Disclaimer: All of the original characters and placed of Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rolwing.
Quick Note: Thanks for everyone for reviewing! That was the biggest reviewed chapter since the first two. Hope it keeps up and thanks again!
~~~
"Oh, wow," said Hermione, gasping for breath a few minutes later. She was sitting on the couch beside Harry in the dark living room, and her word had just changed. That had certainly been the last thing she thought would have happened. One minute they were talking about Ron and the next minute Harry had leaned in and kissed her. She didn't know how to react when Harry pulled away and she definitely did not know what to say.
Harry didn't know what to do or to say either. He had reacted purely on instinct and had forgotten to use his brain. He had just felt that it was the right time to lean in and if he was wrong, well, then things might not ever be the same. He had taken a big gamble and by the look of Hermione's stunned face he wasn't sure if his gamble would win. So, he waited. He waited as he watched Hermione sitting there with a thoughtful look on her face. He knew by that look that she was thinking about what had just happened. She never had been one to react purely on her own wants and heart. She always rationalized everything and this was something Harry didn't want her to think too hard about.
"Hermione," Harry said, after realizing that if he waited too long she would change her mind. "For once in your life, just please stop rationalizing everything. Just tell me what you think."
"Harry, I want this to happen. I really do, it's just..."
"Just what?" Harry asked. He was starting to get frustrated with her.
"It's just a feeling I get," said Hermione. "Like we would be in more danger if we were to do this."
"But I don't care if we are in more danger," Harry said. "I'd rather be happy and in danger than miserable and safe!"
"I would too," Hermione said, as what Harry said dawned on her. She couldn't help being a person who rationalized everything, it was who she was.
"So you want to be with me?" Harry asked.
And Hermione never answered, she just leaned in and kissed him.
***
Two weeks later Harry and Hermione were sitting up in the guest room talking and waiting for Tonks. They were finally being allowed to leave and were heading to Diagon Alley to get the remainder of their books and any other items they needed. Dumbledore had sent Fawkes the previous night and informed them that as long as they were careful, he would let them go.
"I'm so glad we get to finally get out for a bit," Hermione said. "Your aunt and uncle have been just suffocating since they got back from wherever they went."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Harry said. "I think they think it's your fault they were forced to leave their home."
"I'm sure they do, but let's change the subject from them. What are we going to do today?"
"Well, we can always go to the new Madame Puttifoot's," said Harry.
"No, definitely not," laughed Hermione. "I think I would like to get an owl this year, though. It would be more convenient. Mum has already sent me extra money for my birthday next month."
"Yeah, that would be cool. We also need to stop by Fred and George's new shop," said Harry.
"Yes, if we're welcome," sighed Hermione. "You do remember that Ron and Ginny are staying there this summer?"
"Yeah, but that was only till their parents got back," added Harry. "They might not even be there now."
"Yes, that is true. We will just see when we get there I guess," Hermione said. "Now where is Tonks?"
But Harry didn't have to answer because a doorbell sounded downstairs.
***
Harry, Hermione and the old woman Harry had once met at his house, who had turned out to be Tonks's present disguise, were finally leaving Flourish and Blotts after an hour of searching for books and allowing Hermione some more time to look around. They had already bought their books and refilled their potions kits and everything else that needed to be done. They were now just strolling through the streets; Tonks giving them some distance and allowing the couple to be together.
"Where do you think we should go now?" asked Harry. "Should we try Fred and George's shop, or would you rather get your owl first?"
"I think I would rather get my owl first," said Hermione. "I also need to get some more treats for Crookshanks."
"Yeah, I'm nervous about going to Fred and George's too," said Harry. "I saw it in your face," Harry replied when she went to say something.
"You know me well," laughed Hermione.
"Yeah, I suppose I do. Now let's go get your owl," Harry said, while turning into Eeylops Owls Emporium.
They walked through the large grand doors and were amazed at how large the Emporium was. It had grown considerable since Harry had been here that live-changing day, and he told her so. They continued walked, hand-in-hand, talking and pointing out beautiful owls, until the came to the tenth row of perches. There sitting on the second perch of that row was the most gorgeous, solid silver Great Gray Owl with the most startling shade of blue eyes that Hermione had ever seen.
"What's up?" asked Harry, noticing how her demeanor changed all of a sudden.
