Chapter 11: Gravity
He remembered…they had been arguing about Dumbledore. They were on the run, Ron having left them weeks before, trying to track down Voldemort's horcruxes and the sword of Godric Gryffindor, yet after the skirmish that took place in Godric's Hollow, Harry and Hermione were running on near empty.
Harry had just read a chapter in the book titled The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, a tell-all tale authored by the vile Rita Skeeter, with the help of the famed wizard's long-lasting neighbor and no doubt a few memory charms, Bathilda Baghshot.
Harry had erected a mighty fortress of Dumbledore before him, with many sighting him as the greatest wizard of the age, in which Harry agreed with. However, Skeeter's chapter involving Dumbledore, and his childhood friend, Gellert Grindelwald, planning to conquer Muggles by force, made Harry question where his own true allegiance lay. He felt as if everything he had known about the famed headmaster was all a lie, like a black hole had swallowed a fantasy of Dumbledore Harry had gathered from his own time with the wizard and from those that knew him for decades.
Of course, this was after the fact that Voldemort's pet snake, Nagini, ambushed he and Hermione in Godric's Hollow, with Harry's wand being snapped in the process, as the pair thought that Dumbledore would have left the sword of Gryffindor with Bathilda. Finding no sword in their trip to the village, Harry had become aggravated and thought that maybe there was more than a sliver of truth in what Ron had said before he left: they were no closer to destroying Slytherin's locket than finding the remaining horcruxes.
Harry and Hermione were sitting against two trees, arguing about Dumbledore during the stinging cold of winter, when Harry dismissed her to go back inside the tent to get warm. After she hesitated slightly, she started to make her way past him when everything changed.
Hermione brushed the top of his head lightly with her hand while he closed his eyes at her touch. It was a small yet incredibly intimate moment and it was the very first time when Harry felt his heart stir with affection towards her.
This was what he didn't tell Ginny last night, for he couldn't find it in himself to speak the words to her. It was not because he was embarrassed or ashamed at what Hermione's contact did to him, but it felt like it was a small secret that only he shared with Hermione, just the two of them and no one else.
It was true that he had many intimate encounters with Ginny while the two were dating, but his affection didn't amount to anything close to what he had felt when Hermione brushed the top of his head. Just one simple touch stirred the confines of what he thought he knew about intimacy, upending all feelings he had for the youngest Weasley.
Perhaps it was the fact that Harry and Hermione were best friends and this mutual affection and attraction towards one another was years in the making. After all, they had spent so much time with each other over their six years at Hogwarts School, and they had since spent weeks without Ron, but just each other. But maybe it was something different; almost as if they weren't supposed to fall in love with each other, but Hermione's touch sparked a waiting fire.
Harry placed his hands behind his head as he rested against the pillows of his bed in Godric's Hollow, as the gray clouds of the overcast sky rumbled beyond the windows of his room.
Ron had left them at this point in time, angered and discouraged by the lack of progress they had made in their quest to defeat Voldemort once and for all.
It was just the two of them: Harry and Hermione, in what Harry felt, was them against the world. He, himself, had been dispirited as he felt as if he, Hermione, and Ron were swimming in an ocean with no bottom, and no top.
He relayed all of the information Dumbledore had told him before his death, yet the aged wizard left no instructions for Harry to follow. It was at this point in time when Harry had felt like a knight without his armor, like a phoenix without wings.
Harry felt like giving up, much as Ron had seemed to do, but Hermione was always there to pull him back to the ground and toward reality, like gravity. He would forever admire her fierce tenacity during that time to keep moving forward, for it was something that he would surely never forget.
With his round glasses resting upon the bridge of his nose, Harry sighed in contentment, as even breaths filled his lungs, before he effortlessly pushed it out of his body before breathing it back in again.
Hermione's touch was a moment in time that only he knew about, a moment in which he thought that Hermione meant nothing more than just a simple friendly gesture.
Harry remembered that there were so many nights where Hermione had cried, especially after Ron's departure, in which he didn't even care to go and try to comfort her. His heart didn't constrict at the sounds of her sobs back then, a stark contrast to what he would feel if she cried right now. He shook his head at the thought of all of those nights wasted, where he would track Ginny's movement by way of the Marauder's Map, trying to will her to feel that Harry always thought of her, while Hermione shed her tears in the hollowness of their tent.
