Disclaimer: Trust me, if I were JKR, the abomination that was HBP would never have happened.
Minutes after Harry and Hermione left Privet Drive, Remus Lupin arrived with Nymphadora Tonks and Mad-Eye Moody. They were mildly surprised to discover that Harry and Hermione were no longer there, but even more surprised at the lack of the Dursley family.
"They've probably made a run for it," Mad-Eye said, suspicious as always.
Tonks shook her head. "There's no way, I know Harry. He wouldn't just run off like that."
Lupin eyed her, noting her mousy brown hair. He was used to seeing something rather fluorescent atop her head. "We all think we know Harry, but really, he could have done anything. Harry promised Dumbledore he would carry on even if he died. He's always been a man of his word, and that's not likely to change now."
Moody began grumbling something to himself and wandered towards the back of the house, checking for any signs of foul play. Tonks and Lupin stayed behind in the living room.
"I bet they ran off together," Tonks reflected quietly. "I've always thought that those two were made for each other from the beginning and just couldn't see it yet."
"'Dora…" Lupin grasped her hand, squeezing it for comfort. He knew she'd be taking it personally that Harry had left.
"Remus, don't," she warned, taking her hand back. "And no one calls me by my first name except Harry. I won't-"
"Let anyone else that close?" he finished. She looked at him, not knowing what to say. "What's with your hair, anyway? I've never seen it like this."
Tonks screwed up her face in concentration, and then gave up. "I haven't been able to morph, Remus. It was coming back as I accepted Sirius' death, but ever since-"
"Dumbledore's death?" he interrupted.
"Dammit, Remus, will you ever listen to me?" she paused, waiting to see if he said anything. He remained silent; hands at his sides, with an almost pleading look on his face. "Ever since Dumbledore's death, yes, but that's not what's preventing it. I've never been so…" she shook her head. "Never mind, there's no point. You've already made your point quite clear. You're too old, too poor, too dangerous, too-"
"Too in love with you to risk hurting you?"
"Remus, I swear, if you don't shut it, I'm gonna-what?" Tonks blinked, watching as Lupin looked at her oddly. A few seconds later, her hair began to turn the same colour as her flushed cheeks.
"'Dora, your hair! It's pink!" Lupin exclaimed.
"For Merlin's sake, Remus, what is-my hair is what?!" Tonks hurried to the bathroom, and peeked inside. A high-pitched shriek reached Lupin's ears in the living room, followed by a witch topped with pink cotton candy-like hair.
Lupin grabbed her by the arms and held her firmly in front of him.
"I can morph again! Merlin, I thought it was gone for… Remus? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Now who's not listening? Did you just completely ignore what I said?"
"My hair is pink?" Tonks said meekly, feeling that she'd missed something in the excitement.
Lupin looked deep into her eyes, trying to decide what to say. He dipped his head low, and kissed her instead.
"As I was saying, I'm too in love with you to risk hurting you. That's why we can't be together." He said sadly.
"Remus John Lupin, if you think that I'm going to just stand here and take it when you kiss me and tell me you can't be with me in the same breath, then you're sadly mistaken." Tonks glared. She pressed herself closer to him, breathing deeply. "Tell me you don't feel something, Remus. Tell me that being this close to me, that kissing me, doesn't do anything for you." She planted a kiss on his lips before he could even say anything.
Lupin snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her in, hard. "I can't tell you that," he said gruffly, "because it isn't true." Tonks' eyes began to shine at his words, but he quickly dimmed their brightness. "But we can't be together. It's not safe. I'm not safe."
"Dammit, Remus, you are the most stubborn man on the planet! Is this because you're a werewolf?! I thought we went over that already! For the love of Merlin, if it's not a problem for Fleur and Bill, then it shouldn't be a problem for us!"
There were tears in her eyes now as she fought with the man she loved. Tonks didn't understand. If Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour could still get married, then why couldn't she and Remus be together?
"It's not the same! Bill's not a full werewolf! He wasn't bitten at the full moon, or when Fenrir was in wolf form! I am a werewolf! There's no telling what I could do to you as a wolf, and I don't want to find out!" Lupin turned away, hiding his face from her.