"Harry!" Hermione said excitedly, look at that owl! "Isn't it just gorgeous?"
"Yeah," agreed Harry, "it is. Are you okay?"
He had to ask because Hermione was clutching his arm so hard in her excitement. He couldn't believe she was getting so excited over an owl. Just wait till she sees what I'm getting her, thought Harry. She's going to love it...
"Excuse me, how much is this owl?" Hermione asked a worker who was feeding the owls on the perches behind them.
"The Great Gray?" he asked, "the male one?"
"Yes," Hermione answered. "The owl on the second perch."
"Ahh," the man said. "That one there is expensive. It's a rare bread of Great Grays, and they're extremely smart birds."
"Please," Hermione pleaded. "How much is it?"
"Well, because of it's a rare bread, it is ninety galleons," the employee said.
Hermione's face fell when he said that. She did not have that much extra money from her parents.
"Yes, that is what is keeping this beauty from selling," the man said when he saw her face fall. "It is a high price."
"Is there anyway I can get it for fifty galleons?" Hermione asked. "My parent gave me extra money because it's my seventeenth birthday, but that's all I have."
"Well, I guess I can drop the price to eighty galleons, but, unfortunately, I can't go any lower," he replied.
"Oh...," Hermione responded, lowering her head.
"We'll take him," Harry said.
"Harry, what are you...," Hermione started to say.
"Look," interrupted Harry. "I'm not going to let you lose the owl you love. Let's just call it an early birthday gift. Okay?"
"Great!" the employee said, not waiting for Hermione's response. "What would you like to name him?"
"He doesn't have a name yet?" Hermione asked.
"We try not to give the pets names," the man responded, "so that our customers can name them."
"That's really thoughtful," Hermione said, "but I don't know what I want to name him yet."
"That's fine," the man replied. "Owls are smart creatures; he will realize his name whenever you give him one. Would you like to check out?"
"Yes, please," Hermione said.
The threesome turned around and walked back to the front of the shop. Hermione told him all the things she thought her pet needed and the man recommended some other necessities he thought would be helpful.
"Well, that'll be eighty-nine galleons, ten sickles, and three nuts," the man said.
Hermione looked to Harry to see if he still wanted to go through with this. He gave her a tiny nod and she excitedly gave the man her fifty galleons, while Harry handed over the rest.
The employee put all of her extra items in a small bag that was enlarged inside to fit all things. It was a tad heavy but it was easy enough to float. They left the shop, where they met an eerily almost empty street and a very uneasy looking Tonks.
"What's wrong?" asked Hermione. "Where did everyone go?"
"I'll tell you when we get you two home safely," Tonks replied. "We need to go."
"But..." Harry said.
"Now," Tonks interrupted, while checking behind them. "We need to go now."
~*~
When they arrived at the Dursley household, Tonks did not do what she had said she would. She left Harry and Hermione on the doorstep without uttering a single explanation and hurried on down the road towards Mrs. Figg's.
Harry and Hermione watched her turn the corner before they let out a breath neither had realized they were holding.
"What do you think happened?" asked Harry.
"I'm not sure," Hermione said, "but it must have been something horrible to make Tonks so nervous. She seemed...worried all the way home, like she was expecting something."
"Yeah, I noticed that too. I wonder what..."
"Well, hullo," said a slightly plump, but sweet looking lady. She had a sharp, but unwaveringly kind face, short black hair and piercing blue eyes. She was in her late thirties and yet she seemed much younger in her clothes. They were of a fashion Harry hadn't ever seen before. She noticed Harry looking at her and repeated her question.
"Oh, sorry," said Harry. "Hello."
"Nice to meet you," Hermione said, while extending her hand. "My name is Hermione Granger."
"Well, hullo! I'm Violet," said the woman, "nice to meet you! And you must be Harry?"
"Yeah, how'd you know that?" asked Harry. He was surprised Aunt Petunia had even mentioned his name to Violet.
"Petunia told me all about you of course!" Violet replied. "I must be off though. Nice to meet you!"
And with that the woman hurried down the steps and down the street.
"I wonder who that was," Hermione mused aloud. She had been watching the woman also, and got a feeling she couldn't place about her.
"I dunno. Let's go inside."
They entered the house and found Aunt Petunia sitting in the living room alone. Dudley and Uncle Vernon were out of town due to a boxing match Dudley had, which suited Harry just fine. He and Hermione both preferred it when they were gone. The house was less tense and Aunt Petunia was actually nicer.
