Author's Note: Thank you all for the fabulous feedback. I love reading some of your thoughts on what is going to happen next in the story.
As always, I love the reviews. Keep posting them for me. The more you post, the faster I can get these chapters up.
A lot changes in this chapter. There was a review about how calm Harry has been compared to OOTP. This is my take on that: Love is Harry's greatest strength. When he discovered his feelings for Hermione, it unlocked that strength. To me, a lot of his anger in OOTP was because of Voldemort. If Voldemort can't stand love, then he will break away from Harry. Hermione is the key to all of this. This issue will be addressed in this chapter, and several times throughout this story.
I am also starting to break away from canon a lot more. Some things I can change, some I can not. However, expect some major changes coming very soon. I am closely monitoring OOTP and making sure I am not changing anything important. I hope you will all like the changes that are already occurring or will be occurring soon.
I do not own anything.
Harry smiled as he saw the door to the living room quietly open and close. Hermione smiled back at him, taking a seat next to him on the couch.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Hey."
"So, we never got to finish talking earlier," she said, taking her hand in his.
"About what?"
"About us."
He nodded, staring into the fire. "I really do want to make this work, Hermione."
"I do, too."
He pulled his head back up to looked at her, and slowly leaned in to capture his lips with her. It was slow, but they both put as much as they could into the kiss. They pulled away after a moment and smiled at each other.
"Now, we just have to tell everyone, before everyone finds out."
"That's going to be the fun part," Harry sighed, putting his hand on his mouth. She nodded.
"We just need to tell them. Tomorrow on the train we're going to tell everyone."
"Agreed," he said, kissing the hand that was held in his.
She smiled up at him and leaned her head against his arm, staring into the fireplace. She felt his hand begin to stroke her hair and she sighed in content, getting use to the fact that she was dating Harry.
'And this is already better than the whole time that Victor and I were together.'
"Harry?" she asked.
"Yeah?"
"Was I your first kiss?"
She felt him suck in a breath, and, almost for a minute, she thought he was going to say no.
"You were my first kiss."
She smiled sadly. "I thought I was. I wish you had been mine."
"Why's that? I thought you were happy with Krum."
"I thought I was too, but I think it was a crush more than anything. You're definitely a much better kisser than he is."
"Really?" Harry said, grinning down at her.
"Don't give me that look," she said, laughing at him. "It was so awkward kissing him."
"Is it awkward kissing me?"
"The first time it was. After that, no. You're just a really good kisser."
She then sat up on her knees and put her hands on his face, smiling at him as she did so. He then gently put his hand on her head and pulled it down to meet him. The kiss was much faster than the one a few moments ago. His hands latched onto her hips, pulling her closer to him. Hers wrapped around his neck, toying with the strands of his hair.
They pulled away after several minutes, breathing labored, and stared at each other. Harry grinned at her.
"You're an amazing kisser."
She laughed, dropping her head to his chest. She then sat down next to him and dropped her head against his chest, feeling his arm come up to wrap around her shoulder.
'This feels too right,' Harry thought, watching as Hermione's eyes began to drop. He grabbed the blanket that was laying on the couch and laid it on top of her. He then dropped his head to the back of the couch and closed his eyes, falling asleep almost immediately.
It was about midway through the night when Hermione stirred, realizing that she had fallen asleep on Harry. She took the blanket off of her and looked at Harry, smiling slightly as she watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
"Harry," she said, shaking his shoulder. He woke up in alarm. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. We need to get to bed."
He nodded, rubbing his eyes as he did so. They extinguished the fire and quietly went up the stairs, stopping at Hermione and Ginny's room.
"Tomorrow's going to be a long day," she said, sighing. He nodded.
"Better get as much sleep as we can."
She nodded, smiling at him. "Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight, Hermione."
She leaned up and gave him a quick kiss before quietly disappearing into her room. He stared at the door for a moment before he walked upstairs to his and Ron's room.
"Hey," Hermione said, lugging her trunk and Crookshanks cage into Ron and Harry's room. "Mrs. Weasley is going crazy downstairs. Better get moving."
"Mum always goes a little crazy. She's afraid we're never going to make it on time. Anyway, we're ready."
"Let's go, kiddos. Shouldn't keep mum waiting," George said, lugging his trunk into the room as well.
They all nodded, grabbed their luggage and walked down the stairs.
