Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do own my own brain though, until it wises up and decides i am not worth the effort. Stupid brain...

AN: Thanks for all the fav's + follows. And the reviews, love the reviews. Poll on my page will be open until August 8th. Poll on Ron growing up will be open until the 2nd. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter.


Chapter 6: The End of The Year

Harry woke up to the familiar aroma of the Hospital wing. Sighing and sitting up only to chuckle to himself as he saw Hermione already doing some form of studying. With a few blinks he realized that she was reading a book on Greek wizards and witches. He shook his head with a smile and came over to her, leaning over her shoulder and whispering to her.

"Whatcha' reading, "Mione?" He had to laugh as she yelped and nearly jumped off the bed. He caught her before she slipped and smiled as she hit his arm playfully.

"Harry! Don't do that, and stop calling me that!" She huffed and blushed gently as he had not let go of her yet. He blushed as well when he noticed and cleared his throat, letting go after an extra lingering hold.

"Come on, 'Mione. It's not like i am calling you herms or anything." She growled at the proclaimed nickname but considered it for a moment.

"Fine, but... d-don't let anyone else hear you calling me that. Alright?" He smiled and caused them both to blush as he kissed her cheek again, it was a pretty kissable cheek after all.

"Call you what?" Harry stiffened at the sound of his... friends (?) voice. Looking to see Ron getting up and making his way over.

"Nothing, Ronald, don't worry about it." Hermione nodded, her voice demanding that be the end of it. This was Ron though, and as he was about to say anything his stomach decided to let everyone know what time it was.

"It's time to eat anyway. Is it lunch, or Breakfast?" He thought as he stretched and yawned, oblivious to the slightly tinged cheeks of his friends.

"Like it matters, Ron, it's food, right?" Harry chuckled and Hermione smiled. Ron just nodded.

"Right mate, but sometimes they have those little, what were they called? Demon eggs?" He looked at Hermione, and noticed her huff.

"Deviled Eggs, Ron. If you like the food so much, at least learn the name!" He waved her off and grumbled, going to leave the infirmary before he turned.

"You guys comin? i wont save you any.. uh, Deviled eggs, those things are too good." He grinned and Harry just shook his head.

"We'll catch up, i gotta ask Hermione here about Defense." Ron, scandalized at the idea of schoolwork interrupting food, left with a shake of his head. Hermione looked at Ron leave before turning to Harry, expectantly.

"What? I just wanted him to leave. I didn't want an argument to start between the two of you." He smiled and when she was about to speak he turned his head. "Dobby!"

There was a rather loud ~Pop~ before the batty eared, tennis ball eyed, over helpful House Elf appeared. He looked around before he gasped and wrapped his arms around Harry's leg.

"The great Harry Potter has called Dobby? Oh I's been waiting so long for master Harry Potters call!" The elf looked about ready to pass out from excitement, and it didn't get better when Harry kneeled down (after prying him off) and gave the small guy a hug.

"Good to see you again, Dobby, how are you?" Dobby gasped and started to blissfully weep. Making non-sense in his words, but Harry and Hermione could make out words like 'great','equal', and 'unworthy'. When the small elf was coherent again Harry looked at him with a seriousness that made him stiffen.

"Dobby, I'm not mad, not even miffed, but i have to know something." Dobby nodded softly, waiting.

"Why didn't you tell me you bonded me that day i set you free? I would have loved to have an elf, a friend, so close by over the summer." Dobby seemed to relax, but he was still anxious.

"Dobby be wanting to tell his new master, but Dobby thinks maybe Master Harry Potter be wanting to have his summer not bothered by Dobby. Dobby is sorry. Dobby will go Iron his ears now!" He spoke with fear, worry, and shame in his voice. Only stopping from leaving when Harry spoke.

"No! Dobby, there is no punishing yourself if you are to be my elf. If you think you did something that needs to be punished, you tell me, alright?" Dobby nodded and wrung one of his ears between his hands, unsure what to do with himself. He was relieved when Harry spoke again.

