p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" align="center"emstrongTuesday, September 16, 2003/strong /embr /emstrongGinny and Harry's flat/strong/em/p
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p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""What time do you have to go back?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry looked at the mini grandfather clock which sat in the corner of the living room-dining room area. "I have to be back before 3:00 pm."br /She hummed in reply and leaned into Harry's hug./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny sat at her kitchen table with a variety of magazines opened in front of her. Hermione was turning 24 on September 19th and as Hermione's proclaimed girl best friend, Ginny was going to throw a party. As many knew, Ginny loved parties. Damn anyone that had the balls to get in the way of the female Weasley on a mission. The magazine's pictures moved lively, in bright colors, models posing and dancing for the camera. The Ministry had finally been able to mess with the potion that helped the pictures move and put colors into them./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Ginny, what's all this?" Harry said, his mouth forming a thin line as he watched his excited girlfriend circle a variety of things in all the magazines./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""I'm planning Hermione's party of course," said Ginny, very assuredly. She also gestured to the mess on the table as to say, emno shite Harry. /em/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry's eyebrows pulled up on their own accord. Ginny's red hair bounced as she stood up and tapped her wand happily over all the pictures. Harry closed the refrigerator and opened the cold pumpkin juice bottle he retrieved. He was eyeing his girlfriend with a vague look of apprehension./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""You know she hates excessive things," he said warily. "Hermione's very simple."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny sent him a sharp look. Harry learned a long time to not shrink back from Ginny's shrewd looks, it only made things worse. "Harry," her tone was strict. "I know Hermione. It may look like a lot but I promise she'll love it. I've also asked mum if we could have it at the Burrow. She was positively beside herself with happiness! Mum loves Hermione like a second daughter."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry still looked skeptical as he joined Ginny at the table. "If you're sure," he said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny and Harry worked through Ginny's magazines, tapping their wands on the products they wanted. Harry had finally given in, looking at the items that Ginny was ordering. It would be expensive, but Ginny was ecstatic that she could afford to throw an extravagant party that would scream Hermione. Being a Chaser on the Holyhead Harpies team allowed Ginny to help out her parents immensely and give her more Galleons than she knew what to do. Harry too was always wary of the, now very large fortune in his Vault, and did not blink an eye at spending money he knew would only accumulate more./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"An owl flew into the kitchen happily doing somersaults. Pigwidgeon hooted and landed on Harry's head. There was a letter attached to his leg, he held it out happily all the while hooting loudly. Ginny laughed at Harry's stricken expression and reached up to untie the letter from the owl's leg. Pig hooted and flew to the empty bird perch in the corner of the kitchen. He nipped at the snacks and dipped his beak in the water./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""I thought you would include Hermione in your party throwing extravaganzas," said Harry, his eyes scanned the letter quickly and he stuffed it in his pocket./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Hermione was in a foul mood. She pulled an all-nighter from Saturday till Sunday afternoon," said Ginny, she was frowning. "Then she visited her parents and spent the last part of Sunday night sleeping and she also took Monday off from work and drank the whole day."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry flinched as he helped Ginny clean up the table. He grabbed his pumpkin juice and drank half the bottle./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Mione is for sure overworking herself," he replied, turning the bottle absentmindedly in his hands./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny had stood up and put the magazines away and leaned her hip against the kitchen /"Yeah and she's drinking herself silly."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"The couple exchanged looks of worry. The sound of the Floo activating in their living room broke their eye contact. Seconds later Sirius Black waltzed into the kitchen, carrying a large box-y parcel./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""There's my precious godson!" the black haired man exclaimed./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"He dropped his parcel on the table and pulled Harry into an uncomfortable hug as if a snake had coiled itself around /"Si-rius!" Harry gasped, trying to shove the man off him. "I can't b-breathe!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius let Harry go and grinned ruffling his hair./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""What've you brought?" Ginny asked, peering at the large parcel./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry was glaring half-heartedly at his /Sirius eyed the parcel as he sat down in a chair. "Some ancient books that were in the Grimmauld Place library. I figured that if anyone was going to get any use of them, it was Hermione." He explained, looking very proud of himself./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Damn Sirius, these Restricted Runes books are surely going to help with her research!" Ginny exclaimed looking into the half-opened parcel./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Hey!" Sirius Black yelled, grabbing the parcel from her. "I had wrapped it expertly."