I know I always thank my Beta, and Mione for all her help, but this time I have to doubly thank them. A lot of the dialogue that really works was all Mione's doing; and my beta REALLY did a great job neatening and making sense of what was otherwise clumsy. Thank you also to everyone who is enjoying my silliness.
18
It was the last hour of dawn, and a cool, moist air filtered through the cave and lay still.
A soft, odd laughing could be heard echoing throughout Voldemort's inner chamber. He sat alone, his eyes closed, and laughed. He could sense and feel what had been done.
A shadow touched his mind and he nodded, acknowledging. A growl could be heard and felt within; the wolf form of Fenrir Greyback slowly approached.
Voldemort continued to laugh to himself as he opened his eyes. "Great news, Fenrir," the Dark Lord spoke.
The animal moved and shifted, slowly taking human form. "My Lord?"
"At last. He couldn't resist. He couldn't leave the mudblood alone," Voldemort said with an evil grin.
"He has - -?"
"Tainted, Fenrir! He has tainted himself, and his bloodline. Irrevocably!"
Greyback understood and nodded.
"Great news, GREAT NEWS!" Voldemort's voice rang out and echoed against the stone walls around him.
"His death is now certain," Greyback replied. "As you have prophesied." Fenrir Greyback, in his human form, bowed his head. The Dark Lord indicated for him to rise.
"It is time to set the trap, Fenrir. Make sure Alecto and Amycus are ready to take Longbottom at the first opportunity. But you must tell them to take care to ensure there are no witnesses. Let them wonder later where the fool has gone."
"Yes, my Lord," Greyback said and turned. As he did, he returned to his wolf form and ran towards the hidden and disguised entrance of the labyrinth cave network. Too fast for any human eye to comprehend, the werewolf sped out and into the surrounding forest. He ran through the undergrowth, avoiding the densely packed trees.
"WORMTAIL!" The Dark Lord turned sharply, amused to see the surprised look of fear upon his minion's face.
"My Lord?" he asked stutteringly.
"What news from the Weasleys'?"
"None, my L- Lord." Wormtail reassumed his usual position at his master's feet, grovelling. He began to wring his hands together. He knew too well how Voldemort rewarded failure and incompetence.
"Since the Ministry - -."
"ENOUGH! Get up you fool!"
Wormtail started to straighten up, albeit slowly.
"I don't want excuses. Get in there anyway you can and find out what, if anything, those bumbling fools are up to!"
Wormtail knew the task he had been given was impossible. The new protection charms at the Burrow simply wouldn't allow him anywhere within the Weasley residence.
"But, my L - -."
Wormtail's words were stopped by the glare from the Dark Lord. He had no choice.
"As you wish, My Lord," he said with an air of resignation.
"Return with what I need to know, or don't return at all. Those are the only two choices available to you."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Malfoy!"
***
Harry hated to wake her, but he had no choice. "`Mione," he whispered. It was only after the third time hearing her name she started to stir. Looking down at her he saw that she was smiling even before her eyes were open; Harry smiled in response. He had been awake for an hour, just laying next to her, agonising over whether or not he should move. After last night however there was really no question.
She stretched and her hands balled into little fists as her arms stretched out. Her eyes now open, Harry waited only a heartbeat before he was to her, kissing her lips lightly but withdrawing before she could respond.
"Morning, sleepyhead," he said.
Hermione looked around seeing it was early, and was confused.
"What time is it?"
"Almost six," he informed her.
She began to protest but Harry anticipated her words.
"I couldn't remember what time your parents said they were leaving. I knew we couldn't be late and you have to get - dressed."
She smiled again and moved against him. In response Harry hugged her, his body electrified at the touch of hers against his. She nodded as she caressed his cheek. "Thank you, Harry. We should make a move to get home then. They'll be leaving in a little while."
Now it was Harry's turn to nod. "I thought so. I guess after we see them off we can have breakfast or whatever at the airport. Or I can take you shopping. Don't worry, I have plenty of money."
She looked at him confused.
"Pounds even, not just Galleons," he explained. "From the shopping trip."
She smiled at him sweetly. "Harry, you don't have to spend any money on me."
He grinned. "I loved the idea of buying you a present. I just can't believe I forgot about it for as long as I did."
She giggled and her hand rubbed his cheek affectionately again. "It's okay," she told him. "You were just worried about other things. I understand." She shifted and leaned across to kiss his forehead.
Harry took the kiss and smiled at her, knowing he wanted to spend more time than they had this morning. "Why did it take me so long to realise?" he asked and a smile started on his face.
A knowing Hermione smile answered him. "Because boys can be blind. Don't forget you always had a thing for - - ."
Harry's laugh interrupted her. "No, I meant to realise how amazing it is to wake up with you, with you in my arms. Do you know how I feel?" he asked again.
Her smile now grew. "I think so. You feel the same way I do."
Harry nodded. He felt all of that, and more. "And scared. I'm worried about your nightmare, `Mione," he told her. His eyes showed his concern was real.
Hermione sighed. "It was nothing, Harry. I'm fine and I'm not worried about it."
"It wasn't nothing." Harry held her close, his voice now no more than a whisper. "You screamed, Hermione, really screamed! I was so afraid. I still am."
She put her hand on his cheek and looked into his deep green eyes. "It wasn't a good dream, but I'm okay now. I'm not used to nightmares and the thought of losing you scared me." She tried to block the memory of the dream from her mind, knowing she hadn't lost him, that he was still here.
"That's just it, `Mione," he said. "I don't know what is going to happen. What was it that Dumbledore used to say? `Dark and desperate times?'" He looked at her and Hermione could see how worried he was for her.
"`Mione, you know me better than anyone. I know enough about nightmares to know they are important. I can't let you just push this aside," he told her.
"Please, let's just forget about it. I'm okay, and I'm sure that I won't have any more." She smiled again and now her voice dropped to just above a whisper. One of her hands reached out and found his own. "Especially not after what happened last night."
Harry started to blush a little just at the thought and he kissed her cheek. "I haven't forgotten. I'll never forget. Ever! And I won't let the most important person in my life put my feelings ahead of her own. I love you and that's why this is important." Harry looked at her deeply. "Will you have time to talk about it with your mum?" he asked, hoping the answer was yes.
"The nightmare?"
Harry nodded.
"I'm not going to mention it at all to her. Harry, she will just get worried and there isn't any need." She was still looking at his eyes, her hand in his; she liked the touch.
Harry sighed, almost expecting the response. But he'd already decided he had to win this one, for her. "Hermione, you have to, you really do. Please talk with your mum about the nightmare. They are leaving today and this will be your last chance! Maybe - -"
"Maybe what?" she asked with an eyebrow raised.
"`Mione. I don't know what's going to happen. If something does happen to me, I want to know you will be safe, that you won't be tormented by nightmares. I don't want you to be like I was after Sirius, or Cedric."