"Now, we can discuss some things later, but now, well... me and Hermione are rather hungry. Could you please bring us something to eat?" When he said the world 'Hungry' Dobby was gone, as he said 'eat' Dobby returned with a Breakfast feast for two.

"Well... damn, that was fast. Thank you Dobby. I don't think two people could eat this much... two people and and Elf maybe." He shrugged, as if it was the most normal thing in the world for a Wizard to offer an elf something to eat. He was rewarded with a hug and a silently weeping elf. He patted his head slightly awkwardly and then pried the excited little guy off of him.

"Come on, eat with his, Dobby. Hermione, eat, then talk." She had remained silent through all of this, but nodded and blushed when her stomach made a cute little grumble. They ate in silence, he even had Dobby bring the hospital Matron a little something, before he cleaned up. Dobby was about to pop away when he noticed his master nod at the bushy haired Grangy. Turning to his elf Harry spoke softly.

"Hermione wants to ask you some questions, i'm sure she'd appreciate it if you answered truthfully, alright, Dobby?" The elf nodded enthusiastically, ears making a soft breeze as he did so. Harry chuckled and Hermione started her little interrogation. What took the better part of an hour was enlightening for the witch to say the least. She learned that while to a degree the house elf bond was slavery, it was closer to a symbiotic relationship. House elves needed the magic of the bond to properly function. The house elves of Hogwarts were a special case, the ambient magic of the castle kept them safe and sane. Hermione learned that most well cared for house elves spoke perfect English, but it was those kept by their more cruel, or mis-treating masters that spoke the broken version. After Dobby's explanation, he popped away thanking his new masterfor being such a good master. Hermione was in think mode, so Harry picked up her book and started reading it himself.

The rest of the morning was spent in the Infirmary, Relaxing, talking, and enjoying Hermione's company. There were moments they laughed, some somber moments, and others with silence and red cheeks. Harry felt something... different about her, he felt, drawn to her. It wasn't a magical pull, but it was something he was not at all against. They parted a little later in the early afternoon. Hermione to wash up (she was appalled shehad not done her normal morning routine) and Harry to see a certain Animagus professor. It didn't take much convincing for Harry to get his classes changed. He dropped Divination for Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. He would be in a 3rd year class, but it was not something that really bothered him. He was sitting at dinner later in the day when he heard a voice behind him that he had almost missed.

"Well, Well... the Scarhead graces us with his presence, i thought i smelled something foul." Draco Malfoy sneered with a chuckle from his two bookends and his remora of a witch, Pansy Parkinson, on his arm. Harry simply turned and smiled, which made Malfoy glare at the lack of negative response.

"How good to see you, Draco. It's been what, a day? A bit too short of reprieve if i say so myself, but well... not every day can be perfect." He smiled again, turning his back on Draco before going back to his beloved treacle tart. He was roughly tugged to turn by the irate Slytherin and was blinking as he silently chewed his mouthful.

"I was talking to you, Potter, learn to pay attention to your betters!" He sneered, a smirk on his face. "If you do that, you might keep yourself from the fate of a beast that didn't do so.. and well, look what happened to him." He chuckled and then looked at Harry, who was still smiling.

"You mean Buckbeak? Didn't you hear, Draco, he flew away. Last night there was a whole bunch of dementor business going down, and well... no-one noticed he was gone." He shrugged and Draco fumed, before he could respond, or react, Harry was in his face, whispering so only they could hear.

"I would be careful if i were you, Draco. The head of the most noble and Ancient house of Black was just cleared of all charges. What would he do if he found out daddy dearest wasn't living up to his marriage?" He backed up and shrugged, with a 'who knows' look on his face before sitting down. Draco paled at this, and instead of a steamy retort, he left, almost in a run. Ron looked at him and said something incoherent as his face was stuffed, and it took Hermione to decipher it.

"Ronald! Don't talk with your mouth full.. its disgusting and rude. Anyway, what did you say to him, Harry?" He smiled and gave her a a blush worthy smile.