"Let's go! Let's go! We're going to be late!" Mrs. Weasley called up the stairs. Ginny was already down there waiting alongside Fred.
"We need to get moving. Sirius, I cannot believe you are even attempting to come."
"I think I have a right to see my godson off to Hogwarts."
"As a dog?" Mrs. Weasley said.
"It's the best I can do, Molly. Now, shall we be going?"
Mrs. Weasley stared at Sirius for a moment before shaking her head, turning back to Harry as she did so. "Let's go, Harry."
"You be careful, you understand?" Remus said, staring straight at Harry. Harry nodded.
"I'll be very careful."
"All of you, too."
"We will," the rest chorused back. Mrs. Weasley quickly gave everyone a hug.
"Have a good term. Do not get stressed out. We will see you at Christmas."
Harry looked down at Sirius, who was giving Harry a pitiful look. "I'll see you soon, ok?"
Sirius cried out, but didn't move. The train whistled.
"Go! Have a good term!"
The teenagers said goodbye to everyone and climbed on the train. Fred and George split off from them. Hermione turned to Harry.
"Ron and I have to go to our prefect's meeting. Are you going to be ok?"
"I'll be fine. Go."
"I hope we can still catch you on the train. If not, I'll see you after while."
He nodded as she and Ron disappeared out of sight. He then turned to Ginny.
"Come on, let's find a compartment."
They walked for a little bit until Ginny found a compartment with a blonde hair girl sitting in it.
"This is my friend Luna. I'm sure she'll let us sit with her."
She slid open the door and said, "Hi, Luna. Can Harry and I sit here?"
"Of course," a soft voice said. "Hello, Harry Potter."
"Harry, this is Luna Lovegood. She's a fourth-year Ravenclaw."
"Hi," he said, putting his stuff overhead. "Thanks for letting us sit here."
"The train feels up so quickly."
The door opened again, and Neville stepped through. "Do you mind if I sit here? There's nowhere else."
Everyone nodded, and he sat next to Ginny. Harry sat next to the window and stared out of it, ignoring the conversations that were going on. His mind was focused on everything that has occurred over the past few days.
'Hermione's my girlfriend, she and Ron are prefects, and I keep having that dream.'
He was still having that dream about the door at the end of the hallway. He had no idea why he was dreaming about it, or what it may have meant, but he was.
He was also a little sleep deprived.
He's been getting little sleep ever since the graveyard. Every night he would wake due to a nightmare, and was unable to fall back asleep. He didn't know what to do anymore.
Expect for what occurred last night.
When he had fallen asleep with Hermione, he didn't have any nightmares. It was the first time since the third task he was able to sleep without a nightmare. However, when he got back to his room, the nightmares started up again.
He was still unable to figure that out, exactly.
"Everything ok, mate?" Neville asked, moving to sit next to Harry. He nodded.
"Yeah, just thinking."
"How's your summer been?"
"Long," Harry said, taking a deep breath. "Yours?"
"It was really good. Where are Ron and Hermione?"
"Prefects meeting," Harry said, leaning his head against the window.
"Good for them," Neville said, smiling at Harry.
"Are you ok, Harry? You've been awfully quiet these last couple of days," Ginny said, looking at Harry. He nodded.
"There's just been a lot going on, Ginny."
She nodded, turning her attention away from him. Harry half-listened to what everyone was saying until Ron and Hermione returned.
His mood instantly lifted when he saw her.
"Hi, Neville," Hermione said.
"This is Luna Lovegood," Ginny said. "She's in my year. She's in Ravenclaw."
"Hello, Luna," Hermione said, smiling at her. Ron nodded.
"Luna, this is my brother Ron and our friend Hermione Granger."
"Nice to meet you," Luna said softly. Hermione took a seat next to Harry.
"Miss me?" she whispered.
"You have no idea," Harry said, smiling at her.
"You will never guess who the Slythern prefects are," Ron said angrily. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Let me guess-Malfoy."
"Of course," Hermione said in disgust. "Him and Pansy Parkinson."
"Imagine that," Harry said.
"You know how much Malfoy will abuse that position?" Ginny said, shaking her head.
"You're not kidding. Better steer very clear of Malfoy now."
"Scared, Potter?" a slick voice asked from the doorway. Harry growled and stood up, glaring at Malfoy and his goons, who were outside of the door.
"What are you doing here?"
"Watch how you talk, Potter. Some of us are prefects here."
