16
Harry smiled as he looked around at the familiar surroundings of Hermione's home.
"Travel is such a bitch," Hermione teased with a giggle.
Harry smiled. Hermione's parents weren't home yet. "Where is everyone?'
Crookshanks walked into the lounge room and straight to Hermione, demanding attention. She picked him up and nuzzled him against her chin while Harry left the room.
Hermione looked about and saw the house was exactly as she had left it as Harry walked back in to the room, holding the locket.
"I was worried about this the whole time we were away," he said, not taking his eyes off it. Harry opened it again and saw that the note from the mysterious R.A.B. was still enclosed.
"So what now?"
"It never leaves my sight."
"And - - ?" she wanted to know.
Harry shook his head. "Not here."
She nodded and looked up at the clock. "I thought they would be home by now. Maybe I should call Mum and see how late she'll be."
Harry agreed. "I can get started on dinner if you like."
"Hold on. Mum may have got something on the way."
"Okay. I'm going to see Hedwig."
Harry left and heard Hedwig's hoot before he'd reached the back door.
"Sorry, girl," he apologized. "I haven't forgotten about you."
Harry pocketed the locket and placed Hedwig on his shoulder. He examined her cage to make sure it was clean and that she had plenty of water. He gave her an owl treat and lightly stroked her feathers. They remained like that until Hermione found them.
"Hedwig still hasn't forgiven me for not spending time with her. What did your Mum and Dad say?"
"Mum said she is just leaving. She'll be home in half and hour and Dad a little after that."
"Do you want me to start dinner?"
"Harry, that's sweet. But I couldn't let you."
Harry paused; the light bulb in his head had just come on. "Although, perhaps we could take them out for dinner."
"Out? Harry, I don't think they'll be up to going anywhere."
"I wasn't talking about a restaurant."
"Where then?"
Harry smiled. Hermione smiled, getting Harry's meaning.
"Do you think he'd mind?"
"`They,' you mean. Winky is there too. Let's ask!"
***
Dan allowed the keys to drop onto the hallstand, remembering too late that Emma hated for him to do that. He walked in and saw Harry, Hermione and Emma smiling up at him from the lounge. He gave the air a cursory sniff to see if he could smell dinner. He couldn't.
"Hey!" he said.
"How was your day, Dad?" Hermione asked.
"Hectic, that's what I get for having a few days off. How is everyone else?" He kissed Emma and then Hermione before smiling at Harry.
"Ready for dinner?" Emma asked.
Dan frowned. "I'm starved, but I can't smell anything."
Hermione and Emma stood and Dan caught the mischievous look in Hermione's eye. "Ready Mum?"
"Let's do it."
CRACK!
Dan wasn't expecting to see his wife and daughter to simply disappear from the room and looked to Harry for an explanation.
"Dinner!" Harry said, as if that explained everything.
CRACK! Hermione reappeared.
"Ready, Dad?"
"I take it you haven't booked a table at the Beachcomber?"
CRACK!
Harry was now on his own. He wondered if Voldemort had a spy in the Grangers' house, and if so would he know where they were all going? Not that it really mattered. They were safe there.
CRACK!
Hermione leant into Harry and placed her arms around his neck, giving him a very long kiss.
CRACK!
The four stood in the entry way of Grimmauld place, and Emma laughed to see Harry and Hermione were still kissing. Dan gave Hermione a raised eyebrow look, but it was for effect only. He had gotten quite used to seeing the two together.
"Dinner smells good," Dan said.
CRACK!
Dobby and Winky stood before them in the entry way. "Master Harry Potter!" Dobby said.
"Mistress Hermione," Winky added.
Harry leant down to address the house elves. "These are Hermione's parents: Mr. and Mrs. Granger."
"Dobby, Winky, pleased to meet you," Emma said. "But you can call us - - ."
"Forget it, Mum," Hermione said. "House elves are too formal to use first names."
"This way please," Dobby said and he bounded off through a doorway to the right, followed by Winky. They walked in to see the table had been set with linen and fine china. The light had been dimmed and the table was illuminated with candles.
"Dobby, this is beautiful!" Hermione said. "You too, Winky."
"Thank you, Mistress," Winky said with a curtsey.
"I think you have a fan, `Moine," Harry said with a grin.
"So this is your home, Harry?" Dan asked. Harry removed Emma's chair and held it for her as she sat, then pushed it in for her.
"Thank you, kind sir," Emma said giggling. Harry then did the same for Hermione with the same response.
"This is it. Sirius left it to me. Nobody expected that, least of all me."
"And it's unplottable, you say?"
Hermione nodded. "To anyone outside it just looks like a vacant lot. Even if Riddle had his nose pressed up against a window-not that he would see a window-he would have no idea we are here."
"The only way to get here is with the permission of the Secret Keeper," Harry told them. "Who just so happens to be - - ."
"Me!" Hermione finished.
Emma looked at Harry. "I thought you were the secret keeper."
"I was. Remus and I both were. As from today it is Hermione and Remus."
Dan looked at his daughter. "But it's your house, Harry."
