Disclaimer: These characters are the creation of J.K. Rowling. The characters from my own brain and the plots I weave for them will be evident for HP fans as they will have little to do with the original story. This narrative was created purely as a way to continue to live in the magical world.
He heard sniffling when he awoke and caught the end of an apparently intense conversation between Mrs. Weasley and Hermione.
"Something like this shouldn't be kept a secret, dear."
"B-but, I'll be completely vulnerable," whispered Hermione urgently.
"There's nothing wrong with being vulnerable, Hermione, not when you could gain so much."
"I could lose just as much. M-maybe even more."
Hermione's voice was muffled as though she were being hugged by Mrs. Weasley, and after a few moments, Hermione excused herself to go into work. Even though Harry pretended he was still fast asleep, Hermione did not approach to kiss him goodbye.
He must have actually dozed off at some point because Harry's watch showed him that it was already the afternoon. His health had greatly improved, and Harry was happy to demonstrate this to his Healer by sitting and standing up in front of him with ease. No one else had come to stay with Harry during this time except Mrs. Weasley who finally excused herself to prepare dinner.
Harry could not help but feel a little disappointed that he had not seen Hermione, but just as he was preparing to disapparate to the Grimmauld place, he heard a voice coming from the doorway.
"Ready to go?"
He turned and saw Hermione leaning against the frame clearly happy to see Harry standing before her looking healthier. The healer officially released his patient after demonstrating the proper uses for the potion Harry was supposed to take once he left the hospital.
"I hope I don't see you around here anymore, Mr. Potter."
The Grimmauld place was just as Harry had left it when he set off to his mission, and he noticed that Kreacher tidying up some imagined mess.
"I just want to change before going to the Burrow," he told Hermione. She said that she would wait and grabbed a book from inside her beaded bag to read. Harry smiled at her before he made his way up to his room.
The conversation he had heard between Hermione and Mrs. Weasley came to mind once again as he pulled off his trainers. He was worried about how distressed Hermione had sounded. What was she keeping secret? If they were talking about her feelings for Harry, why was she so upset? She may have never told Harry outright that she fancied him, but she surely must know that the feelings between them were mutual. Harry would just have to wait until she confided in him.
There were smiling faces all around when Harry and Hermione reached the table at the Burrow. Everyone was happy to see Harry but made sure to tell him not to be so reckless with his life. This topic continued even when they were all sitting and enjoying their meal.
"I mean, what will happen when you have a family, Harry?" asked Andromeda as she wiped Teddy's face. "Your wife would not be thrilled by your hasty antics."
Ron, who had been surprisingly quiet all throughout dinner, grunted at this comment. Mr. Weasley looked at his son and opted to change the topic to Ginny's exciting news. Although most had heard of her new position on a professional Quidditch team, the gathered family acted as though they were hearing it with a set of new ears. Several banner ideas were tossed around as possible ways to display their love during the games which left Ginny happily embarrassed.
After dinner, some of their company departed content and full while the rest settled down for tea in front of the fireplace. There was mainly talk about the Death Eaters at large as no one felt secure with only one man in custody.
"They'll make a mistake soon enough," said Mr. Weasley.
"I hope they do it soon. Oh, I forgot to say that Hermione was promoted at work!" Harry enthusiastically recalled this bit of information much to Hermione's dismay. She tried hard to downplay her accomplishment, but the rest would not let her.
"That is extraordinary, Hermione," said an amazed Percy. "Grint, your department head, must be impressed with your work!"
"I'll be trained, but if I don't perform well, I'll be moved back to research," replied Hermione modestly.
When the rest were discussing amongst themselves, Harry asked Hermione whether she wanted to talk with him at the Grimmauld place after they called it a night at the Burrow.
"To discuss what exactly?" she quietly questioned.
"I've had an idea that I want to run by you."
The night did not end until Mr. and Mrs. Weasley excused themselves. The family each said their good nights with the promise of seeing each other tomorrow. Ron, alone, looked to be peeved about something, but Harry was in too high spirits to be bothered.
They were walking hand in hand to prepare to disapparate together for the Grimmauld place when Harry heard Ron calling out to Hermione. Upon turning, Harry could immediately tell that something was very wrong. Marie was pulling his arm as if trying to hold him back from reaching Harry and Hermione which was all extremely odd, but this was nothing compared to what Ron asked next.
"Can you show Marie you patronus, Hermione? She's never seen an otter patronus because she says the person must be very clever for that animal to present itself. How about it?"
He had a wild look in his eye that Harry became wary of. Hermione dropped his hand, and her voice was higher than normal.
"We are about to leave, Ron," she answered him.
"It won't take long. Show us." He said this last comment so forcefully that Harry stepped in front of Hermione to shield her from whatever Ron had planned.
"What's this about? Why are you talking to her like that?" Harry asked feeling his anger rising.
"Please Ron," pleaded Marie who was still grasping his arm. Ron yanked it out of her hands and continued to stare down Hermione.
"No! I want to see her patronus."
This tensed Harry up so much that he became very aware of where his wand was. Those inside the Burrow came rushing out at the shouting. Hermione's entire face was pale as Harry yelled at Ron to stop his bullying, but Ron would not relent.
"Son! What's gotten into you!" shouted his father which momentarily distracted Ron.
"Just show him, dear," said Mrs. Weasley to Hermione who began crying in earnest.
Harry rowed with Ron telling him she could not be expected to perform such magic while being so distressed.
"Oh please! She's capable of more than that!" bellowed Ron whose entire face was red in anger.
"Please, Ron," pleaded Hermione quietly.
"Do it."
Then, a light erupted just behind Harry, and for a moment he was furious Ron had actually pushed Hermione into obeying him. But his anger turned into shock as her patronus passed him. It was a stag.
There was complete silence after the stag dissipated in mid gallop, and only Hermione's sniffling could be heard.
"I knew it," growled Ron.
