Reciprocate
Disclaimer: JKR's Characters and settings: My Ideas (Sort of) Your time: Thanks for reading
After saying goodbye to Sirius, Harry and Hermione walked hand in hand up to the Gryffindor common room. When they arrived the celebration was in full swing. An exuberant Ginny Weasley hugged Hermione the moment she set foot into the party. After hugging Hermione, Ginny motioned with her eyes towards Harry. Hermione gave a slight smile and nodded her head. The youngest Weasley then briefly hugged Harry.
As grateful as Harry was for the party, he would rather be celebrating in a broom closet with Hermione. The kiss that they had shared before the first task was burning on his mind. After an hour of celebrating he managed to make it to his dorm and hide the egg in his trunk.
He made his way downstairs and found Hermione talking to the Weasley twins. Hermione felt Harry's gaze search for her. She looked up at him and Harry directed his gaze to the portrait hole. They met at the entrance to the common room and slipped through with only Fred and George noticing that they had left.
Harry threaded his fingers through Hermione's. Together they walked without speaking. Hermione smiled as they reached one of their favourite broom closets. After opening the door and leading Harry inside, she made sure to cast a locking charm and a silencing charm. Hermione draped her arms around Harry's neck and Harry pulled her closer. "Harry, why did you want to leave the party so quickly? Fred and George were just talking about making me a partner in their joke shop."
"Well Miss. Granger, before I had to face that dragon you promised me more of those amazing kisses. I've come to collect."
Hermione smiled into the darkness. "Potter you talk too much." She then began to release all the tension and fear that the day had brought as she snogged her boyfriend senseless. Forty five minutes later they left the broom closet and made their way back to the common room.
They were both very red in the face when they entered the common room. Hermione led Harry over to Fred and George. Harry pulled his wand on the unsuspecting twins. "What's this about the two of you propositioning my girlfriend?" Both twins put their hands up in mock surrender.
"We were only recognizing her for her sheer pranking brilliance."
"Here, I'm a son of a Marauder and you didn't invite me first." Harry chuckled.
The twins' mouths dropped open in astonishment. "I'm sorry Hermione, but being the son of a marauder trumps genius every time."
Hermione faked a pout. "I guess it's a good thing that we are a package deal then." She smiled at Harry expectantly. When Harry didn't agree with her right away she elbowed him in the ribs playfully. Harry just stuck his tongue out at her. "Be careful where you stick that thing Potter, I may just have to bite it off."
Harry smiled at Hermione playfully, "I think you already tried to do that about fifteen minutes ago." Hermione blushed and all four friends laughed.
Hermione smirked at Harry again. "I hope that wasn't a complaint Harry. If it was, then I will just have to cut you off."
Harry looked like the sky had just collapsed. "Oh no, I was just commenting." Hermione, Fred and George burst out laughing.
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Cornelius Oswald Fudge was not having a good day by any stretch of the imagination. As soon as he saw Lucius being detained by the aurors stationed in front of his office door, he had beaten a hasty retreat to the sanctuary of his office. As late as it was now, Cornelius was sweating heavily. The ceiling was stained black from the smoke of incinerated parchment. It had taken him until late in the evening, but every trace of his connection to Malfoy had been destroyed. He paced his office nervously as he wondered if Lucius had been foolish enough to keep detailed records of their business dealings.
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Sirius black was a happy man. It had been thirteen years of hell and now he had his life back. After watching Harry survive the first task of the tournament, he went to visit Hagrid and see if his old friend still had his motorcycle. Sirus' next destination was the home of his friend Remus Lupin. Together they would go out and paint London Gryffindor red.
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After a weekend of studying and celebrating, Harry and Hermione returned to the daily grind of classes. Harry was sitting with Professor McGonagall discussing the lessons that they had so far today. He decided to bring up a topic that had been on his mind a lot since Sirius had been freed. "Professor, Hermione were wondering if you could teach us to become animagi."