"And I wasn't sure the secret would be safe with me. All it means is that I have to be with Hermione or Remus to get to and from here. I hope that's all right?"
Dan looked at Emma. "Why would we mind knowing Hermione is only a second away from being somewhere safe? Does this mean she can come here from Hogwarts if he shows up there?"
"Dad," Hermione explained, "Hogwarts has anti-Apparition charms which means nobody can simply pop in or out."
Dan nodded as Dobby appeared. "Dinner, Masters and Mistresses." Levitating silver trays gently rested on the table. Dan's eyes saw at once the meal.
"Beef Wellington! This looks great, smells great too. Thank you, Dobby and Winky."
They began filling their plates and started the meal.
***
"Impressive!" Emma said. "I can tell Hermione is going to hate it here." Emma looked at the rows and rows of books.
"Big mistake, Harry. You'll never get her out of here." Dan wandered the isles of the library function of the Room of Requirement. "What else can this room be again?"
"A duelling room, the Gryffindor common room - - ."
"You never told me that!" Hermione squealed.
"You never asked. I thought it would be nice to have a sort-of home away from home."
"Let's see!" Hermione said. She was really excited now and practically pulled her parents out of the room. Without waiting to be asked, Hermione walked around three times and the door that vanished after closing a second before reappeared.
Hermione flung the door open and ran inside. Emma and Dan followed.
Inside was the familiar colours and furniture of the place they had all spent more time together than anywhere else. The fire blazed, and the comfortable seats looked more comfortable. Hermione was surprised to see the windows had the exact same views as at Hogwarts.
"So THIS is where you do all your planning?" Dan asked. "Do you have a favourite chair?"
Hermione patted the back of the armchair, and was not at all surprised to find if felt EXACTLY the same as the one at Hogwarts.
"It's also a duelling room. Which is what we first used it for," Harry told them.
"How many rooms are there in this house?" Emma asked.
Harry laughed. "No one has been able to count them. Every time we look there are more. There has to be at least ten bedrooms. And I know I've seen four different bathrooms."
"You could turn this into a hotel," Dan suggested.
"Remus and Tonks will be staying here. You heard they're getting married?" Harry asked.
Emma had that `there's-going-to-be-a-wedding' smile. "We heard. They will be staying here?"
"Tonks' apartment is tiny. They couldn't have any room there at all," Harry said.
"And that's a BAD thing?" Emma asked smiling. Dan hit her on the arm and Hermione blushed.
"They make a lovely couple," Emma said. "They hardly left each other's side at Fleur and Bill's wedding."
They looked about before finally leaving the room behind, heading for the stairs.
They walked down to the first floor and to the first door near the stairs. "My room!" Harry said, and opened the door.
"Oh my!" Hermione said. The abnormally large room had a large, four poster queen-size bed in the centre. Wardrobes and drawers stood at one end and a small, round table at the other with two chairs. Another large comfortable reading chair was placed against the window with a fireplace was situated in the centre of the wall opposite; a bathroom was placed at the end. The whole room was decorated in the colours of Gryffindor.
"This is lovely, Harry," Emma said.
"Very smart!" Dan agreed.
"Why is it so large?" Hermione asked.
Harry shrugged. "This is the master bedroom. Most of the others are smaller than this."
"Where next?" Emma asked.
"Third floor: more bedrooms." Harry ran out of his room and up two flights of stairs. Hermione chased him while her parents followed at their own pace.
Harry opened the first door and they saw an average sized room with twin single beds. The room was decorated in soft fabrics and was pink throughout.
"Girls' room," Harry said.
"Which girls?" Dan asked.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. He just assumed it would make for a room for girls due to the colours. He tried to imagine Ron's face if he stayed here.
"My room?" Hermione asked with a laugh.
Harry hadn't thought about that. Why not? She was the Secret Keeper. She could, after all, stay here if she liked or the situation dictated.
"Why not?" he agreed. "It's a little bigger than your room at home."
"The bed isn't."
Harry didn't think of that. The situation here was reversed from Hermione's place. There, he had a single bed (not that he had used it much) and she had a double. Here, his bed was massive and hers was tiny.
By that time, Dan and Emma were looking at the rest of the rooms on the level.
"Four more bedrooms here," Dan said. "Upstairs?"
"More." Harry answered.
Emma looked at the stairs leading upward. "Two more levels?"
Harry nodded. "The top level is just one large bedroom, a bath, and a sitting area."
"Perfect for Remus and Tonks to have the whole top level," Hermione suggested.
"That's what I said."
Emma looked at Dan, exchanging something. "Let's go see if dessert is ready," Emma said. She took Dan's arm and walked down the stairs. Harry went to follow but Hermione stayed him with a hand on his shoulder.
"What was that?" she asked in a whisper.
"The look your mum gave your dad?" Hermione nodded.
"I'm not sure. Maybe she doesn't like the idea of you staying here."
Hermione gave him a look. Before she could speak Harry laughed.
"I meant being here. Maybe they aren't happy you are here at all."
That wasn't it. "No," Hermione said. "They haven't stopped smiling since they arrived. Come on."