"Get out," Harry hissed.
"Are you mad? Weasley's a prefect, and you're not."
"Malfoy, get out!" Hermione said, standing up to close the door. She closed it onto Malfoy's foot, who jumped back and screamed in pain.
"Mudblood!" Malfoy hissed out. Harry immediately pulled out his wand.
"No! He's a prefect now, Harry. You will get in a lot more trouble now! It's not worth it," Hermione said, holding Harry's arm back.
"Tell her that again, and that badge won't be on you much longer, Malfoy. Leave."
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle glared at Harry before they left the compartment. Harry shook his head.
"What an arse," Ron said, as Harry and Hermione sat back down.
"Language!" Hermione said.
"Don't let him get to you, Harry."
"Never do," Harry said, rubbing his hands against his face. Hermione gently took hold of his hand and smiled softly at him.
"You two look really cute together," Luna said. Harry and Hermione immediately pulled apart.
"Oh, Luna, they're not together," Ginny said, laughing slightly.
"Actually…" Hermione said, turning to look at Harry. He pulled back but didn't say anything, his eyes flickering over to Ron, Ginny and Neville. "Harry and I are dating."
The whole compartment fell silent as all eyes fell upon Harry and Hermione. They both looked down, unable to meet eyes with their friends.
"What do you mean you're dating?" Ginny asked, her voice sharp.
Neither Harry nor Hermione said anything. They weren't quite sure what to say, exactly.
"I'm sorry, Ginny. I know this looks bad-"
Ginny shook her head and stood up, grabbing her belongings in the process. "I'm going to find Fred and George."
"Ginny, let's talk, please!" Hermione said.
"About what? About how you betrayed me?"
"I didn't-"
"You did. I can't talk to you right now," Ginny said, opening the door and storming out. Hermione sighed and she pushed back her hair.
"Ron?" Harry asked, hoping Ron wasn't as mad at them as Ginny was.
"How long?"
"The day we found out we were prefects," Hermione said, sitting next to Harry. Ron nodded, looking out the window.
"That's great," Ron said dryly, turning his head to avoid looking at them. "Congratulations."
They nodded, not wanting to press the subject. They both looked at each other and let out a deep breath, wondering how strained their relationship with Ron and Ginny will be.
"I'm surprised you're not with your boyfriend," Ron said, helping a third year group find a carriage. Hermione sighed.
"Ron, please don't make this harder than this has to be."
"I'm not," he said, his eyes darting from student to student.
"Ron, we really like each other," Hermione said, turning Ron around so he could face her. "He cares for me, Ron, and I care for him."
Ron sighed and turned to help another student onto the carriages. Hermione sighed as she did the same, wondering what it was going to take to make things up with Ron.
"I always knew it would be you two," Ron said, almost in defeat. Hermione looked up, almost in shock. "Everyone's known."
"Ron-"
"I know he cares about you, Hermione. You're the only person who can keep him in line."
Hermione smiled slightly. "Is that your way of saying you're ok with me and Harry?"
"Yeah," he said, giving Hermione a small smile. "I've never seen you happier than when you are with Harry. C'mon, we need to get on the carriage."
She nodded and followed him back to where Harry, Neville and Luna were waiting with a carriage.
"Hagrid's gone," Harry said. Ron and Hermione stared at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Professor Grubbly-Plank was rounding up the first years."
"Maybe he's just not feeling well," Hermione said, trying to figure out why Hagrid would not be here. Harry just shrugged.
They climbed onto the carriage and started the ride to the school.
"So, Harry, can we expect another Quidditch Cup this year?" Neville asked, trying to break the tension. Harry smiled.
"I'm hoping. It'll just be nice to get to play again. After a whole year of not playing, I've really missed it."
"Flying always makes you happy," Hermione said, smiling at him. Harry nodded, his eyes darting to the silent Ron.
"It's one of the things that makes me happy, yes."
They all nodded, and remained silent until they got to the school. They got off of the carriage and began their descent to the Great Hall. They sat down at the Gryffindor table, Hermione sitting next to Harry, and waited for the sorting ceremony to begin.
'What's going through your head?' Hermione thought, noticing Harry's "thinking" face. She took hold of his hand underneath the table and squeezed it lightly, letting him know that she was there for him. He squeezed it back, clearly snapping out of his trance.
"Look!" Ron whispered, pointing to the staff table. They all watched as Professor Grubbly-Plank took Hagrid's seat at the staff table.
