Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
By the way, you may have noticed in chapters two and three, the title of the story is 'The Second War' instead of 'Harry Potter & The Power Of Gryffindor.' Just ignore it, as I, in my infinite stupidity forgot to change it. Anyway, well done me and onwards we go.
Harry Potter & The Power Of Gryffindor: Chapter Four - Hermione's Many Conversations
The three weeks away from the wizarding world were full of conflicting emotions for Hermione Granger. She was happy to be at home with her parents, who she had not seen in nearly a year. But that was the only reason she could find to be happy.
She was worried. Worried sick.
Hermione's family usually liked to go on summer holidays, but that wasn't the case this year as Hermione's father, Jonathon Granger, was away attending a dental conference in Wales which started on July 14. Hermione didn't mind though. She wasn't in much of a holidaying mood. She spent those two weeks with her parents relaxing the best she could, but found more often than not, her thoughts were drawn to her best friend, Harry Potter.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In the few days left in the term after her release from the hospital wing, Hermione had tried talking to Harry about Sirius, but Ron had always stopped her. Initially, she was annoyed by this. All she wanted to do was help Harry. She felt she was failing her obligation as a friend by not being able to.
Before she knew it, the day of the end-of-year feast had arrived and Hermione was running out of time to talk to Harry. Fortunately, lessons for the term had finished, so Hermione had until that night to try. She was one of the first into the Great Hall for breakfast, with the majority of students taking advantage of no lessons and sleeping in. Not feeling like eating in a nearly empty Great Hall, Hermione grabbed a stack of toast and headed outside.
Her pace was slow as she walked around the edge of the lake, reminding herself of the times Harry and herself walked around the lake in the month leading up to the first task of the Tri-wizard Tournament. Hermione couldn't believe that was just over one-and-a-half years ago. So much had happened since then and sadly, not a lot of it had been good.
Throwing her last piece of toast into the lake, Hermione watched as a tentacle of the giant squid lazily reached out of the water and grabbed it. Turning back towards the castle, Hermione noticed Hagrid was out the front of his cabin, sitting on a giant log playing his flute. Having not seen him since he had been back, Hermione wondered over.
"Mornin' Hermione," Hagrid greeted.
"Hi Hagrid," Hermione said. "You look better."
"Oh yeah. Me face healed up a bit while I was hidin'. But Grawpy's behaving loads better," he added enthusiastically. "He don't hit me anymore, but still uprootin' trees. Anyway, you alone?"
"Yes," Hermione answered. "No lessons today, so most of the school are, or at least trying," she added, thinking of Harry, "to sleep in."
Hagrid understood her meaning. "How's Harry?" he asked tentatively.
Hermione sighed and sat down next to Hagrid on the log. "Not good," she answered quietly. He just seems… so distant from all of us, and every time I try to talk to him about Sirius, Ron always stops me."
"That's probably a good thin'."
Hermione looked up at Hagrid. "Excuse me?"
Hagrid shifted a little uncomfortably. "He came down here last Sunday. I tried talkin' to him then. Mind you," he added quickly before Hermione could respond, "probably went 'bout it the wrong way by tellin' him Sirius would've preferred to have died in battle then sit 'round doin' nothing."
Hermione took in a sharp breath. She knew Hagrid meant well, but that in her opinion, definitely wasn't the way to try and open Harry up. "How did he react?" she asked.
"He said he was goin' ter visit you an' Ron up at the hospital wing an' left before I could finish sayin' goodbye."
Hermione frowned. "He left us to go see you, and he didn't come back. We didn't see him for the rest of the day." She sighed again. "I just want to try and help him Hagrid. I mean he's not the only one sad and affected by what happened..."
"An' deep down, Harry knows that," Hagrid interrupted. 'You have to understand it's not easy for him. Harry has never known his family an' Sirius was one of Harry las' links to them as his Godfather. I can't even imagine what he's goin' through…" he trailed off.
