Author's Note: Here's the second installment of A Whole New Beginning. This story will go through the trio's sixth year at Hogwarts. As always, I appreciate your feedback. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
"Excellent, Harry!" Sirius said, watching as his young charge dodged an incoming spell from Remus. Hermione smiled, proud of how well Harry's training has been going.
It's been about a month since the attack of Kings Cross and the death of Hermione's parents. In that time, Hermione has struggled to move on, using this to continue her training alongside Ron and Harry every day. Harry's been working harder, wanting revenge for what happened to Hermione whilst training for his final battle with Voldemort.
The times that they weren't training were the times that Mrs. Weasley had them cleaning. With the absence of Fred and George, she was able to split everyone up so there was only one cleaning each room.
Professor Dumbledore has also been working with Harry on his occlumency. Harry was now able to completely remove Dumbledore in a matter of a few seconds, something he had been unable to do since he started.
All in all, he felt as though he were growing stronger each day.
Dodging another spell from Remus, he stood up and disarmed him, watching as Remus then smiled at him.
"You're doing great, Harry," he replied, picking his wand up off of the floor.
"That was pretty cool," Ron said, clapping Harry on the back. Harry smiled as Hermione walked up to him.
"You got this," she said, smiling back at him.
"I made you a promise, and I'm going to live up to it," he replied, gently pushing a piece of her hair back behind her ear.
"The fight against Voldemort in the tunnel was great," Sirius said, sitting on the desk that was in the room, "but, you still have a long way to go."
"I'm getting better every day," Harry replied. "So are Ron and Hermione."
"It's not just about being stronger," Remus replied. "It's about being smarter as well. Keep up with your studies-all of you-and make sure you stay one step ahead."
They nodded. Sirius looked at his watch.
"Nearly time for dinner. Let's end it here for today."
They nodded and followed Sirius and Remus down to the kitchen.
It was nearing the middle of the July when Professor Dumbledore entered the kitchen one morning, holding a handful of letters in his hand. Everyone looked at each other, suddenly remembering.
"Good morning, everyone. I have all of your N.E.W.T. results and O.W.L. results. Fred and George, here's your N.E.W.T. results. Ron, your O.W.L. results. Hermione, here's yours and here's yours, Harry."
Harry hesitated for a moment before opening his envelope. Pulling the letter out, he opened it, feeling his hands tremble as he did so.
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS
Pass Grades Fail Grades
Outstanding (O) Poor (P)
Exceeds Expectations (E) Dreadful (D)
Acceptable (A) Troll (T)
Harry James Potter has achieved:
Astronomy: E
Care of Magical Creatures: E
Charms: O
Defense Against The Dark Arts: O
Divination: E
Herbology: O
History of Magic: E
Potions: O
Transfiguration: O
Harry stood in shock, rereading it several times to make sure it was right. He then let out a relieved sigh-he was going to make it into the Auror's program.
"Sirius, did you look at this?" Remus said, glancing over Harry's shoulder. Sirius walked up and looked down, smiling in pride as he did so.
"Wonderful job, Harry!" he said, clapping him on the back.
"What'd you get, mate?" Ron asked, swapping papers with Harry. He looked down at Ron's.
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS
Pass Grades Fail Grades
Outstanding (O) Poor (P)
Exceeds Expectations (E) Dreadful (D)
Acceptable (A) Troll (T)
Ronald Billius Weasley has achieved:
Astronomy: A
Care of Magical Creatures: E
Charms: E
Defense Against The Dark Arts: E
Divination: P
Herbology: E
History of Magic: P
Potions: E
Transfiguration: E
"Great job, Ron," Harry said, handing him back his paper. Ron stared at him in shock.
"Seriously, what has she done to you?" he asked, pointing over to Hermione. She walked up to them, raising an eyebrow in wonder.
"What have I done to who?"
"Harry. Look at this," Ron said, giving Hermione Harry's results. She looked over it for a moment before throwing her arms around him to bring him in for a hug.
"I'm so proud of you! I knew you could do it!"
"I think I just had the right motivation," he said, smiling at her. Ron rolled his eyes.
"You two sicken me. What'd you'd get, Hermione?"
She handed Ron and Harry her paper. They glanced down at it, neither surprised by the results.
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS
Pass Grades Fail Grades
Outstanding (O) Poor (P)
Exceeds Expectations (E) Dreadful (D)
Acceptable (A) Troll (T)
Hermione Jean Granger has achieved:
Ancient Runes: O
Arithmancy: O
Astronomy: O
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Charms: O
Defense Against The Dark Arts: O
Herbology: O
History of Magic: O
Potions: O
Transfiguration: O
"I am so proud of you!" Harry said, hugging her again. He pulled away, grinning as he did so. "See? There was no need to panic. We all did great."
