Hogwarts and Beyond - Take 2

Muirnin

Rating: NC17
Genres: Drama, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 23/08/2003
Last Updated: 17/08/2011
Status: paused

Part of Chapter 17 is Loaded... Please read Author's Note....Summary: With the death of Sirius behind him Harry must look ahead to destroying Voldemort and the woman whose love he finds while chatting in a Wizarding Chat room and finds he can't live without. Story is mostly Canon but is also AU because of the Internet. Rated for Language, Sexual content and Violence.

Chapters

1. Author

2. Chapter 1 - Changes abound at the Dursley

3. Chapter 2 - OWL Results

4. Chapter 4 - The Letter and Will

5. Chapter 4 - In a Manor of Speaking

6. Chapter 5 The Book, The

7. Chapter 6 - Discovery and Remebrances

8. Chapter 7 – Cyber vs Reality Check

9. Chapter 8 - Great Day to be Alive

10. Chapter 9 - Summers Ending

11. Chapter 10 Surprises and Sadness

12. HBX2 - Authors Message

13. Chapter 11 - Laid to Rest

14. Chapter 12 - Home, Hat and Samhain

15. Chapter 13 - Magic and Mischief on Samhains Eve

16. Chapter 14 -The Power of Samhain

17. Chapter 15 – Sweetest of Desires

18. Chapter 16 - The Voyeur

19. Letter to my Readers

20. Chapter 17 - Midnight in the Caverns of Betrayal of Both Dar

21. Meassage from Muirnin

1. Author

Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 2 0 2003-08-23T11:42:00Z 2003-08-23T11:42:00Z 1 RZHRT Creations 1 1 9.2720

Author's Notes and Disclaimer:

Disclaimer: I do not now, nor at any time own any of the Harry Potter characters. This is an original plot, based on characters created by J K Rowling with additional characters created by Muirnin Cocan. In no way is any money being made, nor copyright or trademark infringement intended. J K Rowling owns all rights as well as various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, with additional rights belonging to Warner Bros., Inc. Some parts may be of an adult nature that may not be suitable for all readers. Reader discretion is strongly advised.

Peace,

As Always,

(`'.¸(`'o..¤..o'´)¸.'´)

´¨`o.* Muirnin *.o´¨`

(¸.'´(¸.o'´¤`'o.¸)`'.)

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

Author's Notes...

As you can see the story is now broken into parts besides chapters... part of my way of expanding the revision... it is and will be a Harry and Hermione story... I promise you that... however there may be some things that may bother people... I expect that... However.. that said, I would like to have anyone offer suggestions or honest critiques to my work...

I will warn you that there are a LOT of changes going to be happening at the Dursley's... thanks in part to Mrs. Figgs and her trusty sidekick Mr. Tibbles... I do have a request... I would like to come up with e-mail addresses for many of the current and former alumni of Gryffindor.... *grin* you'll understand...

Please send them to MuirninCocan@msn.com as well as posting reviews... I am also making a mailing list up so that is also why I have entrusted you all with my e-mail...

Tally forth... and carry on..

Part 1-Summer without Sirius = Chapter 1 - Changes abound at the Dursley's...

That's all the hints I am giving so far... plus I wanted to get something on the board so that it could be easier to communicate this!!!!

*LUVS & HUGGIES* (got diapers on the brain)

Peace,

Jennie Ruth

As Always,

(`'.¸(`'o..¤..o'´)¸.'´)

´¨`o.* Muirnin *.o´¨`

(¸.'´(¸.o'´¤`'o.¸)`'.)

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

2. Chapter 1 - Changes abound at the Dursley

Muirnin @}>---'---,--- Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 2 9 2003-08-23T11:49:00Z 2003-08-23T11:49:00Z 5 2233 10039 RZHRT Creations 258 56 12287 9.2720 114 4

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative work by members of the KFUFHP. We do not now, nor at any time, own any of the Harry Potter characters. This is an original plot, based on characters created by J K Rowling with additional characters created by Muirnin Cocan and members of the KFUFHP. Any references to Star Trek characters are the property of Paramount studios and Eugene Wesley Roddenberry (Our beloved Great Bird of the Galaxy may he RIP) and his widow who is just as wonderful… Majel Barrett Roddenberry…

Money is in no way being made, nor copyright or trademark infringement intended. J K Rowling owns all rights as well as various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, with additional rights belonging to Warner Bros., Inc. Some parts may be of an adult nature that may not be suitable for all readers. Reader discretion is always strongly advised.

We the KFUFHP celebrate the greatness of the writers and creators of Harry Potter and Star Trek and only wish to honor them with our writing.

Peace,

As Always,

(`'.¸(`'•..¤..•'´)¸.'´)

´¨`•.* Muirnin *.•´¨`

(¸.'´(¸.•'´¤`'•.¸)`'.)

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2 By the Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART ONE - Summer Without Sirius

Chapter 1 – Changes Abound at the Dursley’s

Even after everyone had said their piece to the Dursley’s while they were still at Platform 9 ¾, their good intentions could not erase the uneasiness and hollowness Harry felt, his mind drifting off to sleep. In his sleep he went back to the department of mysteries...

Only one couple was still battling, apparently unaware of the new arrival. Harry saw Sirius duck Bellatrix's jet of red light He laughed, "Come on You can do better then that!" he yelled his voice still echoing around the cavernous room

The second jet of light hit him square on the chest.

The laughter had not quite died away from his face, but his eyes were wide in shock.... then as Sirius seemed to take ages to fall backward through the ragged veil hanging from the arch Sirius' featured turned into Hermione's and she disappeared through the veil... all he could hear was the triumphant scream of Bellatrix Lestrange.... and Hermione's cries of Harry save me....

Harry's head popped up and he realized it was just a dream... or was it.... he knew some small part of it was real.... But why Hermione? She had almost died because of him.... the thought brought tears to his eyes… which he tried to hide.

It was then that Harry realized that it was just like his parents… yet this time it felt more ironic, because of the fact that he had very little memories of Lily and James, but with Sirius who was his Godfather, he shared so many memories… the bad and some very good… All that was left of the Marauders was Remus Lupin… and the traitorous Peter Petagrew.

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were overly quiet on the ride home, as was Dudley who had pressed his massive body as close to the car door, probably with the thought that he would be Harry's next victim. Dudley had finally heard the whole story about the Triwizard cup outcome and with Cedric's death, he was positive he would be next.

As they pulled into the drive at Number 4 Privet Drive, the sight of Mrs. Figgs along with her trusty cat Mr. Tibbles greeted them.

When Dudley saw Mrs. Figgs, he cowered holding his buttocks. He still remembered vividly how that giant man had left him with a tail and then remembered all the happiness being drained from him… remembering how she had come up to him and his cousin Harry; what later had been explained as an attack by Dementors. The thought of it still scared the shit out of him…

“Vernon, Petunia… I think we need to have a talk in the house. Harry and HIM should be there as well.” Mrs. Figgs said in a very stern voice showing her disapproval of Dudley and wanting to cut out the bullshit. She had spent the majority of 15 years watching Harry be abused by the Dursley’s as well as being the early years punching bag of the obnoxious, idiot son of Vernon and Petunia’s.

“Oh what do you want Arabella?” Petunia said as she headed towards the front door, brushing past her showing her obvious displeasure at her referral to her precious Diddikins as HIM.

“Oh you WILL find out soon enough… “ She said mysteriously.

Dudley wanted nothing more then to get into the house and hide; he would have entered the house but Mrs. Figgs would not let him... She held the rotund boy back to let Harry let inside and then Dudley let out a little scream of anger...

Soon the Dursley’s had seated themselves around the kitchen table, after Dudley had told Petunia and Vernon not to trust her cause she is one of THEM!

Harry stood next to Mrs. Figgs, her arm protective and yet comfortingly around his shoulders.

“ARE YOU WITCH?” Vernon bellowed, “like my Dudley has said?”

Dudley kept whispering "don't believe her... she’s one of them… don't believe her... she’s one of them…"

“Shhhhh, Vernon you don’t want the neighbors to hear” Said Petunia .

“No Vernon, I am not a witch… I am a squib,” Arabella said proudly. “I have finally been given permission from Albus Dumbledore to explain to you about Harry, including the prophecy… all of it.” Harry turned and stared ashen faced at Mrs. Figgs. He sat down in a chair near where Mrs. Figgs stood while Mr. Tibbles leaped up into his lap and curled up adding more comfort and protection.

“What the Bloody hell does this have to do with that nutcase Dumbledore and for that matter what's this have to do with squids?” Vernon said a bit quieter this time.

“A SQUIB not a squid… A squib is someone who is from magical family but has no magical powers” Petunia resited, and then slapped her hand over her mouth, Vernon looked at Petunia and then turned back to Mrs. Figgs.

“Peta? Are you a squib too?”

“No dearest… my family was not magical, we were just plain muggles… My sister was the “gifted” one as my parents were fond of saying… I just remember being told quite a bit about the magical world from (gulp) Lily.” Petunia said with unease.

“You said my mother’s name!” Harry said with a smile and a bit of shock.

“Yes Harry, I did. I will admit to you that I was jealous of your mother from the day she got her letter. I am not even sure why I resented her for it…” she hesitated looking over at Vernon, “Never the less, being as I am the last of my sister’s blood… I received letters from Albus Dumbledore throughout your last few years at Hogwarts and he has been keeping me up to date with what has been going on. I am aware of that tournament you were involved in and how you witnessed Voldemort’s rebirth and the death of your schoolmate… and he explained in detail what happened to your godfather Sirius Black…. I truly am sorry for your loss.”

Tears welled up in Harry’s eyes as she said these words. Petunia reached over to Harry and gave him his very first hug from her, causing his tears to start drifting down his cheeks. Vernon’s face was turning purple at the thought of all the unnaturalness that had been going on at his house for almost 15 years.

Turning the attention back towards her, Arabella continued. “I have been instructed by Albus Dumbledore to keep a watchful eye on Harry this summer until he is allowed to leave your home. As many of our friends may have reminded you at Platform 9 ¾, we want Harry to be as stress free and as happy as he can be.”

Looking directly at Vernon she added, “Meaning… Let him be as normal a teenage boy as possible. If he gets phone calls from friends… let him take them… if he has guests let him visit with them…” turning to look at Dudley, she added ”And do not think for one moment, that your precious Dudley… that I do not know what is going on with your dear sweet Duddikins…. I have watched him as well… I have seen him abusing children on the playground, smoking with his so called friends and lying every chance he can to make sure that HE is the favored son…”

Seeing the sadness grow on Petunia’s face she added. “I am truly sorry Petunia to tell you this way, but your beloved son Dudley Evans Dursley is nothing more then a hoodlum and a thief… he has done some unspeakable things including beatings to children that (shudder) are only 10 and 11 years old… That gang of his has been into as much malicious mischief as any group I have seen… I feel a bit guilty for not contacting the authorities, but Professor Dumbledore had required me to not interfere.“

Dudley had paled, shaking and cowering in the chair next to his father. “Dudley, is what Mrs. Figg saying true?” Petunia asked, but knew the truth of the answer when she saw his face become very flushed with embarrassment.

Petunia sat down hard on the chair, her head in her hands. “All this time we were concerned that Harry Potter would be an embarrassment to our way of life and it was our own son that has done that to us.”

“Unfortunately, most of the neighbors around Little Whinging feel pity for Harry because of the way he is dressed, but have found him to be a straight forth and honest boy. Dudley on the other hand… are down right afraid of him… he scares the shit out of most of the neighbors… and you do so as well Vernon. They can’t believe that with all the delinquent behavior that Dudley has show you would condone that and show nothing but disrespect and abusive behavior towards Harry.” Mrs. Figgs eyed Vernon not blinking and showing him her strength of spirit.

Harry looked at Arabella Figg and marveled at how she was handling the situation… He always knew she was a bit of a bizarre old woman, but now things were falling into place and could tell that what she had been saying was having a profound resonance on both Vernon and Petunia.

Vernon’s purpling face looked near to exploding… “YOU ARE GROUNDED FOR THE SUMMER…. IN ADDITION, IF YOU THINK WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR YOU TO GO BACK TO SMELTINGS THIS NEXT TERM YOU ARE SADLY MISTAKEN. I WILL BE CHECKING INTO HAVING YOU ENROLLED AT ST. BRUTUS’ Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys….” Vernon was angrier then he had ever been at Harry, and then added “DUDLEY… Get your FAT ASS up to YOUR ROOM AND BEGIN GATHERING ALL YOUR ITEMS… WE ARE GOING TO SELL THEM.”

“What? Not my new bike and new computer…” Dudley whimpered.

“Actually not your bike and computer… those are going to be given to Harry. I understand that he may not be able to go out and about as freely as he would like, but I am sure he would be able to communicate with some of his friends by e-mail… that is if they have computers….” Petunia added.

“Well I know that Hermione and a few others have computers.” Harry said quietly. “Not all of them have the city broadband that many of the businesses have… but Hermione’s parents are well known Dentists in the Cambridge area…” He quickly shut up knowing that he was talking too much about Hermione.

It was a very long evening of Dudley tearfully piling most of his beloved belongings out into the hall. There was a collection of action figures from some of the comic book he also had collected. With all the junk out of the room Harry was amazed at how beautiful he bedroom furniture looked… with a bit of cleaning. The bed in there was bigger then his one at Hogwarts.

On Vernon’s insistence, they had Harry removed his sparse belongings from the smallest bedroom (carefully making sure that he had left nothing under the loose floor board).

Vernon had made a point of leaving the TV along with the Computer bedroom and that Dudley would move into the smallest bedroom and the Stereo as he had been decided that Harry would be getting the bigger once occupied by Harry.

In Vernon’s opinion, Dudley would be treated to live like Harry had for the last 5 years. All the with bars on his windows, a cat flap for getting his food, along with the dozen or so locks on the door that perhaps it would be enough for Dudley, he might change his ways.

But more then changing his hoodlum ways it could save him the embarrassment of having his son sent to such a place, there was very little more horrifying then having to have his son forced to go to St. Brutus’ Center for Incurably Criminal Boys, an institution that he had explained his nephew absence over the last five years.

3. Chapter 2 - OWL Results

Forrest W. Adams Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 2 293 2003-04-28T02:13:00Z 2003-08-24T09:15:00Z 2003-08-24T09:15:00Z 9 3431 19559 162 39 24019 9.2720 114

Disclaimer… See: Chapter 1

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 1 - Summer without Sirius

Chapter 2 - OWL Results

Much to Harry's surprise, Vernon and Petunia were treating HIM as they had treated Dudley for so many years… it was a bit creepy to say the least. However, despite his constant insomnia, he did find ways to keep himself occupied. After reading, many of the (unread) books on Dudley's shelves about the Internet and experimenting a bit he got the hang of it and it did give him a chance to find things to occupy his time.

He had happily gone to Mrs. Figg for tea; spoke with Remus over there on a few occasions. However, what brought him the most pleasure was when he had received a phone call from Hermione, which gave him the biggest grin he had ever had.

They had exchanged e-mail addresses now that Harry had the opportunity to try the muggle form of communication. She had also promised him that she would visit when she could.

True to her promise, Hermione and Ron came over and sat around his new bedroom. Hermione loved the look of the room, it had a very masculine feel to it, yet very Harry. Ron on the other hand had complained that the Chudley Cannon's were not, well represented in the room, which made Hermione and Harry go into hysterics....

In the midst of all the hysterics, a giant brown owl came swooping in through the window and dropped an official looking letter on Harry's lap, then turned and left.

All three of them looked at the envelope and Hermione put her hand on Harry's shoulder. The letter being addressed to:

Harry James Potter

Heir to the late Sirius Black

#4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging, Surrey

Harry tossed the letter over onto his mahogany desk, his eyes dampened with tears. "Harry, Sirius would want you to open this right now..." Hermione said, "The longer you wait the harder it will become."

"Besides, think of all the stuff you might get!" Ron said trying to change to somber mood only to be smacked upside the head by Hermione.

"I just can't right now." Harry said becoming cold and distant like he had shortly after Sirius was killed.

"I know Harry, listen Ron and I are going to get out of here right now... call me or e-mail me if you want to talk about it. It's important that you seek some counsel and solace from all of this." Hermione said leaning over and kissing him on the forehead, "I'm always here for you, you know... I am and always shall be your sensitive conscious and Ron is your insufferable git conscious."

A couple of hours passed, he went down to dinner...but did not eat much... He excused himself and headed up to his room. He went to his desk and finally decided to turn it on and check out the e-mail. He knew whom he would send his first e-mail to.... HUG@cambridge.co.uk

Dear Hermione,

Thanks, again for coming over today, it really did help me not feel so abandoned.... ever since Sirius died I have had an emptiness inside me that I cannot get over. You are right about the fact that I should open the Solicitor's letter but I want to wait at least until we get our owls... that way I can be doubly depressed over the OWL's and Sirius estate.

Talk to you soon...

Harry

Not long after Harry received his first e-mail back...

HARRY JAMES POTTER!!!!

What makes you think you are going to do bad on your OWL'S.... I tutored you, you know!!!!

Love from Hermione.

He wrote back...

HERMIONE UHURA GRANGER!!!!

DON"T YELL AT ME.... even I know that all caps is yelling…

I know you tutored me... you did everything you could but write my answers... but I fell asleep during the History of Magic exam, Snape hates me, and Trelawney is a dingbat... I will be so glad NOT to take her class next term I will miss Firenze class though. I just do not know about the other ones.... I just hope I get enough on my OWL's so I can do the classes needed for Auror training.

Listen, I am a bit stressed, however I should never take it out on you, Ron yes… he is easy to be riled up. But not you... No matter what happens, I appreciate your support in all we do...

Love from Harry

Harry sent off the e-mail much to Hedwig's displeasure. He let her out to stretch her wings and he sat down at the beautiful mahogany desk. Even Dudley's old bookshelves were in the same fine wood, filled with a variety of books from the Dummies Guide to the Internet to How to Get a Broad without Really Trying…

After a bit looking around on the computer, he found a ton of Dudley's old porn sites. Harry found a web browser. What caught his eye was the name of the browser…. Ask Mr. Wizard, so he decided to do a search on HOGWARTS.

He was shocked at the number of hits he received.... but what struck his fancy was a chat site that said Gryffindor Common Room... just give the most recent password to the Fat Lady and come on in....

Ironically, he decided to use an alias in there and went with DWBD, gave the last password he remembered (UMBRIDGE IS A FROGGY BITCH) and then saw a whole assortment people logged in to the chat room some were there under their real names, others with alias's like his…. Some with nicknames so obvious that they could not have been anyone else… it was designed to look like the Gryffindor common room. Even more amazing was that not only Gryffindor's were there, but other houses as well… He moved over to a virtual couch in front of a virtual fireplace. There were virtual people all around, his own persona was tall, muscular, with brown hair and brown eyes no glasses and a crew cut… He thought he looked as different as he could possibly get.

DWBD/Hi... I am new here... is there anyone to talk too?

P2BMB/ Hey! yep there are lots of us here! How are you DWBD? (She was beautiful… she had black hair and vivid blue/green eyes.)

DWBD/ Do I look Nervous?

P2BMB/ Oh well that's okay... if you have any questions I know lots about them... Anytime you want some help, let me know!

DWBD/Thanks... I am not sure what got me in here, but it reminds me of my old school...

P2BMB/So when did you go to Hogwarts? Are you an Alum?

DWBD/You know about Hogwarts??? I am going to be starting year 6 come September 1.

P2BMB/ Wow me too! Yeah all of those in here are from Hogwarts! There is Gred and Forge over there; Weasley is our King, Fire-eater, Iceman, and Mr. Sonorus...

DWBD/ Ok this is creepy.... I feel like I probably know you... but I kinda like the anonymity, besides I couldn't sleep so I decided to play with my new computer and put Hogwarts in the search engine...

P2BMB/ OH! Therefore, you are an official internet virgin…. How sweet that this is the first place you came to then. We are soooo honored by your presence.

DWBD/ um yeah... I guess so (Harry blushing severely) Thanks I guess… I would not want to go to Slytherin.... Gryffindor Common Room was the only place I would want to be…

P2BMB/ ME NEITHER! Of course, I have never gotten on with the Slytherins either!

P2BMB/ I know tons of great places on the net where Hogwarts students can go and talk to others! Mr. Wizard has created this as a virtual world for us…

DWBD/really??? Is there a wizarding web or something?

P2BMB/ Oh yeah absolutely!

(Harry had a mental image of his favorite Star Trek hero… Jadzia Dax)

DWBD/well Jadzia Dax teach me what you can... I am yours faithful (he said flirtatiously).

P2BMB changes nick to Jadzia

Jadzia/ Only if you will be my Worf…. ;) (Harry smiles for what seemed like the first time in days.)

DWBD changes nick to Worf

Worf/ So, what kind of places can we go to?

Jadzia/ Some of the Diagon Alley shops actually has sites on the web now!

WORF/ really? I cannot wait to find out everything you can teach me… This is all such a new and exciting experience for me… I feel so free….

Jadzia/ hahahaha! Darlin' everything on he net is a new experience and anything you wish to learn to do I will teach you!

WORF/ (Thinking about Dudley's porn pics) oh that could be very interesting? But are you going to be rough or gentle…. ; )

Jadzia/ gentle for now.... but I may let you get rough later.... *licks lips*

WORF/ *GROWL* this could get interesting....

Harry had spent more time with Jadzia in their own little world, they found they had many muggle things in common, but also she was definitely a Gryffindor through and through…. They joked that their names were part of Star Trek Lore… His first and middle name were from Old Trek…. While her middle name was from one of the most influential women known to Trekdom…

A few days later Harry was spending more time with his "Jadzia" in what they found as their own Room of Requirement having a very cozy romantic talk, when Petunia had knocked on Harry's door. "Harry dear, is everything alright?" She asked sweetly sounding more like Molly Weasley then Petunia Dursley.

"As well as can be expected… I am enjoying the computer" he said with a smile but also stated quickly, "We don't have anything like this at Hogwarts… No electricity, too much magic in he air… It has given me a chance to e-mail a number of my muggle born friends. Plus we have established a chat room just for our Gryffindor's… that's my house at Hogwarts…"

Worf/ Jadzia… I am going to be a bit… my Aunt just walked in I think she has my OWL results

Jadzia/ No worries Worf… we can continue this anytime.

Harry turned and looked at his Aunt Petunia, he looked apprehensive and then said, "I did receive an owl from an official looking owl, I'm too afraid to open it… it was addressed to the Heir of Sirius Black…." Taking a deep breath he added, "I really need to get my homework done but I can't until we get our O.W.L. results, so that we can sign up for our NEWT'S classes."

"What are your O.W.L.s?" She asked with a sly grin, knowing that Lily had told her about them when she had gotten hers.

"Ordinary Wizarding Level's…. Closest I could guess would be like a report card." He responded.

She held up a thick parchment letter addressed to:

Mr. & Mrs. V. Dursley, Legal Guardian's

Harry James Potter

#4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging, Surrey

"Could that be what this is?" She asked with a smile.

"Oh my God… in all the years I have been faced with Lord Voldemort… I have never been so afraid in my life as I am by the letter you hold in your hands, well that and the one about Sirius Black's estate." Harry said in a gasp.

"I really like how you have decorated this room Harry, it suits you very well… You have made a great use of the massive books on he shelves… Are ALL these your school books?" As she wandered around, she saw that the color scheme was very burgundy and red with a giant GRYFFINDOR in the center. Propped into his corner was a well used cauldron, with a smaller shelf of that contained a variety of apothocary bottles. She walked around Harry's new bedroom, then she sat down on his perfectly made bed (something that Dudley had never been able to master) while Harry sat down on the computer chair, quickly typing BRB - MUGGLE with my OWLS, while Petunia opened up the thick envelope.

"You chatting with one of your new little friends Harry?"

"Ummm Yeah…. We met about a week or so ago. She's really nice."

"Well I will warn you like I did Dudley, be careful who you talk to… not everyone tells the truth." Petunia said in a motherly fashion.

"Yes I know, but this is also part of the Wizarding web… so I feel safer here then I do anywhere else…" Harry said staring at the now open letter in her hand… she was reading it through before letting Harry see it…

Ordinary Wizarding Level Examination Results for:

POTTER, Harry James

The following scale is used to score examination results and determine passing grades:

CLASSES PRACTICAL THEORY OVERALL SCORES

Ancient Runes N/A N/A N/A

Arithmancy N/A N/A N/A

Astronomy E A A

Care of Magical Creatures O O O

Charms O E E

Defense against Dark Arts O O O

Divination P A P

Herbology E E E

History of Magic - P P

Muggle Studies - N/A -

Potions E O O

Transfiguration E O O

Extra Credit

(awarded by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore)

DA Instruction O O O

Rescue DoM E E E

Total O = 14

Total E = 11

Total A = 3

Total P = 4

Total D = 0

Total T = 0

Total Average PASSING Score OWL = 9

Congratulations, Mr. Potter. You have achieved high enough marks to allow you to take the N.E.W.T. Preparatory classes for what ever position you discussed with your Head of House (Auror, I believe) so you may wish to apply for after graduation.

Released by Griselda Marchbanks,

Department Head of Wizarding Examinations Authority,

Ministry of Magic

Whether it was the look on Harry's face or the delight in seeing such a remarkable report card Petunia was the first to speak. "Well my goodness Harry, I have a few things to say about this report card…"

'here it comes' thought Harry.

"Now granted, I am not well versed on how they grade on the O.W.L's… but placing your grading into a form that I would understand… O would equal an A, E would equal a B, A would equal a C, P and D would be equivalent to D, While a T would be an F… would you agree with that?" Petunia said.

"I suppose so… from the way Snape has treated me over the last 5 years, just because of a grudge against my Dad… I would have guaranteed a T at lest from him… But the way they do the testing is that they have unbiased graders come in to test us on our practical, our theory and our overall… I can't believe I got an O overall for Potions! Wait until Hermione hears." He said excitedly.

'If that is Severus Snape he's talking about… Oh Lily… I wish you were here.' Petunia thought to herself… "Do you mean Severus Snape? Is that who your dreaded Potion's Instructor is? I never would have thought of him as ever becoming a professor."

"Yeah… but how did you know?" Harry asked.

"Well, your mother Lily and I weren't always enemies… At one time we were very good friends, I even knew some of her friends and enemies…." Petunia said with a bit of tenderness that Harry had never heard from his Aunt. "I didn't realize until just recently that I began to look at Lily and James as evil, unnatural beings after I had met and married Vernon. I think that Vernon was afraid that Dudley COULD turn out like you… which to say now that I have gotten to know you better wouldn't have been a bad thing." Petunia said with pride, and then added, "Now I have talked this over with Vernon and we feel that you should be treated the same exact way Dudley was for good grades, meaning money for your grades."

"Oh Aunt Petunia, you don't need to do that…." Harry said modestly.

"My you and Dudley ARE cut from different fabrics of life." Petunia said, "Harry there has got to be something that you really want…"

"All I have ever wanted is to be treated normal… I know that I have special gifts, but I still want to be normal." Harry said honestly.

"You know what Harry, I know your 16th birthday is coming up in two weeks, how would you like to invite some of your friends from school for a party? Then afterward you and I will go to Diagon Alley and you can get something from there. How's that sound?"

"You KNOW about Diagon Alley?"

"I went with Lily the first time she went… it was very strange but because I wasn't magical, I had a dislike for it… I want to see if my hatred of the place is still there." Petunia said with a smile. But what do you think??? A Real Birthday Party? Decorations, presents all kinds of stuff… I will even make Uncle Vernon be on his best behaviour. He's getting a little soft in his older age since the discovery of Dudley's indescresions. You make a list of who you want to invite and we will let Hedwig send out the invites ok?"

Harry was dumbstruck… "Alright… this isn't a joke is it???"

"After that report card…. 14 Outstanding and 11 Exceeds… that's worth a whole lot of money…. I don't think that Dudley ever scored that high in all of his life…."

"How's Dudley doing? Do you mind if I go visit him?" Harry asked.

"Now why on earth would you want to do that??? He's still throwing temper tantrums and I think Piers has been throwing packs of cigarettes up through his bars… "

"He's my cousin…. Besides, I would like to make him a friend… if at all possible."

"Amazing… well I will let you go back to chatting with your 'friend' invite her too!"

"I will… " Harry said as he watched his Aunt close his bedroom door. Then realized he hadn't said his chat friend as a girl…. He rolled his eyes…

Worf/ I'm back….

Jadzia/ Welcome back…. I was beginning to get worried about you… so… how'd you do????

Worf/ Can you believe it, I have enough OWLs to take the NEWTS Prep courses to be an Auror!

Jadzia/ Oh that's wonderful…

Worf/ What are you going to take NEWT Prep Courses for??? You never told me.

Jadzia/ well I can also go for an Auror if I want… I'm not sure anymore. Maybe teaching…

Worf/ You are smart enough….(He said as he wrapped is virtual arms around her body and held her close. Even though he didn't know who she was, they would lay like this for hours just talking.

Jadzia/ Worf I get the feeling that something else is bothering you… do you want to talk about it?

Worf/ Yes and no....

Jadzia/ (giggling) Well that was a decisive answer.... Seriously, I feel we have gotten to be very good friends... and friends stick toghether...

Worf/ I recieved a letter a couple weeks ago from a London Solicitor regarding a relatives estate... Everyone keeps telling me I should and yet something tells me I shouldn't. I just get myself to open it.

Jadzia stayed silent for a bit then said, / The longer you wait the harder it's going to be. Hey you are a Gryffindor.... Bravery runs through your veins... you can do it... it's just another letter. I am truly sorry for your loss. I'm always here for you... that's what friends arre for. Listen it's getting late, I'll be back on later... (she leaned over and gave him a virtual kiss... that Harry would swear later he could actually feel.)

Worf/ Thanks Jaz for the advise... I may have to find my back bone and open the letter... Bye..

And Harry closed the connection. He picked up the letter and held the thick envelope in his hands. He picked up the telephone receiver (yes Dudley even had his own phone!) and dialed Hermione's number.

"Hello?" said the all too familiar voice.

"Hi Mione, Listen are you busy tonight?" He asked.

"Well I did have plans but I can change them.... what is up?" She asked.

"You know that letter that I got from the solicitor. Well... I would rather you be here when I open it... " Harry said quickly.

"It will take a couple of hours but I will be there. I'll get my dad to take me… he's dying to ride his new motorbike." She giggled slightly, "I'm not sure if I like it or brooms better."

"Did you know that Sirius used to have a flying Motorbike…. He once told me it was the only way to keep up with my dad on his broom." He smiled slightly at that memory.

"Well this one is NOT enchanted to fly…. You KNOW how I feel about flying…." Hermione's voice winced at the thought of flying, remembering their first year and the broom, their 3rd year with Buckbeak the hippogriff and then last year with the Thestrals.

"You just never had the best teacher… I will help you get over your fear of flying any day of the week." Harry said with a grin.

"Yeah, Yeah… we will TALK about it… I'll see you in a couple of hours. Bye." Hermione hung up the phone and rushed to her computer… she left an instant message for Worf saying she had to go someplace with her folks and she wouldn't be home until late. She turned off her computer and then headed to her dad who was polishing his new motorbike.

"Hey Dad, care to take this on a road trip… like right now, I need to get to Harry's, he's going through something and needs my help." Hermione said quickly as she gathered their helmets and jackets.

"You are really in a rush aren't you." Philip Granger said, "Well lets see how fast we can get to Surrey… shall we?"

"Where do you think you are going?" Elizabeth Granger called after them…

"Sorry hon, can't hear you…. See you in a few hours!" Phillip yelled back laughing.

They had made really good time. When Hermione and her father arrived at the front door Harry bounded down the stairs to greet them. Leaving Phillip with Vernon, Hermione had followed upstairs to his room, leaving the door open.

Hermione flopped down on the middle of the bed croslegged. Harry sat in his computer chair (his computer was turned off.) and he reached for the envelope.

Just then Petunia came to the door to return the photo album. "Oh Hello Hermione, I saw your dad down stairs… Vernon's trying to sell him more drills!" she chuckled. "Your father said it would be alright if you stayed the night in our guest room and then Vernon and Harry will take you home tomorrow while Harry gets his driver's lesson."

Hermione's eyes widened, "YOU are learning to drive??? Oh God, stay off the sidewalks."

They laughed and then Petunia turned to Hermione, "You certainly have grown up since this picture was taken." She showed them the picture of the trio during their first year. "You have turned into a beautiful young woman. I'll leave you be. Hopefully you an get Harry to open that damned letter."

Hermione sat cross-legged on the bed and stared at Harry, “So are you going to be the Brave ol’ Gryffindor we all know and love??”

**********

Author’s note:

Hello all.... we are extremely pleased with the amount of reviews we have been receiving… THIS IS A HINT We prefer signed reviews…. Especially if you flame us… for most of you we are glad that you are enjoying what you are reading.... but we thought that you should be warned just a little bit about who we REALLY are…

You see the group of us that are collaborating to write this fiction began writing and posting over on the official Harry Potter website from WB, where we each earned nick names and became part of a group that got affectionately called the Royal Family of Cliffies or otherwise known as the RFOC…

We had sanctioned ourselves to commit the heinous crime of leaving chapters on CLIFFHANGERS… we had competitions… but the RFOC need to expand to add to it’s minions and thus was created the KSUFHP (Kindred Sisterhood United for Harry Potter) but being a bit sexist…( we were really trying to write a women’s only view of HP after graduation with lots of sex!… We opened it up to the MEN!!!!!!

Oooh… sorry lost my train of thought so now you have the KFUFHP that is the rest of our bunch… and they can be a very wild bunch…

So you see… even though my name and e-mail are attached to this work, all the reviews, praise and flames gets shared amongst the rest of our group…

Remember…. Sign your reviews…. It makes responding to them a lot easier… unless you are a coward and don’t want to face up to the hateful things you think about our story… Let us know if you would like to see something!!! This is a work in progress revising my own original work…

I want to thank all of you who so kindly reminded me that it was Mrs. Figg not Figgs… and thank you for also letting me know it’s Pettigrew not Petagrew… sometimes writing after the bars close is difficult on the mind…

Oh and this comes from the Queen herself… if Grammar is an issue… screw it… I do not revise FRAGMENTS or Passive Voice…. They suck to high water that has scummy slim all over it…. Now if it’s a DIFFERENT type of Grammar issue… please feel free to point that out… but let me know WHAT the ‘error’ was.. OK? Thanks… just one of my peeves…

Sincerely United for Harry Potter,

Muirnin, Queen Mother for the RFOC

Becky, 1st Princess for the RFOC

4. Chapter 4 - The Letter and Will

Forrest W. Adams Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 5 744 2003-08-26T19:43:00Z 2003-08-24T09:15:00Z 2003-08-27T03:18:00Z 3 2196 9446 230 66 15377 9.2720 114

Disclaimer… See: Chapter 1

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 1 - Summer without Sirius

Chapter 3 - The Letter

Hermione sat cross-legged on the bed and stared at Harry, "So are you going to be the Brave ol' Gryffindor we all know and love?"

Whatever was going on through Harry's mind he did not even notice what Hermione had said.... his eyes focused on the thick letter that sat in his grasp.

Phillip Granger poked his head in to say good-bye to his daughter. "I'm going to take off, call if you need anything... " He looked over at Harry who seemed a bit despondent, "Is he going to be alright?"

Harry had a look of sadness on his face that Hermione had not seen since she had awakened and found out about Sirius' death.

