two cannot allow anyone to have your passwords to your rooms. You cannot allow yourselves to be alone with each other without first making sure that an impostor is not present. I know you think that you know each other, but I'll present you a scenario. Harry leaves Divination and Hermione leaves Ancient Runes. On the way to your rendezvous, one of you is waylaid. You go back to your room and the other pretends to have forgotten something after listening to the other password. Or, one of you opens the other's door out of convenience. No prearranged greeting was used to ensure the other was who he or she was supposed to be. The password is compromised in a short time with really no way of telling that the other was not the real Harry or Hermione. Other than extreme measures of security, there is no way to prevent this. We would hope that for this reason you would not share your private room passwords or speak them in each other's presence. Does that make sense?”

“Wait, are you saying that we have individual rooms somewhere here in the castle? Has this always been the case?” asked Hermione.

“The rooms have always existed, however their use depended on the degree of confidence of the Headmaster or Headmistress in the students' selected to those very important positions,” said Professor McGonagall.

“Harry and Hermione, it is a great privilege and I saw the rooms just a few minutes ago, they're magnificent,” said Tonks.

“Children, this is the best I can do for you. It is a formidable task for your enemies to discredit you or make your life miserable if you work within our guidelines. There are other types of security measures we are considering, but it will require the compliance of all staff and faculty. It will take time to implement. Are you ready to undertake your knew roles? They are not to be taken lightly. You must uphold the highest traditions of Head Boy and Head Girl.” Professor McGonagall looked at them and for the first time let a crack in her armor show. “Harry and Hermione, you do look handsome together and I trust you. Professor Dumbledore adored you both as do I. Please be careful and judicious, but have fun.” She disappeared with a trace of a tear into the living quarters behind her.

Harry and Hermione felt chills as they realized the enormous trust and love that was given them. But they also knew that it came with responsibility.

“Professor Lupin, I have thought about this many times when I thought I would see you soon. Would you give me more details on my parents? I am particularly interested in what my father was good at. My mother I know was a master potions-maker. I wanted to study some of that as well as something that my father was good at.” Hermione smiled at Harry as he asked Professor Lupin. Harry's voice was serious about study as it had been that past Friday.

Professor McGonagall returned unexpectedly as Lupin began to answer, “Harry, there are a lot of things that you must learn about your parents. And…,” Lupin was interrupted by Professor McGonagall.

Her face had returned to its normal stoic state, yet her voice was much milder and less standoffish. “I can authorize Professor Lupin to teach you some of those things Harry. As you may have noticed, I am running the school as I think Professor Dumbledore would have wanted.” She sat down across from Harry and Hermione. She motioned for Lupin and Tonks to sit down. “There is one thing that Professor Dumbledore had hoped he'd live to see. It pains me that he has not lived to see it.”

“Harry, prophecies are a mystical and wondrous thing in our world. In the muggle world they have Nostradamus and others who predict wars and pestilence centuries before the events occur. In our world, prophecies are much more common. Ones like that which guided your confrontation with Lord Voldemort are less common because of the number of years it involved. Most only predict a week or a month into the future if they prove true. The vast majority are ones that are some old phony who wants to make a name for him or her.”

“The tradition of prophecy began before written records even in our world, but one was recorded that is believed to have been written centuries and possibly a millennium ago. It is known as the Original Prophecy. In the muggle world, it would be considered to be a law of nature. With us, since what we do is connected with very nature of the world itself, it is considered a prophecy. It has neither cryptic words nor special meanings, but it has held true throughout the centuries. It read as such:

To each generation will be born one who will preserve the light and love that is our existence against that generation's darkest manifestations. He shall lead with awesome power rarely displayed and show the way to our people.

“Harry, your teacher, Professor Dumbledore was that man for his generation. He believed that you are his successor. Within the mystical community, which I do not claim to be part of or know that much about, this person is considered to be a White Wizard. There are many who are born, Harry. Only a few demonstrate the ability to love selflessly which is the greatest quality a White Wizard can have. The term is not a mantle of Godliness nor is it meant to be such. It is simply a way to show the contrast to the reigning Dark Lord if there is one.”

“Professor, is there a significance to Professor Dumbledore's defeating Grindelwald?” asked Hermione.

“Very good, Miss Granger. I really did forget how special a student you are,” said Lupin.

“Yes, dear, it is believed that The Chosen One is the one who will defeat the greatest Dark Wizards of each generation. It is not entirely coincidence that you were dubbed The Chosen One last year. It infuriated Lord Voldemort to think that his nemesis and the fate of the natural or magical world were in the hands of an adolescent boy. He wanted to vindicate himself and prove that one more worthy must defeat him. That is why he feared Dumbledore and ordered his murder before confronting you. He knew if Dumbledore were alive you could not be defeated, because there were two White Wizards to defy him.”

The story continued to send shivers through Harry. “I'm just a kid. I am no one special. Well, okay, that's false modesty. But truthfully, a…,” he paused and held his breath for a second and let it out slow. “Forgive me, Hermione, I don't mean to embarrass you. I'm a normal guy with sex on the brain half the time. I admit there are things about myself I can't explain, but this is almost ridiculous.”

“Harry, you don't have to find reasons why you are not the person you will become. You will become who you choose to be. You have the capacity for greatness. You show leadership skills beyond your years. Your courage is of the highest magnitude. You value life and friends more than anything. If someone or something shows that it is of a good nature, you will embrace it. I think of Doby in that instance. If it is evil, you will hunt it down and destroy it or it will destroy you. If you dispute these things then you have not paid attention to the last seven years of your life.”

Harry sat quietly for a moment and then said, “I don't want to live as some wizard in the tower. I want to have a family like my father and mother, raise my children, and be happy without chasing goblins and ghosts.” The frustration was clear.

“Now, it is time to find out some more things about your father.” Headmistress McGonagall motioned to Tonks to bring the large pitcher of water that magically appeared on her desk with the glasses that appeared likewise. Harry had to smile at that piece of magic.

“Hermione, what are you thinking at this point?” asked Tonks to fill time while each of them took time to have a refreshing drink.

She had clutched Harry harder with each revelation during the past fifteen minutes. “I can only think of something I said to Harry coming home tonight. `Nothing is easy with you, is it?' I had no idea.” They all laughed for a moment. “I know he's special. I don't care about all this because I think he will be who he is regardless of prophecies. He is just a good person.”

“Miss Granger, say that to Harry again like you mean it and if you feel the urge to kiss him by all means do so,” said the Professor. “Harry, forget all the history and responsibilities. Hermione has summed it up in three short sentences. Seriously, dear, tell him again.”

“You are special, Harry. I don't care about all this because I think you will be who you are destined to be regardless of prophecies. You are just a good person,” she felt and understood it and kissed him.

Harry felt blessed to have Hermione there, but wasn't sure what that proved. He lowered his head to listen again.

“Harry, your father dabbled in all areas of magic. Your mother as you mentioned was fantastic with potions as Lupin will attest. But your father was what could be referred to as a mystic in a very loose sense. He could make things from random objects and learned magic from just studying nature and people. One such thing is your invisibility cloak. It is a very advanced magic and complex thing. Another was the Marauder's Map, which by the way I will return to you tonight before you leave. He was to be Professor Dumbledore's assistant when he was killed.”

“The source of the hatred between your father and Snape was that Snape was also a mystic who leaned toward the darker elements of our world. Your father was a very good man, but I hate to say, in some ways very jealous. Your mother did not hate Severus Snape like your father did. It may have been the only point of contention in their lives together. I think that Professor Slughorn mentioned your mother's popularity to you last year.”

“Yes, he mentioned it. What about my father and Snape?” Harry said with the first glimmer of disgust he'd shown all night.

“As pitiful a person as he was in school, Snape and your mother often worked together in class. They were master potion makers by fifth year. They were never really close, but were on speaking terms. Your mother kept your father from teasing and demoralizing Snape on more than one occasion, I think you knew that too. Evidenced by the potions book you found last year, Snape also became adept in defensive and offensive spells to protect himself against your father. They developed each others skills to the point of mastery in their hatred of one another. Snape is also a mystic Harry and for a time before your father's death Lord Voldemort's primary assistant.”