She grabbed his hand and ran down the stairs. Halfway down from the second level they passed Hermione's parent's and kept running.
"She hates it here," Emma said.
"I can tell."
The Grangers walked back into the dining room just as Harry and Hermione took their seats. Dan and Emma joined them and Dobby appeared. He snapped his fingers and a tray with four desserts levitated toward the table.
Emma could smell the chocolate before dessert had been served. She looked down to see golden crepes covered with vanilla ice cream and generous amounts of chocolate topping.
"Looks too good to eat," Emma said. Hermione didn't agree: she was already into hers.
"Dobby, Winky, this may be the best dessert ever," Harry told them. The house elves smiled at the praise and were gone again.
"They keep doing that?" Dan asked.
"Popping in and out? Yeah, they're not much for walking around," Harry explained.
"So, Harry," Dan said again. "This is your home, right?" Harry nodded, wondering why Dan was asking the question.
"And Remus and Tonks will be staying here?"
He nodded again. "They could have joined us but Remus has taken Tonks to dinner."
"To propose," Hermione giggled. "Somehow I don't think it's going to be a surprise."
Harry would be surprised if the staff at the restaurant would be surprised; it was probably already in tomorrow's Daily Prophet.
Dan looked at Emma again and Hermione put her fork down, waiting to see what was going on.
"She'd hate it here," Dan said.
"Every minute! Harry, do you go outside here at all?" Emma asked.
Harry shook his head. "I have to be careful about the owls flying around and I wouldn't risk the Floo. The best way of keeping this place secret is to stay inside at all times. Sirius was cooped up here on his own for months. It almost drove him crazy."
"But school goes back in two weeks," Emma reminded him. Harry knew that, he hadn't forgotten.
"So if you stayed here, you'd have to stay inside, cooped up for two weeks."
"Tonks and Remus will pop in and out. Tonks still works at the Ministry."
"And Remus?" Dan asked.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know where he goes, but he goes for weeks at a time. And he is gone every full moon," he said, reminding Dan that Remus was a werewolf.
"Why so many questions, Dad?" Hermione asked.
"Are you worried about me staying at your place?" Harry asked.
"Well," Dan started. "I have no problem with you being at our home. It's just that, situations could easily change, so you may be there on your own."
Hermione looked at Harry, neither understanding.
"What your father is trying to say, dear, is the cruise we were planning on booking..." Emma said; Hermione nodded.
"For the week you two are back at school..." Dan continued; Harry nodded.
"We can't get the cabin we would like to have."
"So the cruise is off?" Hermione asked, disappointed for them.
"Perhaps not," Dan said. "I called this morning and there IS an opening if we book earlier."
"How much earlier?" Hermione asked.
"Thursday."
Two days away, Hermione thought.
"So - - ," Emma started.
"You want Hermione to stay here?" Harry asked incredulously. He looked at her and there was no doubt what her answer would be, or indeed was. Hermione grabbed him around the neck, squeezing him tight.
"I guess between Remus and Tonks, there shouldn't be a problem," Emma said. "Seeing as how Hermione is the Secret Keeper."
"And if anything does happen, we can Apparate to the Burrow or to the Ministry if we had to," Hermione said.
Dan wasn't sure. He would be leaving Harry and Hermione together for the whole time until school went back, with only Remus and Tonks to look in on them. He looked to his daughter, whom he could tell was already imagining herself and Harry staying together.
He looked to Emma, whom he knew trusted them both. Dan felt he was making the right decision but...
Emma and Hermione burst into simultaneous laughter and Dan looked from one to the other to see what was so funny; they were both looking at Harry. Dan looked at Harry and immediately started laughing himself. Harry was sitting there with the largest smile any of them had ever seen; it was as if he was a little boy and had just caught Santa Claus in the act of delivering presents.
***
CRACK!
Harry and Hermione were the last to Apparate back to Hermione's house. Harry looked around and smiled; he really liked the time he had spent here so far. His house was bigger, and the Grangers didn't have the luxury of magic.
But there was something even better. Hermione had family, and love. She had support and a nurturing home. Oh, and books too. As much as Harry and Ron teased Hermione about being a bookworm, Harry knew she was more than just the sum of her books... much more. And the boys knew without Hermione's brilliance, they would never have managed with the things they had in the past couple of years.
Harry silently remembered her lying on the floor of the Department of Mysteries. For the length of time it took a heart to beat, he feared she was dead. He now looked at her smiling back at him. What would he do if something happened to her? Harry loved her, and he wasn't asking for anything in return. But what he really wanted, above all was the knowledge that she was always safe.
None of them were safe! Now back at Hermione's house, he had to be careful in what he said. Harry wouldn't need to remind Hermione, though he WOULD need to be reminding Ron at least once an hour. Ginny too would be mostly sensible, though she had blurted out things in the past without thinking. How did the Order of the Phoenix manage for as long as it had?
"What?" Hermione asked when she saw his look.
"I miss Fawkes," he said simply. "And - - ."
Hermione nodded and walked to Harry, hugging him. "I know, we all do," she whispered into his ear, not releasing him.