While the pair were alone together, they were lost in a world at war, stuck in the middle of an era that would either be famous or infamous, citing whether Harry prevailed or Voldemort defeated his equal, once and for all.
But through the thick of everything that had taken place, Hermione had stood by his side, and after everything had finished, she was still here. Was it fate that brought the two of them together, or was it something different? Harry didn't know, and quite frankly, he didn't really mind what it was.
Despite his falling out with Ginny the previous night, and Harry had no doubt that Mrs. Weasley would be making her feelings known in a short amount of time as well, Harry felt happy. It was such a simple feeling that meant the world to Harry, as he spent so much of his early life feeling unimportant, useless, and unloved.
But now, everything was different for everything had changed. Harry now felt that his life had a true meaning behind it, which was the first time he had felt this way since the war had ended, and he was going to make sure Hermione was to be part of it.
It was true that he did share romantic feelings for Ginny in the past, but things were different now; one touch was all it took.
Just then, the door to his bedroom creaked open, as he turned to see Hermione peak her head inside.
"Harry, are you awake," her soft voice called out to him.
"Yeah," he replied, sitting up higher in his bed, straightening himself against his pillows he was resting against.
Hermione strode in at the next second, as a tray of food was levitating behind her.
"Hermione, what's this," Harry asked, noticing the floating food.
"I thought you would like breakfast in bed today," she responded, shrugging her shoulders shyly.
Harry smiled as he said, "Well, okay then."
Hermione waved her wand as the tray of food floated effortlessly down onto Harry's bed. He looked down at the food she had prepared and saw two bowls of cereal, a plate full of bacon and sausage, and four slices of fried bread, finished off with two glasses of juice.
"Hermione, this is amazing! Did you just make all of this now," Harry questioned.
She nodded her head as she answered, "I've been up for a while. You made us breakfast yesterday morning so it was my turn to make it for us today."
After Harry nodded his own head in understanding, he said, "Well come on then, let's eat!"
Smiling once more, Hermione took a seat atop of Harry's bed, sitting directly across from him with the tray of her prepared breakfast situated between them.
As they munched away on, what Harry thought, was as good a meal to rival that of Mrs. Weasley's, rain droplets started to patter softly against the window.
"This is delicious, Hermione, really," Harry said, as his stomach rumbled softly in agreement.
"Thanks, Harry," she responded, her cheeks turning a light pink. When she looked back up at him, she asked, "Have long how you been awake?"
Harry thought this over as he tried to do some mental calculations in his head. "A while now," he decided to answer, "why?"
"I was just curious. Usually, in the morning, just after you wake up, your eyes are red and you yawn several times," Hermione noted.
"I've been thinking about some things," Harry said.
"What things were you thinking about," Hermione asked innocently, after sipping her juice.
Harry regarded her for a long moment, as he noticed the effects of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion had long worn off, with Hermione's hair having returned to its natural bushy state.
"About the time you and I were together after Ron had left," Harry finally answered, "after we visited Godric's Hollow and all."
"That was a cold winter," Hermione stated as she nodded her head slightly, her eyes becoming somewhat unfocused, "I remember."
"What else do you remember about that time, Hermione," Harry asked curiously, seeing if her mind would think back on what Harry's heart had become so enamored by.
She looked thoughtful for a moment before she replied, "Well, I remember crying a lot because that was when I thought I had romantic feelings for Ron and he just left us. I remember not being able to sleep a lot, as I would always wonder if we would ever complete our hunt for the remaining horcruxes. I also remember worrying so much over you, Harry."
"Me," he asked, tilting his head sideways in question.
Hermione nodded as she responded, "Harry, I've told you many times before that I always worry about you. At that time, you seemed so lost and desperate. You were trying to find the motivation to keep going when there was none to run off of."
"You kept me motivated, Hermione," Harry answered seriously. "You always kept me going."