"Just told him some pure-blood nonsense that bothered him is all." He shrugged and went back to his interrupted dessert. Just before the evening announcements were to be made, the late evening Daily Prophet arrived with a headline that had the whole hall breaking out into silent murmurings.

Sirius Black, not so Black after all!

The article went on to tell, in not so fabricated detail, about the framing of his godfather, the capturing of a certain rat (Harry was thankfully omitted there) and the rightful justice that had been carried out. Harry smiled to himself and was then lightly left breathless as Hermione latched onto him and decided that his need for air was unimportant for the length of her hug. He managed to pry her off, after holding her with a wide smile, and
chuckled softly.

"Does that mean sometime this summer i'll get a visit? I hear he has quite the library..." Harry trailed, watching his best friends eyes glaze over for a moment before she swatted his arm softly.

"That's not fair, Harry. I was going to visit you anyway..." She blushed as she spoke that a bit too loudly, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil smirking and started already to speculate and come up with some way to spread what would be some kind of salacious, or embarrassing rumor. Hermione broke her own little bubble of tension by turning to Harry with confusion on her face.

"Harry, do you have any idea where the Headmaster might be? I heard he hasn't been seen all day." She glanced up to the head table, and truth be told, the Headmaster was gone. Harry looked unconcerned, and he spoke after a sip of some tea.

"It's nothing to worry about, Hermione, maybe the Fates decided he had to do other things." When he spoke the word 'Fates' he gave her a pointed look, and she seemed to understand after a few moments of confusion.

"Oh... well, yes, i guess that's possible." She nodded and gave him another look, and he just gave her a smile and wink. The evening announcements were made, and everyone went back to their towers, tomorrow would be the leaving feast, and then he would be going home. He would be going to live with his Godfather, and he had a feeling it was going to be a good summer.

The morning was a little less than jovial though once the morning post came in. Harry frowned when he read the headline.

Is Hogwarts safe for our Children?

His face grew darker and his anger started to slowly rise as he read through the article. It spoke of, using a prejudice that made him furious, about how dangerous and destructive werewolves were, and how the parents of Pure-blood students were lied to when Remus J. Lupin was employed. He knew what was going to happen now, and couldn't help but frown at how the Defense position did seem to be cursed. He thought for a moment about finding the curse, but it was outweighed with his need to see his professor before he left.

He walked into the empty classroom and made his way to the office. He was going to speak when he opened the door, smiling as Sirius and Remus were talking, sharing breakfast and laughs. He smiled but then frowned when he saw the morning post on the desk.

"I'm guessing you're going to be leaving then, professor?" He took a seat that was offered him after a tight hug from a much better looking Sirius.

"I am afraid so, Harry. At this point, i am sure owls are racing towards the Headmasters office. By this time tomorrow there are going to be parents that want refunds for a year their students were taught by a dark creature." Harry scoffed at this, Remus smiles sadly and Sirius joined his godson with the scoff, speaking before Remus could continue.

"It's alright though, this isn't the last you'll see of him." he then leaned in for a stage whisper. "He doesn't know it yet, but Remus has a room waiting for him at my place." He winked and Remus rolled his eyes, this was an argument he would never win. "As do you as well, Pup, if you still want to." Sirius smiled at Harry, who in response gave him a tight hug.

"Of course i do, Sirius!" He smiled and then thought for a moment. "Why did you call me pup?" He sat back down with an interested look on his face.

"Ah! Used to call you that when you were still in your nappies. You'd call me 'pa-fut' so i called you pup." He nodded, as if that explained everything, and in a weird way it kind of did. "James would call you prongslet, and Remus here would call you cub." This earned him a thwack on the back of the head from the man with the furry little problem.

"Dammit Remus, remember, I've been in Club Azkaban for 12 years, i'm not exactly as tough as i used to be." He got a scoff and a chuckle from the werewolf, and Harry just... soaked it all in. It made him feel better that two of his parents friends, at least on his fathers side, were going to be there for him. He wondered just what kind of stories he would hear. Idly thinking about who he could talk to who was close to his mother, he would askSirius sometime during the summer.