"Yeah, he'll be fine after a while.... Thanks Dad for letting me stay, I think Harry's going to need some friendship tonight..."

"Well his Aunt and Uncle are right downstairs, so if he has a problem call for them. I can't imagine what he is going through right now..." Phillip said as he leaned down and gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead then as he walked past Harry he placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, and then left the room.

"Harry?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"Mione... I can't seem to open this envelope" he gulped back unshed tears. "Can you..."

Hermione moved over on the bed and helped Harry sit next to her. "Would you like me to read it first?"

Harry just nodded his head.

Hermione took the envelope out of Harry's fingers, her own hands shaking very slightly.

Opening the outside envelope, she found two more on the inside. One said in very fancy writing "The Last Will and Testament of Sirius Black." The second envelope said "A letter to Harry upon my death."

It seemed too real and the strength that Hermione had been holding up, and her own unshed tears began to fall freely down her cheeks. Harry, who was also crying put his arm around her and laid his head on her shoulder. He picked up the Will and set it aside, reaching instead for the letter to Harry.

My dearest godson Harry,

As I write this, I realize that my time on this earth is growing short. I do not know how I know (Your mother was the diviner, not me!), however, I want to apologize for not being here to help you with the final challenge with Voldemort.

So that you know, I have officially transferred the responsibility of Godfather to Remus Lupin. He has all the rights of guardianship that I would have had if I had not been on the run. As ironic as it may seem, he would have been the better choice in the beginning... but James was like the brother that I always wanted... rather then the one that I got.

I am assuming Hermione is with you as you read this, probably reading it for you... Please be strong for Harry. He is going to need your love and support more then ever before. Practice your Occlumency lessons; I know that Hermione has been secretly studying Legilimency (besides other things... *wink* sorry Hermione but I wish I could be there….) so that she can be an asset to you....

I will be with James and Lily soon... and while I do not want to die and leave you, I know that you will still be safe. Hermione take good care of him, and make sure that Ron and the twins keep him laughing. The Order is there for you.

I also wrote privately to your Aunt Petunia (first time in nearly 20 years...). It is a private letter so don't go asking her about what I said. Peta is really a nice woman once you get past the Dursley brainwashing that she has gone through. I have fond memories of Peta and feel sorrow that she ended up with Dursley. Secretly, I think your mom thought that Peta would get together with one of the Marauders.... James however hated Petunia with a passion… almost as much as Snape…

I love you very much Prongs Jr. as much if not more then if you were my own son. I am also proud of the man you have become. I know I always said you were not like James after all... but that is a good thing. You are the man that your grandfather wanted your Dad to become.

Please do not grieve for me... I have been ready for death since they took me off to Azkaban. I only wish that I could have been a bigger part of your childhood... and that I could have killed Wormtail in a gruesome and disgusting display…. Ah such fantasies being couped up here in this house does for ones soul…

Ron, do not turn into a prefect prat.... you and your twin brothers (I have dubbed them the Junior Marauders) have the potential that the Marauders proud. Their flight to freedom is something that your dad and I would have loved to be part of…

Hermione... your sweetness and kindness will take you far, and you are by far the most powerful witch I have seen since Lily. I think of you as a daughter I would have loved to have some day... You are smart and beautiful same as Lily was… When I look at you and Harry, I see James and Lily after their 7th year…. When I see you and Ron, I see James and Lily before their 7th year.

As much as you care for Kreacher please have him beheaded as is his wish…

Finally Harry, follow your heart and soul... you WILL be happy some day. James, Lily and I will be looking down at you and be your angels for you and for your soul mate…. She will need as much attention by your angels same as you in the future. Professor Dumbledore has told certain things that make me glad you are honing your defensive arts.

Keep strong, happy and healthy… do not forget about your life just because of Voldemort.

I love you all,

Sirius

P.S. Padfoot sends you his love as well… Then just under his signature was a paw print signed Padfoot underneath.

In a different handwriting which appeared to be Remus’ it said that this letter and his will had been written 2 days before the incident at the department of Mysteries. Hermione caught her breath as she read this part then burst into tears. How had he known…

Aunt Petunia came running into the room after hearing Hermione cry out like she did. She picked up the letter and read it herself. Then glancing over at the unopened will she saw that Harry was too upset to deal with this right now.

“Harry, why don’t you and Hermione come down for dinner…. We’re having pork loin tonight…” Petunia asked.

“We’ll be down in a moment Mrs. Dursley.” Said Hermione, reaching to take the letter back. As their fingers touched, Hermione got a brief glimmer of a memory from Mrs. Dursley. She looked at Petunia questioningly but Petunia had stiffened up, turned, and left immediately.

Hermione wrapped her arm around Harry and helped him off the bed. He was still distraught over the fact that Sirius had only written that 2 days before he died.

“Let’s go down to dinner Harry.” However, he shook his head no. Hermione persisted, “Harry you do need to eat something. Going without food when you are emotionally drained is damaging to your…”

“I’m not hungry.” He whispered. “Let’s get this over with….” Reaching over he picked up the second envelope that said “Last Will and Testament of Sirius Black.”

“I, Sirius Black, being of as sound a mind and body that 12 years in Azkaban and 3 years on the run can afford, in front of witnesses Remus Lupin and Nymphadora (sorry) Tonks do claim this as my final will and testament and do so with a clear conscious and proud heart.

Out of numerous properties that I owned (thanks in part to Uncle Alphard Black, Edward Potter and his son James Potter) I leave the following:

Everything that had at one time been a part of the Potter’s estate that had been left to me in trust for Harry James Potter at age 18 however I’m giving it to him now... This includes:

Potter Manor, Godric’s Hollow, Wales (Restored since attack by Voldemort)

What I liked to call the Cuddle Castle… HJP Cottage, Godric’s Hollow, Wales

The entire town of Godric’s Hollow, Wales (Owned originally by Godric Gryffindor and passed on to his heirs)

All the Galleon’s that had been placed in a vault for me by James Potter for the raising of his son.

All the Galleon’s that had been left to me by Edward Potter (Harry’s grandfather)

My Motorbike (Check with Hagrid on it’s whereabouts.)

To Remus Lupin I leave the Hogsmeade Marauder Manor (Shrieking shack). In addition, do me a favor next time you see Peter. Kill him for me… but make sure you eat the evidence…

To Albus Dumbledore and the members of the Order of the Phoenix, I bequeath the property on Grimmauld Place. The sum of galleon’s stored in my vault at Gringott’s Bank (that had been left to me by Uncle Alphard), which is to be divided amongst the remaining order members, the Tonks and Weasley families will receive (including the children) equal shares of the Order of the Phoenix money.

To Hermione Granger, I bestow all the jewelry entombed in Gringott’s vaults and all the books in the Black Manor. (Please have them checked by curse breakers before touching or reading….)

To Ron, Fred, George and Ginny Weasley I bestow not only your equal shares of the OotP money, but also 50,000 Galleons each. To be used as investment funds for 3W’s, as well as honorary Maraudership for each of you. Gred and Forge your escape from Hogwarts is what makes all us Marauders proud.

To Rubius Hagrid, I return Buckbeak. Harry can fly him to you to get his motorbike. Please do not let Grawp eat him.

To Petunia Evans Dursley, I leave 50,000 galleons that can be converted to muggle cash. This is for all you did raising my Godson.

The solicitor who sent this out has all Gringott’s keys and will provide them upon request. Each person who has been listed here will receive duplicate copies of the will notating only what they are receiving. Harry James Potter is the only one to receive the entire will.

Anyone contests the will and what they get will receive 1 knut and nothing more.

Anything else I forgot, give to the my other cousins the Lestrange’s and the Malfoy’s (The Tonks are well taken care of through the OotP fund)

Signed and dated by Sirius Black

Witnessed by Remus Lupin and (something illegible) Tonks

There were additional pages that had various listings of the values of property and amounts held in the different vaults.

Harry looked down the rest of the pages listing all the asset values and gasped. Hermione looked over his shoulder and her eyes grew wide.

“Do you think we should contact Professor Dumbledore about this?” Harry asked.

“I’m not sure… it says he should have gotten a copy… but Oh my God… I had no idea Sirius had so much.” Hermione said.

“Well I knew that my dad’s family had been well off… but… you know what? I think Uncle Vernon needs to see this… “ Harry said with a grin and then gave Hermione a hug just for no good reason.

Together they headed downstairs to dinner…. Will in hand.

Author's note:

Oh we love you all... you are the best (AT PORTKEY!) the reviews have been amazing... and to just to alleviate the concern from my LONE reviewer at FanFiction.net YES this is a Harry and Hermione love story.... the original was as well... but what is True Love without a bit of Angst... There may be a date with others from time to time.... but True love will WIN out in the end... I unfortunately am distressed at what is going at FF.net.... I may clear all my stories off of there to put here... everything is on hold right now until I finish H&Bx2....

For those concerned about all the Star Trek references... It is true that MY first writing was in RPG for Trek... but this is not going to be a story where Harry and Hermione end up on the Enterprise... or the Discovery (sorry... my old ship!)

For those that do not know Uhura is Peace in Swahili.... I think that anyone who would name their daughter Hermione would also think of something more unique for her middle name.... my own daughter's middle name is Muirnin which is Beloved in Irish... Besides... Harry James? Those are BOTH names from original Star Trek.... I almost… almost made Sirius’s middle initial be Q…. *EVIL GRIN* The Jadzia and Worf is an excellent example of True Love....

Hug's and Kisses

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`»*«´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`»*«´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

@}>--'--,--

Founder & Proud Member of KFUFHP-Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

5. Chapter 4 - In a Manor of Speaking

Forrest W. Adams Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 2 750 2003-08-26T19:43:00Z 2003-08-27T23:22:00Z 2003-08-27T23:22:00Z 5 2081 11862 98 23 14567 9.2720 114

Disclaimer… See: Chapter 1

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 1 - Summer without Sirius

Chapter 4 - In a Manor of Speaking

Aunt Petunia didn't care anymore if the neighbors heard Vernon bellow about "that boy" after she read the letter and the will. Her eyes filled with tears as she saw that Sirius had remembered her as well.

She pulled Harry and Hermione aside and got them away from Vernon.

"Harry, according to Professor Dumbledore it is because of my blood relationship to your mother that is forcing you to stay here."

"So what are you saying Aunt Petunia?" Harry asked confused.

"As you know I received a letter from Sirius prior to his death. He apologized to me for not disclosing the funds that were available for your rearing. Apparently Professor Dumbledore had no idea about the codicile to James and Lily's wills." Petunia led them out into the rose garden out back where they sat down in the gazebo. "Sirius has suggested, and I am not in agreement that to keep you safe, I should take you back to Godric's Hollow."

"You would leave Uncle Vernon for me?" Harry said shocked.

"Not permanently of course... but I think that my Dursley men need some time to deal with the mess they have made with their lives and I need to make amends to my sister's memory."

Hermione looked at Petunia and Harry. This was a very private conversation they were having. "Ummm I think I will go ummm..." she started to say as a way to give them time alone.

"No dear, you best stay out here with us. Harry and I will pack tonight, then tomorrow we will combine Harry's driving lesson, your ride home and a visit to Diagon Alley."

They went inside when the front door bell rang, Petunia rushed over to answer it. Arabella Figg stood in the doorway.

"What is Vernon in such a state about? I could hear him all the way to my house." Arabella said.

With a slight smirk Petunia said, "He just read Sirius's will and found out that there had been money set aside to raise Harry."

"And he's angry about that... Why you married that man I will never know Peta... Why don't I have the kids come back over to my house this evening." she said looking from Harry to Hermione. "Besides, I was going to let Harry know that Remus was here."

"That's a great idea.... you know what... I'll join you..." Petunia said laughing, as she grabbed her handbag and headed out the door.

By the time they got to Arabella's Petunia had stopped laughing. When they walked inside Arabella's house Remus Lupin stood up. Petunia saw him and tears came to her eyes and she went over and gave him a hug.

"Petunia this is quite the change for you." Remus said with a grin.

"Thinking back on it now, I am beginning to realize what a ninny I was for thinking I was superior for choosing Vernon Dursley, CEO of Grunnings over my sister and her friends."

"Sirius and I had talked about you once in a while... wondering how he had ever brainwashed you into such dislike of the wizarding world when you and Lily had been so close."

"Well out of the memory of my sister, and for Siri, I'm making some changes. First one is that I'm taking Harry back home to Godric's Hollow. I know he's never been back there since his parents died, and would probably like to see where they were laid to rest."

Harry did a double take of his aunt when she said Siri. She MUST have been close to Sirius to have used an endearing nickname. He had never heard anyone call him anything like that.

Arabella Figg bustled over and gathered up Harry and Hermione, "Come on you two, why don't you go out and catch a movie. I think two old friends need to do some catching up. Don't worry, I have Mr. Tibbles on the case and I think that Hedwig is out there somewhere as well."

Harry had never seen his Aunt so relaxed and in such high spirits. He even was more shocked when he heard her call Lupin "Moony".

By the time that Hermione and Harry had gone out the door they both had puzzled faces. "What just happened here?" Harry asked Hermione.

"I haven't got the faintest clue." Hermione giggled.

The pair went and had dinner at a small diner near the movie theater and then saw the movie "You've Got Mail". Both had made jokes about something like this never happening, when they knew otherwise.

The next day came quickly, and Harry had taken to driving like he had flying. Petunia was impressed at how well he drove for his first time out.

"He was like this when he first got on a broom too!" Hermione bragged then slapped a hand over her mouth realizing she had spoken about the magical world.

"It's alright Hermione, after seeing Harry's OWL's and little tidbits that I had gleened from Albus' letters over the years. I am quite interested in knowing more about the wizarding world. Besides, it brought much joy into his mother's life and into his own." Petunia said as they pulled up in front of the Leaky Cauldron.

"First stop Diagon Alley?" Harry said giving his Aunt a sideways glance.

"Yes, I think so, I have an envelope here with some of the keys we will need and I need to speak with one of the tellers in the bank."

Hermione and Harry giggled. "They are actually Goblin's Mrs. Dursley."

"Real Goblin's? Oh my. I can see I am going to get myself an education today." Petunia said surprised. Even entering The Leaky Cauldron there were still timid reactions from Petunia as she saw some of the witches, wizards and hags that hung out there.

"Oh you are here a bit early for your school things Mr. Potter. And Miss Granger so nice to see you as well. Can I get you anything before you go in?" The barkeep said.

"No thank you Tom, just need to take care of some things at Gringotts today." Harry said with a smile as he lead his Aunt and Hermione out back. "Shall you do the honor's or shall I?"

"Let me..." Hermione said as she whipped out her wand very professionally and tapped the bricks in order.

Soon they were out in the middle of the bustle that was Diagon Alley. Petunia was shocked to say the least.

It took the better part of an hour for all the banking that needed to be done from Sirius' estate. Aunt petunia was worse for ware from the ride down to the vaults. But when her vault that had been placed under the name of Petunia Evans was opened she gasped. Inside there had been a pile of gold galleons and a small chest with a B on it. She took the chest out along with a bag of gold for shopping.

"Harry look, it's the 3W's!" Hermione pointed to Fred and Georges storefront. As they got closer they saw that the twins had put Ginny and Ron to work helping the massive amounts of people that were inside.

"HEY!!! looks like my investment paid off!" Harry shouted to Ron who was behind the counter.

"Harry! Hermione! What are you doing here?" then seeing Petunia standing there with her mouth open slightly, "Ummm Hello Mrs. Dursley. Welcome to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."

"Mrs. Dursley, how glad we are that you have come to our grand opening." George said putting out a hand. Petunia stood there stock still. "Um I would like to apologize about your son Dudley getting some of our prototypes a couple years ago. But they really are big sellers."

"I can see that. And Harry you invested in this?" Petunia said.

"He's part owner. He'll be getting 15% of all the prophets." Fred piped up.

"I gave them my winnings from the Triwizarding Cup at the end of 4th year. I didn't want the money." Harry said with a touch of sadness.

"Well I see that it was a wise investment." Aunt Petunia said, trying to act as civilized as possible.

"Mrs. Dursley, how would you like to go to the book store." Hermione said. "If you are going to be living in around Wizards, even though Godric's Hollow is a Muggle community you may want some reference books..." she added as she lead the way over to Flourish and Blotts.

"Hey mate what is going on with your Aunt?" Ron asked as Ginny finally ran up and gave Harry a hug.

"Long story... anyway she and I are going to Godric's Hollow... with get this... OUT Dudley and Uncle Vernon."

"Are you taking your computer with you???" Ginny asked. "We all got our own Wizarding Wireless Webs. I'm designing a web page for the Twins."

"Actually I left Dudley's there... didn't have the heart to take it... Where can I get one."

After a few minutes more of talking Harry ran to catch up with Hermione and Aunt Petunia who had a stack of books about getting to know the wizarding world on top of which was "Hogwarts a History."

"Well I can see you have been shopping with Mione, Aunt Petunia... that's her favorite book." Harry said with a grin giving a playful shove to Hermione's shoulder.

"She did make a fine case as to why I should read it, seeing as it is where you both go to school and where your mom and dad met."

Hermione stood back proudly at this statement and Harry just rolled his eyes. "I don't know about you sometimes Mione. Come on, it's getting late and we have a long drive ahead of us."

Taking their packages to the car, they headed off towards Cambridge and dropped Hermione off.

The drive was very long and boring, but Harry didn't mind since he got to do most of the driving. Aunt Petunia had her nose in a book (Hogwarts a History) and every so often she would pipe up with a tiny detail that she had gleaned from the book. "I didn't know you were mentioned in here?"

"What do you mean? I'm mentioned? Huh.... must be a revised revised revised version... " Harry chorkled.

"Yes... it says here that Harry James Potter became the youngest Quiddddd... what is that word."

"Quidditch player in a hundred years. Yes... I got picked as a seeker my first year. Dad was a Chaser... I've got some books about Quidditch if you want to read those too..." he laughed.

It was nearly daybreak as they entered the sleep village of Godric's Hollow. It had a sense of Brigadoon, seemingly to appear out of nowhere. Harry had pulled off the road and got out to stretch his legs.... He was home...

A elderly old man was walking by and spotted Harry. "Jeezuz Mary and Joseph, if it isn't Little Jimmy Potter's boy."

Harry's eyes widened. "You knew my dad?"

"I surely did, chased him and little Sirius Black out of me orchard many a summer. I sure was sorry to see what happened to your folks... we all thought you had died as well. But your folks manor is just down that road there.... and the cottage they had build for you is down that lane."

"Where's the cemetary?" Harry asked.

After getting the directions Harry got back in the car and started heading towards the Manor. As he pulled up he found it ironic that it would be called a manor when it didn't look much bigger then a two story cottage. He shook his Aunt Petunia awake and they headed inside.

"Welcome to Potter Manor Aunt Petunia." Harry said as he opened the front door and let her in.

Immediately, they were greeted by two small creatures who recognized Harry. "Oh Harry Potter sir, such a pleasure it is to be serving you... Me and Winky are here to do for you anything you please." Dobby said with a smile.

"Aunt Petunia, this is Dobby and I guess he's our new house-elf."

"Mrs Harry's Aunt mam' I want to say I am sorry for dropping that lovely pudding on that woman's head. I was just trying to keep Harry Potter safe."

"That's alright Dobby... it's all forgotten now... but it's good to know that Harry had been truthful with me about how it happened."

"Where's Winky?" Harry asked Dobby as Dobby unloaded the car quickly using magic.

"She's at HJP Cottage sir, she's doing better then she was. She likes the privacy over there."

After a few days, they had settled in to the manor very well. Aunt Petunia was such a different person from when she was around Uncle Vernon. He called her on the telephone several times, trying to convince her to come back home. But she told him that to avoid the conflicts that Vernon had with her side of the family, she would stay the summer with Harry and then come back to Privet Drive. Harry suggested that she invite Vernon and Dudley over to the manor and he could live at the cottage but she said no.

It was on Harry's 16th birthday when he finally got to see the inside of the cottage. Winky had done a magnificient job of cleaning and restoring it to it's original beauty.

It was a small white building with red roses and ivy growing wild over the facade. Inside it was very cozy. there were three bedrooms each with it's own facilities a kitchen, dining room and a charming living room.

Outback there was a lush green woodland, with the sound of running water. Harry could tell why Sirius called it Cuddle Castle. It had all the romance and splendor of a fairy tale story.

Unknown to Harry, Petunia had contacted Remus and Hermione and had planned a huge surprise birthday party for him. By the time Harry had returned to the Manor everyone was there.

All the Weasley's were in attendence except Percy, the Longbottoms, the Lovegoods, the Granger's, as well as many of Harry's other friends and teachers from school.

It was a very spectacular gathering when suddenly a couple members of the Order of the Phoenix appeared at the door.... with them Vernon and Dudley Dursley.

Author's notes...

Ok... I think that's long enough... now before anyone begins to comment about it... I BELIEVE that Godric's Hollow is in Wales... however, there is debate (see the lexicon) that it is not in Wales, but perhaps in Scotland or Ireland... either way... I'm making it seem like Wales, Scotland and Ireland combined... it's that Celt in me just crying to get out...

And another thing... I know this is NC-17... but ITS not in this chapter... but perhaps the next... that we get a little bit of *grin*.... for those of you who have read the original story... many parts of that will be in the next chapter... especially concerning Dudley and GInny... (shiver scary thought I know) but it's MY STORY!!!

I didn't have any help from any others from the KFUFHP on this chapter so blame me and only me if you got a problem...

NEXT CHAPTER: THE BOOK, THE PUTER, AND THE CASTLE

Hug's and Kisses

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`»*«´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`»*«´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

@}>--'--,--

Founder & Proud Member of KFUFHP-Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

6. Chapter 5 The Book, The

Forrest W. Adams Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 2 2 2003-08-26T19:43:00Z 2003-08-30T04:45:00Z 2003-08-30T04:45:00Z 11 4376 19415 632 183 23781 9.2720

Disclaimer… See: Chapter 1

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 1 - Summer without Sirius

Chapter 5 - THE BOOK, THE 'PUTER, AND THE CASTLE

Earlier in the evening:

Harry had never had such a wonderful birthday in his life. All the guests had brought him presents and when Harry unwrapped a present from Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Fred and George he was shocked. He had received his very own Wizards Wireless Web Lap Top. He had meant to get one when he had gone to Diagon Alley, but he had not done it. Each of them had put in together to get him the computer but then each of them had added extras to go with it.

Ron had given him a virtual amplifier and then whispered to him that he would be able to experience anything he wanted to on the web.

Fred and George had given him a number of games that he could play on the new computer.

Hermione and Ginny had gone in together to get his 6th year supplies programmed online, then Hermione added an environmental program, for as she said to help find ways to meditate for study and his Occlumency training. Her eyes twinkled at this.

"You know I will help you anyway I can... " Hermione said.

"Thanks all of you." Harry said after he had received more presents from the others but none of them compared to what he had gotten from Weasley's and Hermione.

The trio had decided to take a tour of the manor that was enchanted on the inside to be larger then it was on the outside. Apparently, nobody knew how many rooms were really in the Manor, until the trio found a piece of parchment framed on the wall. A framed map that had the details of the entire Potter Grounds, including the wooded glen between the manor and the cottage, that was intended for Harry.

They had found a potion's lab, library full of books on every subject imaginable (that made Hermione's eyes shine more), and even an area similar to the DA room from last year, where they could practice spells as the entire Potter grounds had been protected recently for the shielding of underage magic.

It was a very spectacular gathering when suddenly a couple of members of the Order of the Phoenix, Kinglsey Shackleford & Tonks, appeared at the door.... with them Vernon and Dudley Dursley.

"Oh dear God what happened?" Petunia cried out as she ran over to where Vernon laid down on the floor still twitching. Dudley was sobbing,

"Death eaters came after Harry tonight." Kingsley said. "Not sure how they found your home, but their was no protections there since they weren't needed so they thought they could torture it out of Vernon."

"I'm surprised at your husband, he refused to divulge any information as to where Harry had gone." Tonks said.

Ginny had gone over to comfort Dudley and was talking softly to him. He went over and sat down next to her on the sofa and he seemed to calm down considerably.

Harry went over to where Petunia was standing her eyes filled with tears. "He'll be alright Aunt Petunia... These Auror's are trained in magical medics."

Remus came over and took Petunia aside, while Dobby came in with a tray of tea for everyone.

"Petunia, I think that Harry and I should go over to the cottage to stay. You can stay here with your family and watch after them." Remus said quietly.

"I think you are right. I'm not sure how Vernon will take all of the wizards that are here though." She responded.

"Let's get him up into one of the bedrooms where the medics can work on him, and then we will decide what to do about those that are going to stay the night. I know the Weasley's and Grangers were planning to stay a few days. The rest can floo home from the library fireplace." Remus said. "We also have a few portkeys set up for emergencies."

"That's a good idea Moony." Petunia said.

"I'm surprised at you Peta, you seem to have changed back into the young woman who was so close to her younger sister. I wonder what has caused this." Remus said.

"It's as if I have remembered things and people from the past. It's like being awakened from a long coma." Petunia said quietly.

Vernon had finally stopped twitching from the curses that had been thrown at him. He had overheard what Lupin had said and closed his eyes. He knew exactly what had caused it. He had kept a secret for the last couple of decades. Nevertheless, he was not ready to reveal the facts just yet.

Remus left Petunia's side, which immediately went back to where her husband was, and he went over to where Harry and the others were standing around talking.

"Harry, I've had Dobby take all of your belongings over to the cottage. You, Ron and I will be staying over there. I figured it would be nice for you to get used to your own cottage. The rest of the Weasley's and the Grangers will be put up here in some of the guest rooms." Remus said as Harry's face lit up at the idea, his friends would still be here for a few days.

Harry settled into his room at the HJP Cottage ah hell... it was like Sirius had said, a cuddle castle to him... everything a fairytale had to offer... as he got ready for bed and then once settled onto his bed with his new wizarding web laptop on his lap he hurried to get into the common room...

P2BMB: Happy birthday my dear Worf...

DWBD: You remembered. I cannot believe you did that...

P2BMB: I would never forget your day my sweet!

DWBD: Jaz you are a charmer...

P2BMB: *Walked over to him and put her hands on his face* "Would you expect anything different."

P2BMB: "You ARE my Worf after all..."

DWBD: not a chance... *leans forward and kisses her passionately*

P2BMB: *surprised by his act of boldness, but happy that he made the first move, she wraps her arms around his neck and rubs it lovingly*

DWBD: I took your advice... I opened the letter...

P2BMB: Good! I am so glad! What did you find in there....

DWBD: hmm, that feels good...

P2BMB: Thought you would like that... *Smiles wickedly and seductively*

P2BMB: so you were saying about your letter...

DWBD: I called my best friend and she came over to give me my backbone as you had called it.... It was my Godfather's will and a letter... I'm now living in a cottage on my parent's old property... my godfather affectionately liked to call it the cuddle castle... *wink*

P2BMB: Really? *Smiles wickedly* I guess I should visit you there some time...

DWBD: Well with a virtual attachment I got for my birthday you are already here. On my lap (Harry looked down at his laptop then typed) *evil grin*

P2BMB: I am glad that it worked out for you with your Godfather's will and letter... Oooooooo... on your lap huh *climbs into his lap and strokes down his arm* Now I'm REALLY on your lap...

DWBD: (Harry felt a pressure on his lap and moved the laptop to the side, his thoughts to her still typing on the screen) Yes you are... now what AM I going to do with you... you know I've never done anything like this before...

P2BMB: *strokes down his chest and touches his bulging pants* anything you want my love.... after all.... it is your birthday....

DWBD: *growls* hmmmm anything? What are you wearing?

Harry released his zipper and allowed his actual bulge to be free... and throb... as he stroked himself thinking of this beautiful woman.

P2BMB: Neither have I... *Reaches up and places her lips on his gently* something see through *Her clothes change to a see through black teddy then pressed her lips harder to his lips and reached down and unzippered his pants to stroke his hardened member*

DWBD: I can actually feel your kiss.... what is it about the wizarding web... *Ohhhhhhh* now that's more like it...

P2BMB: *leans down and takes his member into her mouth*

DWBD: *his hands reach up and squeeze the thin fabric that is covering her voluptuous breasts...*

P2BMB: It's magic *starts sucking hard*

DWBD: Oh god... I can feel that... you are amazing

P2BMB: *Moans and pulls his hand down to her wet pussy*

DWBD: turn around here... I want to taste you too...

P2BMB: *turns around and lowers herself to his face*

DWBD: *he could smell the sweet sensual aroma that was all Jadzia, he took his tongue and lapped the juices seeping through her thin panties... taking his teeth he tears them off of her... he then allowed his tongue to slide into her slit… and lick around the edges... *

P2BMB: *moans* you are so good too! *Moans and breathes faster as she feels his breath and warm tongue inside of her*

Hermione, lying on the bed in the room she shared with Ginny called out, aloud...

DWBD: grasping hold of her clit with his mouth he begins sucking on her... reaching back and playing with her breasts.

P2BMB: *she begins to move her mouth up and down on his erection Moaning and feeling herself reach her first ever orgasm*

Harry was grateful that his parents had thought about having permanent silencing charms on all the rooms...

DWBD: I want to cum in you....

Hermione was having a hard time concentrating on typing now....

P2BMB: Oh cum my love...

DWBD: *shifted her body until she was on top of his hardened cock and slid her down* now you ready to ride?

P2BMB: Yes *breathlessly*

The magic of the Web caused him to actually feel her presence upon him and he felt her heated flesh slide down over the top of his cock.

DWBD: *he rocked back and forth going deeper and deeper into her...*

P2BMB: *moved up and down on his hardened member and moaning... * WORF! OH God, WORF!

DWBD: Faster Jaz faster... I am almost cumming

P2BMB: *moved faster and faster, she felt herself reach a second peak*

DWBD: *wrapped his arms around her tight as he spewed his seed inside of her…* Oh God that was amazing...

P2BMB: Oh GOD, that was amazing!

DWBD: He plunged his mouth onto hers and kissed her with so much passion....

P2BMB: *she pressed her mouth harder into his then opened her mouth and stuck her tongue into his*

A knock at the bedroom door caused Harry to jerk suddenly, "Harry I'm going back over to the manor for a bit... will you be alright here???"

"Yeah Remus.. no problems here..." he said nearly breathless

Hermione felt a suddenly felt a jerk away from her

P2BMB: Did I do something wrong?

DWBD: no love someone came to the door...

P2BMB: Oh okay *breathlessly*

DWBD: you felt me jerk at the knock at the door?

P2BMB: Yes you can feel anything that is going on with the other person that you are interacting with... that is the magic...

DWBD: wow... what my poor cousin has been missing... He is a muggle and he talks about cyber all the time with his friends but I do not think he has ever felt like this...

P2BMB: Oh, that is too bad for him! So... shall we go again? *Her heat was rising again*

DWBD: give me a moment... it does take guys a bit to recover... come here I want to suckle your breasts they look amazing....

P2BMB: Okay love... *moves closer and lets the strap of the teddy fall off of her shoulder exposing her breast*

DWBD: takes the hardening nipple into his mouth and begins to suckle like a baby... while he gently rubs the nub of the other breast....

P2BMB: Rubs his chest and feels the rippling muscles beneath her fingers... she shudders at what he is doing*

DWBD: he feels his cock begin to harden again... her touch on his chest is causing a tingling sensation down his body.

P2BMB: *She slowly lowers her hand to his cock and begins rubbing it feeling it harden again*

DWBD: *he slid his hand down between her legs…* Let's take it slower this time... I want to enjoy the feel of you wrapped around me

P2BMB: *she closes her eyes and enjoys felling his finger inside of her and his mouth on her breast She begins to rub more slowly* I agree love....

DWBD: *He rolled her over on her back so she is on bottom this time... so he could explore her body in more detail... * I can't believe I've only known you a month... However, I cannot think of anyone but you...

P2BMB: *she spread her legs open and put her arms above her head to allow him to explore more of her body* Me either love.... me either.... *she closed her eyes and allowed his wandering hands and mouth to touch every part of her*

DWBD: he began kissing up and down her legs suckling each toe then going up again to the her triangular patch and suckled some more.... He rubbed his hands all over her body, memorizing each section of skin

P2BMB: She wanted his mouth.... and his cock.... she could not get enough of him.... she moaned slightly as he kissed up and down her legs... she felt the heat rising in her to a new height once more*

DWBD: he licked her pussy once again and then slowly slid inside of hr

P2BMB: *She moaned out as he entered her again* OH do not stop Worf!

DWBD: he left soft sweet kisses up her abdomen and continued kissing around her nipples and breasts as he slowly moved in and out rhythmically. Began to feel a pulsation as if he were ready to burst... begins to move deeper into her... feeling her tightness around him... He begins suckling on her shoulder and leaves a mark...

P2BMB: *she feels herself reach a new height and feels him suckling her shoulder... which raised her higher*

DWBD: he loved the taste of her skin... he clamped his mouth down over her lips again and began suckling her tongue now as well... tasting her

P2BMB: *she shoves her tongue into his mouth* Oh GOD! Cum to me my love I need you! *She tilted her head back getting ready for him to cum into her... *

DWBD: he rams into her harder and faster then ever before and then his semen sprays out filling her within...

P2BMB: Oh WORF! *Moans and grunts of pleasure, feeling his cum fill her*

DWBD: Jaz you have given me the best birthday present ever... how will I repay you...

He had never experienced anything so fantastic in his life. He knew that who ever Jaz was, he was falling in love with her. Their long conversations that they had had during his time at the Dursleys had drawn him closer to her emotionally... and tonight had drawn her to him intimately.

He curled up on his bed, and drifted to sleep remembering the nights events.

Next morning, Harry woke up with a smile. There was a knock on his door.

"Come in,” Harry said, making sure he was covered up.

Ron came in and had the biggest shit-eating grin Harry had ever seen.

"So did you enjoy your birthday present?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You starting the morning with your mind in the gutter already?"

"Nah... just had to come and tell you something... amazing."

"Amazing huh, do tell." Harry said.

Ron picked up the virtual attachment that was lying on the bed. "I had gotten myself one of these when I picked up yours. I meet someone... on line... IN ADDITION, I know who she is... "

"Really? How did you find out who she was... I mean half the people in there are under alias'"

Ron grinned, "AHH So you have been hanging out in the Common Room too? Haven't seen you there."

"I didn't want to be recognized... I like being just one of the people you know... anonymous. So tell me about your girlfriend." Harry said getting the conversation off himself.

"Well, as you probably figured out when you went into the common room..." and he went into details about how he had met Luna Lovegood online and one thing led to another and then... " He grinned big again, "yeah..." nodding his head.

"Wow... you and Luna... " Harry said surprised. "So have you two you know offline?"

Ron blushed and grinned. "I couldn't believe how wonderful she is, she is so weird... and I'm in love with her... not just online... but off line as well... The Lovegoods live not far from the Burrows so we have been spending a lot of time together since she got back from whatever adventure she had gone on with her Dad... He is a bit of a nutter too... anyway, she really is smart... not Hermione smart but like Ginny smart with more imagination... "

Harry laughed aloud as he listened to Ron ramble on about Luna.

"What?" Ron said suddenly, then "Oh, I guess I was going on a bit... So mate, have you met anyone yet?"

A dreamy look came across Harry's face and said quietly, "Yeah... I did... But I have no idea who she is."

"Really? Haven't you even asked.... " Ron said.

"Both of us agreed that being anonymous made it that much better" said Harry. "She even remembered my birthday..." and a huge grin grew on Harry's face, but before he could say anything else a tone sounded on his laptop alerting him to an e-mail.