Harry hugged her tighter. Of course he wasn't the only one that missed him. Harry was no different than every other student and teacher of the school. They all missed him and would no doubt have an empty spot in their heart for the rest of their lives.
Hermione kissed Harry's cheek; her parents had already left the lounge-room, no doubt to get a start on their packing.
"Will your parents need a hand?" he asked
Hermione shook her head. "Mum won't. She is always leaving for weekend conferences and things. She'll be fine, and she'll tell Dad what to take."
"I'd take everything," Harry said. "I wouldn't be able to decide what I'd need, so I'd take it all."
Hermione giggled. "So like a boy. They won't have room in their cabin to simply take all their clothes, Harry. How many suitcases do you think they have?"
"They only need one," Harry replied with a smile. "One that acted like my trunk. It's ever-expanding. I can keep piling stuff in and the interior keeps expanding to make room. Outside, it's the same sized trunk."
Hermione laughed at the thought. She knew her father would love the idea. She looked at the clock and saw it wasn't late.
"Do you want to watch a movie?" she asked. Harry shook his head; something was worrying him.
"Come on then," Hermione said, and she led him to the kitchen. She put the kettle on and prepared to make tea.
Harry laughed. "Is this your way of finding out what I'm worried about?" Hermione nodded, smiling.
"And you expect that a cup of tea is all it takes for me to talk?"
Hermione nodded. "Sugar?" she asked sweetly.
Harry laughed again. "One, as you well know. All right, I'm worried about you."
"Why me?"
"What happens if - -?" Harry reminded himself that the walls may have ears. "If while they are gone - - ?"
Now it was Hermione's turn to nod.
"We'll be safe, together," she assured him.
"And back at school?"
"We'll still be together. It's not like we don't know what is coming AND we won't be alone. We'll have McGonagall, the teachers, as well as the D.A."
Harry hadn't thought of the D.A. since before the days of Dumbledore's funeral.
"Don't count on it. For all we know, we may be the only students there. Except for Ron, Ginny and now Gabrielle, it may be that many, if not all the students are kept away by their parents. Remember what Seamus's parents said?"
"That was before Dumbledore died. Even the Prophet and now the Ministry confirmed what you were saying all along, Harry. No one is accusing you of making stories - - ."
"I don't care what people accuse me of any more, Hermione. They can talk about me behind my back, point and laugh, or avoid me completely. I don't care."
Hermione paused, placing the tea before him.
"I'm scared," Harry said simply, avoiding her eyes.
"Harry." Hermione's voice had an almost musical quality about it. It was soft and sweet and Harry could feel himself drawing strength just from hearing his name on her lips. He could not help but smile at her.
"Harry," she said again. "What was it Remus said to you back in third year? He'd be worried if you WEREN'T scared?"
Harry nodded "Something like that. It was something like if I wasn't scared it meant I wasn't paying attention."
"So what's changed?"
"That was before he came back. Before the Triwizard competition and before Dumbledore died. If I was scared then - - ."
She went to him and held him. "But you're not alone, Harry. You have us. You have me."
"That's part of the problem, Hermione. I'm scared I - -," and now Harry's voice dropped to a whisper. He placed his lips near her ear and continued. "I'm scared I won't be able to protect you."
"Harry," she said. "Shall we go somewhere were we can talk?" She smiled at him and Harry instantly understood her meaning.
"Good," he said.
CRACK!
***
Emma cocked her ear; she had heard the sound of Disapparition and looked to Dan. He was still packing sweaters into one large bag; he had obviously not heard.
"You don't need as many sweaters as you have," she told him.
Dan gave her an inquiring look. "You know how cold I get by the sea. I expect we'll be spending a lot of time admiring the stars so I'll need all of these."
"The stars?" Emma asked "Sounds romantic."
Dan smiled. "Well, why not? I'm already looking forward to this. As long as I know Hermione and Harry will be all right."
Emma nodded. "We're doing the right thing?"
Dan now stopped and fell into thought. "The cruise - definitely! Hermione and Harry? - Probably. Look Em, it's not like you and I can do anything to protect them until school goes back. They'll be safe at - - ."
And now it was Emma's turn to remind him. "Shhh!!" she cried, looking around.
Dan nodded. "Sorry. Yes, they will be safe, especially with - - . And by leaving on this one, we'll be back at most 4 days after school returns, even giving us extra time in Genoa."
"And then?" Dan was surprised that Emma was expressing doubt; that was usually his job.
"I don't know. But I know they'll be together, with their teachers. Remember, the Ministry is doing everything they can."
Emma had forgotten the Minister of Magic had paid them a visit. She remembered back to how Harry looked after being forced to spend an evening with Voldemort. "And I guess at least he won't be alone."
Dan nodded. "Though I'd be happier knowing Dumbledore was still at the helm. But we've met Minerva, I like her style."
Emma agreed, "No nonsense and she has been around long enough to know a few things. She'll defend her children as vigorously as Dumbledore did."
"She will."
They paused in their packing. "What if - - ?" Emma started.
Dan laughed. "This is the first time I've heard you play `what if?'."
Emma grinned. "I play all the time. It's called analysing hypothetical situations."