Harry was tired and this was not telling him what he wanted to know. “I'm sorry Professor, I'm not following why I need to know Snape's history when I want to know about my father.”

“Be patient, Harry, I will teach you some of the things that your father shared with Sirius and I, but what you are hearing is very important and much of it is from secret writings the Professor was left by Professor Dumbledore,” explained Lupin.

“Well, it is late so I will make this brief and answer questions that I know will arise at another time. To make a long story short, Harry. The Original Prophecy was not secret like the one between you and Voldemort. Your father and Snape both predicted that a great wizard would be born the year you were born. When the signs pointed to your father and mother being the parents of The Chosen One, it was reported to Lord Voldemort immediately. The other prophecy became more important because Voldemort hated that it predicted that a new born baby was a greater challenge for him than Dumbledore. The race was on.”

“So, my parents would have survived probably and I would still be who I am today if Mrs. Trelawney had not made her prophecy in the presence of Snape,” said Harry.

“We don't know that for sure Harry, but probably. Nevertheless, when the Dark Lord was thought to have been defeated, Snape immediately saw the need to switch sides. He saw the power that nature had imbued within you. He was a logical man with a dark past, but he was not evil yet as many of the others who were Death Eaters had become. He did what most mystics who align themselves with a particular wizard do. He took an Unbreakable Vow of servitude and dedication. Had it not been the wish of Dumbledore, Snape would have died when he made the vow to protect Draco.”

“I promise Mr. Potter, this is all I have for you tonight. Whether you like it or not, you are bound to Severus Snape by the Vow he took with Dumbledore. He is your servant now, if he is still alive. Snape is who he is. He is surly and generally an ill-willed sort, but he is bound by duty. You, Harry, whether you want to believe it or not are now the most feared wizard with whom the dark side has to contend. You will always be the target. It is the nature of evil to try and destroy good, and vice versa.”

“This is where I don't understand this gibberish,” said Harry. “One minute I'm hearing this speech about wanting me to be a kid. `Oh, we should let him grow without the burdens of the adult world,' I hear. Then the same night I find out that as long as I'm alive I'm going to be pursued by the most evil people our world has to offer until I have to have Hermione or another trusted person hit me with the killing curse to release me from the madness. This is rubbish.”

“Mr. Potter I had expected that your confrontation with the Dark Lord would have taught you some manners in dealing with things above your abilities. And, I certainly don't relish remembering that it was my duty to kill the greatest man I ever knew and the only one who truly trusted me.” Harry's head whipped around in a cold stare to look at Severus Snape standing as he remembered him in dark robes. “Do you think that it was only that the Dark Lord wanted you for himself that I spared you at the gate? Your insolence will pain me greatly I can see. But I am and always will be dedicated to your well-being and the legacy to which you have been born. But to put it in the vernacular, I will not kiss your ass.”

Hermione looked at Snape and back at Harry. “I can't believe this, Harry. What did we do to deserve this?”

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Chapter 11—Serendipity

They must have passed this area thousands of times in their careers at Hogwarts. Ironically, it was directly below Gryffindor Tower by two levels. The nondescript little landing had never been given a second thought. It had two doors each facing the other. It was surprising to look up and see “Head Boy: Harry Potter” on one and “Head Girl: Hermione Granger” on the other. Remus and Tonks had led them here and now handed them keys. Remus explained the set up, “Inside there is a two-way mirror on the back of the door that serves a dual purpose. It is similar to the portraits on the doors of the other houses, but being on the inside draws less attention. Second, it serves as a window to the entire area here and is a security sensor. You can see who is at your door. The mirror is your primary security tool, because once you have become its controller or master, if you will, it can sense persons who wish to do your harm if they get close enough to the door. You'll like the twist of what you see in the mirror. Good luck kids. We'll see you again soon. We will be here for you over the next 9 weeks.”

Harry unlocked the door and entered. The room was nice. There was nothing special here except that there was a fireplace, sofa, chair, study table and desk like in the common room and the bed was larger and plusher. All in all Harry was happy. The loo was the single most significant difference. The attached shower and tub rivaled the nice one reserved for prefects. He and Hermione could still use the prefects bath if they so chose.

He began to walk out when the mirror mysteriously changed to an image of his own face. He had the strangest, yet coolest creepy moment of his life. He was talking to himself in the mirror but the mirror didn't reflect his movements as it asked, “What is your new password, Harry?” He did a double-take.

“Serendipity,” said Harry. He couldn't think of any better word to describe his luck and apparently one of the greatest attributes his father enjoyed as well.

He opened the door and stepped out. He turned back to the door and tried the handle. It was locked. “Serendipity,” he said. He tried the door knob, yet nothing. He understood. He must have the key in and once he'd turned the key say the password. Whew, he thought, at least one thing went well today. The door opened with that combination.

He'd almost forgotten that Hermione was across the hall. He was so amazed at the simplicity and privacy of his new living quarters that the world folded away for a moment. He went out in the hall and knocked on Hermione's door. It took a minute but a teary-eyed Hermione opened the door. “I'm sorry Harry. This is breathtaking.”

Her room was much the same, except the bed had a nice but not flashy canopy. “Harry, look here.” He stood in front of a small picture gallery of her family friends and accomplishments. “Harry, I swear, I was so excited when I saw the simple fireplace and the sofa in front of it like a small common room that I closed my eyes trying to imagine what I'd done to deserve this and thought of all the people close to me that have supported me. I turned around and their pictures were on the wall. See? There are pictures of Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, you, Ron, and, of course, my parents.” She shook her head smiling at each waving or grinning picture. Ron's was rather austere but not unpleasant.

“Hermione, I'll be right back. I have to go see if mine does the same thing.” He was back five minutes later with a smile. Mine's very similar with the exception are that I have a picture of Sirius and the Weasleys as a family in addition to the one of Ron.

Harry went outside for a moment while Hermione changed her password. When her door opened again, she said. “Wow, cool, you can see the entire hall. At first it just looked like it was a blank mirror. I mean you can see yourself in it but it also shows who is outside. Oh, and by the way, my mirror warns me that you may have less than honorable intentions with me and asked if I should put you on the list of undesirables. I told it that unless you had intentions of bodily harm, you were okay. Hopefully, that will not allow someone using polyjuice potion to approach and fool me.”

Harry looked at Hermione. Hold on a second, I forgot something. He had forgotten his wand inside, but it was a convenient excuse to see what it said about her. He giggled as his mirror gave him the same reaction. It says, “This person is not a threat, but may have less than honorable intentions,” etcetera. Harry gave the same instructions to his mirror and went into the hall.

“We have to find someway to let each other know that it's us. It told me the same thing about your intentions so you might not be as pure of thought as you think young lady. Let's go get our stuff for bed just for tonight and we can get the rest tomorrow.” Harry smiled and winked.

Hermione shook her head and slowly turned red. She said, “I never said I didn't want to jump your bones, I just don't talk about it all the time nor would I act on it like a nymphomaniac.” She finally saw the humor too.

It only took fifteen minutes to go get their things from their dorms and return. They went together as they had earlier in the evening and no one seemed to notice. Hermione looked at her watch, it was after ten and she was exhausted. “Why don't you change and then we can sit together in my room in front of the fireplace for a while,” offered Hermione.

Harry liked the idea. He took a little longer than he thought he would. The bath and shower were amazing. He couldn't wait to shower the next morning. He stopped for a moment to brush his teeth. There was a quality similar to the Room of Requirement in these rooms. It was more subtle. He wondered if the security features would tighten if they felt threatened. He was too tired to worry about it for the moment and turned his attention to Hermione waiting for him next door.

He knocked and hoped she'd answer it was a little drafty in proper pajamas in the little hallway. He went in to see that she'd created a little nest for them by the fire with a blanket and pillows in front of the sofa near the fire to curl up in. Once they'd settled in Harry mentioned the pictures and how nice it would be to see a larger one of his parents. Hermione agreed.