Hermione now avoided his eyes. "I know, Harry. I do. But I don't want to make Mum worried. You know how she is. It was just one nightmare and it was nothing."
"`Mione I don't want her to be worried either, especially not with them going on holiday. But who else can you talk to? Who else can help if the nightmares come back? I'm afraid more and more of me will wash off on you. `Mione - - ."
Harry looked at her, tears now visible. "Remember Umbridge?"
Hermione nodded and touched his cheek again.
"In Umbridge's office. Hermione, you pleaded and begged me not to go after Sirius. That almost broke my heart when I did. I didn't know any better. `Mione, I'm begging you to talk to your mum. I need to know you will be as strong as you possibly can be if something happens. Something neither of us can stop."
She sighed. "I will talk with her, but not today."
"But it HAS to be today!" Harry said, now hugging her tight. "`Mione, you mean more to me than me. You are all I care about right now."
"Don't say that! Why do I have to talk with her today? I can talk with her when she gets back. Or if I absolutely have to talk to her before then, I can use the mirrors."
Harry shuddered, knowing what he thought would happen by the time Hermione's parents returned. "I love you. I will do anything you ask, now or ever if you do this. I can't put into words how scared I am for you. Hermione, if you don't tell your mum, I would hate to have to do it."
Hermione was scared to see the raw emotion on his face. She wasn't sure what it was that was really upsetting him. Hermione felt she could handle the nightmare, either by herself or with his help. But now Harry made it sound more urgent than she had realised.
"Harry, what is it? Please tell me," she asked, now worried to see him like this. She brushed a tear from his cheek. "Please tell what is going on. Why is this so important for you?"
"If I can't be there for you at the end, how are you supposed to hold up? What happens if the nightmares become as firmly a part of your life in the future as they are for me now?"
"They won't, and yours are going to stop too. We've come this far and I know you are going to win. He will be defeated and you can live a normal life." Harry kissed her.
"`Mione, YOU make my nightmares go away. Since I've been with you I've hardly had any. What happens to you if I'm gone? You know what it is I'm scared of. I'm scared for you."
She paused before answering. "Harry, if something happens to you I wouldn't want to live."
Harry turned his head away from her and covered his face with both hands. "Don't say that! Don't ever say it, Hermione Granger," he said so very quickly. "If you don't tell your mother about the nightmare - I will. And that would kill me because she needs to hear it from you."
The look on her face was one of shock. She would never have thought Harry would take the decision out of her hands, but she could see how important it was to him.
"`Mione, I keep hearing from everyone that you are the brightest witch of our age. Unless you specifically tell me not to breathe a word of this, I'll be forced to."
"You can't do that. Harry, you'll ruin their vacation, and I'll never forgive you if you do that," she told him with a firm look.
Harry nodded inwardly. He was so worried for her that he had blinded himself to what Emma would say and feel.
"But - ."
"No, Harry, please!"
"So, you're telling me to say nothing?"
"Yes. Harry, you can't tell her."
He turned and faced the wall, accepting defeat. "You know I'm not going to like that, `Mione. But if you DO insist, I'll say nothing. I'll smile and wish them `Bon Voyage' like nothing is wrong. If you are sure that is what you want me to do - -."
"It is and if you love me as much as I know you do, then you will do this for me."
In answer, Harry kissed her and she returned the kiss. He took a deep breath before replying. "All right then. I won't say a word. And you know how much I love you."
"And you know how much I love you," she said and kissed the top of his nose, and then giggled.
"It must be late. You probably just have time for a shower before we leave."
She giggled again, happy now that the matter of the nightmare had been dropped. She looked at him questioningly. "Who goes first?"
Harry laughed. "How did I know you were going to say that? Go on. Go!"
"What time did you say it was?" Hermione asked as she looked about Harry's room for any kind of a clock.
"Just on six."
She grinned and turned to him.
"They're not leaving until after seven," Hermione answered as she reached out with one hand to take Harry's hand in her own. With little prompting, she gently eased him out of bed before leading him towards the shower. After all, there was enough room for an entire Quidditch team.
***
"Nope! Not that way either. We have a problem."
"What's up?" Harry asked. Dan had two of the large suitcases already positioned into the boot of Emma's car but the third and final one just wouldn't fit.
Dan was startled to see Harry but adjusted quickly. "I'm trying to work out how to get this last suitcase in."
Harry looked at the arrangement and agreed. There was no way they would all fit. "If Hermione and I weren't seeing you off, you'd have room for this on the back seat."
Dan looked at him and smiled. "I know and Emma is touched by your offer. Besides, you're already here so we'll just have to find a way."
Harry grinned and held his wand aloft. "If one of these accidentally reduced in size, which would you prefer it to be?"
Dan laughed. "Harry - -."
"What? I'm not underage and it isn't like performing magic in front of a Muggle who doesn't know about magic. Your daughter is a witch."
"I know, but - ."
"Which one?"
He smiled and conceded the point. "It doesn't really matter."
Harry nodded and the suitcase in Dan's hands suddenly shrunk in size by half. Dan eyed the result with an impressed expression. "I think I could get real used to magic, Harry," Dan said and easily positioned the last suitcase before closing the boot.
Harry grinned. "Mr. - -."
"Dan!" Dan told him as he clapped his shoulder.
"Dan, what does it feel like to be Muggle, and have a witch for a daughter? I mean the smartest and prettiest witch?"
Dan thought a moment. "Interesting question. Have you had breakfast?"
Harry shook his head and Dan pointed him in the direction of the backdoor and the kitchen.
"When we first found out, it was a shock, but there was something in my little girl's eyes that made me, well, not scared. It was explained to us that magic was a talent you either had or didn't. It is as simple as that. It would have been no different if Hermione had been born with the ability to paint or - - ."
"- - Play music?" Harry suggested.
"She can do that too. The piano, though she hasn't played for a long time."
As they spoke, they walked towards the back door and Dan held the door open. Harry walked in to the smell of pancakes. "Hmmmm, smells good."
Emma smiled. "That was quick. Dan's been out there fighting with the luggage for thirty minutes and Harry fixed the problem inside of one?"
Hermione, already seated and eating, smiled. "Harry's very handy."
Harry sat next to Hermione. His face was starting to redden as Emma came behind him and placed a plate of pancakes in front of him; she kissed his cheek. As she did, she said softly into his ear, "If you've shrunk the bag with all my dresses in it, and they're creased, you're in big trouble!"
Emma's eyes were smiling and Hermione laughed. Harry looked quickly at Dan who shrugged. He had no idea what was in which case; the two large ones were identical.
Dan sat and Emma placed two more plates at the table. All four ate and made the appreciative sounds Emma's pancakes were famous for.
"I was telling Harry," Dan explained between mouthfuls, "how we first felt when we found out Hermione was a witch."
"Shocked!" Emma answered quickly and Hermione looked up. "At first, but not for long. We had a funny feeling it was something she would be able to manage."
Harry smiled and looked to Hermione who was beaming.
