An Understanding: A Harmony Story from Harry Potter
If Harry Potter were to look up the word unselfish in the dictionary he would see Hermione Granger's face. She had always been there for him and she could always depend on him.
Being petrified in second year because of him
Going back in time to save both Sirius and Buckbeack in third year because of him
Helping him get through the tasks of the Triwizard Tournament in fourth year
Getting injured in the Department of Mysteries in fifth year because of him
Their seventh year of friendship proved to Harry even more how unselfish Hermione was. Even when she had came to check in on him the night of his seventeenth birthday at the Burrow as he cried for Hedwig.
When things got rocky during their hunt for the Horcruxes and Ron left while Hermione stayed behind. Sure Ron came back eventually but she had stayed with him when things really got rough.
Once the war ended and Voldemort was defeated the trio all started to rebuild their lives. Harry opted to start his career training as an Auror while Ron went on to play professional Qudditch as a Keeper. Hermione with McGonagall's permission chose to repeat seventh year to graduate with a full Hogwarts degree; and was teaching Arithmancy.
Upon completing his certification to be an Auror Harry received a very special gift from Hermione.
A handsome eagle owl named Othello.
Harry was touched by the thoughtful gesture; ever since he lost Hedwig he swore he would never get another owl.
"Mione you shouldn't have" he insisted admiring the bird as he groomed his golden brown feathers
"Don't be silly Harry what's an Auror without an owl?" she said, "Othello won't ever replace Hedwig but he'll offer you companionship on some of your longer missions"
Harry smiled as he patted Othello on his broad head and the owl hooted happily
"He certainly will"
Hermione was looking forward to Harry's annual Christmas visit. For the past four years now her cozy little cottage just outside of Hogsmeade had been his refuge from his assignments. The two of them would spend a few days before Christmas hanging out, reminiscing and catching up with each other.
On Christmas Eve they would go Godric's Hollow a tradition they had since their Horcrux hunting days to visit the gravesites of James and Lily Potter. Then on Christmas Day they would head over to the Burrow and enjoy Christmas with the Weasleys since Molly would always cook more than enough food and would certainly have more than enough presents to go around.
"Shanks come on boy I made your favorite" Hermione said placing the bowl down for Crookshanks. A concoction of mice heads, cockroaches, lizard tails, and a touch of kipper. A normal cat probably wouldn't have taken a liking to such a raw diet but Hermione supposed it was Kneazle taste buds coming through.
So Ron's theory of Crookshanks trying to eat "Scabbers" in their third year wasn't too far fetched.
The fluffy orange feline stared at his bowl of food and only took one or two bites and turned away to lay in the sunlight flickering through the kitchen window. Hermione leaned down to give Crookshanks a pat on his belly and noticed how matted his fur was.
It was usually unruly but she was surprised at how much Crookshanks seemed to have been shedding.
"I'll give you a good brushing just as soon as I'm done making dinner how does that sound?"
He gave a low meow as she patted his belly again feeling how gaunt and thin he seemed to be getting.
"Try to eat some more okay?" she placed his bowl in front again much to his annoyance as he flicked his tail back and forth.
"Don't be stubborn Shanks"
Crookshanks nibbled on a bit of kipper to satisfy his master and continued to sunbathe. Hermione knew that her cat was getting older and wasn't moving as fast as he used to she did have him for over ten years now; plus he wasn't exactly a kitten when she brought him.
Hermione knew Crookshanks's years were numbered the vets had told her that but she still was trying to get him to hold on and make him as comfortable as possible.
After all he was all she had left now…
There was a light tap on the living room window and Hermione looked up to see Othello pecking his beak against the glass. Harry was here.
"Alright Othello knock it off" Harry said calling his owl back to his shoulder and Othello nipped playfully at his ear.
The door opened and Hermione greeted him with a wide smile and pink rosy cheeks the smell of the pot roast dinner she was cooking welcomed him as well.
"Harry!"
"Hermione" he greeted "sorry about Othello he's a bit hungry"
The owl spotted Crookshanks's bowl of barely touched and immediately swooped in to help himself. Crookshanks gave Othello a disapproving hiss swishing his tail back and forth. The owl ignored the cat and proceeded to tear apart the mouse head he was eating.