The young couple sat quietly nestled on the floor among the pillows leaning against the sofa for quiet some time. Harry was going over in his mind the discussion of the Original Prophecy. He understood the huge compliment that went with Hermione's version. Harry couldn't believe the whole thing as simple as Professor McGonagall was trying to make it sound by asking her to repeat it. He knew there had to be more to the story. Nothing about the magical world yet had come to Harry without a price. Did they want him to enjoy his youth because the demands of the Prophecy had other requirements? Where was Mrs. Dumbledore? Was that one of the things that he'd given up when he'd assumed the role as Headmaster? Was celibacy a requirement too? He realized that probably none of the things were a requirement, but he'd remembered Professor Dumbledore sharing his philosophy about doing the right thing or what was easy. Was that what he meant?

Hermione broke the silence. “I can hear your heart beating, Harry.” She had a smile on her face. “I can hear my pulse in a quiet room if I'm lying in the right position with my neck on a pillow. But it's amazing to hear someone's actual heartbeat.” She closed her eyes again. “Never in my dreams had I thought that I'd hear some of the things I heard tonight. Not the least of which was Severus Snape approaching civility in conversation with you. He was the same old Snape at first but seemed to soften after a few minutes.”

“You remember that I told you months ago that I was told to not worry about Snape, he would never be a danger too me. We debated it and we were all convinced that maybe we should trust Dumbledore. I don't think any of us really believed in Snape's loyalty to Dumbledore though,” said Harry. “He is one scary, weird dude.”

Hermione still lay there talking with her eyes closed as Harry stared at the fire. Hermione began to smile again. “It's so weird. We will accept the word of a werewolf who was a friend of your Dad and has spent months with a brutal killer. But we doubt it when our most trusted mentors telling us to trust Snape. We doubt him even now.”

“I don't doubt him so much anymore, Hermione. I just can't imagine my Dad being so cruel that someone could hate him that much,” said Harry. “That's my problem with him, because as he said he sees my Dad in me sometimes and attacks me as he would have attacked my Dad. That's sick and I will always be leery of that behavior. ”

“Sorry, I brought that up Harry. Let's just rest.” She said softly taking his hand under the covers. “Listen to the crackling of the fire, Harry. Let it mesmerize you and let go.”

In Professor McGonagall's study, she and Severus discussed the night's events. Severus listened carefully and rarely spoke. Finally, Professor McGonagall asked Snape what he thought.

“Minerva, the boy is talented in ways that are subtle and incredibly useful. He lacks the true intellect of his father, but he is strong of spirit like his mother. I don't speak well of him often, but based on evidence left in the pensieve Mr. Potter is destined be very powerful indeed. Professor Dumbledore and I see what he referred to as `a strange light in his eyes.' The boy is a leader and trusted friend. He will do well.”

Snape arose from his seat and walked across the room continuing his analysis. “As he grows older, I predict he will gain the powers of the earth that govern fire and ice. He will do things without a wand that others must use one to accomplish. He is a living conduit of magical power I believe. It is the reason that he could survive the killing curse, fight off the Imperious Curse and survive the Cruciatus Curse during a more severe interrogation than the one that debilitated the Longbottoms. I have spent the past eight months in Dumbledore's chambers studying to learn more and I am convinced.”

Minerva looked at Snape with gratitude. “I am glad I wasn't forced to explain your presence. Do you think you can regain the confidence of Narcissa Malfoy? Can you find them?”

“While by our standards they are still disorganized, they will now question me more severely after my reported death. I should be able to find them and regain a measure of confidence,” said Snape.

“Surely there is no legilimens as talented as Lord Voldemort to detect your true intentions, correct?”

“Yes, while that is true, I fear that Fenrir Greyback is in a much higher position of authority than just hired killer so it would be imperative to convince him first and foremost. He doesn't reason. He kills in a lust for blood. A debate with Fenrir often ends in the victor being torn to shreds for besting him in the debate,” Snape said. “I don't fear him, but I respect his power enough that I wouldn't confront him without a small army. He is ferocious and lacks any conscience whatsoever. Therefore, one word out of place and there may not be time to react.” Snape thought a moment more. “However during the few days after the full moon, his powers and abilities are greatly diminished while he recovers, much like Lupin when he is in recovery.”

With that example, she nodded her head in understanding. “So timing is important as well.”

“Tell me again about this problem Potter is having with the youngest Weasleys,” requested Snape.

Harry was sure this was the first time Hermione fell into a deep sleep as he held her. He listened to her breathing and could feel the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. He thought again about the future. For the first time in his heart he knew why luck had always found him. Something in the magical world worked through him. But it was hard to see himself as the wizard of the power and promise the Prophecy described. He realized that maybe it was just the way some cosmic force intended it to be. He felt sad that it meant that he had very little control over his life if it were true. He looked at fine hairs on the back of her neck, her beautiful face and those bushy eye brows and hoped that whatever force smiling on him smiled on her as well. She was an important source of strength. He closed is eyes and tried to sleep.

After a little while he knew it was useless. He felt the tightness in his shoulders from sitting in this position. His mind was racing and even though she slept he was afraid she'd feel the ill effects of being in such an awkward position the same as he was now. It had been comfortable for quite some time though. “Hermione? Sweetheart? Wake up, Sweetheart, you need to get in your bed, and I need to get into mine.”

Groggily, and slowly she awoke, “This must be uncomfortable for you, I'm sorry.” She got up and padded slowly toward her bed just ten or so feet away. The rooms seemed huge because of the cathedral ceilings but they were actually quite small, especially with all the furniture. He smiled as she looked so cute dragging the blanket and pillow. Even in such a state she was beautiful. She soon realized that she didn't need either when she got to the bed. Harry tucked her in and kissed her forehead. He doubted she even became aware of her surroundings.

He walked to the corner where her pictures hung and looked at her family. He hoped to meet them one day soon. He turned to the door, blew her a kiss as he opened it and went to his room. Just ten minutes later, he too was sleeping peacefully.

The next two days were filled with rumors that Harry and Hermione conspired to get Ron kicked out of school. The rumors said that they should be expelled too, because if he was leaving the campus for his future as a Quidditch player, they were leaving to have sexual liaisons in hotels. Other rumors had them having inappropriate displays of affection in various places around the school. False witnesses were cropping up just to say they saw them engaging in those acts. Harry and Hermione had been warned that this would happen.

Harry and Hermione were sitting at the Gryffindor table during lunch on that Wednesday when a group of students huddled an aisle away erupted in laughter as someone among them called Hermione a slut. It was a male voice. Harry had had enough.

He walked up and whispered to Professor McGonagall. She stood, “Attention, everyone. I would like your attention please. Head Boy, Harry Potter has an announcement to make. She motioned toward the podium, “Harry.”

“A few minutes ago, someone made a rude comment about Hermione Granger. I take offense to this for several reasons. First, yes some parts of the rumors are true. She and I are going together. Two, she deserves respect because she has not hurt anyone of you. And, third it is rude and unacceptable that any student at Hogwarts should have that sort of comment made about them in public without fear of punishment. From this point on, that type of behavior shall cost that student's House 50 points. As in this case, it was impossible to tell which of the students in the group of six made the comment. So, the penalty shall be 150 points from Gryffindor, 100 points from Hufflepuff and 50 points from Ravenclaw. Fifty points will be deducted from the House for each person involved. That penalty structure will be used for future infractions as well. It is unacceptable and as Head Boy I will not allow it. Is that understood?”

A young man stood up at the Hufflepuff table and yelled, “You have to stick up for your girlfriend, don't you Potter?” Harry recognized the voice as the one who made the comment, but ignored that fact for the moment.

“Did you have a point? What is your name?” Harry didn't know him but he was probably just a loud mouth doing someone's talking. The student stammered when Harry asked him to identify himself.

“Kevin Whitby, Potter. My Housemates and I want to know if it's true that you betrayed Ron Weasley to steal Hermione? And did she cheat on him? The way we see it, if it's true, you deserve what you get.”