"My mother's parents were Muggles," Harry said. "I've often wondered what they made of it all."
Emma looked at Harry and smiled.
"To have two daughters, one a witch and the other a Muggle... I gather Mum and Aunt Petunia must've fought a lot."
"Do you think that's the reason she was - - ?" Hermione didn't finish the question, so Harry did.
"Cruel? Yes, I do. I think that's it."
"Perhaps she was jealous," Dan suggested, tucking into his pancakes with a hearty appetite.
"So if Hermione had had a Muggle brother or sister?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled. "Wouldn't have made any difference. You accept people for who they are, not what they are."
Harry gave brief thought to her answer and wasn't at all surprised to find that struck a chord within him.
Hermione smiled again and continued. "Harry, you were and are The Boy Who Lived. As much as others have continued to remind you of that all your life, it isn't who you are. It only describes an event that happened when you were too young to remember. You are the sum of all the things that make you special, and I love you for all of them."
Silence filled the kitchen for the briefest fraction of a second as Dan turned to his daughter.
"Were we supposed to hear that?" he asked with a grin.
"Hear what?" Hermione asked with the self same grin and Harry laughed.
***
"He's here."
Alecto turned at the words from her brother and watched as seconds later Fenrir Greyback transmogrified from his wolf form back to human and joined Amycus and Alecto. They had been camped outside the home of Neville Longbottom's grandmother for days, watching every move Neville made.
Neville's grandmother lived in a secluded, well-wooded area that housed many trees, behind which they were all well hidden. Still early, the sun was just rising and they turned as one and watched as Neville went through his morning routine of watering the many plants that stood in pots. There were so many, they practically filled the small but suitable area he had himself made during the last summer break.
Fenrir watched for a moment before speaking. "The Dark Lord desires we bring him Longbottom, now."
Amycus nodded once. "Dead or alive?"
"Alive," Fenrir growled. "We are to take him without anyone knowing what has happened to him for the time being."
Alecto made a step towards Neville as a voice shrilled from within the small home.
"Neville!"
Neville's grandmother was awake.
"Yes, Gran. Coming."
Neville gently rested the watering can he was using on the ground, and walked towards the back door. He open the door end walked inside, not noticing the disappointment on the trio's face.
"He'll be well rid of her," Alecto said. "Routine's the same every morning. He makes breakfast for her and she makes him clean the entire house while she pops off somewhere for most of the day."
"Where does she go?" Fenrir asked.
"No idea," Amycus answered. "She shops, friends, no idea really. But when we take him, she won't notice until he isn't there to put dinner on the table for her later this evening."
Fenrir grinned; that suited him well. "Excellent! We'll wait then."
***
"That was so sweet," Harry said, kissing Hermione as they waved goodbye to her parents. Naturally, all they saw was a large British Airways jet taking off. But instinctively, they still waved.
"What was?" she asked, kissing him back.
"What you said about me this morning, at breakfast. The Boy Who Lived bit."
She remembered and smiled. "I meant every word of it."
"I know." He kissed her.
"As long as we are together, I am sure of two things, Harry. One, you love me. Two, we'll get through this together."
"And?" Harry asked.
"And what?" Hermione asked right back.
"This morning? In the shower?"
She hadn't forgotten. In fact as she recalled the most incredibly beautiful smile was upon her face.
"Yes?"
Harry laughed now. "I found the perfect way to make sure you don't steal my towels ever again." Hermione laughed and held him before kissing him again, deeply.
"So?" she asked finally.
Harry paused and looked at her keenly. "I don't intend to let you steal them ever again."
Harry made to withdraw his Invisibility Cloak from his jacket pocket until she stopped him. Looking around, it was clear they would be seen if they simply popped the cloak over their heads here. They stood on the outside balcony of the departure lounge. The twenty or so other people were all here for the same reason they were: to see family and friends off.
Harry looked left and right for a more private place to Disapparate. Without realising it, this simple act had drawn the attention of a security guard.
"Where then?" Harry asked.
Hermione shrugged until Harry spotted what he needed.
"There!" Harry said. "Authorised access only," he said, reading the sign on the door.
"But we're…," Hermione began.
"I know but there's probably a nice, empty stairway back there," Harry replied and Hermione grinned. They couldn't Disapparate in plain view. Harry led Hermione towards the thick, heavy door as the security guard quickened his pace, even more sure these two were up to something. Once the two were at the door, they noticed a keypad on the wall next to the handle; the door was locked. With Harry beside her to block the view, Hermione drew her wand and unlocked the door.
He couldn't see well from this angle or distance, but it appeared to the security guard that the two teenagers were trying to force open the security door. Knowing they couldn't force the door open, he started to reach for his radio to call the Airport Police when he was astounded to see the security door had in fact opened.
An alarm sounded immediately, and now all eyes were on Harry and Hermione. They might have opened the locking mechanism, but they hadn't deactivated the alarm by entering the correct security code.
"Come on!" Harry urged. "Too late for anything else now."
Hermione looked down the stairs to see another door at the bottom, and another keypad; she knew it would be locked. For anyone else that might have been a problem, but magic had ways of solving problems Muggles couldn't comprehend.
As Harry closed the door behind them, he noted the alarm still sounded.
"I think they saw us," Hermione said.
"After that alarm I'm sure of it," Harry replied. "Nothing for it now."
He withdrew the cloak and threw it over his and Hermione's head as he waved his wand.
Seconds later the security guard opened the door to see - nothing. Nothing and no one. As he took a step, he heard what sounded like a very loud CRACK! before looking again.
Nothing but a simple flight of stairs and another security door at the bottom. The only possible answer, he thought, was that the bottom door wasn't locked. The guard ran down the stairs and reached for the handle of the door at the bottom. It didn't move; it was locked. This alarm wasn't ringing, so they hadn't forced it open somehow. And the keypad wasn't illuminated, so they hadn't entered a code.
He turned around and looked back up the stairs from where he had come. He had no idea what he was going to tell his supervisor. He had seen them, watched as they somehow opened a locked security door. He heard the alarm as the door opened. The bottom door was well and truly secure.
Unless they had somehow disappeared into thin air, he had no explanation.
***
Ginny spotted them first. "Hi, guys." Harry and Hermione were walking hand-in-hand up the path that led to the Weasleys' back door.
Hermione smiled. "Hey, Ginny."
"What are you two up to?"
"Running from the police," Harry said with a grin. Ginny had no idea what he was talking about but laughed.
"Knew it the first time I saw you, Harry. You're dangerous." Harry laughed and Ginny looked now at Hermione. She seemed calm, serene, and had a smile a mile wide. She seemed to be almost glowing.
"He's a bad influence on you, Hermione," Ginny said as Gabrielle walked into the kitchen to see who Ginny had been talking to.
"Yep!" Hermione answered and the pair walked into the Weasley home as she leant over to kiss his cheek. This was one bad influence she was never giving up.
