Four
Harry and Hermione got back to the wedding just as the last toast was ending. They smiled at the other guests at the table: Fred, George, Tonks and Remus. As they took their seats Harry could see Tonks eyeing him suspiciously from the corner of her eye. "Sorry," Harry said weakly.
Tonks reached over and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and said, "Not a problem. You didn't miss a thing."
Harry felt the pain from his scar had almost gone, and now decided that nothing, NOTHING was going to stop him from enjoying the rest of the evening. Every now and then however he shot quick glances all around, almost expecting Voldemort or his Death Eaters to make a sudden appearance. As the bridal waltz began, Harry made eye-contact with Mad-Eye Moody, who nodded slowly and deliberately at Harry. Hermione was right; he was keeping an eye (the magical one) out for trouble.
Everyone watched as the couple gracefully danced about the floor; the bride and groom had eyes only for one another, and almost seemed oblivious to all the other guests. Tonks and Remus were speaking together again in low tones, and Harry was surprised to hear his name mentioned. He tried to turn his head to find out what they were speaking about, but found he couldn't take his eyes off the happy couple.
They danced, and moved together; Bill must have made a quiet joke for Fleur flashed her dazzling smile and laughed. The funny thing was that Harry didn't see Bill's lips move, so he guessed it must have been one of those unspoken communications. Harry wondered what it must be like to be so close to someone that you could almost read their mind, to be able to feel what they felt and to know they could feel you as well.
The couple still danced and Harry still watched as he was surprised by an explosion right above his head followed by a small red plume of fireworks. He, like all the other guests, looked up to watch the display, not knowing what had happened. Fred and George could not contain their laughter, and again high-fived each other. Harry looked around, for an explanation as to what had just happened.
"What did you wish for?" one of the boys asked.
"Huh?" Harry said, still not understanding.
Hermione leant in closer and whispered, "Wish-bangs. They go off when you make a wish. So what was it Harry?"
Hermione smiled, but seemed slightly disappointed when Harry shrugged his shoulders and simply said "I don't know." As he saw Hermione's smile fade slightly in disappointment, he quickly added, "But if it comes back to me later I'll let you know."
"Deal!" she said, smiling.
Tonks and Remus had stopped talking, and were almost holding each other in embrace as they watched Harry and Hermione. "Wotcher, Harry! You have to be careful with those wishes, you know," she said.
"Thanks, Tonks. You could have told me that before I embarrassed myself though," Harry said, laughing.
"I didn't know about them either. Then again there are some things you just have to find out about for yourself."
Hermione smiled and joined the conversation. "I'm surprised you noticed, Tonks. You've done little more than notice Remus for the whole evening."
"Eyes off girl!" Tonks said playfully. "This one's mine!" Both girls started laughing, and Harry and Remus merely rolled eyes together.
"Having fun Harry?" Remus asked.
"Yep! You?"
"Yep!" Tonks replied for him. "But not nearly as much fun as he'll be having later."
Harry and Remus blushed in unison and Hermione laughed again.
"Remus?" Harry asked.
"Did you want to ask me something, Harry?"
"Yes."
"Good, because I need to get some air before this girl embarrasses me to death."
Tonks laughed again and said mockingly, "Don't tell me the last of the famous Marauders gets embarrassed?"
Harry and Remus walked away from the marquee as Tonks and Hermione began talking secretively. Harry smiled as he watched Ginny run to join them, no doubt smelling the impending gossip from clear across the other side of the tent.
When Harry had walked far enough away so that he thought he wouldn't be overheard he stopped. Remus smiled at him, waiting for Harry to speak. When he didn't Remus decided to start for him.
"What is it Harry?"
"Well," he began, "You knew my mother."
Remus nodded; he was probably the last one alive to really know Lily Potter. He often smiled as he thought how proud both his parents would be of their only son.
"Did she ever say anything to you about Hogwarts?"
Remus' expression narrowed. He was trying to remember back over any conversations he'd had with Lily Potter about the school, while at the same time wondering where this conversation was going.
"Apart from indicating that she wanted you to go to Hogwarts, as in fact both your parents did, I don't believe so. Why?"
Harry paused; he dropped his eyes and was nervously looking at the ground. Like Hermione, Remus knew he did this when he was nervous or worried.
Harry lowered his voice to just above a whisper, though with Remus' excellent hearing he didn't miss a word. "Do you think she would have been... disappointed with me... if I didn't go back?"