Crookshanks gave another hiss and circled around so he wasn't facing Othello much to the owl's amusement.
"Shanks don't be rude" Hermione scolded the stubborn cat
"I'd be the same way," Harry said to Crookshanks's defense "food was hard to come by growing up with an overweight cousin"
"You must be hungry too," she said taking his hand and letting him in from the cold "tired and in need of a shower"
Harry looked down at his Auror uniform and noted he smelled like grim and smoke
"Yeah I guess you could say that"
"Yes I can" Hermione replied "go wash up and dinner should be ready when you're done"
"Septimus Arthur Weasley" Harry chuckled "that's a mouthful isn't it?"
"They did name him after his great grandfather and grandfather born on Halloween too" Hermione said sharing the picture of the latest Weasley grandchild "he weighed almost ten pounds can you believe Ron's a father now? I can't wait to meet him on Christmas"
"No" Harry admitted happy for his friend "Luna's genes came through he'll definitely be the first Weasley that's not a red head that's for sure"
It was dark and snowing outside now but all was cozy and warm in the cottage. Harry and Hermione had just finished dinner and were sitting on the couch in front of the fire catching up with each other.
Othello was fast asleep perched on a nearby chair while Crookshanks laid curled up on Hermione's lap as she brushed his fur.
"How are things with the Ministry?" Hermione asked
Harry noticed that Hermione had been doing most of the talking and questioning tonight; and anytime he tried to ask her something she always brought up a new topic.
Like she was trying to avoid talking about something.
"Same" Harry replied "one would think that after over seven years of Voldemort being gone there wouldn't be anymore of his followers left but you'd be surprised"
"I can see that" Hermione said, "some people are going to be stuck in the past even if the world moves forward"
"My students ask about you all the time" she went on to say "there's quite a number of them that are looking to become Aurors themselves; perhaps you could come visit and talk to them"
"I can do that" Harry agreed "so Mione how are things going-"
"Are you still seeing Cho?"
"Well...off and on…but we're not really together" Harry replied "I'm usually on assignments most of the time so it's more of an acquaintance type of situation-"
"Oh honestly Harry just say you two are friends with benefits" she smirked watching him blush a little
"Well yes we are," he admitted "it's just to blow off steam really"
"Nothing to be embarrassed about" Hermione said "you're a twenty-four year old man Harry you have needs; when I said Othello would keep you company I didn't mean that kind"
"Is anyone seeing to your needs Miss Granger?"
"Very funny Harry" Hermione blushed as she continued to brush Crookshanks "I don't have time for that I have lessons to teach and to plan, papers to grade and such"
Harry frowned a little at that
"Aren't you lonely though?" he asked "I mean sure I see Cho for physical activities but at least she's another person to talk to"
"I'm not lonely" she lied right through her teeth "I have Shanks"
Harry looked down at the cat who has fallen asleep now. Crookshanks's left ear twitched as Hermione gave him one last good brush; he noticed that his once bright orange fur was rather dull now with bits of gray in some areas. Not to mention it looked like the once robust cat seemed have dropped a significant amount of weight.
"How old is Crookshanks anyway?" he asked out of curiosity
"Twelve"
"Kind of old for a cat don't you think?"
"What are you trying to say Harry?"
"Mione you know what I mean" Harry replied, "Realistically how much longer do you think Crookshanks will still be here?"
"For your information Mr. Potter the average lifespan of a cat is sixteen to eighteen years given that Shanks is half Kneazle perhaps even longer"
Harry had his doubts but decided not to argue with her further about it but it did concern him how defensive she was getting about Crookshanks.
"Hermione" he said seriously now "I know we usually visit my parents' graves on Christmas Eve but we can visit yours too-"
"It's getting late" Hermione cut him off "I'm pretty sure you're exhausted"
"I did come here straight from finishing assignment in Azakaban" he agreed
"I have the guest room all set up for you"
"Did I say anything tonight that offended you Mione?"
She gave him a smile that didn't really reach her eyes
"You could never offend me Harry"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes" she insisted "now off to bed with you"
There she was dismissing him the way she always did in their school days but he knew she was lying.
"Goodnight Harry"
"Goodnight Hermione"
