Author's Note: Yes! Two updates in one day! I only knew what to write for the first few paragraphs of this chapter, and so the rest of the events kind of flowed into each other. We left off where Hermione brought Harry to a certain place as a "birthday present". And if you forgot, I'm trying to cover nineteen years, and we're not even close to covering one year. This will take a while. Suggestions are always welcome!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does. If you didn't know that already, then don't hesitate to stick your head in a toilet or thorn bush. I prefer toilet, but which ever works for you. Thank you.
Warning: Deathly Hallows spoilers. I know that you love Harry Potter so much that you wouldn't want me spoiling anything for you, yet you didn't even read the book.
Nineteen Years - Chapter Three
He will always care for her, no matter what.
Harry saw the building ahead of him and his jaw dropped. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He'd seen it before, just not like this. The walls…so old, yet they looked new. The windows were worn, but the dust had been wiped off. The door that was no longer behind a gate seemed to scream Harry's name for him to enter. He didn't know whether to give Hermione a hug for making such effort or punch her in the face for bringing tears to his eyes.
"Hermione, I don't know what to say –"
"You don't have to say anything, Harry. Go ahead," Hermione said with a smile as she gestured towards the door.
Harry slowly approached the door of the building; his heart beating faster, his lungs seemed to contract at a quicker pace. His footsteps echoed on the porch as he observed the exterior of the building. How did she manage this? Harry thought. Hermione slowly caught up with him, smiling. And together they walked into the Potter home.
"How did you – but – why?" Harry was confused about why Hermione would do such a hard working task for her friend. She laughed.
"It doesn't matter. Happy birthday, Harry," Hermione said.
Harry forced a smile as he walked through the door. Inside was a comfortable living room with a small couch and two chairs. Pictures of the Potter family were placed above a fireplace; some pictures were of James and Harry, Lily and Harry, James and Lily with Harry, just Harry, but all pictures had Harry in them. His one year old self in the picture was waving his arms up at him as his parents were smiling. Hermione gently placed her hand on Harry's shoulder, and he looked at her with his stunning emerald eyes. They stared at each other in silence for a minute or two, and then Harry turned around and walked into the kitchen.
There were two seats and a high chair, and a few seats had been put to the side in case of guests. Harry realized that Hermione had left everything as it was – all she really did was clean it up. There was a pot on the stove, half-way over a burner. Harry imagined his mother cooking a meal as he and his father would sit down at the table. There were plates on table, two big ones where James and Lily sat, and a small one with a plastic fork next to it where Harry's high chair was.
Eventually, they walked in silence to James and Lily's bedroom. There was a picture of the two of them on their wedding day on the wall, and Harry realized that it was the only picture of them without him there. He was their entire life, he thought. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and lead him towards the room in which Voldemort killed his mother, and almost killed him.
Harry's bedroom had a small crib, a changing table, toys, and a few Quidditch posters. There were also pictures in his room; the usual three person family smiling up at him. He stood in front of his crib and his mind, without hesitation or confusion, he imagined Lily standing in front of the one year old Harry, throwing her arms over him in protection, sacrificing herself to save Harry's life, just like she had done seventeen years ago. He looked down the hallway and saw his father, trying to protect his wife and son with all the power he had in him, but Voldemort had no mercy for the Potters. Harry saw his father's body slam against the ground, motionless. Disturbing images kept running through his mind until he walked out of his bedroom, out of the second floor, out of the living room, and onto the porch. Hermione followed close behind, a tear dancing down her cheek. She didn't need to read his mind; the saddened face he had when he looked at the places where his parents had died explained enough.
Harry looked up at the house and began to cry. The tears fell faster than he could wipe them, and Hermione glanced up at her friend. He looked away, ashamed of showing his feelings openly. But Hermione didn't care. She clasped her hands on each side of his head and faced him towards her. He raised his hands to touch hers, and he gazed into her concerned brown eyes. Harry still tried to look away and wipe his tears, but Hermione wouldn't let him. Tears continued to pour out of his eyes and he couldn't control them whatsoever. He glanced up, still not giving up on his mission to get rid of his tears.
"Don't try to stop it, Harry. It's okay to let others know about your feelings, you know," Hermione said to him in a calm tone.