Harry saw Hermione stand up and walk toward him at the podium. She whispered something to Harry and then took the podium with tears in her eyes. “I recognize your voice. You are the one that just called me a slut, aren't you? I'll thank you not to use that language to describe me or any of your classmates. First, Harry and I made a mistake. We let our feelings blind us to the right thing to do. We became selfish. We are guilty of that, but cheating is a harsh word. If cheating includes kissing and making out, then yes, I am guilty. But you are not my judge when you are not mature enough to ask me to my face and then call me that name to my face. I would gladly have punched you in the nose if you had. Second, we are guilty of remaining silent for two days and letting idiots such as you make these comments without doing our jobs as Head Girl and Boy. That stops now.” She walked back to her seat. Harry closed his eyes and smiled. In essence, she just told off the entire Hogwarts student body the way she had Malfoy, and even he and Ron once or twice. He loved it.

“Any questions? I wouldn't mess with Hermione when she's mad,” laughed Harry. “That's all then. Just stop the comments in public.”

He sat down. Hermione looked frazzled because she'd never spoken in front of the school like that. “Did I do okay?”

“You did fine,” said Harry.

Professor McGonagall spoke up just as they finished. “It is unfortunate that we have to have students stand up to defend themselves against their classmates. I have the power to remove those who wish to disrupt the school. I will send you home with the possibility of no credit for the entire year, if this behavior or behavior like it continues. Do not be identified as a continual troublemaker. You will find yourself explaining your expulsion to your parents.”

When lunch finished, Harry and Hermione went off to class.

They weren't sure whether it had been their words or the very real threat of expulsion from the Headmistress, but public comments stopped completely. And now, several weeks later, Harry looked at the date and realized that the first week of May only left six weeks until the end of school and three until the spring dance.

“Hermione, how's the dance preparation going?” asked Harry as he gave her a light kiss on the cheek.

“I thought I told you last week. I had to take myself off the committee because they want you and I to be King and Queen They have decided to combine the ideas of all four houses and make it one dance. It still doesn't have a name,” she said. “Not too long ago we were looking over our shoulders at people ridiculing us and then they ask us to be King and Queen.”

“I know you heard only part of the story, but the ruling on Kevin Whitby came today. They have decided that he will do detention from now until the end of school. He will be working with the girls in preparation for the dance. He and three others got the same punishment.” Harry smiled. “You remember, don't you? They were caught sending editorials to The Quibbler and The Daily Prophet about mismanagement and poor leadership by Professor McGonagall and were using us as the primary examples. They had falsified documents that showed that we'd been given privileges beyond what the Head Boy and Girl traditionally had been given. They didn't know about the discretion that is left solely in the hands of the head of the school. They were exposed by no one other than Ginny Weasley.”

“You're kidding?” Hermione shook her head. “Tell me you're kidding?”

“No, I'm not kidding. At first I couldn't understand why she was there.”

“I wouldn't have understood it either. Go on.” Hermione said.

“When Professor Slughorn asked for witnesses and evidence against Kevin and his friends, she stood up.” Harry just shook his head. “I couldn't believe it.”

“Then Slughorn asked why he should believe that she wasn't involved too? He sited how vocal she'd been when we were named Head Boy and Girl. He accused her of having as much motive to discredit that decision as anyone.”

“She couldn't have looked or sounded comfortable at that point,” said Hermione.

“Come to think of it, she didn't look too comfortable. But she said that she had spent the first two weeks so angry at us that she'd investigated the powers of the Headmistress and couldn't find anything Professor McGonagall had done wrong. So she left that angle alone,” said Harry. “She was pretty convincing. I mean she told the council about us and that she had seen us come back into the dorm late that Friday and suspected something. She tried to make a case that our morals hardly made us good candidates to be in our position, but noted that the Headmistress was well within her rights even though we were of objectionable moral character.”

“Oh, she conveniently left out facts and used the ones that suited her,” said Hermione. “Well, it's logical that you wouldn't implicate yourself and admit to being an associate of someone wanted by the Ministry for questioning, aka Draco Malfoy.”

“You should have heard her though. I mean, she gave dates and times when these guys used the office and forged the documents. She had the names of staff members they were going use to give their claims respectability,” said Harry. “I wouldn't get too excited about her friendliness toward us though. Like I said, at every possible moment, she told Slughorn and the council that she couldn't see herself being blamed if it were printed in the papers simply for revenge against Professor McGonagall. She said and I quote, `What sense would that make if the two filthy, immoral liars wouldn't be punished.”

“Slughorn let her call us that in the Council?” asked Hermione. “I think she and someone else set these boys up and let them take the fall.”

“Exactly. I believe that because of how she wove hatred into her apology. She said, `Okay, I shouldn't have said it like that, but take it from my point of view. My family has offered them our hospitality for seven years and when it was convenient for them, they ignored the first rule of good manners which is to talk to the person you have a problem with first. So, I'm here solely to protect myself from being blamed for doing anything like this.' Twice she accused us of being immoral or something in front of the Disciplinary Council.”

“Someday she has to get over it though don't you think, Harry?” said Hermione sadly. “It will eat her up inside.”

“The sad part was that it was not the creepy-voiced Ginny we met when we came back that night. It sounded like the Ginny I knew a long time ago, but saying stuff she never would have said then. She wasn't venomous, just very arrogant,” said Harry. “It didn't make me feel good, but it did make me feel good that the right people were caught, if she wasn't involved.”

“So, you think she used that opportunity to bring up old wounds in a different forum so that there would be some doubt in the future?” asked Hermione.

“That's what I think, but we can't worry about that. It'll drive us crazy.” He changed the subject. “So tell me about this King and Queen thing,” said Harry.

“I'll just recap for you. The girls ask the guys to the dance. They can ask anyone they want, including a brother or friend from outside school. Our thing is just ceremonial as Head Boy and Girl, the rest of the students will hold an election of the Prince and Princess though. That should be exciting. The voting will be done on two Saturdays in May during the Quidditch matches—this week they nominations will be made. Next week three finalists selected. The winners will be selected by vote at the dance.” said Hermione.

“Are you sorry, you're not part of the committee anymore?” asked Harry.

Hermione at first shook her head, “No.” A moment later, she said, “Truthfully, yes I am. I'm starting to be treated like I don't belong and that's okay to a point. I am the Head Girl, but it seems like it's because you and I spend so much time together. It never mattered that much whether or not I was one of the girls before, because I had you and Ron.”

Harry looked at her with understanding. “So, since you had a thing for Ron I must have been the substitute for the girls. Is that what you thought?” Harry smiled.

“Of course not,” she said with a soft slap on the arm.

“So maybe it's that I'm not as much fun when I'm not joking like a sex-crazed moron. I think we've both become a little too serious over the past month. We'll figure a way to make it up to each other.”

“I suppose that could be true. You don't think we're getting tired of one another do you?” said Hermione. “You're not getting tired of me, are you?”

Hermione looked like she just needed a hug. His heart still pounded at least once a day like the moment he'd seen the glow around her at sunrise that morning. She fascinated him with her humor and zest for life. He was going to show her, but the hug would have to do in this case.

Harry started to feel the effects of burning the candle at both ends. It wasn't a horrible feeling, but he started falling asleep first when he and Hermione cuddled after homework. He felt bad especially tonight.

“Harry, I must really be boring you to death. I mean last night I put the blankets out, you cuddled up behind me, and the next thing I know I'm talking to Rip Van Winkle,” she charged. “Are you okay, or are you simply bored if we aren't engaged in some activity or making out?”

Harry had been exchanging daily owls with Lupin. He was trying to find something that he could create that would express how he felt about her. He'd created singing scrolls, but he found that he had to have access to the words of the songs that popped into his head. He practiced turning small objects he could hide in his hand into song birds. Nothing seemed appropriate. They were all cheap magicians' tricks. He did this after he left her at night.

He realized now that it was probably a better sign that he loved her to be awake when they were together. “I'm sorry sweetheart; somehow my sleeping patterns are all out of whack,” was his only reply. She accepted it most nights, but others she shook him awake telling him that this is probably the reason he couldn't sleep at night.

Tonight, he felt better than he had in a long time. He was going to really try not to get so comfortable so quick. He sat up straighter and held Hermione tonight. “Harry, will you go to the dance with me?” she asked to see if he were awake.