"Who's writing you?" Ron said.

"It's from Hermione. She says she found something over at the manor and for us to come over and join her when we can." Harry said.

"This definitly is faster then owl's"

"Yeah, but I think Hedwig likes the break... " Another alert was an instant message from "P2BMB: Thanks for last night... I will never forget it... Love Jaz"

Harry picked up his laptop and quickly sent a quick message back to her. "DWBD: You are more then welcome... but it's I who should thank you... That was the most amazing birthday present I have gotten in a very long time... Love you... Worf."

Harry sent off the message and closed the screen so Ron who was trying to see what was on the screen said and looked at Ron... "Hey mate, I'm not ready for you to meet yet. Let's get ready and go over to the manor..."

"Winky has already got breakfast ready for us in the kitchen... this is a really neat house Harry... " Ron said.

"Sirius said he used to call it the Cuddle Castle... but it's official title is HJP Cottage... my folks had it built for me when I was of age." Harry said.

"You seem to be handling Sirius' death a lot better. I was getting worried about you mate." Ron said as he started to head out of the room.

"I'll meet you in the kitchen... I need to take a shower and get dressed." Harry said as Ron shut the door.

He thought about what Ron had said about handling Sirius' death and realized he had two people to be thankful for in helping him with his grief... Hermione and Jaz.

After showering and seeing the mark left by her adventures the night before she dressed carefully so nobody would see it. She smiled. She knew that Worf was Harry... but he had no idea who Jaz was... so like Harry to be clueless about things of the heart...

She had gone prowling around the library. She had come across a book that had details about the Potter Grounds. She then found on the desk a journal that had Lily Evans Potter's name on it.

Picking up the journal she felt it go warm, and then glowed slightly. She opened the book and started to read. After about an hour of reading she suddenly grabbed the book and headed back to her room where Ginny was just waking up.

"It looks like you had a long, fun night Gin." Hermione said seeing all the hickies that were around her neck and shoulders.

"Oh shit... Good thing this property has a shield for underage magic... I'm going to have to glamour these away before mum sees them." Ginny said looking at Hermione.

"Glamour charm... Oh, Geez I hadn't even thought about that... now I can change out of the turtleneck... "

"Oh so you had fun last night too..."

"Yeah. We did... " Hermione said as she opened her laptop and sent a quick e-mail to Harry to have him come to the manor to see the books she found. Then after a few moments, she thought and got a big grin on her face... and sent a simple instant message for him to see from Jaz.

"You know who he is don't you." Ginny said.

Hermione raised her eyebrow and grinned. "But he's not going to know who I am... no way... I couldn't tell him."

"What is he a Slytherin or something? I know who mine is... but he has NO idea who I am."

"Men can be so clueless... you know...” Hermione said avoiding her question, "You may want to hurry I just e-mailed Harry and Ron to let them know I found something in the library today."

"When you could be sleeping in and dreaming about last night, you are in the Library,” laughed Ginny as she hurried to get ready. Half an hour later, they were both dressed in very comfortable sundresses and their love marks covered they headed out towards the kitchen to get something to eat for breakfast.

Entering the kitchen, they saw Vernon reading a muggle newspaper and drinking a cup of coffee. But what was so funny was Petunia arguing with Dobby.

"Oh surely there's something I can do to help with breakfast?" Petunia asked the house-elf.

"Oh no Mrs. it's my duty to take care of you and your family... that is the job of a good house-elf. Now you sit down and have some breakfast, I am a very good cook... Oh hello Miss Hermione and Miss Ginny... Sit, sit... it's all ready to eat." Dobby said snapping his fingers and plates appeared in front of all of them.

"Petunia, it's no use arguing with Dobby." Molly Weasley said as she came into the kitchen followed by Arthur. "I may not have house-elves at my home, but Dobby is very devoted to Harry and if he said for him to take care of his family... which he also considers us his family."

"I don't know how you have taken care of such a big family without a house-elf Molly." Petunia said, barely hearing the slight grunt of disgust from Vernon. "Oh you behave Vernon." she hissed quietly as Ginny and Hermione hurriedly finished their breakfasts.

"Where's Dudley this morning?" asked Ginny.

"He's still grounded for his actions earlier in the year." Petunia said. "I don't want him causing more problems after Harry's been so kind to us after the way we have treated him."

"I was hoping to spend some time with him today. I think that I may be able to help with changing his attitude... without magic." Ginny said with a smile.

"Go ahead and try, but I don't think it will help. He's been so overly spoiled by no fault of my own that he may be beyond help." Petunia said. Vernon grumbled again.

"Ginny's been very good at handling the twins... and Merlin knows that they are more then a handful." Arthur said.

"Where are they this morning?" Vernon said in a slight grumble.

"They apparated to their store early this morning and are working." Arthur said proudly. "I know I would have rather had them work at the Ministry with me, but they have become very successful with their new store. They are already planning expansion to Hogsmeade as well."

"They own their own store. I would not have believed that. After that prank they pulled on Dudley a couple years ago." Vernon said.

"Well yes, their store is based on that same prank... it's a joke and novelty store." Arthur said, causing Molly to grumble herself.

Ginny got up and went to get Dudley while Hermione went out to meet Harry and Ron on the pathway to the cottage.

She had been mastering Legilimency and Occlumency since hearing about Snape training of Harry and decided for the first time to try to see into Harry's thoughts.

He was remembering the night before... how he held her in his arms after their lovemaking. She smiled at this memory... and gently she changed his memory so that it was no longer Jaz in his arms but Hermione.

As Harry and Ron grew closer, they saw Hermione sitting on the ground under a tree, very prettily dressed in a flowery sundress. Hermione saw Harry stop abruptly and then looked at Hermione. He blushed heavily and then gave her a smile.

Hermione wondered if he finally made the connection, but then realized he was still clueless.

"So what is it that you found this morning?" Harry said.

Hermione tossed the book, which Ron caught in his hands. He thumbed through it but all the pages were blank.

"So its a blank book..." Ron said. Tossing the book back to Hermione, who caught it and as she thumbed thru it and found all the pages filled with the tiny delicate writing of Lily Potter.

"No its not... See she said holding up the book with the pages exposed."

"I swear there wasn't anything written on those pages... " Ron said as he and Harry sat down next to Hermione.

She handed the book over to Harry who felt the warmth and saw the glow immediately. Opening, the front cover two tiny figures appeared... the figures of James and Lily Potter.

Author’s Notes: Well for all of those that were wondering WHY the rating… this should explain it… For those under the assumption that this is a Ron and Hermione story... I think this makes that impossible...For those that thought there would be sex between Ginny and Dudley... Dudders is NOT Iceman... *grin*

Enjoy… we will have Chapter 6 up very soon…

Hugs and Kisses…

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`»*«´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`»*«´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

@}>--'--,--

Becky, First Princess-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`»*«´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`»*«´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Founders – KFUFHP – Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

7. Chapter 6 - Discovery and Remebrances

Muirnin @}>---'---,--- Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 3 706 2003-09-02T02:15:00Z 2003-09-02T02:16:00Z 8 6281 27011 RZHRT Creations 643 195 43971 9.2720 114

Disclaimer… See: Chapter 1

Author’s Note:

I’m putting this here rather then at the bottom because I don’t think everyone has been seeing the author’s notes… Ok, so Becky and I were going to leave this on a cliffy… like the good old days… but this chapter was getting so long… I could not just keep going… especially when I have a certain Marauder wanting me to hurry up and post… (Moony you know who you are!!!) I have plans for the next chapter…

Many of you still believe that Ginny is schtooping Dudley… NOOOOOO WAY!!!!!! JOSE!!!…. She is ONLY befriending him… she’s got a certain cyber-Slytherin (oops have I said too much) that she has been entertaining constantly… only HE doesn’t know who she is… and it’s going to stay that way for awhile. She is going to be staying at the Manor…

There IS NO ROMANCE between Ginny and Dudley… Only friendship.

Enjoy… we will have Chapter 7 up very soon…

Hugs and Kisses…

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

@}>--'--,--

Becky, First Princess-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Founders - KFUFHP - Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

And now… for your reading entertainment I take you to…

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 1 - Summer without Sirius

Chapter 6 - Discovery and Remembrances

October 31, 2022

The memories flooded back... the one single day of the year, that had more impact on what would become more pivotal a day throughout most of Harry's life. Many occurrences had happened on Samhain's Eve or what many in the world called Halloween.

Whether, it had been on that day 1981, when he was only a year old that his parents had been murdered by Lord Voldemort.

Maybe it had been on that day in 1991 when he was 11 that he bonded with his best friend Hermione Granger when he, along with his other best friend Ron Weasley, saved her from a Mountain Troll.

Perhaps in 1996 when he was 16 years old that he finally, physically made love to his soul mate.

Oh maybe it was in 1999 when he was 19 when he finally said I do to the other side of his soul, making them more then just lovers but husband and wife.

Could have been in the year 2000 when he was 20 when their triplet son's were born... or 5 years later when their twin girls were born.

Perhaps 2007 when he was 27 years of age, not only lost everything he held dear in this world, but the day he vanquished the Dark Lord Voldemort.

To Harry, the 31st of October was a day marked with much joy and devastating sorrow.

Harry started awake. He did not know exactly what had woken him. The memories of the better time in his life began to fade from his mind as he glanced out of the window, watching the landscape rushing past him. He felt a familiar pull at the pit of his stomach as he remembered where he was going... to Hogwarts.

It had been so long since he had been back there... He did not know what to expect, particularly from the one woman that he wanted to see, his beloved 'Mione.

He was not even sure if she was still teaching there. He was torn. He did not want her to be there because he did not think that he could face her, even after these fifteen years of separation. Yet his heart beat just a little faster at the thought that she might be there. She had said she did not want to hear from him again, and as usual, he did as she asked him… He could not say no to her wishes, desires and dreams, even if they would destroy him or her as well...

Trying to put his conflicted thoughts out of his mind, he leaned his head against the window and closed eyes trying to shut out the pain, the anguish, the love that still brought tears to his eyes and sorrow to his heart. Images of his life flashed through his mind, reminding him of who he was and why he ended up here in his life.

Harry Potter was his own man, thank you very much. That was exactly how he liked being. Not the pedestal standing icon he had been sheltered from for most of his early childhood, or the abnormal, repulsive freak that he had been led to believe.

No, Harry Potter was what he wanted, a man who was in command of both sides of his life. He was like no other, for you see, Harry Potter was a wizard, not any wizard but perhaps the greatest wizard of all times. He successfully had combined both his early upbringing as a muggle with the magical world with which he so much associated.

To look at him you would first be impressed with what a handsome man he had become. He was no longer the scrawny, green-eyed little boy, who wore round spectacles, which had once lived in a cupboard. He had grown tall, with a body that had gained definition from years of playing his favorite sport Quidditch. Emphasized by a goatee on his strong chiseled chin, his most distinguishing features would have to be emerald green eyes that he inherited from his mother and jet-black hair that did its best to stay a bit on the wild side same as his father. But the one feature above all others that stood out most was a scar in the shape of a lightening bolt on his forehead, a remnant of an attack that he had received at the tender age of one by none other then Lord Voldemort.

Sitting comfortably in his compartment onboard the Hogwarts Express, the man who once existed only in a cupboard under the stairs at number 4 Privet Drive, stared out at the countryside. Very familiar was the trip that would take him back to Hogwarts. Harry felt the memories come flooding back to him of his seven years inside Hogwarts, of his connection to the many lives that had been educated there. And where it all began… in Godric’s Hollow.

Aug 1, 1996

Slamming the book shut quickly, Harry said, "Let's go back to the cottage... I don't think I am ready for this..."

Harry sat back against the tree and resisted the urge to throw the book away from him; after all, he had no idea, if it was the book that had just caused his strange vision... He turned to Hermione and stared at her.

Hermione, confused by the sudden change in Harry's demeanor toward her asked, "What is it Harry?" She placed her hand upon his arm.

Harry had the strangest urge at her touch… and at that moment he was afraid and wanted to bolt from there, but he just could not bring himself to walk away from one of the two people that had supported him through everything.

With the vision fading from his mind, he pushed it aside as mere nonsense.... "After all," he thought, "I'm in love with Jaz... I don't have those kinds of feelings for Hermione..."

Both Ron and Hermione jumped at the sudden slamming. "Harry? Wasn't that your mom and dad?" Ron asked.

"I don't know...” He said abruptly, “lets just go back up to the cottage... we can get a bite to eat and then do some prowling around to see what's in my house... OK?" Harry said nervously. He was troubled by something, but he couldn’t put a finger on it.

"If that's what you want Harry." Hermione said briefly touching his arm again; causing Harry to relive the same daydream, he had had earlier. Shaking his head, he got up and then out of habit. being a the gentleman that he is, he gave Hermione a hand up and stared at her eyes. He could swear that there was a slight change to her eyes from the beautiful cinnamon to a blue/green but quickly went back to cinnamon.

She knew it was cruel to play with Harry's mind like this, since he had been so tortured by Lord Voldemort's attacks against his mind. However, there was a part of her that wanted to tell him… wanted to show him who it was that he had made love to the night before. Yet, a part of her wanted that to remain a secret… scared that the anonymous lover would be no more… and his feelings for her would not be returned.

As they walked up to the cottage, its beauty astounded Hermione. "It is like a living fairy tale!" she exclaimed. She fell in love with the place just from the outside. It felt like that she had come home… then she shook her head… ‘This is Harry’s house…’ she thought to herself.

"My thought's exactly Mione." Harry said as he opened the front door. Hermione smiled at him, he blushed. He still held the mysterious book in his hand but was afraid to open it again.

Ron had seen the cottage and thought it was a bit too cutesy for him… "I think it's too girly."

"Oh YOU would. Now… what would the manly Ronald Weasley like to see? Let’s see, your idea of decorating would be… A big mouth bass hanging over the fireplace, empty pizza boxes stacked around and empty bottles of butter beer lying around on the floor. Does that sound about right Ron?" Hermione said scathingly. Sometimes, he was just TOO full of testosterone. No wonder she felt sorry for Ginny at times.

"Ummm," Ron started to protest then realized it was not wise to have a battle of wits when you are unarmed… and against Hermione today… he was definitely unarmed. "Well at least my room is not girly."

“That’s because it’s enchanted mate… “ Harry said giving him a slight shove. “It reflects your personality.”

Hermione started to laugh. She was in a mood to pick a fight today and both Harry and Ron knew it. "Well then Harry, give ME the tour of the cottage. I am most interested in seeing all of its nuances."

Ron used this as an excuse to go back to his room; perhaps he could find Luna on line.

During the tour, Hermione could not stop thinking about the night before. Harry showed her where the bedrooms were, when they noticed that Remus had not used any the night before. It was the room between Ron (Macho Chudley Cannon Orange room) and Harry (Handsome yet elegant Gryffindor room).

Each of the bedrooms were enchanted to reflect the personality of the person residing there. Remus’ room was very plain. No color, no fabrics of any kind… just plain.

"That's strange… He was going to stay here last night… and I know he did… or I thought he did." Harry said to himself aloud.

"Is there more rooms to the place? Besides this floor and the main floor?" Hermione asked.

Harry shrugged, "I don’t know, I didn’t get that much of a chance to explore yesterday. Perhaps there are rooms downstairs like a basement or something." Harry guessed.

Off the kitchen, they found a door with stone steps leading down. Harry pulled out his wand and said "Lumos," then felt silly when he saw a muggle light switch on the wall next to the door. "Nox" he said pocketing his wand and then he turned on the lights going down stairs. Hermione began to giggle, "Oh don't you start… I keep forgetting this place is mainly muggle. Except for the enchantments on the bedrooms… “

Hermione was laughing so hard that she could barely stand up; Harry caught her before she fell down the stone steps. They both froze at the contact. Both of their hearts were thumping so loud inside of them, they were sure the other could hear.

"Uh thanks Harry.” She blushed, “That could have been a bad fall…" she mumbled out as he let go of her arm.

'What is going on here?' Harry thought to himself, 'I feel this connection to Hermione when I touch her… it hasn't been like this before… has it?'

Harry led the way downstairs to where there were a couple of different rooms. It mainly looked like a cross between a basement and dungeon. There was a stone room with a thick heavy door with a small window in it that had bars across them.

They peeked into the room and realized that this was where Remus had been sleeping. It had all the necessities of a bedroom, but was secure enough for when he transformed, if he did not have his potion, but it also reflected his personality. It had a woodsy feel to it in greens and browns… very masculine but also rather plain, but decorated none the less.

Farther down the corridor, there was a rather large potion laboratory. They found Remus in there working on a potion. He was staring at an ingredient list that was in front of him.

Harry knocked on the doorframe. "Hey Moony, what you doing?" Moving over towards him and laying the book he had been carrying down on the counter.

"I am trying to figure out this Wolfsbane potion that Severus gave me. See if I can make it myself… seeing as he is not here to help me." Remus said in a tired voice. "It's only two weeks until the full moon and I have to drink this for one week before…."

Hermione stepped forward, "Professor, perhaps I can help you with that… I am pretty good at potions and I also know quite a bit about Muggle chemistry."

"That would be wonderful as long as you stop calling me Professor and called me Remus, or Moony if you would prefer." Lupin said as he watched Hermione begin to take command of the potion lab.

"Remus, can I talk to you out here for a few minutes… while Hermione gets things under control?" Harry asked.

Remus noticed that when Harry was serious he would call him by his given name, but when he was not he would call him Moony… This must be important.

"Sure. Let's go into my room, it's a bit more private then here in the hall."

As they walked into the stone room, Harry could see why Remus had chosen this for his room.

"I thought you were going to take the third bedroom upstairs." Harry said.

"When this cottage was built, your parents had everyone in mind more or less for when we would stay over. Hence, the enchantments on each of the rooms." Remus started. "Although knowing I needed someplace safe for the full moon, they added this downstairs dungeon that is perfectly secure. Lily had been trying to come up with her own Wolfsbane potion for me. What Severus uses is a variation of the recipe she was developing when your parents were killed."

"Explain something to me. If mom and dad were killed in the cottage… why is it still standing?" Harry asked.

"Ok, but this may take a bit of explaining." Remus said as Harry sat down in an overstuffed chair in the room. "As you know, Godric's Hollow is a muggle village, but the ancestral lands that are now known as The Potter grounds are magical… These grounds date back as far as Godric Gryffindor himself. This was his property, everything within the Potter Grounds as well as the village of Godric’s Hollow."

Harry remembered pulling the sword out of the sorting hat his 2nd year and Dumbledore's words "Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that out…"

Remus continued. "The grounds where the manor and this cottage stand are enchanted true, but they are still very muggle in many ways. As you can see electricity works here where most magical places such as Hogwarts it does not. Your parents and yourself were in the manor or what they had called the cottage when Voldemort attacked. The manor was a mess… destroyed… Hagrid was the one who found you when Sirius showed up. However, you already know that part. What you don't know, is that on your ancestral lands, the buildings will rebuild if destroyed by magic… but not if they are destroyed in muggle ways… Does that make sense?"

"Sort of. Ok… so, because the house was destroyed by magic, I guess when Voldemort tried to kill me, it rebuilt itself. How long did it take?" Harry asked.

"It sort of reappeared exactly one year after James and Lily died. The magic of the area swept through the Hollow and modified the memories of what had happened." Remus said, "They know that James and Lily died… the Manor destroyed, but to them the house was rebuilt by family even though they didn't see anyone working on it."

"REMUS!" Hermione shouted excitedly from the lab.

"What is it Hermione?" He asked as he and Harry hurried back into the lab.

"I figured something out… I found these notes here that are in Lily's handwriting… and these here that are in Professor Snape's handwriting…” Hermione started to babble… "I don't know if this will work… we will know in a couple of weeks… but… Do you mind trying a new potion for this full moon?"

"Hermione, if you think it will work." Remus said not noticing what notes she had been looking at. “Be my guest…. The worst that will happen is that I will tear my room to shreds, then through the wonders of enchantments… it will be returned to it’s splendor again…”

"Snape says she's like my mom when it comes to potions." Harry said.

"Well if PROFESSOR” he emphasized the word, “Snape compares Hermione's potion talent with Lily's… then I am all for it." Remus said.

"Ok, Remus here's a list of ingredients I will need. Can you get them for me, please?" Hermione asked. Her bright cinnamon colored eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and anticipation. Harry could see she was excited about something.

"Certainly, we have a fantastic apothecary shop here in the Hollow. We may be muggles here, but for some reason, there is a beautiful mix of both worlds." Remus said as he grabbed his cloak and headed up the stairs.

"I hope this works… " Hermione said quietly to herself, nervously excited.

"You hope what works." Harry said.

She turned to look at him, the journal laying on the counter where Harry had left it, turned to one of the pages near the back. "Harry, your mom wasn't working on the Wolfsbane Potion… but on a cure…." Hermione said, staring at him for his reaction.

"You mean…" Harry started… Hermione’s head bobbed up and down in acknowledgement putting the book back down next to Professor Snape’s notes. She was close to tears with excitement.

"If this potion works, it will cure Remus… as well as a number of other werewolf victims." Hermione said and then squealed as Harry grabbed her and swung her around in a hug.

"This is marvelous Mione…. " He said as he set her down quickly, for a short time forgetting the intense feelings of desire he was experiencing when he touched her. They stood there looking at each other. Then just as spontaneously Harry leaned forward and gave Hermione a kiss on the lips, which she responded to willingly. What had started out gentle suddenly turned into a hungry passionate kiss…

The kiss lasted longer then either of them had expected; that when they finally broke apart, they were breathless.

"I do not know what came over me Mione…." Harry said apologetically, his forehead leaning against hers, remembering how familiar it felt... "It was just, it seemed so, oh I don’t know… like a natural thing to do… but you are my best friend… "

"It's alright Harry.” She said breathlessly, “Best friends kiss too you know… Look at your mom and dad…" Hermione said softly. She was not playing with his mind now… but he was definitely playing with her heart. She wanted to burst out and tell him the truth of how she felt.

Silently, Harry was feeling like he was betraying Jaz… even though he didn't know who she really was… part of him did not want to know mainly because he did not want to forget the passion they experienced on his birthday.

"I'm going up to my room. I'll leave you to work down here…” Harry said as he turned to go back upstairs.

Hermione watched him as he walked away. She noticed that he had still not taken the book with him; it remained in the place where she had flipped to the notes on the potion. Picking it up again she felt the familiar warmth and then the soft golden glow as she opened the book. She expected to see James and Lily standing on the pages as before, but there was just words.

Sitting down she started reading again, this time not on the cure information but on the final days, tears softly drifting down her cheeks as she finished up, when Remus came back with the ingredients. He saw the book and nearly dropped everything he was carrying in his arms.

"Where did you find that Journal?" Remus said.

"In the Library up at the Manor. I know it was Lily's journal… she had been writing in it the day she died." Hermione said gently wiping the tears away from her eyes. "Remus, when I handed the journal to Harry earlier, something strange happened… we saw images of James and Lily standing on the pages… He slammed the book and he has not opened it since…. When Ron opened the book all the pages were blank… but I can see everything that is written."

"You know how Severus says Lily excelled in Potions, well she was also gifted in Charms and Divination… She charmed that journal sometime during our 7th year. She did not want just anyone to read it." Remus said.

"I know… It is here in some of the last passages…

24 October 1981

'Sirius has suggested we use Peter as our secret keeper for the Fidelius Charm. I would feel better if that task stayed with Sirius but James trusts Peter and agrees with Sirius that he would make a good decoy.

Damn, I wish that I could finish this cure for Remus… then perhaps James would trust him more. I would trust my life with Remus more then I would Peter…

Nevertheless, it’s James’ damn ego getting in the way again, he thinks he knows everything.

Somebody close to us is betraying us. I think James believes that it is either Remus or Severus... probably only cause I am closer to both of them then I am Sirius and Peter… He gives me the creeps at times always following around… listening in...

James really does hate Severus... Hell, James is getting so paranoid lately; he has refused to tell me things… will tell Sirius everything and has told Peter some things… But Damn it, I AM supposed to be his soul mate.

Ok, so perhaps, there are a few things I know that he does not. Since I am a Diviner, I am able to consult the stars and find out more about this entire situation.

James doesn’t know but, I went out to the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts… took Harry with me… and spoke with Firenze told him what the stars told me… he said that I have the gift known by Centaur’s and that I am reading the signs right.

I fear for Harry's life. He is so vulnerable at this age, but I sense a power within him that could very well be Voldemort's undoing. Voldemort wants to destroy James for not going over to his side and Harry as well, because of that dreadful prophecy that Albus told us about.

The Longbottoms and we have done everything we possibly could to protect our sons… We are the only ones that know the entirety of the prophecy… The rest of the order just knows there is a prophecy… nothing more.

I have thought about this for a while and as I said, I even consulted the stars. All the signs suggest the same thing; Protection of all is necessary. I have taken special precautions, one of which is on this very book.

Granted I had protected it somewhat during 7th year, but now, there is a spell on this book that if I die, this book will appear over at the Cuddle Castle along with other important items… and then when the damage to the Cottage is gone, this book will magically return back at the Potter manor across the grounds. All the other items will remain in the Cuddle Castle… they are for Harry after all.

I've also placed another type of charm on this journal so that only those that have a positive connection towards Harry such as love will be able to read it's pages. Nevertheless, if there is even a hint of unconscious feelings of misgivings or lack of trust, the pages will look blank.

I took a page out of the Mauraders handbook. I know Messer’s. Moony, Padfoot, Wormtail and Prongs would be very impressed by my bit of intrigue, but I did not want just anyone to be able to read these pages. They are after all, in the end, for Harry.

If this book falls into the wrong hands it will act just like the map and insult any that try and force it to reveal itself...'

31 October 1981

‘It’s a couple of hours until midnight… Today is the day... I just know it... Being a diviner is tough... I know that Harry will live... I just pray that Padfoot can raise him properly... Moony is also responsible so he will keep Padfoot on the right track...

I had made a way for Severus to contact us without giving our secret away and he contacted me just a few minutes ago... he told me that Peter was Voldemort’s spy… Wormtail has betrayed us, he has told Lord Voldemort where we are.... I gave the message to James but he refuses to believe Severus. I think that James believes he can defeat Lord Voldemort by himself… he has only just sent an owl to the Order. I’m frightened…

I am writing this now, because I know that I will not be able to later...

Harry,

Just remember that your mom and dad loved you beyond measure and listen to your Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus.... they will raise you the way I wanted... they promised…

You will make it through and find your soul mate and she will love you beyond any measure... I know this, as well as I know that this is my last day on earth. I have seen it in the stars, you are a great wizard son… you have power that only some wizards could imagine…

My beloved son... I have used all the old magic I know of to protect you...

I love you beyond this world... just always remember you are loved.

As always,

Lily Jesyka Evans Potter

Your loving mother.

James is calling... Have to get to you Harry, Voldemort’s here!!!! Good-bye...

Hermione finished reading the passages aloud to Remus and both of them were crying freely. Neither had thought much about what Lily and James had thought of during that last week after the Fidelius charm had been performed.

Remus looked over at Hermione, her hand gently closing the book as it glowed softly at her touch. “You are in love with Harry. Aren’t you.” Remus said quietly.

“Why are you asking?” Hermione questioned nervously.

“Because only someone who truly loved Harry unconditionally would have been able to read that journal without Harry’s aid.” Remus said reverently.

Hermione blushed and gently nodded her head as if it was an embarrassment that her true feelings finally had been discovered.

“Don’t you think it’s time you tell Harry the truth?” Remus asked.

“I can’t… not after... “ She hung her head in her hands… “Moony, don’t laugh at me about this… okay?”

“I promise. What’s up kiddo.” He said as he wrapped a protective fatherly arm around her shoulders.

“Harry loves someone he met online…” Hermione began to say.

“Only he doesn’t know that it’s you. Am I correct?” Remus continued knowingly.

Hermione gulped, “yup… we have been chatting for the last month…”

“I’m guessing there is more to this than just chatting, but I won’t get anymore personal.” Remus said.

“Harry is so thrilled with his anonymity online and I kind of liked the anonymity myself… being able to show a side of me that I could never expose to the public… “

Remus looks at her with his tired gray eyes, "But Hermione, it's not the public that you are showing this secret side of to… its just Harry."

"I know, its just Harry... and I think that scares me the most.... In a sense I have lied to him… I don’t know how to get out of it… but I can’t tell him the truth… Moony what should I do?”

“Well first thing is, since you are working on this potion… you are going to move in here… take the spare bedroom between the boys rooms. I doubt they would even notice…” Remus said, “You know how guys can be… clueless… it may take using a 2x4 upside their heads…”

Hermione laughed at this…. “Well I know my parents and the rest of the Weasley’s were planning on leaving in the morning… well except for Ginny that is… I think my folks will allow me to stay since I am working on this for you.”

“Good girl… I’ll have Dobby move your stuff over here… in the mean time… why don’t you get started on this potion… and I will have Winky fix us something to eat…” Remus said… “Don’t worry… she’s getting paid!” he added laughing when he saw the look on Hermione’s face. “Lily used to worry about the house-elves as well.”

Back in Harry’s room….

Harry sat down at his desk and pulled out the laptop. He needed to talk to Mione but because of the reactions he had been having around her was keeping him from talking to her face to face. He finally decided to e-mail her….

Dear Mione,

I’m sitting here in my room and I am thinking about what just happened downstairs… I don’t know what came over me…

Don’t get me wrong…

I’m not ashamed of it… I enjoyed the spontaneity. I enjoyed the feel of you…I’m just scared… strike that… I am TERRIFIED… because it seemed so natural…

We have hugged before… and simple kisses yet… something happened… I don’t know what….

I’m a bit embarrassed by my lack of self-control… Oh great… I’m listening to the Muggle radio station and they are playing this country song from America by Travis Tritt…

There's been times I've felt like half a man
Life's had me down on my knees
Troubled times I don't understand why they happen to me
I have struggled through the darkness and I have found the light of day

But if I lost you, there'd be no sunshine shining through
I don't know what in the world I would do if I lost you

Like a ship with no harbor like a bird with no wings
Like a fish out of water a dreamer without a dream
I have learned about losing I could lose most anything

But if I lost you, there'd be no sunshine shining through
I don't know what in the world I would do if I lost you

But if I lost you, there'd be no sunshine shining through
I don't know what in the world I would do if I lost you

I feel like they are playing this song just for me… to help me tell you how I feel…

However, I have had nothing but you and Ron to compare to regarding love. I’ve never been shown love by the Dursleys… not really… I could see love for each other… but the feelings eluded me.

Without you, I would never have known friendship. I do love you Hermione... as my best friend.... I don't want to hurt you by what I did so impulsively… I also, don't ever want to lose you... I hope that you can forgive me and what happened will not change things between us....

I have been dying to tell you… but I was afraid…. I have to tell you... I thought I owe it to you to tell you where I stand... I've met someone online and I think I've fallen in love with her.... if what these feelings I have going on inside of me is love…

Does any of this make sense?

I feel complete with this person, and yet I still don’t even know who she is… I chose anonymity rather then tell her who I am… and she felt like doing the same… yet there is a connection there…

She reminds me a lot of you with her advise, her beauty, her smarts even her wit is as caustic as yours is… I would be lost without both of you…

I don’t know what to do Mione…

Please help me…

Love Harry.

Harry sat back and reread the e-mail to Hermione. He was terrified of sending it to her… should he take such a chance to lose her because of words and actions on a screen? He needed to talk to Mione but he couldn’t face her… maybe they could talk in the common room…

He closed his eyes and hit send… and hoped he hadn’t just lost his best friend.

Hermione’s new room:

The potion was started… she prayed that it really as the cure that Lily had hoped it to be. She went upstairs and she looked around at the bedroom and thought that the enchantment to it definitely had her in mind...

There was not a touch of testosterone anywhere in the room… from the light wood canopy bed, to the dressing table and armoire, even bookshelves lined with many books that she loved to read…the colors were light and springtime fresh. It indeed reflected her personality… and looked nothing like the bland room that she had seen before…

Taking her laptop out she turned it on and saw she had e-mail from Harry… her hands shook as she went to read it….

By the time she was thru with the letter she was crying all over again…

She sat there and began an e-mail back…

Dear Harry,

Well if you have not heard, I am one wall away from you right now… I am working on that cure (although Moony thinks it’s just a potion) and he felt it would be best if I were here rather then up with the Dursleys and Ginny… poor girl… she’s taken to befriending your cousin.

Don’t worry you have not lost me Harry… you could never lose me…. We are best friends always will be.

As far as helping you… I unfortunately can’t help you out this time… I have my own dilemma to work out.

Love is indeed a very curious monster… to know love you must also know hate… it is like with anything else, you need to see both sides of a situation before you can realize the potential that lies within.

Tell you what… why don’t we meet in the common room tonight and we can talk… That way we will not have to entertain anyone else, we just go in as ourselves… and have a private chat…

I will not lie to you Harry, I am a bit afraid of my own feelings for someone as well… and I am scared to death about what could happen if he finds out who I am…

Talk to you later…

All my love,

Mione…

Harry read Hermione’s e-mail and gasped. She has met someone too… maybe talking to each other online would be a good idea…

Mione,

Great idea about the common room. I’ll come in as HJP you come in as HUG that way we can sort of avoid everyone else…. Especially those that may know us under different nicknames.

I didn’t know you had been going to the common room… You will have to fill me in…

Love Harry.

Hermione read the response from Harry and smiled. She needed to do something about Jadzia… but what… a knock on her door signaled her that dinner was ready. She got up and headed towards the kitchen, bumping into Harry on the way. Both of them blushed but said nothing. She could hear that Harry had left his radio on and a song was playing…. There she had her answer…. Turning around quickly she headed back to her computer and sent an instant message to Worf from Jadzia…

Worf…

Read the words to this song… it will explain everything…

Journey - Remember Me

Remember Me

Remember Me

Find myself all alone in darkness without you

Now I can't turn away from what I must do

You know I'd give my life for you, more than words can say

I've shown you how to love someone, I know you'll find a way

Say goodbye, Close your eyes, Remember me

Walk away, The sun remains, Remember me

I'll live on somewhere in your heart, You must believe

Remember me

No way I can change my mind I don't have the answers

If you could see through my eyes You'd let go of your fears

And though I have to leave you now with the thought of each other

I'll miss your touch You'll call my name

I am with you forever

Say goodbye, Close your eyes, Remember me

Walk away, The sun remains, Remember me

With the change we can't explain, Remember me

I'll live on somewhere in your heart, You must believe

Remember me

You know I'd give my life for you, more than words can say

I showed you how to love someone, I know you'll find a way

Say goodbye, Close your eyes, Remember me

Walk away, The sun remains, Remember me

Be there to watch over you, Remember me

Feel I'm gone, My heart lives on, Remember me

Don't you think of this as the end, I'll come into your dreams

Remember me

Close your eyes, Say goodbye, Remember me

Say you will, Say you will, Say you will

Close your eyes, Remember me

Say you will, Say you will, Say you will

Say goodbye, Remember me

I do love you… but this is how it has to be,

Jadzia…

Hermione hit send and then headed back downstairs….

8. Chapter 7 – Cyber vs Reality Check

Muirnin @}>---'---,--- Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 2 2 2003-09-02T08:01:00Z 2003-09-02T08:01:00Z 6 2914 12690 RZHRT Creations 315 110 15598 9.2720

Disclaimer… See: Chapter 1

Author’s Note: Ok, so this is a quickie… In answer to a reviewer’s question, who never DID sign his/her review? You guys already know what I think about anonymous reviews… subtle hint again!!!! At least put your names… ok???