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius coddled his torn parcel with a sad, mournful look on his face. He set to work with his wand, muttering curses under his breath as he fixed it /Harry rolled his eyes at the pair while putting dishes away. He secretly loved having Sirius and Ginny bicker. It formed a warm seed in the pit of his stomach that he wasn't sure that he'd ever felt while growing up. Yes, the Weasley family felt as though they were his own family. But Sirius came very close to being Harry's foster father and Ginny, well he had hopeful plans for life with /At this point in his life, Harry finally felt okay./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny let out an unladylike snort. "HA, I'm not sure what type of expert you are." She rolled her eyes and Sirius glared at her./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"As his godfather and girlfriend bickered, worry for Hermione thumped at the back of his mind. Harry knew that Hermione was terrible at self-care. She was always caring for others and forgetting herself, she was the shining definition of self-less. He glanced at Ginny who was brandishing her wand at Sirius with a mocking face. Harry waved his wand at the rest of the dishes and magicked them away into the cupboards./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Maybe getting Hermione tickets to my game in October can help her relax," Ginny said, placing herself on a kitchen stool, across from Harry. Ginny gave up teasing Sirius and eyed Harry as he dried his hands on a towel. "You know she always liked watching us play."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry shrugged and grabbed his forgotten bottle of cold pumpkin juice. "There's a chance, but she's still overworking herself," he said straightening up, finishing off his pumpkin juice, and glancing at his wristwatch. "I'll owl you a list and ideas that could help cheer Hermione up. I have to head back to school because my class starts soon."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry walked around the counter and pulled Ginny into a hug and kissed her /"I'll see you this weekend love." Ginny grinned squeezing her boyfriend back./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry levitated his teaching robes on and grabbed his briefcase. "See you Gin." He smiled and nodded at Sirius. "Ready?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius messed with Ginny's hair and climbed into the fireplace, shouting Harry's Hogwarts office in the process. She pouted and glared at the dark-haired man. Harry watched as his godfather was taken away through the Floo Network and then pulled Ginny into a proper goodbye kiss./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Minutes later, Harry shook his robes free of Floo powder soot as he stepped out of his office fireplace and immediately raised an eyebrow at Sirius, who had raided Harry's personal (warded and locked) away cupboard of liquor./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""This Firewhiskey is divine." Sirius all but groaned in delight. He nursed the tumbler close to his chest. "Where in Merlin's name did you get this?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry shrugged, striding over to his desk. He shuffled around and grabbed the stack of graded Defense Against the Dark Arts assignments on rolled up parchment./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""A gift at one of those benefit dinners," Harry replied flippantly and looked at his watch again. He had five minutes before students would start shuffling into his classroom downstairs. "Now, Sirius, what did you want to tell me before class begins?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius frowned setting down the tumbler and stood up. He straightened out his clothes and helped Harry collect the rest of his /"Yes, well the Minister told me they are watching a certain individual…" Sirius said, stroking the hair on his chin absentmindedly. "Apparently there's something odd going on with the Death Chamber in the Department of Mysteries and they're speculating that one of the Unspeakables did something they weren't supposed to."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry's eyebrows pulled tautly and he watched his step as they headed down the stairs from his office to his classroom. He had a teacher's table in the corner of the classroom, where he had three baskets that collected coursework./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry mulled over the thoughts of his best friend, as Sirius spoke of the Department of Mysteries. He also wondered when in Merlin's name he became such a worrywart. Though, not surprisingly as he placed down his stack of parchment rolls and books, the Auror life did not fit with Harry's need to help others. Hermione always commented offhandedly that Harry had a hero complex. Helping and teaching the youngsters felt so natural to Harry./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"'I just want a normal life," Harry told Hermione a year the war. Because everything in their lives now revolved Prewar and Postwar days. It was sad, disheartening, and bloody depressing. Harry could see that Hermione's strengthen was crumbling. He wasn't sure how much longer she would last with a front only he and her very close friends knew about. Hell, Harry wasn't even sure that Ron knew that Hermione had minimal /Harry blamed the fact that her best friends were a pair of boys and a girl that had six brothers./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione had smiled, a very grim smile at Harry in response to his /em'Oh, Harry, you will get one,'/em she said, placing her small hand on top of his. Harry had strangely seen so much confidence swimming in her wide, doe-like eyes, in that moment that he was inclined to believe her words. em'You deserve it more than anyone.'/em/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Four years later, Harry wondered where the confidence in Hermione's eyes had gone, even if it was only for a split second./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Harry, bloody hell son." Sirius thumped Harry's back with a hand. "You weren't listening to me at all. Where's your sense of adventure mate?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry scoffed, flicking his wand and distributing the parchment rolls into the square cubbies that were at the back of his large, spacious classroom. "As a professor, Sirius, I don't get to have a sense of adventure," he said and shot Sirius a condescending look. "I had enough adventure for about 7 years, thankyouverymuch."