"I'm sorry. I'm n-not used to t-this crying s-stuff," Harry said, managing to smile a little bit. Hermione returned the smile, but quickly looked down.
"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have brought you here. I shouldn't have even fixed it up."
"Don't s-say that, Hermione! This is the b-best birthday present ever."
"Presents that make me cry of sadness aren't usually good presents. I'm sorry, Harry."
"Hermione," Harry began as he lifted her head up, "I may be c-crying of sadness, but I'm touched t-that you would do this for me. Even though it doesn't bring back pleasant memories, this is my parent's home. My home."
Hermione looked up at him and smiled. "Well, I'm glad you like it. Speaking of which, where are you going to live?"
Harry thought about this. He owned Twelve Grimmauld Place since Sirius left it to him, so he was going to stay there until he could get a job and afford something nicer. A job. The words stabbed Harry as he knew that he hadn't even considered the thought of getting a job. He had always wanted to be an Auror, and "defeated Voldemort" on his resume definitely helped.
"Twelve Grimmauld Place for now. Then I'll get a job, maybe as an Auror, and earn enough money to get a nicer place to live in. You?"
"Oh, I'm alright, Harry. You don't need to worry about me. Are you going to be alright living by yourself?"
"Y-Yeah, I'll be fine. Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"What? Oh, yeah, I'm okay. No need to worry about me." Harry gave her a concerned look. "Honestly, I'm alright!"
"If you say so, Hermione. Should we head back now?"
"Okay," Hermione said, hesitation written all over her voice.
They walked over to the port key and returned to the Burrow. Harry realized that there were tear marks all over his face, but he had taken Hermione's advice and didn't do anything about it. They walked into the kitchen to see everyone stop what they were doing and look at Harry. The Weasleys looked straight at his cheeks, which had tear marks, and his eyes that were red and puffy from crying. Harry stood in front of them, not knowing what to say or do.
"Did you like Hermione's present?" Ron finally asked, breaking the silence. George elbowed his ribs. "OW! What was that –?" But Ron stopped to see Harry smile and put his hands in his pockets.
"I loved it," Harry responded as he smiled at Hermione. She slightly blushed and Ron gave her a death glare.
"I zink zat we better 'et going, don't you zink so, Bill? Victoire is getting antsy," Fleur interupted.
"Alright, Fleur. See you, everyone," Bill said, hugging his family and waving to Harry and Hermione.
"I'm going to bed," Ginny said to her mother. She glanced at Harry, blushed, and walked upstairs.
"What was that for?" Ron whispered to Harry.
"I don't know," Harry said.
"Find out," Hermione interupted.
"Alright, fine. I'll be right back," Harry said, and he began walking up the steps to Ginny's room. He opened the door gently. "Ginny?"
"What?" Ginny sobbed as she looked up at her ex boyfriend.
"I just came to er…see you."
"Sure you did. Listen, I get that you're mad at me for cheating on you. You should totally be upset with me. If you weren't, then I would've thought that you don't care about me, or love me. But I saw the way you looked at me, Harry. You were hurt and destroyed, and I hate seeing you like that. I didn't feel myself when I kissed Draco. It felt like a voice was telling me to do it. It felt…wrong."
Harry thought about what she said. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I don't love Draco, or even care for him, but I felt like I was controlled. Like a slave or a house elf. I wasn't myself."
Harry was confused, but then it hit him. "The Imperious Curse," he whispered to himself.
"The Imperious Curse? But, you can't make someone fall in love with you with that," Ginny said.
"Yes, but people kiss each other all the time when they don't actually love each other." Harry thought back to when he saw Ron and Hermione kissing in the Great Hall and he wondered if they loved each other. Ginny looked up at him.
"I'm sorry. Imperious Curse or not, I shouldn't have done that. It broke your heart, and that was the last thing that I meant to do. I care about you, Harry. But I understand now that there's no way you would take me back for kissing another guy while being in love with you."
"Ginny –"
"Just go, Harry. I can't stand being around the person whom I broke their heart," Ginny finished. Harry hesitated, but walked out her door to see an Extendable Ear at the edge of the doorway. He picked it up and screamed in it.