Mistress Paws gave him a smile. "I knew that this day was going to come sooner or later. Becoming an animagus is not an easy road Harry. I know that your father and his friends became animagi to help Remus Lupin. Why do you and Hermione want to do this?"
"There are a lot of reasons Professor. I guess the main reason that I want to is because my father was one. Hermione wants to become one because you have to use really advanced magic."
"I tell you what Harry. Unfortunately I am unable to teach you this year. You and Hermione have enough to do just getting through the blasted tournament, if you still want to become anamagi next year talk to me then."
"Thank you Professor."
"Now Harry, there is one more thing I must discuss with you before we go to class. As part of the Tri –Wizard tournament there is a Yule ball. As a champion, you and your date are required to open the dancing."
Harry had a huge smile on his face. "You know that Hermione is going to have me practicing right up until the night of the ball."
"Just so you remember, Harry. Snogging Miss. Granger in the broom closet does not count as dancing."
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As soon as the morning's transfiguration class ended. Harry pulled Hermione into a small alcove and asked her to go to the ball with him. She gave Harry a quick kiss in response. They walked down to the great hall lost in their own little world.
Ron Weasley was torn between wanting to apologize to his friends and jealousy, because Harry and Hermione seemed to have so little room for him in their lives. Then again, if he had not been such a royal prat since Harry's name had been drawn from the goblet, then things would be different. It was remarkable the changes that those two worked in each other. In pretty much every class Harry was ranked only behind Hermione. It wasn't just the practical magic that Harry had mastered; he was also excelling in magical theory. Hermione on the other hand was much more lax about breaking rules. Harry and Hermione could often be found laughing with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. Maybe it was time to find himself a girlfriend and grow up a bit. On the other hand, what girl in their right mind would even look at him without Harry by his side?
Ron walked alone into the great hall and as was now his custom he sat at the far end of the table. Sometimes he would sit with Neville or Dean and Seamus, but everybody was talking about the upcoming ball.
Ginny Weasley didn't often feel pity for her brother Ron. The prat had dug himself into this hole in the first place, but she could see that he didn't want to swallow his pride and dig himself out again. On the other hand it had only been recently that Hermione had started to talk to her. It would take a long time for the three of them to patch things up again. Ginny Weasley made up her mind to help her brother.
"Hi Ron; can I sit here?" Ron looked up from the mountain of food on his plate and nodded his head once. "You really miss them, don't you?"
Ron was about to open his mouth to speak but Ginny stopped him. "Please Ron, swallow your food first." Ron made to swallow his mouthful of shepherd's pie, and gave his sister a sad smile.
"Yeah Gin, I miss them. It's like they've moved on without me and are much better off."
"I know what you mean Ron. My whole life, I've dreamed of being the girl who could put a smile like that on the face of The – Boy – Who – Lived. Ginny pointed to Harry and Hermione laughing at something one of them had said. This summer when they got together, I thought that she had stolen my Prince Charming. It took a long talk with Professor Dumbledore to set me straight.
Ron gave his sister a half smile. "I remember that you were so disappointed when they left without giving you a chance to apologize."
"It took a lot for me to swallow my pride and apologize to both of them. Hermione made it clear that I had crossed the line. It took a long time and a lot of small gestures of friendship on my part. Eventually, Hermione began to treat me as a friend again. I think that it is going to be the same for you and the two of them. If you want to be their friend again, then you're going to have to be the one to take the first step. It doesn't matter how small it is, you just have to start moving forward."
Ron chocked out his reply, "For some reason, that first step always seems to be the hardest one to take."
"You know Harry better than anyone other than Hermione. Ron you know how horrible those muggles were to Harry and how he hates to be the center of attention. I've never seen Harry look happier than he does right now. After all the shit that he's had to deal with doesn't he deserve this?"
Ron stared at his plate before he gave an earnest reply, "More than you know, Ginny."
"If that's the case Ron, then you know what you have to do."
"Thanks Gin, you're the best little sister that a bloke like me could ask for." Ginny stood up to go and gave her brother a one armed hug.