"There's no way," Harry said, shaking his head.
"I hope Hagrid's ok," Hermione said, worry filling her.
The doors to the Great Hall opened, and the first years walked through with Professor McGonagall leading the way. McGonagall instructed the students of the sorting before placing the hat on the stool. The hat came to life after she did so.
Welcome back, dear students
To another year of Hogwarts
I wish it was under better circumstances
But, unfortunately, it's not
Dark times are coming
We have all been warned
Some choose to accept it,
Others choose to ignore
Signs will start appearing
Everywhere we look
So, I sing this to you now
Hoping we will all be smart
One will rise above the rest
And lead us all to conquest
Love will stand by his side
It's his greatest power
And his greatest strength
So I leave you all now
With these words stuck in your head
Think about them long and hard
And not let the darkness win
The whole hall was quiet as the hat finished its song. Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other, trying to figure out what the hat could have meant. Professor McGonagall broke the silence by calling out the first name on the list.
That was when Harry noticed the woman sitting next to Dumbledore. She was wearing all pink, and also wore an expression of anger on her toad-like face. She immediately leaned over to Professor Dumbledore and whispered something in his ear.
"That must be our new defense teacher," Harry said, pointing the woman out to everyone else in the group. They all looked over.
"I wonder who she is," Hermione whispered.
It was silent after that. Professor McGonagall continued on with the sorting ceremony, and Harry's thoughts began to drift again.
'What was the sorting hat talking about? Someone's going to step up and take on Voldemort?'
The sorting ceremony ended quickly, and Professor McGongall collected the hat and the stool. Professor Dumbledore stood up, clapping his hands together and smiling amongst the students.
"Welcome back to another year of Hogwarts," he started, looking around at the students sitting before him, "or, if you're just beginning here, welcome to Hogwarts. As always, the list of banned items are posted on Mr. Filch's door. The Forbidden Forest is off-limits to everyone."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other, hiding a laugh as Dumbledore said those words.
"Some of our older students may have noticed some new faces at our staff table. I will start off by reintroducing Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking over the Care of Magical Creatures classes. I would also like to introduce Professor Umbridge, who will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Professor Umbridge stood up and walked next to Dumbledore, nodding to him in the process. Dumbledore stood back and allowed her to take the podium.
"Thank you for the lovely introduction, Headmaster…."
Her slick voice was already annoying Harry, and he began to tune out her out. His thoughts drifted to Ron and Ginny, and he was wondering whether or not they would forgive he and Hermione.
His thoughts then drifted to the horse-like creatures he saw pulling the carriages earlier. He couldn't explain it (other than what Luna told him, of course), but he was wondering why they saw them when no one else could.
His thoughts were broken up once again when the food suddenly appeared in front of them. Ron, of course, immediately filled his plate to the max. Harry shook his head and started filling his own plate.
"What's wrong with you?" Hermione asked, wondering what Harry was thinking so hard about.
"Nothing."
She gave him a look, but let it drop. Chatter filled the hall as everyone talked during their meal.
Everyone except Ron, Harry and Hermione, that is.
Harry looked up at Ron, who was stuffing his face full of food. He shook his head and made a mental note to himself to talk to Ron after dinner.
Ron and Hermione took off do their prefects duties. Harry walked up the stairs alone, his thoughts taking over.
He walked up to the dormitory and immediately spotted his trunk, opening it to pull the photo album that Hagrid had given him out. He then sat on his bed and closed his curtains, opening the album after he did so.
He stared at the picture of his mum and dad holding Harry for the first time. Lily's cheeks were red, but she was smiling down at the little bundle in his arms. James was sitting next to her on the bed, beaming with pride as he stared down at his wife and newborn son. He leaned down and kissed his wife on her head, whispering something into her ear as he did so. Lily smiled up at him as the picture replayed itself.
Harry felt his eyes tearing up as he watched the picture replay itself over and over again. Grabbing his wand, he put a silencing charm around his bed.
"I'm missing you more than ever," he whispered, running his thumb over the picture. "I'm not sure if it's because I actually got to talk to you and see you, or, if I'm just missing you. I wish I could remember what you look like, or some of the things you said to me."
He flipped the page to the photo of his parents dancing in the courtyard. He smiled at how happy both of them looked. His mother was beaming, and his father was grinning in joy.
