Chapter 2: The Comfort of Friends
Harry woke with a start. He rolled over and looked at the alarm clock he had repaired so long ago to see it was four thirty in the morning. Looking across the moonlit room, Harry noticed that today was the last day he would be an Underage Wizard. Slowly he got up, making sure that he did not wake the Dursleys, and went to his desk, taking out a bit of parchment and a quill. After writing a short note to the Dursleys, and then crumpling it up and throwing it in the bin, Harry started thinking about the dream he'd been having.
For once, it had not been a nightmare, but something more mysterious. As he sat wracking his brain, all he could remember was a young woman's voice calling his name softly. A few minutes later, he made enough sense of the words the voice spoke, "Just leave it to me, I'll lead you home". Trying to remember more, but failing, Harry gave up. Looking back at his clock, Harry came to the realization that he'd been sitting at his desk for two hours.
After getting up and dressing quickly, Harry went down to the kitchen to start breakfast. Having decided to ignore Dudley's diet, he started some sausages and eggs. Satisfied that these would not burn, Harry quickly ran out and picked up the morning paper, then set the table.
Uncle Vernon came down the stairs to find Harry working hard. With as much shock as surprise in his voice, Uncle Vernon asked Harry what was going on. "Nothing, just got an early start," Harry answered coolly.
Soon after Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley made their way into the kitchen, also wondering what the occasion was.
As soon as the Dursleys had started to eat, two very loud cracks were heard upstairs.
"BOY, IF ANYTHING IS DAMAGED UP THERE, YOU WILL PAY WITH YOUR LIFE," Uncle Vernon bellowed.
Harry ran up the stairs, taking them three at a time, to see what had made all of that noise.
As he opened the door to his bedroom, Harry heard a squeal then found his vision blocked by a large quantity of bushy brown hair.
"Hi, Hermione," Harry said as Hermione released him from a rib cracking hug.
"Have the Muggles been treating you okay," Hermione said, guessing at the answer.
"They've been oblivious to my presence," Harry replied with a slight smile.
Just then another voice spoke up, "Lemme curse 'em, Hermione".
"RON!" Harry said excitedly.
" 'Sup mate," Ron replied with a grin.
Hermione turned from Harry to Ron and said, "No Ron, you know you can't curse the Muggles".
"I know, but in this case, it would have been fun," Ron said, exasperated.
Hermione turned back to Harry and asked, "Harry, may I have a word with you"?
"Sure," Harry answered with a puzzled look on his face.
Hermione then asked if there was somewhere that they could go and not be overheard, whispering something about "especially not by Ron". Harry told her that there was a park a couple of blocks away that they could go to. Agreeing, Hermione turned and politely asked Ron to start gathering Harry's things while they were out, assuring Ron that this would not take long.
Hermione turned back to Harry and said, "It will be quicker if we apparate", then held out her arm.
Harry gripped Hermione's arm and with a pop they were at the park. Finding a bench, Hermione motioned that Harry sit down and began to pace for a moment. Finding the words for what she had to say, Hermione stood facing Harry.
"Harry, Ginny asked me not to say anything, but I feel I have to. You are my best friend and I want you to understand that I think you need to rethink your breaking up with her".
As Hermione said this, Harry knew exactly where this was going and felt a little put off by it.
"I have thought about it, Hermione," Harry said irritated.
Hermione looked at Harry's face, then stated, "I understand what you were thinking, Harry. What I don't get is why you would push away your match".
These words hit Harry like a ton of bricks.
"I don't know what I'd do if he hurt her again, Hermione. I couldn't live with myself if she got hurt because of me, and I most assuredly couldn't live without her," Harry said.
After he said this, Harry slumped down and put his head in his hands. Hermione, knowing what must be going through his mind, sat down and put an arm around Harry. Pulling him into a gentle, comforting hug, she said to him, "Harry, as long as she's with you, Ginny is safe. Your love for each other will protect her".
Harry looked at Hermione, not sure about how she could know this. Upon seeing his confused look, Hermione added, "I looked it up in Ancient Protective Spells and Powers. A witch or wizard and their match, that is to say, soul mate, are protected be each one's love for the other, as long as they are together".
"Why didn't it save my parents then," Harry asked.
"Because they were willing to sacrifice themselves to save you," Hermione said, starting to worry that she might have upset Harry more.
Harry returned his head to his hands while Hermione did her best to comfort her friend. After several minutes, Harry told Hermione that he was okay, and that he would talk to Ginny as soon as he had the chance. "What can I possibly say to her to make up for being such a prat," Harry thought.
Standing up, Hermione said that they ought get back and see what kind of mess Ron is making. Smiling a little, Harry took Hermione's arm and they apparated back to his room. Upon arriving, they found that Ron had piled almost everything that Harry owned on his bed. Laughing at this, Harry opened his trunk and began to replace everything Ron had taken out. Hermione took this as the perfect time to pull Ron away for a quick word.
"Ron, can I talk to you for a moment," Hermione asked.
"Sure, what about," Ron answered.
Hermione shifted her eyes indicating that she did not want to say in front of Harry. Harry caught this, but didn't say anything. Ron, picked up on the hint and said, "We'll be back shortly, mate".
Once they had disapparated, Harry let out a sigh of frustration. He was thinking about himself and Ginny. Why would she want to be with me? Can I really keep her safe? Harry went over to his nightstand and gently removed a leather bound book. Opening it to a familiar page, he looked down at the picture of his parents on their wedding day. With a wave of sadness, Harry asked the picture, "What do I do?" He knew that the three people in this picture that he would have loved to hear an answer from, could not give it. Closing the album, Harry set the book back on his nightstand, and began retrieving his other prized possessions and began to pack them.
With a loud POP, Ron and Hermione apparated back and informed Harry that they were planning to leave the next morning. Hermione took out a quill and parchment and scribbled out a quick note, then asked Harry if she could borrow Hedwig. As soon as Harry said yes, Hermione tied the note to the owl's leg and told her that the note was urgent and must be delivered that day. As Hedwig took off, Harry, Ron, and Hermione spent the rest of the afternoon packing, making absolutely sure that nothing was left for the morning.
At around six, Hermione suggested that they get something to eat. While this sounded like a good idea, Harry could not figure out how they would accomplish this. Making his concern known, Harry was not surprised when Hermione said that they would take the Knight Bus. As she said this, Hermione and Harry noticed Ron's face turn a pale green and heard him muttering something about the last time they were on the bus. At this, Hermione said that Harry should take his trunk and Hedwig's cage so that they could be sent to the Burrow by Lupin or Tonks, as, so she said, that they were planning on meeting them after they had eaten. With this, the trio carried Harry's fully packed trunk and his owl's cage down the stairs and out the front door. Once out on the sidewalk, and out of view of Muggles, Hermione held out her wand. BOOM, the Knight Bus came to a screeching halt in front of them. They boarded, Harry, having been the only one with wizarding money, paying thirty three sickles for their fairs, and informed Ernie, the driver, that they were bound for the Leaky Cauldron. BOOM, the Knight Bus took off, navigating streets, and sidewalks. Harry took the opportunity to ask Hermione why they were going out. Ron started to answer, but stopped as Hermione stood on his foot and telling Harry that it was a surprise. Ron decided that it was best to at least say that he wanted to take Harry out for an early birthday gift. Harry started to wonder why they were becoming so secretive as he knew that Hermione was muggleborn, and Ron's family didn't have much money.