"But, now we have Snape again," Hermione put in. Harry and Hermione looked over at Ron, who looked put out.
"I'm so sorry, mate."
"Eh, it's no big deal. I'll talk to McGonagall about it."
"What's going on?" Ginny asked.
"Ron can't get into the Auror's program."
"Snape only accepts outstandings in his class."
"What a git!" Ginny said, taking Ron's results away from him.
"You all did wonderful!" Mrs. Weasley said, before turning to her twin sons. "Do I even want to know?"
"Probably not," they replied back. She shook her head.
"I still do not like the idea of you two creating your own shop and living there. We're in the middle of a war!"
"We'll be fine, mother," they grinned at her. She buried her head in her hands.
"Hi," Hermione said, sneaking down to the living room late at night. Harry looked up, smiling at her.
"Hey there."
"I really am proud of you," she said, taking her hand in his as she sat next to him on the couch. "Now see, if you had done this back in first year, you would have been way ahead of the game."
"I didn't have much encouragement," he grinned. She shook her head, smiling as she did so.
"So, had we been dating back in first year, your marks would have been much better?"
"Most likely," he said.
"Interesting theory," she said, smiling softly.
"I do so enjoy the rewards I get," he said huskily into her ear. She moaned.
She leaned in and captured his lips with hers. Putting her hands behind his head, she pulled him in closer, wanting to feel as much of him as possible. His hands moved to her hips and he lightly brushed his thumbs against the skin that was peeking out from her shirt.
As the kiss intensified, Hermione pulled Harry down until she was laying across the couch and he was laying on top of her. When he moved to her neck, her hands began to push his shirt up, and he broke away for a moment to take it off before recapturing her lips again.
His hands slipped underneath her shirt and settled just below her breasts. She let out a moan, reaching down to move his hands. Hers then trailed across his chest, marveling at how muscular Harry was. He then gently lifted her up and removed her shirt, his eyes trailing down her top as he did so.
As Harry's lip moved down her neck, she reached for his pajama pants, pulling them down to his ankles. He kicked them off a moment later, his lips now reaching her chest. She moaned out in pleasure as her nails dug deep into his back, encouraging him. He growled a moment later, pulling away from her with struggle.
"We can't do this, Hermione," he said, attempting to get his breathing back under control. She nodded, her thoughts coming back to her.
"I guess we got lost in the moment," she said, reaching up to touch his cheek.
"It's been a while. It's so hard."
"I know. We'll be back at Hogwarts soon." She noticed his look and said, "Are you ok?"
"Just give me a minute," he growled, getting off of her.
"Oh," she replied, glancing down. She turned away from him and looked for her shirt while he put his pants and shirt back on. He then sat next to her, allowing her head to fall on his shoulder.
"Doing better?" she asked.
"Not really," he replied. "Hermione, I don't want to bring this up, because you look like you're doing well, but how are you doing about your parents?"
She stared into the fireplace and tightened her grip on his hand. "I can't dwell on them forever, Harry. I miss them so much, and I still get upset about it, but I need to move on. I need to help you with this war for them and everyone else whose lives he has ruined."
"I wish you didn't have to lose them," he said, gently rubbing his thumb across his hand.
"It wasn't your fault," she stressed. "You didn't do this. Voldemort did."
He brought her hand up and kissed it before gently placing it in his cheek. She ran her hand across it, feeling the stubble that was beginning to form.
"I can't believe we're in our sixth year already," she said, staring straight at him.
"Seems like just yesterday Hagrid came and got me from the Dursley's," he said, realizing his mistake after he said it. Her eyes narrowed at him.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing."
"Tell me."
"Fine," he said, wiping his palms on his pants. "When we got our announcement letters, my aunt and uncle immediately knew what it was and refused to let me see it. Eventually, so many letters came that they packed us up and left. On my birthday, Hagrid came and told me."
She shook her head. "How could you put up with those people?"
"I just stayed out of their way. I think I'm ready for bed," he said, standing up. She also stood up, her eyes drifting up and down his body.
"You were already so much taller than me to begin with, now you have to grow even more?" she asked, putting her hands on his chest. He smiled, leaning down to kiss her head.
"I think you're cute short."
"Sod off," she laughed, standing on her tiptoes to give him a kiss goodnight.