As Harry and Hermione were leaving for class they walked by Ron. Making sure to swallow his food and swallow his pride, he spoke his first friendly words to Harry in a month. "Hey Mate, you were brilliant in that first task."
Harry and Hermione both looked mildly surprised. "Thanks Ron," was all that he said, but he gave Ron a quick smile and continued out the door.
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Time had seemed to fly by for Harry and Hermione. Between classes, homework and of course dancing practice they found that it was already Christmas break. Tomorrow they were going to Hogsmeade to do some Christmas shopping. Right now they were climbing the stairs to Dumbledore's office.
Hermione was the first to spot the large gold ring that seemed to be missing a stone, but was still recognizable as Marvolo Gaunt's ring. "You're perceptive as ever Miss Granger. Yes that is indeed the ring that you saw Marvolo Gaunt wearing in that memory. Unfortunately the stone was destroyed when I destroyed the horcrux."
After viewing further memories pertaining to the horcruxes, Harry and Hermione were left with a good idea about what they were. Excuse me sir, but from what you have shown us about the horcruxes," Hermione began tentatively, "Voldemort might have hidden them in places that had meaning to him. Do you think that he might have trusted another death eater with one of them?"
"That is indeed a possibility Miss. Granger. I will look into it further. Right now I would like to know what the two of you think about going to Hermione's parents' home after the Yule ball. I would of course like you to invite Sirius as well. There are some important matters that I would like to discuss with all of you at that time."
Hermione smiled at Harry, "I'll write to mum and see if it's alright."
"Excellent, now that that's settled I will make arrangements with Sirius to pick you up on Boxing Day. Good night to both of you.
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After kissing Hermione good night at the entrance way to the girls' dorm, Harry made his way up to his own dorm. Ron was waiting for him. "Hey Harry, I need to warn you about some possible trouble heading your way."
Harry gave Ron a puzzled look. "What kind of trouble, Ron?"
"There's a dark haired second year, by the name of Romilda Vane, that is looking to slip you a love potion before the Yule Ball. I overheard her talking to her little friends about how she was going to try and split you and Hermione up."
"Thanks for the heads up Ron I appreciate the heads up."
"Look Harry, I just want to …" Ron paused as he remembered what Ginny had told him about taking small steps, "Ahh forget It, I'll talk to you about it later." Ron closed the hangings on his bed and made to go to sleep.
Harry was trying to go to sleep, but his mind didn't seem to want to slow down at all. Crookshanks jumped up on his bed and seemed to be trying to get Harry's attention. Harry reluctantly got out of bed and followed the large cat into the common room. At the top of the stairs he noticed that Hermione was sitting on the couch in front of the fire. She smiled as Harry trod down the stairs. Harry sat down beside her and Hermione kissed his cheek. "I tried to sleep, but my mind was racing over the things that Dumbledore said tonight. Crooks volunteered to get you to keep me company."
"I know two horcruxes down and four more to go and then it's my turn."
Hermione pulled Harry into a hug and ran her fingers gently through his hair as they fell asleep. When Professor McGonagall entered the common room and she shook her head in amusement. After four months of this, you think that one of them would be smart enough to bring a blanket with them.
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Christmas morning found Harry and Hermione sitting in the deserted fourth year boys' dorm exchanging presents and making plans for the next day when they would visit her parents. Harry had gotten Hermione a beautiful cameo locket with a picture of the two of them on one of their Hogsmede visits. Hermione bought Harry a new foe glass and an assortment of other dark detectors. After a late brunch they joined the other Gryffindors outside for a day of fun in the snow.
Hermione, Ginny and Katie Bell were the first Gryffindor girls to go inside and get ready for the ball. And one by one the other girls followed. It was only when it started to get dark that the boys went inside. Ron was the last of the boys. He really didn't want to be seen in the mouldy old second hand robes that his mother had bought him. Fred and George took pity on Ron and helped him to cut the lace off the robes so that they looked close to normal.
With a little bit of advice and support from his sister Ginny, Ron had managed to get up the nerve to ask Hannah Abbott to the ball. He hurried from the Gryffindor tower to the entry way to the great hall.