Harry heard Hermione move behind him, and he saw her try to walk away. He was too quick for her and calmly took her arm to keep her from leaving. Harry could not look at her face because it was hanging so low as tears dropped down into the grass below. He turned to face Ron while still making sure she did not get away.
"If she loves me," began Harry calmly.
"What do you mean 'if'?! She bloody well does! We all saw her stag patronus!"
"If she loves me," repeated Harry, "then it is nothing compared to how much I love her."
At this reveal, Ginny, who had been standing frozen in place, turned swiftly and headed into her home clearly not wanting to hear anymore.
"You-you love Hermione?" Ron asked struggling to make sense of Harry's words.
When Harry nodded, Ron crossed the distance between them and punched him across the face.
"YOU LIED TO ME! BASTARD!"
"I didn't lie, Ron! Something changed…something happened…" Harry was nursing his jaw trying to find the right words.
"Ron, you are with Marie now. There's no reason for this explosion," reasoned Mr. Weasley. Harry noticed Mrs. Weasley had gone after her daughter.
"Well Hermione! Congratulations! You've landed perfect Potter! NOW LEAVE!"
Harry did not need to be told twice. He pulled Hermione by the arm he had still been holding and disaparated to the Grimmauld place.
"Kreacher?" Harry hoarsely called out.
The house elf appeared, and Harry instructed him to spend the remainder of the night at Hogwarts and not to worry about coming back until Harry called him. He was gone with a tiny pop leaving Harry alone with Hermione.
They were in the living room in front of the fire staring at one another. Hermione's face showed all the tears she had shed with Ron's outburst. He moved closer to her and began carefully wiping them all away.
"Will you be mine, Hermione? Will you let me be yours?" He had moved his hands to frame her face while he whispered as softly as possible.
"Harry, I'm in love with you."
He smiled at her and leaned in after he said, "I'm in love with you, too."
They kissed and kissed as though there would be no need to take breaths. His hands held her close to him while she wrapped her arms around his neck. Harry thought he was melting away under the extreme pressure his body had built up at the touch of their lips. They were only thinking of each other and only of this moment.
When Hermione broke their kisses to speak, Harry continued kissing her cheeks and slowly moved down to her jaw and neck.
"Harry…I'm sorry I wasn't brave enough to tell everyone sooner. I've known about my patronus… since before I took my N.E.W.T.s. I've wasted… so much of our time!" She was gasping and clearly feeling the same loss of control Harry was experiencing.
He finally touched his forehead to hers and replied, "That doesn't matter anymore. We are going to be together without worrying about anyone else. No more hiding our feelings, Hermione…my Hermione."
She hugged him at these words with such emotion that he lifted her up until they broke apart laughing and wiping away their joyful tears. Harry suggested they make tea before they talked about what to do next, and when Hermione readily agreed, he took her hand and led her to the kitchen.
"I know how I feel about you, Hermione, but I don't know how fast to take this."
Hermione nodded as she sipped her cup of tea. "I don't know either. Well, how about we just be honest with one another about what we want. If it's too much then we can talk about it and go from there."
"Ok," said Harry as he mentally steeled himself. "I want you to live here with me."
"That was…that was quick," replied Hermione nervously.
"This is what I wanted to talk to you about even before seeing your patronus." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I know we haven't officially dated or anything, but since you were talking about moving out of the Burrow, I thought it might be perfect. You could pick any bedroom and move all of your books into the library. Hell, I'll buy you even more books to fill up the whole house just so you can stay here with me."
He had rambled through this sudden speech, but it did not seem to faze Hermione in the slightest.
She placed her hand over Harry's and said, "I'll bring my belongings this weekend."
They were both positively giddy by the end of the evening, and since going back to the Burrow was not an option, they made their way up the stairs to sleep. Harry led Hermione into his room, formerly Sirius, and when she hesitated, Harry told her he just wanted to sleep with her in his arms.
There were no nightmares plaguing them. There was no hint of sadness on their smiling sleeping faces. Hermione slept in Harry's arms and stayed there until the morning light basked the room and awoke them.
"Am I dreaming?"
Harry smiled to himself at her words.
"Good morning. Do you remember that I love you?"
She turned to face him as she said, "That sounds about right. I love you too, Harry." He was sure this was all a person needed to survive.
"I have to go into work. I always keep an extra pair of clothes in my beaded bag, but I'll have to get the rest of my things today."
"No, I'll take care of it. I don't go back to work until Monday, so I'll spend the day doing that." Harry rubbed her arm as he assured her that he would not let Ron go anywhere near them for the time being.
"He was just angry, Harry..."
"Ron wanted to embarrass you, Hermione. He didn't know about my feelings, so he figured I would be freaked out. He intentionally wanted to hurt you, and I am not going to forget that."
Hermione could tell Harry was not going to bend on the subject. He stayed with her as she got ready for her day and set off to work. Then, Harry sent a message to Mrs. Weasley almost immediately after Hermione's departure. When she told him that everyone had left the house, Harry apparated onto the Burrow grounds with the intention of gathering his and Hermione's things.
"I'm so, so sorry dear. Ron must have overheard me talking to Arthur." Mrs. Weasley looked positively anguished.
"No, I'm sorry I didn't just tell Ron and Ginny how I felt about Hermione. I'm sure you and Mr. Weasley have guessed how long I've loved her."
She gave him a small smile and asked what they were planning on doing now that the truth was in the open.
"Well, we can't live here anymore, so we are going to try living together at the Grimmauld place. I realize it won't feel as much like home, but it's probably for the best."
He tried hard to match Mrs. Weasley's spell work for shrinking and organizing the items Harry and Hermione had left behind at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley had agreed to help him only when she exhausted all of her ways to get things between her children, Harry and Hermione to go back to normal. She wiped her eyes as she told him that she and Mr. Weasley were going to miss them.
"Give my best to Hermione, dear, and tell her I want to see you both for dinner soon."