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius crossed his arms and shot Harry a deadpan look. "So, the Unspeakable business doesn't strike your fancy, at all?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry paused his organizing and tilted his head a bit. Sirius was giving him a look that reminded him of a wet dog. "If you don't take that barmy look off your face I shall do it for you," said Harry waving his wand at Sirius, who only deepened his pout. "Sirius, I will be out of a job and you may or may not end up sleeping with the Giant Squid tonight."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"This time Sirius glared at Harry and pushed off from where he was leaning against Harry's desk. He sighed and combed his fingers through his wavy, ink coloured mane he called hair. In all the years that Harry had now gotten to know Sirius, his hair continued to stay long and free. Sometimes it was pulled into a topknot bun that Ginny teased the Black about. Harry absentmindedly tugged at a strand of hair that escaped his own ponytail./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Harry," Sirius said, this time there was no humor in his voice. Harry put his wand away and watched his godfather warily. "The Death Chamber isn't something to mess around with… I know Hermione runs that Department, but I can't help but worry. If the rumors are true then we must tread lightly on this situation."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry nodded sighing as he leaned his back on his desk. "Yeah, I'm aware." He inclined his head slightly and crossed his arms. "I know we're privy to this situation because of our history and Hermione, but I trust Hermione to deal with her Department."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius nodded in agreement, his expression matching Harry's somber one./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Professor Potter!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Ah, duty calls," Harry straightened up and placed a smile on his face. "Ready Sirius?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"His godfather laughed, a barking loud laugh that vibrated through Harry's empty classroom. "Sure, anything for you Harry." Sirius squeezed Harry's arm before letting himself fall into his Animagus form./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius watched as Harry greeted his students with a bright smile and snarky remarks. The Black can tell that the students are still fascinated with Harry and are genuinely excited to come to class./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"em"You guys would be so proud of your son,"/em Sirius' thoughts drift to a certain James and Lily Potter./p
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p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" align="center"strongemMany hours later that same day.../em/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" align="center"br /Hermione was tinkering away again at the Time Turner. She had a broken through four curses so far. She pushed herself away from the magnifying glass stand. Hermione sat up straight and her spine cracked in a few places as she did so. The clock in the corner, signaling the turn of the hour, dinged twelve times. She glanced a the time and sighed. It was already one in the morning and it would only get later if she continued working./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"She took her wand and cast a protection charm over the Time Turner. Her back cracked once more as she stood up to grab her belongings. Hermione let out a breath she had been holding in and loosened her hair, her curls breaking free from their confines. Breaking curses depleted a lot of her magical and regular energy. She had been working since early morning that day and she was surprised to learn that her magical energy had lasted so /Brightest witch of her age./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"This rang through her mind as she cast a locking charm on her office door and made her way towards the lift. Her thoughts left a bitter taste in her mouth. Another sigh escaped her lips as she pressed the down button. She sure as bloody hell didn't feel like the brightest witch of her age./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione was so far gone in her thoughts that she did not notice the silent figure that stood in the corner of the lift once it arrived. She fiddled with her wand nervously in her hand, this was a habit she had formed while her, Harry, and Ron had been searching for Horcruxes. The four curses had been very long and complicated. Hermione had been interrupted at least five times before she broke through three curses. She was also sure that her hair was burnt at the edges because of the backlash that came with breaking powerful curses. She knew she now had to attempt to break the curses with runes, and that came with its own set of complications and extensive research. Research which she did not mind, but runic curse breaking was very taxing on the body./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione nearly sagged against the elevator wall, she had exhausted herself even further with the prospect of fixing the Time /Hermione wondered when her motivation for her work was swept away./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"The sound of someone clearing their throat sent Hermione's pulse soaring and she nearly leaped out of her skin in fright. She spun, wide-eyed, wand pointing, and a spell ready at her lips. Her wand landed at the tip of Malfoy's Adam's apple in a matter of seconds./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Hullo Granger." Malfoy eyed her contemplatively as if her wand was not inches away from his person./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"She sent him a withering glare, not lowering her wand. "I could've maimed you, Malfoy." Hermione's voice was firm but lacked any venom, exhaustion, and annoyance was laced into her words./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Malfoy stared at her, his features not giving away his thoughts. "Then do put that blasted thing away before you magick off an appendage," he said quirking an eyebrow./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione made a noise at the back of her throat but nevertheless lowered the wand slowly. The lift continued to slowly descend as the two of them stared at one another. The slow hum of the lift gears working in a rhythm that almost soothed Hermione's rapidly beating pulse./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""I wasn't aware that you were fond of giving unsuspecting people a fright," she finally said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Something akin to humor danced in Malfoy's slate eyes. Hermione chalked it off to the dim lighting in the lift./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Malfoy lifted his shoulders to resemble a shrug. "Scaring unsuspecting muggleborns is my specialty."