"So, hypothetically, what can we do in the middle of all this?"
"Not a lot," Emma agreed. "That doesn't mean we have to be happy about it."
"No one's happy about it, Em," he replied. "We'd all be far happier if there were no Dark Lords around. But we have to trust those more able. Besides, the only one who matters is Hermione, and you know she would want us to go."
Emma nodded again "But it feels like we're running away," she confessed.
"Yeah," Dan agreed, "I feel a little like that too. Shall we go have a word with her about it?"
Emma smiled, knowing Hermione and Harry weren't there. "Later, let's finish first."
***
When the entire conversation was relayed verbatim to Voldemort later that evening, the delight could be seen dancing behind his red eyes.
"Beautiful. The Muggles are scared they won't see the Mudblood again. At least they show some normal fear, unlike that idiot Dumbledore."
"My Lord," Bellatrix began. "Does any of this change the timeline?"
"It certainly does, Bella. They get back four days after school?"
She nodded.
"Then we return two days after. The Muggles will return from their wonderful cruise to find she has already been dead for two days." His evil laugh filled the cavern; the faces of his Death Eaters who were near joined him.
"But, My Lord," Bellatrix continued, "Will we be ready?"
"Send for Severus. We need to make sure he will be ready."
Bellatrix nodded and rose.
"And Bella?" Voldemort said. "When you find him, do not leave his sight. I want you to remain with him from now on. I'm not entirely sure he is as enthusiastic a supporter as he should be."
"I have never trusted him, My Lord," Bellatrix said.
"Then you shall have the task of killing him the instant he shows cause."
***
Harry and Hermione were drinking fresh tea in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. They knew they could speak here.
"It's normal you're scared, Harry," Hermione said.
"Because I'm only a boy and he's been a wizard for so long? Or is it that he's stronger than me, or that I know he's going to kill me?"
"Try Harry, he's going to try. Just like all the other times." Harry fell silent, his eyes intently staring at his tea. Hermione knew this was the time to remain silent.
"It's not like I haven't been scared before," he said after a minute; Hermione nodded. "I mean I've been scared for as long as I remember."
She nodded again and saw a tear falling down his cheek.
"I'm not scared for me, Hermione. I'm scared for you. You're close to me and he knows that now. Back at his cave, he put thoughts into my head saying he was going to kill you and there was nothing I could do to stop it."
Hermione's nose wrinkled in confusion. "You're scared for me?" He nodded.
"But, Harry, it's you who has the power to stop him. You're the one you should be scared for."
Harry didn't agree. "I don't care about myself," he said with a very soft, shaking voice. "It would almost be a relief for it to be over."
Hermione almost dropped her cup on the table and reached for him.
"No! I mean it," he said looking up. "I'm just tired of being scared, and tired all the time. I'm scared that not only will I not be able to protect my friends, I'll be the cause of the death of them. Remember back to the Ministry?"
He looked at her, and saw her own silent tear.
"I almost killed you that day. I didn't listen and ran off - - ."
He couldn't continue, the torturous memories now very much in his mind. He remembered the purple flash that had struck her, and his initial fear she was dead.
"Harry..."
"What? Don't kill us? Don't let us die?"
"Don't put so much pressure on yourself."
"Pressure?" He took the locket in his hand and held it up. "This is pressure. I've had a piece of his soul in YOUR VERY HOUSE all this time. What will your Mum say when she finds out?"
"The same thing I say: none of us knew what it was."
He looked at it, and felt his grip tighten around it. The seventh Horcrux and he had it all the time. "What am I supposed to do?"
"Just what you are doing, Harry: making sure he doesn't get it."
They both looked at it for a while before Hermione held her hand out for it. He smiled and placed it into her palm. She moved it closer to her eyes and gave it a close examination for writing or markings.
"R.A.B.?" she asked, reading the note.
Harry shrugged. "Either it means something, or nothing. Either there is an R.A.B. or it was Riddle's way of throwing us off the scent."
"Riddle? You called him Riddle again."
Harry shrugged again. So what? he thought.
"You only do that when you're confident." Hermione smiled at him, hoping to instil a little confidence. By now though, Harry had risen and was pacing in the kitchen. His head bowed watching his feet, he commenced his normal mode of trekking back and forth across the room.
She watched in silence as he paced. She wasn't going to let him go through this alone again. She rose and walked to him, at Harry's side. She paced alongside of him and turned at the end of the room at the same time. She continued to pace alongside and once more turned at the other end of his path.
Harry smiled to see Hermione was pacing with him. Wherever his thoughts were a second before, they were with her now. He laughed and Hermione laughed with him. Harry paused attempting to throw Hermione off, but she read the movement through his body language and paused with him. Both standing together, alongside each other, both smiling.
"Thanks `Mione," Harry said. "Thanks for being a friend and for putting up with me."
Hermione placed her arms around his neck and drew herself to him. She kissed him and Harry felt himself go. Nothing mattered now as long as he had her. He kissed her back and they remained like this for a long time.
"You know what Tonks would say if she saw us like this?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head; he had an idea though.