"Severus, report," Dumbledore said. Snape leaned forward in his chair.
"The Dark Lord is furious for what happened at the station. With several of his Death Eaters now awaiting Azkaban, his next goal is to break all of them out."
"We already know that," Sirius said sarcastically.
"Sirius," Dumbledore ordered. "Is there anything else?"
"That's all I know as of right now. He's having a hard time trusting me at the moment."
Sirius rolled his eyes. Remus kicked his chair, trying to get Sirius to listen. He turned to give him a look.
"What about getting them back to school?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"The Minister has informed me that Aurors will be placed at the station and on the train. They assure me that it will be safe to ride it again."
"I don't know how I feel about that," Mrs. Weasley said. "That's risking all of the children of Hogwarts lives."
"The odds of Voldemort striking the same thing twice is low. Most likely, he won't do that again."
"What about Draco Malfoy?" Sirius asked. Snape glared at him.
"They used vertiserium on Lucius, yet he still didn't confess that Draco was the one who sealed the barrier. I have no choice but to allow him to continue his education."
"You know he did it!" Sirius said, slamming his hands onto the table.
"He didn't do anything, Black," Snape hissed, standing up. Remus put his hand over his eyes, shaking his head as he did so.
"His father is in Azkaban! He killed Hermione's parents, he attacked me, Harry, Ron and Ginny, and he tortured Hermione. Don't you tell me he didn't bring Draco in as well, Snape!"
"That is one of my students that you are talking about!"
"And it was our children that paid the price!"
"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore roared. "It is time for the both of you to act civil. Severus, it is time for you to return."
He nodded, glaring at Sirius as he left. Sirius glared at Dumbledore.
"I can't believe you're allowing Draco to return to school."
"I don't have a choice, Sirius. I have to allow him to return."
Fuming, Sirius strode out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind him. Everyone then looked at Remus.
"Give him a few days," he replied, taking a drink of his butterbeer.
On the morning of July 31st, Hermione snuck into Ron and Harry's shared bedroom, seeing that Harry was still fast asleep. Wondering where Ron was at, she shook her head and shut the door behind her, putting a locking charm and a silencing charm on it.
Walking over to his bed, she gently bent down and pecked his lips, watching as he moaned but didn't wake. She pecked his lips again, smiling against his lips as he began to kiss her back.
"That's a good way to wake up," he said, breaking away from her. She reached over to his nightstand and grabbed his glasses, smiling down at him as she did so.
"Happy birthday," she said. He smiled up at her.
"Thank you."
"What do you want to do?"
He raised his eyebrow at her before pulling her head back down. His lips met hers once again and he buried his hands into her hair, pressing her closer to him. Her hips straddled his as her hands rested against his chest, clutching his shirt in her hands.
"I love you," she whispered, breaking away to rest her head against his.
"I love you, too," he said quietly, brushing hair away from her face. She smiled down at him before capturing his lips again.
"I should get ready," he said, turning his head to look out the window.
"Me, too," she replied, getting off of him. "Meet you downstairs in a little while?"
"Or, we could shower together," he grinned. She gave him a look, smirking slightly while doing it.
"Nice try. Get ready, would you?"
He nodded, grabbed some clothes from his trunk and followed her out the door. He entered the bathroom and took a quick shower before going downstairs to the kitchen, seeing that Ron and Ginny were already down there.
"Where have you been?" Harry asked Ron.
"I woke up early."
"You woke up early?"
"I didn't sleep well," he replied, taking a sip of his drink. "Happy birthday, by the way."
"Thanks," Harry replied, sitting across from Ron.
"Where's Hermione? I didn't see her when I woke up," Ginny said.
"She was talking to me this morning. She's in the shower."
"Happy birthday, kiddo," Sirius said, as he and Remus entered the kitchen.
"Thanks, Sirius."
Hermione entered the kitchen a moment later followed by Professor McGonagall. She smiled at everyone.
"How is everyone?"
"I need to talk to you, professor," Ron said. She nodded.
"We can speak in a moment. I have all of your school letters for you."
She passed them out. Harry quickly opened his, looking over the letter. His envelope still felt heavy, so he looked inside, unaware that McGonagall was still watching him.
"What do you think about this, Harry?" Ron asked, looking up at him. "Harry?"
Harry held up the badge with a scarlet Q inscribed in it. Ron's eyes bulged so much that Harry thought they were going to pop out of his head.
"You've been made Quidditich captain?" Hermione asked, beaming with pride. He nodded. "Congratulations!"
