Moving Colors
All throughout dinner, while Harry's mouth was idly chatting with Hermione, his mind was elsewhere. It was frantically working out a way to ask her about moving into whatever house or flat he might find. Somehow in between those thoughts he realized that she looked spectacular in the deep green, short sleeve shirt she was wearing. Harry couldn't remember her ever wearing a shirt that hugged her curves like in a way that drove home the point that she was a woman. The way he was fairing the past few days he wouldn't be surprised if she had worn it since seventh year and he just now noticed. Almost everything about her seemed to be unnerving him to say the least.
The past few days found him noticing how her hair looked up or down and sometimes he would try to remember if it was always that curly. He was enchanted by the different shades her brown eyes took dependent upon her mood: dark when angry or almost amber when excited. He noticed certain items of clothing, like her top, that she wore under her teaching robes. He knew it wasn't typical for him to view a female friend like this. He still saw Luna and a few other former female classmates around town from time to time and he never looked at them like he was looking at Hermione.
He wondered if everything would fall back to normal if one of them left for a few weeks. Maybe he was thinking about the more personal side of Hermione lately, because he was spending so much time around her. Whenever he thought about taking a vacation, going away from her, his heart constricted until he dismissed the idea. He didn't want to be away from her that long, that much he admitted to himself.
Harry drew his attention back to the table as Hermione talked about whether or not to include certain questions on her final exam. He contributed his thoughts about the quiz and was rewarded with a thankful smile. He watched her accio the exam over and put lines through a few of the questions. Their conversation moved on to how her students did on their pop Transfiguration quiz and when she seemed to be finished by stopping to take a drink, he dropped his thought out on the table.
"I think I'd like to move."
Hermione stared at him, her butterbeer suspended in mid air, and Harry saw a shocked, scared expression pass over her face. Immediately, he felt guilt rise in him as he realized she was probably thinking he was going to move far away, leaving her behind.
Wording his statement a bit more clearly, "Just somewhere…smaller. Maybe here in Hogsmeade. What do you think?"
"Oh… Harry, don't scare me like that." A relieved smile touched her lips and she sat up straighter ducking her head as if hiding the relieved expression that had come across her face. "Well," she began wiping her mouth with her napkin then setting it on her finished plate. "I know Grimmauld is quite large, so it doesn't surprise me that you would say that. Do you know what your plans are for it?"
Harry shrugged while he twirled his fork around on his empty plate, rolling up invisible spaghetti noodles.
"I was thinking of seeing if The Order still wanted it or maybe Fleur and Bill, since they have Will and I know they want more kids. Or, to Katie and Fred…I don't know," he sighed and set his chin in his hand, staring past Hermione now, "I don't want to sell it. I'd rather like someone I know to use it."
"I think, if I heard right, Fleur is pregnant again, only a month or so. And since Bill is second in command under Remus, it might be nice to offer it to them first. I'm sure their two bedroom flat near the bank is getting a bit tight."
"Pregnant again? Really? Well, then, once I find a place maybe I will offer it to them," Harry rationalized feeling relief trickle into him as he realized he and Hermione seemed to be on the same page as far as Grimmauld went.
Standing up he grabbed his and Hermione's plate, before she could protest, and took them to the sink. For a moment he stood there, staring into the sink contemplating if moving was the best idea. There was a lot of stuff in Grimmauld. Most of it was Sirius', and he struggled with the notion if it was right to move or take any of his godfather's personal property. He knew everything was left to him but it still didn't feel like his own. Very few things in the house did.
A pair of arms circled around his waist from behind startling him and for a moment he forgot he had been standing in Hermione's kitchen. Hermione started talking, her cheek pressed against his shoulder blade.
"If you don't mind me asking, what will you do with all of Sirius' things?"
Hearing that question, Harry sighed visibly.
"I don't know. I was just wondering that myself. If I find a small house then I could fit some of his things in there."
"House? I thought you wanted a flat." He felt her arms tighten slightly around his middle reassuring him that this was something she supported.
"Yeah, me too until just now. "House" just kind of popped out of my mouth," Harry admitted, resting his arm over hers. His hand cupped her elbow near his hip and he stood there for a moment thinking and staring at the white wall above her sink.