Ron has some underlying jealousy against Harry… always has had it… because Harry is rich, he is the famous Harry Potter… and all Ron has the power to be is his sidekick… and if you recall, Ron was quick to distrust Harry when it came to the Goblet of Fire incident…

Hermione on the other hand has proven time and again of her unconditional love and support for Harry… (So take THAT you R/Hr shippers) Oh I do love my pumpkin pie…

Hugs and Kisses…

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

@}>--'--,--

Founders - KFUFHP - Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

And now… for your reading entertainment I take you to…

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 1 - Summer without Sirius

Chapter 7 – Cyber vs Reality Check

By the time that dinner was over, Harry was racing back up to his room. However, what he found threw him into complete shock. The instant message from Jadzia had broken his heart…

Tears were filling his emerald green eyes when a knock on his door and Hermione’s voice reminded him that he had made a promise to chat with her tonight as themselves…

“I’ll log on in a moment Mione…” Harry said as he set to enter into the Common Room under HJP, he had even cyber enhanced his looks so he looked like himself. Internally he was still shaken up about what Jadzia had done to him… He loved her… and she said goodbye… It crushed him as Cho had when she had turned him down for the Yule Ball during 4th year.

HJP Enters the Common Room

Harry looks around and finds Hermione sitting in the over stuffed chairs by the window. He goes over to her.

(The following is going to be written as if they are sitting in reality rather then cyberspace… it will be easier to read that way…)

Harry flopped down in one the other chair and looked up at Hermione. He knew that this was only a cyber version of his best friend and yet he still had the anxious feelings of earlier.

“Harry, are you all right?” Hermione asked.

“No” he said sullenly.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She asked.

Harry didn’t reply for the longest time. Hermione started to get a bit nervous.

“Harry? You still with me?” She asked.

“Yeah I’m still here. Do you remember that girl that I wrote you about… the one that I met here online and had fallen in love with?” Harry asked.

“Yes I do Harry.” Hermione said. Her hands shook as she was typing. Had she destroyed her best friend?

“While we were at dinner she sent me an instant message basically saying goodbye. Why would she do such a thing?” Harry asked.

Hermione pondered her answer carefully. She knew why, but not how to explain. “Harry, sometimes anonymity is a good thing… It gives you the freedom to be someone who you would rather be… however; this is a cyber world… we live in reality. The girl who you had fallen in love with was not real… she may be flesh and blood typing what you would like her to be… but she is someone who undoubtedly lives in Gryffindor Tower… and cares a great deal about you… probably loves you…”

Harry read what Hermione had written… she was making a point. But why not tell him who she really was. Wouldn’t that have been easier to deal with?

“Mione… if she cares so much about me, then why not tell me who she really is.”

“Like I said… Anonymity is a great thing… speaking from experience here, she probably is terrified that you will no longer want to know her anymore… if you knew who she really was.”

“But that’s silly.” Harry said frustrated. “If she only knew how I felt… “

“She does know how you feel… Harry, what you and she shared, can never be taken away from you… you have memories that will remain with you forever. So does she… the only difference is being able to bring them out into reality… not hidden away in cyberspace.” Hermione said… it was all she could do to keep from yelling ‘I’m Jadzia you twit!’

“How do you know so much about this?” Harry asked.

“I am in love with someone whom I spent a lot of time with in cyberspace, but he would be devastated to know who I am in reality. The shocker is that I already love him in reality as well…”

“Who is it?”

“Do you really need me to say?” Hermione replied.

“Really? But why?”

“Harry, it’s like what happened earlier today… you couldn’t handle our physical contact because you were afraid of losing your best friend…. I’m still here being your best friend…”

“I guess I was really clueless wasn’t I.” Harry said.

“Not clueless… just wishing to be anonymous and normal for awhile.”

“Why are we having this conversation here rather then face to face…?” Harry asked.

“Because I seriously doubt I could be this honest with you about this subject… and being who you would want me to be face to face…. You said you were terrified of losing me… I am more so afraid of losing you. At least here, I am not looking into your beautiful green eyes and wanting you to hold me and kiss me and realizing that you are just as afraid as I am.” Hermione was opening up her heart ready for it to be broken.

“Mione… about Jadzia and Worf… “

“No… they are gone… they are just memories… I would give anything to just be myself with you…” Hermione was crying while she was typing this.

“I want to be myself with you as well… However, the intimacy they shared last night… I’m not ready for in reality.” Harry said honestly.

“And you think I am? Harry, I have loved you since I was 11 years old… You have saved my life countless times… and what we shared yes WE! Shared last night was beyond anything I could have dreamt. However, in our minds, it is two separate people. Jadzia and Worf… and we felt it all…” By this time Hermione was crying so hard that she was sure that the silencing charm around her room would have dissolved and she would be heard by everyone in the house.

“Can we start over?” Harry asked.

“What do you mean start over…?” Hermione asked thru her tears.

“Would you go outside with me and go for a walk around the grounds.” Harry asked.

“Out there… in reality? Do you think that is safe?”

“It’s safer then being in here… knowing you are the one I fell in love with online… I want to know you in reality… and right now it’s taking all my virtual courage not to take you in my arms and make passionate love to you… and not see you as Jadzia….”

“I love you Harry… with all my heart… Nevertheless, I am scared beyond all reason right now.” Hermione said shakily.

“Mione, I do love you… that is probably why I have had such a hard time being around you physically lately. Because I think deep down I knew Jadzia was you… What I want to do right now… is spend time with you in the real world and fall in love with you… in the real world.”

“You had no clue I was Jadzia… not even deep down…” Hermione joked.

“Really really really deep down… maybe?” Harry responded. “Ok so I was young and clueless… now, will you help me fill in the blanks?”

“Just promise me something… I’m not ready for a really physical relationship in reality… but if we need too… we still have here…” Hermione asked, still having memories of how powerful he had made love to her in cyberspace.

“Oh trust me… I will let you know….” Harry grinned. “I really enjoyed myself last night… “

“So did I… and someday, I hope we can make that a reality… but just not yet…”

“You know… we could always just stay here…” he grinned some more. “Or find someplace a bit more private.”

“I got your number Potter… I know what you want to do…” Hermione teased, “But I think we do need to face each other first… then maybe we can come back in here… Besides… I want you to have a look at your mom’s journal…”

“Have you looked through it?” Harry asked.

“Yes, I have… that’s here I found her notes… for the cure. But there’s a letter in there to you… written the night they died…”

“Grab your cloak… and the book…” Harry said with determination. “I think it’s time to face reality and check into my own bravery.”

“I’ll meet you downstairs in a few minutes… I’ll grab us something hot to drink to take with us… “ Hermione said.

HUG and HJP leave the Common Room…

After about 10 minutes Harry and Hermione were outside, walking towards a special destination that only Hermione knew about. She had told Harry that it was a place his father had created special for his mom…

“Aren’t we going to need lights or something?” Harry asked shifting the picnic basket in his left hand.

“Not according to your mother’s journal. It’s all taken care of.” Hermione said feeling the warmth of Harry’s right hand in her left hand. They had clasped hands at the beginning of their walk without even thinking about it.

Soon the sound of rushing water hit their ears, and they came upon an area that was of spectacular beauty. Real fairy lights gave off an ethereal look to the water garden. There was a small waterfall, with an assortment and variety of medicinal and ornamental flowers and herbs.

Together they stretched out a blanket that Winky had provided and sat down next to a large weeping willow tree. Hermione had transformed a large boulder into a cushioned bolster to place behind them as they sat down to look at his mother’s journal.

Hermione handed the book to Harry again and then turned to pour them each a cup of hot coffee that they had brought with them.

Handing a cup to Harry, he took a sip for fortification.. ( I know it’s only coffee!!!) then opened the glowing book up, it radiated warmth to both of them.

Again as before the tiny figures of Lily and James Potter stood upon its page.

“Mom? Dad?” Harry gasped. It hadn’t been a hallucination before.

“Harry… my you have sure grown up.” Lily had said.

“Son, you and your companion place your hands on this book for us.” James said in a husky form of Harry’s voice.

Harry and Hermione did as they were asked. When they did however, the entire book glowed brighter then they had ever seen it glow and the images of Lily and James began to enlarge to the size of adult humans, still with an ethereal glow to them.

“Thank you Harry and Hermione.” James said. He looked around, “Ah I see you have found your mother’s secret garden.”

“Actually Hermione found it after reading the journal.” Harry said. “I haven’t read it yet.”

“Ah… so you are the one…” Lily said in an all knowing tone.

Hermione nodded, Harry looked confused. “Moony and I were talking about that earlier today when he saw me reading the journal.”

“Hermione, you and I have quite a bit to discuss without the men around alright.” Lily said.

“Yes Mrs. Potter.”

“It’s Lily to you dear… I think I may be able to help you with that potion for Moony after all…”

“Mom? How did you know?” Harry asked still very confused.

“When you and Hermione placed your hands on the journal you infused us with memories of your lives together among other things. It will be as if we were never gone…” Lily said.

James looked extremely sad, “I am so sorry Padfoot is gone. I only wish that Wormtail was dead for betraying us like he did.”

“Sirius spent 12 years in Azkaban because of that rat…” Lily said bitterly, giving a look to James of I told you so. “I just hope that when the time comes to vanquish Voldemort Harry, you will be able to do it quickly and soundly and then really give it to Wormtail…”

“I know Lily, I should have trusted Moony more…” James said. “Having one’s memory locked away for 15 years in a journal gives one time to think about what could have been.”

“Were you aware the entire 15 years?” Hermione asked astounded.

“No not the entire 15 years… just from the time that you opened the journal for the first time…” Lily said and then smiled. “Moony was right you know… about what you talked about earlier…”

“That’s why Harry and I came out here tonight… so we could discuss things.” Hermione said.

“Ok kids, first thing tomorrow morning, I want you to take the journal over to the Manor… I want Peta and Vernon to place their hands on it like you did tonight… I need some answers to questions and want to make sure that Peta knows I don’t hold her responsible….” Lily said.

“I sure as hell hold Dursley responsible. Locking my son up in a cupboard for 10 years….” James began to rant.

“Prongs, not now… what’s done is done… and Harry is better for it… believe me… “ Lily said then turning to Harry she said, “We will be here whenever you need us to be, for both of you. After you have your aunt and uncle do that, then I want Hermione to take the book down into the potion lab downstairs of the Cuddle Castle. I think together we can make some awesome progress… we only have a week before the next time Moony needs the potion.”

“Well with your notes, Professor Snape’s potion he’s been using for Moony, and my knowledge of muggle chemistry I think we might have the answer’s towards the cure.” Hermione said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what we can come up with… In the mean time, you kids have your talk… yes we know what it’s about… we also know what you feel in your hearts… don’t be afraid… and just so you know Harry, Divination isn’t stupid… Trelawney may have been right about the prophecy, but she is an idiot from what I can tell by your memories… Thank God, I never had her for a teacher… I would have done exactly what Hermione did…Anyway…. There’s a letter that I wrote to you Harry… you will understand when I say this… Trust your heart. She’s right there with you now…” Lily said. “Now close this book up, you need some time to talk…”

Closing the book up, Harry watched as his parents disappeared then he turned and looked at Hermione. “Come here.” He said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Thank you…” he said tenderly kissing her. “Not only have you given me my parents back, you answered the questions of my heart…”

Resting her head on his shoulder, he draped their cloaks over them a bit more, “It’s not me you need to thank about giving your parents to you love… it’s all your mother’s doing. I just made you look at the book.”

“And for that I will be eternally grateful.’ He put his fingers under her chin and turned her eyes up towards his, “The questions of my heart were about my soul mate and about love… and mom answered that as well. I love you so much Mione. I know now that it was more then just being best friends… you have given me the love and confidence I have needed all these years. You are a true Gryffindor yourself my love, your bravery showed through tonight when you had Jadzia say goodbye… and now it’s time for me to say Hello to the woman I love.”

He lowered his lips down to hers and tasted the sweetness that he knew was Hermione. She responded to the kiss, snuggling in closer to him pulling him in closer with her arms around him. When the kiss ended she laid her head down on his shoulder again and closed her eyes.

“You do know that I have mastered Occlumency and Legilimency.” Hermione said quietly.

“Oh really? So you can prowl around my brain like Snape did?” Harry said looking down at her with her eyes shut.

Then deep in his mind he heard her voice ‘I can do more then that too my love. Who do you think changed your memory of last night this morning…’

“You learned to be a telepath as well…” Harry asked.

“No, you can’t learn to be a telepath, but you can use the Occlumency and Legilimency to telepathic uses… I will help you learn to block out Voldemort better… and in the process, learn to use the telepathic portions of the skills…” Hermione said quietly.

“Well that will come in handy during exams.” Harry said with a grin.

Hermione sat up and smacked his chest, “Harry James Potter, I can’t believe you sometimes. I would NEVER let you…” what ever the rest of her rant was Harry stifled with a kiss that caused Hermione to melt back into his arms.

Both of them lay there enveloped in their love for one and other, and drifted off to sleep.

Ok… quickie over… Please read and review… I would really appreciate it…

9. Chapter 8 - Great Day to be Alive

Muirnin @}>---'---,--- Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 2 819 2003-09-02T22:00:00Z 2003-09-04T12:30:00Z 2003-09-04T12:30:00Z 6 4528 19962 RZHRT Creations 455 127 24524 9.2720

Disclaimer… See: Chapter 1

Author’s Note: I may do a Ron and Luna story based on what is in this story…. No promises quite yet… Maybe Draco and Ginny as well… I have been thinking too much about this story… worse then that… I am making my chapters so long… *rolls eyes*

Please be aware…

This entire chapter is based entirely on Hermione’s point of view…

From the future to the flashback… hope you enjoy…

This is not the end of the story by a long shot… its only Part 1 of a 4 Part story…

There is lots of adventure to go…

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

(`'.¸(`'•..¤..•'´)¸.'´)

´¨`•.* Muirnin *.•´¨`

(¸.'´(¸.•'´¤`'•.¸)`'.)

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

Now… for your reading entertainment I take you to…

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 1 - Summer without Sirius

Chapter 8 – Great Day to be Alive

October 31, 2022

San Francisco, California USA

The golden amber liquid slid down her throat, burning on its way down, as she tossed the glass of single malt Scotch Whiskey back in one swallow. Her eyes threatened to tear up and then with a swipe of the back of her hand she dried them quickly; then brought the cigarette to her lips and took a long drag, a sizzling of the dry tobacco leaves intensified as she inhaled the smoke. It had been 8 years since she had begun a habit that she never thought she would have started… but here she was.

She sat on her small porch balcony overlooking the San Francisco Bay, her long slender legs resting on the metal railing as her head reclined back against the chair where she sat. Finally, she released the smoke letting it float out to mingle with the fog that had settled since the earlier rain. The dampness in the air had caused her deep chestnut hair to go back to a bushiness that had not been common since she had left school, but little did she care about her appearance.

Resolutely she finished her cigarette and headed back into the bedroom where she had left the man from earlier in the evening. He had already gotten up and was dressed when she got back inside.

“I knew I hadn’t lost my touch… I must have been very good for you if you needed a cigarette after that.“ The man quipped with a smirk, leaving his pudgy face in a repulsive sneer. The man’s balding head had ripples of fat that disappeared into a non-existent neckline. He ran his hand over his grey-haired obese chest and belly. His own satisfaction was evident and he honestly believed that he had been the best she had ever had.

“Only in your dreams… You got what you want so I suggest you just leave.” She said with a loathing that could cut through the fog outside. “Arsehole.”

He walked over to her, tucked a number of bills into her hand, and then said, “You British bitches are all the same… hot fucks but just a bunch of fucking psychotic cunts.” He turned and left, slamming the door behind him.

She laughed sardonically at this. Oh if he only knew the truth about her…

She looked at the wad of bills in her hand and tossed the muggle money – several hundred dollars worth, on to the bed. Walking passed the full-length mirror she could see her 42-year-old body, its womanly shape still in a youthful and prime condition. Her voluptuous breasts breaking over the top of her black satin bra that matched the tiny black g-string she wore. Her makeup smeared but that was not unusual these days.

Taking a swipe with one of her long red perfectly manicured fingernails, she cleaned up a bit of the cherry red lipstick that had smeared beyond its boundaries on her luscious mouth. Then tightening the belt on her silk red kimono robe and then walked over to where the bottle of Scotch sat; considered it a moment and picked it up, heading back out onto the balcony.

The revelers in the Castro District were in high spirits on this Halloween. She could see from her balcony many of the costumed partiers. She could hear the sound of a radio station KMEL (yes, it is a real station in San Francisco… I miss it so!) playing hit after hit of local bands that had made it famous. It was a Halloween treat she supposed.

Forgoing the glass this time, she tipped the bottle of 18-year-old Glenmorangie Single Malt Whiskey to her lips and began to guzzle the liquor, burning its way to her belly. The effects of the alcohol was beginning to cause her brain to numb out again… a feeling she had come to relish, a way to surrender herself to the pain that had coursed through her soul for the last 15 years.

She had spent of the 25 years since graduating Hogwarts doing a myriad of unusual things. From being a wife and a mother, to teaching potions at Hogwarts to being the prostitute she was now… She had essentially left the wizarding world emotionally behind 15 years prior. Years of unshed tears threatened her emotions, silently relinquishing the past indiscretions of a series of events that had caused her so much torment that she had no way to suppress them anymore.

The radio station began to play an old song from Journey… She knew this song so well; it was one that had been used to break his heart… Remember me… As she listened to the song she finally, succumbing to the tears, she wept uncontrollably. How long she sat there taking long swigs from the bottle

The white snowy owl sat quietly upon the railing, a letter tied to her leg. When finally its appearance noticed, the woman looked at it as if it were a warning to danger. “Why now Hedwig?” she asked, her eyes still puffy and swollen from her crying. The snowy white owl hopped over to the woman’s arm, stretched her neck up, and gave a light peck on the lips. “I’ve missed you too girl.”

Reaching over she untied the letter and held it in her hands. Getting up she walked into the apartment, Hedwig following closely and grabbed a small bowl that had held some pretzels in it holding it out to the owl. “If it had been any other bloody bird, I wouldn’t do this… but for you, here you go.” She placed the bowl down for her to munch happily.

Looking down at the letter in her shaking hands, she noticed the thick parchment paper with which the letter was written. Since leaving the wizarding world, she had not received any owls from anyone. Turning the envelope over she saw the monogram HJP, and the tears began again. Shakily she opened the envelope and pulled out the letter whose familiar handwriting glared back at her.

My Dearest Mione,

I know things are not well for you. I wish you would trust me my love and let me help you. The Goblins told me that you have not touched any of the money in your Gringott’s Vault…

Sweetheart…

Your leaving was painful for both of us. When you asked for the divorce, I could not refuse you. I never wanted the divorce. However, you felt you had to dissolve the vows we made when we were married… that you had to do it, I agreed. I still hold those vows to you in my heart…

Know this that even after 15 years’ I love you with all my heart… I always have and always will. You asked me not to contact you, I agreed… but I cannot stay silent from you any longer. Find myself all alone in darkness without you, now I cannot turn away from what I must do. You know I would give my life for you, more than words can say… Sound familiar?

Not having you in my life is like not being able to breath. You have been and always will be my best friend… no matter how long we are separated from each other. It is our anniversary… but it will never be happy…

I know you feel like you are probably safer where you are, then here in Wales… The memories of this place are ever present even to me… However, Godrics Hollow is more like Godrics Void without you. Life is not the same without you…

There is a reason why I am contacting you after all these years.

I found Jesyka… our little girl is alive! Although she is not a little girl anymore… but a young woman… possessed of powers so great… However, I need your help to get her back. She did indeed become the child of prophecy that Albus had told us of so many years ago… I told you I would not stop until I found her…

I love you… Everything I am, I am because you loved me so long ago… I am leaving Hedwig with you, to protect you and remind you that I will give my life to protect you… Even if I failed you before… I will not fail you again….

Love Always,

Harry

‘I found Jesyka.’ The words exploded from the page. “It’s not possible,” She said as she looked at the letter again.

Hermione Uhura Granger Potter had always prided herself on being so intelligent when she was younger. She had known what she wanted and made sure she got what she wanted…

When she had first seen Harry James Potter that day on the Hogwarts Express, she knew he would be the one for her. Fame was not that which had drawn her to him. It was his eyes… those incredible, exotic, alluring emerald green eyes hiding behind those round black glasses with the tape wrapped around the bridge. Then, it was his manner. He was the most sincere person she had ever met, and she had fallen in love with him right there… it was not until their first summer without Sirius Black that she really loved him.

Going back out onto the balcony, a slight drizzle began to fall. Hedwig had flown over to be by her, protectively. She took another swig from her bottle, lit a cigarette and leaned her head back… remembering that night under the weeping willow tree.

August 2nd, 1996

Godric’s Hollow (Lily’s Secret Garden)

Hermione had drifted off to sleep in Harry’s protective arms. He loved her, she loved him… there was no need to rush intimacy for them now… because of their cyber encounter they knew each other better then they knew themselves.

She awoke to a pop and then the sound of rain… gently falling down around them, yet here under the branches of the large weeping willow they were protected from the rain. It acted like a giant canopy, magically pulled back to reveal their hiding place. The pop had been Winky bringing them another basket with fruit and fresh bread along with hot coffee. She had also draped a large woolen blanket over the sleeping pair.

“Oh Winky, you didn’t need to do this.” Hermione whispered not wanting to wake Harry.

“Miss, Winky knows how you need to be with Harry Potter miss. Did not mean to wake you...”

“Don’t you dare hurt yourself Winky… it wasn’t you that woke me it was the rain.” Hermione said

“No Miss, I will not iron my fingers or hurt myself for waking you… if that is your wish. It is still early, you should go back to sleep.” Then Winky added looking at Harry, “I fear he may need your help in his dreams Miss. Help him.” And with a pop she was gone.

Closing her eyes, she silently said the spell that allowed her into Harry’s mind. He was reliving the night Sirius died, but in this version Sirius had already gone beyond the veil. Bellatrix Lestrange was now pulling Hermione’s body towards the veil as well.

Hermione knew she must act quickly. Harry was hysterical at the knowledge that he had lost Sirius and now was about to lose Hermione…

Quietly she began speaking to him in his mind… “Harry, it’s a dream… I’m right here with you… Don’t be afraid you aren’t going to lose me.”

She kept on… until she heard Harry’s voice “Mione? You aren’t dead?”

“No my love you saved me again… let’s go back to someplace nicer then here…” She said as she tried to guide his mind away from the Department of Mysteries.

Then she heard another voice in his mind. “It’s not going to be that easy to keep him away from me” the voice hissed.

“You can’t have him Voldemort” Hermione’s mind said as she felt him now intruding into her own mind. She used a stunning spell to extract him from her mind. She opened her eyes. Harry was looking at her concerned because he had seen in his mind the evil dark wizard going after Hermione, when she refused to allow him to take Harry’s mind over again.

“How did you do that so quickly?” Harry asked her gathering her closer in his arms.

“I told you, I mastered the skills that Professor Snape had been teaching you… Now I know, you need to be taught how to master them yourself.”

“Mione, last night wasn’t a dream was it?” Harry said looking into her cinnamon eyes.

“No dream Harry, we spoke with your parents…” Harry cut her off…

“I know that part, but the part where you and I love each other… “ Harry said with a sparkle in his eye.

“You didn’t dream that at all. We slept the entire night in each others arms… and look Winky has brought us breakfast.”

“You really do love me…” Harry said still a bit shocked.

“Of course I do you dolt… ever since I was 11… and more so when you saved me from the Mountain Troll on Halloween… and the way you kept looking after me when I was petrified by the basilisk… You might not be aware of it, but I knew you were there holding my hand… I wanted to yell out to the world that I loved you… but I could not… I was petrified” she gives a slight tweak of her lips… “The only way I could let you know was when I hugged you in the great hall… I was so glad to see you still alive…”

Harry put a finger up to her lips and said, “Shush, we have time to relive all of that…” Then leaning down he kissed her with so much passionate tenderness that she thought her heart would explode. How did he do that… make her so hungry for his kiss and yet be so gentle about it…

“See, you aren’t a bad kisser…” She commented as he kissed her again.

Several hours later, they returned to the Cuddle Castle… and went to the potion lab. Opening the book again, this time Lily stepped out into the room. She instructed Hermione to cast a spell on the pages from the book and they duplicated themselves leaving a visible trace of Lily with them. Then Harry closed the book, Lily remained while the pages were there… and Harry headed up towards the manor.

“Lily, you have to teach me all you know… what you have done…” Hermione said.

“What I have done is found ways to protect those that I love… I know you love my son… you are his soul mate, I saw it in the stars shortly before we died… I also know that beyond the happiness that you and Harry have, there will still be tragedy, sorrow and triumph. That is not for years from now… Just enjoy each day as it comes… celebrate your love and by all means get him studying Occlumency.” Lily said.

“Yes, I already have… are all Potter men’s minds so easily played with?” Hermione said with a smile.

“Not just Potter men…” Lily grinned. “All men’s minds are fun to play with… why I could tell you tales about what I had done to the Marauder’s…”

“Oh Do tell…” came a gruff voice from the doorway of the potions lab. Remus Lupin stood there with Severus Snape standing behind him. Both men looked like they were in shock at the visible image of Lily Potter. “My God, I had no idea you had done this to your journal.”

Turning quickly, Lily exclaimed “Moony!” then seeing Severus behind him she said scathingly, “What’s he doing here?”

“Lily I am here to assist Lupin with his Wolfsbane potion. However, I can see with you and Miss Granger working on it I need not have bothered to come.” He said matter of factly.

“Oh… you need not bothered to come? Or perhaps you were going to cast another spell over Petunia.” Lily said.

Snape’s face paled (if that is at all possible) “What ever do you mean by that Lily?”

“My journal is charmed… Harry took it upstairs to the manor and had Vernon and Peta put their hands on the book… Right now it is up in the manor with Harry and James” Lily said with her hands on her hips, “These pages are from the journal hence the reason that James and I can be in two places at once. However, when they placed their hands on the journal, it enabled us to see into their memories… seen the pact that you had made with Vernon Dursley to keep Petunia away from myself and the Marauders.”

Severus Snape had been on the wrong side of Lily before, after he had called her a mudblood in anger.

“You should be glad that since Sirius died, Peta’s begun to regain some of her memories of times she shared with us… with you…” she glided towards him her ethereal form glowing with anger, “You and Padfoot were rivals for her affection as I recall… and then Dursley came into the picture. I had never quite understood why she turned against all of us so vehemently… Alas, it worked against you as well… she grew to hate all things magical including YOU.”

“I am so sorry Lily. I had no idea the affect the spelled potion would have on her. I was only in 7th year and thought that I could do this obliviate love potion on Peta…”

“Were you also aware of the fact that due to your incompetence, she was never able to find out about her latent magical abilities? My sister Petunia is a muggle born witch… with latent talents, that I am sure my son and others will be more then helpful to bring out.”

“Oh My God! Harry’s up there with James and the Dursley’s..” Remus said turning to bolt up the stone stairs to get back to the manor.

“Moony, don’t worry about it… it’s like I told Mione a few moments ago… I can control James’ anger from here….”

“From what I have been able to pick up from their conversation, Harry’s Uncle isn’t saying much but is very remorseful of what he did so man years ago…” Hermione said.

“Miss Granger, how do you know this?” Snape asked.

“When you came and told Harry at Christmas that he had to learn Occlumency I began studying as well… I have mastered Occlumency and Legilimency… I have already battled Voldemort once today in control of Harry’s mind… so don’t even bother to see if you can get into mine.” Hermione said forcefully, with her hands on her hips, almost identical stance as Lily.

Both Remus and Severus looked between Lily and Hermione and felt they were seeing double. Both were images of the other.

“Now Professor Snape, If you wouldn’t mind, I would be honored if you would check over my work, since Lily is not able to be corporeal separated from the journal as she is… “ Hermione said.

Snape walked over to where they had been constructing the potion and looked between his ingredient list, the notes from the journal and the notes that Hermione had made. He then looked at the cauldron where the contents had turned to a magnificent sapphire blue. “This looks nothing like the Wolfsbane potion I have been making for Lupin.” Snape said.

“That is because it is not. Between Lily and me, we are trying a new potion… If it works Moony will no longer have any of the ill affects of his Werewolfism.” Hermione said with a nervous smile.

Remus looked at Hermione, “You mean…”

“Yeah I do Moony… but this will end up being a daily ritual for you… sort of like Insulin is for Diabetics… you will need to take this potion everyday of your life.” She said and then added, “I’ve also simplified the complexities of the potion… and I believe that if it I can get Harry to make it, you can make it no problem.”

Remus leaned against the stone wall and in shock slid down to sit on the ground.

“We shall see…” Severus said quietly.

“You can begin taking the potion today Moony… to help with the PWS.” Said Lily, then turning quietly to Hermione she added, “Pre Werewolf Syndrome… sort of Moony’s version of PMS.”

They both laughed hysterically as Hermione got a goblet and began to fill it up then taking it over to Moony. “Drink up.”

As Moony tipped the goblet back in one gulp Hermione held her breath.

“That actually tastes good too! What on earth did you use to sweeten it?” He asked handing back the goblet to Hermione.

“Pure Clove Honey…” Hermione grinned.

“You may still have an urge to howl at the moon, but it will be in human form… and there should be no threat from your bite after about one cycle of the potion and moon.” Lily said confidently then added, “We will know for sure in 2 weeks at the full moon.”

For that reason, as the night of the full moon came, it was decided to have a gathering of all interested parties to see if the new potion worked… Dumbledore, along with many of the teachers from Hogwarts, Ministry members, as well as Healer’s from St. Mungo’s had arrived at the manor. So many people were intrigued about the mysterious potion that had been created.

Petunia and Vernon Dursley acted as host and Hostess for the party, both of their memories returned about the full wizarding community and Vernon wanted to make a good impression on the so called Dignitaries that assembled throughout the manor. Molly Weasley seemed transformed after what seemed like a vacation from home and kids. She looked wonderful and very relaxed. Ron, Ginny, Harry and Hermione greeted her. Even Dudley had come over and introduced himself… He had become Ginny’s own Pygmalion.

Nevertheless, what lit up Ginny’s eyes was the appearance of Narcissa Malfoy and her son Draco. Ginny gave Hermione a knowing smile and then introduced Dudley to Draco, who was very sullen, compared to his normal, sarcastic self.

Hermione laughed to herself and then she, Harry and Professor Dumbledore made their way over towards the Cuddle Castle where they would be outside of Remus Lupin’s room when the full moon arrived. Remus had already put himself into his room, resting comfortably and talking to James and Lily, since it was decided that he would have the journal at that time. Lily had even had Hermione place and additional charm on the journal so that it could automatically record the events of the evening…

When the full moon came out completely, and there was not a single twitch from Moony, James howled in excitement. Soon word passed on to those up in the manor and the many assembled made their way to the Cuddle Castle to see the “cure” that had been made.

It was at this time that Professor Dumbledore announced that Remus Lupin would be returning to Hogwarts, to once again become the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor with Miss Granger and Mr. Potter acting as the Defensive Arts junior instructors. Dumbledore intended to continue the D.A. that had been started the year before.

Hermione, cornered by Luna Lovegood’s father, offered her an exclusive interview with her about how she was able to cure Werewolfism. She thought about this for a moment and then told him that she would get back to him.

She saw Ginny over in the corner whispering something in Dudley’s ear and seeing him blush. She looked over and saw Draco scowling in his most formidable way. Dudley kissed Ginny on the cheek, wandered over to where Draco stood and saw him say something to him. Hermione watched this interaction as Draco who normally was very pale, blushed and then stared at Ginny. Ginny’s eyes lit up with a mischievous gaze and then with a small crook of her finger she headed upstairs and out into the garden.

Draco had looked around and then quickly followed up the stairs….

Dudley had gone over and was speaking with one of the girls from Hogwarts that had shown up… Lavender Brown. They seemed to have a very intense conversation. Hermione rolled her eyes and then looked for Harry who was standing in another corner watching people as well. Ron and Luna were dancing without any music going on and Harry stood there with a grin on his face.

Soon, their eyes locked with one and other. Within a split second, they were together in a corner themselves holding hands and staring at each other.

“You don’t know how much I love you.” Harry said quietly to her.

“If it’s half as much as I love you then it is an awful lot.” Hermione said.

“I don’t think this gathering is going to end… how about we go into the common room.” He said with his eyes twinkling.

“I’ve got a better idea Harry… Go get logged in, and then follow my directions.” Hermione said with a wicked smirk.

“What are you planning?”

“It’s a surprise… but I know you will enjoy it.” Hermione said.

The couple had not been cyber intimate since his birthday… so concentrated on the potion for Moony they were just spending the evenings quietly on the sofa in the living room, reading or resting. Harry spent part of the time talking with his parents about Sirius…

(Ok I lied, this is from Harry’s POV now…)

Once Harry had logged into the virtual Hogwarts world, he received an instant message from Hermione that said

Put your virtual attachment on and visualize going into your mother’s secret garden.

Harry smiled, locking his room and securing the silencing charms then moved over towards the bed.

Soon he was back in the virtual world this time Lily’s Secret Garden, and there under the Weeping Willow tree was Hermione, dressed in the sheerest of fabrics just draped about her body. He walked over to her and she opened her arms up to him. He went gratefully into her arms and kissed her passionately. Knowing how she kissed in real life made the virtual kiss seem more real. Her skin felt soft under his touch. How he wanted to know her intimately in reality, but he knew they were not ready.

Please Review… Thanks…

10. Chapter 9 - Summers Ending

Muirnin @}>---'---,--- Normal Muirnin @}>---'---,--- 3 100 2003-09-02T22:00:00Z 2003-09-06T21:07:00Z 2003-09-06T21:10:00Z 4 2510 11058 RZHRT Creations 281 85 13616 9.2720 114

Disclaimer… See: Chapter 1

Author’s Note: This is not the end of the story, not by a long shot; it is only the end of Part 1… The chapters will continue from here but there will be another part number… (if that makes any sense… I didn’t sleep well again and I haven’t beta’d this one either)

For those of you who are Draco and Ginny or Ron and Luna shippers, please note they are in this chapter prominently… as is Dudley and Lavender… (They seem so cute for each other… )

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

(`'.¸(`'•..¤..•'´)¸.'´)

´¨`•.* Muirnin *.•´¨`

(¸.'´(¸.•'´¤`'•.¸)`'.)

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 1 - Summer without Sirius

Chapter 9 – Summer’s Ending

Once Harry had logged into the virtual Hogwarts world, he received an instant message from Hermione that said

Put your virtual attachment on and visualize going into your mother’s secret garden.

Harry smiled, locking his room and securing the silencing charms then moved over towards the bed.

Soon he was back in the virtual world this time Lily’s Secret Garden, and there under the Weeping Willow tree was Hermione, dressed in the sheerest of fabrics just draped about her body. He walked over to her and she opened her arms up to him. He went gratefully into her arms and kissed her passionately. Knowing how she kissed in real life made the virtual kiss seem more real. Her skin felt soft under his touch. How he wanted to know her intimately in reality, but he knew they were not ready… not quite yet…

The cyber-world that they had created had enveloped them both. Each felt the passion of the other, the touch, the breath… the very essence of the soul they linked with.

This time though, Harry knew it was Hermione that he was virtually making love to; that knowledge made this time even better and stronger then before. She had become so entwined into his senses that time had no meaning for both of them.

