Chapter 6 - Ups and Downs

Ginny reluctantly left the others at the entrance to the medical wing. Harry and Hermione continued through the first floor corridors until they got to the door marked with Professor McGonagall's name.

Harry knocked on the door and the professor opened the door to admit the two students. McGonagall's office was a lot more homey and comfortable than Dumbledore's was. There was a variety of tartan plaids used in decorating the office and a big fireplace with a huge mantle over in one corner.

Harry, with a little help from Hermione, gave the Transfiguration professor a full report of what happened from the time they saw Malfoy to Professor Snape slamming the door behind him as he left the class.

While a brief smile crossed her face one or twice in the telling, Professor McGonagall calmly received Harry's point of view. "I'm not sure you did anything wrong Mr. Potter, other than bringing that staff into the classroom. I can't cancel out demerits another professor has assigned but if you show as much knowledge in Transfiguration that you did in potions you would probably be earning some house points."

"Thank you professor", Harry replied. "I heard from other students that Professor Snape had a difficult class. So Hermione and I studied extra trying to get ready for it. We have both read the whole course book and hope we do as well during the practical part of the class."

"I think you and Miss Granger will do well; you both seem to have a practical approach for studying. I wish all our students did. By the way, what have you done with that staff?"

Harry looked at Hermione for a second and then addressed his head of house. "It's been put away professor so it will not be a problem for anyone else in classes. Am I allowed to work with my staff on my own?"

"That would be a matter to ask the headmaster when you see him again. I understand you both are part of the talent show tomorrow night."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I hope you'll have some fun. It's just supposed to be an ice breaker to let everyone get to know you better. I'll be there to see the proceedings myself. You best be on your way."

"Thank you Professor." Harry and Hermione exited the office and turned their footsteps back toward the Gryffindor tower.

They were getting close to the Charms classroom on the third floor when they unfortunately met the Slytherin first years coming the other way. Hermione tucked in behind Harry as they walked down one side of the hallway with the Slytherins on the other side. Both sides avoided looking at each other but there was a round of laughter that came from Malfoy and his friends as they turned into the Charms corridor.

When they had got far away from where the Slytherins had gone, Harry turned and looked at Hermione. She was visibly trembling and looked about to break down again. Harry pulled her into the nearest empty room and made sure the door was closed behind them. Harry gently pulled Hermione into a hug and let her cry on his shoulder for a couple of minutes. When she finished crying, Harry helped dry her eyes and held her hand for a minute.

"You must think I'm an awful ninny."

"I think your just getting over something very traumatic. You're allowed to have some feelings about all of this."

"But Harry you were in much worse…"

"I had years of that kind of stuff at the Dursley's and I didn't know any better. It's different because it's you and you know it was wrong. That makes it VERY personal! Ginny and I will always be there for you. Whatever you need, anytime. Even if you want a punching bag to get rid of your anger. Here, sit up here for a moment; maybe I can do something to help."

Hermione hopped up on the edge of the desk in the middle of the room. Harry came up to her and stood looking at her for a few seconds and smiled. Hermione wondered what was going to happen but Harry leaned down to hold her chin for a second for a second. "I've had a lot of time to think about where I was a couple of months ago and what a change has come over my life. Not just Hogwarts, or the Weasley's, but really getting to know Ginny and you and sharing something very special. I hope you can take some of what this has meant to me. Close your eyes and listen."

She dutifully closed her eyes and listened as Harry began singing.

Look at what's happened to me friend

I can't believe it myself.

Suddenly I'm up on top of the world,

It could've been somebody else.

Believe it or not,

I'm walking on air.

I never thought I could feel so free -.

Flying away on a wing and a prayer.

Who could it be?

Believe it or not it's just me.

It's like a light of a new day,

It came from out of the blue.

Breaking me out of the spell I was in,

Making all of my wishes come true-.

Believe it or not,

I'm walking on air.

I never thought I could feel so free-.

Flying away on a wing and a prayer.

Who could it be?

Believe it or not it's just me.

Hermione had the greatest feeling of happiness and felt herself almost lifted out of her body from the feelings Harry was sharing with her. All the fear she had walked into the room with had also disappeared! She smiled and wasn't too surprised when she opened her eyes and found herself sitting three feet above the table. Harry was smiling up at her and slowly lowered the arm he was holding out. Hermione felt herself lowered gently back to the desk.

"That was amazing Harry!"