His words began to dawn on Tonks. She couldn't remember a time that Lupin had ever had a girlfriend, before or after Fenrir's attack. Had he ever been with a woman?
"Remus," she said softly, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Remus, you don't have to be scared. I'm not scared. I trust you."
"I don't want to hurt you, Nymphadora. I've never been in the situation where certain… animalistic instincts may take over. I don't know what my reaction would be. I don't know how much of the wolf side of me would come out. I just… I don't know!"
Tonks wheeled him around and kissed him, hard this time. Passionate. She stroked his tongue with hers, tangling her fingers in his hair.
"Did you feel anything wolfish there?" She asked gently.
Lupin stared at her, blinking. "Huh?"
"Did. You. Feel. Anything. You. Git." Tonks repeated slowly.
Remus grabbed her and kissed her, letting himself go. He felt almost as though he were devouring her soul, and he'd never felt closer to anyone.
"Ahem." Mad-Eye Moody cleared his throat.
Tonks and Lupin broke apart immediately. "We were, uh… we were just…"
"It's alright," Moody interrupted Tonks. "I was wondering how much longer it'd take you two before you gave in to it. Though this may not be the time…" His magical eye swivelled around the perimeter of the house. "We may have company coming."
The three quickly Apparated to Grimmauld Place, leaving Privet Drive behind.
<><><><><>
Half an hour later, Hermione paid the cab driver as she and Harry got out at Charing Cross Road. Fortunately Hermione had a few pound notes in her jeans pocket, which saved them the trouble of walking to the Leaky Cauldron. She and Harry had come to the conclusion that they were going to need money if they were going to disappear, which required stopping at Gringott's in Diagon Alley.
Before they entered the pub, Hermione charmed Harry's trunk back to normal so that he could get his Invisibility Cloak. She quickly returned it to its travelling size, and they slipped under the cloak and through the door.
The barman, Tom, saw the door open and the bricks begin to turn on the entrance to the Alley, but he simply said nothing. He knew Harry Potter liked his secrecy and was most likely using his cloak to pass through unnoticed, which Dumbledore had warned him about prior to his death. He went back to drying glasses, which seemed redundant, as he had no customers. Dumbledore's death did not improve business. In fact, he hadn't had a single customer since the funeral, and only kept the bar open so that people could pass through to Diagon Alley.
Harry huddled close to Hermione under the cloak, heading towards Gringotts. They slipped through the door when another patron was headed out, remaining unnoticed. Harry directed them towards the Goblin at the far end of the row, and began to whisper to him.
"Sir, you may not see anything in front of you, but I am a patron of your bank and I am in need of the utmost discretion. My name is Harry Potter. If you could please find Griphook and have him meet me at the entrance to the vaults, I would greatly appreciate it."
Without giving the Goblin a chance to argue, they walked away, hearing him whisper "Mr. Potter, sir?" They waited by the nearest cart, and shortly the Goblin Griphook appeared.
"Sir, I am not sure of your whereabouts at the moment, but I am impressed that you remember who I am. If you would be so kind as to get in the cart, I will take you to your vault where we may further discuss your needs." Griphook addressed the empty air. He waited a few seconds, and then looked over the edge of the cart. Inside, no longer under the safety of the cloak, Harry and Hermione huddled below the edge of the cart so that only Griphook could see them there. "Ah, Mr. Potter, sir. I had no idea you had brought Miss Granger along. Come along then, let's go down to your vault."
Griphook climbed in after them, and they rode in silence to Harry's vault. When they arrived, the Goblin held out his hand for Harry's key, and opened the vault.
Hermione gasped in surprise. She had thought she was misreading the statement next to the vault door, but the numerous piles of Galleons indicated that her eyes did not deceive her.