"Then what can I… we do?" Hermione asked sadly. Hagrid noticed her minor slip-up, but let it slide.
"Just be there for him. Harry's goin' ter need time to digest everything. Cause when the time comes, he goin' ter need all our support. Just be there for him," he reiterated.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione had left Hagrid shortly after to think about what he said. Normally, she wasn't the kind of person to just sit back and do nothing. That evening, when it became clear that Harry wasn't coming to the end-of-year feast, Hagrid's words came into her head, and she was very tempted to run up to Gryffindor tower. But Harry had been the subject of conversation all year, both good and bad, and now that Hermione thought about it, what with Sirius's death and Fudge finally announcing Voldemort's return, Hermione really couldn't blame Harry for not showing up.
Hermione noticed that Harry's absence wasn't lost on Dumbledore either. Halfway through his end of year speech, his eyes scanned the Great Hall, looking at all the house tables before coming to rest on the Gryffindor table. Hermione noticed that Dumbledore wasn't exactly looking at her, or at Ron. Rather, he was staring at the empty seat in between and Hermione saw his eyes sadden. In the blink of an eye, the look was gone and Dumbledore resumed his speech. Hermione and Ron both knew that Harry had spoken with Dumbledore the morning they returned from the Department of Mysteries. Usually, they would ask Harry what was said in a heartbeat, but out of respect, both of them had come to an unspoken agreement that neither of them would ask what was said between them.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Apart from members of the DA taking care of Malfoy and co. when they tried to jump Harry, and the brief discussion about Cho, not much was said on the Hogwarts Express back to Kings Cross. After the Dursleys were sufficiently warned by the Order, everyone said their goodbyes to Harry. Although Hermione could tell that the smile on Harry's face as he left with the Dursleys was genuine, the smile didn't reach his eyes, which looked horribly haunted. Hermione had a feeling it went further than Harry's grief over Sirius' death, but what she didn't know.
After saying her quiet goodbyes to the Weasleys and members of the Order, Hermione left Kings Cross with her parents and hardly said a word for the entire trip back to her home.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione sighed and bought herself out of her stupor. It was now the morning of July 22, and she was lying on her bed, propped up against her pillows as she lazily stroked Crookshanks who was curled up on her lap. Although she liked to think she was relaxing, she was sure any outsider looking in at her would think she was distracted. She couldn't help it. She couldn't go a couple of minutes without thinking about Harry, and as such, she wasn't as far into her homework than she hoped.
Hermione wrote to Harry every second day. She was always relieved whenever Hedwig would turn up with a response, and although Harry always wrote that he was fine, Hermione knew he was far from it. But what could she do? She knew Harry was strong, but there was only so much he could take. Harry however hadn't written for nearly a week now and Hermione was beginning to get slightly worried.
She placed her left hand to her ribs, as she had done many times since she had been home. She was fine now, she knew, but that didn't stop her from dreaming about what happened at night. The dreams didn't come every night, for which she was grateful, and she had yet to shout out and wake her parents. Hermione hadn't told them about the incident and wouldn't if she could avoid it. Her dreams ended the same way: the purple flame that Dolohov shot at her just struck her chest before she would jolt awake. As soon as she awoke, the same thought would come to her.
Silenco. Honestly. Why didn't I just stun him or full body-bind like anyone else would have? Hermione was very critical of herself about this. She felt as though she let everyone, particularly Harry, down. She knew voice-less magic could be performed, Merlin knew she had read enough about it in books. How could she make such a stupid mistake when her and her friend's lives were on the line?