Harry never did see Katie Bell come down the stairs. When Hermione came downstairs wearing he periwinkle blue dress robes, his breath caught in his throat. She looked even more stunning than when she had dressed up for his birthday. Her hair was done up in a sophisticated bun and she was wearing a minimal amount of makeup.
"Hermione, you look absolutely incredible!"
She smiled and gave Harry a brief kiss before she linked her arm with his. "Thank you Harry. I'd really hoped that you would like it."
"To tell you the truth Hermione, It's you I like. Even though you look amazing tonight, the person you are inside is much prettier by far."
By the time that they got down stairs to the great hall, both teens were beyond nervous. They stood between Professor McGonagall and Cedric Diggory and his date Cho Chang. Across from them were Fleur and Roger Davies. Standing beside Fleur was Viktor Krum with Katie Bell.
Hermione looked radiant as she walked with Harry up to the champions table. Harry found himself sitting between Hermione and Katie. They talked about school, the tournament and life outside of Hogwarts. Harry spent most of dinner staring into Hermione's cinnamon brown eyes.
When Harry danced the first dance with Hermione, it was like there was no one else in the room. As they twirled and spun their way around the great hall it was like they were floating in a universe of their own creation. After the song was over they clung tightly to each other until the applause died down.
They danced several more dances until Hermione's feet began to get sore. They sat down next to the Weasley twins who were laughing as they watched Percy trying to dance with Madame Maxime.
Millicent Bulstrode was dancing to a slow song with Draco Malfoy crushed to her chest. Harry had never laughed so hard in all of his life. Except maybe when the song had ended and Millicent refused to let go of Malfoy.
Harry went outside for a stroll around the rose garden with Hermione. They thought that they had found a quiet spot and Harry was just about to kiss Hermione when they heard Hagrid and Madam Maxime talking. Not wanting to eavesdrop they continued to wander until they game across Snape and the Durmstrang headmaster having a heated argument. It ended when Karkaroff rolled up his left sleeve to show Snape something. They went back inside and continued to dance until the night was over.
The long walk back to the common room was punctuated by a lengthy stop at one of the few unoccupied broom closets. After they returned to the common room Hermione kissed Harry goodnight and said to meet her back in the common room after everyone had gone to bed.
On her rounds of Gryffindor tower, Professor McGonagall wasn't surprised to find her two favourite students waiting up for her. "Professor, could you tell us about Sirius?"
Professor McGonagall gave her students and began to tell of the adventures of the marauders from her prespective. Before Hermione fell asleep, Professor McGonagall asked her if her parents knew that she and Harry often fell asleep together.
Hermione explained that it had initially been her parents' idea because of Harry's nightmares. After a summer of being in the next room to each other it just felt weird to be so far apart.
"Your parents must be very smart people, Miss. Granger. They have a great deal of trust in both of you and Harry and are able to see that the two of you bring out the best in each other."
"Thank you Professor." Hermione mumbled sleepily as she drifted off to sleep.
After Harry and Hermione woke up they rushed upstairs to pack for the rest of their holiday. Once breakfast was over, Sirius wandered over to the Gryffindor table and escorted them to the main gates and signalled the knight bus to pick the three of them up.
Harry and Hermione told Sirius about the ball and what had been happening in the castle. Before they knew it, the large purple bus pulled up in front of the Grangers' home. Hermione rushed off of the bus and straight into the arms of her mum and dad. Sirius and Harry walked up a little more slowly. Amanda Granger pulled Harry into a fierce rib cracking hug. "I've been so worried about you Harry. Ever since you sent that letter telling me about how you were entered into that damn tournament.
Paul Granger was watching Sirius warily as Amanda hugged Harry. Finally deciding to break the ice, he introduced himself and his wife. Sirius could see that both Grangers cared for their daughter and Harry.
They walked into the warm house and Sirius noticed the all the pictures of Hermione on the mantle. As he walked further into the room, he noticed the pictures from last summer which all seemed to include a smiling Harry.
