Chapter 9 : Vacationing with the Weasley's
Harry held the gate open for Albus while Hermione went to the door and knocked. It appeared that nobody was home then Ron opened the door.
"Harry, Hermione you made it! Ron said with excitement.
Harry went up and hugged Ron "Good to see you mate." Harry said. Ron was flabbergasted as Harry and he had never hugged.
Ron got over the shock "Its' nice to see you too mate."
Hermione stepped over to Ron and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Ron turned beet red. Harry and Hermione both laughed. "We missed seeing you Ron." Hermione stated.
Ron gave both of them questioning look "All right you two, something is going on here. What is up?"
Harry smiled "Can't get anything past you can we mate."
Ron looked at Harry and noticed that he had filled out and was much more toned than the start of summer. "Harry have you been working out?"
"A little" Harry replied. Ron then looked at Hermione and noticed she had a lot more curves.
"You too Hermione, you have been working out?"
"Yes, me too Ron." Hermione stated "You are going to start working out with us every morning." Ron rolled his eyes "That is after I wake up at noon right?"
Hermione huffed and walked past him into the Kitchen. Ron went to Harry "She is still as bossy as ever, I see"
Ron and Harry heard from Hermione in the kitchen "I heard that Ronnykins"
"Blimey her hearing has gotten better too." Ron Whispered. "Come on Harry lets get yours and Hermione's stuff upstairs."
Ron led the way as Harry and Hermione followed. As they turned the corner the light came on in the living room and a loud SURPRISE rang out. Harry looked around and the Weasley's living room was packed with people. Molly and Arthur, Fred and George, Remus, Ginny, Bill, Minerva, Hagrid, and Luna Lovegood were all there. Fred and George walked up and took Harry and Hermione's suit cases up to Ginny and Ron's room.
Molly approached Harry "Sorry this was so late but Albus wouldn't let us bring you any sooner." Molly as usually gave Harry and Hermione a huge hug.
Arthur held his hand out. "Harry it is nice to have you here." Harry had a huge smile on his face. He made it a point to walk up to everyone and hug or greet them.
When he got to Luna he hugged her "It's nice to see you Luna."
Luna looked at him and over his shoulder at Hermione "Harry I think you have had some drastic changes this summer. You look like you are brand new and so does Hermione."
Harry looked at her "It has been an interesting summer to say the least."
"I can tell the nargles won't even come near you." Harry smiled at her.
The party went on for the next few hours the most notable gift was from Hermione. It was a Gryffindor pin with Runes on the back. "I am yours forever, Love your Bookworm." Harry loved it he immediately put it on and wore it the rest of the night.
He let Hermione look at it. She immediately went to Minerva and gave her a hug and said it was perfect and thanked her.
The party wound down about 9:00 PM and Ron, Harry, and Hermione found themselves in Ron's room. Hermione was reading a book and joining in the conversation as she felt needed. Harry and Ron were working on there second game of exploding snaps. Harry had just had the hair singed on his left arm.
Ron was ready to take a turn when he brought up the subject of what harry and Hermione had been doing all summer. "So you two having been exercising and working out all summer?"
Hermione said "Yes Ron, You know I went to pick Harry up in mid-June because he needed to be around someone who would worry and fret about him."
Ron smiled "Blimey Harry did she drive you blooming mad or what?"
Hermione smacked his head "No, Ronald I did not!"
"Harry turned serious "Ron there is something Hermione and I need to tell you. A lot happened this summer. If it wasn't for her intervention I don't think I would have done very well."
"What are you talking about Harry your letters sounded like you were sad but you seemed ok." Ron said with some concern.
"Ron it was an act, I was very depressed. I had just lost Sirius and then I was going to be left by myself at the Dursley's for the whole summer."
"Yech" said Ron "I see want you mean."
"Hermione and her dad picked me up and things were much better."
"Ron it took me a week to get him to open up. I was very worried about him" Hermione said.
