Chapter eleven

Later that morning, Hermione sat down in the kitchen between Harry and Ron. Both men could see she'd been crying again, but both men also knew that would ease she just needed time.

'We have some good news Hermione, do you want to hear what it is?' Harry said giving her hand a squeeze.

'Did they catch who did it?'

'No, it's not about that. Ron, tell her the news.'

Ron took hold of Hermione's hand, 'Bill and Charlie were here before. Charlie just shocked the life out of me but Bill told us something that really great.'

'Well Charlie probably told you he's gay.'

'See Hermione doesn't even have to read to show us how clever she is.' Harry smiled.

'How did you know about Charlie?' Ron asked.

'I saw him checking out a couple of men, this was after the fighting. Now tell me what Bill said?'

'Fleur's pregnant.'

Hermione smiled, 'Thanks wonderful news Ron. It's really over isn't it?'

'It is Hermione, Ron and I were just talking about that. We know you've still got a long way to go before you will cope with what happened. But you can go on knowing we're all okay and our world is okay.'

'Yes, it is. But I don't want to just sulk around the house anymore. Mum and dad wouldn't want that for me.'

'No, they wouldn't. So what do you want to do?' Ron asked.

'I want to find out about Hogwarts, when it will be open again. I want to get more books, because I really want to help all creatures. I'm determined to change these laws to stop making them slaves. So I really need to study.'

'Out of anything we all want to do, that's exactly what Hermione would do. Get books and study. Let's go in and set up that vault and I might even get myself another owl. I'll always love Hedwig, but I really could do with another one. I might not like crowds, but I'll just put up with it because I want to get a few things as well. So why don't the golden trio go into Diagon alley?'

'We can do that, can't we Hermione?'

'Yes, we can. But I'm going to cook breakfast. Harry's been doing it and I think we all should take turns.'

'So you want to stay here, not go back to the Burrow at all?' Ron asked.

'No I don't. If it's alright with Harry, I would like the three of us to stay, I feel better here. But I know I still want to visit your parents Ron, well all your family. They have been so good to me over the years, I don't want them to think I don't appreciate that. Maybe I could ask your mum to show me some good cooking spells. Actually, she should show the three of us some cooking spells.'

'First, I don't mind. You know I like have you two with me. Ron's going to have to tell his mother though, so let's leave that for a few more days. But if we have a lot of things to buy, then we should eat first.'

'I'll give you a hand Hermione,' Ron said then both of them started to put together their breakfast.

Harry sat there watching his two best friends. He was really happy for them that they were finally together. He knew Hermione would still have a few bad days, but he also knew she was going to be alright. As Harry watched them he's thoughts drifted back to what he'd been thinking about earlier, about what he wanted to do.

One thing Harry decided, he wasn't going back to Hogwarts. But another thing he realised, he didn't want to be an auror anymore, he didn't want to work for the ministry. Even though Kingsley was in charge now, Harry knew there were still idiots running that place and Harry wanted nothing to do with them. But he also knew what he wanted to do at least for now. One thing he liked to do, a hobby that kept him sane when he was locked up at the Dursley's. So while they were out today, Harry was going to buy everything he needed. Then very soon, he was going to see about having another room added to the back of the house, one just for his hobby.

After the three friends dressed, they walked outside, held hands like they had done hundreds of times before and apparated away. They stepped into the Leaky cauldron and the place fell silent, but Harry, Hermione and Ron gave everyone a smile before heading to the back where Ron tapped the bricks and they walked through the archway into Diagon alley.

The three of them stood there looking around at all the shops that were now repaired and open again, with lots of people going about their business. They smiled at each other then headed up to the large white building. Two goblins opened the doors and Harry went straight over to the counter to organise a vault for Hermione, then to head down to his vault and so Hermione could go to hers. But he also decided it was time to see Sirius' vault. Harry stepped back over to his friends when another goblin gestured for them to follow. They made their very fast way down the winding tracks and came to Hermione's vault first. Harry handed her the key, Hermione nodded then got out and let the goblin open the vault.

