DISCLAIMER: All credit to JK Rowling

AN. The whole storyline about Hermione's parents comes into play later on in the story, but I wanted to set it up right.

Chapter Two

When Harry found himself on solid ground again, he blinked a few times to clear his head.

For the first time, he looked at where they were, and realised he was looking at his new home for the first time.

"Wow, this is great!" he said sincerely.

Sirius grinned, pleased at Harry's reaction. "Thank the Ministry. It's about the only good thing they've ever done, huh?"

"Sirius, don't start," Lupin said tiredly, but Harry only laughed.

"Are you going to help me unpack too?" he asked Hermione, as they headed inside. She pretended to think about it.

"Sure," she agreed.

When they went inside, Harry stopped to look around. He was standing in the foyer, on his right was the staircase leading upstairs, and on his left was the large and open living room. Opposite him was a hallway, which Harry found opened into the kitchen, and the dining room was adjacent to that.

Tonks, he found now, was seated at the dining room table, her hair its usual bubble-gum pink. And to his surprise, Ron was sitting with her, both eating sandwiches.

"Wotcher, Harry! Welcome home!"

Harry grinned at her. "Thanks, Tonks. Ron, what are you doing here? I thought you had to clean your room?"

Ron shrugged. "I am."

Harry and Hermione stared at him for a moment before understanding.

"Do you have a death wish?" Hermione asked him. "Your Mum's going to kill you when she finds out you left."

"How did you get here, anyway?" Sirius asked him, entering the kitchen.

"Apparated," Ron answered proudly. "I got my licence when school let out, remember?"

Harry remembered receiving Ron's hastily written scrawl, with only the words "Apparation" and "bloody excellent" decipherable.

Hermione smiled at Ron. "Well, you're just in time to help me help Harry unpack."

Ron groaned. "Great timing I've got," he muttered standing up.

"Second floor," Sirius told Harry as the trio left the kitchen and Harry nodded in understanding.

They climbed to the second floor, and walked past Sirius' room, then a study and a bathroom before reaching the doorway at the end of the hall. Harry gaped slightly as he entered his new bedroom. It was twice the size of the bedroom he had left at the Dursley's; and Sirius and Remus hadn't been kidding about the furniture. There was a large bed in the centre of the room, that reminded Harry of the four-poster bed he slept in at Hogwarts; a large wardrobe, two wide bookshelves and a desk. There was even a specific place for Hedwig's cage.

"Blimey, this is big!" Ron said unnecessarily, looking around. "How are you going to decorate it, mate?"

"I have no idea," Harry replied.

"I could probably get you some Chudley Cannon's wallpaper like I've got," Ron offered and Hermione uttered a moan.

"What?" he demanded defensively.

"Ron... don't take this the wrong way, but your room gives me a headache," Hermione told him.

Harry grinned. "Thanks for the offer, mate. But I think I'm right. I might sleep on the decorating scheme for awhile."

Ron shrugged casually.

"It's going to be strange, isn't it? Not having Order meetings anymore?" Hermione brought up as they unpacked.

"I liked everyone getting together and eavesdropping on the meetings of the secret society," Ron nodded in agreement.

Harry grinned. "So did Sirius. He wants to have big dinner's once a week, where everyone from the Order can just come and hang out. I think he was thinking Friday nights."

"Oh, that'd be so much fun!" Hermione sighed. "Would your family come, Ron? It wouldn't be the same without you all."

Ron shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe some weeks. Mum would appreciate not having to cook once a week. And if we don't, Fred and George definitely would. They're still living above the shop and hate cooking."

"Sirius and Remus can cook, can't they?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Yeah. Tonks can't, but she's the only one in the house. Living with the Dursley's was good for something huh?" he asked lightly.

"I can't keep calling Lupin 'Remus' when as soon as school starts we have to call him 'Lupin' again," Ron complained.

Harry and Hermione laughed.

"What are you going to do for your birthday, Harry?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. Sirius and Remus will probably make a big thing of it. If they don't, your Mum definitely will Ron."