This wasn't the only thing that was Hermione mind though. She remembered the one morning last week when many owls had arrived for her bearing all kinds of news, not the least being the breakout of the captured Death Eaters from Azkaban reported in the Daily Prophet. She sighed when she read this. She supposed it was inevitable with no Dementors guarding Azkaban that the Death Eaters would get out, but that didn't make it hurt any less to read about it. Her gaze lingered on the moving photograph of Antonin Dolohov, and an involuntary shudder passed through Hermione. Hermione hoped that she would never meet Dolohov again, but if she did, she wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
The next letter she opened made her feel slightly better. It contained her O.W.L results. She was slightly nervous about what he would find inside the envelope, but when she finally did open it, her fears were unfounded. She had scored 'Outstanding' in every aspect of every exam which gave her twelve O.W.Ls, the best possible score, which pleased her mother to no end. The small mistake that she made in her Ancient Runes didn't seemed to have mattered after all, while she could only be thankful that she had finished her Astronomy practical exam just moments before Umbridge's cowardly effort to remove Hagrid from Hogwarts.
Hermione read the letter she received from Ron next. The first paragraph shocked her when she read that Ron had given up his Prefect status. She found out why as she read the rest of what Ron had written, and while a part of her greatly disapproved what Ron had done, a far greater part of her could help but feel grim satisfaction when she read that Ron had knocked the bouncing white ferret flat on his arse.
Ron had hinted that Harry may be chosen as his replacement and Hermione honestly didn't see any other alternative. Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas weren't exactly authority figures, but Hermione knew both of them would probably admit that anyway. Neville Longbottom didn't quite fit the mould either, despite his dramatic improvement over the past year.
Hermione didn't have to wait long to find out as she opened the last letter, which was the standard Hogwarts letter from Professor McGonagall. After reading through it, she came to the last paragraph.
And finally, you may know this already, but Ronald Weasley has given up his status as a Prefect. After consulting Professor Dumbledore, we have decided that Harry Potter will be the new Gryffindor Prefect. I am sure that you will let Mr Potter know of his duties and responsibilities as a Prefect in good time.
Hermione knew that Harry should have gotten the badge last year but for some reason, Dumbledore had chosen Ron instead. Hermione meant no offence to Ron, but she couldn't believe it herself. Prefects were meant to set examples to the younger students and while Harry was certainly no saint, Hermione felt he could have done the job better than Ron. Harry leading the DA was the perfect example.
Although, she had thought bitterly, it might have been just a little difficult for him given the fact the 99% of the school thought he was a raving lunatic.
"Hermione?"
Hermione gave a small jolt, not enough to disturb Crookshanks, as her thoughts were interrupted, and looked to see her mother standing in the doorway.
Jane Granger had been worried ever since Hermione had returned from Hogwarts. She may not have seen her daughter as much as she used to, but she still knew the look Hermione had in her eyes when something was wrong. Jonathon had noticed it as well, and while he was away, Jane had resolved herself to find out what was troubling their daughter.
"Sorry dear," she said apologetically to Hermione. "Did I scare you?"
"Just a little," Hermione answered with a small smile. Mrs Granger moved into the room and sat at the foot of Hermione's bed, wondering how to start the conversation she wanted to have with her daughter. Finally, deciding there was no easy way, she plunged in head first.
"What's bothering you Hermione?" she asked softly, but firmly.
A look of surprise came across Hermione's face. She opened her mouth to answer, but her mother cut across her.
"Don't say nothing dear," she said, all firmness in her voice gone. It was now almost pleading. "You've just been so different since you came back from Hogwarts. Usually you can't wait to tell me what happened during the school year, but this year you have hardly said anything."
Hermione felt her heart begin to break as she saw her mother blink furiously to hold the tears that were threatening. Gently putting Crookshanks aside, she quickly embraced her. "I'm sorry Mum," she whispered. "I'm sorry." She pulled away from her and resigned herself to having to explain. "I just really worried at the moment that's all."
"About Harry?"
"What makes you think that?" Hermione asked a little too quickly.
"You… you've been talking in your sleep," Mrs Granger said a little hesitantly.
Hermione felt her face go red both with embarrassment and anxiety. Had her mother heard her nightmares? "What have you heard me saying?" she asked quietly, dreading the answer.
