Star - lit Sanctuary

Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine, they all belong to J.K. Rowling, as do the major events listed in this story. This story is for entertainment only; no profit is being made.

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Harry had never felt so protected in all his life. Here he was, sixteen, and surrounded by the best people in the world. Everyone had come to the Burrow this summer, including Hermione's parents. She had refused to leave home without them, claiming it was too dangerous for them, and her being a witch and them being Muggles- they were open targets. It was difficult for her parents at first, but eventually they fit in. Hermione's mother, Hannah, and Mrs. Weasely got along splendidly, as did Mr. Granger and Mr. Weasley.

Harry looked around and smiled. Everyone was outside at the moment, in various small groups scattered around the backyard, trying to soak up the last rays of sunlight. Harry had to admit that this summer had been much better than the last, even his time at the Dursley's had been bearable. Dumbledore's warning seemed to strike a chord with his Aunt Petunia - she had been nice all summer, and hadn't given him half as many chores as usual. Yet, Harry knew in his heart that this was where he belonged. Here in the magical world, with these people. Yes, he had to call Privet Drive home, but it never would be. Nothing felt more like home to Harry then being here with Ron and the rest of the Weasley's, Hermione, Hagrid, Lupin, Dumbledore, and Sirius.

The last name shot into his thoughts before he could stop it. Suddenly all of Harry's happiness drained away, as he thought about Sirius. Harry closed his eyes and forced himself to keep back a cry. Thinking of Sirius dead was worse than thinking of his parents. Harry suspected this was because he had actually known Sirius, and loved him deeply. Losing Sirius was a hurt like Harry had never known. A hurt, he realized, that would probably be equal to his losing Ron or Hermione. At the thought Harry looked over at his two best friends quickly, as if afraid they were going to vanish.

Harry smiled sheepishly as his gaze fell on them, embarrassed for being so afraid. They were fine, each chatting away to someone else. Ron was talking to Charlie about Quidditch, his all time favorite subject, while Hermione sat directly across from him talking to Ginny. As Harry watched them he noticed that one kept glancing over at the other though they never made eye contact. Harry smirked to himself; it was actions like these that made him think they did like each other.in that way, but then, when they fought, Harry couldn't even fathom that they would be attracted to one another..

But then Ron had gotten Hermione perfume for Christmas last year, which was very odd. Harry had just given her a book, like he did every year, and every year Ron had done the same, until last year. Then he went and bought her perfume, which she even wore; though she called it unusual. However, Harry didn't think it was unusual at all, it smelled kind of nice on her.. like flowers and vanilla. In fact, whenever he smelt it, it reminded him of her for some reason.perhaps that was why Ron had bought it?

He was so confused. In all the time he had liked Cho he had never thought of buying her perfume, but then he had never acted with Cho the way Ron did with Hermione. For instance, if Hermione had been crying, like Cho had done countless times, chances are Ron would have known what was wrong with her. When it came to Cho, Harry had had no clue. But then, Harry hadn't understood Cho in the way Ron had understood Hermione.. in fact Harry didn't even understand Hermione the way that Ron did. It seemed like some unspoken bond lay between them, that was only theirs, something that Harry wasn't a part of.it was their friendship - together, just the two of them, just like Harry's separate friendships with Ron and Hermione, and the separate bonds he had with them. Their bond though.seemed to run much deeper than plain old friendship.

A loud laugh from Ginny interrupted his thoughts and Harry shifted his gaze to her. She looked over as his gaze fell on her and she smiled at him, a favor that he returned. He couldn't get over the change in her over the past year. She had been much more talkative towards him - and just more there in general. She had been great in June in the Department of Mysteries - and quite a help when Harry had fretted over being possessed by Voldemort. She had also turned out to be an excellent Seeker, though she told him that he could have his old position back, since she was going to try out for Chaser come September. Maybe her new comfortable level was due to the fact that she no longer fancied him - Ron had told him grudgingly that morning that she and Dean were "getting along just bloody great." Harry was happy for her though, why shouldn't he be? Though to be honest, it hadn't been all that bad when she had fancied him. In fact, besides Cho, Harry believed Ginny had been the only other girl to fancy him. Nothing could be done about any of it now however, since Ginny was going out with Dean, and Cho with that fellow named Michael.

Stretching, Harry glanced up at the sky and realized that night had fallen and the first stars were appearing. He had always loved the Burrow, especially at night. Their enormous backyard made for the best Quidditch matches, and their particular patch of sky always had the best stars, considering they had no Muggle street lamps or any other annoying light pollution. Harry then pulled his chair next to Hermione and Ginny, who were both staring at the sky as well.

Ginny glanced at him and said, "Beautiful isn't Harry?"

He nodded with approval; "We never get stars like this at home."

Hermione agreed saying, "Me either, look at my parents you two.they are completely mesmerized."

At that second Ron bounded over, flinging himself upon the grass at all their feet, "So what have I missed?" he demanded.

"Ron, shh!" Ginny said, kicking him lightly, "We're looking at the stars, don't disturb it with your big mouth!"

Harry and Hermione laughed.

"Well," Ron said, "you can't possibly be enjoying it like that, with your necks in that position.this is the way to look at stars." He then stretched out flat on his back, his arms behind his head, "Come on!" he said pulling on Hermione and Harry's pant legs.

Harry just ignored him, but Hermione went to swat his hand away, which had been a very bad decision. Ron promptly sat up a bit and took hold of her hand and despite her whispered protests, yanked her down on the grass with him. She landed on her knees beside him, her arms stretched out as if she would fall. He smirked at her in triumph, his face just inches from hers. Satisfied he lied back down, tugging on her wrist for her to do the same. With an inaudible sigh, she consented and settled down beside him in the same position.

The display gave Harry a desire to laugh but he surpressed it. Something seemed to have gone on between them, in the brief second, though Harry wasn't all too sure what. Ginny, he noticed, seemed to have a better idea then him, since, as she turned her head back towards the star-lit sky, Harry saw that she was smiling in a very telling way.

Harry, too, turned his gaze back to the stars suddenly wishing with all his might that every day would be like today. If that were true than they wouldn't have to worry about anything. death, Voldemort, O.W.L. results, or most importantly.the war that would engulf them soon. Perhaps time would stand still for them, instead of creeping steadily closer to that day when they would have to fight for their lives.

Harry looked around at everyone again, and he saw that they all looked absorbed in the stars. That, he knew, was just external, inside everyone felt as he did.sick with worry over what was surely to come. But as Hagrid had said, more than a year ago, what would come, would come, and they would just have to meet it when it did.

~*~ A/N: I didn't intend for this story to end this way, but there you go. I think I'm going to make it multi-chaptered, because I have an idea that would tie in well with this I think. This is my first post-OotP attempt, and I hope I did the book justice.