"Hi, Gabby," Hermione said and smiled at her newest friend.
"Hello, Hermooney, 'arry."
"All set?" Ginny asked.
"Yep," Hermione replied.
"All set for what?" Harry asked.
"Rounding up the D.A.," Ginny answered. As she spoke she held aloft her list of D.A. names that had been colour-coded and filled with arrows and scribbled notes.
"How are you going to do that?"
Ginny smiled. "I can link us to six or seven of the names on the list."
Harry thought. "Out of how many? Twenty?"
Hermione replied, "Twenty-nine originally. Though of course some have left school and a couple may not be coming back."
"And I'm counting on the six or seven whose home I've been to linking us to the rest. It may take a day or so but we're bound to get everyone eventually."
Harry looked at the list from a distance of a few yards. "That line you've drawn through - - ?"
"Edgecombe," Ginny answered.
"Makes sense," Harry said.
"Lucky for us Luna is on the list," Hermione said, taking the list from Ginny and perusing it.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"She's been to Terry Corner's place so she can help us round up the rest of the Ravenclaws.
"What about the Hufflepuffs?"
Ginny answered confidently. "Katie Bell used to be a friend of Susan Bones. We're hoping she's been to Susan's place."
Harry looked at the list and was impressed by the detail Ginny and Hermione had gone to. "You two have thought of everything."
"Not quite," Hermione smiled. "But seeing as you can't Apparate on your own to someone's place if you haven't been there before, there is no other way we can get to all the D.A."
"That is if they even will want to," Harry pointed out and both Ginny and Hermione nodded.
"We can only ask," Ginny said. "As long as the Fidelius charm is still active on - - -."
Harry looked around nervously. "Shhhhh!"
Ginny realised Harry meant for her to be careful about what was said. "Don't worry. Dad says the Ministry has put the Burrow under protection. No one can spy on us or get in or out without bypassing all of the protection charms."
Harry thought some more. "Hermione and I Apparated with no problem."
Ginny laughed. "Because you're on the good guy list. Anyway, the Apparition alarm rang the second you arrived. No one can get in without being seen."
Harry smiled; that was good news. He reconsidered Ginny's list again. "I see some names aren't linked to any other."
"We know," Ginny responded. "Lavender and Zac Smith have, as far as we know, no links to any of the others. But hopefully once we start visiting some of the names on this list, we'll find a link."
Hermione turned to Harry. "We aren't using owls. We are going to offer Grimmauld Place as somewhere to train and be ready for anything that might happen before school returns. We'll explain the best we can to their parents. Ginny's mum has agreed to let us use the Burrow as a way to get messages in and out. As long as their families are careful, we'll keep all communication to here and pop in once or twice a day for any owl post.
"Thought it all through?" Harry asked Hermione.
She stood in deep concentration for a long time. "We hope so. We know how much is resting on this."
Harry winced at her words.
"What?" Hermione asked but Harry shook his head.
"What can I do?" Harry asked. Apart from the Burrow and Hermione, he hadn't been to anyone else's home.
"Wake Ron up," Ginny replied as she grabbed her coat. "You can go with him to Luna's and see who else she knows. I made a copy of the list for him and put it on his desk."
Hermione walked to Harry and kissed him, seeing something in his eyes, but she wasn't sure what. "Keep him out of trouble."
"Where are you two off to first?" Harry asked as both girls consulted their own personal lists of names.
"I'm going to Fred and George's shop to see if either of them can help with any of these names," Hermione replied.
Ginny giggled. "And I'm off to see Neville."
"You've been to Neville's place?" Harry asked and she nodded. "Tell him I said Hi."
"Tell him yourself," Ginny replied. "I already know he'll want to be in on this."
CRACK! Ginny was gone from where she just stood.
"Hey! She's not even seventeen yet!" Ron said in shock. She couldn't have taken any lessons or gotten her license yet, and it was more the fact that she Disapparated so expertly that annoyed him. She'd obviously been practicing.
"Would you rather Ginny use the Floo instead? You know that can tracked?" Harry asked.
"Besides, " Hermione added. "It's only illegal if she gets caught."
Ron looked about in surprise until Harry spoke again. "If she gets in trouble it will be on my head. Okay?"
Ron softened, after all there WAS a Dark Lord running about. He doubted the Ministry would be too concerned with one or two cases of underage Apparation.
Harry looked at Hermione in slight surprise, but said nothing.
She watched his face stiffen. "Harry?"
He paused. "I'm - okay."
"Really?"
He thought and nodded. "This isn't some kind of Boy's Own Adventure you know?"
Hermione paused. "We know."
"This is dangerous. Voldemort wants to kill us all."
She paused again, noting the change of name. He wasn't Tom Riddle any more. "You're not telling us anything we aren't aware of," she said softly with a sympathetic voice.
He looked at her. "Be careful, please?"
She smiled and kissed him deeply before answering in a whisper.
"I promise we will be careful."
"Come back to me, right?"
She noted his real concern and smiled, hoping to give him some confidence. "You don't need to make me promise you that, Harry. I love you."
CRACK!
***
"Okay, Gran," Neville replied with the normal tone of resignation in his voice.
"And those tiger ferns are dropping seedlings everywhere," his Grandmother said. "Can't you take better care of your plants?"
How could he answer that? Sure, he loved plants and found them immensely interesting, but that didn't mean he was responsible for their actions.
"I'll try."
"Try nothing!" she shrilled. "Do it! I bet young Harry Potter isn't wasting his time with silly plants!"
"Gran, you said yourself in my first year that Herbology is important. I DID help Harry in the Triwizard tournament!"
To be reminded of this caused his grandmother to pause. "Only that once though."
He sighed and decided to give up on an argument he couldn't win. In her eyes, Harry Potter was perfect and Neville would never be as good as him.
"I'll be back later," she told him as she looked at her growing grandson over the top of her glasses. "I'll expect both bathrooms to be so clean they sparkle."
CRACK!
She disappeared without another word and Neville sighed. Fenrir, listening to every word between Neville and his grandmother just outside the lounge room window, heard the unmistakable sound of Disapparition. He was starting to remove his Invisibility Cloak to address the others when...
CRACK!
The doorbell then rang, surprising Neville as no one ever called on his grandmother unexpectedly. As he opened the door his look of surprise gave way to a big beaming smile.
"Ginny!"
Ginny gave Neville a smile of her own.
"Neville, how would you like to spend the rest of the break until school starts doing something important?"
"How important?"
"D.A. important!"
Neville didn't need to think. He knew what those initials meant and his face shone. He was never happier than when he was learning DADA with his friends. "Will Harry be there?"
Ginny grinned, and mentally counted Neville as being CONFIRMED. "Harry's running it."
"What are we waiting for then?"
Ginny stepped forward and took Neville's elbow gently.
CRACK!
Greyback waited a whole minute before moving. All three removed their cloaks to see for themselves that Neville and Ginny had left, leaving the home well and truly deserted. Voldemort's plan to snatch Longbottom had come undone at the last second. Unless he was coming back, all three would have to return to the Dark Lord with some grim news.