"Mr. Potter, as you know, you have already inherited both the Potter Family Estate and the Black Family Estate. With the untimely passing of Albus Dumbledore, we had the usual legal matters to attend to. I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that you have been named Headmaster Dumbledore's heir. You have inherited property and various belongings of his, as well a portion of his financial holdings. Before the reading of the will, which was early this morning, your vault statement read 10, 465, 783 Galleons. It now reads 15, 794, 926 Galleons. You have inherited 5, 329, 143 Galleons from Headmaster Dumbledore's Estate. Congratulations, Mr. Potter. I daresay that you are now the most eligible bachelor in the entire Wizarding world. In case you're unsure of how vast your fortune really is, it is over seventy million pounds, or one hundred and twenty million American dollars."
Harry blinked and staggered backwards. Harry Potter, a millionaire? A multimillionaire? He looked down at himself, registering his shabby appearance. Was this any way for a rich man to dress? Material things may not hold much importance for him, but at least he could buy himself some clothes that fit. He knew that he had a large amount of Galleons in his vault, but hearing how much it was in British pounds was a reality check.
"Mr. Potter, do you understand what I am telling you? You now own roughly one third of the property held by the Wizarding world, and you have enough money in your vault that you would never have to work in your life."
Harry nodded. "I understand, Griphook. I just wish I hadn't acquired it in this manner."
Griphook gestured in agreement. Hermione recognized the look on her friend's face, and slipped her hand into his for comfort.
"Griphook, I need to withdraw fifty thousand Galleons, and convert half of it into Sterling notes." He cleared his throat, not allowing his emotions to get the best of him.
The Goblin nodded, and handed Harry two bags from the cart. "Place twenty-five thousand galleons in each bag, and I will convert one bag into pounds for you."
Minutes later the transaction was over, and Harry's bags were charmed small enough to be coin purses. He stuffed them into his pockets, and turned to thank Griphook.
"I appreciate your assistance and discretion, Griphook. If there should be any other changes to my vault, please notify me. I would also appreciate it if you would keep mine and Miss Granger's visit today a secret."
"Of course, Mr. Potter, but before you go there is one more thing." Griphook gestured to a crate on the floor. "Upon the deaths of your godfather and headmaster, the Goblins separated the objects in the vaults into two crates: dangerous magical items, and safe magical items. The dangerous ones are locked in a separate vault, for which I will give you the key in a moment. This crate is the safe objects. There are several items that you may find interesting. You and Miss Granger are free to peruse this crate and take whichever items you'd like. When you are done return to the cart, put your cloak back on, and you will be returned to the lobby."
He nodded as a means of saying goodbye, handed Harry the key to the other vault, and left them alone.
"Lumos," Harry ignited the tip of his wand, and peered into the crate.
"Oh, Harry, these are beautiful!" Hermione exclaimed, carefully handling several pieces of jewellery. Most of them had come from Grimmauld Place, but some were from the Potter estate.
Harry lifted a jewellery box from the bottom of the crate. It was scarlet velvet, covered in dust. He carefully lifted the lid to discover it was lined with gold silk. Resting in the centre were three rings. His mother's engagement ring, and his parents' wedding bands. There were also two gold chains in the box, which Harry presumed Lily and James Potter had used to wear their rings in a more discreet place.
He slid the larger band onto one of the chains, assuming it belonged to his father by the size. He placed his mother's band onto the second chain, and paused for a few moments to examine the engagement ring. It was a gold band with a large diamond solitaire in the centre, and two small baguettes on either side. He held it to the light for a better look.
Hermione squealed. "Harry, do you know what that is?!" she exclaimed.
"My mum's engagement ring," he said, without taking his eyes off of it. It seemed almost strange to him, as if the centre diamond was glowing from within.
"It's a Glitra Diamond! I've only ever read about these in books, I've never actually seen one!"
Harry stared at her blankly. "It's a what?"
Hermione immediately reverted to bookworm mode. "A Glitra Diamond. One of the most rare precious stones in the world. They were ordinary diamonds at first, but a very powerful wizard who had training in Gemology cut the diamonds from their raw form. He infused magic into them as he developed the stones, causing them to seem like they glitter from within. It is said that a person wearing a piece of jewellery made from a Glitra Diamond will develop some sort of a connection with the person who gave them the piece."