On and on thru the night they continued to fervently make love to one and other. As the first lights of dawn filtered through the curtains of Harry’s room, he realized he was not tired even with keeping the passion ablaze all night long.

“Mione, you do know it is morning.” He typed to her.

“I know… I’m not even tired.” She responded.

“This truly is magic… and when we finally do accomplish the physical part of our intimacy… I know it is going to be just as wonderful…” He began to type.

“If not better.” She finished his sentence and he could tell she had a grin on her face. “I wonder how everyone else is this morning.”

He grinned, “If they even had a fraction of the fun we had last night… no wonder this place is called the Cuddle Castle…” He climbed off his bed, looking down at the screen. It had recorded every movement that they had made all night long… “Are you planning to save this file?” He asked curiously.

“Why wouldn’t I… it will be something to remind us, for when we are too old to even move anymore.” She laughed… “See you in a moment…” she logged off.

Taking a deep breath he looked out the window, from his vantage point, he was able to just make out the top of the weeping willow tree… What surprised him the most though, was seeing two people who were wandering away from the garden area holding hands. Ginny and Draco… They had spent the night with each other. A knock on his door alerted him and he said, “Come in.”

As Hermione came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him, she saw what he was looking at. “Oh God, I hope Ron doesn’t see that… he’ll go ballistic.”

“Did you know about those two?” Harry asked.

“I knew that she was fooling around online with someone named Iceman… and she told me last night that it was Draco…” She watched the couple, Draco leaned down and plucked a red rose off a bush, carefully removing the thorns and then gently tucking it behind Ginny’s ear and into her long red hair.

“He actually looks like a man in love.” Harry said amazed.

“And that surprises you?” Hermione asked, turning Harry to face her. “You men do strange things when you are in love.” She leaned up and gave him a adoring kiss. “Shall we go downstairs and see who else is still here?”

“Good idea… I don’t know if anyone made it back to the Manor last night…” He laughed taking her hand and leading her out of his room.

Just as they got into the hallway, a door opened and Luna stepped out, Ron leaning over and giving her a gentle kiss goodbye. Then as they turned they noticed Harry and Hermione with big grins on their faces. Luna blushed visibly embarrassed at being caught, but also at seeing Harry and Hermione coming out of his room together…

“I’ll see you downstairs Ronald.” Luna said in her breathy voice. As she passed by Harry and Hermione she added, “Thank you for inviting me, I’ve had a most pleasurable time.” Then gave Harry a grin that lit up her face.

The couple hurried down to Ron’s room and went in as soon as Luna had headed downstairs. “So… she stayed all night with you?” Hermione said,

“It’s really serious with you two huh?”

“Oh like you should talk… slipping out of Harry’s room this early in the morning…” Ron said with a huge grin.

“We didn’t stay in the same room last night mate… She just came in a couple of minutes ago.” Harry said giving a knowing look at Hermione.

“Oh I get it… you WERE together last night… just not in the same room…” Ron winked. Hermione blushed fervently. “Luna and I didn’t come upstairs until really early this morning… I could see light under both of your doors, so I knew neither of you were asleep yet… Most of the adults went back to the manor about 2am. When I left… can you believe it… your cousin was making out with Lavender Brown!”

“I guess Ginny’s pet project worked… she’s been trying to make him into a decent human being.” Harry said.

“But Lavender? I thought she had a thing for Seamus.” Hermione said.

“Who knows? Over the past couple of weeks, I have seen a big change in Dudley… I think he actually is human… AND he’s lost weight while he’s been here…”

“Well why don’t’ we go down and see how Remus is doing… See if my potion lasted thru the night and stuff.” Hermione said.

“Mione, Have I told you how proud I am… that potion is a breakthrough that is amazing.” Harry said leaning over and kissing her gently on the lips.

Ron shook his head, “Wow… this is really going to take some getting used to… seeing you two as a couple…”

“Kind of like seeing you and Luna as a couple?” Hermione said.

“Hey she may be a bit of a nutter, but I’m in love with her… what’s a bloke to do?” Ron said shrugging his shoulders.

The trio quietly crept downstairs, where they found Luna sitting at the dining room table having a cup of coffee. Looking up from her Quibbler she said, “Good morning Ronald…” then smiling she added, “Good morning Hermione… Harry… did you have a good night sleep?”

“I’m not the least bit tired, so I would say it was a wonderful night.” Hermione said.

Just then, the door opened and Ginny tried to sneak in, leaving Draco out on the porch.

”Hey Draco! You want some coffee.” Harry hollered, causing Ginny to go a severe shade of crimson and Draco peeked his head around the door and stared at Harry. “Good morning Draco. We got breakfast already here… why don’t you two sit down and eat.” Harry had a smirk on his face that was not the likes that none of them had seen before.

Luna and Hermione were on either side of Ron, desperately trying to keep his mouth shut. Hermione had done a silencing charm on him so he could not utter a word. His face flushed in anger a variety of colors.

“Ummm Thanks Harry.” He said as he walked in close behind Ginny.

Ginny walked over to Harry and kissed his cheek and then whispered, “thank you”

Harry walked over to Draco and whispered to him, “You ever break her heart and I will kill you… But after what I saw this morning… I don’t think that is going to be a problem.” Draco stared blankly. “I know you love her…” Draco closed his eyes as he realized that Potter knew of his secret love.

“So, Ginny, how did you enjoy your walk through Lily’s Secret Garden this morning?” Hermione said knowingly. Ginny and Draco this time both blushed.

Luna had taken to whispering in Ron’s ear trying to get him to calm down seeing his sister with Draco Malfoy. Hermione quickly took the silencing charm off Ron when the color of his face returned to the normal shade.

“Malfoy.., I will only say this once… you hurt my sister and you will be hurting more… is that understood.” Ron said gruffly trying to remain calm.

“Don’t worry Weasley, Potter already told me he would kill me, so I think hurting from you and probably your brothers would still be bad.” Taking Ginny’s hand in his he added, “Besides this lovely lady is wicked with hexes and Virginia is the best part of my soul… I promise to each of you right here and now, I vow not to break her heart…”

The Trio and Luna stared at the couple, Ron in shock at the vow that Draco had just made. “I think he’s serious.” Ron said.

“Damn right he is.” Ginny said sitting on Draco’s lap and giving him a kiss on the lips.

“Geez Gin, what are you a one woman rehab show or something? First Dursley and now Malfoy…” Ron said in disbelief.

“Speaking of which… has anyone seen my cousin this morning?” Harry said. He headed to the basement and peaked down, there had been a sofa conjured up and Dudley and Lavender were asleep in each other’s arms. Harry signaled the others to come peek.

“Oh that’s too cute… too bad there’s not a Creevy here to take a picture.” Ginny chuckled.

Soon Remus tipped toed past the sleeping couple and went up the stone steps shooing the others back. “Good grief can’t you guys give them some privacy?” He handed the journal back to Harry, “Thank you… I had a most enjoyable evening talking to you folks Harry. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if Sirius had been here… but I know he was in spirit.” Remus looked around at the three couples assembled at the table and shook his head… “Yeah this looks like old times… just different body’s. Good morning Miss Lovegood, Mr. Malfoy welcome to the Cuddle Castle.”

There was a huge groan from Draco as he realized the name of Harry’s house. “It figures…”

“This place is magical can’t you tell?” Harry said. “Since we are all here and awake, how about we work on some D.A. stuff today? You are invited as well Draco.”

“Only if I can practice hexing you and Weasley…” he put his hands up and said… “If I can’t hex you in real life anymore, I can always have fun practicing.”

“Any of the adults that are here are also welcome to join us in the DA room up at the manor…” Hermione added seeing a look of interest on Remus’ face.

“Excuse me Harry, but I have to do this…” he walked over to Hermione and picked her up in his arms in a huge hug and swung her around then gave her a chaste kiss on the lips… “That is thank you thank you thank you… for giving me my life back…”

“It was my pleasure… I couldn’t just let you keep going on like you were, when I had Lily’s notes on the cure…”

“Your mom designed that potion.” Luna asked. “Will you consent to an interview with the Quibbler? Please I know that Daddy would like that very much, and Ms Skeeter is now one of our more prominent journalists.” Hermione fidgeted a bit. She was just as uncomfortable with fame as Harry.

“Actually it was a combination of my mom and Hermione that did it… My mom had begun the creation of the potion before they died. Hermione just took what she knew from Potions and Chemistry and voile, a new and improved Professor Lupin!” Harry said proudly, his arm wrapped around Hermione.

“I’ll let you know Luna, ok? I’m not real comfortable with newspapers and such…” Hermione said honestly. “So, what say… we go have at it in the DA workout room?

Winky popped in and said, “No, no… everyone eat first… then you can go play, Winky say so.” In addition, seven plates full of food appeared before all of them.

“I think Winky has turned into my Mum!” Ron said with a grin as he shoveled food into his mouth.

The days passed quickly until it was soon the night before September 1st. Professor Dumbledore had arranged for a portkey to take all the Hogwarts students that had remained at Godric’s Hollow to Platform 9¾. The night before Aunt Petunia made a splendid dinner (having given Dobby the night off!) and they all spent time up at the Manor.

Lavender had even flooed back to the manor as had Draco, so that they could all be together again.

Draco’s evil influence had disappeared once his father had been locked up in Azkaban and the curses he had used on both Narcissa and Draco had worn off. No was longer the slicked haired malcontent that he had been, he was actually sociable and as a sign of good faith, gave Dudley his very own wizarding wireless web laptop so he could stay in communication with Lavender and the others.

Petunia and Vernon planned to drive back to Surrey to take Dudley back to Smeltings the following morning, so there would be nobody remaining at the manor. Petunia and Vernon wanted to assess the damage done to #4 Privet Drive, before deciding what they should do. Petunia liked living in the Manor and even Vernon had grown accustomed to the place as well. Harry had invited them to go ahead and remain at the manor if they wished, allowing Vernon to retire from Grunnings as he had been saying he thought he might.

So it was back to school for most of them, even Dobby and Winky would return to Hogwarts until Petunia and Vernon decided what they wanted to do. Moreover, with that came the end of Harry’s summer without Sirius and on to Hogwarts the final years.

Please Review… Thanks…

11. Chapter 10 Surprises and Sadness

Disclaimer… This is a collaborative work done by Muirnin Cocan and various members of the KFUFHP. We do not now, nor at any time, claim ownership of any of the Harry Potter characters. This is an original plot, based on characters created by J K Rowling with additional characters created by Muirnin Cocan and members of the KFUFHP. Money is in no way being made, nor copyright or trademark infringement intended. This is a work of love and entertainment and J K Rowling owns all rights as well as various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, with additional rights belonging to Warner Bros., Inc. Some parts may be of an adult nature that may not be suitable for all readers. Reader discretion is always strongly advised due to sexual themes and at times language. Some references to Star Trek may be made. Please see the disclaimer on Chapter 1 for further acknowledgements.

We the KFUFHP celebrate the greatness of the writers and creators of Harry Potter and Star Trek and only wish to honor them with our writing.

Author’s Note: As is customary, I felt that since I was starting a new part of the story… I would show the disclaimer again…

I apologize to all those who have been waiting so patiently, for so long to read more of my story… I will not bore you with all the details, but my life in the last 2 months has become unbearably chaotic and complicated… I have found very little time to devote to my love of writing… and depression not withstanding, have found myself reading more of the wondrous work that is so abundant here. I also have not had much contact with other members of the KFUFHP so I only have myself to blame for not writing… Needless to say, I have been sort of a hermit… not really socializing much… I have on occasion been into the forums… Dan and Emma being my newest obsession… grin

I would like to take a moment to thank you so very much for all the praise and criticism that I have received from you my loyal readers. I do try and respond to my reviewers… and if you have not heard directly from me, then you either did not sign your review… or did not leave an e-mail that I could reach you through.

I will be out of the country (in Canada) the first half of October to celebrate my 5th wedding anniversary with my husband, but do hope to write while I am away. With any luck, my Mutant Lord Consort will be coming back with me… Lots of prayers and such… perhaps a sacrifice to the Immigration Gods would work too… although, sacrificing over 10 months with out seeing my husband… hmmm but there wasn’t any blood… Oh well… I’m rambling… it’s going to take me 24 hours to drive to Edmonton, AB from where I am… I’m thinking… COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!! LOTS OF COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any who…

I have added a few lines from Part 1, to answer directly to one of my reviewers… regarding Dudley and Smeltings…

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

(`'.¸(`'•..¤..•'´)¸.'´)

´¨`•.* Muirnin *.•´¨`

(¸.'´(¸.•'´¤`'•.¸)`'.)

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 2 – Hogwarts, the Final Years

Chapter 10 – Surprises and Sadness

The familiar tug reminded Harry of the number of different portkeys he had experienced in his life…

The first one had taken them to the Quidditch World Cup the summer before 4th year. Then, there was the unexpected portkey during the Triwizard Cup third task, which made him witness not only Cedric Diggory's death but also the rebirth of Lord Voldemort. The most recent portkey he had used was the one Dumbledore had created so Harry could leave the Ministry of Magic after the battle in the Department of Mysteries and the still haunting death of his godfather Sirius Black.

However, Harry did not want to think about those things, as many of the memories were too painful....

As they appeared directly onto the 9¾ Platform, the group looked around and realized that they had about half an hour before the train would leave. Remus Lupin, Tonks and Mad Eye Moody from the Order were already on the platform.

"Damn Potter. What do you have to have a security entourage where ever you go now?" Draco said with his trademark smirk

"Draco..." cautioned Ginny, afraid of there being a problem with members of the Order around.

"No, it's alright Gin, Malfoy just doesn't quite comprehend how much the Order feels it needs to protect me against Voldemort..." Harry said his voice had just a hint of sarcasm in it as Remus, Tonks and Moody were greeting him.

"Potter knows I am just giving him shit..." Draco said as Moody and Tonks gave both him and Harry evil glares.

"Yeah... and Malfoy knows that I can give it right back to him in spades." Harry said as he winked at Moody and Tonks causing them to relax a bit around Draco.

Harry had already told Draco about the fact that it was only him that would be able to kill Lord Voldemort and about the damn prophecy. Draco's reaction had been "That Sucks..." which made Harry laugh harder about the entire thing.

Just then, Crabbe and Goyle came through the barrier. They spotted Draco standing with Harry and the others and went straight up to Draco.

"Hey Draco, why didn't you wait for us?" A dumbfounded Gregory Goyle asked.

"Yeah, we waited for you by your house and then finally we went to the door and asked your mother." Spoke Vincent Crabbe.

Both boys looked very confused why Draco hadn't been there for their normal ride to King's Cross Station.

"Did it ever occur to either of you that I perhaps wanted to enjoy the company of my girlfriend and the rest of my friends, hmm?" Draco rolled his eyes, "You too are to dim to understand anything... If you will recall, I TOLD you idiots that I was not going to be going with you to the station."

Draco turned his back on them and headed back over to where Ginny and the others were standing, waiting for the trains arrival.

Suddenly, a number of other Slytherin students came rushing through the barrier banging into Crabbe and Goyle who in turn fell against Draco causing a domino affect against Blaise Zabini who, became unbalanced in her 6" stiletto heels, fell up top of Neville Longbottom, landing them both in a VERY compromising position.

In all the commotion, Tonks, Moody and Remus all tried to get Harry safely on the train, who himself was trying to see if there was anything he could do to help and upon seeing Neville's predicament began laughing so hard the three adults couldn't get him on the train.

However, Neville and Blaise were not paying any attention to the laughter going on as they just stared into each other's eyes, much to the chagrin of his sometimes girl friend Susan Bones who was looking a bit peeved at the moment.

Blaise Zabini was perhaps the prettiest girl in Slytherin. Her shyness coupled with her unique beauty caused many of the boys in all years of Hogwarts to take second and third looks at her. She valued her education and was one of the top witches in the school... behind Hermione Granger of course. Her late father had been a death eater, killed by Aurors before Voldemort’s downfall. She however, never wanted the evilness associated with the Dark Lord, but the acquisition of greatness... she thirsted for being famous in her own right and felt that if she chose Slytherin they could help her on her way... rather then in Ravenclaw where the sorting hat had wanted to put her.

The assembled group stared at Neville and Blaise, still in the compromising position, neither being intent on trying to move.

"Are you hurt Neville?" Blaise asked in a deep throaty voice that seemed to purr as she spoke.

"I'm fine, how about you?" Neville asked, not a quiver to his voice... quite unusual for Neville given the situation.

Both seemed not to notice the world around them, their voices so low only they could hear their conversation. After a while even Susan Bones got tired of this and she stormed off to the Prefects compartment on the train.

Draco and Harry were still standing outside the train at 10:58am, the others having already gotten onboard the train.

"You think we should do something about them." Harry asked Draco with a bit of humor in his voice.

"Probably wouldn't be a bad idea... I'll take the one on top you can have the Longbottom..." Draco said mirroring the laughter of the situation.

As they walked over to the pair still lying on the ground after 20 minutes Draco leaned down and looked at Blaise. "Umm, Blaise honey... I know that you are having a swell time with your new Gryffindor - Longbottom designed mattress and all... but since I am a Slytherin prefect, I really need you to get on the train..." Draco said sweetly, almost causing Harry to be nauseous. "We have about a minute before the train leaves."

Draco helped Blaise up who was still staring at Neville. Harry gave Neville a hand up saying "Let's go lover boy... we will get you two all cozy into a compartment how's that..."

The foursome hurriedly jumped onboard the train, immediately followed by Remus Lupin.

"Moony, whatcha doin' taking the train?" Harry asked as they moved down to the compartment that Hermione had saved for him.

"Well, I do have to get to Hogwarts as well... besides I figured since most everyone is in the prefects meeting it would give you and I a good opportunity to plan out the DA portion of DADA."

"That sounds like a great idea..." Harry said as he pulled out a stack of parchment from his school trunk. "I actually made some notes about possible classes..." handing the stack over to Remus.

About an hour later, the prefects began filing back to their own compartments. When Hermione walked in she sat down next to Harry, giving him a kiss and said, "You will NEVER believe what I just saw."

"What?" Harry asked noticing how much Hermione was blushing.

"Neville and Blaise..."

"I know, Draco and I had to remind them to get on the train."

"No it's not that... they are in the same compartment that Lavender and Pavarti are... but Blaise is sitting on Neville's lap and they were snogging up a storm...somebody better get a fire hose or something... Oh and Lavender says Hi from Dudley... she's chatting with him on her laptop."

"Snogging eh?" Harry quickly lifts Hermione over to his lap "Sounds like a great idea..." as he leans over to begin kissing Hermione.

"Hey! Did everyone forget? Teacher here..." Remus says with a huge grin.

"Oh it's only you Moony... " Harry said winking at his now Godfather... "Besides, maybe we could teach you a few things... "

"HARRY!!!" Hermione said as he began nuzzling her neck.

"Yes dearest?" Harry said with a big grin on his face.

Hermione was slowly losing her composure with his nuzzling, "Ummm I forget."

About that time Ron, Luna, Ginny and Draco, who took up the same positions as how Harry and Hermione were sitting, joined them.

"Major dejavu going on... I feel like I'm heading back for my 7th year at Hogwarts." Remus said with a grin. "Only then it was Peter who was sitting alone..."

"And who pray tell was sitting on your lap? Hmmmm?" Harry said looking at his father's best friend.

"You know... she was a lovely lass... but for the life of me... I can't remember her name." Eyes twinkling in delight at the memory.

They rode along with Remus, Harry and Hermione discussing the upcoming Defensive Arts portion of the Defense against the Dark arts class. During this time, Ron and Luna made good use of their time together… however, Draco and Ginny while still in a romantic position, listened to what the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor was discussing with the new junior assistance for the Defensive Arts.

"Might I make a suggestion?" Draco asked hesitantly.

"Yes Draco, what suggestion do you want to make." Remus asked curiously.

Draco took a deep breath and then said, "I understand the reasoning for having the Defensive Arts along with our DADA classes... however... I wouldn't trust everyone in the school not to use what is taught against others... if you get my drift."

"Understandable, what do you suggest."

"Well, you could have Hermione hex the roster... that way if anyone does intend to use it for anything but for what it is intended..." Draco said as he remembered that Ravenclaw girl who had Sneak across her face after she had blabbed to Umbridge.

"I actually was going to ask Professor Lupin about making the sign up for the DA being a wizards contract." Hermione said leaning back against Harry. "I had the same idea you did Draco... after last year sometimes you never know whom to trust anymore."

"Well hopefully you can trust me now." Draco said snuggling closer to Ginny.

^. .^

Petunia and Vernon planned to drive back to Surrey to take Dudley back to Smeltings the following morning. They decided that since Dudley had made such an abrupt change over the summer, they would not be sending Dudley to St. Brutus's but would instead go back to Smeltings.

Harry's Aunt and Uncle wanted to assess the amount of damage done to their home at #4 Privet Drive, before deciding what they should do. Petunia liked living in the Manor and even Vernon had grown accustomed to the place as well. Harry had invited them to go ahead and remain at the manor if they wished, allowing Vernon to retire from Grunnings as he had been saying he thought he might.

Dudley had begun to entertain himself in the backseat by using the wizarding laptop that Draco had given him. With the influence and example that he had gotten from Harry and his friends, he actually did feel more confident and very smitten by the beautiful Lavender Brown. From what he had heard from Harry and Ron, considered one of the most beautiful girls in their school.

Nevertheless, the amazing thing was, she had told him that she had fallen in love with him!

He spoke freely with Lavender on the laptop, smiling at the idea that she was the one for him.

They had been driving for several hours, since Little Whinging was so far from Godric's Hollow, however he was not complaining because he knew that the train trip that the Hogwarts students were taking was long as well.

Before they knew it, they were turning down the street towards their home. Darkness blanketed the area, not even the street lamps were lit. As they approached #4 Privet Drive, they spotted Mrs. Figg with a couple of the Auror's that they had met before.

Petunia screamed as she saw what they were seeing... Dudley looked up and immediately felt the coldness he had felt the previous year with Harry. Then he saw them, 4 Dementor's gliding towards the old woman and the Auror's.

So that's what they looked like... He typed quickly to Lavender... "Dementors!"

Then everything went black.

^. .^

Lavender screamed... her connection with Dudley had disappeared. She put the laptop down on the compartment seat and rushed out to Harry's compartment.

Busting into the compartment she said, "Harry! Dementors... Dudley... " she was gasping and breathless from fear.

Hermione and Harry got up and went to Lavender.

"Lav, calm down and tell us what happened." Hermione said holding onto the shaking girls hand.

"I was chatting with Dudley... they had just turned down Privet Drive... Dudley had said that he was almost home and then he went silent for a few moments and then he typed a single word... Dementors... after that, there was nothing from him. It was like the entire web had shut down."

"I'm going to see if I can find out what happened." Remus said as he swept out of the compartment, leaving a very shaken group of teenagers.

"Harry... how can you stay so calm... this is your family!" Lavender shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Lav, I only look calm on the outside... trust me, I am scared to death about what may have happened to them." He gave Lavender a tight hug and whispered, "We're almost to Hogwarts why don't we all get changed. There's nothing we can do right now, but we WILL know what has happened to my family."

Harry gave Lavender a light kiss on the top of her head and then let Hermione, Ginny and Luna lead her out to change into their robes.

Ron got their robes and uniforms out and the three boys began getting ready for their arrival in Hogsmeade. Harry had become very stoic in his composure, until he finally collapsed against the seat and threw a hand over his mouth. His entire body shook as he tried to regain his composure.

"It's going to be alright mate." Ron said throwing an arm around his best friend knowing the trauma that was going on within him.

"Harry, there's nothing you can do right now... it's like you told Lavender we're almost at Hogwarts and then we will know what happened." Draco said quietly.

"I know... It's so bizarre, after nearly 15 years of hating them, I find that I am quite attached to my family..." Harry said with a slight quiver in is voice.

By the time they had arrived at Hogsmeade station, they were caught up with Remus Lupin.

"Moony, what do you know?" Harry asked as he rushed to his side.

"Dumbledore wants to see you in his office as soon as we arrive..." then looking at the small group added, "All of you can go with Harry since you are all involved in this."

"But what happened?" Harry asked again.

"Just let Dumbledore explain what happened." Remus said resolutely.

Harry and the others nodded and rushed forward to get to the castle immediately.

The small group of students waited inside the Headmaster's office. Hermione sat on Harry's right with her arms around him, Lavender sat shaking on his left with her hand in Harry's. Ron, Luna, Draco and Ginny sat closely to where Harry was seated, trying to give him as much support as they could.

When the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore walked in he had a sullen look upon his face. He raised his hand to let them know not to say anything.

Directing his comments to Harry, he said "Harry, your family was in a car accident when they were approaching their home at #4 Privet Drive. I'm sorry to say that your Uncle Vernon did not make it." An audible gasp came from Harry as Dumbledore continued. "Your Aunt and cousin are here in the hospital wing. They are unconscious but Poppy assures me that they will awaken, but not too quickly."

Lavender's sobs came harder upon hearing that Dudley was unconscious.

"Professor, what happened? Dudley had told Lavender that there were Dementors..."

"Arabella, Tonks and Mundungus were at the scene... apparently from what we can tell was that the Dementors had been dispatched to Little Whinging to try and set a trap to get to you Harry... When the Patronus was sent out it startled your Uncle since he could not see the Dementors but did see the Patronus... he could also feel the happiness drained from his body and from what Arabella has told me, he turned the car sharply to avoid the clouded mass and flipped the car over on the small street."

"Where are Arabella, Tonks and Dung?" Hermione asked quietly.

"They are here as well, they used an emergency portkey to bring the Dursley's to Hogwarts. I think that since Poppy is still busy with Petunia and Dudley, you should go to the welcoming feast and then go to the Hospital wing. I'm sorry for your loss Harry, I know that Vernon was not a very nice person during most of your youth, but I am sure that he had some redeeming qualities."

Harry nodded and got up stiffly, "Thank you Professor. After I see my Aunt and Dudley, I will need to discuss Uncle Vernon's" he swallowed hard, "arrangements... I don't believe my aunt will be up to the task."

"I will provide you whatever help you need Harry... and again, I grieve with you and you have the condolences of all Hogwarts at this time."

The welcoming feast was a somber occasion for the small group which Harry had once named the Godric's Gang. They all sat numbly as the new first years were sorted into the different houses.

None of them had heard anything that Dumbledore had said during his opening words, when the food finally showed up on their plates, they all picked at their food.

Draco had come over from the Slytherin table and sat down next to Ginny giving her his love and support... Blaise had come over and sat next to Neville holding his hand, having heard of the accident to Harry's family.

As strange, as it seemed to have two Slytherin students at the Gryffindor table nobody seemed to take notice... Word of Harry's loss had quickly spread through out the great hall, giving the small group its space… not bothering them at all.

When they had all gathered at the entrance of the Hospital wing, Harry pulled himself up into a strengthened stance. Over towards the back wall he could see the figures of his aunt and cousin lying on separate beds. Sitting closely to his Aunt’s bed was a very pale Remus Lupin and Severus Snape. Both of who seemed to be trying to give her the strength of an age-old friendship to support her in this time of sorrow.

Madame Pomfrey had seen the small group of students walk into the Hospital wing; she went over to them and spoke quietly. “Mr. Potter, I am truly sorry for your loss. I did everything I could, but there was nothing… I could do to help your Uncle. Your Aunt is starting to awaken, your cousin however is still unconscious.” She turned to where Lavender and Ginny stood then said, “Miss Brown if you and Miss Weasley would like to sit next to Harry’s cousin perhaps your presence can help awaken him.”

Severus Snape had walked over to the group of students and nodded his head at Harry then walked out of the Hospital wing leaving them all there. Harry began to walk over to his Aunt’s bedside seeing Moony holding her hand and talking quietly to her.

“Aunt Petunia?” Harry said quietly but shakily as he watched his aunt turning towards him.

“Oh Harry… Vernon…” She started to say but was overcome with sadness.

“I already know, I’m so sorry…” he responded then doing something that had not been common before he took his aunt into his arms, hugging her and helping her to release her grief. Releasing her, he sat down on the side of her bed just opposite from Remus. He felt Hermione come up behind him and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“Mrs. Dursley, I am so sorry for your loss… if there is anything I can do to help you, please ask.” Hermione said quietly.

“Thank you dear… you have always been there for Harry, I appreciate your offer.” Petunia said giving Hermione a slight smile.

Several hours later, the Godric’s gang left the Hospital wing, leaving Petunia and Dudley to get some rest. It would take some time for all of them to be over this tragedy…

Please Review… Thanks…

12. HBX2 - Authors Message

Disclaimer… See Chapter 1 & 10 for the standard Disclaimer… I OWN NOTHING… *sniff*

Author's Note: October 16, 2003: I'd like to apologize for the length of time since Chapter 10 came out (and for the length of this A/N! *LOL* you can skip the A/N if you don’t want to hear about my news! IE: my rants and raves…) I would have put all of this in LiveJournal but I don’t have an account and don’t know anyone that can help me get my own pages… (subtle hint.. *grin*)

Life can throw so many lemons at you at times you don’t know if making Lemonade is going to be enough…

I have been dealing with a lot of stress and turmoil here in the last couple of months… Many of you commented about the chapter that involved Hermione’s depressing future… After what I have gone thru lately, I can see how someone can fall that far not caring about how destructive those behaviors that are so against your normal can surface… I experienced this first hand when a medication I was taking caused me to dive further into depression and into a suicidal spin…I began cutting myself and hitting my head trying to hurt myself rather then cause any harm to my beautiful children… Although we have gotten my medication and depression somewhat under control, I did in fact have my children taken from me… they are currently in foster care with my sister… who I am so thankful to God for her continuing love and support… It will take a couple more months before the state will allow the kids back to me… I have been lost without them, but having the chance to talk to them each day and see them for a couple of hours a week has been a big help… When I was at my lowest, I prayed for help… this is what I got as an answer… It is for times like this, that we truly understand the power of prayer and take time to interpret the answers the Lord gives us…

As most of you know, I went to Canada to celebrate my 5th wedding anniversary and try to get my husband back into the USA… needless to say… I came back alone. I was met with hostility and grief at almost every turn in Canada (including my father-in-law *shiver*)… only two bright spots had shown thru… the time spent with my beloved Mutant Consort Lord Logan… and getting to see one of my Kindred Sisters - the one and only Lovely Alluring Lady Lisa…

Government agencies since 9/11 have done so much to TRY to keep terrorism out of the United States and Canada and yet… while spouting their truths of Family Values, they defecate on the family by keeping true loved ones apart… I know that I cannot be the only one victimized by circumstances involving the Immigration process and laws… I know with all my heart, that my beloved and I will be together again… and not in 9 years like Homeland Security has informed us… not even 3 years as we had been previously told… Our children will be reunited with us, their parents, here in the United States and we WILL be a family again… We have been having people checking out our paperwork to figure out why Immigration keeps saying it’s wrong… It is not like this is a marriage of convenience… it’s a marriage based on love and with government intervention INCONVENIENCE *LOL*, at least my husband still thinks I am the most beautiful woman in the world… and the only one for him! Got that information confirmed by a number of people where he works…

I came home to many surprises… the first of which was no power… lost everything in my refrigerator. The second of which is no internet for awhile… seems my phone company has mislaid some of my payments and rather then paying my MSN account they have been covering their own arse and only letting me have local dial tone… it's going to take some time to get this mess figured out…

(added October 25, 2003 as an afterthought…) Oh and then the third thing… my neighbor’s kids downstairs gave me a white kitten with blue eyes because they thought I was lonely *so sweet* … the kitten (can’t tell if it’s a boy or girl!) has very pale ginger ear tips and matching ring tail… I’ve named her Emmadanrupe Watscliffegrin… I call the kitten Em for short… I know horribly LONG name… but I just couldn’t think of what to name the kitten and she didn’t look like a Hedwig, not enough ginger for a Crookshanks nor ratty enough for a Scabbers… Granted with my luck… she is a he… I have NEVER had a cat this young before… Em keeps trying to eat my hair!!!! I don’t think there is any nutritional value in hair (nor thumbs as I have told Rosie…) Ok back to my train of thought… (I do tend to get derailed!) – closure of my afterthought… (Update October 31, 2003… Em is a BOY!!!)

In the mean time… I do live in a college town (more schools in the area then I can think of…) and can get access to the Internet through my library… hopefully my e-mail won't be shut down… *sigh* Unfortunately, I don’t have access to my reviews right now… so I can’t refer to them directly or quote them properly… Sorry…

(message: October 30, 2003 Well my first attempt to use the Library computers was a waste of time… they wouldn’t upload to Portkey… so I have to try something else… My e-mail is still working!!! Yeah… and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can get my MSN up in about 1 week… hopefully not much longer… Oh.. and for those of you who love skiing… Utah has been hit with it’s first snow!!! It’s still snowing lightly here in Provo, but the mountains around us are engulfed in snow clouds… I can’t wait for them to clear so I can see the majestic mountains surrounding the Wasatch Front…)

Anyway, this chapter is not too mushy… but does set up a lot of the activity in the chapters to come. So, bear with me for a while. With my DSL down, I seem to be able to get more writing done and not as much reading… *drat* However, I am not able to be in contact with my lovely beta’s… so forgive me for not getting this proofed before sending it on…

I have loved most of the reviews I have gotten thus far. Some have been very informative and extremely well written in it’s critique. A few have been a bit harsh but then not everyone can see that this story while trying to be canon to a point is very much AU; especially since JKR has said that there is a different way for people to communicate and research that is faster than computers. I have two words for you… Literary License!

Oh and one last thing… to the dear reviewer who commented that chatting was not common in 95/96… I beg to differ… you see I met my beloved husband online, thru chatting and oh my… it was during that time frame AND I chatted with people all over the globe not just in North America! While some people had complained about JKR’s reference to Playstation in 1994 (I have no idea since I don’t have one…), the Internet has been around for quite a long time… but this is not reality… get a grip! Sorry, but I was taking computer classes clear back in 1982… granted it was a great deal different then what we have today but it was still a computer and the military had been using forms of what we know of the internet back then… If what you want is realism… don’t read fantasy fiction but stick with the evening news… though even that seems fake some times… (Don't get me started on “reality” shows like Survivor or Big Brother… or the Bachelor etc… Ok… so Fear Factor is pretty cool… but the others…*shiver*)

*Climbs down off of soap box*

Thanks for listening… I miss you guys! Sorry I am not around to be able to write reviews for some of my favorite authors… Can’t wait to read some of your stories!

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

(very frustrated writer!)

With loving support (and sometime Betas) by…

Becky, First Princess-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Lisa, the Lovely Alluring Lady-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Founders - KFUFHP - Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

13. Chapter 11 - Laid to Rest

Disclaimer… See Chapter 1 & 10 for the standard Disclaimer… I OWN NOTHING… *sniff*

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Muirnin Cocan and the Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 2 – Hogwarts, the Final Years Chapter 11 – Laid to Rest

The sleek black sedan pulled into the parking area of the train station in Greater Whinging, Surrey. The driver and passenger both were dressed in finely tailored, black, Armani double-breasted suits with black London Fog overcoats. To look at them one would think they were dignitaries and no one would guess that the two young men had just come from some place called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry… but they had.

"Thank you again for driving, Harry." Dudley said to his cousin behind the wheel.

"It's the least I could do, besides, I honestly didn't think you wanted to face Aunt Marge alone… I know your mom would rather not see her."