"You know what I think?" Hermione questioned, feeling him wavering on the decision to move as a whole. He never was good at making decisions for himself. If it involved saving the world at large, or doing something to protect her or the Weasleys she knew he wouldn't hesitate.
"I'm nutters for trying to pay for a place instead of staying somewhere that is free to me?"
"No, not at all!" Hermione laughed at his answer that was nothing near her thoughts. She felt him turn around in her arms and watched him look down at her, enjoying how he instinctively held her a bit tighter so she wouldn't step away. When she began talking she took a step closer, keeping her eyes locked with his wanting him to take this opportunity to do something for himself.
"I think a small house would do wonders for you. Your own yard to putter around in, a basement to store things you just can't part with. Your own place; that has Harry James Potter written on it. A flat wouldn't hold the furniture you've collected or bought, or even inherited over the years. There are a lot of places in Hogsmeade or even a lot of nice Muggle neighborhoods from here to Scotland that you could look into."
"So you don't think it's a bad idea?" Harry continued looking down at her and before he could stop himself he reached up and brushed her hair off her shoulder. Shocked he quickly lowered his hand but she didn't seem affected by the simple, yet tender motion. Instead she smiled and answered his gesture, reaching up and trying to smooth down a few strands of his rebellious hair. These little intimate movements they had started doing lately felt like they were taking her a step closer to something fantastic. But, Hermione wouldn't let herself fantasize too much about what that would be. This was Harry! She couldn't jeopardize their friendship over something she did not yet understand. Making a conscious effort to pull her hand away she answered him slowly so that he would know this was his decision, but she stood by him.
"I don't think so at all. You should do what you want, Harry." Her hand fell to his shoulder willing him to think of just himself, just this once.
"I know. But the more I think about it, the more I keep thinking why get excited about something new only to have my hopes dashed by something unforeseen?" He felt her step back, crossing her arms across her chest and she glared at him.
`Uh-oh, I said the wrong thing…again,' he thought, waiting for her fury.
Her voice was calm and controlled. "Harry James Potter…stop thinking like that. You'll never do anything if that thought keeps floating around your head. Looking for a house, which is sounds like you want, can be fun if you let it. I had a great time looking for flats, trying to envision where my books and furniture would go."
"I know. I remember how excited you were when you found this place. Though I think you may have outgrown it in the year and half you've live here." Harry patted the book next to him on the counter then froze. The moment was coming to ask her and his nerves were jumping, much like they had when she had wrapped her arms around his waist. For a moment all he heard was the low volume of the latest football match on her TV, and even that couldn't distract him from the way his heart fluttered, thinking about her living with him.
"I can't afford anything bigger and the places at Hogwarts aren't much…," she paused and cocked her head watching him carefully, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said slowly still thinking and mulling over his thought. "I…I think we can solve both our problems."
"I have a problem?" Hermione asked cocking an eyebrow.
"Well, you could use more room for your books," he began still not looking at her. His brain was struggling with the thought if asking her to live with him was purely a friendly, financial type of move or something his humming hormones were telling him.
"…then in two years time I would need another place to house even more books. I'll never win my battle over the love of the written word Harry." She flashed him an amused smile as he raised his eyes to hers, glad he caught the last part of her speech.
"Maybe we could look for a place together," he said wondering, apprehensively, what her reaction to the thought of them living together would be.
"Sure, I'll help you look," Hermione patted his arm but was stopped by his hand grabbing hers.
"No, that's not what I meant. A place. Go in on one together. I mean…I could buy one and you could stay there. We could work out rent or…whatever," he began in a rush knowing she didn't have a lot of extra money to spend. Hermione's mouth dropped perceptibly as she looked at him, her eyebrows drawing up in surprise.
"You…I…Harry…you don't like a lot of people around. Won't my constant presence make you insane?" She seemed to be sputtering many different ideas at once and took a deep breath to gather her thoughts. "I mean…the idea makes sense, very practical, but I don't want to-."
"I've never had anything larger than a small bedroom as my personal space. Look at me at Grimmauld. I do most of my work at a desk under the window or in my room. You're never a bother, Hermione, but please don't feel like you have to say yes. It was just an idea…," Harry couldn't finish as Hermione's hand covered his mouth.