"OUCH!" he heard George's voice, and walked downstairs to see George cupping his hand over his only ear. "What did you do that for?"
"I should be asking you that," Harry said as he spotted Ron and Hermione behind George. Hermione was avoiding Ron, and only listening in because Harry was her friend, and she was pretty nosy lately.
"Sorry, mate. We're just curious to see what's going on in your love life," George said, fluttering his hands in front of his chest and leaning back when he said "love life". Ron bursted out laughing, and Hermione folded her arms across her chest and stormed off. Harry couldn't help but join the laughter. Slowly but surely, the hours passed and it was around midnight.
"I think I should be going. Thanks for the great birthday, everyone," Harry said with a yawn.
"Where are you going to go, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked, concerned.
"Twelve Grimmauld Place. I'm going for a job interview to be an Auror next week."
"Next week?" Mr. Weasley interupted.
"Well, I have to provide for myself somehow."
"What about the gold you have in your Gringotts vault?"
"I'm saving that for my future children," Harry said. He received a kind look from the Weasleys, and teary eyes from Hermione.
"That's sweet, dear. Well, if you ever need anything at all, just send us an owl, and we'll be happy to help," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Okay. Thanks again," Harry said, as he apparated into Twelve Grimmauld Place.
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"Yes, I think that we may find a perfect spot for you here at the Ministry of Magic, Mr. Potter," a tall man with neat, brown hair said as he shook Harry's hand roughly. "Welcome to the Auror Department."
"Thank you, Mr. Jacobs," Harry said.
"Arrive here at six o'clock sharp. Your office is office number seventy two, Mr. Potter. You will find a note with work instructions on your desk."
"Alright. Thanks again."
Harry felt his spirits rise as he walked out of the Ministry of Magic. He received many glances from other wizards and witches, and they were in shock to see that he was carrying a suitcase and wearing presentable attire.
"A job already?" "The boy's gone mad!" "He doesn't need a job with that gold in his Gringotts vault."
He heard several whispers and snickers, but ignored them. When he apparated into his home, he found Hermione's owl waiting for him at the edge of his kitchen window. He opened the envelope carefully and took out the letter.
Harry,
How'd the interview go? I'm sure that you got the job! Who could turn down the guy who defeated Voldemort for a job as an Auror?
I'm worried about you, though. Maybe you should just use the gold, and you'll make more money once you can get things together and then get a job.
I heard that Hogwarts is fixed up now, and they're going to be open for the coming school year. I wonder what our seventh year there was like. I guess we'll never know, huh? But going on that hunt with you and that prat was more exciting and dramatic than any of our years at Hogwarts.
I would love to get together some time, when you're not busy at work or something. You can even invite the prat – I'm willing to try to become friends with him as long as he doesn't scream at me when ever I hug you or something stupid like that. Did I mention that he's such a prat?
Okay, sorry about that. Well, I hope that you reply back as soon as possible. I'm dying to hear from you.
With love,
Hermione
Harry read the letter over and over again until he practically memorized it. He got his quill and began writing back to her.
Hermione,
I'd love to get together. And I'll invite Ron if you're serious about letting him join us. How about at my place this Saturday? I have my day off on Saturdays.
Speaking of which, yes, I got the job. The interview went better than I thought it would be, but it was weird how everyone kept calling me Mr. Potter instead of Harry. I'll get used to it, I guess.
I wonder what Hogwarts looks like now after the battle. You know, I don't think we ever got rid of that bed in the corridor. I could just imagine one of the professor's reactions to see a bed in a secluded hall.
I guess I'll see you on Saturday, then.
Love,
Harry
"You know who it's for," Harry told Hermione's owl, and it nodded, taking off into the blue sky.
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"Hello, Harry!" a voice came from a figure that apparated into his kitchen. Harry jumped from the sudden arrival.
"Are you trying to kill me, Hermione? Could I get a warning next time?"
"Haha. Nope, I'll keep apparating in front of you until you drop dead."
"You're such a great friend," Harry said sarcastically.
"Is the prat here?"
"You mean Ron? No, he's late."
"Typical Ronald," Hermione said as she rolled her eyes.
"I heard that!" another voice came from the kitchen. A red haired figure walked towards them, revealing Ron.