Harry was making his way to the tower to get his trunk packed for the trip back home when he was stopped by the wayward Headmaster.

"Ah, Harry my boy, i was just looking for you. What a coincidence that we would be happening upon this particular hallway." He smiled, looking like his normal, jovial self, eyes twinkling merrily.

"What can i do for you, Headmaster?" Harry smiled, hoping Dumbledore was better after the last time he saw him.

"Perhaps we can continue in my office, hmm?" He gestured to where he just came from, and Harry nodded as he followed the Headmaster in silence. A simple "Zero Bars" and the gargoyle moved to the side, allowing them passage to the headmasters office. There was just the seat behind the desk, so Harry made his own, to the amusement of Dumbledore.

"Lady Lachesis did teach you well, Harry. I am still rather impressed, however, especially given your age." Harry nodded, leaning back in the cushy chair with a, while not unfriendly, unyielding expression on his face.

"I must say, the night before last, and until this morning was... an eye opening experience. While not nearly as long as your own journey, it was long enough for me to understand things that had since been lost to me." He looked a little weary now, but still he gleamed with that jovial mood.

"Lady Atropos, was most displeased with me, and how i have treated you, but i wish to atone for my past mistakes. I have sent a letter, through an acquaintance, to your... relations at Number Four. They have been informed to not come to retrieve you when you arrive at Kings Cross, or ever worry about taking you into their charge again. I hope, while not much, this helps to start to rebuild the bridges i have no doubt burned down over the years." His eyes were twinkling and he had a gentle smile on his face, which widened when Harry nodded with his own smile.

"It is definitely a start, sir, thank you. I am looking forward to spending time with Sirius and Remus, knowing i don't have to deal with the Dursleys is just that much better." Dumbledore nodded and then leaned back gently.

"When speaking with Lady Atropos, she mentioned while you were adept with your physical training, she felt it above her own personal experience to teach you magical training in terms of dueling, and Lady Lachesis agree'd that she was not the person to teach such a thing either. I felt it fell upon me ot rectify this, and with that said i offer you training from one of my good friends. Your godfather will know him, and i am sure he willvouch for him. His name is Alastor Moody, and he is rather skilled." He smiled, hoping this would help build even more of those burned bridges.

"So, sir, i am going to get training this summer? Like, dueling and the like?" He seemed excited, but he didn't wantoot get his hope up, but he smiled nonetheless.

"That is correct, Harry. Alastor will teach you what he can, but it will not be a complete summer of the training, i expect Sirius will want you to have fun, enjoy being a teenager of course." Harry nodded, glad that Dumbledore was not stifling him, preventing him from enjoying his first free summer.

"Now, Harry, while i will not push for information, i simply wish to ask; how much were you told about..." He trailed off, but Harry saw him look at his scar, then back to his eyes. Harry, on reflex he still had not managed to break, reached up and touched the mark that had earned him 'boy-who-lived' status.

"Enough to know what was in it sir, and how to get rid of them should i come in contact. Lachesis removed it the she started teaching me. She was rather upset about it, called it the worst kind of defamation to the preciousness of souls." Dumbledore seemed to let go of a breath neither knew he was holding, leaning back with a weary smile.

"That is wonderful, Harry... absolutely wonderful. I had planned to tell you what i suspected, but not until you were older. However, Lady Clotho suggested against that. She insisted i be as truthful as possible, were you to tell me you were unsure, i was prepared to divulge what i knew. I can still do that, if you wish." He proposed, but Harry shook his head.

"Very well, my body, however i would like to inform you that should you wish to contact me this summer for whatever reason, i will be more than likely unreachable." At Harry's questioning look he smiled. "I know Ton has gone through great measures to prevent his death, so i will see if i can find these measures. If i manage, i would like your assistance in destroying them. Lady Lachesis has told me of the many spells you have learned to do just this, and i find myself interested in seeing them performed." He looked around as if he was about to divulge a big secret before he reached into his desk and took out a candy bar Harry had seen Dudley scarf down countless times. He looked at Harry and offered one, and was almost ecstatic when heaccepted.