“Of course, who else would I go with?” he smiled even though she couldn't see it.

“I got an owl today from Tonks who said that Lupin is up to something with you. What is it, Sweetheart? Is it something to do with the Original Prophecy or your Dad's work?” Hermione inquired.

Harry was never good at lying. He figured that's why he would often get in trouble for speaking his mind. He wasn't really lying if he answered yes tonight. He was trying to be like his Dad and come up with something original. He felt like telling her just to avoid trouble. Then he thought for a moment and an idea came to him. Hermione was getting impatient because he was just sitting there not answering her. “Well, that's sort of it. I want to do something like my Dad did with the invisibility cloak. It's not going all that well. I'm exhausted because after I leave you at night I'm trying all the ideas we come up with.” That was nearly the whole truth. But now he had to find a way to get away tonight. He also had a revelation on what he'd do and he might not get it done because Lupin was going to have to help with the last part. He needed to go so he could get it to him early enough.

“Harry. Why didn't you say something to me before now? I could help you and it would be something we could do together that might kind of spark us up a bit,” Hermione said. “That actually would be really cool.”

Harry didn't want to dismiss it out of hand. He knew she might not take his explanation that well as it was. He pretended to think about it. Then he replied, “Hermione, this was my Dad's thing. He didn't have help from my Mom or anyone else. I have to do this myself,” he said. Harry felt horrible because he'd never asked if they'd helped James with any of his projects or if Lily had either. But he could hardly have Hermione help him with her surprise. “Look, something's are just more satisfying if you do them by yourself.” He tried to explain.

“Aw, come on Harry. You go to sleep on me and I never get to talk to you, I mean about us and life. It's just school and homework lately. Why can't you just let me help a little?” asked Hermione.

“Hermione, darling, I don't know how to say it without sounding rude. There are just something a guy has to do without the help of his girlfriend and sometimes completely on his own,” said Harry. He didn't like this because if it were anything but her project he'd gladly use her help.

Hermione looked hurt and sounded like it too. “So, we can't be different and you have to satisfy some male ego thing. That's why you're against me helping you? That's not like you Harry? I could have seen if you were like that at the Tri-Wizard Tournament or whatever. But now, with me here willing to do anything to help you—I think you're just tired of hanging around with me 24/7 and this is an excuse to limit our time together. It's like we're becoming….Well, when you're ready just go ahead. Ta!”

That final expression of frustration from Hermione made him feel the worst. He'd known her for a long time; it was usually followed by tearful rage or indignant sarcasm. Either way she was really hurt or time was past for avoiding hurting her. “Hermione, I love you. Just trust me that I know what I'm doing.” He tried to kiss her but she turned her head so all he could do was kiss her red cheek. The tears were starting. “I think I've figured the most important one out and I'm really sorry, but if you're mad at me I might as well go and finish it.” He tried again to give her a hug and kiss. She stood there looking away.

After Harry left, she cried. She went to the drawer in her desk and got her quill and parchment she used for writing letters. She was going to answer Tonks and get this off her chest. She started:

Tonks, I asked Harry and it was a bad night to ask. It started our first fight. Well, really I started our first fight. But I'm mad at him. He knows we are under such stress to be “goody two-shoes” perfect that we're both losing ourselves. That's just an excuse. I wanted to help him with projects that Lupin is giving him help with and he told me I couldn't because his Dad never had help. That is so, stupid. I just want to do something interesting with him. He's been going to sleep on me lately and I haven't been able to talk to him. I'm just afraid he's going to do the same to me as he did Ginny?

Hermione stopped there because her eyes burned so badly that she couldn't see and the ink was smearing where the tears fell. She continued the letter.

He infuriates me because he doesn't get mad at me like Ron did, when I yell at him or give him the cold shoulder. Just now when he left I felt like kicking him or hexing him or something just to make him mad enough to feel bad like I do. That is so childish and I knew it, so I just got madder because there is nothing I can do. You just don't want to be mean to someone you really love. But you are anyway by withholding your love. Am I normal? I hope you are well and give my love to that rat, you call your boyfriend. Just kidding all men are my enemies tonight.

Love, Hermione

PS I'll be okay in about a month…hehe

Hermione sealed the back of the envelope and ran to the owlery. She was scared to be out at night without Harry, so she just didn't stop. First owl she found she strapped it to its foot and ran back. She could see the windows to there little rooms from the stairs going back into the castle. Harry's light was on and so was hers. Just as she was about to turn away and she realized she was staring at his window, Hedwig was released out of Harry's window. She ran back. She sat up for a while from the exhilaration of the run, but soon found herself sleepy again. She crawled into bed.

Harry felt really sad. He didn't realize until just a few minutes ago that he had made all the parts of a really good surprise. It never dawned on him how cool they would look combined into a little program. He thought of how proud Fred and George would be. First he wrote the card…then he…put in the chess pieces….then….He put several more things in and it was ready to send. He hoped that Hermione felt better and didn't see it solely as a way to make up for tonight. He loved her. Part of his surprise would be private, yet most of it wouldn't. He hoped she was pleased and not embarrassed.

Hermione's letter to Tonks arrived quite a while before Harry's package to Lupin. Lupin and Tonks were still talking about Hermione's letter when Hedwig arrived. “I wish you had said something to me, Remus. The poor girl is beside herself. At least I wouldn't have added fuel to the fire by having her ask Harry what you were up to.”

“To be honest, I wanted to help Harry so much I didn't even think about telling anyone else. I just started going over my old notes. It's hard to find the light and fluffy stuff we did at first, James and I. We ended up getting so involved with the dark aspects in our later years.”

“Does Harry know that?” asked Tonks. “I mean that his father was every bit as dark as Snape, but was popular so he wasn't shunned like Snape.”

“No, I don't think he quite equates mysticism with the dark arts yet. They aren't always understood, the dark arts and mysticism I mean. Harry will soon learn why he had an aptitude for Defense against the Dark Arts.” Lupin turned his attention back to Hermione's letter. “Well, sure, Harry couldn't very well have her help him with her surprise.”

There was a scratching at the window. They turned and there was Hedwig. “That can only mean one thing. Harry finished. Look at the box.”

Lupin opened the window and let Hedwig in. He untied the box which was remarkably light and gave Hedwig one of the mice they kept in the box near the window to reward the owls. Hedwig sped off into the night.

He read the instructions in the letter Harry sent him. “Brilliant,” said Lupin. “He sends his love. He says I can show you what it does but you can't do anything to divulge it to Hermione before lunch. You have to promise first.” He pulled out a card that accompanied several odds and ends that seemed unrelated. “Do you promise?”

She stood over the box and looked at Lupin. It looks like a bunch of stuff you'd sell at a cheap auction. “Yeah, I promise.”

“Well, see that's what I have to do. He didn't have the materials to package it up properly, so he sent it to me. They will work without the packaging but it will seem like something more than it appears upon opening and be even more beautiful when it ends. It will be symbolic, but also include some very good magic.” Okay, open the card.

For the next two minutes, Tonks stood in awe as little tiny stick figures danced and little tiny voices read their scripts as the card took life. And then there was a burst of sparkles….

When it was done, Tonks looked at Remus and hugged him. “You helped him do that?”

“Well, sort of, I told him how to make things move on paper and animate them with magic, but all the creativity is his. It's kind of the same with the other things too. He did it,” said Remus.

“I think she will be speechless and the most envied girl Hogwarts has ever seen. I can't imagine anyone's boyfriend doing something like this before--for one, because it really is imaginative and two, having the love and patience to try it,” said a cheerfully, teary-eyed Tonks. “So this is everything he tried or some of it anyway turned into this whole little thing?”

“Yep, he's pretty much perfected the Coordination Charm to make everything take place without intervention of the wizard. It's brilliant, isn't it?” replied Remus.

“I'll say.”

-->

Chapter 12—The Surprise

Harry sat in his room looking at the fire around 10 PM. Their evenings were almost always spent in Hermione's room. It had been so long since he was alone before going to sleep that the feeling made him uneasy. With all the time in his life that he had spent alone he thought that this would be a piece of cake, since it was temporary. It would last only until sometime tomorrow around lunchtime when he would spring his surprise on Hermione.