"Harry?" Ron's voice called out. He closed the album and opened the curtains to see him standing there, looking worriedly at him.
"Is everything ok?"
"Yeah," he replied. "You got done rather quickly."
"We just had to show the first years around. Are you sure you're ok?"
"I'm fine, really."
"Harry," Seamus said, and Harry immediately noticed a sharp tone in his voice.
"Seamus."
"My mum didn't want me coming back to school."
"Why?"
"You," Seamus said without hesitation. Harry immediately glared at him.
"Your mum thinks I'm a liar, doesn't she? Dumbledore, too? Been reading the Daily Prophet, has she?"
"I suppose she has."
Harry nodded, anger covering his entire face. "Who else thinks I'm a liar?!"
Everyone shook their head, refusing to say a word. Neville stepped forward.
"My gran and I believe you, Harry. We've stopped our subscription a long time ago."
"Thank you. Maybe Seamus' mum should get the idea."
"Don't talk about my mother!" Seamus yelled.
"Enough!" Ron said, stepping between Seamus and Harry.
"Maybe Harry is going as crazy as Dumbledore is!" Seamus said, looking past Ron to catch a glimpse of Harry.
Harry pushed forward, ready to shove Seamus out of the way. Neville came up and quickly grabbed him while Ron held Seamus back.
"ENOUGH!" Ron screamed, looking between Harry and Seamus. "Seamus, are you really too blind to notice what is going on? Even the sorting hat talked about it!"
He turned to Harry. "Harry, I know the pressure you're under right now, mate, but you can't attack people. You have to ignore what they say!"
"Easy for you to say!" Harry said, breaking away from Neville. He grabbed the photo album off his table and walked out of the dormitory.
He walked down to the common room and was immediately thankful when he noticed that there were very people left in it. He sat on the couch and opened the album again.
"Hey, Hermione," Lavender Brown said as she entered the dormitory. "Harry's down in the common room, and he looks angry."
"Do you know why?" Hermione asked, putting her hair up in a ponytail. Lavender shook her head.
"Sorry. I just heard the door slam shut, and he appeared a second later."
Hermione sighed, wondering what Harry could be upset about this time. "Thanks, Lavender. I'm going to talk to him."
"I reckon someone told him how crazy he was," she said. Hermione let out a deep breath and turned to her.
"What?"
"You know he's lying about You-Know-Who."
"Coming from the queen liar, herself? Keep your mouth shut, and leave Harry alone."
With that, Hermione walked out of the dormitory and ran into Ron.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Seamus got into it with Harry."
"Why?"
"Seamus blames Harry and Professor Dumbledore for almost not being able to come back to school. I guess his mum has been reading the Daily Prophet."
Hermione sighed, rubbing her head. "How did he react?"
"How do you think?" Ron whispered. "He nearly attacked Seamus!"
"Harry did?" Hermione asked, worry quickly filling. "There's no way. Harry wouldn't attack anyone…well, Malfoy, but that's an exception."
"Hermione, he was about to shove Seamus."
She sighed again, turning her head to look at the back of Harry's head. "What has gotten into him? He's never been like this before."
Ron shrugged. "Let's go talk to him?"
She nodded, and they walked over to the couch.
"Hi, Harry," she said softly.
"I don't want to talk," Harry said, not taking his eyes off of the photo album. Hermione sat down next to him.
"Did you really almost attack Seamus?"
"You weren't there, Hermione! You don't know what happened!"
"Harry-"
"He called me a liar, Hermione! Everyone thinks I'm a liar!"
"Stop yelling at us, Harry! Actually, stop yelling altogether! Ron and I are trying to help you."
He saw the look in her eyes, and immediately felt all of his anger leaving him. He suddenly felt guilty for yelling at her.
"I'm sorry."
"We know you're frustrated," Hermione said, grabbing hold of Harry's hand. "But, you have to keep your anger in check. You can get into way too much trouble by letting your anger and frustrations get the best of you. Ron and I are here to help you. There's no reason for you to be taking your anger out on us."
Harry nodded, looking down at the album in his hands. Hermione looked down as well, seeing the picture of his parents on their wedding day.
"What's you got there, mate?"
"The photo album Hagrid gave me in first year. I sometimes look in it when I'm upset."
Hermione gently squeezed his hand, moving closer to him on the couch. "They loved you very much, Harry."
He nodded, closing the album as he did so.
