Disclaimer The Harry Potter universe and all the characters in it belong to J. K. Rowling. No infringement intended, just borrowing.
Chapter 2 - Just like Princess Di?
The next few days and nights passed without much incident and Harry and Hermione had fallen into a routine. They were up at eight, ate breakfast (cooked by Harry), then he would leave Grimmauld Place to follow up on a lead, often meeting with Remus and Tonks, while Hermione would tuck into the Black library for research. He would come home for dinner, (usually cooked by Hermione) and then they would settle into bed for the night. They were starting to act like an old married couple, she mused.
Yeah, without the sex.
The little voice in her head often would make rude comments like that but Hermione tried to squash them and concentrate. She was in the library, reading The Horrid History of Horcruxes when she came across an interesting passage.
While generally a horcrux cannot take human form, it can manifest itself as a birthmark or perhaps a scar, on the person hosting it.
Hermione's heart accelerated. She continued to read the paragraph and then focused on the last sentence.
At this time, a human hosted horcrux can only be destroyed or removed upon death or a transformative experience not requiring the use of magical charms or spells.
Hermione eagerly read the rest of the book, looking for more information or description of this transformative experience but, alas found no further explanation. And what about the death referred to in the text - was it of the host or the soul? Hermione threw the book on the floor in frustration.
She thought again about Harry's scar. If his scar were indeed a horcrux, it certainly would explain a lot - his visions, the vivid nightmares, and the intense pain. She thought back to the night when she kissed his scar and wondered if this transformative experience could be love. She had read Muggle stories and had seen many movies about how love had the power to transform even the hardest heart.
She had already admitted to herself, albeit reluctantly, that she was in love with Harry. Could her love (symbolized with a kiss) possibly have the power to destroy the piece of Voldemort's soul that manifested itself in him? She thought back to the discussion that night about Ginny's kiss.
Here you go again, do you really think that your kiss is more special than Ginny's? Yes you're in love with him, but so is Ginny.
Then why did mine make Harry's scar tingle and hers didn't? What does it mean? Hermione asked herself.
She was starting to wish that Ron were here; she was tired of having these internal conversations and was starting to feel a bit mental, as he would put it. She needed a third party to bounce this theory off. She wanted to talk to Harry as well, but there were many sensitive issues she needed to work out before presenting her theory to him.
Hermione's head hurt. It was time to take a break, so she went to the kitchen to make herself some tea. As the water boiled, she heard a soft hooting noise and turned to the window. It was Pigwidgeon, Ron's tiny owl.
She turned off the water and grabbed the still hooting owl, whom had a letter attached to its leg, which Hermione opened immediately.
Hermione and Harry -
Mum is much better - it's a like a miracle! She's even cooking for us again. We'd love to have you both come to the Burrow next weekend for a celebration dinner. Let us know if you can both make it. We all miss you and can't wait to catch up.
Ron
P.S. from Ginny: Harry, I can't wait to see you!
Hermione smiled at the letter, relieved at Ron's good news. She hoped that meant he would be returning to Grimmauld Place soon. Pig looked at her expectantly, still hooting. She turned over the letter and wrote a quick reply.
Ron
I'm so happy to hear that your mum is better. Don't work the woman too hard, though! I'm sure Harry and I can come next weekend for a visit but I'll double check with him to be sure. He's very busy these days - I think we're getting closer to our goal. I will fill you in on the details when I see you.
Miss you and love from,
Hermione
She folded the letter and attached it to Pig's leg and the owl happily flew out the window.
Later that night, Hermione was in bed reading a Muggle magazine that her mother sent about the recent death of Princess Diana. Hermione had always been fascinated by the Royal Family and was particularly saddened by her death. She was inspired by her charity work and how she always championed the less than fortunate. She considered her a role model.
She looked at the clock - Harry had not come home yet and she was beginning to fret. He did owl her to say he'd be late but she still worried about him. She was getting sleepy but willed herself to stay awake, wanting to share Ron's good news with him. She turned to an article about Diana's fashion influence before dozing off.
The next thing Hermione felt was a kiss on her forehead and momentarily thought she was still dreaming. She opened her eyes and saw Harry standing over her, holding her magazine, dressed in his pajamas.
"Hey, I didn't mean to wake you."
"What time is it?"
"'Round midnight, sorry I'm so late. I had a very interesting outing with Remus and Tonks that I'll tell you about tomorrow."
"It's okay." She yawned. "Before I go back to sleep, I have some good news to share."
"I could use some, what is it?" He said, laying the magazine on the nightstand.
"I got a message from Ron today - Molly Weasley seems to have recovered her strength and we've been invited to the Burrow next weekend for a celebration."
Harry smiled. "That's great news! I'm so relieved to hear it… did you reply to Ron about the weekend?"
"I sent him a message saying we would come but I wanted to double check with you first. Can you make it?"
"I'm not sure. I mean I'd love to see everyone but things are so unpredictable these days, but you should go to see Ron - I know you miss him."
"And what about Ginny?" Hermione countered. "I forgot to tell you - she wrote in a postscript that she couldn't wait to see you."
Harry flopped on the bed next to her. "But I'm not so sure if I want to see her."
Hermione's ears perked up at this. "Really? Why not?"
"I dunno, it's just easier with her at the Burrow and me here. I don't really think about her that much, you know -- out of sight, out of mind? But when I see her, it's a whole different story; it might be harder to say good-bye again after the visit."
Hermione deflated at these words - Harry did miss Ginny after all. But she was curious to observe how they would interact after months of being apart.
"I still think you should go. Don't you want to see Ron and the rest of the family? Mrs. Weasley will be heartbroken if you don't go; you know she considers you to be her seventh son."
"More like son-in-law." Harry muttered. "Hey, did you ever get the feeling that they want us to marry into the family, complete with a double wedding? I mean, I don't mean to sound ungrateful since they're like a surrogate family to me, but I'm not sure if I want to become a Weasley yet."
"Me, neither," Hermione agreed.
Harry looked surprised. "What do you mean? I thought you and Ron were on the road to happily ever after?"
"Oh, no, I just meant that I'm too young to be thinking about that. I'm only 18, Harry. There's so much I want to do with my life before I settle down and get married." Hermione recovered, not ready to tell Harry the whole truth.
"But you were just reading about your role model, Princess Diana, weren't you? Didn't she marry young?"
"Yeah, and look how that turned out." Hermione said ruefully. "Anyway, just think about it. You're going to have to face Ginny sooner or later." She rolled over on her side. "Goodnight Harry."
"G'night Hermione."
As the room turned dark and she heard Harry fall asleep, Hermione's mind was racing again. She hoped he would go the Burrow with her. She had to find out for sure what effect Ginny's kiss now had on his scar. Just because Harry said it didn't tingle before, didn't necessarily mean that was still the case.
And then what, Granger? What if Ginny's love provides the transformative experience for Harry?
Then I will be happy for him. I love him but I will let him go if I have to.
But Hermione sincerely hoped she wouldn't have to.
A/N: Thanks for the nice reviews. All feedback is appreciated!