A/N - right, this is the second to last chapter (and then there will be an epilogue) so we're getting down to the nitty gritty. Thanks again for the reviews. Sorry this took a bit longer, but I've had a cold (yay!). Hope you enjoy this.
The Healing of Hermione
For those outside looking in, nothing seemed to have changed in the relationship between Harry and Hermione.
He was there when Umbridge was sentenced to twenty years at Azkaban; but no-one thought that was strange. Harry often visited Hermione at work, as she did him, and everyone knew the personal relationship Harry had with Dolores Umbridge - so seeing him in the trial room to watch his ex-professor's face when she was told her fate wasn't out of the ordinary.
Nor was him sitting next to Hermione that night when many of the old D.A. members got together to celebrate. And he often bought her drinks, so nothing was any different there.
Except they both smiled a whole lot more. And her hand spent a lot of time just resting on his thigh - unnoticed by most and those who did see the subtle gesture just smiled knowingly and said nothing.
Saturday was spent by the trio writing the speech for the Victory Ball the following weekend. Something that Harry had initially been dreading as a bothersome chore turned out to be a day of laughter and fun. As they thought about what they wanted to say, they kept remembering all of their adventures over the years they had spent together. Re-telling of the tales grew more and more outrageous as they all tried to outdo each other but at the end they had a speech that reflected what they wanted to say and fond memories of the hardships they faced getting there.
Hermione had to go shopping on the Sunday while Harry and Ron had organised a friendly game of Quidditch at The Burrow with various Weasley's and ex-Hogwarts students. Still, no-one asked about any change in the dynamics between Harry and Hermione even though Ron had no doubtingly told his family that the relationship between his two friends had progressed.
The rest of the week was spent getting ready for the trip to Australia with Harry doing most of the organising while Ron and Hermione wound down their respective jobs with little fan fare. Harry was enjoying himself, spending his days doing nothing but visit travel agents and lounge around Grimmauld Place with the evenings spent more in Hermione's bedroom than his own. By the time the Ball came around, he was relaxed and ready for anything.
Smiling to himself as he continued to pack his bags, he thought of how nervous Hermione was when she left for Hogwarts earlier in the day. She had accepted Ginny's offer to get ready with her for the Ball , the restrictions at the school relaxed since the Ball was to take place there later that night. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't hear Ron's arrival until his friend spoke.
"Er, Harry - can we have a word?"
"Sure," he frowned, "what's up?"
"Er," Ron started, moving aside allowing Harry to see that Neville had been standing behind him, "Nev's girlfriend saw this in the paper and, well, we think you should see it."
"I don't read the paper anymore," Harry shrugged, "hey Neville."
"Hey Harry," Neville nodded in greeting, "um, you probably should read this."
"Why, what did they write about me this time?" Harry relented as he took the offered copy of the Daily Prophet from Ron.
"It's not about you," Ron told him quietly, "it's about Hermione."
"Hermione?"
Harry unfolded the paper to see an unflattering picture of Hermione hunched over a book with her hair pulled into an untidy pony-tail while she ate a messy cream bun. The headline screamed
Hermione Granger, the new girlfriend of the Boy Who Conquered? You must be joking!
His frown deepening, Harry sat down on the edge of his bed and began to read, Ron and Neville watching with concern.
Speculation on who the famous Harry Potter is taking to this weekend's Victory Ball (see page 5 for extensive coverage of who is wearing what) has been hovering over us for months with our secretive hero not uttering a word.
But if rumour is to believed, we don't have to wonder any longer. It seems the wily Miss Hermione Granger, lifelong friend of Mr Potter (and ex-girlfriend of Mr Ron Weasley, the other member of the famous Trio), has tricked Harry in the worse way possible and will be attending the biggest social event of the year as his partner.
But this reporter, for one, is not fooled. How are we supposed to believe that the most eligible bachelor in wizarding Britain would attend this prestigious event with the well-known bookworm? When looking at the past loves of Mr Potter, it is obvious that there must be something devious taking place - beautiful Cho Chang, stunning Ginny Weasley and now dowdy, 'nose always stuck in a book' Hermione Granger.
How did she do it? A love potion? She is known as the smartest witch of our age, able to brew the most difficult potions easily so a love potion would be nothing for the cunning girl.