'Harry, you've put way too much in here. I'll never use all this.'

'Then you don't, but at least it's here if you need it. So stock up because we know you, you're about to buy a lot of books.'

Hermione leaned over and kissed Harry's cheek, 'Thank you, but it will be getting paid back,' she grinned then stepped inside the vault.

'How much is in there Harry?'

'Well I thought since she does have to support herself for at least two years and after Hogwarts, she might want to get her own flat or something. So I put in one hundred thousand galleons. If she doesn't use it when she starts working, she knows she can give it back. But I wanted her to feel secure for a while, especially now. But I wish you'd let me give you some Ron. You saw how much I've got and it's not like I'll ever use all that. I think Sirius would love for you to have some of his family's money. He really liked you and all your family. They might not have had much, but he told me your family had the most important thing in the world.'

'What was that, because we don't have a lot?'

'Love Ron, your family all loved each other and are there for each other, in every way you can be. He had a family that he hated, I have no family. You don't realise how lucky you are. You're parents are wonderful people and even with having next to nothing all of you kids turned out to be great. That shows it doesn't matter how much money someone has, it's what's in their hearts, that's the most important thing. So how about it Ron, why don't you let me set you up a vault and one for your parents? They have been there for me for so long, they fed me with what little food they had. They gave me a home and looked after me for years and never wanted anything for doing that.'

'After what happened to Hermione's parents, I realised how lucky I am Harry. I do have my family even if we lost Fred. The last couple of days I was thinking how close I could have come to losing all of them, but also how close I came to losing you and Hermione as well. We are family, all of us are family,' Ron looked around watching Hermione putting money into her bag before he faced Harry again, 'Alright, if you don't give as much as you gave Hermione and I will pay it back, it just might take me years to do that.'

Harry grinned, 'Whatever you want to do Ron. So we'll go to Sirius vault, you get some out for now, that way you can buy things for yourself and I'll set up a Ronald Weasley vault and a Molly and Arthur vault.'

'Thanks Harry,' Ron gave him a small smile before he watched Hermione again.

'Okay, I think I got enough money with me to cover all my books and of course I grabbed my old beaded bag to carry them all in.'

'What about the things that were in there?' Ron asked.

'I left them in my room, I'll ask Professor McGonagall about them when I'm at Hogwarts.'

'Where to next?' the goblin asked.

'To the Black vault, well my vault but you know which one I mean.'

'The Harry Potter vault, Mr. Potter,' the goblin set the cart off again and they headed down to the deepest levels, then Harry handed the goblin the key.

'It's like Bellatrix's vault,' Ron said.

'Yeah, the Blacks were pretty loaded Ron,' Harry got out of the cart and waited until the goblin opened the door, 'But even this surprised me,' Harry sighed as he looked inside before stepping in. He had a quick look around before piling his own bag with money, then spotted something. He walked over to the side and stared at an envelope with his name on it, 'Sirius must have left this in here for me.'

Hermione and Ron stood behind Harry who was staring at the envelope, 'Are you going to get it and see what Sirius has to say?' Ron asked.

Harry nodded, then picked up the envelope, 'I'll read it at home, but now Ron grab a heap of gold, we can all go shopping,' Harry instantly saw Ron was hesitant, so Harry grabbed a pile, conjured a small bag and loaded it up before handing it to Ron. 'Let's go have fun buying anything we want, but I also want an ice-cream.'

Hermione giggled, 'An ice-cream, that doesn't sound like you Harry.'

'Maybe it's the new me, let's go though. I can go through this another time.'

The three friends got back into the cart and headed back up to the main part of Gringotts. Harry went to the counter again, organised two vaults before he joined his friends.

'Here, this is yours, I'll give your parents theirs in a couple of days. Now let's go shopping.'

Hermione and Ron could see Harry's excitement which made them both laugh because they realised it was really the first time Harry could buy things for himself, things he wanted. They realised that he could do that without any danger for the first time since he found out he was a wizard.