He thought about going over to apologize. It was still at least an hour earlier than he usually ended up leaving her place. He thought about it for a second putting himself in Hermione's place. No matter how he put it, it would sound like he was saying, “I'm done with my stuff now I have time for you,” because he couldn't tell her what had been so important.

The knock at the door surprised him. He looked into the two-way mirror and standing at the door was Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape. Harry recognized this as odd right away. He opened the door and greeted them. “Good evening, Professors, is there something wrong?”

“Is Miss Granger here?” asked the Headmistress.

“No, she is in her room. We had a little spat this evening. Why? Is something wrong?” asked Harry for the second time.

“Harry, see if you can get her to come here. There is something that we need to talk about and it cannot wait until tomorrow,” said Headmistress McGonagall in a soft voice but still authoritative.

Harry had a hard time convincing Hermione that it just wasn't some ruse to improve things after their fight. Harry could tell that she wasn't ready to kiss and make up quite yet, but she wasn't nearly as cold as she'd been when he left. He was thankful for that.

He led her into his room and they sat down together comfortably but not cozy. The room seemed to have taken on an air of gloom that could have been attributed to the presence of Professor Snape in the past, but, to Harry, it was more than that. He was ready for bad news, but couldn't guess what it could be.

“Harry and Hermione, it's never easy to tell anyone when things have gone poorly for a loved one. But there are indications that Ron Weasley may be in mortal danger. Ginny Weasley is in the Infirmary under sedation. Mrs. Weasley received an anonymous owl at the Burrow around 4 PM today. The gist of the threat was the old one concerning their association with `undesirables' and `mud bloods'. It said that they could expect to be taught a lesson very soon. Minutes later, the clock which warns her of danger to her family indicated mortal danger for Ron. The owl's message also indicated that Ginny would be given more information this evening.”

Hermione and Harry clutched each other as the chills went up and down their spines. “What? What did Ginny find out?”

“Knowing this we finally went on a search for her where she was found on the seventh floor near the legendary Room of Requirement in tears, holding a picture of her brother Ron being tortured. The message written at the bottom told her she must do as she had been instructed or Ron would suffer more and possibly die. The wounds Ron suffered may be the same type, but less severe than those Bill Weasley received during the battle at Hogwarts last year.” Mrs. McGonagall had pulled a chair close to tell them and put a hand on each of them as she explained.

“Did it say what she was to do?” asked Harry.

“Yes, Harry. Apparently she was to lure you into a trap for the kill,” said Snape. “The details aren't important because the rest of the plan is foiled.”

Hermione gasped and held Harry. The hair on the back of Harry's neck stood up. He was angry, sad, and afraid at the same time. Never had an attack been so direct with no attempt to hide the people involved. “Hopefully, we can find Ron now that their plan is messed up.”

“Harry, you're who I'm worried about. He may already be dead.” She said angrily. “You're still with me and that's the way it will stay.” Her defiance made Harry proud of her, but he worried that she was still hurting underneath it all about Ron.

Then as they held each other, neither could hold back the tears of emotion. They looked at Snape whose face did not offer any sign one way or the other. He said, “We have several Ministry investigators and guards in the Infirmary. The guards are assigned to patrol the main floor around the Infirmary while the investigators are collecting evidence and looking at the photo very carefully.” Harry and Hermione were holding each other not paying attention to much else.

“Listen to Professor Snape for a moment, children. He is going to help us get Ronald back safely,” said Professor McGonagall. “We hope.”

“Harry, I need you to be the courageous young man who faced Voldemort for a moment. I do not have time for you to reminisce on lost loved ones,” said Snape.

Harry hated Snape when he was inconsiderate and unfeeling. “How would you know, Snape? You are the most insufferable human being I have ever known.”

“That's right, Potter. Don't get sad, get mad. Don't let yourself forget that you can do more than most wizards twice your age,” said Snape unflinchingly.

“Fuck you, Snape. How can you just jerk around with me? I thought you and I were making progress,” said Harry.

“And, I told you I would never kiss your ass. Well, if I need you to prepare for saving one of your friends instead of having a pity party with your girlfriend, I'm going to piss you off, curse you or just plain be the object of your hate until you straighten around and get with the program. Got it, Potter?” said Snape. “I'm not a very touchy-feely sort, remember.”

Harry looked at him still angry. “So, what do I leave her like this? One of her best friends in the world has been hurt and I'm just to run off?”

“If you want to visit him in the hospital instead of writing a eulogy, yes,” said Snape matter-of-factly. “I have seen the way they operate. They are undisciplined. The temptation to gloat will give us an opportunity. If that is Mr. Weasley, he won't live long in that condition. Yet, I'm not convinced it is him. It is more Greyback's style to leave nothing but the bones, unless he's interrupted. Do you want to listen now?”

“Okay, so you have my attention,” said Harry with Hermione's chin on his head arms around his shoulders standing behind him on the sofa looking at Snape.

“I have two theories: the first is that the picture is real and not actually the work of Greyback. Greyback would not waste his time bleeding Weasley out with surgical cuts; second, it is a forged picture to inspire Miss Weasley to do her job and do it quickly. Either way, I don't see that the picture was intended for the real Ginny Weasley at that precise time and place. But that is the reaction they wanted.

Harry thought for a second and it dawned on him. “Polyjuice! There was someone else the intruder expected to see and not the real Ginny. The picture would be given to the real Ginny later or something like that. They gave it to the real Ginny by mistake,” said Harry.

“That makes sense,” said Harry now gaining a measure of hope.

“We can't get complacent. If they did this without Greyback's consent while trying to make it look like his work, he could decide at any time to kill Ron Weasley and stop the charade. The danger to Mr. Weasley is real and may depend on responding quickly. The note may have been meant to implicate Ginny, but what the intruder said was meant for the impostor.” Snape said. “Show me where this Room of Requirement is located?”

Harry felt strange, because he thought that Snape would already know about the Room of Requirement. “Professor, you don't know about the Room of Requirement?”

“Of course, I do Potter, but I've never been there. You know about China, could you get there without help?” he said sarcastically.

Hermione and Mrs. McGonagall went to Hermione's room as Snape and Harry headed for the Room of Requirement. Hermione dressed in anticipation of a long night.

As they approached the stairway below their destination, they noticed a trail of what might be blood. Snape bent down and smelled it. “This is not all human blood, Potter. I don't know what it is, but it's not all fresh nor is it human.”

They moved cautiously up the stairs. The blood trail was getting thicker as if something had absorbed the blood and it was now draining from it. The closer they got the more it smelled. Harry felt ill as he reached the top step and in the distance he could see something wrapped up lying in the corridor. He started to walk faster but Snape put a hand on his upper arm, “Slowly, Potter. If someone is in the area we don't want to be caught unawares and too close to them to defend ourselves. You will learn.”

Harry heard the commotion first as it came from below. The wand sparks were unmistakable and a running figure appeared to be trying to evade as many as five to seven people--three people in black and two in white. There were five Harry finally decided. Harry realized that the lead person was leaving behind a trail. “Professor, look.” Snape came to the rail and looked toward the people coming toward them. The one being chased was now out of his view, but the others were still there. The ones it black issued wand blasts at regular intervals and then continue running. “I don't think our problem is ahead of us. I think it is behind us.”

“Agreed,” said Snape.

Snape motioned for Harry to move more quickly. They remained low. “Professor, what do we do now?” asked Harry once they reached the dark figure on the floor. It was apparent that the blanket was soaked through with blood. It made no sense that it would be so far from the door to the Room of Requirement. Snape opened it. It was as he feared. Ron Weasley was unconscious but still breathing shallowly.

“Potter, don't make any sudden moves. Get closer to the door and remain still,” said Snape who did the same as he. Time seemed to lag for a minute and then the wand blasts were coming in their direction toward the ceiling. Harry heard the familiar sound of a broom swishing through the pillars. He could not see anything. Suddenly fifty yards away and closing fast he saw the broom and its rider. “Malfoy!” Harry began to stand before he could get to his feet Snape hade pulled him down and pointed his wand at Malfoy once he'd landed. “Stay where you are or you die.” Malfoy stopped. Snape stood and looked over rail.