"Truth be told, I'd rather not see her at all myself." Dudley confessed then added, "But she is Dad's only sister and has every right to be at his funeral. I'm just not sure how she is going to act… she does tend to um…"

"Yeah, I know."

As the cousins got out of the car, they straightened their postures and held themselves as older then their respective 16 years. Harry gave the belt on his overcoat another tug in regards to the brisk September morning.

"I promise not to blow up Aunt Marge again…" Harry said with a slight smile. "At least with my mind on the driving, I can't pay attention to her rattling off all my faults. Although, I know if Moody or Tonks were with us and she pulled any of the insults she's done in the past… Well let's just say Aunt Marge would be a bit out of sorts for a while."

"I still can't believe you were able to come with me without having an armed security squad…" Dudley then eyed Harry as they were walking, "You do have your wand with you right?"

"I don't go anywhere without it these days… Ministry be damned. If I have to defend myself or anyone else, I am going to do it… But I will be so relieved after I turn 17." Harry said, glancing up at the clock on the platform, they were right on time. "I even have a holster strapped to my arm just for my wand."

"Good… Ever since Professor Dumbledore confirmed the fact that mum and I also have magical abilities I've been reading everything Lav would let me about spells, charms and curses..." Harry looked over amazed at his cousin who after seeing his reaction continued, "Ya, I know... me... Dudley Dursley actually wanting to study!" Dudley gave a slight laugh.

"I think you are going to love attending Hogwarts."

"Oh I know I will... there's just something special about the place. There are times that I find myself hating Dad for having that curse put on us... because no matter what, whether mum had married Dad or even your godfather Sirius..." Dudley said noticing the startled look on Harry's face making him realize that he had known about Vernon's deception. "You and I would still have been cousins... and we would have still gone to Hogwarts. I honestly think it is Dad's fault that mum and I have lost so much time in what should have also been our world."

"Dudley, never hate your dad for his bigotry towards our kind. I am sure when he was a lot younger, he did not take into consideration what the outcome of his actions would be. We all make foolish mistakes when we are younger... especially in the name of love." Harry said quietly to his cousin as they stood on the platform waiting patiently for Aunt Marge's train. "Train's late..." he added looking at the clock on the platform.

"Want to bet Aunt Marge has something to do with that,” quipped Dudley.

Harry chuckled softly "I am NOT going to take that bet...” he paused for a moment and then looked at Dudley seriously, “Hey D, I got a question to ask you."

"What's that Harry?"

"I know that Professor Dumbledore had informed both you and Aunt Petunia about your latent magical abilities right after you had gotten to Godric’s Hollow... but when did you actually… I mean, really believe, that you were a wizard?" Harry asked curiously.

"When we got into the car accident... I actually saw the dementors this time besides being able to feel them. Mum saw them too, but dad never did." Dudley said sadly. “You know what’s funny about it… I remembered after the accident what that giant Hagrid had said about it being scandalous for your mom and dad to have died in a car accident… Then I thought how it was my dad who had made up the lie about Aunt Lily and Uncle James dying in a car accident… somehow it seemed fitting.” He shrugged.

Harry stared at his cousin… it had been the first time he had ever heard Dudley refer to his parents as his Aunt and Uncle the realized that he must have used the journal at some point to get to know them as well. He was just glad that after so much hatred between the two of them, they were more like brothers as well as friends.

It was nearly a quarter of an hour later that Aunt Marge's train began pulling into the station. The two young men stood watching all the varying array of passengers detrain very quickly, acting like they couldn't get away from the train fast enough.

It was then that the sound of distraught, blubbering wailing could be heard and they saw a number of the train stewards pulling down what Harry recognized as very familiar luggage.

Dudley and Harry looked at each other and then said "Aunt Marge..." as they made their way to confirm their suspicions.

Marjorie Dursley was dressed in a tight black woolen suit, her girth straining the buttons of her jacket. She was making such a scene having to be assisted by four very stressed attendants. Her beloved bulldog, Ripper, was being carried at arms length by a fifth attendant whose uniform was badly shredded and speckled with blood.

The moment that Aunt Marge saw the two young men she dislodged herself from the stewards and lunged at the large blonde boy whimpering as she staggered towards him. "Oh my poor Dudders!" she wept unmercifully against her nephews rugged frame, the bulk of her weight almost knocking Dudley down. Overpowering fumes of vintage Brandy permeated the air around her.

"There, there Aunt Marge..." Dudley said patting her back in a comforting way as he rolled his eyes.

Harry had barely heard Dudley talking to his aunt when a familiar sharp pain caused a sudden discomfort in his forearm. The sensation came from the rapid assault by Aunt Marge’s dog Ripper being thrust hurriedly at Harry's unsuspecting form, giving the vicious bulldog ample opportunity to turn the aggrieved appendage into a new chew toy.

Ripper however found that the "toy" he was digging his sharp teeth into was not as soft as he had remembered (if dogs actually remember something like that)... His aim had been directly into the wand holster strapped onto Harry's arm, with only a couple of teeth actually connecting with the skin while the rest had found themselves caught in the thick dragon skin that the holster was made of.

Harry grasped Ripper by the nape of the neck and pulled him forcibly away from his arm, the dog growling viciously. Whether it was the sudden lack of fear or the look that he had given the dog, Ripper suddenly became very quiet. Harry adjusted the way that he was carrying Ripper so that it did not look as if the dog was being abused, but Harry still had a strong hand clenched on the nape of Ripper's neck in a controlling fashion.

The silence from Ripper had made Aunt Marge look to see what had happened to her precious dog and upon seeing Harry she seethed. "YOU! BOY! What have you done to my poor Ripper!" she bellowed as she continued to cling to Dudley. The attendants at the station had gotten a trolley loaded with Marge's luggage and were slowly trying to back away from the ranting woman.

"Nothing Aunt Marge... I am just carrying Ripper for you... would you like him back while we go towards the car?" Harry said kindly. He had learned long ago that the best way to get under Aunt Marge's skin was to treat her with kindness, and despite the sadness of the situation with the death of his Uncle Vernon, he was not going to lower himself to her level, no matter what Marge's verbal abuse contained.

The growl from Aunt Marge was so audible that anyone would have thought there was a mad animal (besides Ripper) around, as she took Ripper away from what she viewed as an unworthy caretaker for her precious dog. "It's alright Ripper... that mean boy can't hurt you anymore..." she simmpered at the quiet dog.

Harry turned to where the five attendants were still hanging back trying not to be seen by Aunt Marge and walked over to them. Pulling out his wallet he gave the men £50 notes each. "Thank you for your courage and bravery for taking care of Aunt Marge for us. I know the experience was not pleasant." Harry said with a slight smile.

The head attendant looked at the gratuity in his hand and then looked at Harry, "Oy, this is too kind of you sir, what with your recent loss and all." He began moving the trolley after Harry, as they made their way out towards the car.

"I'm sure you all earned it as I am positive she made you endure her grief quite a bit during the trip here. Thank you though for your condolences... I will pass them on to the rest of the family." Harry said. He turned and saw that Dudley was trying with great difficulty to follow with Aunt Marge blubbering along the way, still making a horrible scene. The irony of the situation was that Ripper was the least bothersome of them all.

As they made their way to the car, Harry pulled out a mobile phone to alert Aunt Petunia they were on their way with Aunt Marge. By the time they had reached the hotel where the family was staying, Aunt Marge had berated Harry at least a dozen times, told Dudley how he must be withering away in his grief (as he had lost quite a bit of weight) and polished off the bottle of brandy that was in her large hand bag.

Pulling into the valet parking, Harry saw that Ron, Bill, Charlie and Arthur Weasley were waiting at the door to help assist in getting Aunt Marge to her room. All four of the Weasley men were dressed in fine Muggle attire. Bill had even used a glamour charm so as to not look out of place with his long hair and earring.

Aunt Marge was not very attentive to the men who had helped her up to her room, nor paid little attention to Aunt Petunia or the other number of unfamiliar people who were milling around the suite of rooms. Harry suspected that Mr. Weasley had used some sort of charm on Marge to help get her into her bedroom. Mrs. Weasley had assisted Marge once on the inside, helping her into bed to sleep off the brandy. Ginny Weasley had taken Ripper and was playing with the small dog.

"Hey Gin," Dudley said, "whatcha trying to do... tame another tyrant?"

"Oh now Ripper isn't a tyrant... He's just like the rest of you blokes... not knowing what love is..." she said with a large grin and then saw Draco Malfoy blush. "until it hits you smack in the face."

Harry walked over to where Aunt Petunia was sitting. "Aunt Petunia, all the arrangements have been made at St. John's a few blocks from here... I know that is where we used to go to church when I was little... I figured that that's where Uncle Vernon would..."

"That's fine Harry dear. St. John's is indeed where Vernon would have wanted his funeral." Petunia said her eyes still reflecting remnants of tears, yet to be shed. “The funeral is more for Marge and the Grunnings employees than it is for us. I just can’t stand all the focus on the grief… it’s just so…” she sniffled

"Everything is going to be all right... you do know that...” Harry said tenderly sitting down next to her.

Petunia took her nephews hand and said, "Yes, I do know that now." Dudley walked over to where they were sitting and Petunia took his hand as well. "I am so proud of both my boys... After Vernon had gotten rid of the affects of the spell... he spent a great deal of time pondering the past... He became very proud of you Harry... not that he would have said it out loud to you but he was... You have become a fine young man despite the way we reared you. Then there’s you my dear Dudley... the critical change that you have done over the last couple of months is astounding... Your father was amazed that you could become such a gentleman... he knew you had it in you."

"I'm just sorry we lost so much time with who we are..." Dudley said quietly.

"I know you are, but everything happens for a purpose... remember that. I honestly believe that all of the cogs are in motion for great things to happen in the future. Even with your father's death, it has happened at this time for a reason."

"You mean like a pre-destiny, Aunt Petunia." Harry said thoughtfully.

"I guess you can say that in a way. Professor Dumbledore has offered me a job at Hogwarts... I've already accepted it." Petunia said softly.

Harry and Dudley stared at Petunia with a shocked expression.

She smiled at them gently and then said, "While I still have a great deal to learn about being a witch, I am going to be teaching a class for all years called 'Muggle Living'. It's to teach wizards how to live like a muggle in the muggle world... As Albus said it would be an advanced class for Muggle studies... I'll be teaching things like cooking, cleaning, shopping... all the Muggle way."

"That's fantastic Aunt Petunia... It is going to be so strange for me having both you and Dudley at Hogwarts this year, but then again... I've never had a normal year at Hogwarts." Harry said.

"Well all the instructors have set aside time in their schedules to tutor Dudley and I, hopefully it will take no time to get Dudley up to the same year as those of your age..." Aunt Petunia said. "Things are going to be moving rather quickly for all of us over the next couple of days. I know that classes should have already started for you both, however the Headmaster has postponed the start of classes for all students until after the funeral, seeing as so many of the Gryffindors as well as other students and teachers wanted to be here for our family Harry."

"Professor Dumbledore didn't need to do that...” Harry said in surprise, "But at least we won't be behind in our class work."

The next day, when the time came for the funeral, St. John's was filled to capacity with many of the students, teachers as well as many of the employees from Grunning's, the company where Vernon Dursley had been the Director. The full mass had been beautifully done, and when the communion was offered it was with no reservation that all who had been raised Catholic's that went to Hogwarts partook the communion. Harry was amazed while it had been at least six years since he had been to Church; he had remembered every missive of the Mass. His rosary being one that had been given to him when he was very young, by Uncle Vernon.

Aunt Petunia sat between Dudley and Harry with Hermione and Lavender on the other sides of their boyfriends. Aunt Marge had chosen to sit on the aisle (unfortunately next to Lavender), and despite the fuss she had made at the train station was overly calm and quiet... to the point of not participating in the mass. Her reaction to the funeral while not unwelcome had caused Harry with a bit of concern as it was so out of character for her... but he shrugged it off as a symptom of her grief for the death of her only brother.

During the wake that followed, Harry noticed again how out of character Aunt Marge was reacting. She avoided contact with everyone including Aunt Petunia, and refused to eat or drink anything. It was only towards the end that Aunt Marge had looked with such hatred and loathing at Harry that he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. She had never given him that kind of reaction no matter how much she hated Harry... it reminded him of how he reacted to seeing Bellatrix Lestrange after Sirius had been killed.

Hermione stood by Harry and felt his hand tighten on hers "Harry are you alright?"

"I just got the eeriest feeling when I looked at Aunt Marge..."

"Let's go find Dumbledore... see if he can tell what is happening." Hermione suggested as they headed towards where Dumbledore, McGonagall and Lupin all stood talking to Petunia.

The three teachers were also dressed in fine Muggle attire. Dumbledore and Lupin were both in dark grey suits, looking very distinguished, while McGonagall was in a finely tailored dress suit made out of her family tartan.

After Harry explained to Professor Dumbledore what he had just felt, the headmaster turned and looked at Aunt Marge. Her eyes widened upon the gaze by the ancient man, then she turned and moved out of the room.

"Harry, you wait here with your Aunt." Then pointing to the other two teachers said, "You two come with me... It seems we may have an unexpected guest amongst us."

Harry felt a chill upon hearing these words. He sat down next to his aunt, who immediately took his shaking hand.

"It's alright Harry... if it is who you think it is, Professor Dumbledore will not let him get away with this." Hermione said quietly.

"It isn't Voldemort that is here... I felt nothing from my scar from him... I think it's HER." Harry said not even wanting to say Bellatrix Lestrange's name aloud.

"But Harry how could she be possessing Marge?" Petunia asked.

"I'm not sure, but it could be something that Lord Voldemort has taught her to do... Hermione... you stay here with Aunt Petunia... I have to be out there with them." Harry said and quickly moved away from the women.

Their protests went unheard as Harry left the room and headed off in pursuit of the trio of Professors. Somehow, he could feel which way to go.

As he turned a corner, he came upon the body of Aunt Marge. He checked for a pulse and found none... Her face had a surprised look upon it and he knew that she had been killed with Avada Kedavra... He lowered his head for a moment, feeling a bit of guilt for her death... knowing that she wouldn't be dead if it hadn't been for Voldemort wanting to kill Harry.

"Ah... is ittle baby Potter crying?" the voice said from behind him. He recognized the voice belonging to Bellatrix Lestrange.

With in the space of less then a moment Harry's wand was in his hand, his back still turned to Bellatrix. It was a calculated risk he knew, but he also was aware of the fact that she would not kill him in such a cowardly fashion, nor could she be the end of his life. "You do know that Dumbledore is going to find you..." Harry said still staring at the body in front of him.

"Oh he won't find me... Not today ittle baby Potter... Today is just a warning to you... from my master." Bellatrix said, "My master wants you to know that you are not safe anywhere... or from anyone." With that there was an audible pop of someone disapparating from the room.

Harry knelt with his head down, still in shock that Aunt Marge while not his favorite person was now also dead. The sound of feet running towards him made him whip around, wand in hand and then seeing his professors put his wand back into its holster quickly.

"Harry what are you doing out here? I thought I told you to stay with your Aunt Petunia." Dumbledore said with marked concern tingeing his voice.

"This was a warning for me from Voldemort... He wanted me to know I am not safe anywhere or from anyone." Harry said quietly getting up.

"Minerva, would you please see to Miss Dursley... Remus, you and I will accompany Harry back to his Aunt. We will explain what has happened."

It did not take a single word from anyone for Petunia to understand that Marge was dead... the look upon the three men’s faces was enough to tell her and she lowered her head in sorrow. Hermione who had a comforting arm around her realized the change in her behavior and when she saw the look on Harry's face threw a hand up to her mouth in a silent gasp.

Remus went over to offer comfort to Petunia while Hermione went to Harry's side and held onto him as he shook slightly. Soon the Weasley's as well as Dudley, Lavender, Draco and Luna were all there around them, all having been informed of Aunt Marge's death by Bellatrix Lestrange.

Within two days, they were all back at Hogwarts. The arrangements for her burial had been done quickly and quietly, Aunt Marge was laid to rest near Vernon in the Dursley crypt at the Whinging Memorial Gardens. Colonel Fubster was informed of Marge’s death and Petunia let him take care of the details that would be needed for the care of her other dogs…

Ginny Weasley however, kept Ripper…

Please Review… Thanks; I will try to respond to reviewers if e-mail is left… can’t promise how quickly with my Internet problems…

14. Chapter 12 - Home, Hat and Samhain

Disclaimer… See Chapter 1 & 10 for the standard Disclaimer… I OWN NOTHING… *sniff* Author’s notes are now at the end…

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Muirnin Cocan and the Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

(sort of sounds like a rock group eh?)

PART 2 – Hogwarts, the Final Years

Chapter 12 – Home, Hat and Samhain

September 9, 1996

The start of classes, while somewhat delayed, began very much the same way as the previous years. The original sorting had been done on the evening of September 1st along with the welcoming feast. Therefore, when classes started on September 9th, it surprised most of the students that another welcoming feast greeted them for breakfast that morning.

There had been some noticeable changes with the announcement of the first Hogsmeade weekend being that coming weekend, the addition of the new Muggle Living class taught by Professor Petunia Dursley, the return of Professor Remus Lupin as the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor and Harry and Hermione's Defensive Arts class. In Dumbledore’s office, both Petunia and Dudley had gone through the sorting with the magical hat. Surprisingly had both sorted into Gryffindor and were to undergo their own curriculums. Since Petunia’s class was non-magic based it was perfect for her, but Dudley had a great deal to learn to catch up with the rest of the 6th years.

Announcements had been made regarding the Muggle Living class, which became an elective course as well as the Defensive Arts course. Students and teachers greeted Petunia’s new class with a favorable reception. Harry looked up at the teachers table on the first day of the Muggle Living class and saw his Aunt sitting slightly uncomfortable with all the attention that was being shown her, however she had support from many of those around her. Harry’s heart swelled with pride at seeing his Aunt in such a new and alien environment and yet finding it fitting that she was adjusting quite well… He knew part of the reason was her renewed friendship with Remus Lupin and that too made Harry smile.

Even with all the tragedy and turmoil that their lives had taken, there was good that came out of it and for that Harry would be forever grateful. Both he and Hermione anticipated great things, concerning their own class, but neither had been prepared for what actually came about.

Hermione had posted signup lists in each of the four houses. Each of the lists were bewitched to not show who had signed up and also were jinxed much the same way the list for Dumbledore's Army had been... except this time the list carried a warning and all the students KNEW what they were getting involved in.

READ BEFORE YOU SIGN!

"By signing this parchment, you are agreeing to the terms set forth by the instructors for the Defensive Arts course (further to be known as the DA).

This is a Wizards contract and cannot be broken.

This class is open to all students regardless of age as well as instructors or any other adults who wish to improve their DA skills to fight against evil.

By signing, you are agreeing that now nor at any time in the future will you take orders from Lord Voldemort, his minions or become part of his Death Eaters.

Circumstances being what they are, consideration has been taken into mind regarding students whose parents may now or in the future be associated with Lord Voldemort, using the dark mark.

While you do have to abide by your parents discipline; if they are in anyway associated with the Dark Lord or his Death Eaters, they cannot be able to force you to reveal anything that you have learned through the DA.

This also includes any who are now marked with the Dark Mark, and wish to break those ties with Lord Voldemort.

Through the terms of this contract and agreeing to this special training of DA, you will work against Lord Voldemort and others who fight against the power of Light...

You will not try to plot against, kill, maim or disfigure Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter or any associated member of the DA.

Any information learned in the DA is to be used solely for the DA and bringing down the powers of Dark...

Make no mistake - IF YOU BREAK THIS CONTRACT YOU WILL BE CURSED –

There have been a number of protections for yourself as well as other members of the DA and if you reveal what you know to the wrong sources, your betrayal will be made well known... You will be of no use to Lord Voldemort or humanity in general...

These are the terms you are agreeing to so that you can be taught defensive spells; these terms are as such above contestation..

Signed by

Professor Remus Lupin - Defense Against the Dark Arts Instructor

Hermione U. Granger & Harry J. Potter - Instructors for the DA

Contract Authorized by Albus Dumbledore - Headmaster

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"

Draco Malfoy sauntered over towards the Gryffindor table where Harry and Hermione were seated, eating their breakfast. As he sat down next to Ginny, he looked over at Hermione.

"Geez Granger... bit of overkill on the contract doncha think" said Draco, giving his trademark smirk.

"I see it didn't stop you or Blaise,” she countered with a slight grin. "Although I will be surprised who else from Slytherin signs up."

"So will I." Turning he looked at Ginny and added, "Good morning beautiful" and softly kissed her cheek.

"I don't think I will ever get used to this side of you Draco." Harry said shaking his head.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, privately Potter you just can't wait for me to be the first one to betray the DA” Draco teased, “trust me, I won't.” He then added in a very serious tone, “I have a feeling that Crabbe, Goyle and Nott are up to something. I would not be a bit surprised if they joined the DA. They are stupid enough to ignore your warnings..."

"Well if they do, they will be of no use to anyone including themselves..." Hermione stated. "Harry and I want to see who signs up and then decide how and when to hold classes. At least it will be easier then it was last year with Umbridge."

"Very true. By the way, my Father" he seethed, "taught me quite a few hexes, jinxes and dark curses... you know, for training to become a Death Eater… if you need anyone to assist you, I will do what ever I have to... against Moldyshorts." Draco had yet to vocalize Voldemort’s name but refused to say He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

"Yes that little Trip jinx you used on me last year was very impressive." Harry said with a slight grin. Both Ginny and Hermione giggled at Draco’s nickname for Lord Voldemort.

Hermione looked down at the sheet of parchment that was bewitched for only specific eyes to see. It was the master list of all the sign up sheets. "Well Draco, it looks like your feeling is correct about the other Slytherins. Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, Bulstrode, Parkinson... Good grief, it looks like half of the Slytherins have signed up!"

"You have got to be kidding... I knew Crabbe and Goyle were stupid to ignore warnings... but Pansy. I'm not sure what their game is...” Draco looked concernedly at the Slytherin table as others from his house had just sat down to eat their breakfasts. "Should we tell Dumbledore?"

"No need, he and Professor Lupin have the other two master lists for the class. I just hope they understand what they are agreeing to." Hermione said grimly. "And what the consequences are for betrayal."

"I doubt they really care. It could very well be that they are doing this as a way to get out of the Dark Lord's clutches..." countered Draco. "At least I sure hope so...” Together Draco, Harry and Hermione all trudged off to their first class of the year, N.E.W.T level Potions with Professor Snape. That alone was a sign that things were going to be rough all day. Ron headed towards his Muggle Studies class, while Luna and Ginny headed towards Charms.

Surprisingly, the class had been less stressful then the first class of previous years. Harry had made it through with only losing 5 points from Gryffindor, but a couple of Slytherins, Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode had both lost a combined 20 points for causing trouble for some of the Gryffindors and trying to make it look like Draco Malfoy had done the misdeeds. Professor Snape had warned both girls that any attempt to disrupt his class again would find them both removed from the course.

Ron joined them for N.E.W.T level Charms and then they all headed for lunch; both of which had been uneventful but by mid-afternoon, students in every house had signed up for the D. A. training. It did indeed look like Dumbledore would have his army now after all. "Holy Shit!" Harry said as he looked over the list. "How are we ever going to teach all of these students by our selves? We still have our own classes to deal with!”

"I have an idea about that." Hermione said as they stood in the queue for Double Muggle Living. "Let me check with Professor Dumbledore before I tell you." She mumbled something did a quick swish with her wand and a bit of silver mist shaped as a tiny otter flew out of her wand and headed down the corridor.

“Hermione… What are you up to now?” Harry asked, marveling at the new bit of magic that Hermione had just shown. He had only seen that little otter when she had done her own Patronus.

Suddenly he could hear Hermione’s voice within his head ‘Don’t worry, I think we will need help from the Sorting Hat to work out the classes’. He then knew that what she had said aloud was for anyone that might have been listening in to his or her conversation, but she really did not want to hide what she was doing from Harry.

“Never mind telling me right now… Aunt Petunia’s class is about to start.” Harry said figuring that would cover her not answering him aloud.

Aunt Petunia’s classroom was amazing. Harry looked around at the assembled students. There were quite a few different ages and houses represented in the room. The room while still within the castle had the mystical feel, being transformed into a large Muggle home. All the students were seated on overstuffed chairs, sofas, the floor and even around the dining room table. In some ways it reminded Harry more of Potter manor than Privet Drive. Professor Dumbledore had bewitched many of the ‘electrical’ appliances so that they would be able to work normally in the magical environment. Even the lamps that illuminated the room actually worked. Several students were heard to mutter, “I feel like I am home again!”

When the time came for class to start, Aunt Petunia walked regally into the classroom, resplendent in Wizards robes. She stood proudly at the front of the class and looked at all the faces. Quite a few of them she had become accustomed to over the summer but there were a number of students she had no idea their back ground.

“Good afternoon class. My name is Petunia Evans Dursley. As most of you may know, I am Dudley Dursley’s mother as well as Harry Potter’s aunt. I want you all to speak to me as if I am your Aunt, a friend or even your Mother” she said with a glance to Harry, “there for do not call me Professor Dursley… however you can refer to me as Aunt Petunia, Mrs. Dursley, Petunia or Mum. The choice is yours, I want you all to feel comfortable with me and know that you can come to me whenever you need to…

The design of this class is for each of you to become as familiar with the muggle world as the Wizarding world. While speaking with Professor Dumbledore, I explained to him how different the Wizarding world seemed from the Muggle world. It was his thought, and I agreed, that perhaps Wizards should learn more about how Muggles really live not just what they learn in Muggle Studies… which if any of you have not taken that course I highly recommend it, especially if you are going to be in contact with Muggles.

Quite a few of you may already find yourselves in relationships that involve Muggles or Muggle-born. It is important to know the proper way to address and interact with the outside world. For the sake of argument, I will say here and now, I do not condone the use of expressions like Muggles, Mud-blood, Muggle-born or Pureblood as any of these conditions about the status of your fellow students and others in the outside world; It is a form of racism and bigotry. I will use them only when I have to differentiate between those of magic birth and those who are not. Personally, it is as contemptible as those who choose people by the color of their skin, the amount of their bank accounts or even the accent of a person’s voice. If I teach you anything in this class it is that people are people and should not be judged by anything other then the example they set and the works they have done.”

Many of the students giggled at this and others shifted uncomfortably. Harry looked at his Aunt with amazement as she was now stating that the way she and Uncle Vernon reacted to him and his kind was nothing short of racism and that it was wrong. His eyes made contact with Petunia for a brief second and saw a glimmer of an apology to Harry and then she turned to continue.

She then continued taking off her wizard robe revealing a very muggle style, knee length dress in black, representing her time still in mourning. “While in this class you will act, dress and think like muggles… I know for some of you” she looked at Hermione with a smile, “It won’t be difficult since you are muggle born as am I. However, many of you are what you call yourselves Pureblood… and have had very little contact with anything muggle. You may find yourselves at a disadvantage, having the most difficulty to think like muggles… That is what we are here to teach you… Now with a show of hands…” She began seeing how many muggle-born, half blood and purebloods there were in her class. Surprisingly, it seemed that those of Pureblood out numbered the rest of the class with a great number of Slytherins included in the class.

It seemed that the place resembled a real house more then a classroom. There were game rooms, which had a billiards table, dart boards and a wide variety of board games like Monopoly and Scrabble as well as Muggle Chess which caught Ron’s fancy quickly. In the ‘living room/ family room’ area of the classroom there was a stereo, television with a VCR (with a collection of Muggle movies on video tape) that all worked. In the ‘kitchen’ there included a working refrigerator (filled with Muggle food), an oven, stove, and dishwasher with even a garbage disposal. How Dumbledore had enchanted all of this Harry had no idea.

By the time class was over, Petunia had informed them of a few events that would be announced later on in the term. She then assigned them all homework assignments that included them having to read a muggle novel or watch a muggle movie and make a report, find or create a recipe and prepare it without the use of magic, identify the different parts of a muggle environment and offered them the ability to study the “Hogwarts Home” anytime they wanted.

With the number of the ‘Godrics Gang’ in attendance for the class, it seemed that the Slytherins were on their best behavior. A message came during the class for each of the ‘gang’ to go directly to Professor Dumbledore’s office after Muggle Living was over.

“I wonder what this is all about.” Harry asked.

“You remember the idea I said I would need to speak with Professor Dumbledore about… well it seems he got my message and we will find out.” Hermione said as the students began to make their way towards giant gargoyle. “Aero Bar” Hermione said at the gargoyle and the magical revolving staircase appeared.

Upon entering Professor Dumbledore’s office, they noticed that the room had been enlarged to include a number of chairs and they were not the only ones present. Every member of the previous DA that were still in attendance at Hogwarts were present including Michael Corner, Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe, whose face was now back to normal.

Dumbledore along with Professor’s McGonagall, Snape, Lupin, Sprout and Flitwick all stood before the assembled group of students; not surprising that all four head of house were present. Professor Dumbledore smiled as he looked down at the students and saw each of their determined looks as he addressed them.

“Greetings my friends. Normally I would have addressed you as children… but many of you have been through so much more then a child’s normally exposed with…” he twinkled as he spoke, “but that discussion is not for this time. The purpose of this meeting is in regards to how the DA should be taught. Originally, it would be taught by Harry and Hermione, however every student in the school has signed up and that is much to big of a task for just the two of them… Miss Granger had suggested and I agreed that we should have some assistance in deciding who will also instruct the DA. All of you have shown great bravery, many of you have gifts beyond the normal student… yes including you Miss Edgecombe, even with what happened last year, you did not hesitate to sign up again for this important class.

Therefore, as we do when it comes to sorting into our houses, we will again turn to the Sorting Hat to make our decisions…” he turned to Professor McGonagall as she moved the three legged stool into place and then set the aged Sorting Hat upon the seat.

“Now the first one to be spoken to by the sorting hat will be Harry Potter. This will allow the hat to understand what he knows and wishes to teach. Then the hat will be placed upon each of your heads, helping Harry to make a decision as to who should assist him in teaching. This information will not be known to anyone else until Harry informs us. After everyone has gone through this process, Harry will again don the hat and with this quill and parchment write down the new assignments for the instructors. The hat is being used so no one can claim favoritism, nor make anyone who does not want to teach be forced into an uncomfortable position.”

Harry stood up and sat down on the stool, when the hat was placed on his head he could hear the ancient voice in his head…”Ah, Harry Potter, so we meet again. Yes, I can see now why Dumbledore placed you in such an important position. You are an excellent teacher and have much more to share with your students. I will do my best to help with getting the right assistants for you. Now, take me off your head and call Hermione to be next.” Harry smiled as he took the hat off and signaled for Hermione to come sit down, it spoke to her for a long time and then as with Harry instructed her who would be next to place the hat on their head…

Therefore, it continued, thru the remaining numbers of DA members. Many the year before had been 7th year and word had it that they were now associated with the Order of the Phoenix in one capacity or another. By the time Harry donned the Sorting Hat again he was anxious to find out what the outcome would be. As the hat spoke to Harry, the quill and parchment he had in his hands were busy transcribing the hat’s decisions. Harry listened closely to everything the hat said and asked questions back to it, making sure he understood everything that had transpired.

When it all concluded Harry handed the parchment back to the Headmaster and sat back down next to Hermione. Dumbledore glanced at the sheet and then at the people surrounding him. “Well it would seem that the Sorting hat would again have a mind of it’s own…” he chuckled then continued, “Not all of you are aware of the Order of the Phoenix. It would seem that I should inform you now of existence of that organization.”

“Albus, are you sure?” McGonagall said in a bit of stunned horror at the revelation of the society.

“Yes Minerva, according to the sorting hat… these children… excuse me these students are indeed to be included into our very ranks. Each of them possesses qualities and talents that will become beneficial to the Order. So,” he turned back to the students, “I will explain to the majority of you what is the Order of the Phoenix… Any information you learn here is also considered bound by the contract you have all signed… but I am sure you do not need to be reminded about that.” He stopped and took a look around at all the young faces, feeling the same anguish he had felt when explaining to Harry about the prophecy.

Dumbledore took a deep breath and then preceded, “The Order of the Phoenix is a secret organization whose main purpose is to oppose the evil and dark forces that are driven to destroy our world. In some ways, the DA is an extension of that mandate. With the amount of students who wish to be included in this special training, Harry and Hermione are going to need additional help. Therefore, to that end, each house will have DA representatives very similar to the prefect system… Meaning, you will be our ears within the four houses. Assisting our instructors for the DA will be other members who the Sorting Hat has deemed qualified in skill and knowledge. There will be additional training by various members of the Order and then quite a few of you will actually be working within the Order.”

“But Headmaster, surely not. They are too young to be involved in anything that dangerous.” Severus Snape said looking paler then he normally did.

“They are all involved already, certainly the participation by six of them in the Department of Mysteries last June should have told you enough that they are all in danger.” Dumbledore countered.

Snape grumbled, “If Potter had done as he was taught he would not have placed any of them in that situation.”

“It’s NOT Harry’s fault we took on Voldemort’ Death Eaters last June!” Hermione said forcefully, glaring at Snape that told him that she blamed him for his inability to teach Harry Occlumency.

“ENOUGH!” Harry shouted. “What happened in the Department of Mysteries happened… but we have a larger problem at hand now… We have several hundred students including a number of them from YOUR house who have signed up to take this course. The Sorting Hat has chosen a route for us to take… Professor Dumbledore please, continue telling us what the Hat has decided.” Harry sounded very authoritative as he spoke. He had a commanding presence that had not been acknowledged in years past.

“Thank you Harry. Now as I was saying, some of you are going to be working within the Order… more information about that will come in time. The hat has chosen the following as the House Representatives… For Gryffindor – Neville Longbottom & Lavender Brown; for Hufflepuff – Ernie Macmillan & Susan Bones; for Ravenclaw – Anthony Goldstein & Padma Patil; and for Slytherin – Draco Malfoy & Blaise Zabini

I’m sure you realize that all of these students are 6th years, that is to keep them all for two years rather then just one. They will also act as assistants to Professor Lupin, Harry and Hermione in teaching the students as well as Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, & Ron Weasley. As for you three, he pointed out Cho Chang, Marietta Edgecombe, and Zacharias Smith since you are all 7th years, you will be working extremely close with members of the Order that teach here. It will become your responsibility to assist us in upgrading our defenses here at Hogwarts.

Now the following students will have more intensive training to increase some of their already excellent abilities: Dean Thomas, Parvati Patil, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbott, Michael Corner, Terry Boot, and Seamus Finnegan. Part of your training will include early apparition training. As for you two” he said pointing at the Creevey brothers, “Since you both have a very unique talent with the camera it will be up to you to keep tabs on students through your lens. I have seen some of your work, and am amazed at what you have captured on film. When you take your pictures, you will give the film directly to me… for safekeeping. It will be a very sensitive responsibility that you will have, and if anyone asks you can just say that you are creating a yearbook for the school.” He said with a grin. “All of this will be on top of your studies that you have right now.”

“Professor, does that mean we are going to be spying on students?” Colin asked.

“Honestly? Yes. But that does not give you license to take advantage of your assignment.” The twinkle in Dumbledore’s eyes told them no using their cameras in the girls showers etc. Both boys blushed slightly. “Since all of you except for Draco and Blaise were all part of the original DA, you will be also receiving special training that will come directly from myself, or one of these instructors here. Draco and Blaise both possess the skills to be included in this training as well. We will transform one of the larger classrooms to resemble exactly the DA training room that was provided by the Room of Requirement. In addition, officially as of right now, Dobby and Winky are assigned to assist the DA and will obey any of you, however, they are in the employ of Harry Potter and his family. I do know that they will be also assisting the Muggle Living class, I think more to keep an eye on Professor Dursley.” He said with a grin. “Any questions?”