Remus paused, considering the question, knowing it was by no means certain that there WOULD be a Hogwarts to return to.
"Would she be disappointed with me if I didn't finish?"
"Harry, James and Lily wanted you to go to Hogwarts, just as they did. But neither of them ever said anything about you finishing school. Nobody could have foreseen everything that has happened in the past couple of years. What is it Harry, why are you asking me about this?"
"Remus, I've been having nightmares. Different nightmares! I still get the usual ones where everybody I know dies in front of me and I can't do anything to stop it. But now I'm seeing my Mum telling me over and over again, SCREAMING at me in fact, that I HAVE to go back. She tells me if I don't go back then I'll be a disappointment to them both and that they'll have died for nothing."
Remus watched Harry's bowed head, not for the first time wondering how it is he'd managed to stay together this long. He wondered how many dark thoughts were swirling through Harry's mind, and what he could do before he went mad. "Harry, that isn't your mother. Lily would never..." Remus placed a hand under Harry's chin, raising his head and forcing him to make eye contact. As he did so Remus smiled, hoping he would be able to comfort Harry, "...have said that. That ISN'T your mother talking, it's Voldemort!"
Harry nodded, as if he already knew the answer. He returned Remus' smile, "But if you're wrong? What if it WAS my mother's wish that I return?" Harry asked.
"Not the Lily Potter I knew, Harry. But if you find someone here who knew her better than I did, you can ask them."
***
"Hey, Tonks. Harry tells me you took him shopping," Hermione said.
"I had to, Hermione. You should have seen what he turned up wearing at the Ministry."
"So," Ginny said, "YOU'RE the reason Harry looks so good."
"No need to thank me, girls. I simply couldn't let him go on wearing what's-his-names' hand-me-downs. Looks good, eh?"
"I'll say," Ginny said, while Hermione remained silent and all three laughed.
"Harry said something about you thanking me? What's that about, Tonks?"
Tonks laughed again and looked left and right, as if to ensure they weren't overheard. "What's happened to your eyes, Hermione? You can't tell me you haven't noticed that body of his. Those muscles, that back, that chest," Tonks lowered her voice and finished playfully, "that bum!"
"I've noticed," Ginny said enthusiastically. "Boy, have I noticed!"
Hermione shook her head and laughed at the same time, "What are you thanking ME for then?" she asked.
"Hermione! Don't be embarrassed. I can see the effect you've had on him. You can't expect me to believe he's filled out so, wonderfully, without your nurturing influence," Tonks said.
"What makes you think it's me?" Hermione said. "Until recently he was going out with Ginny.
"Not going out," Ginny added. "About the best you could say is that we snogged once or twice. Hermione, Harry is most definitely available. I'd jump in if I were you, before anyone else gets the chance."
"Like who?" Hermione asked.
"Luna?" Ginny offered.
"Luna? Ginny, if she's taken her eyes off your brother more than twice today I'll be surprised," Hermione said.
"Well, she IS Looney Luna Lovegood!" and the three girls laughed together.
"That still doesn't mean I've had anything to do with it. It COULD be that he's filled out so..."
"Wonderfully!" Tonks added, sighing.
"... because of Quidditch. Have you considered that?" Hermione asked smiling.
"Nope! Because I've seen the way you look at him," Tonks said.
"HAVE NOT!" Hermione argued.
"I've seen the way he looks at YOU," Tonks added.
"Stop it!" Hermione said now laughing hard. She was blushing so hard her entire face was turning red. "Why is it that people have to play matchmaker at weddings?" she asked.
"Hermione, I'm surprised you haven't asked Ginny what it was like," Tonks said mischievously.
"What was what like?" Hermione asked, not understanding.
"Snogging Harry. I bet you want to know what it was like."
Hermione looked away from Tonks and towards Ginny who had been enjoying the exchange. Hermione raised an eyebrow, as if to ask, "Okay, Ginny. What WAS it like?"
Ginny, laughing, cast her mind back to a time not so long ago that she and Harry were an item, however briefly. She recalled the feeling when he held her and kissed her deeply, taking her breath away and she melted into him. She paused before answering, and her smile widened even more. "Find out for yourself!" she said and the three fell together laughing like schoolgirls.
"Stop it!" Hermione said. "Someone will hear you!"
"Would it be so bad?" Tonks asked.
Hermione could only think about her possible relocation to another country and shrugged her shoulders.