"Then I guess I'm able to put up a pretty good façade because there were so many times, so many nights, when I just wished we could have stayed where we were and forget about horcruxes and Voldemort and the war. For the first time in my life, I felt helpless because I didn't have all the answers to provide you with, Harry. I felt like I didn't want to continue with what we originally had set out to do and accomplish," Hermione breathed out, as it was clear to Harry that this one of the first times Hermione had admitted to being so near in giving up.
"But I also remember being hurt," Hermione added.
At this, Harry stared over at her with his bright, green eyes, as the rain continued to steadily beat harder against the window.
"Hurt about Ron leaving," Harry asked, growing uncomfortable with the way their conversation had abruptly altered course, diverting away from his initial question.
"Not exactly," Hermione shook her head in a small manner.
When she didn't elaborate, Harry softly inquired, "What were you hurt over?"
Hermione locked eyes with Harry as she responded, "It was after we visited Godric's Hollow, and Nagini attacked us, and I broke your wand. I remember telling you that I thought it was my blasting curse that snapped your wand, but I also remember that you were incredibly angry with me at that time. Even though it was my fault for what happened to your wand, I was hurt because I thought that I had severely strained our friendship."
"Over my broken wand," Harry tried to confirm.
Hermione nodded as she continued, "Harry, for witches and wizards, our wands are a part of who we are as individuals. We receive our wands when we turn eleven years old, as we connect with the wand that chooses us. Your wand was special, Harry, and I didn't think it could ever be repaired."
Harry then thought over what Hermione had said, as he noted that he was extremely angry after Hermione told him his wand had snapped. However, he also felt that he and Hermione were incredibly more vulnerable as the pair only had one wand from which to defend themselves with if need be.
"It wasn't just that my wand had been broken, Hermione," Harry started, "it was so many different things that happened around the same time: Ron leaving, Nagini's attack, and us barely escaping Voldemort in Godric's Hollow. It wasn't your fault at all; in fact, you were the one that got us out of there alive."
"I know but I couldn't help but blame myself," Hermione replied.
"But, my wand's been repaired," Harry told her, feeling that the mood in the room had taken a sudden dive, "it's something that happened in the past."
"I know, but that's one of the main things that sticks out in my mind whenever I think back about our horcrux hunt," Hermione stated.
"Well just so you know, I don't blame you for what happened. It's over now."
Hermione nodded over at him before she said after a thoughtful moment, "I also remember you looking at the Marauder's Map every night we were together. I think you were watching Ginny."
Harry nodded his head in understanding as he replied, "Yes, I tended to do that quite a bit."
As Hermione smiled over at him, another thought entered Harry's mind as he asked, "What did you say to Ron last night? All you told me was that there was a lot of screaming and that you put up silencing charms."
Hermione, her mood suddenly changing from morose to rather annoyed, huffed, before she began, "Well, he started the conversation by saying what Mrs. Weasley and Ginny said in their letters: about how he wanted me to stay over the Burrow with him for several days. I then asked him what if I didn't feel comfortable staying at the Burrow. And, well you know Ron, he immediately jumped to the idea that you and I had started dating behind his back. I told him that he and I weren't officially a couple in the first place. Of course, that upset him even more as he asked why, then, did I kiss him?"
"And what did you say," Harry asked.
"I told him the truth: I kissed him in the heat of the moment. My wind was on overdrive after everything that we went through over the past couple of days with what happened at Malfoy Manner, and the break-in at Gringotts…I wasn't exactly myself. He then asked me what I wanted to do, and I told him that I wanted to stay with you."
After Hermione spoke the words 'I wanted to stay with you,' Harry felt as if his heart swelled at least three times its normal size with both happiness and joy.
His pleasure must've been displayed on his face, as Hermione laughed quietly as she questioned, "Why are you looking at me like that, Harry?"
"What…oh, er…nothing, um, so what did Ron say to that," Harry stumbled over his words, feeling his face blush.
"He yelled, and shouted, and yelled some more before he told me that his worst fears had come true. I didn't quite understand what me meant by that but I'm guessing it had something to do with him dreading the idea that you and I would be anything more than friends," Hermione said.