***
Arthur heard running. That was odd. He couldn't remember the last time he heard anyone running within the Ministry of Magic. Surely no routine paperwork or official business could be so important. He looked up from the large desk within his newly christened office. The running was getting closer. Something was up.
"Arthur!" Kingsley Shacklebolt said breathlessly as he ducked into Arthur Weasley's office.
"This is about Harry?" Arthur asked, always a fairly safe bet.
Kingsley nodded. "How did you know?"
"Just a wild guess. What's he done, is he safe?"
"We don't know. We've been watching him and he Disapparated, along with Hermione."
Arthur thought for a split second. "Have you tried the Burrow?"
Kingsley started to resume his composure. "My first guess too."
"Come on then," Arthur said standing and reaching for his cloak. "Let's see if he's there." The two men started walking towards the stairs that led to the Atrium and the Ministerial Floo. "You've been watching him?" Arthur asked after considering what Kingsley had said.
Kingsley smiled. "Sorry, Arthur. I was under strictest confidence not to breathe a word of it, in case there was a leak. Too many lives depend on it."
"Depend on what?"
"Keeping the boy safe. He's been under constant supervision since he left the wedding."
Arthur thought about that. "Do the Grangers know?"
Kingsley shook his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "Nobody knew except those in the Aurors' department who have been watching him. And of course the Minister and me. When Voldemort sent the owl we knew of course where Harry was. We've known where he has been every second. Except - -"
"This morning?" Arthur asked.
"And yesterday evening. We know he has spent some time at your home, and at Grimmauld Place, but he and Hermione - ducked out - late last evening. We don't know where but we were starting to get worried until they both arrived at Hermione's home for breakfast."
Arthur stopped and looked at Kingsley questioningly.
"I don't know, and THAT isn't our business to ask. All I know is we HAVE to keep him safe."
"How is a boy supposed to defeat a Dark Lord?" Arthur asked, his mood dark. How indeed?
That mood quickly spread to Kingsley's face. "We don't know, but basically he is the only hope any of us have."
Arthur stood before the Floo, and slowly grabbed a handful of Floo powder. "Merlin help him then."
"Merlin help all of us if he can't stop him."
Arthur nodded and stood within the Floo. "The Burrow!"
Ron, Harry, and Ginny, all sitting at the kitchen table, paused whatever conversation they were having when they heard the fireplace roar to life with a Floo arrival.
Arthur arrived in his home Floo and saw Harry immediately. Where ELSE would he be?
"Gee, Dad, you said you'd be home earlier but - - ."
"No, Ron, not this early," Arthur answered but didn't take his eyes off Harry for a second.
A second Floo arrival was heard and Kingsley Shacklebolt looked relieved to see Harry Potter safe and in one piece.
"Harry!" Kingsley said.
"Yes?" Both Arthur and Kingsley were looking at him strangely.
"Everything okay, Harry?" Arthur asked.
Harry shrugged. Ron had only just finished breakfast and the two were still discussing their part in the plan to reunite as many of the D.A. as possible.
"I guess," Harry replied. "Why?"
"Where did you go from the airport?" Kingsley asked.
Harry paused. "How did you know I was at the airport?"
Kingsley looked at Arthur, then to Harry. Only Kingsley knew all the pieces of the puzzle and now had to lay them out. He looked at Arthur who quickly understood.
"Perfectly safe to speak," Arthur said. "I watched as the charms were all put in place."
Kingsley nodded and took a deep breath before continuing.
"Harry, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but - - ."
Harry saw in an instant. "I've been watched?"
Kingsley nodded.
"Under Ministry supervision?" he asked. Gabrielle and Ron watched the conversation back and forth between Harry and the Minister's personal assistant, not really understanding.
"Protection," Kingsley corrected. "We've been watching out for you."
Harry was thinking about that when Ron spoke up.
"Why?"
"For my own good, I suspect," Harry answered and Kingsley started to reply.
"A lot rests on you H - -." Harry winced again. To be constantly reminded of how the weight of the Wizarding world was on his shoulders was starting to become more responsibility than he could bear.
"Harry," Kingsley said softly and sat beside him. This was the familiar voice Harry knew; the voice of a friend. "We've been watching to make sure you have been safe, that's all. Just to make sure you're safe. Pretty much since you left Hogwarts."
Harry looked at Kingsley. "At Hermione's?"
"The entire time."
He thought about that and thought it odd he didn't feel embarrassed. Of course nothing happened between him and Hermione there. Though of course, if it had - - .
"And the Grangers too. We've been watching you the entire time."
Harry now wondered why he didn't feel angry. Should he? Should he consider this a gross invasion of privacy?
Kingsley continued. "The other night when Ron, Ginny, Luna, and the rest of you were over for dinner, we were watching out for all of you."
Harry looked at Arthur.
"No, Arthur didn't know. No one did."
Harry stood. Turned.
"Ze pacing?" Gabrielle asked Ron, who nodded.
Harry took a few steps forward and turned, returning to his original position.
"I know you didn't think I'd run off," Harry said softly, and watched as Kingsley's smiling eyes agreed. "Because where would I go?"
"Apart from Grimmauld Place?"
Harry nodded. "It's still protected by the Fidelius charm, isn't it?"
Kingsley nodded. "Yes. Checked with Remus a few days ago. In fact you've been there a few times in the last week?"
Harry nodded. "And last night. In fact we were going back there again later today. Is that okay?"
"Harry," Kingsley said. "I understand if you are angry with us, but really we ARE just doing what we can to look out for you."
Harry smiled. "I know. But I'm pretty sure he plans to attack at school."
Kingsley thought about that. "What makes you say that?"
"An educated guess. I wondered when I came back from Voldemort's that no one from the Ministry asked me what happened. I guess you heard everything when I explained to Hermione?"
Kingsley nodded.
"What about the dog that attacked Dan and me?"
"We saw it, like you did. But you reacted faster than any of our people could. In fact you dealt better than simply reacting. You had everything in hand as well as any Auror could have. And I must admit I was very proud of how you acted that night. I heard how you put your body between Hermione's father and the dog."
Harry shrugged. "It was mostly reflex."
"Bollocks!" Ron said.
"Bollocks indeed," Kingsley said and now they all agreed. "Take it from me that what Harry did was brave and selfless."
Ron turned to Kingsley. "Was Voldemort behind all that?"
"Probably not. The dog, Mr. Granger's near accident. As far as we can tell, Voldemort had nothing to do with any of it."
Harry sat again, suddenly tired.
"Harry?" Kingsley spoke softly and Harry turned his head slowly to look at him. Something in the way he heard his name told him he wasn't going to like what came next. "We weren't the only ones watching you."
Harry fell silent for a very long time. No one spoke.
Molly Weasley came in at that moment and instead of being her normal ebullient self, she saw the looks of gloom all about as she whispered to her husband.