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"If Hermione hadn't known any better, she would've thought that he had been joking with her./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione shifted her stance and crossed her arms. She regarded him astutely and they ended up having a staring contest. Neither wanted to break eye contact first, their stubbornness was nearly enough to burn a wide hole through each of them. Hermione thought it was very childish of them, but she did not grace Malfoy with a reply./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Uh, Mione?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione and Malfoy didn't realize that the lift had come to a stop until someone broke their staring contest. She turned around and came face to face with a Weasley twin./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Fred!" Hermione's features shifted from a firm scowl to a pleasant smile. Malfoy raised an eyebrow at her shift in mood. She hadn't been smiling when he first saw her step into the lift./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Hullo," the Weasley said, suspicion wiped clean from his face./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione stepped out of the lift along with Malfoy and gave Fred a welcoming /"You're back from America! How was it? Did you bring me back anything?" Hermione spit fired questions, as she usually did. Hermione figured that it was better not to worry any of her people./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Fred smiled at her and produced a package from the satchel he was gripping in one /"Why of course I brought you back something. Your birthday is in a few days, so I decided that I'd find you and give it to you," he said, handing her a wrapped gift. "I found it in Wizarding San Francisco, I hope you like it."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione took it and hugged the Weasley again. She placed it in her messenger bag (magically expanded) and stepped away from /"Thank you Fred, I'm excited to open it," she said. "Did you just arrive, it is quite late."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"He nodded, glancing quickly at Malfoy who stood a few feet away from /"Yeah, da just wanted something from his office, even though it's late," replied Fred. "We also figured that you would be here. So I was also on my way to give you your present, in case I didn't see you later."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Of course." Hermione's grin was a bit too forced. "I'll let you get on it then," Hermione said stepping out of the way and her mouth tugging slightly up at the corner. "Have a goodnight Fred."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""You too, Mione…" Fred responded as he stepped into the lift. He frowned at the scene before him as the lift doors closed. How much had he missed while he had been away? Malfoy and Hermione on speaking terms?/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione's smile dropped from her features as soon as Fred disappeared and she started to walk down the corridor to the Apparition point. All she wanted was to get home and get in bed, except there was one issue./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""You're still around, huh." A Malfoy was that issue./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Malfoy sent her a guarded look. "What's in the package the Weasel gave you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Why are you so curious?" said Hermione, affronted./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"He shrugged as he fell into step with her. Hermione resisted gritting her teeth together. He was just trying her patience and rousing her temper. It was probably on purpose./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Just wondering if it'll be detrimental to your health."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione stopped her quick pace and stared at the blond. "Excuse me?" Her voice raised a few decibels./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Gesundheit," Malfoy replied smoothly, easily ignoring Hermione's irritation./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"They had arrived in the part of the Ministry's Atrium where Apparating was allowed. Along with the two of them, there were only two night guardwizards and a circulation desk witch. A stale breeze blew through the empty Atrium ruffling Hermione's skirt. The re-done Fountain of Magical Brethren sparkled in the dim light of the Atrium as Hermione looked around and then looked back at Malfoy./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""I wasn't aware that you liked joking around," she said, narrowing her eyes at him, her hands perched on her hips./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"He shrugged and stepped closer to her. Malfoy's eyes dragged along her body, a calculating look thinly veiled. Hermione felt almost nervous as he stared at /"I find it intriguing that you're the Head of the Department of Mysteries and my technical boss…" he said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione took two steps back into the Apparition point. Her eyes trained on the calculating Malfoy. He looked too interested in her, which did not sit well with her and her frayed nerves. Just four days ago Malfoy had looked at her as if the last place he wanted to be was near her. This sudden interest in her was unnerving./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Have a goodnight Malfoy," Hermione said before she disappeared with a loud empurposeful/em crack./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Malfoy's right eye twitched in annoyance at the noise./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"That Granger…/p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" align="center" /p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""What time do you have to go back?