"I will, Mrs. Weasley. This is just a rough patch. We'll all get through this somehow. Thank you for absolutely everything."
They hugged, and the only thing left for Harry to do was ask her where he could send Hermione flowers from.
After separating their things and placing her belongings in the master suite which was previously Mr. and Mrs. Black's room, Harry had to move onto his next task.
He had been to her office many times before, but now he was not just visiting his best friend. His new girlfriend did not notice when he asked the office secretary how much longer it would be until Hermione had her lunch break, and she did not realize when he was in sitting in the only other chair of her tiny office.
"I'll be with you in a second, sir."
"Ok, please take your time," replied Harry.
Hermione nearly pushed off the vase full of flowers at the edge of her desk in surprise at the sound of his voice.
"H-Harry? What are you doing here?"
He could not contain his smile at the sight of her blush.
"I always come to take you to lunch on Fridays."
"But, I didn't think you would today…Ok um…Yes, I'll j-just finish this later."
Harry laughed. "Why are you so nervous with me?" His teasing seemed to break her stiff composure.
"I don't know!" She laughed and covered her face with her hands. Then, she asked him if he had sent the flowers.
"Yes, your new boyfriend wanted to remind you that you have a new boyfriend."
"Keep your voice down!" Hermione pleaded with him though still smiling.
"Hermione, we are not going to keep this a secret. The only reason why I haven't kissed you yet is because this is your office, and it would be inappropriate." He smirk at her and asked if they could go to lunch.
As soon as they were out of her office, however, Harry took hold of her hand and led the way towards the exit point.
"Where did you have in mind?" Hermione asked him contently.
"Let's go to the muggle pub. We don't want to be overheard."
They spoke of Mrs. Weasley and how they were ever going to be able to set foot in that house again. As they could think of nothing short of simply going whenever Ron and Ginny were not there, Hermione moved the topic onto other things.
"How much would be fair for rent, Harry?"
"What?" bemused Harry, "Sirius left me that house, so I don't even pay rent. Why would you pay?"
But, Hermione stubbornly continued, "Harry, I can't expect you to take care of me. We've only just started dating. What if this doesn't work?"
He held her hands and patiently told her all that was on his mind. "I want to take care of you not because I don't think you can do it yourself, but because I love you. I'm already in love with you. This is makes our relationship different, Hermione, so we can't expect to act the same way as other couples."
"I'll find other ways to make this equal," sighed Hermione. "Just promise me that you are happy."
Harry assured her that he was completely happy and silently rejoiced at winning their first argument. He would have loved spending the day with her, but she regretfully had to go back to work. Instead of moping, Harry traveled back to his home and began making changes he knew would please her. He nearly emptied out the library to make room for her volumes, and he stocked the kitchen with food. It would have been hard to find a happier man in the world.
Around the time he was expecting Hermione, an owl arrived with a note from Mr. Weasley. He said he wanted to talk and wanted to bring Ginny with him to the Grimmauld place. Harry could not refuse. Almost immediately after returning the owl, two people appeared before him.
"Harry, my boy, thank you for seeing us. I want to apologize for Ron's behavior last night."
"Mr. Weasley, this really isn't your fault..."
"But it is, Harry. You see, I have known for quite some time that you could be meant to be with Hermione, yet I kept it from my children. Molly told me yesterday she saw that Hermione had stayed over at the hospital. Then, Hermione told her then just how in love with you she really was. We knew, but we didn't help the situation," he said somberly.
"Dad?" asked Ginny speaking up for the first time. "Do you think I could speak to Harry too?"
When Mr. Weasley was silent, Ginny sighed before she said her piece. "Harry, I'm not mad because you… love Hermione. If anything, it makes loads of sense. I have always been jealous of her relationship with you because nothing could ever touch it or come close. What upsets me is…I asked you several times if you fancied someone else, and you never said anything…"
"Ginny, I am so, so sorry. It's just…Hermione and I decided it was best to wait until you and Ron had moved on before we came out with it. When you came to see me in the hospital, I nearly told you, but we were interrupted. I never…we never wanted to hurt you."
Mr. Weasley stood awkwardly off to the side silently watching the exchange.
"It'll take me some time, Harry, because of how I feel for you…just give me some time."
"Ginny?" Harry knew he owed it to her to be completely honest now. "I asked Hermione to move in with me."
She nodded, but Harry saw it had been too much. Ginny stopped him when she saw he had moved forward to comfort her. All she managed to say was, "She's lucky."
Harry asked Ginny and Mr. Weasley to wait for Hermione to get out of work, but Ginny made it clear she would be uncomfortable. So, Harry was alone by the time Hermione apparated in.
"Ginny was here?" asked Hermione once she asked why Harry looked so serious. "What did she say?"
"She's mad I didn't tell her. But, she's hurt more than anything, I suppose."
Hermione moved to sit on the couch and began muttering under her breath. "If only I had reached out to her. She asked me, of course, why I wasn't interested in anyone. But what could I say? It's always been Harry? Now, she'll never speak to me…"
He crossed the space between them and sat down beside her. Harry tried his best to comfort them both even though the situation had reached such a complicated level. They were left to assume Mr. Weasley had also tried to get Ron to come over, but the notion had been refused.
"I didn't want to see him anyways," said Harry stubbornly. Hermione gave him a hard look before she told him it was only a matter of time before he felt the separation pains.
There would be time to worry about their relationship with the Weasleys. But for the moment, Harry quickly found he could no longer wait to show Hermione all his work on their home. There was such a comfort to their relationship as they constantly touched without being conscious of it and spoke with each other with such ease. They continued in this way for the days to come.
Hermione was working hard to become a wizarding representative, and Harry had been busy working on his latest assignment which was instructing every department on proper dementor tactics. Hermione had evaded her own assessment as she was hiding the newly changed form of her patronus.
"Eventually, they are going to realize that you haven't been tested. Is it really that bad if people found out about it, Hermione?" asked Harry one evening when they were both sitting in front of the fire.