It can't be her charm - her tenacious personality in the Wizengamot saw many sent to Azkaban because of her brashness and hard-nose attitude. How could anyone love that?
Therefore we feel it is safe to assume that this rumour is just a joke, and that we all agree that Hermione Granger is not worthy of our hero no matter how smart she is.
Who's laughing now?
Harry looked up at his friends in horror.
"Do you think Hermione would've seen this?" he asked them worriedly.
"Luna doesn't get the Prophet, never has," Ron answered with a shrug.
"And I don't think Ginny gets it any more," Neville added, "especially after the articles about her and Draco last month."
"But she's at Hogwarts, Harry," Ron continued, "someone's bound to have showed her."
"You and Hermione are alright though, aren't you?" Neville asked, "she won't believe this, surely?"
"I don't know," Harry sighed, "we've only been together two weeks and she was really nervous about tonight," he paused, suddenly angry as he scanned the page once more to see who wrote it, "Rita bloody Skeeter! I'm gonna kill her!"
"You and me both, mate," Ron growled.
"Well, I better get going," Neville interrupted, heading for the door, "when Suzie showed me the article I told her I'd only be gone for a bit. Shouldn't have gone at all, but I thought you guys needed to see it…"
"Yeah, thanks Nev," Harry frowned, still glaring at the paper, "thanks for the warning."
"We always knew the press would be crazy," Ron added, "what with all the rubbish they've been printing since this stupid Ball was announced. This will just make things worse."
"That's what I thought," Neville agreed, "but the security at the castle is tight with most of our division there. I would offer to help but…"
"No, but thanks mate," Harry cut in, standing to give Neville a friendly whack on the shoulder as they made their way out of the room, "you just enjoy the night with Suzie."
"You and Suz doing well, Neville?" Ron asked as he followed the other two to the front door, "it seems you've been dating for ages!"
"Six months," Neville answered with a smile, "and yeah, things are pretty brilliant. She's a lovely lady…who will be wondering where I am. See you in a bit then, yeah?"
"Yeah," Harry smiled, "thanks again Neville."
"No problem."
When Harry closed the door, he threw the now scrunched up Daily Prophet against the wall.
"Do people actually believe this rubbish?" he growled, stomping his way back up the stairs.
"Probably," Ron shrugged, "you should've seen what they wrote about Ginny and Malfoy…"
"What?"
"Oh, this whole pile of bollocks that, although I hate Malfoy and think he's a git, was completely out of order," Ron told Harry as he followed him back into his room, "and then they had a field day when they found out I was going with Luna…"
"You never told me that," Harry accused as he turned to his friend, "when did this happen?"
"Back when you were throwing your toys at Smith," Ron shrugged again, "they said some nasty things about Luna, and me too, I guess, but I was more worried about how Luna would take it. She didn't care. She never believes anything written in the Prophet anyway and she said she's been called worse."
"That's terrible!"
"Yeah, well, they went absolutely mental when they found out Luna would be sitting with us on the stage…"
"She's your girlfriend," Harry argued, "she deserves to be there!"
"But she's not a member of the Trio," Ron countered, "look, the press is just a bunch of Wally's with Rita Skeeter in the lead. We weren't gonna show this bollocks you but we thought with Hermione still a bit…"
"…fragile," Harry supplied with a sigh, "this is the last thing she needs."
"Yeah," Ron agreed thoughtfully before breaking out into a grin and heading for the door, "and I better get packing or she'll have my guts for garters!"
"You haven't packed?"
"What's there to pack?" Ron laughed, "and it takes two seconds to get ready. No worries."
Harry shook his head in wonderment as he finished packing his own bags before heading for the bathroom to have a shower and shave. The words of the article kept playing over in his mind, the idea that people would actually think Hermione wasn't good enough for him when he saw it as the other way around.
He also couldn't believe that his friends had been mocked by the media and kept it from him. It was common knowledge he didn't look at the papers anymore as the rumours and stories written about him since the war were sometimes so outlandish, they were funny. It annoyed him that the same treatment had also been given to the others.
An hour later he was sitting in a carriage with Ron on the way from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts, both nervously quiet as they stared out into the darkening sky. When their carriage pulled up outside the castle Harry had called home for six years, he was nearly shaking.
