A/N- I Do Not Own Harry Potter
Chapter 2
Hermione Granger was dumbfounded. She had woken up this morning still expecting to have to stay in the hospital wing for a few more days, like Madame Pomfrey had said. But upon her examination this morning, the very puzzled nurse had said she was perfectly fine and could leave.
Ron however still had to stay in the hospital wing. Hermione figured it was the perfect time to get some alone time with Harry.
She had fallen head of heels for him when she first saw him on the Hogwarts Express first year. But she got precious little alone time with Harry, and he was usually preoccupied at the time. In third year, they had tried to rescue Sirius, not really a good time to confess your love. And in fourth year, he had been trying to learn what he could to keep himself alive during the tournament.
She was beginning to think that she'd have to start dating Ron, the only one who'd shown any interest in her besides Krum. Sure, she could resort to love potions to make Harry love her, but they would have to be constantly re-applied and if she should miss a dose...Besides, she loved Harry too much to do that to him.
It being lunchtime, Hermione first headed down to the Great Hall. Ginny, Luna, and Neville all where surprised that she was out of the hospital wing, but none of them had seen Harry since he woke up this morning.
Since Hermione had no idea where Harry had gone, she decided to go up and check the dormitories. At the very least she might be able to grab the Marauders Map and find out where Harry was, that is if he didn't have it with him.
Hermione was shocked when, just outside of the boy's dormitory, she heard Harry talking.
"What am I supposed to do? Go up to her and say I love you?" Harry asked.
Hermione was shocked when she heard an obviously female voice answer. "Yes."
Harry snorted. "That'll go down real well, especially after the incident at the Ministry."
"It's not as hard as you think, sweetheart."
"I'll be lucky if she doesn't slap me. Especialy if I do as you ask, and tell her I'm going to learn the Dark Arts to face Voldermort. Hell, I'll be lucky if she doesn't tell Dumbledore."
Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Harry was going to learn the Dark Arts, if he was serious she'd finally be able to tell him her darkest secret.
She was a Dark witch, had been since first year. It had been incredibly hard for her to hide the fact, especially from Harry and Ron for five years. If Harry went Dark, she wouldn't be alone anymore.
But who was he in love with? He had said something about the Ministry, so that narrowed it down to her, Ginny, and Luna. Hermione'd kill the two if it wasn't her.
And who was he talking to?
"Harry," the feminine voice said, "you're over complicating the issue." She sighed. "Fine, practice on me. Imagine that I'm her. Now what are are you going to say to me?"
"You can't be serious?" Harry groaned.
"Of course I am. Now what are you going to say to me?"
Hermione heard Harry sigh.
"I don't know," Harry began. "Hermione I love you, I have since I first laid eyes on you. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Hermione jumped for joy inside. Harry was in love with her, now she just had to get Harry to admitit to her face.
"How was that?" Harry asked.
"Why don't you ask Hermione?" the other voice replied smugly.
"What?"
"She's standing just outside the door, and has heard both that you love her and are going Dark."
Hermione stood rooted to the floor as the door to the dormitory flew open and a very worried Harry stood in front of her.
"Hermione?" Harry choked out. "Aren't you supposed to be in the hospital wing?"
Hermione smiled at an obviously flustered Harry. "I was released this morning. Madame Pomfrey was very confused."
Harry looked over his shoulder, Hermione followed his gaze and saw a pure red phoenix perched on Harry's bed.
"You had something to do with this didn't you?" Harry said to the bird.
Hermione was startled when the bird spoke back, in the feminine voice she had heard through the door. "I may have given her a few tears," the bird replied smugly. "Well are you going to properly introduce us or not Harry?"
"Might as well come in and sir down Hermione," Harry said.
Hermione walked over and stood in front of the bird. Harry closed the door before turning to face her.
"Hermione," Harry began, "meet Mum. Mum, Hermione."
Hermione looked at Harry confused, Then at the phoenix. "Mum? As in Lily Potter?"
"The very same," Lily answered. "And I must say that my son has excellent taste. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Hermione smiled. "The pleasure is mine." She turned towards Harry. "So?"