"Definitely," Ron agreed.

They continued unpacking in silence and had just finished when there was a knock on the door.

"It's open!" Harry called and was pleasantly surprised when Ginny and Luna entered.

"Hey guys!" he greeted them as they joined the group. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Luna and I were hanging out and came with Mum," Ginny explained. "She's after your blood by the way," she casually informed her brother who grimaced.

Hermione smirked at him knowingly for a moment before turning to Luna.

"How's your summer been Luna?"

"Oh, excellent!" Luna replied enthusiastically. "Daddy and I just spent a week in Kent, examining remnants of old Ixchel-Cliodhna bird nests."

There was the usual beat of awkward, amused silence that followed one of Luna's odd statements before Ron asked,

"What exactly is a Ixchel-Cliodhna bird?"

"It's a great big bird that is responsible for making rainbows appear in the sky," Luna explained solemnly. "They're very beautiful, but they don't stay in one place for more than two days. Luckily, their nests are very long-lasting. If you find a feather from one and wear them, your soul will call out to your true love and bring them to you."

"Fancy that," Ron replied after a long moment and Harry caught Hermione's eye, both suppressing a smile.

"How are Bill and Fleur settling into their new place?" she asked Ginny, who began telling them all about her brother's new home.

They were interrupted presently by Sirius. "Hey guys. First of all- you," he said, pointing to Ron. "Are in huge trouble with your mother, so I'd go down and deal with that."

Ron gulped and hastily headed downstairs as Sirius continued. "Secondly, Hermione and Luna, do you want to stay for dinner? The Weasley's are."

"I'd love to," Luna glowed at the joy of being included.

Hermione smiled at her as she answered Sirius' question. "That'd be great, Sirius. Thanks."

Sirius nodded and left them, and Hermione pulled out a mobile phone from her bag. "I'd better let my Mum know. Wow, you get great reception here, Harry!"

"That'll be great whenever I need to call you," Harry replied in amusement, knowing that Hermione would be the only person he ever called. Sirius had installed a telephone, and Mr. Weasley had spent hours explaining to him how it worked. Slightly ironic, Harry had thought, when it had been him who had explained it to Mr. Weasley five years ago.

Harry knew that the main reason Sirius and Remus had gotten a phone, electricity and a television was for Harry's comfort, which he appreciated. He also knew that they, Sirius and Tonks especially were almost as fascinated with Muggle technology and devices as Mr. Weasley.

Ginny and Luna watched in fascination as Hermione sent a text message to her mother asking permission to stay for dinner, and both jumped a mile when the reply came through minutes later, giving her permission and the knowledge that her father would pick her up at nine o'clock on his way home from work.

"He's always working late," Hermione explained to Harry after relaying the information.

Harry nodded sympathetically.

"How much trouble are you in?" Harry asked Ron as he re-entered the room, who merely grimaced and shook his head.

"Don't ask."

"I love what you've done to your hair, 'Mione," Ginny said to Hermione who blushed slightly, her hand automatically going up to touch her hair.

Ron stared at her blankly for a moment. "What did you do?"

Ginny and Luna groaned and Harry tried to see what was different about Hermione's hair. It was still deep brown, still incredibly thick and bushy. But now he noticed that instead of the waves, her hair had settled into soft curls which framed her face, and it was longer than it had ever been.

"It took forever," Hermione admitted, after explaining the change to Ron.

Ron nodded and shrugged carelessly. "It looks alright."

"It looks great," Harry added and Hermione flashed him a smile as the door opened once more and Kreacher stuck his head in the room.

"Excuse me, Master Harry, dinner is ready," the elf said, bowing deeply.

"Thanks, Kreacher," Harry replied as they all stood up to leave the room.

"Does everyone else think it's going to be really weird to be back at school after last year?" Ginny asked them as they headed down to the ground floor.

Harry shrugged. "Probably. I'm just looking forward to having a normal year for once."

He started as Hermione laughed at that comment.

"What?"

"You? Have a normal year? I'll believe that when I see it," she giggled and Ginny and Luna laughed too.