"Get a room." Hermione laughed and Harry joined along.
"And do you know what I'd say back?" Hermione asked again.
Harry shook his head again. This time he had no idea.
"We've already done that."
Hermione laughed again and this time Harry could just blush at the implication.
She looked at him, at his eyes and that messy mop of hair of his she loved running her hands through. She saw the zig-zag scar also, partially obscured by his hair. She saw the red in his cheeks start to rise and knew she loved it. She loved him.
Would it be so bad?
Hermione shook her head as if to remove the thought, but knew it was now firmly implanted. It wasn't going anywhere.
"So - - ," Hermione started.
"So?"
"Which room: yours or mine?"
Harry blushed again. It had been days since he slept alone. He knew he would much rather stay with Hermione. He loved her and loved being with her. He thought of what Emma had said to them both.
"Does it matter?" he asked. "As long as we're together?"
Hermione shook her head.
"I mean, we'll have Remus and Tonks here to watch us, but - - ."
Hermione laughed. "That was brilliant, Harry. I didn't think you could say that with a straight face."
"What was?" he asked looking puzzled.
"Telling Mum and Dad Remus and Tonks were moving in. They wouldn't have let me stay otherwise."
"Well, they are so - - ."
"But not until next week," Hermione said with a smile.
"Huh?"
"Tonks told me she is moving in next week. We'll have the whole place to ourselves, all alone." She kissed him. Harry was taken by surprise by this news.
"But I - - ," Harry tried to explain that he didn't know.
Hermione giggled and kissed him again.
***
Emma heard the second CRACK! and smiled to see Dan hadn't heard it. She must remember to tell Hermione she could come and go as she pleased without her father hearing, and wondered if that was wise. By now Emma knew she had said everything that needed to be said. It was up to both of them now.
"Let's see Hermione and ask her how she feels about us going," Emma said.
"I know how she feels. She will want us to go."
They left their room and walked down the stairs. Harry and Hermione were kissing in the middle of the lounge-room.
Emma paused halfway down the stairs and watched.
"Yep," Dan whispered into her ear, "I think there maybe something going on here."
Emma laughed which had the effect of breaking the kiss. Harry and Hermione looked at them as one and laughed as well.
"I think we've been sprung," Harry said, causing Hermione to laugh more. She lent to him and whispered in his ear.
"And breakfast in bed?" Harry grinned, remembering that. "Next time," she whispered again, "we'll make sure we AREN'T sprung."
Emma spoke first. "Hermione, can I have a word with you?"
"Excellent, Harry and I need to chat too," Dan said.
Hermione giggled to see Harry's look. He followed Dan up the stairs and into his office.
Dan shut the door, knowing well what would be running through Harry's mind.
"No, Harry," he said, ending the torment. "This isn't about that. Emma told me she has spoken to you both on the subject. That was before our talk, so I don't think I need to go back over that."
Harry was relived.
"Unless you want - - ."
"That's okay, Mr. Granger," Harry jumped in quickly.
Dan laughed. "You know, if my father had spoken to me on the same subject at the same age you are, I would have died."
Harry laughed, that was how he felt.
"Emma and I want to be sure we are doing the right thing."
Harry nodded. "He can't find her there."
"That is the best thing I've heard. It's not like Hermione needs us to be around constantly."
Harry waited to hear what it was Dan wanted to say. "You're scared?" he offered. Dan nodded.
"So am I. I'm scared I won't be able to stop him."
"Harry, we can't ask you to do anything outside your control."
"But just doing my best may not be good enough."
Dan paused. "I'm not asking you to tell me we are doing the right thing. Just assure us you'll do everything you can to keep her safe."
"Mr. Granger - - ."
"Dan."
Harry smiled. "Dan, I promise I`ll do everything I physically can. I'll stop at nothing to make sure she is safe from harm. I mean it!"
"I know you do, Harry. And Remus will be there, I guess."
Dan turned away towards his bookcase and didn't see Harry's look. "Remember when we were talking about Napoleon?" he asked.
"And girls," Harry reminded him. Dan smiled, he hadn't forgotten. He removed a book and opened it.
"You've got a lot in common with the little general. Many of his battles he won only after everyone else wrote him off."
Harry sat up; he enjoyed the subject of military history.
"Do you think he was scared?" Dan asked; Harry shook his head.
"He was. His notes and journals are full of self doubt. At the battle of Austerlitz, he was outnumbered four to one and partially surrounded."
"What happened?"
"It was 1805. Napoleon attacked the enemy's front with his cavalry while he ordered two divisions to attack the southeast towards the higher ground. The Russians counterattacked in force, but Napoleon held them.
"They counterattacked and he shifted his forces, all the while the Russians advanced on what they thought was a retreating French army. Eventually he had shifted his forces so far that the Russians had the river directly at their back. The French then attacked and threw the Russian army into the river where they were destroyed. The French lost 8,300 to 27,000 dead or captured Russians."
"So Napoleon was lucky?
"Not lucky, Harry. He planned for it all along. His notes show he followed his battle plan from the start. The enemy knew they had him outnumbered and assumed when Napoleon shifted he was retreating. In fact he was getting into position."