"If everyone knows about that, then they'll know about our relationship. I'll be constantly attacked, Harry, and people will think I am only doing well at my job because of you."
Harry was disappointed in her words. He had hoped that after three months of dating she would have been more comfortable with letting others know. They had spent her birthday abroad where no one would notice them. He already had to refrain from holding her hand in public much less take her on a date anywhere in the Wizarding world. Still, Harry was happier than he had ever been. He sighed and decided to continue to wait until they would hide their relationship no longer.
The following day proved to exist solely for Harry's wish fulfillment. He had reported to the department early enough to beat Finley which Harry saw as the day's first accomplishment. He and two other trainees had been assigned to Finley as the Ministry wide dementor instruction had been in effect. Now, every department had been thoroughly tested much to Harry's aggravation because some personnel were known to purposely have trouble with their spell work just so they could be taught by the great Harry Potter. Harry had taken to alter his appearance to prevent such embarrassment.
"Right, well, all that's left is to test are those who were out when their department was scheduled," said Finley to his group as he held a list of names.
"But, I thought we were finished with instruction?" asked Auror Jade Kent.
"There aren't too many who are left. These are people who either are embarrassed by their lack of skill or don't believe they need instruction. Potter, your friend Granger is on here," said Finley somewhat enthusiastically motioning towards the list.
Harry merely shrugged as Kent said, "You don't have to be in disguise for this one, yeah?"
The training dungeon was not too far from their department, but Harry's brain began to buzz with anxiety. He was being pulled in two ways because on the one hand it would be great for there to be no more secrets, but then there was Hermione's comfort to think of. At home she would freely rest her head on his
shoulder or kiss his neck. They would often snog until one of them (usually Hermione) would claim the need for sleep to get to work on time. The mornings may have been chaotic as they rushed off to work, but Harry still managed to kiss her before she disapparated. He hoped his fame would not ruin this perfection.
As Harry and his coworkers entered the dungeon, he saw Hermione was already wearing her look of pure concentration. She was, no doubt, searching for a way out of the situation. Although they had both managed to stop blushing in each other's company when in public, Harry felt a new set of nerves invade his stomach.
Finley started with his usual speech. "Once this group completes today's assessment, the entire Ministry will be more than capable of defending itself against any future dementor attack."
He split the group up into smaller bands of four, and they were each to be led by one of the Aurors present. Harry saw that Hermione was conveniently placed within Finley's group. It was proving more difficult than Harry had previously imagined to focus on teaching proper technique. When no one in the dungeon could produce a corporeal patronus, Finley's previous claim of why these wizards and witches waited until they were not surrounded by their own department became apparent.
"Potter," called Finley, "why don't you demonstrate?"
Even with having the crowd be as eager as they were to see Harry in action, he was able to concentrate on his memory of holding Hermione all night on that first evening together. His wand erupted with bright light, and the stag moved around the dungeon with ease as it lit up every corner. The stag stayed fully formed near Harry as though protecting him from the shadows of the place.
He could hear a conversation between Hermione and Finley as one was trying, yet again, to prove a point.
"I passed my N.E.W.T.s not five months ago, and they marked my patronus then…"
"Miss Granger," said Finley calmly, "if you could just verify once to me that you can perform the spell, you will be free to go. I promise."
Hermione sighed and was careful not to look at anyone. "Expecto Patronum!" she cried, and a brilliant stag made its way towards Harry's. It was a beautiful sight to behold as Harry had never seen the spells act in this way. The two stags circled one another and seemed to shine more intensely before Hermione made her stag dissipate. She walked towards the exit blushing furiously and winked at Harry as she left. Harry tried hard not to smile.
"So, I hear Hermione Granger is in love with Harry Potter!" said Archer gleefully.
Harry winced at the loudness of her voice. The last assessment had been already been completed, and Harry found himself searching through scrolls for his next mission.
"You already knew that," Harry told her quietly.
"Ah, but the world didn't know and doesn't know that you love her more."
"The world?" asked Harry. At this, Archer pulled out a copy of Witches Weekly to show him an article on Hermione's declared love.
"How could they possibly know about her patronus already? It just happened three hours ago!"
"Let me explain something to you, Potter. When one is very, very famous…"
Harry dreaded to think of what Hermione might be going through because of this article. How long before she got tired of being targeted? Harry read through the article quickly to find them call her 'unfortunately unattractive' and 'not good enough for Harry.' This was exactly what she did not want to happen as her job was becoming so important to her.
When the work for the day was completed, Harry rushed back to the Grimmauld place to wait for her. He paced and attempted to start on dinner but found he could not concentrate. Harry heard a distinct pop behind him, and he turned to see her carrying her beaded bag and looking disheveled.
"Hi," was all she said.
"Hi."
Then, Hermione burst out laughing and ran into his arms. "It was so horrible!"
Harry was exceedingly confused, "Then, why are you laughing?"
"Oh Harry! This is what I have been mentally preparing for! The secretary had to turn away reporters, and I got so much hate mail already, but then I thought, 'In a moment, I'm going to go home and snog my Harry senseless.'"
He laughed and asked if she would be alright until the news died down.
"Harry, it was not as hard as I imagined it would be because… I have you."
Dinner was forgotten for the moment to say the least. Harry found himself feeling exceedingly lightheaded as he prepared to take her out to dinner in Diagon Alley in the coming week. There was a screen in place to dispose of any threatening letters before they reached Hermione, but the trouble was evading people at work. They would often have lunch together which had already been raising suspicion. Now, Harry could hardly enter Hermione's office without trained eyes following him. She was no longer in a tiny office, so at least they had some privacy there.
"I'm actually not having too bad of a time," declared Harry once they had their food spread out on Hermione's desk. She threw a quill at him stating he was being impossible.
"I feel for you, Hermione, I do. But, don't you think it's time to go out in public?"