"It's not like I go looking for trouble," Harry protested as they entered the kitchen.

"No, you just have a natural talent for finding it," Ginny replied.

Mrs. Weasley turned to the group with a smile as she broke off her conversation with Tonks.

"Hello, Harry dear. Are you all settled in?" she asked, giving Harry his usual hug.

"Yeah, all unpacked," Harry assured her.

He moved to help Sirius set the table as Mrs. Weasley turned to greet Hermione.

"So, who else is coming?" he asked his godfather.

"Just Arthur and the twins," Sirius replied.

"It smells great," Hermione chirped, appearing at Harry's shoulder.

There was the usual clamour for the best seats as everyone arranged themselves around the large table, one of the few pieces Sirius had saved from Grimmauld Place. Harry found himself seated between Hermione and Sirius, and opposite Ron and Luna. They'd only just started when Mr. Weasley arrived with Fred and George who greeted Harry as though they hadn't seen him for years.

As always, there were about five different conversations going on as they ate, but they were always interesting, and Harry loved it.

"So, what do you reckon?" Sirius asked the table at large when he could get a word in edgewise. "Weekly dinners?"

"Do you really want to put yourself out every week, Sirius?" Mrs. Weasley asked him.

"It's no trouble, Molly really," he assured her. "I love having people over and Merlin knows we have the room."

"Well, it would be a lovely change not to have to cook once in awhile," Mrs. Weasley said slowly which Harry and Ron took as a sign of agreement and grinned at each other.

After dinner, Harry and Hermione volunteered to clean up, roping in Ron, Ginny and Luna to assist. Of the five of them, Ron was the only one who could do magic, of course, but Harry and Hermione were more than used to doing chores without magic. The adults had moved to the living room, where Hermione and Harry gave a quick demonstration as to how the television worked and Fred and George insisted on watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S, the second they got a glimpse of Jennifer Aniston.

Giggling, Hermione explained the concept of the show and the characters to the twins and they settled down to watch the episode. Before they knew it, the time was nine o'clock and Hermione stood up with a sigh as they heard a car honk from the street.

"That'll be my Dad," she said, waving goodbye.

"See ya, Hermione!" Tonks waved back enthusiastically. "You're welcome anytime, understand? Seriously, I'm the only girl here. Any time!"

Hermione laughed. "Understood. 'Night!"

Through the living room window, they saw her hasten down the driveway and climb into her father's car, who then drove off.

"That's quite a car," Harry heard Mr. Weasley murmur under his breath, and he and Ron exchanged grins.

Two days after Harry had moved in, Dumbledore sat in the kitchen with Lupin, discussing Lupin's plans for what he was going to teach his classes for the year. Lupin still had his lesson plans from when he had taught during Harry's third year, but in light of the Second War, he had thought to modify them slightly, especially for the N.E.W.T students. Sirius and Tonks were also in the kitchen, Sirius doing the crossword in the Daily Prophet and Tonks half-heartedly doing paperwork for the Auror office.

All four adults stopped what they were doing as they heard the front door open and shut, and then they heard light footsteps going upstairs.

"Hermione," Sirius explained to Dumbledore. "We told her not to bother knocking, otherwise we just have to get up."

Dumbledore chuckled. "She's a frequent visitor then?"

"Every day," Tonks nodded. "I don't think she likes being at home."

"Is something going on we should know about?" Lupin frowned in concern, but Sirius shrugged.

"I know she's talked to Harry about it, so I suppose as long as she's talking to someone. I mean, they are best friends."

Dumbledore smiled. "I suspect it's a nice change for Harry to be able to help Hermione through problems than having to rely on her support."

"He's just like James," Lupin rolled his eyes fondly. "Hates having to ask for help with anything."

"And Hermione's just like Lily and tells him to get over it," Sirius grinned.

They heard the distinct sound of furniture being moved, and Sirius and Remus frowned up at the ceiling.

"What are they doing?" Lupin demanded.

"I'll check!" Tonks volunteered eagerly, abandoning her work and dashing upstairs.