What seemed like hours later, they all had gone back to the dining hall for dinner and settled down for a nice evening meal.

Dumbledore stood before the assembly of students waiting for dinner to start and made an announcement. "I realized that I should have announced this earlier today, but I did not want to start your day off with too much of a shock." Murmurings scuttled through out the great hall as he continued, "We will not have our usual Halloween Feast next month."

Shocked rants could now be heard resounding though the Great Hall. "Settle down, I have the pleasure of announcing that instead this year in cooperation with our Muggle Living instructor, we will be having a true Celtic Samhain's Eve Celebration." He pronounced it as the Scottish dialect did as sha-heen, but even to the Irish they knew what the celebration was. "You will learn more as time grows closer, but you will have the opportunity to choose how you are going to be allowed to celebrate and how the variations of appropriate attire. It will be a very exciting event so, now… Tuck in…" and he waved his hands as the tables filled with food.

By the time they had gotten to the Gryffindor Common room, Hermione and Seamus were in a deep discussion about Samhain. Ron, Ginny, Dean and Harry were all eaves dropping on their conversation and when they all were settled began asking questions.

Seamus began to explain about "I haven't celebrated Samhain (he pronounced it as Sow-in) in ages!" he started, "Tis a night to celebrate the dead and the faerie. 'Tis the origin of All Hallows Eve, however, this is far truer than that holiday."

Hermione spoke up then, "I was told by a pen-pal friend of mine in Clonmel, and she told me that it is a night where the veil between the spirit world and mundane world is thinnest. They celebrate the return of loved ones and visitors of the spirit world." Hermione commented. "Brigid also told me more about the story of the pagan holiday, how it was the end of the Celtic year, that all harvests were brought in and the fields were turned for the coming winter. Then the Catholic Church considers the following day All Saint’s Day at least, and then the following day is the Day of the Dead. The entire series of events circulate around life, death, and love and hate… all inspired by the faith of Pagans, Celts and Christians alike. As with all religious sects, each has it's own variation on a collective theme."

Seamus looked at Hermione and grinned... "Brigid from Clonmel? She wouldn't be one of the O'Donnell's from Clonmel."

"Yes she is... why?"

"Oy, I've known Brie since I was a wee lad." He and Hermione chatted a bit more about Brigid and how she attended the Clonmel Witches Academy in Ireland with one of Seamus' cousins on his mother's side. The Clonmel Academy was strictly for witches who wished to learn not only witchcraft but also the ancient Celtic Magic that was so common among many of the older Clans. It was part of this ancient Celtic magic, which Hermione knew Harry's mother had possessed.

Hermione could tell that Harry was going deep inside his head with all this discussion about death, she squeezed his hand as the others continued speaking and made contact with Harry's mind. With all the chitchat going on about Samhain, Harry had been thinking about death and immediately began to think about his parents and Sirius. His parent's death had been on Halloween 15 years before while Sirius had only been gone less then 3 months but he still felt the empty voids in his life.

'How you doing Harry?' She mentally thought to him.

'Just feeling like, I should be grieving more for Sirius. It's stupid I know.'

‘You’ve grieved enough in your life, it is not stupid Harry. You know, when we celebrate Samhain's Eve this year it will give you a chance to find closure for not only Sirius, but also you parents.' She laid her head on his shoulder. 'You aren't alone Harry, I am here by your side.'

'It's too crowded in here, let's take a walk… I'll go get my invisibility cloak and we can take a walk around the lake or something.' Harry suggested.

'I got a better idea… you see that tapestry hanging over there' she motioned to a new tapestry of what looked like the Marauders minus Wormtail. 'Behind that tapestry is a passageway that will lead directly to the Hogwarts Home… Only you and Dudley have access to it. Your Aunt told me about it earlier and said if we ever needed someplace quiet to talk after hours we could go there.'

'She's awfully trusting isn't she…' Harry said as he got up and held his hand out for Hermione to get up.

'Well, she is using the Hogwarts Home as her living quarters, so it would be like us talking on your living room sofa with her in the other room. Besides, she trusts us both.'

'This is very true. Follow me up to the boys dorms and I am going to get the cloak anyway… it will make it easier to leave the common room unseen.'

With in a few minutes they had made their way to the Hogwarts Home and found it very cozy and warm. They heard a voice call out to them, "Good evening Harry and Hermione… I left some hot cocoa on the stove for you… I had a feeling you would come to the home tonight." Aunt Petunia said from the living room where she was practicing some charms with Remus.

"We don't want to intrude it's just so crowded and noisy in the common room…" Harry began to say.

"Harry dear, it's alright. I want you to feel like you have a safe haven here at school. That is why I told Hermione about the passageway. Why don't you kids get a cup of cocoa and go into the reading room… it's quiet in there and you can finish your discussion." Petunia said graciously.

"Have you been studying Legilimency?" Harry asked his Aunt.

"Be grateful that Remus told me about your Occlumency and what Legilimency was… and no I haven't ventured that far yet. Call it a mother's intuition… after the announcement for Samhain's eve I figured that you would be thinking about Sirius, Lily and James. And knowing our dear Hermione, she would be discussing this with you." Petunia said with a gentle smile.

Remus looked at the teens and gave them a smile as well… Harry figured that he was probably talking to his Aunt about Sirius as well as his parents. He could see his mom's journal on the table in front of them.

Hermione and Harry grabbed a couple of mugs of hot cocoa and headed into what his Aunt called the reading room. It was very similar to the library at the manor, except there was not a single book about witchcraft or wizardry in the room unless, it was a work of fiction or fantasy that dealt with the subject; some of the Muggle writers could be very imaginative. They sat down on the soft davenport that was in front of the fireplace and continued to talk.

"I'll tell you something… when Neville said that he could feel a pulse on you after you got injured in the Department of Mysteries… I felt so light headed, so relieved… I don't know what I would have done if you had died. Now Voldemort knows how close you are to me… and foolish me, now you are in even more danger."

"I've been in danger since the day we met Harry… From the moment I first felt love for you, I knew that I would do everything and anything I had to do... to help you with whatever you are destined to do” Hermione said laying her head back on his shoulder.

"And when pray tell was the first time you felt love for me?" Harry asked, but instead of a verbal answer, he got a mental image of Harry, thru Hermione's eyes, running and launching himself onto the giant club of the Mountain Troll.

"To me, you were more then the boy who I had read about in books or who people called the boy who lived... you were the bravest, most heroic, selfless person I could ever know... you risked everything for me...” Hermione said as she her voice cracked gently. They had discussed this before, but now it seemed right to go into more detail. "You didn't let Ron's loathing of me get in the way of trying to save me..."

"When I overheard Pavarti tell Lavender about you had been crying in the bathroom all afternoon... I knew that it was partly my fault. I really did care about your feelings back then, but there was so much animosity between you and Ron... and then Quirrell came in about the troll... and you just flashed in my mind as we were following Percy... But Mione, I was the one that turned the key... I had locked the troll in the bathroom forgetting you were there... That's when I when we had to undo what we did... and in all honesty, I knew I couldn't lose you not like that...” Harry rambled as he held his arms around Hermione tighter... "From the moment you walked into my life, I knew deep down you were to be part of me forever. But I didn't know what love was, never had it in my life growing up so I was completely, oh I don’t know I guess, clueless to the emotions that raged on in me... From you and Ron, I learned what friendship was... especially you. Even when Ron and I weren't speaking to you because of the Firebolt, deep down, I could tell you were looking out for me. I don't think Ron ever saw that. That's the difference between you both."

Hermione turned her face towards Harry's and stared into his deep green eyes, "I hope that's not the only difference between us." She grinned.

"Nah, there's a lot of difference between you guys. However, I fell in love with... you, Ron's just not my type." Harry's face broke out into a huge smile. They both laughed. The cuddled together on the sofa in front of the fireplace and somewhere in their chatting, they both fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Sometime in the night, Petunia had come in, seen them asleep and covered them with the blanket that had once protected Harry from the elements on the doorstep of #4 Privet Drive... It was actually a brat made of the plaid of Clan Potter; it was time it was returned to Harry and in time, he would learn more about his heritage.

Author's Note: (October 31, 2003) Well… the snow is coming down now… it’s rather cold here (YES!) I know I am a sicko for loving this time of year and enjoy the SNOW! I was born in Colorado and I can never get enough of the snow… probably, due to the fact that I was raised in the Napa Valley… (for those geographically impaired) it’s in California (that’s that big state on the west coast of the United States) and 50 miles north of San Francisco (yup that beautiful shaky city!) … one of my all time favorite cities in the world!

I find it fitting that I am writing this chapter on Samhain’s Eve… Hope you enjoy… I know its probably not the Samhain anymore (unless I get really lucky and upload on the same day!)

(Ok so I wasn’t lucky!!! But I did rename the kitten Samhain… so it’s Samhain here every day!)

(November 10, 2003) Well obviously I didn’t get this uploaded when I wanted to… such is life.

(November 21, 2003) It’s SNOWING again! I’m still writing… I may have to break this chapter up because of the detail in it, it’s longer then I thought… As you can see I have placed my notes at the end… mainly because of the fact that not everyone wants to read what I have been up to and I still don’t have a LiveJournal… (I’m working on that!)

The kitten is getting big, but somehow my kids who I speak with every day on the phone, have decided the kitten is a reincarnation of our old Siamese cat BONZAI!!! And will refer to Samhain (Shaw for short using the Scottish Sha-heen pronunciation) as BONZAI!!!. Heck, he even acts like BONZ did… he is hysterical and keeps me laughing at times which I need.

I’ll probably upload part of this now… and then just continue the chapter into the next. I mean, goodness I am already over 6000 words just on this chapter alone… Ok so the Author’s notes are probably about a thousand of it! LOL

I now have access to the Internet from here at home, using a Dial-up account while we get the other mess straightened out with my MSN account… so updates should be more frequent… (Did I just jinx myself with that?)

(Later on November 21, 2003) I guess I did jinx myself… ROFL I can’t get onto Portkey right now so… I will upload this as soon as I can!

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

(the very frustrated writer!)

With loving support by my sometime co-writers and Betas…

Becky, First Princess-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Lisa, the Lovely Alluring Lady-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Founders - KFUFHP - Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

Please Review… Thanks; I will try to respond to reviewers if e-mail is left… I’m trying to catch up on all the awesome reviews you have left!!!!

15. Chapter 13 - Magic and Mischief on Samhains Eve

Disclaimer… See Chapter 1 & 10 for the standard Disclaimer… I OWN NOTHING… *sniff*

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Muirnin Cocan and the Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 2 – Hogwarts, the Final Years

Chapter 13 – Magic and Mischief on Samhain’s Eve

The next few days went by quickly as Harry and Hermione began their classes along with the other junior instructors. So far, none of the Slytherins who had signed up had caused any type of trouble and was as dedicated as some of the original members of the DA.

Both Crabbe and Goyle did have difficulty in performing some of the simplest disarming spells. Nott on the other hand had performed very intelligently and seemed to be very quick to pick things up.

The way the classes were set up were done by houses, with Harry and Hermione accompanied by their house representatives began teaching the various levels. Again the Sorting Hat had come in handy as it was able to place students from each house into separate learning groups, namely those that were slower at learning were grouped together and then progressed from there.

As Saturday approached all the third year students and above were anxious for their first Hogsmeade visit. Remus and Petunia had accompanied Harry's group as a security guard of sorts, but also gave Remus a chance to introduce Petunia to the village of Hogsmeade.

He had even shown her the shrieking shack that had already begun going its massive transformation and remodeling for Remus' future use. He had decided that it would be his permanent home once it was complete and had renamed it the Marauders Manor, in honor of his deceased friends.

What had shocked Petunia and Harry upon seeing the renovation of the manor was some portraits that hung in the study. They were of James, Lily, Sirius, and they each reacted like many of the paintings had at Hogwarts. It seemed strange to be able to converse with the three of them no differently then they did with the former headmasters of Hogwarts. Although there were three portraits, somehow all three of the occupants ended up in only one frame. The conversations that were going on with James, who was playing with a snitch, and Sirius were discussing various ways to torment Snape while Lily just told them to behave.

While Remus and Petunia stayed behind at the manor, the rest all gathered at the Three Broomsticks. Harry chose that moment to separate himself from the others for a few to go and find the perfect birthday present for Hermione whose birthday was the following week.

Tonks had joined him under an invisibility cloak and was "helping" him find something very special for Hermione. As they walked, Harry began asking her more questions about being a Metamorphmagus.

"You're really into this idea aren't you Harry. Ok, let me ask you a question... have you ever had anything happen that changed your appearance?" Tonks asked curiously.

"Well when I was little, Aunt Petunia had forced me to get this hideous haircut that embarrassed the living hell out of me... I was so afraid of going to school the next morning, but when I woke up my hair was exactly as it had always been. I don't think I have had another hair cut since."

"Really? Wow, you know you may well be a Metamorphmagus, as I told you before it is something you are born with. If you would like I can help to see if you really are." Tonks said beneath her cloak. "Do me a favor, while we are walking to the shop, concentrate on changing your hair color to say brown... like Hermione's color."

As they walked along Harry screwed up his face as he had seen Tonks do a number of times and slowly his hair became brown and bushy but only shorter.

"I think we have the makings of another Metamorphmagus on our hands... I'll have to tell Professor McGonagall so she can begin giving you on extra training in the procedures." Tonks said, "Now try and visualize your self without your scar."

By the time they had entered the small-enchanted jewelry store down the alley by Madame Puddifoot’s, Harry had removed his scar, made his eyes a turquoise blue and gave himself bearded stubble on his face.

"Wotcher Harry, I wouldn't have recognized you... you are a natural!" Tonks said having removed her invisibility cloak and changed her own appearance before entering the shop. "So what are you looking for?"

"I want something that can protect Hermione and I can make sure where she is at all times. But I want it to look like a simple piece of jewelry, nothing to flashy and vulgar."

The Shoppe keeper had overheard what Harry (whom he didn't recognize) had said. "By chance is this an special item that you are wanting for a loved one."

"Yes it is, but as I said, I don't want anything that would cause her damage or be so flashy that she would never wear it, I want her to always have it on."

"Well what you seek is two-fold, first something for the lady and then something that would give you the ability to find her no matter where she is or what she is doing."

"Exactly!" Harry exclaimed.

The Shoppe keeper pulled out a tray and before he could comment on any of the items there Harry said, "That's it!"

"You sir, have excellent taste. That is a very unique piece of jewelry that had been handcrafted for a special couple, but unfortunately they died prior to their being able to receive it."

"Who was this couple?" Harry asked.

"Why the parents of the Boy who lived... Lily and James Potter."

A chill ran through Harry as he gazed at the two pieces of jewelry, the first part was a brooch that bore the Potter family crest, which Harry had seen in various spots around the Manor and the Cottage. The second piece was a man's ring that had elegant Celtic knot work woven around a center stone that appeared to have the Potter plaid minutely embellished within.

"How does it work.?" Harry asked with great enthusiasm.

"Well as I said this had been specifically handcrafted for the Potters and only one of Potter’s kin… I doubt it would work for you sir. But we could always handcraft…"

Harry smiled and then scrunched up his face in concentration allowing his own features to return to his face. The look on the Shoppe keepers face was priceless.

"Oh Mr. Potter sir... it is indeed a pleasure... my goodness I didn't recognize you at all."

"Please do not let anyone know I was able to change my appearance... it could cause me a lot of problems. Now, explain to me how this works." Harry said as he returned to his previous appearance not wanting to be seen by passersby.

"I am sure that you have seen some of the family clocks that have been created that show what and where a member of the family may be..." Noticing Harry nod he continued, "This pair of jewelry is enchanted much the same way. When the woman you love is wearing the brooch, the ring will reflect in some detail her state of well-being. You will know the change by warmth that the ring will give off. Say if she is in mortal peril, the stone will go black, but if she is in a normal state, it will be as it is right now. If she is extremely happy it will go red."

"I'll take it. How much do I owe you." Harry asked getting out his bag of galleons.

"It was paid for in advance by your parents Mr. Potter. After your parent’s deaths, I only kept it on the tray as an example of the fine workmanship of enchantments my humble shop could do. It is only right you have this set at no further charge."

Harry was surprised at this, but thanked the Shoppe keeper graciously and took the wrapped gift and placed it into his pocket. When they were far enough away Tonks recovered herself with the invisibility cloak and Harry changed his appearance back to his original appearance.

"You were right about the Metamorphmagus being very handy. Thanks Tonks."

"I gotta say cutie, you caught onto the process way faster then anyone I have ever known who was a Metamorphmagus. Usually it is a time consuming process, but it will definitely help you when you become an Auror."

Harry reentered the Three Broomsticks and saw a look of concern on Hermione's face. "What... I wasn't gone that long."

"Over an hour, what were you doing?" Hermione asked shakily.

"Don't worry, I had a guard with me the whole time." He said by stepping her question.

"Well I just figured you got lost or drowned in the loo" Ron snickered trying to change the subject. "So what shall we do now?"

"Oh I don't know..." Harry said indecisively, he would prefer to spend some quiet time with Hermione, but also wanted to spend time with his friends.

"Do you think Aunt Petunia would let us go watch some movies?" Ginny asked. Both of the younger Weasley kids had started calling her Aunt Petunia in exchange for Harry calling their mother Mum.

"I don't see why not. We could stop by Moony's and ask on our way back to the castle. She's been helping him with the redecorating using magic that he's been teaching her." Harry said with a grin.

"That sounds like a great idea then we can do our reports for her class as well!" Hermione added cheerfully.

"My Mione, always looking for ways to get homework done even with recreation." Harry said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Yeah, you love it and wouldn't have me any other way." She said with a grin. Inside her mind, she could hear Harry say 'Yeah I love you and there is a number of different ways I would like to have you...’, which caused Hermione to blush a very deep crimson red.

"What's wrong Hermione?" Luna asked with genuine concern.

"Um… Nothing..." she gasped as she glared at Harry who tried to look innocent

When the group entered into the Clubhouse, as they had taken to calling the Hogwarts Home, they found that a number of different students had also had the same idea. Professor's McGonagall and Sprout were present, supervising in Petunia's absence and were sitting at the dining room table drinking coffee, McGonagall mindlessly crocheting a blanket.

They spent the remainder of the afternoon sitting around playing games, watching movies and in Hermione's case, reading some of the books that were on the shelves in the book room.

Ron and Harry had begun writing their reports on one of the movies they had watched and in between the words they were writing were having a very passionate debate of the realities of Auto Racing.

"That has got to be the most exciting Muggle sport I've ever seen!" Harry said after having watched the movie 'Days of Thunder'. "It was like Quidditch exciting to me."

"There is no way that was like Quidditch. Ok, sure it's got extremely fast speeds and there is a lot of pounding and bashing and... Hey you're right... it's Quidditch for Muggles except more like the final dash for the snitch!" Ron conceded.

Hermione just shook her head as she wrote her book report on a Star Trek book she had found that was more of a romance novel called 'Imzadi'. She did not let on to anyone that she already had read the book a few times at home, but she still enjoyed it all the same.

As the 19th approached, Harry was growing in anticipation at the gift he had in store for Hermione. The two of them had found that they could have private conversations over their laptops rather then down in the common room. Harry had teased her about her birthday and saying things about surprises and such. Hermione on the other hand had taken the bait and was pestering him about what he had planned.

************

When the night of Hermione's birthday came, Harry was a nervous wreck. He had hidden himself in the clubhouse for several hours and with the assistance of Aunt Petunia, Ron, Luna and Ginny, they distracted Hermione, so as to not give away the surprise.

Ginny had the task of making sure that Hermione got dressed up in a beautiful sapphire blue dress that Aunt Petunia had given her for her birthday. Ron and Luna had given her a pair of earrings while Ginny and Draco had given her a delicate lace shawl. Neville and Blaise had given her a beautiful set of hair combs for her to wear.

When she had gotten all dressed, Ginny brought her downstairs where Ron put a blindfold around her eyes.

"Oh come on guys, what is going on?" Hermione protested at the idea of not being able to see. "I know that Harry has some surprise for me, but seriously this is too much!" she laughed.

A gentle hand took hers and she knew in an instant whose it was. Harry had come out from behind the tapestry, he began to guide her to the Clubhouse. "You look stunning tonight Mione." Harry said in the most gentle and quiet tone she had ever remembered him using.

"Are we almost there?" Hermione asked as she continued to be led through the passageway.

"Almost, but I have to do something first." Harry said and then he stopped her and leaned down kissing her tenderly on the lips.

"You keep that up Mr. Potter, and I may not even care where you are taking me." She said as she blindly captured his lips again, the thrill of anticipation growing ever more strongly inside of her.

When their lips parted, Harry said, "Patience is a virtue my love..." and gently began guiding her to their destination.

The aroma that imbued her senses as they came into the openness of the dining room was amazing. She tried to distinguish the different foods that she could smell. There was sweetness in the air that reminded her of Easter at home, where her family always had her favorite baked ham.

A smile broke out on Hermione’s face as Harry finally removed her blindfold she saw that one of the rooms had been transformed into a private dining room, resplendent with candles, flowers and satiny table linens of blues and greens.

“Oh Merlin, Harry… did you cook all this yourself?” She said as she looked at the beautifully German baked ham, the mouthwatering scalloped potatoes and a green bean casserole.

“After years of fixing food for the Dursley’s I sort of learned a thing or two… Besides, you will be happy to know that Aunt Petunia is considering this as part of my homework assignment and is giving me a grade for the dessert.” Harry said with a grin.

“Where’s the dessert?” She said looking around the room.

“Remember what I said, Patience is a virtue…” he winked. “Come milady, sit, feast the evening is young… and you are too beautiful tonight.” Harry said as he pulled out her chair and then kissed her softly on her neck. “The surprises aren’t over yet.”

As they ate their meal, Hermione kept looking at Harry wondering what else he could have planned for her. The food was magnificent, delighting her taste buds. Harry had also gotten some honey mead for them to drink, a perfect compliment for the dinner.

Harry stood as he raised his glass to her. “To Hermione, you are my love, my life, my best friend, my confidant… may this birthday be as special and wonderful as you are… God blessed me the day you came looking for Trevor… and for that I will be forever thankful.”

Tears of joy slid down Hermione’s cheeks as she listened to the words Harry shared. He came around the table to her side and pulled her to her feet. Kissing her again very tenderly, he added, “I have a gift for you, that has more meaning in it then I thought when I found it…”

He pulled out the small box and handed it to her. As she unwrapped the gift Harry took the ring out of his pocket and slipped it on his own finger. Lifting the lid of the jewelry box, she gasped when she saw the intricate brooch inside.

“Oh Harry… this is beautiful…” looking up at him she added, “This is your family’s crest.”

“Yes it is, and it had been specifically made for my parents before they died. I found it in a store in Hogsmeade and the owner of the shop told me that it will only work as intended for myself and the woman I love.”

He explained to her the enchantments that were placed on it and showed her the ring that he wore.

Carefully she lifted the beautiful brooch from it's case and marveled at how light it's weight. Underneath the brooch was a beautiful platinum chain with double bales on it, giving her a place to hang the brooch as a necklace if she so chose.

Wrapping the lace shawl around her she secured it with the crested brooch and then looked up at Harry's smiling face. She immediately could feel a warmth emanating from the brooch, just enough to let her know that Harry was happy. Hermione looked at his ring and saw that the stone was a brilliant ruby red.

Cupping his face in her hands she kissed him and then wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist pulling her in towards his body, their kiss deepening.

Unseen from Hermione's perspective, a small gathering of people had silently made their way into the romantic setting and were watching with rapt attention at the loving couple.

Suddenly, the sound of Ron Weasley's voice shouted out... "Oy, Herms you going to thank all your best friends this way?" His voice held an amusement that despite the slight smack from his younger sister caused Harry and Hermione to jump apart laughing and wiping away tears of joy.

"Oh you wish Weasley! When did you guys sneak in here?" Hermione said as she greeted all her friends.

Gathered around were several of the DA along with their respective partners. Included in the gathering were Remus as well as Tonks, Kingsley and Moody.

"Now you kids remember that it's a school night." Aunt Petunia said quietly. "Professor Dumbledore is allowing this since Harry's dessert is part of his class assignment."

"Yeah! Bring on the eats!” Ron said this time receiving a light smack from Luna who was standing on his other side. "Hey, a man's gotta eat right? Back me up here Harry? Neville? Draco? ANYBODY?" With that everyone assembled laughed hysterically at Ron’s expense.

When Harry brought out the dessert, he could hear a gasp from his Aunt Petunia. Harry had recreated the spectacular pudding that she had made years before that Dobby had unceremoniously smashed to the floor. Rather then tiny violets it was decorated in sugared rose petals each one, delicately placed around the tiers. Along side of the pudding was a beautifully decorated birthday cake to match, also decorated with sugared rose petals; however this cake was a decadent chocolate masterpiece with raspberries and cream.

"Oh Harry that's lovely!" Hermione said as she looked at the delicious confections.

"Not as lovely as you." Harry said quietly.

Hermione's eyes welled up again as she saw the love radiating off Harry. Once he had committed himself to love and realized what this feeling was he had become an absolute romantic, yet he possessed such honesty with his every thought and feeling that she knew if Voldemort came that instant, Harry's love would destroy the evil wizard with no difficulty at all.

The party had gone on for a couple more hours until Argus Filch had come in and told them they were all in trouble for being up past curfew. Petunia had given Filch one of her patented glares and told him, in no uncertain terms, was he to harass these children on their way back to their dorms. Some how, Filch showed a bit of fear when he saw the look in Petunia's eyes and backed off with a confused Mrs. Norris in his wake.

Harry escorted Hermione to the base of the girls dormitories and kissed her good night. As he changed for bed he noticed that an instant message was waiting for him on his laptop. It was in response to one he had sent earlier in the evening to Hermione. His message had read

“Hermione My Love,

I can’t wait until I can show you how much I love you…

Happy Birthday, my beloved.

Eternally yours,

Harry”

Her response had been:

“My Dearest Harry,

Thank you so much for the party… I love you so much…

I am yours… body and soul… now…

Forever and always

Hermione”

Harry reread what she had sent him and knew that what she had just said confirmed that they were ready to take the next step in their relationship. Had he been anyone else he probably would have told her to meet him in the Astronomy Tower, but he could wait.

He logged on to the common room and found Hermione, waiting for him. His virtual self however, had no intention of waiting as he walked over to her, swept her up into his arms, and carried her to their own little paradise in Gryffindor Tower.

***********

Classes had continued through September and onward towards the Samhain's Festival. Professor Dumbledore had announced that although Halloween fell on a Thursday, they would be holding no classes that day but instead have the first Quidditch match of the season between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff.

A surprising change in the weather had caused a few to think that the festival would be cancelled when the night before a northern storm had blown in, blanketing the entire area with an early snow. Upon waking the morning of Samhain's Eve, many of the students looked out at the area now covered in white and worried that they would not be able to have the party that night.

Professor Dumbledore assured everyone at breakfast that Hogwarts would indeed be celebrating in traditional form and for none of the students to worry. He encouraged the students to dress warm for the festival and even suggested that they might wish to wear their party attire to the match.

Hermione had taken the time to look up information library about the attire of the Celts and after conversing with her pen pal Brigid O'Donnell, who would be attending along with Seamus’ cousin and some of their friends; she put together a costume that was traditional and yet afforded her the opportunity to wear her beautiful brooch in public. She had only been wearing the brooch on the elegant chain under her school uniform, but it had been something she wore every day and night.

She had told Harry that she would see him at the match and had gone into the dormitories to get ready. Harry, Ron and Ginny along with the other members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team had made their way down to the pitch. There was an excitement in the air as the students gathered to see the match.

Many had chosen as Hermione had, dressing in traditional attire, while other had gone the muggle route and wore costumes of such diversity that the normal colors of the stands were a rainbow of delight.

Anticipation for the match to begin swelled within the stadium. When the Gryffindor’s squad was announced, Hermione screamed in excitement for Harry and he swung his broom around towards where she sat and blew a kiss at her, causing her to blush.

Ron’s keeper talent had improved and he had not let a single Quaffle in causing Luna and the other Gryffindors to sing ‘Weasley is our King’. Ginny along with Nora Burke and Adrienne Kiernan both 3rd years had proven to be exceptional chasers. Dean and Seamus had shown their mettle at being superb beaters.

Nevertheless, it was not until Harry saw the snitch for the first time since his ban from Quidditch the previous year, that he felt like he was once again a part of the team. He soared after the snitch sweeping passed the Hufflepuff seeker so fast that it caused their seeker to begin spinning on his broom in Harry’s wake.

With such jubilant elation, Harry’s fingers clasped around the fluttering ball and held it up high for all to see. They had done it again, as a team and for Harry it was almost the best feeling in the world. Inside his head, he could hear Hermione’s voice cheering him on and he flew over towards her and saw she was crying tears of joy. Moving as close as he could to her, he leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips, then swung his broom around and headed back towards the rest of the team.

The bonfires had already been started around the staging area. The musicians were playing lively Celtic music and inviting any and all to join in with the merriment. The team had gone in to change while the rest of the school had made its way down to the festival.

Twilight was falling and slowly the team had one by one left the changing rooms. Harry alone stayed behind still holding the snitch in his hands. He had told the others to go ahead. By the time he had changed into his costume for the evening he indeed could feel the power of the magical night, feeling for the first time the presence of those who he loved and lost, but as Luna had said they aren’t really gone… and now he knew this to be true.

Dressed in traditional attire, Harry threw a length of the Potter plaid over his shoulder and secured it, then covered himself with a heavy hooded cloak of deep forest green velvet lined with a plush brown fur. His knee high hand made boots crunched in the snow as he made his way to the party.

He mentally called out for Hermione to find out where she was, and when he got his answer, he hurried towards her location.

Suddenly he felt his ring grow very warm and he looked down at the stone… it had gone from the brilliant red it had been at the end of the match and now was darkening to an almost black. Harry’s heart quickened as he tried to mentally search her out again, but there was nothing in return.

Author's Note: (November 26, 2003) well the name of the kitten has changed again! My soon to be 3 year old son Christopher (his birthday is January 2nd) has named him BONZAI!!! Since that is the only cat, he remembers us having when we lived in California. He is as opposite of my old buddy as he can be, yet there is a presence about him that reminds me of my dear Siamese… I figured he could be Bonsai’s Angel… since he is a white ginger tip Siamese rather then the dark seal tip that my old cat was… Please note, the kitten has taken to try and use his paws on my keyboard while I am working on this story… He really is a distracting little bugger at times…

I am still trying to get my Live Journal up… I have to wait until a) someone is kind enough to give me an invite code (that’s a hint!) or b) I can get my visa check/debit card so I can use paypal and buy my LJ… until then, you have to put up with my diatribe here!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving for all us in the United States… I want to wish you all a very Happy and prosperous Thanksgiving… and let you know I am so blessed to have such great readers and very thankful that you all have given me the encouragement to keep writing my story.

I have another Plot Bunny on the rampage in my mind so You may see a sneak of it sometime in the future… it will combine two of my passions… one of which is Harry Potter and for those that know me REALLY well… the other is obvious! That’s all I am going to say about that…

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

(the very frustrated writer!)

With loving support (and sometime co-writers and Betas) by…

Becky, First Princess-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Lisa, the Lovely Alluring Lady-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Founders - KFUFHP - Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

Please Review… Thanks; I will try to personally respond to reviewers if e-mail is left… I will answer questions and comments that you make… I find it easier and less embarrassing to respond by e-mail then to take up space here… But to all of you who have reviewed I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.

16. Chapter 14 -The Power of Samhain

Disclaimer… See Chapter 1 & 10 for the standard Disclaimer… I OWN NOTHING… *sniff* My Author’s Notes are after the chapter…

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Muirnin Cocan and the Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 2 – Hogwarts, the Final Years

Chapter 14 – The Power of Samhain

"MATE!" Ron yelled as he ran towards his best friend. He could see a panicked reaction on his face as he stared horror struck at the ring on his finger.

"Hermione... she's in trouble... can't find her" Harry gasped as the rest of his friends gathered around him. He barely noticed the raven-haired girl that stood next to Seamus until she spoke.

"Ye must be Harry. Aye were talkin' to Mione when a giant Raven came and dropped this letter at her feet." the girl said in a very distinct Irish brogue. She handed the letter in a black envelope to Harry. He stared at it. "She read the letter an' then followed the raven... but dropped it before she took off running."

Harry looked down at the letter in his hands. It was black with a glowing fluorescent green ink on it.

“Hermione Granger,

Follow the Raven if you wish to keep your Parents alive

Otherwise, they die the same way that your beloved Harry Potter’s parents met their deaths.

This is your only warning

Potter is powerless and will not be able to help you keep them alive

Only YOU.”

"It's sealed with the Dark Mark...” Harry murmured. Taking a gulp, he looked at the young woman who had handed it to him. "Did you read this?"

She shook her head no.

"Which way did she run?" He said as he grasped her by the shoulders.

"Towards the forest." She said pointing in a direction away from the revelers.

"Thanks." Harry said as he turned towards the direction she had pointed. Both Ron and Draco grabbed hold of him. "Let me go, Hermione's in trouble and I have to get to her."

"Mate, you can't do this by yourself." Ron said as he tried to hold Harry in one place.

"If this has anything to do with Moldyshorts we have to get the Order." Draco said, but before he could say anything more the group heard a blood curdling scream from where the party was going on. The entire group rushed towards the disturbance and saw to their disbelief both Crabbe and Goyle laying on the ground with the affects of the curse from the list.

"Jaysus, Mary & Joseph" Seamus exclaimed as he looked down at the two Slytherin boys. Both had been cursed with a number of different hexes that had begun to formulate upon their bodies. They were both apparently under a variation of the Petrifcus Totalus spell, but were able to speak.

Harry rushed up to them. "Where's Hermione!" He asked Goyle.

His eyes held a glazed over look to them, but his voice in a monotone induced by a truth hex designed by Hermione began to say, "Wormtail brought us a message. The Dark Lord has ordered us to send Hermione Granger a letter. The letter was a hoax. The Dark Lord also sent us a raven and we delivered his message. He ordered us to send the mudblood into the forbidden forest. The raven was to lead her to a tree in there. Wormtail would be waiting for her to carry out the rest of the Dark Lord’s orders. She will be by a giant oak with the gnarled roots deep within the Forbidden Forests depts. Her muggle parents are already dead. The mudblood will be soon. Wormtail is to insure that for the Dark Lord with Harry Potter watching her death. The Dark Lord is using her to get to Harry Potter. The Dark Lord plans on killing Harry Potter when he goes to rescue his mudblood girlfriend."

With the entire order by the Dark Lord uttered, Goyle’s mouth slammed shut and what appeared to be stitches crisscrossed upon his lips keeping him from saying anything more. Harry looked up and saw Dumbledore and the other instructors who were members of the Order standing there. The fire from Harry's green eyes caused each of them to take a step back.

They knew that look. Harry was going after Voldemort. He was going to rescue Hermione.

"You can't do this alone Harry." Ron said as he and the others of their group stood by him, protecting him from running out into the dark woods.

"I'm going after her. He is not taking her from me...” He said when suddenly the raven dropped another black envelope at Harry's feet. He picked it up and read it.