"Way to go, mate!" Ron said, clapping his shoulder. McGonagall walked over to him.
"I'm expecting another cup again this year, Mr. Potter."
"I won't let you down, professor," he said. She nodded her head.
"Mr. Weasley," she said, heading towards the stairwell. Ron followed her.
"Quidditich captain, huh?" Sirius said, grinning at him. "Congratulations."
"Thanks."
"Sirius," Dumbledore said, walking down the steps to the kitchen, "I need to speak with you."
Sirius hesitated for a moment before nodding, following Dumbledore out of the kitchen.
"Well, I suppose we need to go and get your school supplies," Mrs. Weasley said, taking the book list from Harry. "I am not looking forward to this."
"When will we be going?" Ginny asked.
"This weekend when your father is off work. I will have to speak with the order. Ginny, come help me with lunch."
"Oh, mum!"
"Now!" she ordered, turning back to the kitchen. Ginny sighed and followed her mother. Hermione turned to Harry.
"This means," she said, taking the badge from him and pinning it to his shirt, "that you get to use the prefect's bathroom, and have equal status as a prefect."
"I can roam the halls without getting in trouble now?" he asked, grinning. She smiled.
"You do anyway. It's called an invisibility cloak, remember?"
"We've had a lot of fun times in that cloak."
"What's up, Dumbledore?" Sirius asked, as he turned and put a locking and silencing charm on the door. Dumbledore gestured to the chair and he sat in it.
"I know you're furious with me," he replied, taking a seat in the chair that sat across from the one Sirius was sitting in, "but, Sirius, as Harry's legal guardian, I need to ask you this. I was wondering if I could take Harry with me on a trip. It shouldn't be too long, and I will keep close watch of him."
"Where do you want to take him?" Sirius asked in confusion.
"Do you remember your old potions professor?"
"Slughorn? What about him?"
"Horance may hold the key to defeating Voldemort. I don't want to say any more. Horance was very fond of Lily while she was a student there. I need Harry to do the same."
Sirius burrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "So, what, you want Harry to convince him to come back and teach? What about Snape?"
"He and Severus would be sharing the class, if you decide to return to teaching."
"I planned on it," Sirius replied. "You know Snape's not going to like that."
"I have already spoken to Severus, and he has agreed. Severus will teach years one through four, while Horance will take the testing level students."
"Shocker," Sirius said bitterly. "I'm surprised Snape even agreed to that."
"Sirius, I need Harry for this."
"Yet, you refuse to tell me why you need him, exactly."
"You have to trust my judgement."
"That's funny, because I really don't."
Dumbledore dropped his head. "I know I have made mistakes. I can't change what has already been done."
"You made a mistake with Harry more than me. He should have never been at that house."
"I have my reasons for sending him to the Dursley's."
"So tired of hearing that excuse."
"The same for why I wanted him to return this summer."
"And he wanted to stay with me, and his girlfriend, who had just lost her parents."
"I can only apologize so much, Sirius. I am not here to dwell on the past. I am here to ask to take Harry with me."
Sirius turned his head away, pinching the bridge of his nose as he did so. "You better watch him carefully. If something happens to him, I will personally find you."
"I understand. I always have Harry's best interests at heart."
"What'd McGonagall say?" Hermione asked, as Ron joined her, Ginny and Harry in the boy's room. Ron shrugged.
"She didn't say much at all. She said that we'll talk about it more when I return to Hogwarts, but to start thinking about other options."
"What would you want to do?"
"Maybe a career in Quidditich," he said. Harry quickly squeezed Hermione's hand before she could say anything.
"I think that's a great idea, Ron," she said, looking down. Ginny nodded in agreement.
"Mum wouldn't be too happy, though."
"It's not her decision, it's mine."
"You should do whatever you want," Harry replied.
"I want to wish the best of luck to you two in Snape's class," Ron said. They looked at each other, dread flowing through the both of them.
"He's going to be terrible!" Hermione replied, burying her face into her hands.
"Maybe by some kind of miracle we won't have him," Harry joked. Hermione smiled slightly.
"I'll have him regardless," Ginny groaned. "Is Sirius still teaching defense?"
"As far as I know," Harry replied. "I believe he's coming back to teach."
"How are we getting there?"
Everyone looked at one another, refusing to say anything.
"I doubt we'll be taking the train again. If we do, there were be several order members on the train."
A knock on the door caused everyone to jump. Harry said "come in" and watched as the door opened, revealing Sirius, who looked upset.
"Harry, Dumbledore and I need to talk to you."