"Harry. Don't go bashing yourself. I just want you to think about it; what you are asking. In a years time you may meet someone and want to get married, and I will need to leave-," she began only to feel him take her hand away from his mouth.
"Well, you could get married too you know. I think that marriage has a better shot with you than me right now. And I wouldn't ask it if I didn't mean it. Let's just drop it-," Harry tried to talk over her but she stomped her foot in frustration, her hands on her hips now.
"Stop! I was just giving you hypothetical situations, helping you to think it through." Harry could see she was beginning to get angry and insistent and he didn't want this conversation to escalate to an arguement. Not after a nice dinner and then having that lead to bickering about something as inconsequential, in his mind, as a house.
"I'm sorry…I…I was thinking too much I guess. Shocking I know," he joked tugging her towards him and enfolded her hands reassuringly. "Just think about it. If you don't want to, no offense or anything taken okay?" He enveloped her in a tight hug, loving how she moved her head under his chin where it always fit perfectly.
"Okay. Thank you for the offer. But you know me, I have to think about it from every angle. I really do like the idea though."
"Okay. Let me know whenever you're ready." Harry hesitantly placed a kiss on the top of her head and held her a moment longer. Reluctantly he dropped his arms and headed towards the table to collect the rest of the dishes.
"When are you thinking of doing this? After school I presume?"
"Yep. With NEWTS coming up and final exams, there's no time for me to find anything now."
"I think you should get an estate agent." Hermione handed him the bread basket, wadding up the paper napkin and throwing it into the trashcan. "You just need to tell them what you want and they can narrow everything down for you."
"Good thought," Harry agreed wondering what he wanted in a place. "Ummm…what do you want in a house?"
Hermione stopped waving her wand causing the dishes to pause in midair on their way to their cabinet. "Harry, this is your place. You should pick what you want."
The thing was, he really wanted to hear what she wanted in a home. Bookshelves were a plus, he knew, and having two bathrooms was something he had heard her mention in the past. But, did she want a large yard? An attic? Something with a cat door?
"I'd be glad to go with you. Do you want me to find some names of an estate agent also?" Hermione turned her attention to the dishes once again after seeing him nod.
"We both have tomorrow off, but I know you still have to go into school. Why don't you come up with a list of the must haves and I'll look around for a witch or wizard agent. Would you prefer Hogsmeade?" Hermione questioned wiping off the counter, then throwing the sponge into her sink.
"I lived the Muggle life," Harry said slowly sitting down at a clean table. "I think it's time I lived in the only all-magic village, don't you?"
"I do." Hermione rested her hand on his shoulder and squeezed, reassuring him he had made the right decision.
---
"They're going to move in together?" Ron repeated making sure he had heard his sister correctly. He had been in Hermione's living room, watching the TV set she had invested in when they had begun dating, so he never heard the conversation in the kitchen.
"He asked her, and she hasn't given an answer, but I bet Hermione says yes."
"Huh. How `bout that." Ron floated back and forth, like he was pacing. "I had always envisioned the three or four of us shacking up together, never just the two of them though."
"Bothersome?" Draco asked dryly, not shocked to see Ron shake his head.
"Intrigued is more of an accurate description."
"I think it's just one step closer for Harry. He's making a life change by moving out of the house, moving in with Hermione who seems to be becoming more of a…an…entity-," Ginny started but was interrupted by Draco, who was lounging on the grass as if sunbathing.
"He's falling in love with her."
"What?" Ron questioned but Ginny only nodded knowingly.
"Really?" Ron pushed, his tone still even. He wasn't upset, just surprised that he didn't see what Ginny or Draco seemed too with regard to Harry and Hermione.
"Really," his sister answered. She stretched out next to Draco, mimicking his pose, wishing she could feel the warmth of the sun on her face. Closing her eyes everything was a bit hazier, not dark like when she was human, but it would do.
"I think it's a good thing, Ron. They, or at least Harry, are treading very carefully. There's a fine line between friends and more than friends."
"And what would that line be, Ginny? A snog?" Ron asked sitting a few feet away from his sister, watching a little boy chase after his dog in the field they were occupying at the moment.
"Well, depends on the kind," Draco interjected, not moving. "If it's one of those chaste, quick kisses on the lips--no problem. If it's full out, tongue down their throat, then that's where you've crossed the line."