Ron looked at Hermione "That is nothing new Hermione you worry about him all the time." Hermione and Harry looked at Ron with opened mouths.
"What did you think I was completely blind? As soon as you and Harry walked in the door I knew you guys were together. Then all night you don't talk to each other but I see you making eyes when you think no one is watching." Ron looked at them and smiled "Harry did you know Hermione has been in love with you for almost 2 years?"
"Not until about 2 months ago." Harry replied.
"Ronald how did you, Mr. Emotional range of a teaspoon, know that?" Hermione asked with a surprise grin.
"Well Hermy" Ron said defiantly "It is not hard for a person to see that anytime someone tried to talk to you, the conversation ended up about your favorite subject 'Harry'. When Harry walked into the room you either go to him or you stand back and watch him."
Hermione blushed "I didn't know I was that obvious."
"You could have told me mate." Harry continued, "Ron are you mad at us for being together?"
"No Harry I am not mad. You guys fit together. Like…I don't know how to explain it. You two seem right together.
"Like we are soul mates, maybe?" Harry asked.
Ron thought for a moment "Are you soul mates?"
Hermione hugged Ron "We are soul mates and we have been married for two months."
Ron looked at them surprised "Aren't you supposed to be boyfriend and girlfriend for a couple of years, then have an engagement, then a wedding, you know where you invite your best mate?"
"Sorry Ron as long as you have known me has anything been normal for me.?"
"Yea, that's true." Ron responded laughing.
Harry took a deep breath and continued "Ron there is more we have to tell you but we need you to take a wizards oath not to tell unless Hermione or I give you permission.
Ron, without hesitation, gave his oath not to tell. "Now that is over with, tell me what is going on?"
Hermione and Harry explained everything that had happened to them. Ron sat there dumbfounded as he listened.
Ron excitedly asked "You mean to tell me that Salazar and Helga Hufflepuff are married just like Godric and Rowena. That is amazing. You two found Godric and Rowena's private suite at Hogwarts. Bloody hell!"
"That is where Harry and I stayed all summer." explained Hermione.
"That is wicked; you stayed at Hogwarts the whole time by yourself."
"Professor Dumbledore and Minerva were there too. We ate dinner with them almost every night." Harry added.
Hermione continued "Ron this semester Harry and I are going to take our NEWT exams." Ron replied "Well from your advanced knowledge of magic you should pass with no problem but if you pass won't you leave Hogwarts?"
Harry answered "No, we will stay and become advance understudies for Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall. We have another task to accomplish and we have about 22 months to accomplish it."
"What task is more important than getting rid of he who must not be named?" Ron asked "That is still my primary task but Hermione and I have another quest to accomplish before we take out Voldemort." Harry and Hermione looked at each other before continuing. They knew this next part was going to get Ron upset but they had to continue.
Harry took the lead. "Ron our first task is to train as hard as possible to prepare ourselves to fight Voldemort. The second thing we must do is to get Salazar's male heir with Hufflepuff's female heir to bond like Hermione and I have. They must join as soul mates." Harry watched Ron's reactions at the next bit he must tell him "Ron we are going to need your help with the second part of our task. It is important that we accomplish it, without it we cannot banish Voldemort from our world."
"All right Harry, I will do that, you know I will help."
Hermione rested her hands on Harry's shoulder to show her support. "Ron Hufflepuff's heir is your sister Ginny." Ron's face started turning red. He looked to be on the brink of exploding. Hermione went to Ron and held his hands "Please calm down. Remember that what you know of history is a lie started by Voldemort to create hatred and discontent among the magical community. Ron, Harry and I know this to be a fact. Salazar Slytherin is not the evil wizard that everyone thought."
Ron appeared to calm a little "Who is the heir to Salazar?" Ron asked through clenched teeth. "It is Draco Malfoy." Harry declared with certainty.