Harry fell silent, and considered what Dan had said. "But I don't have an army."
"No, Harry, but you've defeated Voldemort up to five times or so, without an army."
"So you're saying I've been lucky?"
"No, I'm saying you've used your strengths."
"But he's stronger than me," Harry said weakly.
"So be smarter!"
***
Emma sat on Hermione's bed with her.
"We'll be fine," Hermione assured her.
"You won't leave the house?" Emma asked.
Hermione started to nod. "Except to get Harry to or from his house."
Emma considered that. "Okay."
"Other than that," Hermione said with a smile, "we'll be cozy and snuggled up at - - ."
Emma laughed. "I never doubted that. And the sleeping arrangements?"
"Together."
"I expected that too. I don't need to go over anything again, do I?"
Hermione shook her head.
They fell silent together for a while before Emma spoke again.
"You know," she said, "if you want to remind me how you're not ready for what it is I'm thinking, this would be a good time to do that."
Hermione bit her tongue to stop her from opening her mouth.
"I see," Emma said. "So if you're not `not ready,' then that can only mean - - ."
"Mother! Do you want me to spell it out?"
Emma laughed again. "No, you don't have to do that." She hugged her daughter.
"We'll be safe," Hermione assured her.
"I know."
***
Remus opened the box and the diamond glistened. From his left he heard cooing noises and someone was clapping. He looked up to see smiles from the people at the closest tables.
"Congratulations," the waiter said with a smile. "You two look lovely together."
Tonks was still crying. The dinner she knew about, the proposal she knew about; hell, she almost orchestrated it. But the ring threw her. She wasn't expecting it; it was beautiful.
Remus handed her the ring, wondering if she was going to take it. When she finally did, he was relieved. He was afraid she wasn't going to accept the ring and wondered what those around him would think. She still hadn't said `yes' yet.
"Remus," she said finally through tears. "It's beautiful. It's huge," she laughed and Remus finally felt the breath he had held for so long flow away.
"So this means - - ?"
"Of COURSE it means yes!" Tonks said, talking much too loud. The people around laughed and even the waiter chuckled.
Remus saw movement from the corner of his eye and another waiter approached the table holding a bottle.
"Champagne sir, complements of the house."
Tonks smiled though Remus looked bemused. "Thank you," Tonks said. "It's okay, you can pour that, neither of us are driving home."
***
"Is he always this clumsy?" Labriant Lovegood asked.
Ron was lying on his back on the ground, having just fallen from his seat. Luna laughed and helped Ron up. "He's just nervous Daddy," she said.
"Nervous? I'm sorry Ronald, do I make you nervous?" Labriant was smiling.
"You do when you call him Ronald," Luna explained.
"Yeah," Ron said. "I only hear that when I've done something wrong at home."
"So you hear it a lot then?" Labriant asked and Ron chuckled.
"Pretty much a couple of times a day." Ron joined in the laughter and picked himself up. They were sitting at a picnic table in the middle of a nearby park.
"Sorry, Ron," Labriant said. "Luna should have told me. I'm still getting used to the boyfriend bit. It's all so new to me."
Ron looked as if he was going to explode and started to stand when Luna set a hand on his arm. Ron stopped and looked at her hand. She was touching him and Ron felt he liked it. What now? he asked himself.
"Ron's not my boyfriend, Daddy," Luna said but her father was looking away at the lake and didn't see her smile at Ron.
"Well, I'm sure you two don't want to sit here with me while you could be going for a stroll. Take some bread with you and feed the ducks, why don't you?"
Luna rose and helped Ron to his feet. "Okay, Daddy, we'll be back soon."
Luna and Ron started off toward the lake before Labriant Lovegood stopped them. "Oh, and Ronald?"
Ron turned wondering what he had done now.
"Don't fall in." Labriant laughed as did Luna. Luna took Ron's hand and resumed their walk towards the lake.
"Don't worry, Ronald," Luna said placing emphasis on the last syllable. "I'm an excellent swimmer."
Ron waited until he was out of earshot of Luna's father. "Boyfriend?"
"I never told him that," Luna said with a shrug. They were holding hands and walking together. "He must have just assumed." Luna started humming. Ron instantly knew the tune.
"Does your dad know about that? About the `Weasley is our King' bit?"
"Yes, I told him. I tell him everything."
Ron fell silent. He knew he hadn't done anything wrong but he still felt guilty somehow.
"It really is pretty here," Luna said. "Daddy and I come here all the time. Except when I'm at school of course because I can't come here then. Unless there were two of me."
Ron laughed. "Luna, one of you is enough."
Luna smiled sweetly at the praise (not that Ron had intended it as such). "Why, thank you, Ronald. What a wonderful thing to say." She smiled even more and kissed him on the cheek.
Ron shot his head around to see if her father was watching. Of course he was and he watched Ron watching him. Ron could feel the colour red start to rise in his cheeks. Luna, seeing the blush laughed loudly.
***
Hermione could see Harry wasn't going to sleep. He looked nervous and afraid.
"What's wrong?"
