Chapter 4

The end of the holiday drew closer; Harry and Hermione awaited the night bus. She stood by the gate on the lookout while he chatted with Sirius. "I heard from Remus that he would be returning to Hogwarts for a little while." Memories from his earlier training with him, gave Harry a smile "That's brilliant." Sirius gave him a pat on the shoulder, "Your never alone Harry… remember that whether it's with me or Remus you always have a home." A home where he belonged was what he always longed for as a boy and Sirius gave that to him a long time ago. He looked up at his godfather and nodded "Besides if you ever forget I'm sure Hermione will remind you." Both of them chuckled at the fact, Sirius was right as much as he loved living in Grimmauld his home right now is where Hermione is. To live his life with her and to live it for now.

A long trip left them tired, arriving in Hogwarts with slight expectations of surprise. But found none that greeted them, curious they headed up the Grand staircase towards the Gryffindor Tower. A few Ravenclaws passed the pair giggling which left them with more curiosity of what could be happening.

They entered the Gryffindor common room, their eyes marveled at the sight of their friends and every Gryffindor surrounding them. Each step they took was met with marvelous applause, cheering and whistles. McGonagall stood still keeping only a gentle smile, Fred and George flicked their wands and out came banners with crossing H's.

Everyone had bright smiling faces exchanging hugs between the two. McGonagall spoke in a tender tone "Ms. Granger what did I tell you… nothing to worry about he came around soon enough." Harry turned to Hermione, she just beamed at him "Oh nothing."

Remus arrived later and met with Harry at the other end of the room. "So, Harry have you practiced your patronus recently?" following him around the fireplace "Haven't had the time, I've been busy." Lupin smirked at the reply, he stirred his tea and sipped it "Who knows your patronus may have gotten even stronger." Harry just stared blankly murmuring his first words "Who knows."

Harry's ear grew cold; through the chaos of the crowd he heard the distinctive sound of Hermione crying. He turned his attention to her only to find Cormac insulting her drunk. Clenching his fist he stormed towards them the crowd moving aside. Anger boiled inside of him his fist at the ready, what happened next shocked everyone. Cormac was on the floor with a broken nose, everyone in the room just saw Hermione punch him square in the face. Eyes filled with fresh tears she ran to Harry, he hugged her tight.

Seamus snatched the whiskey bottle from Cormac and Dean lifted him up. Cormac still recovering from the broken nose yelled insults at them, Dean and Seamus taking him away. "Stay away from her! If you ever make her cry again I will take you down!" Cormac replied by spitting on the floor never to be seen again. Silence fell amongst the room only to be broken by McGonagall "Mr. Finnigan I believe I told you no whisky." Seamus was bewildered at the comment "But Professor you were the one who… "she waved him off "No no next time you should work on your listening skills instead of your pyrotechnics." Everyone looked at each other and then started laughing.

The party was over and a few were left for cleanup, the twins suggested asking the elves earlier only to be met by a glare from Hermione. But the twins were not used to this much work so when Hermione would turn her back they would use magic to clean faster. Lifting a table Harry found a box filled with Galleons and Sickles "Fred, George what is this?" Seamus was the first to answer "Oh that's where we either won or lost depending on what we betted." Placing the pieces together Harry looked at both twins very confused "You betted on us getting together?" not a single word just deer in the headlights expressions "Come on mate, after what happened at the Yule Ball we knew that it was inevitable." Harry turned to Hermione who just hid her face and blushed at the memory.

Later that night, the pair sat across from each other in the middle was the mirror. Harry poured the memory into the mirror glancing at Hermione before he went in who showed her approval. He was transported back to the snow filled Great Hall sitting alone. Until he saw Hermione spun away from the crowd of dancers laughing, regaining her balance her eyes fell on him. She giggled and extended her hand "Care to dance with me Harry?" he took her hand, his first few steps were hesitant leaving Hermione to coach him the whole time.

Allowing the music to fill their souls, they danced gracefully together amongst the crowd. Harry's growing confidence dared him to spin her so he did and he was successful. Happiness wasn't a word to describe what they felt it was more than that.

Exiting the great hall, out of jealousy Ron broke up the two telling Harry that he had to get some sleep for the tournament. Hermione argued telling him that he was being unreasonable but Harry was already so far up the stairs. Ron looked her down and told her that Harry would never love her, that was the end for her she collapsed on the spot. Sobbing on the stairs on her new dress "Ron, you ruined everything."

Returning from the memory, he searched for her. Finding her asleep in the bed beside him, afraid to wake her he caressed her face "I'm sorry Hermione, for taking this long." A soft knock came from the door; Professor McGonagall spoke to him "Mr. Potter… Dumbledore has asked to meet with you in his Office." He followed her instructions and left Hermione sound asleep.

Approaching Dumbledore's office Harry opens the door, spotting the old wizard pacing at his study "What wrong professor?" Dumbledore's eyes looked lifeless and his face pale, slowly the door closed shut. "I'm sorry Harry my boy… war is coming to your life sooner than expected."

A long discussion was held between the two, Dumbledore explaining his history with Tom Riddle. Informing Harry on a quest to destroy Horcruxes the only way to defeat the dark lord. "Years ago I told your father the very things I just told you, I knew little back then but enough and he wanted to buy you time so he destroyed the locket. The fault was mine because it left him weak; he didn't have enough energy to take on Voldemort himself to protect you and Lily."

"It's okay professor but Hermione sir." Dumbledore stroke his beard and pondered, "It will be a decision both of you must decide, just remember Harry what I ask of you is very dangerous." Questions filled his head along with a overflow of fears of what could happen. What will he tell her, will he ever be able to forgive himself if she got hurt again? Again… are his true memories coming back?