She returned moments later with a bemused look on her face. "They're painting Harry's room- without magic," she said, puzzled.

"Well, neither of them are of age yet," Lupin said reasonably.

Dumbledore smiled. "I think they simply prefer to do some things without magic. They are used to it."

Tonks nodded in agreement. "Harry cooks without magic. Says it's one of the few good things about living with his aunt and uncle."

Sirius and Lupin exchanged dark looks, both were dismayed that Harry could be so casual and light about the way the Dursley's had treated him.

"It looks ok, doesn't it?" Hermione frowned, standing back to inspect the visual of the paint on the wall.

"It looks fine," Harry assured her. Hermione had offered Harry a bunch of leftover paint to decorate his room from when her parents had repainted their house last summer, and Harry had agreed.

It was a simple beige colour, and Harry liked it. Actually, he was just glad to get rid of the bland white that presently covered the walls.

"Are you sure? Because I could've gotten something else," Hermione fussed and Harry rolled his eyes.

"Mione, you're not being graded on your paint picking skills; it doesn't count towards a final grade. Lighten up," he teased, waving his paint brush at her, and accidentally-on-purpose flicking paint at her.

Hermione gaped at him for a moment, looking at the flecks of paint in her hair and on her clothes, thankful she had worn old clothes.

"You did not just do that!" she stared at him.

Harry grinned at her innocently. "Do what?"

She laughed. "You are so dead, Potter!"

"Ooh, I'm so scared," Harry teased. "Voldemort had nothing on you."

Hermione scowled at him and flicked her own paintbrush at Harry, who dodged most of it, and promptly painted a splodge of paint on the faded gray jumper she wore.

Downstairs, Sirius and Lupin looked up briefly as Hermione let out a squeal of protest, and Dumbledore chuckled. He couldn't help but think how nice it was to see, or hear in this case, Harry have a chance to just be a normal teenager and have some fun.

"As much as I want to see the finished product," he said smiling as he stood up to leave. "I'm afraid I must be off."

Tonks grinned. "You're coming to Harry's birthday party next week, right?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Dumbledore assured her.

The last thing he heard as he left the house was Hermione threatening Harry with physical violence if he dared to get anymore paint in her hair.

"Not the hair," Harry teased with a laugh and Dumbledore chuckled as he shut the door behind him.

"So, sounds like you guys had a productive day," Sirius laughed at his godson and Hermione that afternoon as he, Lupin and Tonks stood in the doorway, admiring the completed paint job; and the paint-splattered clothes of Harry and Hermione.

Hermione groaned slightly as she lifted up a clump of hair, glued together by paint.

"Do you know how long this is going to take to get out of my hair without magic?" she demanded of Harry.

"Cry me a river," Harry teased her, and Tonks tactfully intervened.

"Here, Mione- I'll help you before you go home."

"Thanks, Dora," Hermione replied gratefully and followed Tonks up to the third floor.

"I'm going to have a shower," Harry told Sirius and Lupin.

"Good idea," Lupin smiled and when he and Sirius had left the room, they couldn't help but laugh.

Once Harry was settled into his new home, the summer seemed to pass at an alarming rate. The following week of course, was his birthday, and as he'd predicted, Sirius, Remus and Tonks went all out. All nine of the Weasley's (ten including Fleur), Hagrid, Luna, Dumbledore and even Professor's McGonagall and Snape came, (although Harry suspected Snape had been dragged there unwillingly.) He made an effort to be civil to Snape, after all, the man had spent his entire life trying to protect Harry in honour of his mother. The fact he was a git was beside the point.

Mrs. Weasley helped Sirius cook a huge dinner of all Harry's favourite dishes and Tonks had gone a bit overboard with the scarlet and gold decorations. Hermione was the first to arrive, and came dancing into the living room where Harry was reading the Daily Prophet.

"Happy Birthday!" she sang, handing him the parcel she was holding.

Harry was amused by her excitement as he put the paper aside. He took a moment to notice that Hermione looked very pretty that night, in a summery cobalt blue dress and small heels.