They stepped out of the carriage to be blinded by flashbulb's as a rally of camera's went off. Immediately a group of Auror's surrounded Harry and Ron, putting a shield up around them and escorting them to the entranceway of the castle. Both boys chattered with their guard, knowing them from work, trying to make the uncomfortableness of their work colleagues now being their body guards lessen.
Inside the castle walls, there were a number of people mulling around outside the large doors into the Great Hall. They had barely entered when there was a shriek and within seconds, Luna had flung herself into Ron's arms, kissing him madly. Harry and the other Auror's stood around trying not to watch, some sniggering, as the embrace went on longer than anticipated - the reporter's camera's going off continually.
"Er, Ron," Harry ventured after a little bit, tapping his friend hesitantly on the shoulder, "probably best you give it a rest now."
Tearing himself from Luna, Ron looked at Harry with glassy, blank eyes, his arm securely around his girlfriend while she continued to gaze at him lovingly.
"Right," he managed to say, grinning broadly, "sorry about that. Haven't seen Luna for a bit. Got carried away."
"Hermione's not here yet," Luna added, noticing Harry looking around the hall, "she and Ginny are still getting ready."
It was then Harry noticed Draco Malfoy standing a little bit to the side, glancing at Harry and Ron uncertainly. It was the first time they had seen each other since the days after the final battle and subsequent trials of the Malfoy family. And, of course, since the youngest Malfoy began dating the youngest Weasley.
Harry and Malfoy locked eyes for a moment, neither saying a word yet an understanding passed between the two enemies. They will tolerate each other for Ginny's sake. With a brief nod, Harry looked away.
"Oh, here comes Ginny!" Luna squealed and immediately Harry turned his attention to the stairwell where indeed, stood Ginny.
The passing thought that his ex-girlfriend looked quite beautiful went through his mind - she was dressed in a shimmering purple gown with her long, gleaming hair lying flat over one shoulder like a waterfall. She stopped a few steps down when she realised she was alone, a frown briefly replaced her glowing smile as she turned and made her way back up to the landing. Obviously debating with someone out of sight, she seemed unaware that all those in the entranceway were watching the exchange with interest. After a moment or two, the reluctant guest revealed her identity as Hermione stepped into view, her hand clasped tightly by Ginny.
Harry was stunned.
She had blue robes on, the colour similar to what she wore at the Yule Ball all those years ago, and they seemed to float around her legs as she made her way down the stairs. Her hair was pulled back off her face with small ringlets escaping here and there, her ears glistening with some white, sparkling gem. She glanced at him uncertainly, her nervousness stamped over her face but all Harry could do was stare.
She was amazing.
After what seemed like a lifetime, she was before him, Ginny giving him Hermione's hand to hold.
"Here you go," the redhead beamed, "better dash. Don't forget us little people in your speech, Harry." With a small peck on the cheek, Ginny darted away to the waiting Malfoy - both being quickly ushered into the Hall.
"You look wicked, Hermione," Ron gushed as he hugged her, briefly drawing her gaze from Harry.
"Thanks Ron," she whispered, then went back to looking at Harry, "do…do I look okay?" she asked shyly.
"Yes," Harry managed to blurt, taking her trembling hands in his before adding more gently, "you look incredible."
"They think I'm a joke…"
"Don't you ever believe that you're a joke, or not worthy or any of that rubbish," Harry tried to reassure her, "because you are worth everything to me."
Without really thinking, he ran a finger down the side of her face, barely touching her but wanting to know if she felt as soft as she looked. At that moment the entranceway was filled with brilliant light as seemingly hundreds of camera's went off, finally breaking Harry out of his spell and realising that they were being watched by the wizarding world's media.
"Bloody hell," Ron cursed, shielding his eyes from the glare.
"Oh for goodness sake, put those things away, this is not some two-bob side show!" Professor McGonagall snapped to the photographers as she strode over to the small group from the Hall, "and aren't you supposed to be protecting our guests from this kind of carry on?" she fired at the Auror's, spurring them into action and moving the photographers away, leaving only a couple of guards with the party of honour.
Professor McGonagall stopped in front of them, all trace of her sternness disappearing as she looked at them all fondly, "my, don't you all look a treat," she beamed, "it seems like only yesterday that you three stood before me, wee mites with mischief on your minds - well, you two at least," she looked at Ron and Harry, who smiled sheepishly back, "and now look at you, just wonderful, wonderful young people! Miss Granger..."