Harry and Remus, choosing that moment to return, took one look at the three girls and must have known they had been talked about. Harry and Remus rolled their eyes as one but this just made the girls laugh, until Luna walked up to the group.
"Hi, Harry," Luna said.
"Hi, Luna, how's it going?" Harry asked.
"Want to dance?" she asked, ignoring Harry's question.
Harry looked at Ginny, Hermione and Tonks who now had stopped laughing. All six eyes went from Luna to Harry, awaiting his response. Harry looked at the girls, shrugged his shoulders and took Luna's hand.
"Sure!"
Luna and Harry walked to the dance floor while Ginny leaned over to whisper at Hermione, "SEE! Before anyone else gets the chance!" but Hermione just swatted Ginny playfully.
***
Harry looked over to watch as Ron was now dancing with Luna. Ron had asked to cut in after only one and a half songs and Harry was happy to oblige. Ron had mentioned Luna to him a few times during the evening so Harry knew he was keen. Add to that the fact that Harry knew he couldn't dance and had only agreed because she had asked him.
Kingsley Shacklebolt walked to Harry and smiled warmly.
"Enjoy the tour, Harry? he asked.
"You bet. Thanks again, Kingsley. And thanks to the Minister, I'm sure it was his idea."
"I don't know about that Harry, but it was his idea for ME to show you around. He thought you'd be more comfortable with a familiar face."
"Thanks, Kingsley. I'm not really sure what it is the Minister wants, you know. I guess it's just his way of keeping an eye on me."
"Partly that, Harry, but also it gave us the opportunity to show you around."
Harry nodded, and noticed quick movement coming from the corner of his eye.
"Hello, Kingsley, Harry."
"Hello, Hermione," Kingsley said.
"Hey, Hermione," Harry said.
"Harry, you haven't changed your mind?" she asked with a smile.
"Nope! When do we go?"
"I'm just off to say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley now, and then take my parents home. Then I'll come back for you. You HAVE packed, haven't you?"
"I never unpacked. It's all still in Ron's room so I can get it anytime."
"Good. Back soon!" and she hurried off in the direction of her parents who were talking to the Weasleys.
"That OTHER thing you asked about, Harry?" Kingsley said.
"Yes?"
"I mentioned it to the Minister. He was most impressed."
"Good, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea or just me," Harry told him.
"Not just a good idea Harry, it is a GREAT one. Funny how no one had thought of it before she did," Kingsley said, looking in the direction of Hermione.
"I hope it turns into something. And if it does, I hope she isn't mad at me for telling you."
"I can't say for sure if anything comes out of it, but I wouldn't be at all surprised."
Harry nodded, trying to anticipate Hermione's reaction when she found out.
"Do you mind if I hold on to...?" Kingsley asked.
"No. Just don't lose it."
***
"He shouldn't be any trouble at all, Emma," Molly answered. "He is always so polite and well behaved here. Arthur and I had hoped some of that would have washed off on Ron by now."
"Ron is alright, Molly," Arthur defended. "He just needs to think a bit before he says things."
Dan nodded, assuming he was alluding to something common with teenage boys everywhere. He saw Hermione approaching and decided to quickly ask the question that had been bothering him. "What about...?" Dan placed his hand to his forehead and mimicked the pain Harry had felt from his scar earlier.
"We have all the time in the world for Harry, Dan. And we're all used to THAT by now. Besides, it isn't as if he can control it," Arthur said.
"If it wasn't for Harry, Arthur, Ginny, Ron and possibly Bill might not be here at all today. Our whole family owes him more than we can possibly say," Molly added.
"But can you assure us Hermione will be safe while he's with us?" he asked quickly.
Hermione had arrived and smiled at the two sets of parents thus interrupting the answer. She could tell by the nervous smile on her father's face she had interrupted something but was not sure what.
"Said goodbye to everyone, Hermione?" her mother asked.
"I think so. Thanks for inviting us Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I had a great time and it was a lot of fun catching up with everyone."
"You are always welcome, dear," Molly said while Arthur winked good-naturedly at her.
Hermione looked at her parents and asked, "Ready to go?"
"Okay. Bye again, Arthur, Molly," Dan said, shaking Arthur's hand. Emma and Molly quickly exchanged kisses.
"Owl us if you need anything," Molly told Emma, who nodded.
Hermione placed a hand on one arm of each of her parents and smiled. Seconds later, a CRACK could be heard as the three disappeared.
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