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry looked at the mini grandfather clock which sat in the corner of the living room-dining room area. "I have to be back before 3:00 pm."br /She hummed in reply and leaned into Harry's hug./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny sat at her kitchen table with a variety of magazines opened in front of her. Hermione was turning 24 on September 19th and as Hermione's proclaimed girl best friend, Ginny was going to throw a party. As many knew, Ginny loved parties. Damn anyone that had the balls to get in the way of the female Weasley on a mission. The magazine's pictures moved lively, in bright colors, models posing and dancing for the camera. The Ministry had finally been able to mess with the potion that helped the pictures move and put colors into them./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Ginny, what's all this?" Harry said, his mouth forming a thin line as he watched his excited girlfriend circle a variety of things in all the magazines./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""I'm planning Hermione's party of course," said Ginny, very assuredly. She also gestured to the mess on the table as to say, emno shite Harry. /em/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry's eyebrows pulled up on their own accord. Ginny's red hair bounced as she stood up and tapped her wand happily over all the pictures. Harry closed the refrigerator and opened the cold pumpkin juice bottle he retrieved. He was eyeing his girlfriend with a vague look of apprehension./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""You know she hates excessive things," he said warily. "Hermione's very simple."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny sent him a sharp look. Harry learned a long time to not shrink back from Ginny's shrewd looks, it only made things worse. "Harry," her tone was strict. "I know Hermione. It may look like a lot but I promise she'll love it. I've also asked mum if we could have it at the Burrow. She was positively beside herself with happiness! Mum loves Hermione like a second daughter."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry still looked skeptical as he joined Ginny at the table. "If you're sure," he said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny and Harry worked through Ginny's magazines, tapping their wands on the products they wanted. Harry had finally given in, looking at the items that Ginny was ordering. It would be expensive, but Ginny was ecstatic that she could afford to throw an extravagant party that would scream Hermione. Being a Chaser on the Holyhead Harpies team allowed Ginny to help out her parents immensely and give her more Galleons than she knew what to do. Harry too was always wary of the, now very large fortune in his Vault, and did not blink an eye at spending money he knew would only accumulate more./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"An owl flew into the kitchen happily doing somersaults. Pigwidgeon hooted and landed on Harry's head. There was a letter attached to his leg, he held it out happily all the while hooting loudly. Ginny laughed at Harry's stricken expression and reached up to untie the letter from the owl's leg. Pig hooted and flew to the empty bird perch in the corner of the kitchen. He nipped at the snacks and dipped his beak in the water./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""I thought you would include Hermione in your party throwing extravaganzas," said Harry, his eyes scanned the letter quickly and he stuffed it in his pocket./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Hermione was in a foul mood. She pulled an all-nighter from Saturday till Sunday afternoon," said Ginny, she was frowning. "Then she visited her parents and spent the last part of Sunday night sleeping and she also took Monday off from work and drank the whole day."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry flinched as he helped Ginny clean up the table. He grabbed his pumpkin juice and drank half the bottle./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Mione is for sure overworking herself," he replied, turning the bottle absentmindedly in his hands./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny had stood up and put the magazines away and leaned her hip against the kitchen /"Yeah and she's drinking herself silly."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"The couple exchanged looks of worry. The sound of the Floo activating in their living room broke their eye contact. Seconds later Sirius Black waltzed into the kitchen, carrying a large box-y parcel./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""There's my precious godson!" the black haired man exclaimed./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"He dropped his parcel on the table and pulled Harry into an uncomfortable hug as if a snake had coiled itself around /"Si-rius!" Harry gasped, trying to shove the man off him. "I can't b-breathe!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius let Harry go and grinned ruffling his hair./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""What've you brought?" Ginny asked, peering at the large parcel./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry was glaring half-heartedly at his /Sirius eyed the parcel as he sat down in a chair. "Some ancient books that were in the Grimmauld Place library. I figured that if anyone was going to get any use of them, it was Hermione." He explained, looking very proud of himself./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Damn Sirius, these Restricted Runes books are surely going to help with her research!" Ginny exclaimed looking into the half-opened parcel./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Hey!" Sirius Black yelled, grabbing the parcel from her. "I had wrapped it expertly."