Ron could hold back no longer "FERRET BOY, You mean ferret boy and Ginny are soul mates. That is a bunch of rubbish. I cannot help you destroy my sister's life. She hates him." Ron vented.
Harry and Hermione knew that this would be hard on Ron but it would be better if he helped them with in their task. Hermione thought to Harry "Love I think we need to give Ron some time, let's be patient with him."
"I agree Hermione" Harry sent. Ron was pacing back and forth.
"Hermione sent to Harry "Tomorrow we tell Ginny about us Harry we should get some sleep."
"Hermione, do I have to sleep alone tonight?"
Hermione looked at Harry "Over my dead body mister." Hermione sent. "I will go down stairs and leave a doppelgänger to appear to sleep then come back up."
Hermione got up and went to Ron and gave him a hug "Ron I know you don't like this but give it time. Harry and I both felt the same when we first learned of what we had to do. We both remember all of the nasty things Draco has said and done to us. Harry was more forgiving then I was. It will work itself out."
"Hermione, Draco Malfoy and my sister, it's just wrong." Ron said with conviction.
Hermione looked into Ron's eyes "Ronald it is only wrong if you believe the lies that Voldemort has told." This got Ron's attention and Hermione believed that she might have opened the door to Ron's mind. She kissed his cheek "Goodnight Ron and thanks for being a friend." Hermione stated.
"Good night Hermione." Ron replied.
Harry and Ron talked for a few moments then prepared for bed. Harry told Ron that Hermione was going to come back up in a few minutes. "Yea well don't be making a bunch of kissing noise and keeping a bloke awake."
"No worries mate."
Harry awoke first as normal and began stroking Hermione's Hair. This had become their morning ritual and this quiet, peaceful time was just for them. No matter what they never allowed the world to intrude on "Their time" Hermione and Harry spent these quiet moments fully open to each other. They let each other explore the others thoughts and dreams without any judgment from the other. Hermione enjoyed the soothing hand of Harrys in her hair. The most enjoyable part was looking in Harry's mind and thoughts. He completely opened up to her without hesitation, he trusted her. She felt so close to him this way. She just wanted to stay like this the more she learned about him. She could not be happier.
All too soon their moment was interrupted by someone coming and knocking on the door. Ginny entered and gasped when she saw Harry and Hermione lying on his bed. She had seen them arrive together last night. She could tell something had changed between the two of them. She had hoped it was not what she had feared but this was evidence to the contrary.
Ginny had secretly held a crush on Harry since he had saved her from the Chamber of Secrets and Tom Riddle. She couldn't help it he had saved her; the boy who lived had been her knight in shinning armor. She had secretly hoped that she could work her way into his life until they were together. But this morning her hopes were dashed. It stung her.
"Wake up sleepy heads breakfast is ready. Mum says to get up." Ginny announced. She then left the door open and went down stairs.
"Morning Love I am so glad we get to wake up this way every morning." Hermione said. "Me too, I could do this all day it is so relaxing." Harry said in agreement. They rubbed noses and kissed like they always did.
"Hey go play suck face some where else." Ron said snidely.
Hermione laughed and threw a pillow which hit Ron squarely on the face.
She got up and left the room to dress for their morning exercise.
Ron rose up from the bed "I was only kidding Harry. It really doesn't bother me if you and Hermione kiss but it doesn't mean I can't razz you about it."
Harry laughed "We wouldn't expect anything less from you. How are you feeling about last night?"
Harry got up and put a sweat suit on and his trainers. "I am not happy about it I can tell you that but what Hermione said before she left to get dress for bed stuck in my head. It is like choosing the worst of two evils. Voldemort or Draco, Draco or Voldemort, Neither sits very well, ya know?"
Harry understood perfectly "Yea, I do but I want Voldemort and believe it or not if Draco is Ginny's soul mate, not getting them together is a crime. What Hermione and I share is beyond compare. To let hatred get in the way of something that perfect, that beautiful….is just wrong."