Harry relinquished Hermione's hands to the headmistress, who was looking at her ex-pupil with tears in her eyes.
"My dear," the professor breathed, "I know I shouldn't have favourites but I'm afraid I have never been prouder of any of my students as I am of you today"
"Thank you, professor," Hermione smiled warmly, "thank you for all your help this past year - and before that too. You truly are an inspiration."
"As are you, child," McGonagall replied fondly, drawing Hermione into a hug. Harry and Ron exchanged looks as they waited for their usually stern professor to dab her eyes with her hanky before she got herself together, turned to them and stated, "right, let's get you lot inside before we have a small riot on our hands."
Hermione smiled and once more took Harry's hand, intertwining her fingers with his as they waited for the professor to lead them into the Great Hall; Harry and Hermione in front, with Ron and Luna a few steps behind.
The roar of applause hit them as the doors opened to revel hundreds of waiting guests standing and clapping as the four made their way down the aisle in the middle of the Hall to the waiting stage at the end.
Harry was embarrassed but also proud - part of him knew he deserved this. As he stood on the stage with Hermione on one side of him and Ron on the other, he couldn't help but smile. The three of the received their awards with grace and as Hermione went to the podium to give their speech, they sat down to listen.
He found himself watching her carefully, noting her profile as she said the words that the three of them put together. She looked so beautiful. It wasn't long before she finished, turning to him to indicate that it was now his turn. With a bit of a jolt, he stood, wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers then made his way to the podium.
"Thank you, Hermione," he said like they had practiced the previous Saturday. No-one had heard his part of the speech, he had wanted it to be a secret, so with a deep breath he began.
"I have little to add to what has already been said," he began, willing his voice not to crack, "but I did want to thank two more people who were missed. They are, of course, my two best friends - Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
"Without Ron and Hermione, I would've died in my first year at Hogwarts. Together, they have looked out for me and helped me out more than most people realise and I owe them a debt that I don't think I can ever repay.
"Ron introduced me to the ways of the wizarding world and although I don't think he realises it, I am so jealous of what he has - a home and a family that loves him. His friendship and loyalty has been tested over the years, but he's always pulled through in the end. Always good for a laugh and an appetite that is like nothing I've ever known, I am proud to call him my best friend.
"And then there's Hermione. Scarily smart, she always seemed to know the way to get us out of whatever mess we had gotten ourselves into. Over the years, she alone has always been there for me, looking out for me and making sure I was okay. Her loyalty and friendship has been the one steadying cornerstone in the madness that has been my life and now I've finally realised that she means more to me than just a friend and I'm proud to call Hermione my girlfriend.
"So thank you again for these awards and tonight I ask you to remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice so we could live in peace and also remember that I didn't do this on my own.
"Thank you."
The room erupted once more into applause led by the table full of Order members and the Weasley's. Harry turned to sit down only to be engulfed by Hermione with Ron standing behind her, beaming and clapping wildly.
"Thanks mate," Ron said to him and Harry just smiled, holding onto Hermione tightly.
The rest of the night was a lot more fun than expected with Harry even dancing once or twice with Hermione. By the time the official party had ended, those no longer at Hogwarts were ready to keep going so moved the festivities to Grimmauld Place. Therefore it was an exhausted but happy trio who made their way to Heathrow to catch their plane to Australia.
They had decided to travel as Muggles mainly because Hermione's parents didn't know about the wizarding world plus it meant it was an adventure for both Harry and Ron. The excitement of a plane and the airport kept them awake for a couple of hours but it wasn't long before the three of them were fast asleep as they flew out of England, Hermione's head resting on Harry's shoulder.
Many, many hours and a few stopovers later, they touched down in Melbourne, wide awake and more than a bit on edge. They walked through the arrival gates and scanned the crowd for Hermione's parents. Hermione was holding Harry's hand so tight, he feared for his circulation but he stayed silent.
Ron spotted the Granger's first and with a reassuring smile to Hermione, they made their way over to the waiting couple. Hermione introduced Harry and Ron and they easily fell into conversation with her parents as they explained that because the visit was so unexpected, they could only get a few days off work and how the two boys would have to sleep in the lounge as they only had one spare room.