"Nothing specific," Mrs Granger answered. "But Harry's name has come up a fair bit."
Hermione sighed and decided to tell the story of their horrible fifth year. She started off with Harry's trial, explaining why Fudge desperately wanted Harry out of Hogwarts, and the campaign he had started to discredit both Harry and Dumbledore. From there it was on to Hogwarts itself and the appointment of Dolores Umbridge by the Ministry when Dumbledore couldn't find a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Umbridge's campaign against anyone at Hogwarts who sided with Harry.
The story seemed to be never-ending, but about half-an-hour later, Hermione finished the tale with Sirius' death.
"But what happened to you?" Mrs Granger asked curiously. "You did go with him to the Ministry didn't you?"
"Yes," said Hermione a little hesitantly, something her mother didn't miss.
"Were you hurt?" Mrs Granger asked quickly.
Hermione hesitated again, and knew there was no point in trying to lie. "I-I got hit in the chest by some sort of purple flame," she said quietly. "It did some damage, but I've been treated Mum and I'm fine."
"Why didn't you tell me or your Dad?" Mrs Granger asked crossly.
"Because I knew you would react like this," Hermione replied a little tersely. "Don't worry Mum, I'm alright."
"It sounds like the magical world is becoming more dangerous…." Mrs Granger started.
"Well of course it is!" Hermione replied exasperatedly. "Voldemort's back and now finally the rest of the magical world knows."
"Well, if Harry knew that going down to the Ministry was going to be dangerous, why did he drag you and your friends along?" Mrs Granger asked accusingly.
"What!?" Hermione couldn't believe it. "He didn't! He wanted to go by himself, but we all told him point blank that if he was going, we were going with him!" she finished, her voice getting louder as she went.
"You went voluntarily?" Mrs Granger was aghast. "Hermione you could have been killed!"
"Harry has saved my life more than once!"
"It seems that Harry is always being targeted, and so are you just by being his friend! I don't understand why you continue to stick by him…"
"I STICK BY HIM BECAUSE I LOVE HIM!"
Hermione had literally screamed this last part out. Instantly, her hands flew up to her mouth, and her eyes began to water with tears. It was the last thing she had expected to say in response to her mother's attack on Harry, but there it was, the secret she had kept for over a year had been revealed.
Mrs Granger was shocked into silence, as they both stared at each other. After about a minute, she finally found her voice.
"Y-you love him?" she whispered.
At this point, Hermione could no longer hold her mother's gaze. She looked down at her lap as the tears made their way down her cheeks. "For over a year," she whispered in a choked voice. "When he disappeared for a time after the third task of the Tri-wizard Tournament, I didn't know if I was ever going to see him again Mum! It made me realise how important he is to me. Then there was last year, when he started going out with Cho Chang. I tried to be happy for him. I even tried to help him when things weren't working out between them. I thought that if I helped him, I might have been able to move on. But it didn't work Mum, and know I love him even more." Hermione finally broke down as she finished.
Instinctively, Mrs Granger wrapped her arms around her daughter and Hermione cried into her mother's shoulder. "I'm sorry Hermione," she whispered. "I had no idea." She gently rocked Hermione and her tears eventually subsided. They both just sat there, holding each other, not knowing how much time had passed, when they both heard the doorbell ring from downstairs.
"I'm sorry for what I said again," she whispered as they separated. "Are you sure you're alright?"
Hermione nodded. "I'll just go clean myself up," she said quietly and headed in the direction of the bathroom, while Mrs Granger went downstairs to answer the door.
She got a small surprise as she opened the door. "Mr Weasley?"
"Good afternoon Mrs Granger," Arthur Weasley greeted. "I hope I find you well."
"Yes, quite well," Jane replied, slightly confused as to why a wizard was on her doorstep. "May I ask what brings you around?"
"I would like to speak to your daughter if at all possible."
"Yes, of course, come in." Mrs Granger ushered Mr Weasley to the living room. "Would you care for a drink?" she asked.