Harry shook his head. The locket in his hand was being held so tight his knuckles where white.
"You're afraid of that?"
Harry nodded. "Now that we know - - I mean I can't - - ."
Hermione understood. "What if we went to your place?"
Harry smiled but knew that wouldn't work. "Your dad wouldn't like that idea."
"Why? What's the difference? We've been here together. Anything could've happened."
Harry stopped and looked at her. "You say that a lot."
"What?" Hermione asked; knowing full well what.
"Anything could happen." Harry raised his eyebrows for explanation, and Hermione gave it with a long passionate kiss.
"Oh!" was all Harry could say after finally drawing breath.
"Besides, Mum will be okay. She knows we've been together every night."
"But - - ."
"But what?"
"Remus and Tonks may not be back until late, if at all."
Hermione nodded. "So we'd be alone then? Excellent."
Before Harry could protest she was gone and he heard her run up the stairs. Minutes later she returned with a smile. "We have to be back for breakfast."
Harry laughed.
"I told her we'd both be STARVING by then." Before Harry could talk, she had hugged him and... CRACK!
Harry looked around Grimmauld for the fourth or fifth time today. The picture of Sirius's mother was still yelling at him though he could only hear music. "Yeah, whatever," Harry said to the portrait.
Looking at the clock Harry saw it was nearly midnight.
"Are you sure Hermione?" he asked.
"It was my idea remember? As long as you don't expect me to use one of the twin beds up on the third floor."
Harry laughed. "I'm sure I can squeeze you into my room."
"Oh!" Hermione said. "I forgot something."
CRACK! and she was gone again.
Harry looked bemused. He was already wearing his pyjamas and Hermione had her nightdress and light cover on. He looked at his blue striped pyjamas and not for the first time wondered why he wore them; he always hated them. He hated the feel of them and they were too hot for him for most of the year; he often removed the top while in his dormitory room.
CRACK!
Hermione was back, with Crookshanks. She smiled. "I hope it's all right."
Harry laughed. "Of course it is." Harry walked the stairs to his room and looked in.
"Yeah," Hermione said. "You should be able to squeeze us in."
***
Snape bowed as he had each time he had been called before him.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Severus, good to see you," Voldemort said. He glared at Snape, his eyes tying to pierce Snape's very skin. Snape knew his time was running out, though he no longer cared.
"I notice, Severus, you haven't brought your wand with you," Voldemort said.
"Shall you require me to use it, my Lord? If you would like me to go and get it," Snape replied, his head still bowed.
"Perhaps, my Lord, he knows he dare not raise it against you," Bellatrix suggested with a slight laugh.
Voldemort looked at Bellatrix and then to Snape. He had chosen wisely; Bellatrix would watch him as closely as he would himself. It was only a matter of time now.
"Severus," he said with a sneer. "How does the Polyjuice potion go?"
"It will be ready. my Lord."
"On time?"
"It is almost ready now, my Lord," Snape replied. "The lacewing flies need to stew for only one more day. All that is required is the hair or something similar of the intended target. Once you have that, you only need to add the last ingredient and the potion will be complete."
"Excellent, Severus," Voldemort said. "You see, Bella, you misjudge him. Severus has served us well, and will be rewarded."
"Your pleasure is the only reward I seek," Snape replied, head still bowed.
"And the strength?" Voldemort asked.
"Several hours. I have been most diligent with the making of this potion, my Lord."
"You better not try anything, Severus," Bellatrix told him. She glared at him and Snape, his head now raised, returned the glare.
"My dear, Bella," Snape said, knowing his use of this name infuriated her. "After all I have done, after the Unbreakable Vow I took with your sister, how can you still doubt me?" Snape asked sarcastically. Once Voldemort was gone it would be his mission in life to ensure Bellatrix LeStrange was dead... if he was still alive. He knew in time she could be almost as dangerous as Voldemort.
"Well, just to make sure, Our Lord has asked that I remain with you at all times. From now on until the last battle we will be inseparable."
Snape gave her a smile so sweet he knew she would hate it. "Why, thank you, Bella. I'm quite looking forward to that. Thank you, my Lord." It did not matter that he was under close scrutiny now; his work was complete. Snape had poisoned the last ingredient: the powdered Bicorn Horn. The potion would kill Voldemort within seconds of taking it.
Snape bowed, taking his leave and exited the chamber, leaving Voldemort and Bellatrix behind.
"Have you chosen the target?" Bellatrix asked.
"Longbottom," Voldemort said after a moment's thought.
Bellatrix smiled. Voldemort would waltz beneath all the Hogwarts protections looking like one of Potter's friends.
"I've sent Alecto and Amycus. They will watch him for a few days before bringing him here."
Bellatrix smiled. "So once you have the hairs you require, you'll kill him so he can't warn Potter?"
"Well, Bella," Voldemort said with an evil grin. "I was only going to hold him. It wouldn't do to have two Longbottoms returning to school. But I agree. I like your way better. When Longbottom arrives, you may have the pleasure of killing him. I don't suppose it matters if he is alive or dead when I take the hair I require. Now go watch Snape for me."
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