"I must confess, while i have a love for my Lemon Drops, these... candy bars, i have recently discovered are marvelous. Such a myriad of flavors and textures. I still do enjoy offering and indulging in my Lemon Drops, but well... these are more secret. Do this old man a favor, do not tell Poppy." He chuckled gently and Harry gave him an exaggerated wink as it was such a big secret, getting another chuckle from the Headmaster.

The two spent an hour or so talking about the three sisters that touched their lives, both in their own way. It was a happy Potter that left the office to go pack, only to chuckle when he noticed his entire bed area completely spotless, packed, and ready to go. Dobby sitting no his trunk, actually polishing his Firebolt. Dobby squeaked and then the Firebolt vanished with a snap of his fingers.

"Master Harry Potter Sir, i have packed your trunk and your Grangys' trunk. She has many books, it took Dobby almost one whole minute to pack them all! But Dobby did good he thinks. He made her trunk bigger on the inside and like a feather. Dobby also be doing this for Master Harry Potter Sir's Trunk." He beamed up at the teen-aged male and was rewarded with a chuckle and smile.

"That's excellent, Dobby. Thank you very much, i am sure Hermione is grateful as well. Oh, and please, Just Harry, or Master Harry. Saying that whole thing, kinda takes a while each time." He went to pick up the trunk but it was soon in his hands, about the size of a matchbox. He smiled and nodded at Dobby appreciatively. He put it away and then went to the common room as Dobby popped away to do whatever it was that he did. He found Ronald and Hermione waiting, the latter reading, sitting on her trunk with that same Greek tome in her hands. He smiled and came over to her, looking over her shoulder and whispering.

"You know, Helen of Troy was a witch. Used a lot of potions and spells to get her way. The Sisters were not big fans of hers." He smiled as she yelped and once again caught her from dropping to the floor.

"Harry James Potter! I told you, do NOT sneak up on me! You're going to give me a bloody Heart attack!" She huffed and held her hand over her chest.

"Hermione, Language." Harry chided and she glared at him, but it softened when she realized he kept her nickname to himself.

"Oh hush, are you ready to go? I found my trunk was already packed, filled with my books, and its weightless now! Well, more like a featherweight charm i think. I didn't put it there though, which confused me, but its harmless, right? And where is your trunk, or Hedwig for that matter? Oh, she could probably fly ahead for you. Oh that reminds me, Will you send her so i can write to you? After the first two weeks in July though, I'm going to France for a vacation with my parents, i don't seem them that often anymore you know." She went on and he sat on the couch beside her trunk. He listened to her and when she finally took a breath he let out a laugh and patted her knee lightly.

"Yes, i'm ready to go. Yes, it's harmless, Dobby wanted to help you get packed. He said he expanded the inside for more books too, and its feather-light. It's elf magic so i think it will last a lot longer. My trunk is in my pocket, thanks to Dobby, Hedwig is making her way to London, of course i will send her, and your parents would be welcome at Sirius' I'm sure, but i can ask if you want to visit after your vacation." He spoke with the same one breath, teasing her without being mean about it, which caused her to blush but smile at him.

"Oh, that's good! Don't overwork Dobby now, make sure he res-" She was stopped with a finger to her lips, causing both her and Harry to blush. Her at the touch, him at his own action. Pulling his finger away.

"He is my friend, not my slave, Hermione, i'll treat him right." She nodded and after another blush they got up to head to the carriages for Hogsmeade station. The summer looked promising, he couldn't wait to find out just how promising it would be.


AN: Oh yeah, here is number 6. I don't feel it is as up to snuff as my others, but i will hope that is for my readers. Enjoy everyone, and vote on my poll please, ah, and Ron's fate too. Thanks again to everyone, till next time.