"What's going on?"
"I'm not sure," Arthur answered back and kissed his wife's cheek.
"He's had people watching me?" Harry asked.
Kingsley answered with a single silent nod.
"How often?"
"They arrived a short time after ours did. We've been watching them watch you the entire time."
Harry sighed. Suddenly very sad and tired. Tired of all this.
"They could have taken me at any time?"
"They could have tried. Believe me, Harry, you have been as safe as we were able to make you. Not just you but Hermione and her parents."
Harry paused and considered all that. He had brought danger to her home simply by being there. Dan's earliest fears had so nearly come true.
"You are owed some answers, Harry," Kingsley said.
Harry looked at him. "No one owes me a thing. If anything, I owe all those around me more than I can ever repay."
"Harry," Arthur asked, finally letting the pieces fall together in his mind. "Are you angry?"
Harry looked up with sad eyes. "Just tired. Of all of it."
Kingsley stood and placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder. "Come on, let's go see the Minister."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"He owes you an explanation. You deserve to hear it all from him."
Harry considered remaining where he was for a fraction. Let this be another decision made for him, he decided.
"Whatever."
Molly took a step towards the boy she thought of as a son and smiled at him. Kingsley had seen her look and quickly allayed her fears.
"Don't worry, Molly," he said. "I'll be bringing him right back here."
Ron looked to his friend. "Can I go with him? Just so he's not on his own?"
"That's okay, Ron, thanks." Harry smiled slightly at the gesture. "Besides, weren't you off to Luna's?"
Ron grinned to be reminded, and this made Harry feel slightly better. "Go on," Harry urged him. "I guess the best thing is to continue with our plan. I mean Grimmauld Place is still the safest place for all of us?"
The question was answered by Kingsley Shacklebolt with a considered, single nod. Dumbledore trusted Kingsley and so did Harry.
Kingsley turned to Molly and Arthur as he pulled Harry in closer. "I'll bring him back here when we are done."
"Good!" Molly said with a satisfied smile. "And don't keep him too long. He needs to eat and to rest a bit."
Harry turned to Ron's mother and smiled at her. She asked for nothing in return, but simply cared for him as if he was one of her own.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said and watched the smile sparkle on Molly's face.
Kingsley walked toward the fireplace and was gone a moment later. Harry smiled as everyone watched him take a handful of Floo powder and pronounced his destination carefully.
***
CRACK!
"Anozer one, Mrs. Weasley," Gabrielle said quickly.
Molly looked out the back window quickly to see Hermione walking up the back steps.
"Thank you, Gabby," Molly said as she opened the door.
Watching everyone looking at her, Hermione suddenly felt slightly nervous. "What have I missed?" she asked.
"People coming and going all morning is what," Molly answered. "Between you, Ginny, Ron, and the Ministry of Magic, it's been a madhouse here."
Hermione looked around. "Where's Harry?"
"Gone to the Ministry. He's with Kingsley."
She nodded, accepting that he was probably safe enough there and with the Minister's personal assistant.
"Come," Molly said. "Sit, eat something."
CRACK!
Ginny appeared in the back yard about where Hermione had appeared. Hermione watched as her ginger-haired friend walked inside.
CRACK!
Tonks appeared at the back door and Molly's head turned sharply.
"Heavens!" Molly started but Arthur was at her side instantly, placing his arm around her waist.
"Everything will be back to normal in a day or so," Arthur said.
"I hope so," his wife sighed. "I won't be surprised to throw my neck out with all this lot coming and going."
"Mrs. Weasley - - ," Hermione started but was stopped by Molly's smile.
"I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean you or anyone, it's just - - ."
Ron walked into the kitchen with Neville Longbottom right behind and explained for everyone before Molly could.
"Hey, Hermione, it's been a right royal mad house here," Ron said.
"How?" Hermione asked.
"People Apparating or Flooing in and out everything you look."
Tonks walked inside. "Wotcher!"
"SIT," Molly commanded, almost at breaking point. "Everyone sit and eat or so help me!!!!"
Silently, everyone quickly found a place to sit at the large Weasley kitchen and Molly made a satisfied sound. It might be chaos at the Burrow but at least this could be her chaos. She moved to the kitchen cupboards and started collecting plates; she was going to need a few.
Ron explained quickly for Hermione and Tonks. "Ginny been back a few times, and Luna is helping too. She's already been in touch with a few of the names on the list."
Hermione thought for a moment. Luna was a Ravenclaw and therefore smart enough, but she was known for being a little... odd at times.
"I hope she - -."
Ron smiled. "Stop worrying. She'll only say the same thing you and Ginny have been. She'll explain in the briefest terms and ask if they want to come to Grimmauld Place, not much more than that."
Hermione nodded, satisfied. "If by chance we are able to collect at least a few willing members of the D.A. without alerting Voldemort or his followers, then it would be some kind of miracle."
"So how many chickies am I going to be mother hen to?" Tonks asked no one in particular.
Ron looked to Hermione and then Ginny, none of them understanding.
Tonks explained again. "How many said yes?"
"Dean and Luna definitely said yes," Ron answered. "Both will be here tomorrow morning.
Ginny spoke up next. "I did better, Hannah Abbott. Seamus wasn't interested but Terry Boot sure is. And Michael Corner said probably. I don't think Colin or Dennis Creevey will be there though. Their dad reckons it's too dangerous."
Hermione nodded; what they were proposing may very well be dangerous. "Well," Hermione spoke up, "turns out Fred and George are well enough friends of Ernie Macmillian and Justin Finch-Fletchley. Both will be here tomorrow. Ernie knows Susan Bones who isn't coming back to school, but she was able to get in touch with Lavender and the Patil sisters. They'll let us know by owl with a simple yes or no."
Tonks was counting the names as they were mentioned, mentally subtracting the `definitely nots.' "What's that? Nine? Ten?"
"Something like that," Ginny said. "Plus all of us."
"And Neville and Luna," Ron finished.
"Maybe a dozen all up," Hermione said. She turned to Tonks as if she had only just heard her previous comment.
"Mother hen?"
Tonks grinned. "Remember how Remus and I were moving in anyway next week?"
Hermione nodded, remembering Harry had invited them both to live there instead of Tonks' small flat.
"Try today instead. Remus is moving all our things now. I've just come from there myself. Harry should be back himself pretty soon."
"What's he doing there?" Ron asked. "He's supposed to be at the Ministry."
Tonks didn't know anything about that. "Looks like he has been moving some stuff in. He even had me help."
Tonks smiled at Hermione who smiled back. That meant something but she wasn't sure what.
Molly spoke up as she brought the first plates heavily laden with food and began setting them in front of those seated at the table. "I must say I'll feel better knowing Remus and Tonks will be there to keep an eye on things."
Ginny groaned as Tonks laughed.
"Right," Tonks said with a take-charge voice. "Lights out will be nine o'clock sharp!"