"We weren't lying, you know. You're always late."
"Oh, like you weren't, Hermione!"
"Both of you shut up!" Harry interupted. "I am sick and tired of you guys arguing with each other. You have no idea how hard it is to deal with this. Just try to get along with each other for once!"
"Take it easy, mate," Ron said, exaggerating his steps away from Harry. Hermione couldn't help but laugh a little bit. Harry didn't even bother to argue with them.
"What are we going to do?" Hermione asked Harry.
"Well, I invited a few more people," Harry said. And as if on cue, Luna, Neville, Seamus, Parvati, and Lavender apparated into the room. Hermione and Ron gasped, exchanging hugs and greetings with everyone, although Hermione hesitated to greet Lavender.
"I heard that you got a job as an Auror, Harry!" Neville exclaimed as everyone sat in Harry's living room.
"You did, now?" Seamus gave him a confused look. "Already?"
"What about all that gold you have in your Gringotts vault?" Parvati asked. "You don't need a job now with all that money!"
"I'm saving the money," Harry said for what seemed like the thousandth time.
"For what?" Lavender asked blankly.
"For my future children."
"Oh, I get it!" Luna bursted. "That's nice of you, Harry, getting a dangerous job at an early age now just so your children could have enough money." Parvati and Lavender nodded, and Neville and Seamus smiled weakly. Harry had gotten used to this response, so he nodded softly. Then his head turned to Hermione, who was staring into the fireplace. She had a blanket wrapped around her, although the temperature was perfect. She turned her head and caught Harry's glance.
'Are you alright?' he mouthed. She didn't respond, but instead gave him a blank look. 'Hermione?'
She walked into the sitting room, on the other side of the house, and Harry followed her. "I'll be right back," he told his friends as he approached the sitting room.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" he asked her. She bursted out into tears and ran up to him. He was now terrified for his friend. "Come on, please tell me what's going on!"
"Harry, I can't live this way anymore!"
"What way?" Harry asked. She looked up at him with teary eyes and coughed.
"Exactly! I don't know what way I'm living. My parents are still in Australia –"
"WHAT?!" Harry nearly exploded. "You didn't lift the charm?"
"No, I didn't. I want them to be safe."
"But what about you? Where are you living?" Harry's hands were now trembling.
"Nowhere. I'm living on the streets."
The words stabbed through him like a thousand knives. Hermione. Homeless. It just couldn't be right. Harry wrapped his arms around his friend and held onto her tighter than ever, as if she was his lifeline.
"Hermione, why didn't you tell me?"
"I…I don't know, Harry. Please don't be mad!" There was one thing about Hermione that Harry would never be able to understand. Whenever she did something that caused Harry to hug her and care for her, she thought that he would get mad.
"I'm not mad, Hermione. You can live with me," the words slipped out of Harry, but he didn't regret them one bit.
"But I don't have a job, Harry!"
"I can provide for both of us," Harry said as he looked down at Hermione's face. For the first time ever, he saw the natural beauty in her. Her naturally curly hair fell below her shoulders perfectly and her chocolate brown eyes danced with a mix of emotions. Her lips moved to form that priceless smile that Harry had always admired. He stroked her hair as she placed her head on his chest and finally stopped crying.
"I don't know what I'd do without a friend like you."
"Same here, Hermione," Harry stroked her hair again. "Same here."
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"Is that the last of it?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, I think that's all my stuff. Thanks," Hermione replied.
The two friends walked upstairs with Hermione's belongings and placed them on her bed. Harry walked out of the room, leaving Hermione to unpack her own things. He walked downstairs to write a letter to Ron, since he hadn't explained the situation to him, leaving his friend confused about what was going on just a few days before.
Ron,
Do you remember when you saw me and Hermione hugging in my sitting room? Well, it wasn't for the heck of it, and we're just friends. I wanted to clear that out with you before I continued.