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius coddled his torn parcel with a sad, mournful look on his face. He set to work with his wand, muttering curses under his breath as he fixed it /Harry rolled his eyes at the pair while putting dishes away. He secretly loved having Sirius and Ginny bicker. It formed a warm seed in the pit of his stomach that he wasn't sure that he'd ever felt while growing up. Yes, the Weasley family felt as though they were his own family. But Sirius came very close to being Harry's foster father and Ginny, well he had hopeful plans for life with /At this point in his life, Harry finally felt okay./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Ginny let out an unladylike snort. "HA, I'm not sure what type of expert you are." She rolled her eyes and Sirius glared at her./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"As his godfather and girlfriend bickered, worry for Hermione thumped at the back of his mind. Harry knew that Hermione was terrible at self-care. She was always caring for others and forgetting herself, she was the shining definition of self-less. He glanced at Ginny who was brandishing her wand at Sirius with a mocking face. Harry waved his wand at the rest of the dishes and magicked them away into the cupboards./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Maybe getting Hermione tickets to my game in October can help her relax," Ginny said, placing herself on a kitchen stool, across from Harry. Ginny gave up teasing Sirius and eyed Harry as he dried his hands on a towel. "You know she always liked watching us play."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry shrugged and grabbed his forgotten bottle of cold pumpkin juice. "There's a chance, but she's still overworking herself," he said straightening up, finishing off his pumpkin juice, and glancing at his wristwatch. "I'll owl you a list and ideas that could help cheer Hermione up. I have to head back to school because my class starts soon."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry walked around the counter and pulled Ginny into a hug and kissed her /"I'll see you this weekend love." Ginny grinned squeezing her boyfriend back./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry levitated his teaching robes on and grabbed his briefcase. "See you Gin." He smiled and nodded at Sirius. "Ready?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius messed with Ginny's hair and climbed into the fireplace, shouting Harry's Hogwarts office in the process. She pouted and glared at the dark-haired man. Harry watched as his godfather was taken away through the Floo Network and then pulled Ginny into a proper goodbye kiss./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Minutes later, Harry shook his robes free of Floo powder soot as he stepped out of his office fireplace and immediately raised an eyebrow at Sirius, who had raided Harry's personal (warded and locked) away cupboard of liquor./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""This Firewhiskey is divine." Sirius all but groaned in delight. He nursed the tumbler close to his chest. "Where in Merlin's name did you get this?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry shrugged, striding over to his desk. He shuffled around and grabbed the stack of graded Defense Against the Dark Arts assignments on rolled up parchment./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""A gift at one of those benefit dinners," Harry replied flippantly and looked at his watch again. He had five minutes before students would start shuffling into his classroom downstairs. "Now, Sirius, what did you want to tell me before class begins?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius frowned setting down the tumbler and stood up. He straightened out his clothes and helped Harry collect the rest of his /"Yes, well the Minister told me they are watching a certain individual…" Sirius said, stroking the hair on his chin absentmindedly. "Apparently there's something odd going on with the Death Chamber in the Department of Mysteries and they're speculating that one of the Unspeakables did something they weren't supposed to."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry's eyebrows pulled tautly and he watched his step as they headed down the stairs from his office to his classroom. He had a teacher's table in the corner of the classroom, where he had three baskets that collected coursework./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry mulled over the thoughts of his best friend, as Sirius spoke of the Department of Mysteries. He also wondered when in Merlin's name he became such a worrywart. Though, not surprisingly as he placed down his stack of parchment rolls and books, the Auror life did not fit with Harry's need to help others. Hermione always commented offhandedly that Harry had a hero complex. Helping and teaching the youngsters felt so natural to Harry./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"'I just want a normal life," Harry told Hermione a year the war. Because everything in their lives now revolved Prewar and Postwar days. It was sad, disheartening, and bloody depressing. Harry could see that Hermione's strengthen was crumbling. He wasn't sure how much longer she would last with a front only he and her very close friends knew about. Hell, Harry wasn't even sure that Ron knew that Hermione had minimal /Harry blamed the fact that her best friends were a pair of boys and a girl that had six brothers./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione had smiled, a very grim smile at Harry in response to his /em'Oh, Harry, you will get one,'/em she said, placing her small hand on top of his. Harry had strangely seen so much confidence swimming in her wide, doe-like eyes, in that moment that he was inclined to believe her words. em'You deserve it more than anyone.'/em/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Four years later, Harry wondered where the confidence in Hermione's eyes had gone, even if it was only for a split second./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Harry, bloody hell son." Sirius thumped Harry's back with a hand. "You weren't listening to me at all. Where's your sense of adventure mate?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry scoffed, flicking his wand and distributing the parchment rolls into the square cubbies that were at the back of his large, spacious classroom. "As a professor, Sirius, I don't get to have a sense of adventure," he said and shot Sirius a condescending look. "I had enough adventure for about 7 years, thankyouverymuch."