“Potter I told you not to move. Okay stay very still,” said Snape who closed his eyes and began chanting something very strange. At that moment Snape seemed surreal, as his voice seemed to fade, a cold wave of darkness enveloped them. It was the only way Harry could describe it. Everything seemed like he was seeing it through very powerful sunglasses. Yet, just seconds later he could see people who were outlined in red, yellow and white closing on them. They looked like what the sun looks like through sunglasses. He listened. They were mere feet away but sounded like they were much further away. Harry tried to look around for Snape and Malfoy but he couldn't see them nor could he move.

He listened harder, as a member of the medical staff tended to Ron in the corridor. “Whoever brought us here did the right thing. He'll be okay, I think--but not by much.” The guards and an investigator swept the area stepping within a foot or two of where Harry was in the corridor without touching him or seeing him.

“Just in case whoever did this is still here, we'll follow you back,” said one of the guards following the two medical people as they levitated Ron. Ron looked better already. Harry now knew what the word was the staffer used, “Scourgify.” The blood on the floor and all over Ron dissipated almost instantly. He had some nasty cuts like those described in the picture but that was it. It was so weird trying to figure out what he was seeing in that state of darkness.

Once they were safely alone the strange darkness collapsed and fell away. ”Professor Snape, what did you just do?”

“Never mind, Potter, I will explain later. Malfoy, why did you bring Weasley here and what are you doing?”

“I couldn't let them kill her brother. I couldn't. She means too much to me,” he said.

“Were you alone?” asked Snape.

“What? No… Yes, I was alone,” said Malfoy.

“Which was it? Yes or no, Malfoy,” said Snape. He waited and no answer. “I am trying to help you.” For the first time, it dawned on Harry that Malfoy was helping Ron and was sitting within two feet of him. Even yet, Harry could feel the rage growing. “I will find out, Malfoy.”

“I had help, but when I wanted to get the body closer. He freaked out and ran,” said Malfoy. “Idiot, he could have gotten me killed. I could have left Weasley on the ground floor and set off a sparkler down the hall and they'd have found him. The only option left was to lead them all the way to the body.”

“Let's get out of here,” said Malfoy.

“No, Draco, we're going to get you out of this the right way,” said Snape. “Now, be quiet.”

The group of medical staff, Ministry investigators and guards now appeared all the way at the bottom. They were heading out of sight. “It's about time you two started realizing that you both hate the same things and love the same things. Not a word from either of you or I'll have you walking beside me on leashes looking for fire hydrants.”

“Now, who helped you?” asked Snape. “Who would be fool enough to remove the body of a hostage and then go back to face the consequences alone?”

Malfoy lowered his head. It was as if he were fighting some unknown force. “Fine, it was my Mother. It was my Mother. I told her that I couldn't let her take a chance and get caught. The Ministry will send her to Azkaban. So I sent her away.”

“Malfoy, Fenrir will kill her,” said Snape.

“Only if she doesn't keep him company,” said Malfoy morosely. “She took up with him to spare me. He will be mad, but she's not as fragile as people think.”

Harry shivered. Malfoy was talking about his mother and a brutal werewolf having a relationship of convenience. Harry wanted to know why she would even be there in the first place if she didn't agree with them.

“I can see that it is very complicated, isn't it Malfoy?” asked Snape not expecting or waiting for an answer. “Potter, go get Miss Granger and bring her to Dumbledore's Chambers.”

“Don't make me deal with the mud blood,” said Malfoy.

Before Harry could move for his wand, Snape's was in his face. “Malfoy, you are not in that world now. It is a different time and place. Do you want to live?”

Malfoy looked at Snape who was as malevolent as Harry had seen him at that moment. “Yes, sir.”

“I have to know now, right now, Malfoy. Because I will let Potter have you, if you are going to be the old muggle-hating Death Eater. Your Mother may still think they have a place in the world but she is wrong. You will not play that game here. Do you understand? One way, I send you to the Aurors and use the Veritaserum on you right now. The other way, we try to get your Mother out and show her we will help. Either way, the group you have known for the last few months will be destroyed. Which will it be?” said Snape.

Harry was at a loss for words. Severus Snape was defending Hermione and him. And would not let Malfoy wiggle off the hook?

Tears formed in Malfoy's eyes, “I am only there to protect my Mother. Damn you, Snape. You know that.”

Harry's heart was pounding as the realization that he would have done the same if it had been his mother. He hated Malfoy, but now he understood.

Snape said, “Back to rule number one. You two will be civil to one another or I will take measures to ensure it. You have a lot to learn about one another.”

A moment or so later Snape reiterated his order to go get Hermione and meet in the Headmaster's Chambers. Harry understood the slip by Snape and had no intention of correcting him.

Harry's mind reeled at the events of the past two hours. First, the thought is that Ron's gone missing at the hands of the Death Eaters or whatever they call themselves now. Then Ginny collapses with a picture that suggests Ron is dead. Snape doesn't believe it and has Harry take him to the Room of Requirement to see where Ginny got the picture. In the mean time, a wizard fire fight, a frightening period where the world seemed to have folded away, then the biggest surprise of all trying to regard Malfoy as a friend. Go figure. His mind couldn't grasp it all so he just started running to take his mind off of it.

He was at Hermione's door. He knocked. Groggily Hermione came to the door fully clothed with Professor McGonagall in the background. He couldn't tell them anything, because even though he'd summarized it in his mind, he was dizzy and couldn't repeat it. “Snape, excuse me. Professor Snape would like us to meet in the Headmaster's Chambers as soon as possible.” He said repeating his orders.

The walk was long tonight. Normally it was very quick, but they were all tired and even though it was the same distance no one walked fast and it was just exhausting. Finally, once in the Chambers, Professor Snape whispered to the Headmistress. Harry whispered to Hermione too. “Boy do I have a surprise for you?”

Half awake she replied, “Can it wait till tomorrow?”

Harry said, “No, because I really don't have any control over it. Draco Malfoy's here.”

Hermione's eyes opened wide. “What?” she said aloud.

“So, you told her did you Potter? Why didn't you tell her before you arrived?” said Snape.

“Listen,” said Harry. “I don't like it either, but you have to hear the story.” Harry turned and Mrs. McGonagall nodded to him and followed Snape to the Chambers above where Malfoy was apparently being sequestered. “He brought Ron back to get medical help. Ron's alive because of Malfoy.” He couldn't believe the words were actually coming out of his mouth, but they were. “It was probably Ginny and Malfoy we saw that night outside the Room of Requirement or someone made to look like her. But he said, he couldn't let Ginny's brother die like that.”

Hermione sat motionless for a moment and then put her left leg up on the sofa and looked Harry dead in the face. “Do you believe him?”

“I do. The more I heard him tell how and why the more I'm convinced.” Harry was nodding his head. “I'm too tired to think right now, but I am sure you will agree.”

He lay back in the sofa. “What time is it?” he asked. Hermione got up to go see. In the few seconds or minute she was gone, he'd fallen asleep.

“3:30 AM,” she whispered to herself. She watched him as he lay with one leg off the sofa and the other laying at an angle. She wondered how he could sleep like that. As tired as she was she knew she must sleep too. She put his legs out on the couch and covered him with a nearby afghan. She crawled under with him and as naturally as could be they made room for each other without Harry waking. She smiled and dozed off.

Expecting to be rousted in the middle of the night played tricks on Harry's mind. He first awoke with Hermione lying with her leg across his and her arm across his chest. He thought it must be only twenty or thirty minutes from when he'd lay down. Yet, the early morning sun had already made a pattern on the wall above his bed as it came through the skylight.

Confused to say the least, Harry nudged Hermione in an effort to wake her. “Sweetie, wake up, it's morning.” She turned her head back toward him and moaned a little `not-now-I-am-sleeping-moan' that everyone has. “Honey, I have to use the loo.” His slow rise to get up finally woke her enough to get her to move her leg so he could get up without dumping her to the floor. Unfortunately, he was groggy and in a room he'd never had need of a loo before. He growled as the discomfort grew at that moment he saw Snape in the corner, apparently unaware of them. “Professor, where's the loo?”