"So what?" Harry asked confused.
Hermione's smile widened as she turned back to Lily. "Where boys this thick when you went to school?"
"Just as thick, possibly more." Lily looked at her son. "Tell her."
"Tell her what?" Harry asked.
"What you where practicing!"
"But you said she already heard?"
"Harry, you never actually told her."
Harry frowned. Lily looked exasperated. Hermione was trying to hold back laughter and keep a strait face.
"She is right you know," Hermione said. "I may have heard you, but you never actually told me how you felt." She looked at Harry smugly
"I...Uh...That is to say," Harry stuttered. "Aw, screw it. I'm a dead man anyway." Harry stepped towards Hermione, and before she could do anything, he kissed her.
Harry poured all of his love and admiration for Hermione into the kiss. When she moaned into his mouth, Harry took the advantage and used his tongue to convey his love further. Hermione returned the kiss with as much enthusiasm as Harry. Their tongue's battled for supremacy. Hermione's hands found their way to Harry's hair. One of Harry's arms wrapped around Hermione's waist, pulling her closer, while the other cradled the back of her head.
They finally pulled apart when they both needed oxygen.
Harry touched his forehead to Hermione's, His emerald green eye's staring into her brown ones. "Hermione, I love you," he said. "I have from the moment I first saw you. You've stood by me whenever I needed you. You've believed me when no one else had. And I ask, plead that you don't abandon me now. I need you. With you, I can do anything. Say it, and I will ignore my mother's advice and never touch the Dark Arts again for as long as I live. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Hermione smiled. "You realize how cheesy all of that was?"
Harry chuckled. "Yes, but it's the truth."
"Harry, yes I'll be you girlfriend." She stepped away from him and looked at Lily. "And I'll even help you learn the Dark Arts. You've got a lot of catching up to do."
Harry's mouth dropped at what Hermione was saying. "You mean that you know the Dark Arts?"
Hermione smiled and looked at Lily. "Been a Dark witch since first year. It's very tricky hiding that from everyone."
"Harry," Lily said. "First off, I'd like to say that if Hermione didn't love you already, you'd be slapped for that stunt you just pulled. Secondly, I'd like to say that if I could whistle I could. Now I think we have to bring someone up to date." She turned to Hermione. "And it is hard to hide the fact that you're Dark. I have to say well done."
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"Do you remember the Magical Animagus potion?" Hermione asked when Harry and Lily had finished explaining everything.
"Of course," Lily said. "I remember it perfectly. I assume you wish to make it?"
"Yes." She turned to face Harry. "If the prophecy is true, and you have to be the one to kill Voldermort, you're going to need every advantage you can get, Dark and Light."
"Hey, I've got no problems with that," Harry said. "But I don't know what animal to be?"
Hermione smiled. "I have an idea, I'll explain later. Lily, how long would it take to prepare the potion?"
Lily remained silent for a moment. "Two weeks."
"We're going to need someplace to brew it," Hermione said. "And practice our magic. That reminds me, Harry let me see your wand."
Harry handed Hermione his wand. She pulled out her wand and muttered a spell under her breath. Harry wand glowed blue for a moment before fading back to normal. She handed Harry his wand back.
"I just removed the trackers from your wand," Hermione explained. "I've already removed them from mine. No you can use magic this summer, and the Ministry won't know."
Harry smiled. "Brilliant." He turned to Lily. "Do I have to go back to the Dursleys, or do you have any better ideas?"
"You're going back to the Dursleys, Harry. But only for a few hours. Long enough for me and you to pay my sister for her kindness." Lily looked at Hermione. "You can come too if you'd like. Then I'll take you to my manor."
"Your manor?"
"Yes, it was my retreat from James. Someplace where I could research the Dark Arts without his knowledge. It'll be the perfect place for you to stay for the summer. Of course I'll have to tell you where it is. Fideleus charm and I'm the secret keeper."
Hermione smiled. "Can I come there too?"
"Of course. If you intend to stand by my son, I guess I'll have to teach you too."
"I'll write and tell Mum and Dad I'm staying with friends this summer."