"We're always going to be by your side, Harry. We know the truth. It's like the sorting hat said-some choose to accept and some choose to ignore. People will come to realize their mistakes in time. For now, however, you have to ignore what they say to you. And you have to keep THAT ANGER IN CHECK. I don't know what's gotten into you for you to be angry this much, but it needs to stop. Especially with me, Ron, and everyone who is on your side. We don't deserve it."
"I know," Harry said, running his hands through his hair. "Can I tell you two something?"
"You can tell us anything, mate. You know that."
"I don't feel like myself," Harry said, his voice shaking as he did so. Hermione looked at him, worry filling her face as she did so.
"What do you mean, Harry?"
"I just feel so angry all the time anymore."
"You have been through a lot in a short time."
"I can't explain it," he continued on, as though he had not heard her.
"I'm sure you're just stressed, mate. It's like Hermione said, you've been through a lot in a short time."
He nodded, looking up at Ron as he did so. "Are you mad at us?"
"What?" Ron asked, completely confused as to why Harry changed the subject.
"You haven't talked to me since Hermione and I told you about us. Are you mad?"
Ron shook his head, unable to figure out the right words to say. "I'm not mad."
"You're not happy either, are you?"
"It's….going to take a while to get use to this."
Harry nodded, knowing he should probably talk to Ron in private.
"Seamus should be in bed by now. I'm heading there as well. Mate, listen to Hermione. With her and I being perfects now, we can't keep covering for you. We could get in trouble if it looks like we're playing favoritism."
"I understand," Harry said, not even thinking about the position he could be putting Ron and Hermione through. Ron bid him and Hermione and goodnight and took off towards the dormitory.
"You should go to bed, too. I'm not going to sleep anytime soon."
"I'm not going to bed until you are. We need to talk about why you nearly attacked Seamus."
"Hermione," Harry sighed, hoping she would drop this.
"Don't start, Harry. This isn't like you. I understand he made you mad, and he should not have said what he did, but you overreacted."
"I can't exactly ignore what they say, Hermione!"
"Harry!" Hermione said, growing frustrated at him. "You are going to have to try. You can't afford to get into-"
He cut her off when he wrapped his arms around his waist and pressed his lips against hers. She sighed angrily against his lips but wrapped her arms around his neck and fell into the kiss, feeling all of her frustration suddenly leave her in the process.
After a moment he pulled away and pressed his head against hers, grinning at her in the process.
"You are not going to kiss me every time we get into an argument."
"We shall see."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that was suddenly on her face. She was really thankful the two remaining students who were down here when she and Ron came down left as soon as and Ron entered the common room, or else the whole school would know by tomorrow morning.
"You're changing me," Harry whispered, his eyes full of emotion. Hermione pulled back, shaking her head slightly as she did so.
"What?"
"When I'm around you, Hermione, I don't feel angry anymore. When I'm not is when I don't feel like myself. I don't know why."
"Maybe I'm the only one who knocks some sense into you," she said, laughing slightly. He let out a hearty laughed, dropping his head as he did so. "Harry, you and I will get you through this anger phase. I don't care what people tell you, and I don't care what they blame you for. You need to just let it slide. If not for you, then for me. Promise me you will not get into a fight again. Because, if you do, I will put you in detention."
"You wouldn't," he said, grinning at her. She gave him a defiant look back.
"Watch me."
"Fine," he sighed, grinning at her in response. "When I get angry, I will think of you yelling at me and throwing me in detention. Yeah, that's pretty scary, actually. I've never seen you yell at me before."
"What I did earlier-well, that was maybe a two. You don't want to see me get to a five."
He laughed, turning his head towards the fireplace. She smiled, glad to see Harry taking her seriously.
"Are we better now?"
"Yeah," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She laid her head down on his shoulder and smiled in content, glad she was able to get through to Harry.
"Thank you, Hermione."
She leaned over and grabbed the photo album that he had put on the coffee table. She opened it.
"They would be very disappointed if they knew their son was getting into fights."
"They would also love the fact that his girlfriend is stopping him from doing it," he said, looking down at the album. She smiled up at him.
"You miss them a lot, don't you?"
"I can't stop thinking about them since the graveyard. It felt so real."
"I'm sorry you had to lose them, Harry."
Harry remained silent, staring down at the picture as he did so. He leaned down and kissed Hermione on the head, wondering where he would be without her, and thankful for everything that she has done for him.