Snape remained expressionless and motioned to a door directly across from him and on Harry's left. Harry saw it and nodded his thanks. “It's a good thing that this wasn't a real problem, Potter. Cozying up with the girlfriend might cost someone their life one day.”

Harry ignored him. As he woke up doing his business in the loo he thought, would hurt you to get some you old faggot. He felt guilty but he started to feel that comment was unnecessary. If anyone thought that he wanted to be up at 5 AM still working out the problems of the world instead of feeling the warmth of a woman was just plain mad. What ever job that is, you can have it. He realized how many times Professor Dumbledore must have done that very thing to protect him and he felt quite selfish.

He popped out and felt the chill now as he wasn't preoccupied. “Sir, we were just beat and I actually thought you'd wake me for anything you needed. Because I know you're not the `touchy-feely' type he said sarcastically.” For an instant he though he detected a hint of a smile on Snape's face.

“Maybe one day we will truly come to like each other Potter. I like that you didn't get defensive and rather gave me a little of what I deserved,” said Snape. “I rather doubt we'll become friends.” He did offer a weak smile.

He looked for the clock and found it was 6:30 AM. That took the steam out of Harry. For some reason, he thought it would be at least 2 hours later than that judging from the light pattern on the ceiling. “If I may Sir, I'm going back and showering. I will return as soon as possible.”

“Please take Miss Granger with you. The tension of having Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger in the room without you is not something I want to endure,” said Snape.

“Hermione, get up. Let's get back to our rooms and have a shower. It's almost time for classes anyway,” he lied. Hermione's head popped up quickly.

“I have to do my hair after sleeping here. I can't miss first period today,” she said nervously.

“Miss Granger, you may miss all your classes today. You are a very necessary part of what we need to discuss,” said Mrs. McGonagall as she came up the staircase from the main floor. “Take things in stride today children. Today will seem longer than yesterday.”

Hermione and Harry both groaned as they headed down the stairs. Harry remembered the plans he'd had for today. He'd have to send Hedwig to Lupin with a note not to send the package. Harry wondered if Lupin was already aware of overnight events. He didn't know.

Harry and Hermione were back in the Tower before they knew it. They'd even had time to eat a quick breakfast. They had no idea what it was about. Harry hoped that the discussion didn't last nearly as long as it sounded like it would. That was his first question after he arrived. “Is this really going to last through all our classes?”

Professor McGonagall replied, “I was merely speculating on how long it would take in a worst case scenario. I am not completely sure what Professor Snape has in mind.”

“The plan to capture Fenrir Greyback and the rest of his followers will be orchestrated with the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix. We know nearly everything necessary to bring them to the Ministry in a nice little package. The reason for not involving them first is simply a matter of not knowing who in the Ministry we can trust.” Snape looked at Harry. “It will be dangerous since there will be fewer people. But the trick is to let them think they are still in control and let some of their plan unfold. Using our resources to protect Harry, Ginny and Draco makes more sense than trying to mount an assault. At some point that may be necessary. That's what today is about.”

“I don't understand,” said Hermione.

“Of course, I haven't told you everything and I'm sure it is a little confusing. To make a long story short, we will once again organize Dumbledore's Army. Only this time, we will train Mr. Potter in methods and tactics to enhance his ability to teach the others. I will also be a part of it, but Potter will lead. You will learn both Defense against the Dark Arts and the Dark Arts themselves. You will now have more understanding when teaching, but it will involve studying the Dark Arts themselves. If you are willing, Miss Granger, I will teach you as well.” Snape added.

“First, what you saw me do last night Potter was a very effective but dangerous enchantment called `The Cloak of Darkness'. Through the use of our life-forces I produced an area of negative energy that made us intangible, invisible and unable to move. If they had seen us while we were being obscured by the `The Cloak' they simply would have had to wait for it to end and we would have been at their mercy. I had to sap the power of each of us to maintain it and the recovery time believe it or not is quite long. We would not have been able to defend ourselves for at least two minutes or more.” Harry sat mouth agape. “That Mr. Potter is your first exposure to the life-draining or power-draining effects of the Dark Arts.”

“But two minutes was enough time this morning, Sir.” Harry intoned.

“Only because we were fortunate not to have been seen prior to being hidden,” said Snape. “If you used that same enchantment where those you were hiding from desired your death and were found. It would be catastrophic for you would have no chance. However, in this case the investigators would have simply taken us into custody.”

“Oh, okay, now I understand. So, part of what I have to learn is not how to do things, but when the enchantment or spell is called for or right for the job,” said Harry.

Hermione sat next to Harry rather confused. “I don't know if you want to start involving yourself in the Dark Arts, Harry. No offense, Professor Snape, but it seems too change people.”

“Miss Granger, you are no doubt too intelligent for me to sit and explain these things as if you were children. So I will cut to the chase. You are right. Dark Arts practitioners become very reclusive and sometimes go mad when they do not have the correct support system. Your father, James, as a mystic was very deep into the Dark Arts Mr. Potter. Part of the conflict between he and I was the differences in the ways it affected us,” confessed Snape.

Mrs. McGonagall interrupted ever so gently, “Severus I will explain because it will seem less critical. Your father had his friends who helped to temper one another's baser qualities. You father was very well off financially even as a student and he acted the part. He could be arrogant and self-serving. I say could be. I can be very severe and seem unpleasant when underneath I have no ill-feelings at all. We do not always know how our personalities affect others. Your father and Severus didn't like each other for many of the same reasons you and Malfoy do not get along. Only the roles were reversed. Malfoy was the spoiled rich kid and you were the orphan. Our dislikes and likes are often simply a part of our subconscious,” she continued. “Make your own analogy, you will see it is true.”

“Harry, she's saying that it's like your attraction to Parvati and Cho. They were dark haired Asian girls and even though you liked Ginny for so long you were drawn to Cho or Parvati. It took time for you to see Ginny in that same light and the same goes for me,” offered Hermione.

“That's right, Mr. Potter. I was everything your father loathed and vice versa. But the real story is in the way the Dark Arts can affect people. Those who are lonely and downtrodden seem do just as well, but tend to become more isolated by their desire for the power that the Dark Arts generate. The perfect example is Lord Voldemort. Those who have a life balance with love and friends don't use the power to fill the empty parts of their lives. If it weren't for Professor Dumbledore, I would not know this about myself and I would no doubt have either sided with Lord Voldemort or been another rival for both him and the Ministry. That much is clear.” Professor Snape's face at that moment had a quality he'd never seen before when the Professor continued again. “So, Miss Granger, your support and love are essential to keeping Harry balanced. I hope that time will heal the wounds between you two and Mr. Weasley as well. Harry needs good people such as you to fulfill his destiny.”

Harry heard Snape use his first name. He could see that somewhere something had happened to bring Severus Snape closer to the loving human being he must have been as a child. He remembered Hermione telling him about why Snape had chosen the Half-Blood Prince as moniker. “Thank you for explaining that to us, Professor. It is true that we kids can be brutal to one another. And, while I find it difficult to see my father like he is described I can understand how no one is perfect.” Snape nodded and turned away toward a book on the desk.

“Today, you will learn other methods to obscure your presence and more powerful ways to immobilize your enemies,” Professor Snape began. “I am not including Draco in these lessons for obvious reasons, do you understand?” Harry nodded and looked briefly up the stairs wondering what Draco could be doing. He had no idea that Mrs. McGonagall had enchanted Draco to sleep. Potions were good for medicinal purposes when you want the subject to awaken on their own. Enchantments were more practical when you wanted them out of the way for a period of time.

Both Harry and Hermione were tremendously interested. Harry forgot his surprise for Hermione for a while, but they were together and the excitement between them picked up. He knew by the end of the day they'd had enough surprises sprung on them that he'd have to wait for Friday to give Hermione hers. He realized as he looked at Snape as he was ready to leave that many of his beliefs about life and people were being slowly turned upside down.

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