"So, what if he kisses her on the lips "chastely"? He's never done that that I can remember," Ginny began just playing devil's advocate. She felt a small amount of joy that Draco was actually discussing this with them, calmly. "Is it still considered friendly if it's something that you don't normally do?"
"I've never seen them kiss on the lips before," Ron backed up Ginny's comment.
"Well," Draco sat up and Ginny turned her head towards him. Before she could prepare her self, he swooped down and brushed his lips across hers. A flash of warmth flowed across her mouth then left, right along with him.
"That would be chaste, friendly," Draco explained to Ron in almost the same even tone he had used earlier. Although, Ginny thought she heard a note wonderment behind his words.
"You just kissed my sister," Ron pointed out watching Ginny sit up and stare at Draco.
"I felt that," she told him and both boys looked at her as if she lost her mind. "I mean…it was warm. When I touch Ron or any other Light, or even Ghost, all I feel is them. No warmth, no coolness…just a neutralness."
"Strange, Ginny. Something to ask Nick maybe," Ron looked at her calmly. Draco stayed quiet, still sitting cross-legged in the grass.
"I'm leaving. This is boring," Draco said suddenly, standing up and a second later he was gone.
"What's his problem? He was actually…decent earlier," Ron asked, standing up, extending a hand to his sister. He felt her pull him closer and plant a quick kiss on his mouth.
"What'd that feel like?" Ginny asked searching his eyes. Ron shrugged, not bothered.
"I felt your touch, but it was like you said…just there. Like my sister kissed me." He grinned down at her, as she nodded in agreement.
Floating back towards Hogwarts, Ron chatted about the Muggle football game he has watched on Hermione's TV while Ginny tried to figure out why Draco would cause her to feel warmth. For her, touching anyone else who was Light was just like touching a brother.
---
Hermione spread out the two lists on her kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee that Tuesday morning. Harry had given her his list that she requested, apparating into her flat before he went to Hogwarts.
Smoothing out Harry's crumpled parchment next to her neatly folded piece, she compared what they both wanted. As he relinquished his short list, he asked her to make one of what she wanted, or desired, in a house.
"I don't need to see it. Just…make one to see what you want," he told her after her answer on moving in together.
She had explained to Harry that morning she liked the idea of moving in with him, but would do so only after he was settled. She wanted to make sure that her being around was something he still wanted after he had a taste of living in his own house, alone.
Admittedly, the moment he asked her to move in, she had wanted to jump up and down and shout "yes" and start packing right then. The flush of feelings that ran through her scared her so much she stuttered until her brain went on autopilot and calm, rational Hermione kicked into gear. For the first time in over a year, she was truly excited about something other than watching young minds learn. She wanted to be with Harry as he began moving on with his life; she wanted to be a part of it and see his smile when he was happy, which seemed to be occurring more often.
She stared at the picture of the two of them on her desk taken at Bill and Fleur's wedding four years ago. Looking
at that picture watching herself wave, she saw how she and Harry were almost the same height, and for the first time
she realized how much older he really was. Not just physically but emotionally in the way he dealt with Ginny and
Ron's death. He had grieved but struggled to retain a bit of normalcy by continuing to teach. He was depressed at
times, but never cut her or The Weasley's out of his life. Years before, after Sirius' death, he was angry and
hurt; secluding himself by not writing to any of his friends. And of course, back then the Dursleys didn't help him
much either.
Now, he was performing something quite enormous for Harry Potter…making his own life. She really hoped that she could remain a part of this new chapter of his. However, her heart was whispering that she yearned for something more with Harry than just friendship. That fluttery feeling had been yanked up out of the depths of her soul the moment she head him yell in her hall in the middle of the night. She truly thought something awful had happened and, with the way her body reacted to the thought of him being gone, betrayed what she kept trying to believe were normal, close-friend feelings.
Someone's door slamming out in the main hall forced her to shut the door on her feelings for the moment. She needed to find Harry an estate agent. Smoothing out his list, again, she ran her finger down the parchment.
Harry
1) at least three bedrooms
2) storage for Quidditch supplies
3) attic for Hedwig, with window
4) fireplace with floor level hearth, so I don't kill myself stumbling out after flooing!