Molly smiled again. "I like the sound of that."
As Molly went back to the kitchen to start getting more plates, Tonks leaned across and whispered into Ginny's ear. "Nine AM, that is." She winked as Ginny laughed.
"All right!"
Molly continued to serve lunch and was moving back and forth to the kitchen. Ginny waited for her mother to be out of earshot before whispering back to Tonks.
"What's the rule on sleeping arrangements going to be?"
Tonks winked again and gave a delicious smile. "See anyone you would like to share with yet?"
Ginny laughed and quickly looked about. Neville was here and he smiled at her. "Maybe!"
Tonks laughed and whispered for the last time. "Well, let me know when there is."
Hermione and Gabrielle heard the whole exchange and also started laughing. Of course, Ron had heard nothing because he was eating the entire time.
"Actually," Tonks said louder and to Molly as she now joined them. "I guess if anyone is going to make any rules it will be Harry. After all, it IS his house."
Ron and Hermione nodded, and Ginny silently wondered whether it would be necessary to sweet talk Harry into agreeing to anything or not.
Neville spoke up for the first time. "Will it be all right if I bring some plants?"
Ron, Hermione and Ginny all looked at each other and Tonks spoke up. "I don't see why not. Nothing dangerous?"
Neville smiled, thinking it silly he would have any dangerous plants. "No, just some pots and stuff. I could leave them but then Gran would have to water them for me."
"Sure," Hermione answered. "If it's okay with your gran, I don't see that it will be a problem. There's plenty of room."
Neville gave a huge smile in response. "Gran will be thrilled to know I am doing something important with Harry."
Ginny quickly addressed Neville. "You can't breathe a word."
"I wasn't going to. I'll tell her when it's all over and hopefully she'll be proud of me."
Ron now spoke, still eating. "She should be anyway."
Ginny agreed. "I'll say. After helping to keep us all safe at the Ministry? Me especially?"
Neville started to blush, unaccustomed to any praise. Ginny smiled at him. "Will you need a hand with the plants?"
Neville nodded. "I don't think so. I can collect them together and Apparate the lot and myself here in one go."
"And from here, either Remus or I can get you to Grimmauld Place," Hermione said. "We're still the only Secret Keepers?"
She looked at Tonks who nodded. "Yes. And boy are you two going to be busy tomorrow."
"I know," Hermione sighed. "I suppose I'll be doing a lot of coming and going."
Molly looked at the girls and interjected. "Maybe it would be better to get the plants today?"
Hermione shrugged; Neville didn't mind either way.
"It's just that there will be a lot of people in and out tomorrow."
"If that's okay with everyone," Neville said softly.
"Nev, we'll do it after lunch."
"You're welcome to bring your clothes and things as well," Hermione said. "You may as well stay from tonight as long as it will be all right."
Neville grinned. "It will be. To be perfectly honest, Gran won't mind too much if I'm not around. Naturally we should all still be at school."
Ginny looked about her, and felt the mood suddenly change. "I don't suppose anyone really expected for Dumbledore to be - - ."
Molly smiled at her daughter. "The MAIN thing is the school will remain open. Albus wouldn't want us to be maudlin, but instead would want you to all do exactly what you are doing."
Ron nodded. "Preparing to fight Voldemort!"
Molly started coughing; that clearly wasn't what she meant. "NO! I meant being somewhere safe. Once school opens you'll all be safe there, but until then Grimmauld Place is the next safest place." Molly's greatest fear was losing her husband or one of her children. Or even one of those she thought of almost like one of her own children; Harry, Hermione, Gabrielle; anyone.
In truth, she knew she couldn't protect them all. There were just too many of them and only one of her. The idea of letting them all stay at Grimmauld Place until the reopening of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was one she had made reluctantly. But since it had been mentioned to her the day before by Ron and Ginny, Molly realised she had no real choice. As long as the Fidelius charm was intact and that there were adults to watch over them all, she had given her reluctant consent.
"IS that why," Ginny asked her mother, "you are letting Ron and I stay at Harry's?"
She nodded. "That and the fact that I need a break. As long as we have your promise you won't leave the house." Molly turned towards Hermione. "I know I'm not your mother, Hermione, but as one of the two Secret Keepers, I'll be expecting that you will promise you won't take Ron or Ginny anywhere without my permission."
Hermione smiled. "I promise, Mrs. Weasley. But back here will be okay?"
Molly thought. "Okay, here but nowhere else. I guess you'll be coming here at least once a day for any Owl Post?"
Hermione nodded. "Will that be okay, Mrs. Weasley?"
Molly now nodded. "As long as everyone keeps to our promise and makes sure there is no vital information in the Owl Post, you can use the Burrow as a stop off point."
The sound of the Floo had all heads turned and a now-smiling Harry emerged from the fireplace. To see so many of his friends all together had him laughing.
"Holy moley! Your place is getting smaller and smaller all the time, Ron. Hey everyone!"
Hermione gave him the most delightful 'Welcome Home' smile and Harry decided he was going to give her a big thank you kiss later.
"How was the Ministry?" Hermione asked.
"I've got heaps to tell you all. How did everyone get on?"
Ginny answered first. "We think maybe nine or ten."
"WOW!" Harry said. When the idea of getting the D.A. back together first arose, he didn't seriously think more than maybe half that number would be interested. "We're still planning for them to start arriving tomorrow?"
Tonks spoke up. "Wotcher, Harry."
"Hi, Tonks. Remus has got the last of it in just about. He'll be here shortly."
Molly groaned. "Another plate."
Harry looked about the table. "Hey, Neville!"
"Hi, Harry. Is it okay if I bring some plants?"
"Sure. Will you need a hand with them?"
"If you like," Neville replied. "Mrs. Weasley said we should move them today. It might be busy tomorrow."
Harry looked at Molly and smiled. "Good call. Well, let me know when you are finished and - -."
"I'm finished now. I'll be right back."
CRACK!
Standing in the lounge room of his grandmother's house, Neville saw everything was as it should be. Outside and fifty yards away, Alecto and Amycus instantly noticed who had Apparated inside the house they had been watching for days now. Their orders had been to snatch Neville without witnesses, and was part of the plan to bring about the downfall of Harry Potter.
Now, here Longbottom stood, alone and unprotected. Alecto reached for her Invisibility Cloak and looked about for her brother Amycus who had chosen only the moment before to duck behind some trees in order to relieve himself. The werewolf, Fenrir Greyback, wouldn't have had time to return from where Lord Voldermort had been hiding and all that meant she would have to make a decision, or to simply wait and watch. Luckily for all she chose the latter.
CRACKI
Hermione returned from Grimmauld Place after transporting all of Neville's plants. Neville waited patiently for her.
"Will they be all right until you water them again?" she asked the shy Gryffindor boy.
"Yeah. I'll spread them out later. I watered them all this morning. I hope it wasn't too much trouble."
"Naaaah," Hermione replied. "I just left them in the foyer. Boy, but there is a lot of them."