Harry tried to concentrate on Hermione and why they were here but he couldn't help the excitement of being in a foreign country on the other side of the world. Hermione had been right, everything just seemed brighter even though it was overcast with rain in the air. Ron was the same, constantly looking out of the window of the car and pointing out new oddities, constantly being poked in the ribs for saying something that any Muggle should know, even a foreign one - but he didn't care.
It wasn't until they reached the house of Hermione's parents, their dog bounding up to meet them, that the reality of the situation set in. They had decided to reverse the spell as soon as they could to give the Granger's more time to think about things and make a decision. That moment was now just ahead.
It was mid morning when they deposited their bags, was introduced to Sandy, the dog, got a tour of the house and all sat down for a cup of tea and a spot of lunch. The Granger's were telling them of the wonderful sights of Melbourne when the three teenagers exchanged a look and very discretely, Harry stunned Philip and Helen Granger.
"Are you ready?" he asked Hermione, who just nodded, looking absolutely terrified. She then took a deep, calming breath and reversed the memory spell while Harry released the stun.
"Hermione!" Mrs Granger shrieked the moment she was free, grabbing her daughter into a hug, Mr Granger joining her and hugging them both.
"Pumpkin!" Mr Granger cried, "it's so good to see you!"
"Oh, let me look at you," his wife continued, tears in her eyes as she held Hermione out at arms length to look over her, "well, you seem a lot better than when we saw you last - you were much too skinny and pale then! My now, how long ago was that?"
"A year ago, mummy," Hermione answered quietly, looking down at the floor.
"A year ago?" Mrs Granger repeated, immediately concerned, "is everything alright?"
It was then they noticed Harry and Ron standing off to one side, watching silently.
"These strapping young men can't be Harry and Ron," Mr Granger joked, his arm still securely around his daughter's shoulders, a frown contradicting the lightness of his words.
"What is it?" Mrs Granger asked urgently, "what's wrong? Why are you both here?"
"Nothing's wrong," Harry began but Hermione cut in before he could continue.
"I think you two should sit down," she said quietly but firmly, "I need to tell you something."
"What is it, sweetie?" Mr Granger asked, his frown deepening when she extracted herself from their embrace so she could sit opposite them as they sat together on the couch. Ron came and sat on the chair beside her, leaning forward with his forearms on his thighs so he was close to her but not touching. Harry stood behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder, letting her know he was there. The Granger's watched with concerned interest until Mrs Granger let out a strangled gasp and grabbed her husband's hand.
"Oh my, you're not pregnant are you?" she cried, her free hand fluttering around her face, "the last time we saw you, you were dating Ron, I believe…"
"No!" Hermione exclaimed quickly, "no, I'm not pregnant! And…and I'm with Harry now…"
"Harry?" Mr Granger frowned even more, glancing at his wife confusedly.
"Yes," Hermione sighed deeply, "but that's not my news. I…I did something that I…I don't know how to…I'm so sorry!"
"What's going on Hermione?" Mr Granger asked sternly, "you're beginning to really worry us!"
Hermione quickly looked up at Harry for some reassurance, which he gave with a small smile and nod. She then glanced at Ron, who did the same. Taking another deep breath, she looked back at her parents.
"Last year, I came to bring you back home," she told them quietly, "we had won the war and it was safe for you to return. But I got here and you were both so happy what with your jobs and getting Sandy, and…well, I didn't think you'd want to give that all up. So…so I returned you back to the Wilkins."
"You left us here?" Mrs Granger breathed.
"Yes," Hermione whispered, her tears starting to fall.
"But why?" Mrs Granger continued, confused, "I don't understand. We could've come home, with you, but you left us here?"
"Yes," Hermione repeated.
"Why sweetie?" Mr Granger asked gently.
"Because I thought that you were so happy here," Hermione sobbed, "I thought that I had already put you both through so much that I couldn't ask you to give that all up again for me. It wasn't fair to you! I thought…I thought I needed to let you go…"
"Oh Hermione," Mrs Granger cried, leaving the couch and coming to where Hermione was sitting and taking her in her arms, "how can you ever think we would choose a life without you in it? You are our daughter, our baby girl - we love you so very much!"
"You'd choose me?"