"So what if someone buys one for themselves?"
Hermione looked at him like he'd just spoken Parseltongue. "Are you crazy? Do you know how much these cost? There's only three left in the world, Harry. I've only ever heard of them being used in engagement rings or some form of wedding jewellery."
Harry shrugged. "It's just a diamond," he muttered.
Hermione flushed, almost embarrassed, but she was dying to ask him a question. "Harry, would you… would you mind if I tried it on?" she asked.
Again, he shrugged. "Just don't break it, it was my mum's."
She shot him a reproachful look. "It's a diamond, Harry. It's the hardest substance in the world. Besides, this is me you're talking to, not Ron. I'm not going to break it."
He handed her the ring and she slipped it on her finger, admiring the way the diamond glittered. Harry watched as her face began to glow, as though she were lit from within like the stone.
"Here." He handed her the chain with his mother's wedding band on it. "Put it on this chain, and wear it around your neck."
Hermione looked at him, confused. "But Harry, it's-"
"It belonged to my mum, I know. I'm taking my dad's ring and wearing it, so you might as well take my mum's. I'm not leaving them behind, and I'd look a bit silly wearing that, wouldn't I?" he reasoned, slipping the ring from her finger onto the chain. He fastened it around her neck, letting his fingers linger a moment longer than usual.
Besides, you looked so beautiful when you put it on, how could I leave it behind? Harry thought to himself. Then he realized the thought that had just passed through his head. Beautiful? Hermione? He stopped to look at her, watching as she tenderly fingered the ring around her neck. His gaze began to travel downwards, and for the first time that day he noticed what she was wearing.
He gulped.
She was kneeling on the floor of his vault, bent over the crate examining the contents. He had moved around to face her, and appreciatively took in her attire. She was wearing an emerald green tank top, almost the exact shade as his eyes. A pair of khaki shorts ended long before her knees, and she was wearing sandals. Her toes peeked out from the end, painted the same colour as her tank top. Hermione's kneeling position over the crate allowed Harry a rather generous glance at something normally covered by her school robes. Though her tank top may have been tight, it couldn't prevent Harry's fantastic view from his standing position.
He forced his eyes to travel back up her body, pausing on her face. There was something about her eyes. They seemed to have the tiniest flecks of emerald in them, like his eyes. Perhaps it was the way the light was hitting her face, but Harry wasn't sure. Her hair - her hair! How had he not noticed it that morning? It was nowhere near as bushy as usual; it seemed as though she had used an excessive amount of Sleekeazy potion to tame it like she had years before.
Her eyes flicked up towards him, and suddenly Harry began to doubt her earlier statement about diamonds being the hardest substance in the world. She seemed to have an almost hungry look in her eyes, and it was making him think thoughts he shouldn't. She's your best friend! Your best friend!
He quickly dropped to his knees across from her, letting his t-shirt hide his obvious discomfort.
"Harry, what is it?" she said, noticing the glazed look in his eyes.
Harry was lost in his thoughts, trying to push them out of his head. She is your best friend, what are you thinking?
"Harry?" she asked again, resting her hand on his arm. He began to tingle all over.
"Sorry, what?" he said shaking his head.
Hermione looked at him sceptically. "You're not even listening to me? I asked what was wrong! You looked lost in thought."
"I was just noticing… your hair! What did you do to it?" he stumbled over his words.
She smoothed a hand over her hair. "Oh, Fred and George found a way to make the Sleekeazy potion permanent. They've added a line of magical beauty products to the love potion section, and they thought I'd like to try it. They've decided to keep the joke shop going despite, well, everything," she faltered. "Why, does it look bad?"
"Bad? Hermione, are you kidding? You look-" Harry realized what he was about to say, and quickly changed the subject. "Hey, can you help me get this chain around my neck? I'm no good with clasps when I can't see them."
Hermione obliged, resolving to find out later what Harry had been about to say.
They scooped a few objects out of the crate, added them to the sack of Galleons, and left the bank.