"It's kind of what I felt when Ginny taught me to fly!" 'That's from Ginny and me together. She felt I should do something special for you; in fact she pretty much ordered me this morning to sing something nice to you. It took me a while to think of something that might cheer you up. I linked up with her mentally to do the little bit of magic. Did it do the job of helping?'

Hermione stood up and kissed Harry's forehead. "I'll keep this memory for a long time Harry. Ginny showed me how you sang for her and I was a little jealous. Now you've given me something fantastic for myself. And got rid of my fear! Thank you!"

Harry and Hermione stood up and finished their walk back to the Gryffindor common room. Hermione was talking about getting a lesson plan together for the rest of the semester. Harry smiled at the way she wanted to get everything organized.

When they entered the Gryffindor common room, Harry was mobbed again by the first years who had been waiting to ask all of their questions. Hermione sat down on one of the nearby couches and watched as Harry tried to explain everything that happened.

Harry had explained answering Snape's questions as just good studying but had a harder time explaining the actions of the staff. Harry looked to Hermione for help and she helped him come up with an answer.

"The staff I had this morning was a gift and I had no idea it was magical until I had used it for a few days. I had no control over it. Considering how dangerous it is…"

"To Snape", chimed in Ron with laughter.

"Considering how dangerous it appears to be to some people, I've put it away. I don't think it would a good idea for anybody to even try to find it. So that's the end of that."

"But how come Ginny could pick it up without being hurt?" That question came from Lavender.

"I have absolutely no idea. Maybe it likes Gryffindors. Or redheads. Ginny took a big chance that the staff wouldn't hurt her. I'm very glad it didn't. And that's all I'm going to say about all that except that we all had better be really ready for the next potions class."

The first years dispersed with everybody heading back to their rooms or settling in for doing some homework. Harry dropped onto the sofa with a deep sigh.

'You did well with that Harry!'

'Thanks for the help Hermione. I never suspected I would end up in front of everybody so much when I walked in for the sorting.'

Hermione giggled at that, and pulled out her Fantastic Beasts book. Harry joined her and they read for a while together. After about a fifteen minutes, Harry realized that Hermione had quietly fallen asleep over her book. Harry carefully took it from her grip and pulled a nearby blanket over her to keep her warm. Harry pulled out the note from Hagrid to find an invitation to come visit him Saturday afternoon. Harry thought it was nice that the giant wanted to see how Harry had done in his first week at Hogwarts.

It was about an hour later that Harry reluctantly woke Hermione up for supper. "I must have been really tired", Hermione said as she stretched.

"It's probably just a reaction to the stress," Harry answered her. "Why don't we both put our bags away and I'll walk with you down to supper."

"Sounds like a plan, Harry. I think Ginny was planning on staying for the meal. I'd like to show her what you sang for me."

Harry blushed a little. "You two can share all you want. I'm still getting used to people wanting to hear me sing. I have no idea what I'm going to sing tomorrow."

"Oh no, the talent show. I've still got to practice. Can you come with me somewhere tomorrow?"

"Why don't we talk about it over supper?"

Hermione nodded and headed up the girls stairway. Harry headed up to his room to find a nervous Ron waiting for him. "Harry, you've got to help me. I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow. Hermione shouldn't have volunteered me!"

"She was getting back at you for saying I would perform. I don't want to be in the spotlight. You should know that."

"But what am I going to do, Harry? I don't want to stand there with nothing. I'll never hear the end of it from Fred and George!"

Harry thought for a couple of minutes and then smiled at Ron. He talked to him for a couple of minutes about his idea and Ron was happy that he could actually do something entertaining. He left the room to hurry down to his supper.

Hermione was again waiting for Harry down in the common room. "Ron just went through in a rush but stopped and just told me you are a genius. It looked like he almost wanted to apologize to me."

"He may think of that. Sometime. I guess we'll see tomorrow. I thought of something that Ron could do really well."

'Are you people going to stay up there all night?'

Harry sent a message back to Ginny that they were on their way down but to have fun annoying Ron until they got there! Hermione smiled at the mischief that Ginny had planned for her brother. The two friends went to meet Ginny downstairs!

xxxx xxxx

Harry had another restless night and finally went downstairs to sleep on one of the sofas in the common room. Hermione woke him up and waited for him until he went upstairs and changed out of his pajamas.

"Good morning again, Hermione."

"Hi Harry, I'm sorry you didn't sleep well."