Harry nodded his head, remembering the time when Ron had opened Slytherin's locket horcrux, where Harry had witnessed Ron's worst fears was for he and Hermione to share romantic feelings for one another. Although Harry had yet to admit his feelings for Hermione had grown far past the stage of friendship out loud, he felt a time would soon come for that to happen. The only thing that was holding him back was that he was unsure if Hermione felt the same way about him. He thought she did, but he didn't know as an absolute certainty.
"He then tried to persuade me to stay with him at the Burrow, that it would be far more fun than staying with you, but at that point, I was so fed up with him that I told him 'no' and walked away to find you. I first went back to the canopy because that was where I saw you last. Ron followed soon after, though he walked right past me, back into the Burrow, without saying a word to anyone. Mrs. Weasley didn't look to happy with me at the time," Hermione said.
"Did she say anything to you," Harry asked rather defensively, after he swallowed a piece of bacon.
Hermione shook her head, "No, but she give me quite a cold stare. But, then, I didn't really care as I wanted to find you so that we could leave. I walked away when I suddenly heard a splashing sound and I found you in the pond."
Harry smirked at this, remembering that Ginny had been so angry with him that she pushed him into the dark waters.
"Definitely not my best moment," Harry commented.
"I don't know…I thought it was pretty funny," Hermione joked.
Harry shook his head at her in mock anger while she laughed lightly.
The rain drops had started to grow fainter, as it went back to pattering softly against the window of Harry's room.
"Harry, I wanted to ask your opinion on something," Hermione suddenly said.
"Okay, what is it," Harry inquired.
Hermione let out a long breath before she stated, "I'm thinking about not returning to Hogwarts in the fall."
At her words, Harry was momentarily stunned. He stared over at her with wide eyes, before he mentally recovered and asked, "Hermione, are you sure about that?"
"Yes…and no. It's just a thought for right now, but I'm leaning more towards not going back," she replied.
"Is there any particular reason because this seems so unlike you," Harry stated.
"There isn't an exact reason as I had initially thought I would return," she said, while her hands wrung the base of her long-sleeved shirt, "but something is telling me not to go back."
Harry nodded his head, though he still thought that for Hermione not to complete her education at Hogwarts was out-of-character, especially for her.
"Well, I'll support you in whatever decision you make, but you don't have to give any definite answer right now. You still have the rest of the summer to think about it," Harry replied.
"I know, I know, it's just what's going through my head right now. Have you made up your mind," Hermione asked Harry.
"Not yet, but right now, I have to say that I don't think I'll be going back," Harry answered.
Hermione nodded her head at him in understanding. After a silent moment, she looked down and saw that her tray of breakfast foods had been depleted.
"Well, I'll take this down to the kitchen," Hermione said, waving her wand to make the tray levitate in mid-air once again. "And you should really get out of bed to start your day," she said, giving him a pointed look.
He smiled over at her as he said in a joking manner, "I'll think about it."
She rolled her eyes at him, while he laughed several times. Hermione got off of Harry's bed as he too stood to his feet, stretching his arms high over his head.
Just as she was about to make her way out of his bedroom, she suddenly stopped.
The rain then unexpectedly began to beat harder and harder, with water droplets pelting against the window.
Hermione looked back at Harry who was watching her curiously. Her warm, brown eyes looked lost in a faraway memory of hers as she said quietly, "I remember something else about the time you and I were together after Ron had left us."
Harry noticed that Hermione's eyes slowly looked down at her hand, before looking back up at his unruly hair. She then stared over at him for a long moment, as it seemed as if she wanted to say something to him, but she seemed hesitant.
Then, for some reason, their connection during that solid moment in time was suddenly severed. Hermione blinked rapidly a couple of times before she quickly made her way out of Harry's bedroom without another word, leaving him alone.
As Harry heard hear making her way down the staircase, he breathed in deeply, as he was unaware that his heart had started to suddenly beat very fast against his chest. Shaking his head slightly, he followed Hermione out of his room and entered into the second-floor bathroom, shutting the door softly behind him.
The rain outside had eased once again, returning to its pitter-patter state, while the grey, overcast clouds continued to roll over Godric's Hollow.
Harry looked at himself in the rectangular mirror of the lavatory, as he grasped the edges of the pure, white pedestal sink in front of him.