"Harry," she started, but he cut her off by describing his plans for dinner that evening.
"It's Wednesday, so there won't be too many people in Diagon Alley. We will even go early as soon as we get out of work."
She still did not looked convinced. "Why is this so important to you, Harry?"
"Hermione, we've been dating for almost three months, and I know we are strong enough to handle a night out. We obviously won't if you don't feel comfortable enough just know that I'm honored to be at your side."
She smiled as she shook her head. "A very charming speech. It's almost as if you think I won't see right through it!" They laughed together, and Hermione agreed to accompany him to dinner.
Soon enough, they were hand in hand strolling around each shop completely ignoring the stares they received. "Not so bad, huh?" inquired Harry as he kissed the back of her hand.
Almost as soon as he said this, Harry noticed a tall red-headed man exiting the shop nearest to them. They had stopped right in front of Weasley's Wizarding Weezes. Ron gave Harry one look of indifference and stalked off without a word. Hermione squeezed his hand, but before she could say anything, a voice cried out. "Oi! Celebrities!"
It was George who had most likely seen the cold exchange from the shop window. "Enter and receive a
photo with the future Potters!"
"George, don't!" cried out Hermione.
The Weasley merely chuckled. "I will always know when it is the real Hermione by the tone of your voice when you say my name."
Harry clasped hands with him all the same trying hard to mask his blush. "I see you are still not talking to young Ronald," said George rather quietly. "Watson finally came to her sense and left him."
"Marie left Ron? But why?" asked Hermione somewhat breathlessly.
George gave her a look of great pity. "He told us all the day after you left that he loved you and that Harry was a git to take you away. I only blame her for taking this long to see what we all knew."
Hermione used her free hand to slightly cover her mouth. "There's no way you are exaggerating any of this?" asked Harry cautiously. George shook his head.
"It was all very dramatic, if you ask me. But, then again he was loaded with Fire Whiskey." When he saw the look the couple exchanged, he added, "It's been months now, so we'll see who buries the hatchet first, eh?"
Harry looked at George with curiosity before asking why he was sharing all of this with them. "Ah, I'm just doing my part to get the Golden Trio back together again." They excused themselves after this remark, and told George they were going to have dinner. "Be sure to come by the Burrow from time to time. Mum has been going mad!"
Harry and Hermione left George's shop with loaded thoughts. He had been so focused on his job and his relationship that he neglected the part of him that missed having Ron around. He had caused him immense pain according to George. All this time, Harry had been waiting for Ron to apologize for trying to embarrass Hermione without ever thinking he may have been the one to cause more damage.
"Harry! Hermione!"
They turned ready to see their half-giant friend bounding towards them with a thrilled expression plastered on his face. "So happy fer you both!"
"Hagrid, try not to crush her," joked Harry as he lost sight of Hermione in Hagrid's embrace. He thumped Harry on the back and preceded to wipe the corners of his eyes.
"I jus' came fer Gringotts. What are the odds, eh?"
They beamed at him. "Why don't you join us for dinner, Hagrid?"
"No, no you need time fer yourselves. I'll see you both soon," he promised. Hagrid waved off their protests and said his goodbyes which included a hug that engulfed both of them at the same time. As they watched Hagrid take off in the opposite direction, Harry took Hermione's hands in his. They looked at each other until a small smiled form on each of their faces. Harry and Hermione still had a way to go before their relationship was at its' best, but they would face it all together.
They were eating in no time and discussing plans to make amends with Ron. "Do you know that I once had a conversation with my mum about who I fancied between the two of you?"
Harry chuckled and asked her how that subject came up. She began with, "It was at the end of fourth year when she caught me writing a letter to Viktor. She said that she was surprised I wasn't with one of you. I told her about the Yule Ball, and how Ron hadn't the courage to ask me to go with him. Then, I told her how you fancied girls like Cho, but you needed to find someone who you could also talk to. I remember saying something like, 'He deserves someone perfect.'"
She had been staring off as she thought of a conversation long since passed. Harry considered her for a moment before he said, "You always put me first, Hermione. You didn't spend nearly enough time with your parents as you should have. I'm so, so sorry."
Hermione looked upon him with tear filled eyes as he continued to reminisce. "Even before you sent them away, you were cancelling vacations to be with me. In fifth year, remember? The Weasleys needed you to get through to me? I'm sorry for the times like that when I was especially pathetic."
"Harry, the last thing my parents ever said to me was that they were proud of how loyal I was to my friend. They knew how much I loved you even before I knew it. I would never take back anything I've done for the sake of our friendship."
"I love you, Hermione." She smiled back at him. "I love you too."
Every door to the restaurant suddenly opened, and people came pouring in. The place was filled to capacity and everyone was on their feet completely confused at the commotion.
"Something was pushing me inside!"
"We can't get out!"
"There's some sort of barrier!"
Harry immediately clasped Hermione's hand as he feared the worse. People all around them were trying to disapparate but to no avail. The pair squeezed and pushed their way to the window to try to get a handle on what was happening.
Diagon Alley was completely deserted, and Harry could see the shop across from their restaurant was filled with people as well. "They are trapping everyone in the buildings!" shouted Harry above all other voices. He was about to try and raise an alarm in the Auror department when he heard voices shouting outside their window.
There were at least a dozen cloaked witches and wizards aiming their wands at something too far off for Harry to see. They were brazen enough not to cover their faces, so Harry tried hard to memorize their features.
"IT'S HAGRID!" shouted Hermione, and Harry lost all sense. Their friend was lifted off the ground and hovered near the top of Gringotts. Harry and Hermione craned their necks as much as they could to keep him within view all the while shouting for it all to stop.
"I'm going to try blasting the door, Harry!"
"You are not leaving my side!"
With their wands ready, they each shouted out curses repeatedly at the window they had been looking through. There was too much commotion to the point where Harry could scarcely put a complete thought together. Not Hagrid, he began to plead in his mind.