"Do you think we should go in there?" whispered Hermione to Harry.
"Yeah, we can find out who that woman was. I've never seen her here before."
"Okay, but you lead the way," Hermione said, while pushing him into the room ahead of her. Aunt Petunia was sitting on the couch with her feet propped up and an empty plate of pie and empty cup of coffee sitting beside her.
"Umm, Aunt Petunia? Who was that lady?" asked Harry. They had crossed the room and sat on the love seat.
"You two are back early. I thought you would be gone longer," Petunia said, seemingly not hearing the question. She had sat up and put her legs back on the ground, straightening up as if ready for anything.
"Yes," broke in Hermione. "There was some trouble in the magi...other world and we had to come home."
"Oh," Aunt Petunia said, while standing up and gathering her dishes. She was suddenly back into her cleaning obsessed self. "All right then."
"Wait," Harry said, for Aunt Petunia was leaving the room. "Who was that woman? The one named Violet?"
"She's a friend," Aunt Petunia said shortly.
"Why haven't I seen her before then?" Harry pressed.
"Because she has just returned from the States and we were getting together for the first time in over a decade. Is that okay with you, Harry?"
"Yes, Aunt Petunia," Harry said.
When she heard his acceptance Aunt Petunia left the room for the direction of her bedroom and didn't come back out for some time. They latter wondered why she was in there so long.
"Hmm, I wonder what that was about," murmured Hermione. She had been sitting on the love seat, seemingly invisible why they had talked. Petunia often ignored Hermione, so Hermione had learned not to talk to her.
"I'm not sure," Harry answered. "She did seem sort of in a hurry to get out of here though."
"Yeah, she did." I wonder if this has anything to do with the mystery that is Petunia Dursley, Hermione wondered. "Yes, well, let's not dwell on it. It's time for your potions tutoring."
Harry let out a soft groan as they retreated from the living room and up to his bedroom. He hated potions.
~*~
It was two days until they got a full account from Tonks. The papers had said it was an attack but it didn't give any good details. It mainly focused on how to ministry was going to help fix this.
It had turned out that a large group of Death Eaters had surged on Hogsmeade and put up anit-disapparating jinxes around, then stated killing and burning. Only sixty of the inhabitants of Hogsmeade has survived. Over half of the survivors had used Floo powder before their houses burned down. Others had just ran and hid in the forest, or ran far enough away to Dissaparate. It had taken such a short time to take over the town that only a few Death Eaters were apprehended by the time the Aurors got there. They were greatly outnumbered and at least six Aurors were killed in the massacre that would one day be known as the rebirth of the old war.
It had left Hermione and Harry speechless. Hermione had actually started crying silently, at which Harry had had to comfort her. They had spent the rest of the day just being together, not talking much, just finding comfort in having someone they trusted their lives with close by.
~*~
Harry & Hermione,
As you know, term starts in two days time. It is my wish that you receive special lessons taught by myself. We will, hopefully, be covering highly advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration, and honing some other highly essential skills that I am sure you will find helpful. One of which is Animagus training. I do hope you find this to your liking and will be waiting for a reply by post owl.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Hermione had received this letter this morning by Fawkes and had rushed to tell Harry. They had almost instantly agreed and sent Hermione's owl, Sage (for that is what she eventually named him,) on his first journey.
They then spent the remaining two days packing and wondering what the new year would be like. Their lives had changed so much from the magic-naïve eleven year olds they had once been. They were now in a war and they were both front-runners, whether they wanted to be or not. There was nothing they could do to change it. Harry was the savior of the wizarding world, and Hermione, as his lover, was right beside him. They didn't realize it at that time but they together completed a symbol. A symbol of hope, fear, and love. They encouraged each other, helped one another, and unknowingly forced each other to try harder and better. They, two in one, two halves made whole, would be the ones to rid the world of it's evil. Whether they would die trying, and what challenges they would face, that is what we must find out.
~~~
Author's Notes: Finally, we have Harmony. It did take awhile but I think it needed to what with the whole Ron and Hermione's dad business. Hope you didn't mind the wait. I know that this chapter sounds like an ending, and it sort of is. It's more of a finality to their summer and the beginning of their school year and what awaits. If you read, please do review!
-EthanG
-->