Ron looked at Harry as if he had grown horns "All right who are you and what have done with my best friend Harry?"
Harry threw another pillow at Ron "Get your butt up before I kick the shite out of you. You, me and Hermione are going to go on a little jog."
Ron looked petrified "Oh, god Hermione in Harry's body. My god man, get out while there is still time to save yourself."
Harry laughed "you have two minutes before I conjure a waterfall on your head…Ronald!
"Not you too, like I always say brilliant but bloody scary."
From down stairs Ron heard Hermione's shrill voice "Ronald Billius Weasley I heard that you have one minute before I conjure another Waterfall on your head after Harry is done."
Harry was laughing as he walked out of Ron's room "If I were you Ron I would get my trainers on quickly."
One minute later Ron came stumbling down the stairs. "Its bloody criminal threatening a bloke to make him get up this early in the morning.
Hermione with a stone face "Who said I was threatening."
Ron facial expression caused Hermione to giggle. The three went out on a morning Jog and came back and showered. After breakfast they went to look for Ginny. They found her downstairs in the study, she had been crying. When they walked in she attempted to hide her tears.
Hermione looked at her and knew why she had been crying. "Ginny I am sorry you had to find out this way."
Ginny paused in thought "It's not yours or Harry's fault. Try as I might to hate you Hermione I couldn't you have been like a sister to me. I can't hate you I'm just jealous of you being with Harry."
Harry sat down beside Ginny and held her hand "Ginny I know for a fact your happiness and destiny lies with another. Be patient and give it time."
Ginny went flush when Harry grabbed her hand "Hermione has had a good affect on you Harry. That is the first time you have touched me since I have know you. Last night I watched you go around and hug people and talk openly with everybody. I couldn't believe it was you. You were the boy that hated all the attention and stood in the corner."
"Hermione helped me to heal and overcome some bad things that happened in my life. More importantly she showed me that I was worthy of love and happiness. Without her I was half the man I will become." Harry stated.
Ginny was totally floored she reached up and caressed his face and turned to Hermione "You have to tell me your secret Hermione this boy is so in love with you. He is a different person entirely. When I am with someone that is what I want. I could never have done that for him." Ginny turned to Harry "I always thought you deserved better Harry."
"Thanks Ginny" Harry stated.
"They didn't tell you the best part sis, they are soul mates." Ron stated.
Ginny replied "No way! All right the boys leave and Hermione stays." She dragged a laughing Hermione on the couch next to her. She looked at the guys and pulled out her wand "Do I have to Hex you two? Now get out of here." Harry and Ron left quickly.
Two hours later Hermione and Ginny came out to the make shift quidditch pitch that Ron had built. Ginny had brought her broom. Harry flew down next to Hermione "Everything all right love?
Ginny hugged Harry I am so happy for you two. I can't believe you two have adult status and are already married. I am so jealous…but in a good way." They all laughed at her joke. Ginny gave Harry a peck on the lips." She looked at Hermione and blushed "Sorry I couldn't help myself."
Hermione shrugged "That is your only freebie, the next one I am going to hex you! She said sternly."
"Ginny you know this has to stay between us for now." Harry stated.
"Yes, Harry I took the wizard oath. I also told Hermione I would help in your quest to get rid of Voldemort." Ginny answered.
"Thank you Ginny we appreciate that."
Everybody romped and played around for the rest of the day. Harry thought things might be strange between the four of them, but the atmosphere around them was very relaxed. He could tell that Hermione was very relieved and began to enjoy there little vacation. He coaxed Hermione to join him on his broom. He joked with her that the only reason she would ride is because she was in front of him with his arms around her. "Mr. Potter you of all people know how afraid of heights I really am. It says a lot that I feel so comfortable and safe in your arms that I will ride a broom. The next four days were like the other two summers Harry and Hermione had spent at the Weasley home.
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