After much small talk between Sirius and the Grangers, Hermione pulled a small envelope that Colin Creevey had given her. Her parents were amazed at the pictures of Harry and Hermione dancing at the ball. "I wish that we could put this picture on the mantel with the rest." She held up a picture of the young couple dancing the first dance.
"I think that I can help you there, Amanda." Sirius took the picture from her and tapped it once with his wand and the dancing couple in the picture froze.
Sirius then told everybody the long story of his imprisonment; Amanda and Paul were suitably impressed. Anyone who could survive what Sirius had was all right with Paul. In a few short hours of talking Sirius and the Grangers had become friends for life. They were bonded in friendship by the love that they felt for the two teens that were the center of their lives.
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On the twenty seventh of December Albus Dumbledore showed up on the Grangers doorstep. After Sirius made the appropriate introductions and the group exchanged pleasantries, Dumbledore got down to business.
After taking a sip of tea he began to tell them the purpose of his visit. He addressed his words to Paul and Amanda. "I assume that you are sufficiently familiar with Harry's story and how he came to be placed with his aunt and uncle." Both Grangers nodded their heads. As Dumbledore continued to talk there was a look of cold fury appearing on Amanda's face.
Hermione nudged Harry and whispered in his ear, "This isn't good Harry. Mum's going to explode on him."
Dumbledore kept right on talking. "Recently I came upon some information that concerns all of you. The dark wizard, Voldemort, that killed Harry's parents is about to return to power. Unfortunately your daughter is in danger because she was born of non-magical parents. Hermione and the two of you are even in more danger because of Harry's relationship with your daughter." Paul and Amanda continued to listen. Amanda continued to get angrier as she gripped Paul's arm tightly.
"I can see that both of you care very much for Harry and I want to ensure you that this is not by any stretch of the imagination his fault. When Voldemort regains power I want to place the two of you in hiding. I will ask that Sirius stays with you. It will mean that the two of you may have to give up your jobs to ensure your safety. Harry, of course will still have to spend the majority of his summer with the Dursleys."
That was more than enough for Amanda Granger. She stood up quickly and crossed the sitting room in three angry steps. She swung her hand with all the force that she could muster. There was a loud smack as the palm of Amanda's hand connected with Dumbledore's face. "That is for placing a sweet child like Harry with those vile people!"
Amanda Granger swung her arm a second time, Smack! "That one is for allowing Harry to be placed in your damn tournament, when you should have prevented it!"
Amanda wasn't finished yet. She slapped Dumbledore for a third time. Smack! "This is because you are a manipulative Son of a Bitch who feels that he has the right to place my daughter and her boyfriend in danger at the drop of a hat!"
Paul rushed to Amanda's side and pulled her close. He gave Dumbledore and angry glare before steering his wife back to their seat. Albus rubbed his very red cheek where a large hand shaped bruise had already started to form.
The headmaster looked solemnly at Amanda Granger. "You are correct Mrs. Granger; I did deserve that and much worse. Be that as it may, Harry's entry into the tri-wizard tournament is part of a plot to revive Voldemort. For reasons that I am unable to discuss at this time, Harry must continue in the tournament. I assure you that both Harry and Hermione know my reasons for allowing this and they have accepted them. I will do my utmost to ensure that Harry and your daughter are kept safe."
It was Sirius's turn to express his anger. "I can't believe that you feel that you have the right to toy with people's lives like this Albus. How on earth can you justify putting a fourteen year old boy in danger."
"Sirius, I would ask that you come visit me in my office and I will explain everything to you there."
"I don't think that I can do that, Professor. We will discuss this at my former home. I assure you that our privacy will be guaranteed there."
"As you wish, Sirius." Dumbledore stood up and walked to the door. "I will show myself out." Dumbledore's exit from the Grangers' home was followed by a loud crash as a vase exploded against the door.
Harry walked up to Amanda and hugged her tightly. It was the first time that she cared for Harry like he was her own child.
The remainder of the holiday was spent having all the fun that they could pack into seven days.