Hermione hadn't lifted the charm on her parents, leaving them in Australia with new identities. She wanted them to be safe. Since she couldn't afford a place to live, she was living on the streets and didn't even tell us. But it doesn't matter that she didn't tell us before, because she did the right thing and found the courage to tell me. Hermione told me about the situation, and immediately I offered for her to live with me until she can get a job and afford her own place and whatnot. She's unpacking as I'm writing this, and I hope you don't mind that she's staying with me. We're both her friends and we want the best for her. I know that the second you get this that you'll apparate into my house, but please don't do that right now. Hermione is a little overwhelmed with the luxuries such as a stove and shower that she hasn't been in contact with for a few weeks.
I'll send you an owl when she's ready to talk to anyone else. Hermione's a bit fragile right now, and I hope that you understand.
From,
Harry
"I'm done packing!" Hermione screamed from her room.
"Alright!" Harry screamed back. He gave the letter to Ron to his new owl. "Give this to Ron and don't leave until he writes a letter back." The owl nodded and flew off to the Burrow.
"I sent an owl to Ron, explaining the situation," Harry said as he saw Hermione come down the stairs.
"Oh no."
"I told him not to come until you're ready to see anyone else, don't worry."
Hermione let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "Thanks, Harry."
"No problem."
The next day, Harry received a letter back from Ron.
Harry,
Why didn't she tell us beforehand? How could she live on the streets and not tell us? I know that you just care about her being safe now, but I can't believe that she couldn't trust us. Well, you two have fun over there without me. I'm alright with hearing mum's random bursts of tears over Fred and constantly worrying about Ginny at Hogwarts.
But honestly, mate, I think she needs you more than anyone else. Even when we were snogging in the Great Hall the day Voldemort fell, she caught your glimpse and looked at you in a way that she's never looked at me before. And I saw the hurt in your eyes to see her kissing someone else. She pulled away from me and said that she should go check up on you.
Anyways, you are quite the protective one. I actually disobeyed you and tried to apparate into your house. You put a bloody charm on it to stop me from getting there by magic! How far are you going to go to protect her? You're mad, Harry. Just mad.
From,
Ron
Harry laughed at Ron's last comment as he saw Hermione walk into the kitchen. Quickly, he put the note down into his pocket.
"Ron wrote back?"
"Er…kind of…"
"Let me see," Hermione demanded as she held out her hand for the letter. Obeying her, Harry took the letter out and placed it in her hand. She took it and read it carefully.
"You put a charm on the house?"
"Well, I knew that you really didn't want to see anybody else until you got comfortable, so I…yeah, I did," Harry said. Hermione glanced at the letter again.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"For what?"
"For hurting you like that. Ron and I…we shouldn't have been snogging in plain sight for you to see. Even Ron noticed the hurt in your eyes, and he's usually oblivious when it comes to other people's feelings."
Harry thought about this. What was Hermione trying to get at?
"Er…" Harry was at loss for words. He stroked his hair, which was a habit for when he didn't know what to say; he tended to not want to hurt anyone's feelings, but sometimes did that just by not saying anything. Realizing Harry's habit, Hermione quickly changed the subject.
"Well, I was thinking about getting a job soon. I know how hard you've been working to provide for both of us."
"Oh, it's no bother, but it would sure help if you could get a job when you're ready. It would also be a waste to see a smart person like you not go anywhere career-wise," Harry said. Hermione slightly blushed and looked away.
"Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Do you love Ginny?" Hermione asked. Harry's stomach dropped. "She was under the Imperious Curse when she kissed Malfoy. It was out of her control."
"I don't think I want to talk about this, Hermione."
"Harry, I know that you still care about her. Do you love her?" Hermione asked again. Harry thought about this. Did he love Ginny, even though she kissed Malfoy? It was under her control, Hermione's voice rang in his head. She was under the Imperious Curse when she kissed him. Harry hadn't felt the same way towards Ginny ever since she broke his heart the night that Voldemort was defeated. Imperious Curse or not, he couldn't help but think that she would be unfaithful without being put under the curse at all.
"If I truly care for someone and I would do anything to protect them mean that I love them?" Harry asked Hermione.
"To me, yes, it means that you love them," she said.
Harry glanced up at Hermione, and he saw her look into his emerald eyes; the same eyes that were now screaming "I love you".
Author's Note: This ending just kind of popped into my head, so I figured what the heck, let me wing it. I'm actually quite pleased with myself, but are you pleased? Review! Thank you so much for reading, even if you didn't review for some reason.