"Thanks, 'Mione," he said smiling, making a conscious effort to ignore his thoughts and focus on the gift.

As she watched him excitedly, Harry ripped off the wrapping paper to reveal a crystal figurine about the size of a paperback book, depicting two deer, a stag and a doe entwined together, which were moving, as things tended to do in the Wizarding world.

Harry was completely amazed as he gaped at it. "Wow."

It was perfectly clear to Harry what it symbolised, but when he didn't say anything, Hermione got nervous.

"It's just... something to symbolise your parents. Watching over you, I guess. Or just that they're a part of you."

Harry turned the figurine slowly over in his hands, and frowned as he saw an inscription engraved in the bottom.

"What's this mean?" he asked her, examining it.

Hermione blushed slightly as she answered. "It's Latin. 'Sanctimonia of animus, curator angelus'. Roughly translated it means, 'purity of soul' and 'guardian angels'."

'Purity of soul' Harry repeated mentally, thinking of his own soul that was now both pure and wholly his. Harry couldn't think of anything to say and Hermione grimaced apprehensively. "It was a stupid idea, wasn't it? I couldn't think of what to get you..."

"'Mione," Harry interrupted her. "It's perfect."

She smiled faintly. "You really like it?"

"It's perfect," Harry repeated. "Thank you. Come here," he ordered and leaned over to hug her.

She chuckled as she returned his hug. "Happy birthday. I bet they wish they could be here," she said softly and Harry smiled, squeezing her hand lightly in return.

"Blimey, you've sure raised the stakes for your birthday present, haven't you?" he asked her, shaking his head and she laughed.

"What do you think everyone else will get you?" she asked.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I don't mind if they don't get me anything really. I'm used to it."

Hermione grinned. "Do you think Snape will get you a present?"

Harry grimaced. "That would be weird, so no."

"Why? Because he was spying on Voldemort to protect you because he's been in love with your Mum for twenty-five years?" Hermione asked innocently and Harry scowled at her.

"Thanks for the recap, 'Mione."

"Hey, Harry? Was that the door?"

They both looked up as Lupin entered the room and he smiled at Hermione. "Hey, Hermione. You're a bit early."

"I have nothing else to do," she laughed. "Plus I wanted to give Harry his present before anyone else arrived."

Lupin turned to Harry inquisitively, and Harry wordlessly handed him the figurine. Lupin examined it closely for a moment and shook his head as he returned it to Harry.

"That's an incredibly thoughtful gift, Hermione."

Hermione blushed, and turned even redder as Lupin proceeded to call Tonks and Sirius in from the kitchen to see the present. Sirius was rendered speechless and Tonks was extra careful to only examine and admire it from Sirius's hands.

"With my luck, I'd drop it," she said and Harry chuckled as he took it back.

"I'm going to put it upstairs where it's safe," he informed them.

"Oh, put then everyone who wants to see it has to go upstairs!" Tonks protested. "We'll leave it in here for the party, ok?"

"Sure," Harry agreed and Hermione felt incredibly embarrassed.

"Harry, could you and Hermione bring in the snack food from the kitchen, please?" Sirius asked and Harry nodded.

"Sure. Just bring them in here or the dining room?"

"Just on the table's fine."

The two disappeared and Sirius barely waited before they were out of earshot before turning excitedly to Lupin and Tonks.

"Sirius, don't," Lupin protested in exasperation before he could say anything.

Sirius looked at him in exasperation. "Come on, Moony! You can't deny that is the perfect gift for Harry! The inscription and everything!"

"She knows him so well," Tonks added eagerly.

"Because she's his best friend for the past seven years!" Lupin argued. "Of course she knows him!"

"Why are you so against the idea of them dating?" Sirius demanded and Lupin almost laughed.

"I'm not against the idea. I like Hermione, she's a great girl. But they're not dating! If they ever want to date, I'll be thrilled and support them both. But I'm not going to jump headlong and read into something that isn't there!"

"He won't even listen to my ideas of how to set them up," Tonks informed Sirius.