"Me too. Found a place to practice yet?"

"I noticed a couple of empty rooms in the lower levels of the Astronomy Tower the other night. That may work. Do you mind coming and keeping me company?"

"Not if you don't mind me working on my potions homework. Would you like to come with me when I visit Hagrid later?"

"Yes, if I can. Ginny's planning on coming in after lunch so maybe she could join us."

The morning mail arrived with an influx of owls dropping off letters and packages to the students that they were addressed to. Harry, always without incoming mail, borrowed a paper that Neville had received from his grandmother.

There was the usual dribble on the front page about the whereabouts and dealings of the Minister of Magic. Harry was surprised to read that the Prophet was reporting a break in at Gringotts that had happened a few weeks ago. Supposedly by Dark wizards or witches. Harry read farther down the article to see what vault it was; he thought that Griphook would have notified him if it was his vault. He was relieved to find out it was Vault 713 but the goblins were quoted as saying that whatever had been in that vault had been removed just before the break in happened. That number reminded Harry of something but he couldn't quite remember what it was.

Hermione and Harry left the Great Hall while and headed up their separate stairways. Harry grabbed his potions book and his notes from the day before and took everything else out of his book bag. Rushing to put away his books, Harry took another long look at his trunk sitting at the foot of his bed. He had given a lot of thought to discovering the secret to opening up the other side of his charmed container but was still no closer to actually opening it.

Ron and Neville were playing a game of gobstones in the common room. He wondered if either of them had even thought about the amount of writing they were supposed to do. Hermione was carrying her flute case when she came down the girls stairway. They both stopped in shock when they heard a mental yell come from the Burrow. They walked out through the portal as they started talking to their younger friend.

(HP): 'What's wrong Ginny? I can tell your upset!'

(GW):'I can't come tonight. I'm grounded!'

(HG):'What happened?'

(GW):'I made this mistake of TELLING mum I was leaving to go to the talent show tonight instead of asking. She then asked if I had finished my homework yet. Another mistake when I said no! She ran up one side of me and down the other!'

(HG):'Oops. We can help you with the homework.'

(GW):'Thanks Hermione. I've done the reading but the written…'

(HG):'Harry is going to be working on his essay while I'm practicing.'

(HP):'We can work on it together Ginny. Maybe if you get things done you can make up with your mum.'

(GW):'Thanks Harry. I'd like that. I'm in my room anyway till further notice.'

(HP):'I hate to change the subject, but does the number 713 mean anything to you?'

(GW):'I've seen that somewhere… Wait a second. Wasn't that the number on that bookmark you were using?'

(HP): 'The one in the bag that Hagrid brought with him on the day.. Oh boy!'

(HG):'What? What?'

Harry quickly went over the article in the Prophet with the two girls. Ginny couldn't believe Hagrid would have been carrying something important like that. Harry remembered that Hagrid said he was doing an errand for Dumbledore.

(GW):'Sounds like a mystery to me Harry.'

(HP):'I wonder if I can find out something when we visit Hagrid later?'

(HG): 'I don't think he'll be volunteering any information, especially if it was a secret that involved the headmaster.'

Harry and Hermione had made it to the Astronomy Tower and had found a small unused room with a couple of chairs and a desk. Harry set himself up on the desk and watched Hermione unpack her flute and some sheet music. Ginny was getting herself ready with her notes and books back at the Burrow.

Hermione appeared a little nervous about playing again. She told the other two that she had taken lessons for a few years but as schoolwork got more and more important, she found less and less time to give to her flute.

She started out playing scales for a bit as she got her fingers loosened up. Harry and Ginny started working on their potions assignment but kept listening to Hermione. Harry actually found it a little relaxing to have the music playing in the background as he worked together with Ginny. They had just about finished the assignment when Ginny started giggling.

'Oh Harry, you've done it again!'

Harry looked up from his scroll to see Hermione looking at him with wide eyes. She was continuing to play a song on her flute but there were notes flowing out of it as she played! Little balloon notes that floated around the room for a bit and then popped, turning into little white flowers that floated to the floor before disappearing!

As Hermione removed the flute from her lips the notes and the little flowers suddenly disappeared! Hermione looked amazed at what had happened!

(HP):'That was great Hermione! What were you playing?'

(HG):'Edelweiss from the Sound of Music.'