They both laughed as they went inside.
"Hi, Remus," Hermione said with a smile.
Remus smiled back. "I heard you have been busy."
Hermione started to speak but was interrupted by the sound of the Floo.
"HEAVENS!!!!" Molly cried.
Kingsley Shackebolt stood in the fireplace and walked out, dusting soot from his shoulders.
"Sorry, Molly," Kingsley said. He looked about and saw more people than there were last time. Ron, Ginny, Gabrielle, Harry, and Hermione of course. Also there were Neville, Arthur, Tonks, Remus, and Molly. No wonder she was so stressed.
"Who isn't here?" Harry laughed.
"The Minister?" Arthur replied and they all laughed.
"He's on his way," Kingsley said quickly with a twinkle in his eyes. "Sorry, Molly, I was kidding."
Molly had had enough. "That was NOT funny!" She stormed off up the hall.
"Sorry, everyone," Arthur said quickly. "She's worn a little thin." He scampered off after his wife quickly.
"After tomorrow, things will settle back to normal," Kingsley said. He looked at Ron and Ginny. "Bill and Fleur still due back later tonight?"
Ron nodded as he looked at the clock in the kitchen. Naturally, the entire Weasley family were, according to the bewitched timepiece far over into the area labelled 'Mortal Peril.' He looked at the other clock next to it, for the first was useless for telling time. It was mid afternoon.
Arthur walked back into the crowded kitchen. "Sorry, everyone. Sh - - ."
"That's okay, Arthur," Tonks said. "Molly has run off her feet and needs a rest."
Arthur nodded. "I know. She's lying down now."
Arthur looked about and saw all the bodies. "I don't know where we'll fit everyone. Bill and Fleur will be back later."
"We were just talking about that," Kingsley said.
"And Fred, George, Charlie and Percy I suppose," Arthur added.
"Mr. Weasley," Harry said. "Hermione and I don't want to interrupt anything. I sort of assumed we'd be staying at Grimmauld Place anyway."
Hermione liked the sound of that and smiled. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Tonks lean over to where Neville was standing and whisper in his ear. Whatever she said had caused Neville to nod in agreement.
"You don't have - - ," Arthur started.
"Yes I do. WE do. You said yourself it was crowded here. With me, Hermione, Remus, and Tonks out of your hair - - ."
"Oh," Tonks said, "we're staying back at the flat."
Remus looked as surprised by anyone to hear that. "We are? Since when?"
"Since you just agreed with me," Tonks replied.
"But all our things - - ."
Hermione heard a bark, a familiar sound, and turned her head. She walked towards the back door. "Was that - - ?"
"Sam?" Harry finished. "Yeah. I'll explain later."
"But - -."
"Shh."
"So that's you, me, and Neville then at Grimmauld?"
"Um," Neville said, "er, Ron said I could spend the night here. If that's okay, Mr. Weasley?"
Arthur smiled. He saw straight away where all this was leading to but didn't let on. "Sure, Neville. We'll have plenty of room."
"What's Sam doing here?" Hermione asked.
"Staying," Harry answered. "Hedwig too. We can't go back to your place for the time being. It isn't safe."
"But - -"
He smiled at her. Harry had also guessed what was behind Tonks' and Neville's sudden change of plans and was going to thank them both; tomorrow.
"I'm confused," Hermione said. "Who's going where?"
Harry summed it up. "Looks like just you and me for Grimmauld Place. Everyone else will be along tomorrow."
That suited Hermione just fine but she still didn't understand. "But I'll need - - ."
Harry smiled at her. "I'll explain later."
The smile didn't answer any questions but she was happy to see it. "Okay, well let's go then and you can start explaining."
"We'll be back first thing tomorrow, everyone," Harry said. Hermione took his elbow.
CRACK!
They stood in the foyer of Grimmauld Place and looked about. There were potted plants everywhere: tall bushes, ferns, some very pretty flowers neither Harry or Hermione knew, lavender, and more.
"Neville wasn't kidd - - ," Harry started.
"Shhh!"
Harry looked at Hermione and listened. He couldn't hear anything. "Wha - - ?"
"Shhhh!" Hermione said again, only this time she was grinning.
Harry strained his ears again. Once more his temporary extraordinary hearing, and eyesight, had failed him.
"What?" he said finally. He STILL couldn't hear anything.
"Don't you hear it?" Hermione asked, with a smile Harry could only describe as a Christmas morning smile on her face.
"I can't hear a thing," he replied.
"Exactly!"
Now he got it. "Ahhhhh!" Harry was laughing now and Hermione joined him. "Yeah, quiet isn't it?"
Hermione nodded. They were alone: just her, Harry, and about half a million potted plants. She put her arms around Harry's neck and kissed him. "I like this."
Harry agreed and held her tightly before slowly kissing her in return. "Me too. I don't know how Ron manages."
"I don't know how ANY of them manage. It sure makes a change from being an only child," Hermione laughed. Harry agreed. Dudley never felt like anything to Harry; in his mind he also felt like an only child.
"So how are you for large families?" Harry asked and laughed.
Hermione grinned. She surely didn't expect that question, but more than anything else was simply relieved to see he looked so much better than when she had left him hours earlier.
"How large?" Hermione asked and Harry only laughed louder.
He kissed her again and she giggled. Hermione looked around. "Dobby? Winky?"
Harry shrugged. "No idea. Remus and I were here before, and Tonks. I didn't see Dobby or Winky then."
That didn't sound right. Hermione tried to understand what that could mean. "They've left."
Harry didn't think that either of the house-elves had left them. No doubt they were just - off somewhere. "They'll be in one of the many rooms here. I'm sure we'll find them." Harry took a step toward the kitchen as if to start his search before Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him back to her again.
"Shhhhh," Hermione said quickly. "Leave them be. I want some privacy for as long as we can manage."
Harry's face turned and Hermione saw it straight away. "Why?"
Harry knew he had to tell her everything that Kingsley had told him earlier. Now was as good a time as any. "Talking about privacy - - ."
Hermione was walking up the stairs towards Harry's large room on the first floor. She still held his hand and was leading him up the stairs.
"Keep going, Harry, I'm listening."
Harry allowed her to lead him into his bedroom. "Um, where are we going?" he asked, not entirely sure what Hermione had on her mind.
"Bath," She replied simply without stopping or looking back. She reached for the handle to the door of the ensuite when she spoke again. "After all that Apparating back and forth, I'm knackered."
Harry paused and stood still. Hermione smiled as she looked back at him, watching a delightful blush fill his cheeks.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Harry answered. He could feel the heat filling his cheeks and Hermione giggled; he was so cute.
"What are you likely to see," she asked him, kissing the tip of his nose, "that you haven't ALREADY seen?"
She had a point there, he thought. "Since you put it like that, nothing."
She nodded. "Right. Nothing. So let me have a bath and you can tell me what happened to you today. Better still you can join me."
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