Lupin rolled his eyes. "Both of you, stop. I know you have your heart set on Harry and Hermione as a couple, but think about it. They've been best friends for seven years. Going from friends to a relationship is risky. Just... don't go putting ideas in their heads, ok? If this is meant to be as you both insist, it'll happen in its own time."

"But what if we're meant to bring them together?" Tonks demanded of her husband, who rolled his eyes again and went to help Harry and Hermione.

Sirius and Tonks only pouted for a moment, before Sirius conceded defeat- at least for now. But they took it upon themselves as each guest arrived to specifically point out Hermione's gift and the inscription. Sirius was glad, however, that Tonks was showing it to Snape; the look on his face was one Sirius couldn't decipher, a mixture of shock, pain and wonder.

Both McGonagall, Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley were on the verge of tears after seeing it, and Hermione was making a point of busying herself in the kitchen to avoid talking about it.

"What's up, Ron?" Fred asked his brother, coming up with George to stand next to Ron, who was studying the inscription.

Ron looked sheepish. "I got Harry a copy of that book you got me: Twelve Fail-safe ways to Charm witches. Doesn't have the quite same meaning as Hermione's gift, does it?"

"No," George replied honestly. "But then again, Hermione's a girl. And she's got that whole empathetic quality working for her. You have the emotional range of a teaspoon."

"I've heard that before," Ron muttered.

Hermione spent most of the meal talking with Ginny, Luna and Tonks; the four women making plans to go into Diagon Alley sometime next week, although Ginny was wondering whether it made more sense to wait until they had received their Hogwarts letters. Next to them, Harry, Ron and Neville were discussing with Fred and George the latest Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes products in development; and across the table, the adults were discussing how the Wizarding community was recovering and rebuilding after Voldemort's downfall.

As the evening progressed, the night got more and more entertaining. Hagrid got slightly tipsy and began reminiscing loudly about the night he'd rescued Harry and taken him to Privet Drive; and Harry pointedly ignored Sirius and Remus when they began regaling the table with stories from when Harry was a baby. Mrs. Weasley produced an enormous birthday cake, in the shape of a Snitch and they all sang "Happy Birthday", Hagrid louder than anyone.

Typically, Fred and George then launched into the Hogwarts school song, but only finished the first few lines before Bill threatened to hex their mouths shut if they continued.

"Presents!" Sirius announced gleefully amid the laughter that followed.

Harry was taken aback for a moment, as the guests lay their gifts on the table before him. This was more gifts than he had ever received on one birthday in his entire life. Whilst none of the gifts had the same sentiment as Hermione's had, Harry was pleased and grateful for all of them.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had fulfilled the tradition of getting a wizard a watch when he comes of age, and had given him a watch belonging to Mrs. Weasley's brother, Fabian Prewett; Fred and George, a enormous box of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes products, although it was difficult to tell whether Mrs. Weasley was glaring more at them or at Ron's Twelve Fail-safe ways to charm witches; Bill and Fleur had given him an enchanted razor; Ginny and Luna had gone in together to give him a book about famous Aurors; Hagrid had given him a bag of home-made rock cakes and a moleskin pouch to protect his belongings from theft; and Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape (although Harry was pretty sure it was simply that his name had been added to the card) had given him a large box of Honeydukes sweets, as well as a packet of sherbet lemons.

Lastly, Sirius, Lupin and Tonks had gotten him an extended version of Quidditch through the Ages and the autobiography of Harry's favourite Quidditch player, Aidan Lynch, in addition to the furniture for his room.

"Good birthday?"

Hermione asked him later that night, as Harry offered to walk her out to her mother's car.

"The best," Harry confirmed. "Thanks again for the gift, 'Mione."

She smiled. "You're welcome. Happy Birthday."

Harry smiled and awkwardly pecked her cheek, giving her a warm hug. Hermione's head swam for a moment as her cheek tingled where Harry's lips had touched, and she blushed.

"I'll see you later."

"Night," Harry nodded and she climbed into the car and Mrs. Granger drove away, leaving Harry to watch until the taillights disappeared from view.