5) yard big enough to fly around in, comfortably-or area close by
6) apple trees, or places to plant them
7) relatively secluded
Hermione could tell he struggled with just the seven items on his list as the last two items were written in blue instead of black ink. She had to smile at "apple trees", knowing he equated them with the Burrow. It was the only place, besides Hogwarts, he viewed as home in the 17 years he was a child. Tucking his list under hers, she was not surprised hers was longer.
three bedrooms
library, or den
cat flap
large yard
many bookshelves
sun room or reading nook
secluded
telephone capabilities
larger bathroom
attic
Sunny, airy rooms throughout
Running her finger down the columns, she noticed the "wants" they had in common and how Harry felt the need to explain why he wanted what he had listed. She rubbed her forehead wondering if he would ever just want something without knowing the reason, but knew the answer before she even finished the thought…he never received what he wanted until he got to Hogwarts. Even then it wasn't an easy life for him; he really felt that he didn't deserve anything for free. There had to be a reason behind what Harry Potter wanted, one that made sense.
Hermione searched through her desk and found the information of the estate agent she had used to find her flat. She pulled it out hoping the witch that helped her still worked at the Three W. Hermione really liked this agent; she was patient and very astute at figuring out what would work for Hermione.
Witches, Wizards and Warlock Realty (Three W)
Estate Agent Frieda Wallengampit
Owl anytime! Or for those of you with telephones: 44-3WREALTY
Office hours 8am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday
Other hours by appointment
Hermione grabbed her cell phone, not being able to remember the last time she talked on it to anyone other than her parents and dialed the phone number, happy to hear the loud, familiar voice on the other end.
"Miss Wallengampit, this is Hermione Granger, do-," Hermione began only to be interrupted.
"Of course I remember you, dear! How are you?" the pleasant voice floated over space.
"I'm wonderful, thank you. The reason I am calling is my friend Harry Potter is looking-."
"THE Harry Potter is looking for a place? That's…" Hermione heard her stop and clear her throat, "…I am sure we can help him out," Miss Wallengampit quickly recovered from the surprise at hearing the famous wizard's name.
"He and I teach at Hogwarts together and I told him I would help him look for a new house. I have a list of things he would like. Could I give them to you and see what you come up with?" Hermione grabbed a quill, poised to check off the list Harry gave her, number by number.
"Go ahead, dear, I'm ready," Miss Wallengampit answered and as Hermione read down the list, she could hear the quick scratching of a quill in the background. "And do you know a price range he is looking at?"
Hermione stayed quiet and quickly berated herself for not asking Harry about this issue. Money was never an issue for him, and she learned to never bring it up especially when they had been around Ron and his family.
"I think if you could just get a list together of what is available, he could narrow everything down from there," Hermione told her bypassing the question. It wasn't her place to tell Miss Wallengampit that Harry could care less what it cost; he was a very rich individual.
"Will do. Should I send this list to him or to you?"
"You can just send it to me. He's busier than I am with the end of the school year. I know he plans on starting to look seriously by the first of July," Hermione twirled her quill between her fingers as she heard the rustling of parchment in the back.
"Not a problem. I should have a nice stack together by the end of this morning and I'll owl them right over. Your flat is still meeting your needs?"
Hermione gave a small laugh, not ready to tell Miss Wallengampit that she might be moving in with Harry. "I'm fine thank you. I'll call you if I need anything though!"
Hermione hung up and filed the lists under the new folder entitled "House" in her desk drawer. Pulling out a fresh sheet of parchment she wrote Harry a note telling who she got in contact with and that she would have some of the house specs later that day. She then found Hedwig, who had spent the night hunting with Crookshanks, and gave her the note to deliver to Harry.
That being done, she opened her school bag, found her lesson plans and began reviewing what new information she was
going to tell her fifth years about their OWLs. She only taught third, fourth and fifth years while Professor
McGonagall managed the other three and also acted as Headmistress. Hermione wasn't sure how she managed to do those
duties plus still be Head of House to Gryffindor but everything was running smoothly so far.
For the next few hours she busied herself with making notes, fine tuning the exams for her third and fourth years and ate lunch. Hedwig came swooping back in Hermione's window and skidded to a stop on top of Hermione's desk. Seeing the lunch plate, she dropped the note, stole a cracker and managed to escape out the window before Hermione could catch her.