"A glass of water would be fine thanks," Mr Weasley replied. Moments later, Mrs Granger returned from the kitchen and handed Mr Weasley his glass. "I'll just fetch Hermione from upstairs," she said. Mr Weasley nodded in acknowledgement and she quickly made her way upstairs, where she found Hermione still in the bathroom, drying her face.
"Alright?" she asked.
Hermione nodded. "Who was at the door?"
"Arthur Weasley is downstairs. He wants to talk to you."
"Downstairs?" One thought penetrated her mind instantly. Harry. She quickly made her way downstairs and found Mr Weasley in the living room.
"Hermione, how are you?" Mr Weasley asked.
"I'm OK. But do you know how Harry is doing? I haven't heard from him in nearly a week."
"Relax Hermione. Harry is at Grimmauld Place. I assure you he is safe."
"Why on earth is he at Grimmauld Place?" Hermione demanded.
"I know it's probably not where Harry wants to be, but according to Dumbledore, other than Privet Drive, Grimmauld Place is the safest place for him to be," Mr Weasley answered. "That's what brings me here today."
Hermione frowned. "I don't understand."
"Albus seems to think that Harry needs his friends at the moment," Mr Weasley explained. "I gather Ron wrote to you about Diagon Alley?"
Hermione nodded. "Is he alright?"
"He's a little moody at the moment. I think he's a little worried about Harry's reaction to the letter he wrote to him."
"So that's why Ron is still with Fred and George?"
"More or less. So if it's convenient for you, Dumbledore really thinks it would be a good idea if you could be there for Harry."
Hermione turned to look at her mother, who had been listening to the short conversation.
"Please Mum? I know it's sudden and all, but…"
"Go on dear."
Hermione looked disbelievingly at her mother. "Really?"
"Yes, really," Mrs Granger said with a smile. "I'll let your father know."
Hermione leapt at her mother. "Thank you," she said as she hugged her, before releasing her and tearing up the stairs to pack.
Mrs Granger shared a smile with Mr Weasley before following Hermione upstairs. She found her in her room, packing at light speed.
"I know you love him," she said as Hermione closed her trunk. "I could see it in your eyes, when you screamed it at me. I know because it's the same look I had in my eyes when I realised I was in love with your father," she said with a reminiscent smile.
Hermione couldn't help but smile. "I'm all set," she said as she carefully wheeled her trunk downstairs, where Mr Weasley was waiting.
"I'll send your gear on ahead," he said. Hermione placed down her trunk and Crookshanks' cage. With a wave of Mr Weasley's wand, they both vanished.
"It knows where to go?" Mrs Granger asked wonderingly.
"Oh yes," said Mr Weasley. "Another one of Dumbledore's creations. Don't ask me how he did it. Great man he is," he added. "Ready Hermione?"
"How are we getting there?" Hermione asked.
"I'll place a Disillusionment charm on us, and then we'll Apparate over. I know you can't," he said as Hermione opened her mouth, "so you'll just have to hang onto my arm."
Hermione nodded and turned to her mother, giving her one last hug. "I know we haven't seen a lot of each other lately…" she started.
"It's OK," Mrs Granger said, holding her daughter tightly. "Harry sounds like he needs you. Just be careful Hermione."
"I will Mum." Hermione released her mother and turned to Mr Weasley. "Ready," she said. Mr Weasley placed the Disillusionment charm on the pair off them.
"Bye Mum," Hermione said.
"Bye Hermione. Take care." Seconds later with a loud crack, Hermione and Mr Weasley were gone.
A/N: Well, that's another one in the book. I had hoped to have chapter five done before I went away, but it's looking unlikely, as I currently struggling to put words to paper (or computer screen as it were.) But maybe I'll be able to string a few words together from somewhere and get it done. But it won't be up unless I'm completely happy with it.
Anyway, cheers for reading and let me know what you thought.
J R Potter