Then, there came a sound like muffled thunder, and Harry dashed forward to see what had cause such a noise. Hagrid, still levitating in midair, was now thrashing around hitting the tops of buildings with his immense body. His whole self was being used as a giant hammer wreaking havoc on the shops.
Harry shouted and shouted though the dozen either could not hear his cries or cared nothing for them. He could not control a single thing and was forced to watch his beloved friend be destroyed in front of him. The final blow of Hagrid's body was on the wizarding bank which made the greatest sound of them all with a loud crack and crash.
Hagrid now lay in the middle of the Alley seemingly unconscious, but the barriers that held Harry and Hermione in were still in effect. The ruthless dozen villains began disapparating from the very spot they stood on. They made it a point, however, to look into the restaurant Harry was in to see how there destruction had been received by the great Potter.
"HAGRID! HAGRID!" The barriers were released and the window blasted open. Harry and Hermione had rushed in a frenzy to be at the side of their friend. Though he always exuded strength, the giant now lay with his limbs in odd angles and his flesh torn from being smacked against the buildings. His breathing was ragged and pained.
Hermione was trying desperately to disapparate with the other two in tow most likely to the nearest hospital wing, but unlike the attackers, she was unable to move even an inch. Harry was on his knees by the head of the first friend he ever had. The person who took him to the Dursley's and finally away from them was slipping from him.
"I'm so-sorry. Hagrid…I'm sorry. S-sorry."
The half-giant, forgetting his pain, looked at Harry to give him one last look. "Harry…Grawp…"
He understood his life was leaving him. Harry could only stay by his side until the end.
"I WANT TO KNOW WHY!"
"Harry, please!"
"I WANT TO KNOW WHY!"
They were back at the Grimmauld place after having seen officials take Hagrid's body away and trying, in vain, to resuscitate him. Harry's vision was blurred, and his throat was nearly worn from all the yelling. Yet, he could not be calmed as much as Hermione tried. He cursed anything his eyes fell upon and would listen to none of the pleas his partner was begging of him.
When Harry awoke, he was lying on the floor in front of the fire place. He heard sobs coming from somewhere behind him, and as he turned, he saw Hermione sitting next to him with her face in her hands. He looked around and did not recognize the Grimmauld place. Anything that could be broken now lay in shambles on the floor. He vaguely recalled passing out. As soon as he sat up, Hermione, realizing he was awake, wiped her face as best she could and said his name.
"I'm going into work to see if they've come up with anything," he told her stiffly.
"No, Harry. You don't need to do that. We just need to focus on…on grieving." Fresh tears poured out of her eyes, but they brought no sympathy to Harry. He got up and prepared to leave.
"Please Harry? Don't leave, please." She attempted to touch his hand, but he moved away. They looked at each other for a moment before Hermione gave into his plan. "You won't be gone for long?"
He said nothing, and before he was about to disapparate, he heard her speak again. "I love you."
Harry could not pinpoint the moment when he decided to leave, but he was driven with such intensity to finally get some answers and bring the attackers to the end they deserve. Before he knew it, eleven months had passed, and though he had gained a considerable amount of information on the attacks, he still had not seen his family.
The only trusted companion was Miranda Burr whom he saw once a month in order to get any extra information the department may be keeping classified. They now sat for lunch in a random pub in a quiet German town.
"But, we already know how they are able to perform magic in areas where it's restricted. You told me they created a spell where one wizard uses his magic to enhance the magic of another," said Miranda with her mouth full.
"I know, but I need to know what that spell is. The only reason I'm in this place is because of what you told me the department found out about the missing dementors." Harry sighed before he added, "And I still don't know what my role is in all of this."
Miranda looked at him with the same pity she showed him the first time they met up. "Harry, you've already captured seven of them." When she saw he was about to protest she continued to say, "I know. I know there's many more of them. But, don't you miss home?"
The last time she had mentioned the possibility of his return home two months ago, he nearly severed the small friendship that had been budding between them. Harry always kept himself from asking about Hermione and the Weasleys since they tried to trick him into going back. There had been a rumor that Mr. Weasley had fallen gravely ill which terrified Harry to say the least. It all ended up being a concoction from the mind of George Weasley. Needless to say, he would now only trust what Miranda had to say on matters of home.
"Did I ever tell you about Hermione's threat?" She asked him with a hint of amusement. At the sound of Hermione's name, Harry's own heart felt a pain.
When he shook his head, she told him how Hermione had realized early on that someone in the department was in contact with Harry. She had personally gone to question each of the Aurors which created such an uproar that Tawny had a meeting to address it. Hermione was present and made it clear that whoever was helping Harry stay away would pay for it dearly.
"I remember she said something like, 'When I find out who it is, I'll make them hurt as much as I've been hurting.'" Miranda took a moment to look cautiously at Harry who was now staring at the cup in front of him. "I think she really meant it which is why I never want her to find out it's me. Isn't that amusing?"
"She did mean it," Harry replied, and Miranda's complexion lost a little color. "But, she probably doesn't feel as strongly anymore. It's been a long time."
Harry could tell Miranda understood what he was really saying. Hermione had tried desperately to find him. However, with all his training and his invisibility cloak at his disposal, she never came close. She stopped trying after a while which greatly pained Harry though he knew he had no right to hurt. After all, he had done this.
"If I were to go back…"
"There's a Harry meeting in two days," Miranda said before he could change his mind.
"A Harry meeting?" Apparently Tawny and whichever other Auror was on call for duty would go over to the Burrow once a month to update his family on Harry's whereabouts. They heard it before The Prophet when Harry allowed himself to be seen to turn over the captives he had acquired. They heard he was in Spain when the same ruthless group attacked a muggle town to showcase their new spellwork. Now, they would see Harry before the Ministry knew he was back.
