SOUL PIECES
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 03: Tonks' House
August 1st
2:00 am
Harry was smiling to himself; finally he was free. He didn't need to see, speak or even mention the Dursleys anymore. And he was, seventeen years old, a legal adult, sitting in a comfortable couch at Tonks' house.
"So, Harry," Hermione began. "You didn't tell me what gifts you received for your birthday."
Her voice brought him back to reality.
"Oh, well, let's me see…I got a pensieve."
"Harry!"
"Kidding, but, seriously, you three (and he motioned with his head towards Tonks and Remus, who were snogging in a corner of the living room) gave me a wonderful present."
"I am glad that you liked it."
"I received some groceries from Mr. And Mrs. Weasley; Ron gave me a book about seekers. Hagrid gave me a wand kit; Professor McGonagall and Mad-Eye gave me a spell book collection (feel free to read them) and Ginny-" he stopped and breathed heavily, a sad smile appeared on his face. "Ginny gave me a pair of leather gloves. In her card, she said they were for me use this year."
"She didn't know, did she?"
He shook his head.
"And the twins gave me a really cool potion kit."
"A what?"
"A potion kit. It's a box with several bottles with potions, things to stop bleeding, Veritaserum, felix felices and even a pre made polyjuice potion, I just need to put the hair of another person in there."
"Wow, they really gave you some useful stuff," she said.
"Oh, and I almost forgot to mention "wonderful" pair of socks from Dobby…"
Hermione laughed silently.
"Speaking o f Dobby, you told me he and Kreatcher had already cleaned the house."
"Yes, they appeared in Surrey. I sent an owl to McGonagall. Of course, I didn't mention anything 'big', but she understood. She'll meet us on August eight."
"We have to call Ron."
"I thought about that too. In fact, I already talked to him. Remus will give him the coordinates to Tonks' house."
"That's good. I miss him."
"Me too."
"Well, I think I'm going to bed now. Good night, Harry," she called out.
"Wait ! I'm going with you. I don't think those two will notice we're gone. I'm pretty tired," he said motioning toward Remus and Tonks.
00000000000000000000000000000000
Harry thought that living under the same roof with Hermione would be easy. How wrong he was. Not that she was a bad campaigner; she really was the best person to live with. Specially that the most part of the time they spent their time alone in the house but they only talked with Remus and Tonks at breakfast and dinner.
The problem was Hermione. Well, not her; her body. It was too bloody perfect for her and Harry's own good.
Harry began to feel increasingly uncomfortable around her. He couldn't understand it. One morning he saw her coming out of the bathroom clad in only a towel. That was a scene that he had already seen at the Burrow, but at that moment, he felt a strange tug in his stomach. He was hot and cold at same time, a strange feeling, indeed. He had to practically run to his room to…to...well, er, relieve himself. How embarrassing! And things became worse. Apparently, she seemed to have forgotten what pants were. She was only wearing dresses and skirts that showed her creamy legs.
If, during the day, the young wizard could manage to restrain himself from embarrassing situations, at night, in bed, in his dreams, things were very different. That wasn't the only night that he didn't have strange and sweaty dreams about his best female friend.
Oh, Merlin, help me. I'm here with her for 14 days! This can't continue. What about when we move to Grimmauld Place? It was wonderful that Remus and Tonks invited us to live there with them and give us private lessons, but Ron would be there soon too. OH. MY. GOD. What will I say to him if something embarrassing happened in front of him? 'Sorry, mate, but our best friend, the girl you fancy, makes me feel very excited. Oh, and by the way, I have wet dreams about her too…'
It was good that Ron didn't notice anything unusual between his two friends when he was with Professor McGonagall. But Harry's mind was focused in other things at the time. The meeting went pretty well; Harry wasn't really surprise when she told them she already knew they wouldn't come back to Hogwarts.
'Albus (his portrait) told me that you three will be going on a kind of mission. He said that I should give you permission to use the library and with anything else that you may need. I agreed but I only ask you to tell me first and if you must something after the curfew, the other students can't know."
Harry was pretty curious about Grimmauld Place. Professor McGonagall said that the place was safe. If it were up to him, they would have moved in already but Hermione and Ron thought it would be better to do this after Bill's wedding.
Oh, Merlin. The wedding! Harry thought. I almost forgot. I'll see Ginny there…how will I act around her? What I will say? I know what I NEED to say and I know she'll be really hurt when she realizes that Hermione and Ron and I will not be going back to Hogwarts but the wedding is a month away… I still have time to think.
Now, I must sleep. Ron will be here tomorrow. I just hope don't dream this time.
But he dreamed.
00000
The next day
A very tall and redheaded young man sat in the living room with his two best friends eating his FIFTH piece of cake.
"Ron! Haven't you eaten enough?" cried an exasperated Hermione.
"Come on, Hermy…"
She gave him a murderous look.
"NEVER. I MEAN, NEVER. CALL ME HERMY!"
Ron gulped in fear.
"Sorry."
Harry watched his two friends. Always bickering, he thought. Of course, he could sense a little tension between those two. He couldn't blame them. After all, they had kissed each other and if wasn't because of him, because of Voldemort, they probably would be together. Harry shook his head to vanish his thoughts.
"Well guys, when you're finished, we can talk about Godric's Hollow. I want to go there before we start figuring out who R.A.B is and about the horcruxes. I don't know why, bu I think I want some kind of blessing," Harry said.
Hermione gave him a small smile and Ron gave a little tap on his shoulder.
"We understand, mate."
"Harry?" Hermione asked. "You said that your apparition test will be on the twenty fifth, right?"
"I couldn't believe your dad arranged that for me. I know I might have to wait," Harry said to Ron.
"Yes, Neville and Macmillan will do the test next year. My dad told Scrimgeour that you would need to have the license, some kind of 'national security'. But you know, you'll only receive the license…"
"September third, I know."
"That brings me to my question, Harry. What do you say we go to Godric's Hollow after you get your license? I know you want to go before the wedding but wouldn't it be wise if we go there when you can apparate? Legally, I mean," Ron asked.
"You're right. I want to go there before the wedding but…well, I guess afterward is as good a time as any."
"Mate, er, do you know where Godric's Hollow is?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. But then…
'Wait! I don't know where it is!'
Laughing, Harry answered his friend.
"Yes, Ron, I know where it is. Don't worry, it's in Wales. Remus told me it's a very small village. It's located in an island called Holy Island."
Hermione opened her eyes wide in shock and a big smile crossed her face. She jumped and almost yelled, "I'll be right back!"
"What was that about?" asked a very confused Ron.
"I don't know, Ron. I really don't know."
Minutes later, Hermione was back. She had brought a map of Great Britain and, of course, Hogwarts, a History. The boys promptly rolled their eyes at her.
Ignoring them, Hermione opened the map and pointed to the little place where they the words "Holy Island" could be read and on the island were written the names 'Holyhead' 'South Stack Valley'….
"Godric's Hollow isn't …"
"Well, Ron, like Harry said, it's a very small village. But that's not the point. Do you know what the name 'HELGA' means?"
The boys shook their heads.
Hermione didn't answer instead she opened her book.
" Sorting Hat's Song - 1994: "
"Hermione."
"Ron, read only THIS," and she point to a phrase: 'Sweet Hufflepuff, from Valley broad'
Harry and Ron looked at her. She had a triumphant smile.
"And, my dear friends, Helga is a word from the old German language. It means HOLY."
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Thanks to my beta Mabel!