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius crossed his arms and shot Harry a deadpan look. "So, the Unspeakable business doesn't strike your fancy, at all?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry paused his organizing and tilted his head a bit. Sirius was giving him a look that reminded him of a wet dog. "If you don't take that barmy look off your face I shall do it for you," said Harry waving his wand at Sirius, who only deepened his pout. "Sirius, I will be out of a job and you may or may not end up sleeping with the Giant Squid tonight."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"This time Sirius glared at Harry and pushed off from where he was leaning against Harry's desk. He sighed and combed his fingers through his wavy, ink coloured mane he called hair. In all the years that Harry had now gotten to know Sirius, his hair continued to stay long and free. Sometimes it was pulled into a topknot bun that Ginny teased the Black about. Harry absentmindedly tugged at a strand of hair that escaped his own ponytail./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Harry," Sirius said, this time there was no humor in his voice. Harry put his wand away and watched his godfather warily. "The Death Chamber isn't something to mess around with… I know Hermione runs that Department, but I can't help but worry. If the rumors are true then we must tread lightly on this situation."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Harry nodded sighing as he leaned his back on his desk. "Yeah, I'm aware." He inclined his head slightly and crossed his arms. "I know we're privy to this situation because of our history and Hermione, but I trust Hermione to deal with her Department."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius nodded in agreement, his expression matching Harry's somber one./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Professor Potter!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Ah, duty calls," Harry straightened up and placed a smile on his face. "Ready Sirius?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"His godfather laughed, a barking loud laugh that vibrated through Harry's empty classroom. "Sure, anything for you Harry." Sirius squeezed Harry's arm before letting himself fall into his Animagus form./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Sirius watched as Harry greeted his students with a bright smile and snarky remarks. The Black can tell that the students are still fascinated with Harry and are genuinely excited to come to class./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"em"You guys would be so proud of your son,"/em Sirius' thoughts drift to a certain James and Lily Potter./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" align="center"strongemMany hours later that same day.../em/strong/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" align="center"br /Hermione was tinkering away again at the Time Turner. She had a broken through four curses so far. She pushed herself away from the magnifying glass stand. Hermione sat up straight and her spine cracked in a few places as she did so. The clock in the corner, signaling the turn of the hour, dinged twelve times. She glanced a the time and sighed. It was already one in the morning and it would only get later if she continued working./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"She took her wand and cast a protection charm over the Time Turner. Her back cracked once more as she stood up to grab her belongings. Hermione let out a breath she had been holding in and loosened her hair, her curls breaking free from their confines. Breaking curses depleted a lot of her magical and regular energy. She had been working since early morning that day and she was surprised to learn that her magical energy had lasted so /Brightest witch of her age./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"This rang through her mind as she cast a locking charm on her office door and made her way towards the lift. Her thoughts left a bitter taste in her mouth. Another sigh escaped her lips as she pressed the down button. She sure as bloody hell didn't feel like the brightest witch of her age./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione was so far gone in her thoughts that she did not notice the silent figure that stood in the corner of the lift once it arrived. She fiddled with her wand nervously in her hand, this was a habit she had formed while her, Harry, and Ron had been searching for Horcruxes. The four curses had been very long and complicated. Hermione had been interrupted at least five times before she broke through three curses. She was also sure that her hair was burnt at the edges because of the backlash that came with breaking powerful curses. She knew she now had to attempt to break the curses with runes, and that came with its own set of complications and extensive research. Research which she did not mind, but runic curse breaking was very taxing on the body./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione nearly sagged against the elevator wall, she had exhausted herself even further with the prospect of fixing the Time /Hermione wondered when her motivation for her work was swept away./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"The sound of someone clearing their throat sent Hermione's pulse soaring and she nearly leaped out of her skin in fright. She spun, wide-eyed, wand pointing, and a spell ready at her lips. Her wand landed at the tip of Malfoy's Adam's apple in a matter of seconds./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Hullo Granger." Malfoy eyed her contemplatively as if her wand was not inches away from his person./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"She sent him a withering glare, not lowering her wand. "I could've maimed you, Malfoy." Hermione's voice was firm but lacked any venom, exhaustion, and annoyance was laced into her words./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Malfoy stared at her, his features not giving away his thoughts. "Then do put that blasted thing away before you magick off an appendage," he said quirking an eyebrow./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione made a noise at the back of her throat but nevertheless lowered the wand slowly. The lift continued to slowly descend as the two of them stared at one another. The slow hum of the lift gears working in a rhythm that almost soothed Hermione's rapidly beating pulse./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""I wasn't aware that you were fond of giving unsuspecting people a fright," she finally said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Something akin to humor danced in Malfoy's slate eyes. Hermione chalked it off to the dim lighting in the lift./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Malfoy lifted his shoulders to resemble a shrug. "Scaring unsuspecting muggleborns is my specialty."