"Bloody owl!" Hermione sighed and she flipped over the scroll, recognizing Harry's handwriting on the front she unrolled it and read down through his quickly scrawled note.
Hermione,
Got your message and thanks for contacting Miss Wallengampit. I appreciate you starting this whole process. If you let me know when those specs come in, I can come take a look at them. I should be done here around six this evening, unless someone needs help with the latest assignment. If that doesn't work for you, you can just send them onto #12 and I'll look at them there.
Love,
Harry
Hermione felt her heart race inexplicably when she saw the word "love" then Harry's quick signature. It was the same feeling she had when he had touched her stomach…and a similar feeling to when she had her first kiss with Ron near the end of their seventh year. The first we-are-more-than-friends kiss.
For the second time that day, she tried to squelch the happy, jittery feelings that threatened to overtake her logical mind.
"No, no no no, Hermione. You cannot be feeling anything like this for your best friend," she said aloud as if hoping that her vocal affirmation would slow down her racing heart.
`Oh, Hermione. It seems as if you are and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it,' a voice seemed to say outside her ear. Startled she turned around her eyes scanning her small living room. Nothing. Her heart was racing furiously knowing that where ever that comment came from, it definitely wasn't in her head. It sounded like a whisper that barely reached her ear. That much was for sure. Jumping and letting out a small shriek, as a loud "thump" jerked her around, she saw a gray local post office owl sitting on the windowsill, blinking as if bored by his job.
"I am going mental. I truly am," Hermione mumbled to herself taking deep breaths to slow down her racing heart. She threw her last cracker at the owl who snatched it out of midair and took off. Taking the stack over to her sofa she turned on the Wizarding Wireless hoping that the music, and the packet of twelve house and flat listings, would distract her from the voice she had heard.
---
When Ginny heard Hermione's declaration out loud, she actually smiled and rested her chin on her friends shoulder, happy that Harry at least had someone out there who loved him wholly and completely.
"Oh, Hermione," Ginny said so Ron wouldn't hear. He was standing behind her a few feet talking with Draco about how Peeves cheats at Poker, so the two of them never even heard Hermione's thought aloud.
"It seems as if you are and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it," Ginny advised her friend sensing the air move as Hermione swung around and stared right at her, visibly startled. Ginny backed up as Hermione's eyes searched around the room and without her knowledge rested right on Ron who was lounging against her sofa, now looking back at her.
Turning back around to the gray owl at the window, Ginny heard her mumble she was going mental.
"Did she see me?" Ron questioned noticing she had looked right at him. He floated over to stand behind Hermione.
"I don't know. She actually heard something I whispered in her ear. That's a first."
"I thought humans couldn't hear Light?" Draco asked from his spot against the bookcase.
"Normally…no, but…?" Ginny shrugged, for once not having an answer. Backing up from Hermione's desk she turned and floated down the small hallway and out the door.
"Well, it's a fact that they are in love with each other. But, with the way Granger and Potter are dancing around the issue, they'll both be thirty by the time they realize it." Draco was staring at his nails as if bored and uninterested in the whole scene before him as he followed them through the building.
"Ah well, as the song goes, "You Can't Hurry Love"," Ron said and began laughing at his own joke. Then stopped as quickly as he started, surprised by the irregular outburst of emotion.
"Muggle song," Ginny clarified for Draco. She slowed down and stopped at a park bench, then turned to Ron.
"I heard that the Canons are undefeated. Would you like to go see if they are playing?"
"Of course," Ron said coolly, ignoring Draco's grumbling. Draco knew he didn't have anything better to do so he drifted off after the Weasley's wondering why they didn't now go pay a visit to Harry at Hogwarts. It seemed to him that Ginny was stepping back for longer periods of time, not watching or being around him. He wondered what that meant, and if it meant that Ginny felt Harry was moving on in the direction she hoped he would.
The fact that he just thought of Harry Potter and his well-being shocked him. Cursing under his breath he began questioning why in the hell he was actually aware of something Ginevra Weasley was doing, or not doing. He spent the next indeterminable amount of minutes watching the ground race beneath their feet, intent on thinking of anything else but Ginny and why he cared, or wondered, why she did what she did.
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