"Harry Potter,

It has been 15 years to the day since I took your parents lives from you. It also has been 15 years since you was able to live against my death curse to you.

I have marked this occasion with the deaths of your true loves Parents

So now, we shall mark this occasion again for just you and I

With life in the balance, of she who in future would have been your wife.

Oh yes, you see I know she is your chosen... your soul mate for life... but yours is a short life that will be lived… I know the rest of the prophecy now and for one of us to live the other must die at the others hand… So you see, it will be just you and I.

If you value her life over your own you will tell the others to leave you be and you will come to battle me. Let's see shall we, how brave you are young Gryffindor... and whether or not you can survive against me one more time… not even my death eaters will get in our way this time. Wormtail is the only one carrying out part of my orders besides those who have betrayed your little ineffective Defensive Arts class… Oh yes, I know all about the curse your precious mudblood warned them about if they would join up… Nevertheless, they were under orders to get close to you, as were others however undoubtedly you already knew that, otherwise you would not have put such feeble and drastic precautions

Oh and Harry, one last thing...

No tricks from that muggle loving Dumbledore or your true love dies instantly and her skeleton will rot in the gnarls of the trees"

The letter was marked with the same Dark Mark as a signature.

“Harry he’s trying to trick you!” Ron exclaimed.

“Does this look like a trick?” Harry said as he showed the ring with it’s black stone. “She is in mortal peril, no matter what, I have to go and save her.”

Handing the letter to Dumbledore, Harry turned and began to walk towards the dark forest. Harry’s features were like stone, holding what was a look of resolve upon his face that foreshadowed the weight of the prophecy he knew to be true.

Dumbledore stared after the retreating figure, feeling something that was absent from Harry, which he had never felt from the young man before. He could see the determination and realized that Harry had not felt any emotion from Voldemort through the scar that marked him as his equal. That alone-told Dumbledore that because of the love Harry felt for Hermione, Voldemort could not be within Harry’s mind.

"But Albus, you can't let Harry walk in there alone!" Petunia cried as she looked at the letter in Dumbledore's hand. Remus had wrapped a comforting arm around the terrified woman.

"Peta, I must... Harry knows what is at stake and he is not alone. This night above all others, he has the spirits of those who have died before to help him in his quest. I just hope Harry remembers that the power is with in him to vanquish Voldemort... once and for all."

**********

The weather had grown colder within the darkened woods. Harry had been walking around for about three hours without even the Centaurs confronting him. He knew with every fiber of his being; this was not a coincidence. Something was shielding him from the other beasts that lived in the Forbidden Forest.

Periodically, he would hear the distant caw of the raven and would follow in that direction. His search seemed futile, yet he kept going on. He felt the warmth of the ring on his hand and knew that no matter what Hermione was still living. That small glimmer of hope was all he needed to keep his search active.

Time seemed to pass slowly as Harry continued on his way and finally out of frustration he stood stalk still, stretching his arms out wide he yelled.

“DAMN YOU TO HELL TOM RIDDLE! Get your half-breed, pureblood loving ass out here and fight me, you cock-sucking worthless soul! I have played your game, I have done as you asked I even FOLLOWED your fucking raven and you have yet had the gonads to face me. Are you that chicken-shit that I will win over you?” Harry knew his taunts were a ploy to get Voldemort to reveal himself. He had yet to feel anything from his scar, which made him wonder what game, Voldemort was playing.

A slight scurrying in the last vestiges of snow made Harry look and he saw a flash of silver attached to the paw of a rat running for the mass of giant oak trees.

“WORMTAIL! You fucking backstabbing bastard!” Harry yelled as he dashed off after the animagus rat. The cawing of the raven grew louder and he saw that both the raven and the rat were in the same area. Harry had already pulled his wand, preparing to stun the rat, when his foot tripped over a gnarled root and he fell forward then began to fall downward.

“OH SHIT!!!!!!” He screamed, his voice echoing, as he spiraled out of control into an open pit. The opening of the pit that he had fallen into was closing up and Harry quickly turned his wand on himself and muttered a charm that would slow his decent and keep him from completely breaking every bone in his body when he hit the ground.

Finally, he landed… his body bruised, but not broken. Looking up from his seated position he saw that the way he had come in was useless to get out. He gingerly stood up prepared for what ever would come his way. His eye-glasses lay broken on the ground, he bent over and picked them up. “Occulus Repairo” he uttered, to no avail.

“Why is it that Hermione can fix these but I can’t?” He said aloud to himself. He pocketed the broken bits not able to wear them at all. “I really should think about getting contacts.” He chuckled to himself. “Ok, I’m talking to myself… If I start to answer myself then I must be insane.”

The smell of burning wood not far off guided him, and he let his other senses take command. Without his glasses on, he found the world was a blurry image and the rocks and boulders that surrounded the cavern cast great strange shadows in his myopic world.

He felt rather then heard the sound of wind rushing around him. A sense of calmness overtook him and he relaxed his entire body and mind. Then a voice spoke to him.

“Harry, do not be afraid. Your parents are here with me as are Hermione’s parents.”

“Sirius?” he choked out as tears began to fall against his cheeks. He collapsed to his knees.

“Yes Harry, tonight the veil between life and death is at it’s thinnest. We are here to give you and Hermione strength, hope and encouragement to go on.”

“Son,” the voice belonging to James said, “There is a way out of here… it will take a great deal of courage and cleverness on both of your parts to succeed. You still have a great duty within the Wizarding world to perform and after that, you will be able to live.”

“Dad, I’m afraid I won’t know what to do. How will I know?” Harry asked the darkened shadows around him.

“Trust your heart son, your heart will never lead you wrong.” James said.

“But it was my heart that made me go to the Department of Mysteries and made Sirius die!” Harry cried.

“Harry, do not blame yourself. I knew it was my time to go… I had known for a long time. It was the reason why I would not give you a straight answer about coming to live with me.” Sirius’ voice sounded so gentle in its gruff tone. “You know that I would have done anything within my power to protect you… You are the son I never had, I am so proud of you and I love you very much. NEVER forget that.”

Suddenly Harry felt his mothers presence with him and heard her soft voice, “My precious son, you have made your father and I so proud with all of your accomplishments. Albus was right when he had told you that you have shouldered more then anyone who has ever passed through the doors of Hogwarts. When you place your hand upon my journal again, it will increase the knowledge of what we are saying… it will also be a comfort to Hermione as well. Her parents are here with us. I love you son, with all my heart and have been so blessed to have you live on.”

“Harry, Emma and I want you to know that we know, you will take care of our little girl.” The voice of Daniel Granger said softly. “We also know want you to know that you have our blessings…”

Harry could feel the singular presence that had been Daniel Granger separate himself from the others along with his wife.

Tears fell freely upon Harry’s cheeks as he listened to those who had passed on… his window beyond the veil. “I don’t want you all to leave us…” He cried, “I don’t even know where Hermione is at… I haven’t been able to make a mental link with her.”

“Don’t worry Harry, Hermione is alright. You will find each other here, you both have a power within you that will help you through your grief together… use it, draw strength from it and know we are always here for you…” Lily’s voice said comfortingly.

“We have been protecting you in the forest tonight, keeping the creatures away from you while you searched for Hermione.” James said.

“Why can’t I see you?” Harry asked his eyes still searching around the cavern.

“Because we are not ghosts, just voices from beyond the veil that separates the mundane from the here after. You heard the voices when you were on the dais. That is where our voices are strongest… but do not go there to talk with us… “ Sirius said firmly.

“Harry, listen to me carefully.” Lily began “The love in you, that encompasses everything about you is the greatest power you have. There is nothing more great then love that will help you to vanquish the Dark Lord. It is a power that he has no connection to and will never have. Treasure the love you possess and protect it at all costs… Now, the time of the Samhain is at hand. Believe in love and know that we love you and Hermione very much and will protect you when ever we can.”

“Mum? Dad? Sirius? Please don’t go!” Harry cried out but felt the swiftness of the wind again and could feel the magical energy that had surrounded him drift silently away. He wept bitter tears as he continued to kneel on the hard earth.

Had it all been a dream, his and Hermione’s parents there talking to him… and Sirius… he had been there too. He stood up, his resolve to find Hermione encompassing his soul. Originally he had begun following the scent of the burning wood, he knew he had to go that way again.

Taking hold of his wand once more, he blindly made his way in the direction of the fragrance of burning oak. He had chosen to not use his wand to guide him with light but use his other senses to carry his feet to their destination.

He entered into a large cavern and could see the blazing of a roaring fire in a corner it’s warmth giving him comfort. On the ground, he saw Hermione’s brown velvet cloak very similar in style to his own, but Hermione was not around. He picked up the cloak and held it in his hands.

“Oh Mione” he whispered, “Where are you?”

He heard a growling that did not sound pleasant at all. He blindly headed towards the sound. It did not take long before he found the source of the sound...

A huge black bear and it did not look very happy trapped in the cavern where it was... It massive hulk began to move towards Harry at an incredibly fast rate of speed... too fast for Harry to respond. Harry's emerald green eyes widened with alarm as he saw the big black bear rushed towards him. The furry beast lunged at Harry and pinned him by the shoulders onto his back, hitting the ground with a tremendous thud.

Please Review… Thanks; I will try to personally respond to reviewers if e-mail is left… I will answer questions and comments that you make… But to all (including Enter Name) of you who have reviewed I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Author's Note: (December 1, 2003) Good grief… it is hard to believe that we are already in to December… and that the end of the year is quickly coming upon us. In accordance with a promise to one of my reviewers, I am striving to live up to my title by having more Cliffies within my story… that said, you may find that my chapters may be a bit shorter then before and a bit more frequent (time permitting of course)

Ok, this chapter is a bit shorter then some of my others… but I am trying to live up to my title and keep the Cliffies there…

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

(the very frustrated writer!)

With loving support (and sometime co-writers and Betas) by…

Becky, First Princess-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Lisa, the Lovely Alluring Lady-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Founders - KFUFHP - Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

17. Chapter 15 – Sweetest of Desires

Disclaimer… See Chapter 1 & 10 for the standard Disclaimer… I OWN NOTHING… *sniff* My Author’s Notes are after the chapter…

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Muirnin Cocan

PART 2 – Hogwarts, the Final Years

Chapter 15 – Sweetest of Desires

A huge black bear and it did not look very happy trapped in the cavern where it was... It massive hulk began to move towards Harry at an incredibly fast rate of speed... too fast for Harry to respond. Harry's emerald green eyes widened with alarm as he saw the big black bear rushed towards him. The furry beast lunged at Harry and pinned him by the shoulders onto his back, hitting the ground with a tremendous thud. The bear was panting, as if it was completely out of breath. There was something so unusual about this bear, Harry stared at the bears eyes... they seemed unusual as it had the most brilliant blue/green eyes he had only ever seen by one person.

He could see the bear's sharp teeth and feel the hot breath of the bear against his face, when suddenly the bear began to transform and he suddenly realized why he had noticed the eyes so closely as they began to change into a deep cinnamon brown.

The transformation was into the woman who had captured his heart. He stared into her eyes, the sparkling pools of cinnamon chocolate. Her hair was brown, thick and bushy... the body and facial features were so familiar that Harry had to blink twice to make sure he wasn't seeing things. She was dressed in the traditional leine, woolen bodice and heavy skirts of the Celtic women of several centuries before. Draped over her shoulder and secured with a belt and brooch was the length of Potter plaid she had chosen to wear. She was the vision of beauty he had only dreamed about...

"Oh Harry... I'm so sorry I scared you." Hermione said as she rolled off his prone form on the ground.

"Mione?" he said taking her into his arms and kissed her several times around her face. "Oh my God Mione... I'm just so relieved to see you and feel you and know you are alright." He then pulled her back a bit and said "Hang on... When did you become an Animagus?" Pulling her back into his arms he muttered, "Ah hell it doesn't matter, God I love you..." Tears were filling his eyes and spilling softly onto his cheeks.

"I love you too so much Harry. After I fell down here in the cavern, I was so afraid I would never see you again... My way out was sealed shut by something on the outside." She said as she cupped his face and kissed him repeatedly.

"Mine too... But you aren't hurt are you?" Harry asked her holding her close in his arms.

"Nothing but a few bruises, but look at you... Where are your glasses?" She asked quietly.

"They broke, tried to fix them… wouldn't work." He chuckled. "I guess that's why I have you."

"I hope that's not the only reason." She smirked as she took the glass fragments that Harry handed to her and repaired them without any trouble at all. "You heard them didn't you."

As if no explanation needed he responded, "Yes my love, I did… I'm so sorry about your parents."

"I don't think it has set in yet that they are really gone... we are both orphans now you and I." She said with a croak to her voice.

"We are no longer orphans as long as we have each other...” Harry said kissing her again. "I even spoke with your father... he's given us his blessing."

Hermione gasped, "Oh Harry... I..." she began to cry realizing that he had actually spoken with her father.

"Shush... it's alright. Just know that once we are out of school... I am going to marry you Hermione Granger. You are my entire life now." Feeling her shake within his arms he gingerly picked her up and carried her back over to where she had built a fire.

After a rather difficult bit of transfiguration on his part, Harry had created out of some of the rocks a soft pile of fur skins giving them somewhere comfortable to rest. He had also created some food for them to eat and drink.

Hermione, in the mean time, had removed the comhdaichean that bound her and was only in her leine feeling non-constricted and experiencing the power of the night before them. Her mother's voice echoed within her as she remembered the words that Emma and Lily had both uttered. "Don't let grief stand in the way of what is in your heart. Follow your heart and know that your path right and true and it is the same as Harry. Follow your heart... Follow your heart..."

"Harry... make love to me." She asked in a quiet voice.

He had been sitting on the makeshift fur bed, having removed his boots and sporan when she spoke those words. Harry stared at her somewhat overwhelmed by her request. He had wanted to make love to her for so long now and yet he was afraid. "Do you know what you are asking?"

"Yes my love... I'm asking you and myself to follow our hearts and commit our souls to one and other...” Her deep chocolate pools stared with such desire into his emerald green eyes. Taking his hand, she pulled him onto his feet, facing her with little distance between them. "This night above all others, when true love is found at its most sincere. It is with this love that we share that we should join our souls... make us stronger against the forces that wish to destroy what we have." She released the belt that held his feileadh into place. "It is only right that we make love... I know you are my soul mate for life and beyond..." The yards of woolen fabric pooled down around his feet, leaving him clothed in only a leine as well.

He gently took her lips upon his and kissed her with such sweet desire that when they parted, they were breathless. The heat of the fire seemed to radiate the heat of the passions they were both experiencing. Neither wanting to rush, but both wanting what was desired with in their pounding hearts. Unspoken by both, but actions done as one fluid movement they both released the ties that held their leine in place, leaving them both naked to each other… hiding nothing.

Harry collapsed to his knees grasping Hermione about the waist, holding her close to him, feeling the heat coming off of her body. He ran his mouth over her stomach and kissed her body gently as Hermione slid down to kneel in front of him. They both held each other close, feeling their skin touching each others, with nothing barring their contact.

Pulling her back away from him he looked into her eyes his voice speaking clearly in her mind, ‘My beloved, to rush such a miracle as the joining of our souls would do those souls an injustice. I vow to you this day, I will do everything in my power to see that our desires are fully met and that our hearts will be honored, that I will loyally be yours, body and soul. I am for you, from now until the end of time as long as you will have me and even longer, for I will love no other but you.’

Within Harry's mind he heard Hermione's sweet voice utter 'my love, it is my solemn vow to you this day, that I belong to nobody but you. I will do everything in my power to see that your every desire is fully met, our hearts will always be honored and that I will loyally be yours heart, body and soul. May we celebrate the joining of our two lost souls that we now become one. I am yours from now until eternity as long as you will have me.'

“Nothing but evil can shatter the vows we have just exchanged with each other and even then, our hearts and souls will still be joined. In my heart and with my soul you are my wife… always remember that.” Harry said aloud. “I love you.”

“And I love you as well. You are so right when you say that nothing can destroy what we have and together we will fight the evil that will try to do just that. I am your wife, you are my husband and I give my body to you willingly.”

“In time, you will also have my name… but know this that with in our souls we are Potters bound by love and vows we have taken this night.”

Harry could hold back no longer and he reached up tracing the line around her sensual mouth, it's deep red color radiated in her cheeks. His finger ran slowly down her quivering chin and made a path down her slender neck. He stared in awe at her succulent breasts, firm and pointed. He leaned down and suckled as a child the sweet mound of flesh, his hand caressing her other breast.

They had known each other in the virtual sense and yet even with the enhancements that they got through their laptops, nothing prepared them for the assault of sensations that pummeled their bodies. Hermione back arched pressing ever closer to Harry’s mouth longing for him to suckle at her breast even longer.

But for them it wasn’t enough, Harry pushed her back against the pile of fur and hungrily feasted upon the flesh of her breasts and neck, causing her to burn more and more with her own personal climatic sensations coursing through her still untouched niche between her legs. Her hips bucked wildly wanting more then ever to feel Harry plummet into her depths. She could feel his arousal harden with each movement and with a power born of passion rolled Harry onto his own back and began her unrelenting attack against his manhood.

She lowered her mouth taking him deep into her mouth, savoring the juices that had begun to seep out. His growl of arousal increased her own passion and she continued imbibing upon his member bringing him close to explosion.

Finally, neither could stop from succumbing to the fever pitch that was building. Hermione raised herself over Harry, poised at head of his own erection and lowered herself quickly impaling her maidenhood in a swift fluid motion. She gasped in pain, but refused to release him from her cocoon she had encased him with.

Terror enveloped Harry as he heard her painful moan. “Mione…” he gasped, “Are you alright?” The feeling of her wrapped around him was more wonderful then he had ever imagined it to be and yet, the fact that it caused her so much pain devastated him.

“I’ll be fine, it’s supposed to hurt the first time” She said breathlessly. “But I think you should be on top…” she chuckled slightly as one they rolled over still joined in intimacy.

Slowly, Harry began a rhythmic motion taking care not to hurt her anymore. Within his mind he could hear her sultry voice whisper to him, ‘I’m alright Love… the pain is gone, nothing but pleasure remains.’

Within moments he had built up enough momentum that they were both drenched in sweat, both climbing the erotic pinnacle that would culminate in a joint climatic achievement. Hermione already had peaked and over the edge again she felt her body surrender to the thunderous awareness her internal nerve endings were sending her.

Harry could feel her weakening from multiple orgasms and plunged harder and deeper into her bringing his own volcanic eruption inside her, seed spewing deep with in her very being. Still in their intimate position they collapsed on one and other, both soaked, tired and amazed at what had occurred.

Slowly they slid their bodies apart, the intense reactions of their separation causing even more reactions. Reaching around them, Harry pulled the length of woolen material from his kilt and wrapped them under it. Hermione snuggled up against Harry’s heat soaked body and slowly started to drift to sleep.

Harry stared at her wondrous beauty, amazed at the fact that they had shared something so intimate on a night that had been plagued with so much sorrow and fear… Nevertheless, she was his, forever just as fate had meant them to be. He pulled her closer to him and felt his mind and body succumb to the physical and emotional exhaustion of the night. However, as slept began to take him as well, he had a couple of random thoughts pop into his head… 1) Cyber-sex with Mione would never equal the real thing… and 2) Was it premarital sex if you exchanged vows before you make love?

A smile crested his sleep fallen face as he mentally thought about the great pleasure that he was sleeping with his wife. For in his heart, she was now and forever Hermione Potter.

Please Review…

Author's Note:

(December 3, 2003) Well I finally have a Live Journal!!! So you won’t be having all of my expositions here… I do have a couple of comments about this chapter… I was asked about the Potter Plaid… I had done some research and found that there actually is a Gryffindor Plaid for Wales… based on the Griffith Family. It is that plaid I use in my description from now on… as for the family crest… same thing.. it’s Gryffindor all the way! Part of the story is also taken from a ficcy that is in construction being written by the Kindred Sisterhood… and the vows that are said are those that are part of a joining of souls from New Evil Rising… I doubt it will make it to Portkey.org as it is still Harry & Hermione but also deals in depth with the love and romance of Sirius, Remus, Severus and the Kindred Sisterhood… Very AU story… but one that launched the beginnings of what is now known as the KFUFHP…

Thanks; I will try to personally respond to reviewers if e-mail is left… I will answer questions and comments that you make… But to all of you (including Enter Name) who have reviewed I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am amazed at the over 300 reviews I have received…

I am but a humble writer whose joy it is to bring entertainment (and a bit of smut!) into your lives…

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

With loving support by…

Becky, First Princess-Royal Family of Cliffies

Lisa, the Lovely Alluring Lady-Royal Family of Cliffies

Founders - KFUFHP - Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

18. Chapter 16 - The Voyeur

Disclaimer… See Chapter 1 & 10 for the standard Disclaimer… I OWN NOTHING… *sniff* My Author’s Notes are after the chapter…

Author's Note: I know it has been a long time since I had added a chapter… I kept going over some things that one of my reviewers had said about how Harry could have sex and not worry about Voldemort attacking… I am still working on that… but I also knew that there was something or someone that knew more then they’re supposed to…

Hence, this chapter… It is quite a bit shorter then I normally write… and as you will notice is from a different perspective… this is intentional… and I hope that this doesn’t confuse anyone…

After so long of trying to get a Live Journal account, I finally have one… http://www.livejournal.com/users/muirnin/

I am hoping that I will be more apt to update that in the future… but I have had a horrible writers block lately… and have not had the desire to write at all…

Sorry about that…

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

(the very frustrated writer!)

With loving support (and sometime co-writers and Betas) by…

Becky, First Princess-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Lisa, the Lovely Alluring Lady-Royal Family of Cliffies

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*

Founders - KFUFHP - Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Muirnin Cocan and the Kindred Fellowship United for Harry Potter

PART 2 – Hogwarts, the Final Years

Chapter 14 – The Voyeur

He kicked himself...

How could he be so inept that he would fall into the trap that elaborately been planned for James and Lily’s only child?

Peter Pettigrew stood in the shadows... forgoing his animagus form and watched... in a sense reliving the first time he watched the joining of two souls...

He had always known that James and Lily were meant for each other. When they had first made love, they had exchanged vows... binding their souls one to the other.

Moreover, Wormtail had watched, hidden by the lovers... and he was very much aroused by it...

Voyeurism was a specialty of his... always had been. This talent was one of the things that his master had told him would serve him well. Being able to hide himself and watch others... that was what the Dark Lord had wanted... someone who could report on members of the Order, and be so invisible to others that he would fail suspicion by anyone...

He grinned to himself.

History does repeat itself...

He watched erotically as Harry and Hermione make love for the first time, he thought how wonderful this news would be for his master... that was if he ever got out of this mess.

The plan had been so perfect... so thought out. With the knowledge of the Prophecy they had to find away to destroy Harry Potter without his Master being involved… He and Bellatrix Lestrange had convinced the Dark Lord that to completely wipe out the threat to him, they had to find a way to neutralize Harry Potter... the best way had been thru his mudblood girlfriend - Hermione Granger.

Wormtail had heard from Bellatrix of the protection young Potter had shown the mudblood when she became critically injured in the Department of Mysteries the previous summer... He had been a bit shocked to hear that Padfoot was dead... killed by his own cousin...

It was probably because of Wormtail's own past connection with Harry Potter, that the Dark Lord had not allowed him to go to the Hall of Prophecy, afraid that he might just turncoat on the Dark Lord and save Potter.

This thought had crossed his mind a few times... ashamedly so. Harry Potter, the only son of his late betrayed friend James Potter, had saved his life... and now he owed him a wizards life debt... He-who-must-not-be-named really did not like that small detail.

He had convinced the Dark Lord that instead of killing the young wizard, make him die a slow death... by cutting him off from the outside world. He knew that Dumbledore would have protected Harry Potter from any kidnapping, but if they could just get him out into the Forbidden Forest there was an excellent chance they could get him trapped in the underground caverns that had no way out except for two access areas that Wormtail would make sure were sealed. One of which being accomplished three years before when Harry Potter had battled the memory of Tom Marvolo Riddle...

Originally, when construction of Hogwarts began, a thousand years before... The magical underground caverns had been accessible from the castle through the dungeons for use during the harsh winters to tend to the magical creatures of the forest, and give the students a way to study them closely. The creatures would from time to time back then, take refuge in the caverns...

However, Salazar Slytherin managed to destroy the cavern passage to the forest, for wont of making it part of his Chamber of Secrets. The Chamber itself had not come out this deep into the forest, however it was possible to access the caverns from within the chamber, but destruction of that entrance made it impassible... another thing in Wormtail's favor.

The only other portal was the one Wormtail had used to trap Potter... and unfortunately himself. The bitch Lestrange had sealed it even though she saw Wormtail disappear into the hole... after Potter had fallen into it himself chasing after the Rat animagus.

She knew he was down there... scupper him in his own trap...

Now he was there, hidden in the shadows... taking sexual gratification at his own erotic interest of the lovers... He had even gone so far as to place silencing charms around himself to keep himself unheard as their animalistic mating had driven him to his own personal climax...

He lusted after them, wanting to experience just once what they were experiencing first hand... but despite all the time he had spent with the Marauders, not once had he gotten that far... and so he had only his hand to pleasure him... and the visual imagery of those he had kept his beady eyes on...

In a way, he enjoyed peeping more then anything else... He knew many dirty secrets... especially since he could transform into a rat and peer unsuspectingly at others while doing insatiable acts of pleasure. He had kept this fact hidden from even his closest friends... so involved in their own conquests over the years...

When the Marauders had questioned him about his absences from the group he would relate stories of his own imaginary conquests... not giving any clue as to the truth of the fact he was but a virgin... After James and Lily had died due to his revelation to the Dark Lord... and after Padfoot had been thrown into Azkaban for "murdering" him... he had decided to keep himself hidden from the Death eaters that were still alive and around to keep them from fulfilling Padfoot’s attempt at removing Wormtail from existence.

It was fortunate that he had happened upon the 5 year old Weasley boy, who starving for affection took the rat he had named as Scabbers into his home and cared for him, then giving him to his younger brother 5 years later to have a pet of his own. Imagine the shock when the youngest Weasley son had befriended the son of his once close friend...

Wormtail as Scabbers had taken the brunt of many a prank played by the Weasley twins... and given his own magical nature could not be affected by their jokes. He remembered that day on the Hogwarts Express as Ron had tried to do a color change spell on him, only to have it not work... He found it fitting that Goyle was the one that had been bitten back then and ‘he’ had been the one to tell Harry Potter of the supposed plot by the Dark Lord.

Ironically, the Dark Lord had used his own brand of manipulation of his Death eaters’ children to feed false information and lies, so they would be the unwitting pawns of Harry Potter’s downfall… Knowing that there was a power that the Dark Lord knew not, that Harry Potter possessed… it had been decided that they would find another way to silence the boy who lived…

So in the shadows he watched, being more and more aroused by the actions of two who were in love and acted upon feelings and emotions that seemed to block out and ignore the world around them… They seemed oblivious to their current situation, only enjoying the joys of the flesh… the rampant desire of their hearts…

When finally they collapsed and fell into an exhaustive sleep… Wormtail himself transformed himself back into a rat and scurried off to see if he could find a way out of the mess he found himself in.

Please Review…

A/N 2: This chapter didn’t come out as well as I had hoped… sorry if the chapter sucks… I will try for better next chapter….

19. Letter to my Readers

29 March 2004

My dearest readers,

I am so sorry for leaving you on such a long term cliff... Things in my life have been hectic... and so far has yet to become improved... I am hoping that within the next couple of months I will be able to take time to write... SOMETHING...

I feel so bad for writing as much as I have and then leaving it where I did... I am very grateful to everyone who has reviewed my stories... the good and the bad. Normally, I acknowledge my reviewers individually by e-mail (as most of you know) but as I have said life has taken me on a rollercoaster ride that I have yet to find the way off yet.

I hope that you all will forgive me... and that when I do start writing again it will be with as much passion as I had started out this story as well as my others with.

For all us Pumpkin Pie'ers... It gives me such joy to know that Harry and Hermione share the same first two initials... HJ (GRIN!) Observations I have come up with lately... I am beinging to believe that Ron really will die by the end of the series... first off because his new wand has a Unicorn tail Hair core... and then now that we know his middle name is Bilius (after his Uncle Bilius that died after seeing a Grim!) it's looking pretty grim (pun tax!) for RBW now... now if only Luna can save him... *LOL*

I miss you all and hope to write more soon...

As Always,
(`'.¸(`'•..¤..•'´)¸.'´)
´¨`•.* Muirnin *.•´¨`
(¸.'´(¸.•'´¤`'•.¸)`'.)

*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*
Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."
@}>---'---,---

20. Chapter 17 - Midnight in the Caverns of Betrayal of Both Dar

Disclaimer… See Chapter 1 & 10 for the standard Disclaimer… I OWN NOTHING… *sniff* My Author’s Notes are after the chapter…

HOGWARTS AND BEYOND - TAKE 2

By Muirnin Cocan

PART 2 – Hogwarts, the Final Years

Chapter 17 - Midnight in the Caverns of Betrayal of Both Darkness and Light

As strange as it may seem, neither Harry nor Hermione were upset or afraid of their current situation. Harry knew that Voldemort was nowhere near, since his scar had not hurt… not even a twinge. Something about the cavern was unique as well, he slept better then he had in years. Lord Voldemort was not even able to enter his mind. In a way, he wished he would never have to leave… He had everything he wanted and needed in the form of Hermione. Harry knew however, that they would have to leave if for nothing else then to destroy Lord Voldemort.

When they realized they would not be escaping the caverns anytime soon, Hermione used a great amount of transfiguration and created clothing that is more suitable for them. They had discussed a great deal about the caverns and had even gone exploring only to find the one passage that had been mentioned in Hogwarts: A History had collapsed long before. They had gone back to the spot where they had fallen in and found no way to unseal the hole. Even a well-armed Reducto curse had no affect what so ever. They had found corpses of animals long since perished and even a few humongous skins that Harry surmised had belonged to the Basilisk he had slain during his 2nd year. He would not be surprised if the Basilisk had been able to come and go thru these caverns during his many years existence.

After 7 days inside the caverns, Harry could not shake the feeling of them being watched. ‘Mione’ he thought to her ‘have you gotten the feeling that we are being watched?’. Harry felt it important to keep their voices silent, and had communicated to her thru their bond.

‘Yes I have… In fact, it feels very familiar… almost like…’ she began to say then stopped and suddenly transformed into her black bear and hurried down a passage.

Harry watched wide-eyed and then hurried to follow her. After what seemed like a half an hour running Harry skidded to a halt where he found Hermione back to her normal self and an unconscious Wormtail…

“I knew I recognized the scent…” she looked at Harry with sadness and added, “It was one of the last things Sirius had taught me during our Animagus training. He had been teaching me about Animagi during the summer before 5th year. It was our secret; well, sort of a surprise that nobody ever found out actually. He had told me that one of the best things I could ever do is to hone my olfactory modality…” when Harry’s look of confusion hit her she corrected, “my sense of smell.”

“So, this betraying bastard is down here as well… Figures, our paradise was going to be ruined by this rat…” Harry said sarcastically.

“Paradise?” Hermione said quirking her eye at him.

“Well anywhere alone with you is paradise…”

“Nice save Potter… So, what do you make of these walls?” Hermione asked pointing at the walls around them.

Harry studied them for a few minutes and then realized, “This is part of the Chamber of Secrets… at least what used to be Slytherins chamber.”

“What do you mean? We are still in the caverns, right? So how can this be part of the Chamber?”

Harry began explaining about the shaft that led down from Moaning Myrtles Bathroom into the passageway that had been littered with fish bones and other carcasses. He then pointed out a number of metallic snakes woven into a circle on the one wall. He began to guess that Wormtail was trying to get them to this point so that Harry could open up the access to the chamber that they could get out of there.

“That rat bastard… I would love to leave his sorry ass down here, however… without Wormtail we cannot clear Sirius’ name… Part of me really wishes I had let Moony and Padfoot off the rat that night in the shrieking shack. Then Padfoot would still be alive.”

“But Harry you said it yourself, you didn’t think your dad would want his best friends to become murderers.”

“No but it’s alright for me to be a murderer. Dad knew that… He knew the entire prophesy…”

“Not a murderer Harry… think of yourself as an Executioner… you have to rid the world of the evil that is Tom Marvolo Riddle…”

Harry smiled at Hermione’s justification and leaned over kissing her gently on the lips. “This is another one of those reasons I love you, you keep me grounded but you also can help me understand what my destiny truly is.”

Please Review…

Author's Note:

On our way back from Canada, the children and I were in a car accident; totaling our car, however we walked away with no serious injuries. At the time I had my computer (at least the tower that is) in the trunk of the car, having taken it to my husband to work on. I also had in our possession ALL of my computer discs as well as my entire collection of Harry Potter Books on CD. When I had retrieved everything from the wreckage… I found that I had lost my entire collection of computer discs along with some of my Harry Potter discs. As I sat down to work on this story as well as others, I was terribly afraid that I had lost what I had written. I knew I had ‘It Happened One Night’ still on my hard drive, however, I had thought I had saved ‘HBx2’ to CD so that I could share it with my husband.

Not only did God look out for my children and I keeping us basically uninjured (I do have some back and neck injuries but nothing that can’t be taken care of with Physical Therapy), but Merlin kept my story big story safe… I have lost some of my work… including some of my professional stuff… That I will have to start over with…

I’m so sorry it has taken me so long to update this story… I really feared having to start this one over again because of the accident and had already decided to revamp my story to carry it further into canon… even though it is REALLY AU anyway… So, for the time being this story is going to be paused… I will be updating my YAHOO! Group (
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Muirnins_Musings/) first, before I update here… when I do update on Portkey it will be with the new and rewritten story… there will be a number of things I am changing but the storyline will be pretty much the same. There are also a few cookies posted of other Harry Potter Fan Fiction stories that I had been working on…

I will be moving August 13, 2004 to Canada so that the kids and I will be reunited with Lord Logan… But I want to take this time to THANK YOU ALL!!! for reading my work and reviewing it as well… I have a passion for writing and am trying to develop my storytelling so that it will be enjoyable to many others…

Hugs and Kisses…

As Always,

Muirnin, Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies

"An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..."

@}>---'---,---

21. Meassage from Muirnin

August 17, 2011 My dear friends and readers, Well it's been over 7 years since my last posting on Portkey, I have now turned 50 and so many things have changed in my life ... I was refused entry back to Canada and because of that I have been separated from my husband ever since. a couple few years later I had the unthinkable happen and my beloved children were taken away from me ... by the state and have since been adopted by family but all contact has been taken away so I am utterly alone and due to that major component missing from my life (my beloved husband and children) I lost my will to write. I have attempted a couple of times to write but circumstances have caused me to stop and I lose the motivation. I have a couple of stories going through my head but I find myself procrastinating on getting them down on paper ... so I am making this offer ... any stories that you see of mine are up for adoption they can be a jumping off point for a new story or you could try and continue what I already have started. Mind you realize that if I ever decide to write with gusto again I will be finishing a few of these (that aren't finished that is) I miss you all and hope to hear from you soon. As Always, (`'.¸(`'•..¤..•'´)¸.'´) ´¨`•.* Muirnin *.•´¨` (¸.'´(¸.•'´¤`'•.¸)`'.) *¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤*.¸¸.·´¨`"*"´¨`·. ¸¸.*¤* Queen Mother-Royal Family of Cliffies "An imaginative mind is a terrible thing to waste..." @}>---'---,--- who will always ship what is right over what was easy (And it's Hermione JANE)