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"If Hermione hadn't known any better, she would've thought that he had been joking with her./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione shifted her stance and crossed her arms. She regarded him astutely and they ended up having a staring contest. Neither wanted to break eye contact first, their stubbornness was nearly enough to burn a wide hole through each of them. Hermione thought it was very childish of them, but she did not grace Malfoy with a reply./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Uh, Mione?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione and Malfoy didn't realize that the lift had come to a stop until someone broke their staring contest. She turned around and came face to face with a Weasley twin./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Fred!" Hermione's features shifted from a firm scowl to a pleasant smile. Malfoy raised an eyebrow at her shift in mood. She hadn't been smiling when he first saw her step into the lift./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Hullo," the Weasley said, suspicion wiped clean from his face./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione stepped out of the lift along with Malfoy and gave Fred a welcoming /"You're back from America! How was it? Did you bring me back anything?" Hermione spit fired questions, as she usually did. Hermione figured that it was better not to worry any of her people./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Fred smiled at her and produced a package from the satchel he was gripping in one /"Why of course I brought you back something. Your birthday is in a few days, so I decided that I'd find you and give it to you," he said, handing her a wrapped gift. "I found it in Wizarding San Francisco, I hope you like it."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione took it and hugged the Weasley again. She placed it in her messenger bag (magically expanded) and stepped away from /"Thank you Fred, I'm excited to open it," she said. "Did you just arrive, it is quite late."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"He nodded, glancing quickly at Malfoy who stood a few feet away from /"Yeah, da just wanted something from his office, even though it's late," replied Fred. "We also figured that you would be here. So I was also on my way to give you your present, in case I didn't see you later."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Of course." Hermione's grin was a bit too forced. "I'll let you get on it then," Hermione said stepping out of the way and her mouth tugging slightly up at the corner. "Have a goodnight Fred."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""You too, Mione…" Fred responded as he stepped into the lift. He frowned at the scene before him as the lift doors closed. How much had he missed while he had been away? Malfoy and Hermione on speaking terms?/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione's smile dropped from her features as soon as Fred disappeared and she started to walk down the corridor to the Apparition point. All she wanted was to get home and get in bed, except there was one issue./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""You're still around, huh." A Malfoy was that issue./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Malfoy sent her a guarded look. "What's in the package the Weasel gave you?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Why are you so curious?" said Hermione, affronted./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"He shrugged as he fell into step with her. Hermione resisted gritting her teeth together. He was just trying her patience and rousing her temper. It was probably on purpose./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Just wondering if it'll be detrimental to your health."/p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione stopped her quick pace and stared at the blond. "Excuse me?" Her voice raised a few decibels./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Gesundheit," Malfoy replied smoothly, easily ignoring Hermione's irritation./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"They had arrived in the part of the Ministry's Atrium where Apparating was allowed. Along with the two of them, there were only two night guardwizards and a circulation desk witch. A stale breeze blew through the empty Atrium ruffling Hermione's skirt. The re-done Fountain of Magical Brethren sparkled in the dim light of the Atrium as Hermione looked around and then looked back at Malfoy./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""I wasn't aware that you liked joking around," she said, narrowing her eyes at him, her hands perched on her hips./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"He shrugged and stepped closer to her. Malfoy's eyes dragged along her body, a calculating look thinly veiled. Hermione felt almost nervous as he stared at /"I find it intriguing that you're the Head of the Department of Mysteries and my technical boss…" he said./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Hermione took two steps back into the Apparition point. Her eyes trained on the calculating Malfoy. He looked too interested in her, which did not sit well with her and her frayed nerves. Just four days ago Malfoy had looked at her as if the last place he wanted to be was near her. This sudden interest in her was unnerving./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;""Have a goodnight Malfoy," Hermione said before she disappeared with a loud empurposeful/em crack./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"Malfoy's right eye twitched in annoyance at the noise./p
p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"That Granger…/p