"Of course we would, pumpkin," Mr Granger joined them, his tears running unchecked down his face, "you are everything to us! We gave up our lives to come here for you and we'd do it all again in a heartbeat! You are our everything!"
"I'm so sorry!" Hermione said, her voice muffled from her mothers' shoulder, "I thought I was doing the right thing! I thought it was all for the best!"
Harry stepped back and let the family come together while Ron stood and went to Harry, looking at him as if to ask whether they should go and leave the Granger's alone. Harry nodded slightly and together they made their way to the door.
"Boys," Mr Granger called out, stopping them as he made his way to where they were standing, "are you planning…were you thinking of going out?"
"Er, yeah," Harry answered, glancing at Ron, "you probably need some time alone…"
"Yes, I think we do," Mr Granger smiled sadly, "sometimes our little girl can be a bit too noble for her own good."
"She's not alone with that," Ron muttered, provoking a glare from Harry.
"The beach is ten minutes walk if you turn right at the end of this road," Mr Granger continued, "there's lots of shops and pubs and things there that will keep you occupied. Here, take my house key so you can get back in if we decide to go out or something, Sandy will be kept out the back so she won't annoy you. Sorry to do this to you both, I know you've just arrived and…"
"Don't worry about it, Mr Granger," Harry interrupted, "we'd planned for this so it's fine. You just work things out with Hermione."
It was an exhausted Harry and Ron that returned to the house just before midnight. They had occupied themselves quite easily for the day, taking in the sights of the town while the sun was still up and then watching various sports in the pub they found in the evening. They got caught up with a bunch of locals who felt it their duty to explain the game of Aussie Rules to the two foreigners, much to the hilarity of all involved.
They crept into the dark and quiet house, trying not to wake the obviously sleeping occupants. After turning on a light, Ron quickly got his toiletries together and made his way upstairs to the bathroom while Harry sat on his made-up bed on the couch (Ron got the cot bed because, being taller, the couch would've been too uncomfortable) and waited, his toothbrush and paste clasped in his hand.
"You're back."
Harry's head whipped around at the sound of Hermione's voice to see her standing on the stair, wrapped up warmly in a large dressing gown.
"Yeah," Harry smiled, "had to watch the end of the game. I think Ron has a new appreciation for Muggle sports."
"You both left rather quickly," she continued, making her way down the stairs and to the couch.
"We thought it best to give you some space," Harry told her, intertwining his fingers with hers, "just like we discussed. How did it all go?"
"Brilliant, Harry," she gushed, "they want to come back to England! I told them what I'd done, so they'll come back as the Wilkins and live up north somewhere - we were thinking York. We don't know anyone up there and they've always wanted to visit," she paused and looked at him then, her eyes glistening with tears, "you were right, they chose me."
"Of course they chose you, Hermione - you're their daughter," Harry said gently, wiping away her tears with his thumb.
"Thank you for making me do this," she continued softly.
"I'm glad it's all worked out," he smiled, "and it's brilliant to see the light return to your eyes. It's like you've come alive again."
"That's because I feel alive," she grinned, "oh Harry, they don't hate me! And they're coming home!"
He hugged her then, happy with the knowledge that the first steps had begun for Hermione and now it would only be a matter of time before she became the person that had been his strength for so long. When they kissed, he briefly forgot they on were on the couch in the living room of Hermione's parents house and let the kiss intensify.
"Oi," Ron warned as he walked onto the scene, Harry and Hermione hurriedly breaking apart, "none of that carry-on, you two. It's enough to make a man sick!"
"Oh honestly, Ronald," Hermione admonished with a smile, "it's not like we haven't had to watch you snog Luna to an inch of her life!" she paused as she saw Harry and Ron exchange looks, "what?" she asked, confused.
"That was your first 'honestly Ronald' for over a year," Ron replied with a grin, "welcome back."
"No it wasn't," she said, frowning with thought, "was it?" She looked to Harry for confirmation.
"I'm afraid it was," Harry laughed, "and I must say, I've missed them."
"Well, you're the boyfriend now," Ron carried on as he got into bed, "it will be more 'honestly Harry' from now on."
"I can live with that," Harry smiled as he got up for his turn in the bathroom, "as long as I have Hermione back." And with a parting kiss on the nose of his girlfriend, Harry made his way up the stairs, grinning all the way.