Harry started smiling and soon was chuckling. 'Ginny, edelweiss is the name of a small flower that grows high up in the mountains. I think we just had confirmation that Hermione that can use the bond magic too!'

There was a mental shout of congratulations that came across their connection! Hermione blushed. "I wasn't trying to do anything, really!"

Harry came over to give her a one armed hug. "Sometimes the music carries me away, and it's sort of like my body gets one big goosebump. Looks like it happened to you, Ginny and I were busy with the assignment."

Hermione was smiling broadly. "I think this calls for a celebration of some sort. Care to join me for lunch Harry? I'll buy."

More giggling was heard from their absent partner. "Since the meals are free Hermione, of course I'll let you buy!"

Harry opened the door with a bow as Hermione led the way toward the Great Hall. The three friends had a great and lively discussion as they made there way down the corridors and staircases.

Lunch was a nice meal with most of the first years sitting together as George and Fred told stories of odd incidents involving the other houses. Slytherin often came out the worse for some unknown reason. Harry didn't even mind the glares that were coming from the other side of the room from Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. Harry and Hermione left together for the Gryffindor tower along with about half the first year Gryffindors.

Hermione had to change into her boots and drop off her flute so Harry went up and changed into his green boots. He thought that the gamekeeper might have some idea of what they were made out of.

While the path down to Hagrid's hut was steep, it made a lot of cutbacks and each cutback had a level spot. Hermione thought that would come in helpful on the climb back unless Harry 'wanted to fly them back up'. Harry heard a distant laugh from Ginny and reminded her to bring his Nimbus as they had flying lessons soon. Ginny snorted and said that Harry needed flying lessons like 'Snape needed grumpy pills'!

The front door to Hagrid's was huge compared to the two children that stood nervously before it. Harry knocked hard on the door twice and took a step back when he heard a huge growl from some animal within the structure.

They heard Hagrid moving about inside and heard him yell "Fang, lay down". 'Fang?' Harry and Hermione were prepared to run if they needed to and Harry put his hand on his wand, just in case.

The door was thrown open by Hagrid and he looked down to see his visitors. "Come in, I've been expecting you. Who's your friend Harry?"

Harry introduced Hermione to Hagrid and she look incredulously as her hand disappeared into his handshake The two entered the hut and made their way to the table that was sitting in the middle of the room.

Fang turned out to be a huge black dog that had a mass of loose jowls hanging around his face. The dog turned out to be friendly though and gave some slobbering kisses to Harry's face when he bent to pet him.

"Fang is a real good judge of character. You don't have to be afraid of him. He's mostly all bark."

Hagrid brought out a huge pot of tea and some cakes to serve to Harry and Hermione. The mugs he gave them for their tea were as huge as both their hands together. The rock cakes were also huge. And difficult to chew; Harry broke off part of the one he had and shared it with Hermione.

They both told Hagrid how their classes went to the week and he told them that they seemed to have done very well for the most part.

"Professor Snape doesn't like most students anyway; he's almost as bad as that old clod of a duffer, Filch."

Harry and Hermione both smiled at that description. Harry leaned down to remove one of his green knee-high boots. "I thought you might help me by telling me what this is made off. Nobody I've talked to had any idea of what they are."

The half-giant took the boot in his hands and turned it around a few times to look at it. He even smelled the side of it once. "Well, I can tell you it's definitely a reptile. And a right big one to. It's not your usual dragon hide, the feel is all wrong. It might be a wyvern but you never find them in that color. And nobody has seen a basilisk in donkey's years. Sorry, I can't tell you what it is. I think it will be pretty durable whatever the case."

"Thanks for trying though Hagrid. Did you know that there was a break in at Gringotts the day that you brought me Hedwig? It was all over the paper today."

Hagrid turned away and looked around the stone structure. "Imagine that. And those goblins are always so good about their security. They've got creatures down there even I'd like to take to take a look at. Do either of you want to take a look at some of the creatures that I've got back in the holding pens?"

Harry understood a change of topic as well as the next person. He begged off saying that they had to get back up to the castle. Hagrid loaded them both down with the remaining rock cakes he had made. "Something to nibble on then when you're 'tween classes."

Harry and Hermione waved goodbye to their big friend and promised to drop in again and visit him. As they were trudging up the path back to Hogwarts, Hermione agreed with Ginny that Hagrid definitely knew something about what used to be in that vault. Harry wondered if Hogwarts itself was going to be a target of the dark forces who had desperately wanted something out of Gringotts!