The plan was set, and Miranda could not mask how happy she was he had decided to go back. She would only have to keep his location secret for another two days which she promised she would. Harry felt extremely nervous for the reunion because of how abrupt his departure had been. He had said no goodbyes and had blatantly lied to Hermione about going to the office. Still, Harry knew he could make it all up to them in time. He just hoped they would let him explain himself.
He used what little time he had left to gather his things. Harry would travel to London in the morning and try to contact Kreacher to make sure the Grimmauld place was ready to live in again. The house elf had come to his rescue on the numerous occasions when Harry was in hiding and was unable to get food. He had mentioned that there was no one living in 'Mistress Black's room' which was the room Hermione had inhabited. Harry knew she was the one he would have the most trouble reaching.
Harry found himself obsessing over using the same charm Hermione placed on her beaded bag to fit all the scrolls and luggage he had accumulated in the past year. He was determined to perform the spell as well as she had probably to prove to himself that he was capable of being without her. But by the end of the night, the bag he was working on lay forgotten on the floor. He took his dreamless sleep potion, and it did its' job well.
Traveling had become rather enjoyable to Harry as he found himself apparating from place to place after having overslept. He got as close as he thought was safest from detection, and summoned Kreacher.
"Master Potter," said the elf as he bowed.
"Hi Kreacher. I'm sorry it's been a while."
Harry had set up his tent on the countryside rather quickly as he had a lot of practice with these matters. This time, however, he did not unpack. "Would you please return to the Grimmauld place, Kreacher? Do you think Hogwarts can spare you for the night?"
Kreacher made it clear that he would be happy to return to the Black family's house, and Harry made no attempt to correct him on the subject of ownership. Harry noted that the house elf seemed to have aged drastically since the last time he had seen him almost a month ago but said nothing of it. When Kreacher departed for the Grimmauld place, Harry allowed himself to fully appreciate his nerves.
Miranda had been to a couple of the meetings and said it was usually the same people although the Weasleys usually varied. Sometimes it would be all of them including Ginny who was now on tour with her team, and sometimes it would just be Mr. and Mrs. Weasley with Ron. Ron was a surprise to Harry who left without having made amends with his best friend. But, according to Miranda, he had enrolled and had passed training to become an Auror. Andromeda was always present along with Teddy which made the guilt Harry carried with him unbearable.
Then, there was Hermione. She had excelled as a representative and was completely committed to it. Miranda had noticed that Hermione would stay after hours at the Ministry whenever a big case was involved. She is doing well, thought Harry to himself. He could not describe the feeling coursing through him. Was he peeved that she seemed to have her life together without him? Or was he content to hear she was as strong as he always knew she was?
His stomach felt as though it was tied in knots, but they nearly burst when a message came to him from Miranda. Her patronus took the shape of a bird which lit up the entire tent when it came in. It said, "I got them to move up the meeting. It's tonight."
By the time Harry got up the nerve to go to the Burrow, it was nearly over. He stood outside the kitchen door looking in at all of them. Tawny was standing before them saying something, and all the Weasleys were sitting at the table. He could not see the entire scene, but he heard Teddy's laugh from inside. Harry only had to wait a few more moments underneath his invisibility cloak for department head Tawny to leave.
A conversation broke out amongst those inside after they thanked and said their goodbyes to the Aurors. When he saw Tawny disapparate, Harry stuffed his cloak in his pocket and knocked on the door. It was Ron who answered the door.
"Who is it dear?" asked Mrs. Weasley from inside. Ron stood completely dumbfounded as he stared at Harry. He found his voice long enough to answer his mother, "It's Harry."
There was a collective gasp as Ron made room for Harry to enter. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley both stood up and walked towards him slowly as though not fully understanding how the night had changed so drastically.
"I-I'm sorry." This broke the trance they had been in, and they both threw their arms around him. "I was trying to…"
"We know, Harry. We understand, but you shouldn't have left the way you did."
"You shouldn't have left at all!" cried Mrs. Weasley from within the hug. They pulled away to wipe their eyes, and Harry tried to apologize again. Next came Ginny and George who looked relieved to have him back.
"You've had everyone in a state, Harry," said Ginny somberly. Harry hugged her all the same and apologized once again.
"I never planned on being gone for so long," admitted Harry. The group surrounding him stiffened slightly, but they seemed to be waiting more of an explanation. "I went mad. I really think I went mad for a while. I didn't eat or sleep for days…"
"Harry, dear, why don't you sit down before you walk us through it all?"
He obliged but not before apologizing to Andromeda for his absence. "My boy, I know that even though you were missing you were taking care of Teddy. I will not forget that, sweetie. So, there's no need to apologize to us." Harry felt his eyes brim with tears as he hugged the small woman. She had let go of Teddy before Harry had arrived, and he was now running around in the other room. Harry would try to build his relationship with Teddy to go further than sending galleons in the post.
"I just…I knew I couldn't come back. At least, not without finding out why you all were in danger. I found a couple of them, and I did find out how they are performing extraordinary magic, but…but it never seemed like it was enough."
"You tried to take on too much, Harry," said Mr. Weasley. "This is the second time you think that the mission to keep us safe is yours alone. We could have helped you. I don't understand why you wouldn't know that by now."
Harry bowed his head at Mr. Weasley's words. He felt hands on his shoulders and back trying to console him. Harry knew he did not deserved this love. "Can you ever forgive me?"
Mrs. Weasley sobbed again from the seat beside him as her husband answered, "It's forgotten, Harry. But, there are other people you need to make amends to."
Before Harry could nod, Ginny spoke up, "It's not like we were surprised. This is classic Harry behavior." George chuckled at this comment, but she continued, "We were only surprised that you didn't take her with you."
He could barely contain the feeling of acid crawling up his throat. Those present shifted awkwardly as the topic switched to how to tell Hermione of Harry's arrival.
"Just ask her to come over."
"Do you want to see her on your own, Harry?"
"I think it best she see him while there's people around to protect Harry." This comment was made by Ron who had not spoken during the entire exchange. The old friends looked at one another, and for the first time there was no animosity between them. Harry nodded at Ron's words as he recalled the moment when Ron had returned to Hermione in the tent. He had only been gone a couple of weeks, yet she still wanted to hex him to oblivion. How would she react to this situation?
Ron sent his terrier patronus off to deliver his message. It was only a matter of time before they found out if she would come. Andromeda sensed the tension in the air, so she excused herself and Teddy with the promise of dinner with Harry the following night. Harry winced as George told his mother that he would not leave since he wanted to see the show. Mrs. Weasley began to argue with her son over his lack of tact but was interrupted by a new voice.
"He's sitting down, so does that mean you all forgave him?"
Harry bolted up as soon as he heard her. She could not even bring herself to look at him. "Hermione…"
She ignored him, and looked at Ron instead. "He apologized to us, Hermione. Give him a chance to apologize to you as well."
She was clutching her wand with a look of such intensity which explained the small sparks erupting from the tip. Harry knew she had every right to hex him, but he still tried to be near her all the same. He took a step towards her, and she nearly left. "Please don't leave," he said, but this proved to be the wrong thing to say. He had a heart attack when her face finally looked upon his. She hated him.
"Why not? I begged you to stay with me, and it didn't matter. I told you I loved you, and you still left. I went looking for you, but you never let me come close."
Mrs. Weasley tried her best to calm Hermione, but there was no stopping her anger now.
"We aren't friends anymore, Harry. We aren't anything. So, there's no need to apologize to me or to explain yourself. I know why it all happened. I'm done with you, and I wish you had stayed away."
She neither yelled nor cried. Hermione just turned and left him there standing in the middle of the room.
"If you don't go after her, mate, she'll definitely mean what she just said," Ron told him seriously.
Harry ran out of the Burrow to try and reach her before she reached the swinging gate. He called her name and put a block on her exit when she refused to stop. This seemed to anger her even more as she hurled hex after hex at him which he managed to deflect just in time. When Harry got closer, she resorted to slapping him. But, Harry would not stop. He grabbed her arms and forced her to look at him.
Harry could not remember when his tears first started, but they were flowing freely now. This alone seemed to briefly melt Hermione as she stopped trying to fight him. "I'm apologizing to you not because I want your forgiveness but because you deserve an apology. I can't tell you how sorry I am Hermione. I'm so incredibly sorry."
He did not let go of her, but he bent his head in shame. "Things were perfect…between us…and I'm so sorry I made you hurt to the point where you despise me. Please…please give me a chance to be your friend again."
Harry felt her shoulders relax a bit, and he dared to look up at her again. "I'm sorry I slapped you." He shook his head at her apology and said he deserved it. She sighed, "Let me have time to think. I fooled myself into thinking that you would never come back, so I don't know what to do now."
After Harry agreed and released her, she walked towards the point past the gate. He had removed the shield reluctantly, but Harry had to grant her the space she said she needed. She was about to disapparate when Harry told her, "Hermione, I love…"
"Don't say it," she interrupted and disapparated all the same. He did not realize how long he stood there for until Ron, Ginny, and George came out to meet him.
"Mum and Dad are going to sleep already. They said to be here in the morning for breakfast. No exceptions," said Ginny with a small smile. He wiped his face and nodded.
"Personally, I think you got off easily." George thumped him on the back and recalled the last time he fought with Angelina he ended up with tentacles. They both hugged Harry and excused themselves for the night as they each had to go into work early.
Ron lingered in the garden quietly until his siblings were gone. Then he asked, "Fancy a drink?"
Ron's flat was very much like Harry would have a pictured it to be. There was a clash of colors anywhere they could be a clash from the orange paint on the walls to the mismatched furniture. Still, it felt like a home and a happy one to say the least. They picked up a conversation easily enough by talking about life as an Auror.
"I feel really useful for the first time. People know who I am, of course, but at least they see I have my own strengths."
"Ron, you've always been your own harshest critic."
"Mate," Ron started, and Harry knew what the conversation had turned to. "I'm sorry about how I acted when I found out about the two of you. I shouldn't have felt as betrayed as I did, and I'm sorry."
"No, I shouldn't have kept it from you. It's just…the couple of times did want to tell you, you mentioned you still had feelings for her."
Ron sighed, "I did, Harry, but when I saw her after you left…I knew she always loved you. I knew it. But, this was different. I realized I couldn't picture her without you. I came to my senses after that."
If Harry felt horrible before, it was nothing compared to how he felt after hearing this. "Well, she doesn't feel that way about me anymore, so it was all for nothing," said a defeated Harry.
"It'll take a lot of time, mate, because she was very hurt, but I think she'll come around."
Harry would have to give her space until she wanted to talk to him. He hoped it would all happen soon. Now that he was back home, he could finally admit to himself how much he missed them all. Harry did not think he would choose the same path if he could do it all again. This just made everything he put his family through seem pointless. He told Ron what he was thinking.
"Listen, Harry, I think you just needed to get away for a while. Hagrid's death…was extremely difficult. Hermione said that you couldn't be consoled. She hated that she couldn't be there for you."
There was nothing like hearing Hagrid's name again. For months Harry deliberately kept himself from thinking about his friend so as not to fall into his depressive state once more. Maybe enough time had passed to finally come to terms with all that had happened to him. He had grieved on his own, and it resulted in a mess.
"Do you know where she lives? Can you take me there?" Ron looked as though he was seriously considering it though he mentioned that Hermione surely put up wards to keep them both out by now.
"Why don't you go by her department after breakfast? She always gets there extra early, and maybe you can convince her to meet with you after hours."
Harry could do nothing but wait to see what the following day brought. He lay in bed at the number 12 Grimmauld place reviewing all that had come to pass. Hermione's words invaded his every thought. She did not consider him her friend anymore much less a boyfriend. His worries about this reunion had been sorely well placed. He had severed something deeply and now had to face the consequences.