He knew in his head and in his heart that Hermione remembered her hand brushing over his hair. He saw with his own two eyes that she looked down at her hand before glancing up at his head, but why didn't she say anything about it? Was it possible that to Hermione, that touch really meant nothing more than a pure gesture of friendship? Was it possible that Harry was looking far too deeply into a situation that was strictly platonic?
Harry rubbed the sleep from his eyes before splashing a cold bout of water over his face, as his mind became conflicted. He felt something for Hermione, that much he was sure of, but what he didn't know was how far the extent of his feelings had traveled to.
On top of that, he didn't know what Hermione felt of him, which was a more concerning matter. Did she view him as a friend, or a brother, or was it possible that she viewed him as something more?
As these wayward thoughts scattered throughout his head, he brushed his teeth, before exiting the washroom, and going back into his bedroom, changing into a dark blue shirt and a pair of jeans.
However, before he left, he found himself pacing around the inside perimeter of his bedroom, wondering if his initial question about if Hermione remembered anything during their time together after Ron had left them, had made them feel weird around each other, damaging their relationship they shared.
One of the things he liked most about spending his past week with Hermione was how comfortable they were around one another. There were no uncomfortable silences or awkward moments, for they understood each other on an unexplainable level. But what if Harry had asked too much? After all, Hermione was the brightest witch of her age, a title she so well deserved. She must've read the undercurrents of his question, and maybe she thought his implication was of a different meaning.
The entire time he paced around his room, however, Harry felt himself growing more and more uncomfortable with the thoughts that were plaguing his head. Sighing in defeat, he exited his room before making his way downstairs. He walked into the kitchen to see Hermione standing against the sink, with her back to him.
"Uh, Hermione," Harry asked, feeling somewhat nervous.
However, as she turned around, he saw that a piece of parchment was in her hand.
"What's that," Harry questioned.
"A letter from Mr. Weasley," she answered, but something in her tone of voice made him feel uneasy.
"What's it say?"
Without answering, she handed the letter over to him as he read:
To Harry and Hermione,
I hope the two of you are doing well! I first and foremost wanted to thank the both of you for coming to Fred's funeral last night; it meant a lot to me and my family, as I am positive it would've meant a lot to Fred as well.
I am sending you this letter because I have some rather important things that I need to discuss with the both you, rather immediately. It turns out that your trip to Australia uncovered a rather large cage of pixies, more so than I am able to write to you both currently. I did not wish to impose this on you last night, in honor of my late son.
But, I hope for you Harry that you don't worry too much, as I am able to inform you that you have been cleared of all charges, and you will not have to stand trial in front of Australia's Magical Parliament Monarchy.
However, I'm afraid I can tell you no more until I see the two of you. If you are able to make it down to the Ministry of Magic today, that would be most ideal, as I will be in my office until noon, awaiting your arrival.
Hope to see you soon,
Arthur Weasley,
Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement
When Harry finished reading the letter, he looked up to see that Hermione was gazing over at him with questioning eyes.
"What is he talking about, Harry, when he said that you don't have to stand trial in front of Australia's Magical Parliament Monarchy," Hermione asked.
He sighed audibly as he set Mr. Weasley's letter down on the kitchen table, not willing to meet her eyes.
"Harry," Hermione asked, a slight edge to her voice.
"Back when you were in St. Mungo's, Mr. Weasley and Kingsley informed me that the magical officials of Australia weren't happy that a Death Eater had infiltrated their borders and that I had killed one of them," Harry answered. "They wanted me to stand trial because of what happened there."
"Why didn't you tell me about this," Hermione asked, her voice masking that of a soft, yet beautiful sounding bell that was ringing off across a green country.
He shrugged his shoulders as he replied, "I don't know, Hermione. I just didn't want you to worry."
"Harry, I told you earlier that I always worry about you," she replied softly, "and I don't think I'll ever stop. It's become like a force of habit, I guess."
"Mr. Weasley and Kingsley told me about this right before you woke up. You were badly injured and I didn't feel like you needed anything more to be anxious over. One thing led to another, and over time, I just forgot about it," Harry responded truthfully.
Hermione didn't nod her head in understanding, but instead, she just stood there, looking at him. Her eyes started to water slightly, while a stray lock of her brown hair broke away from the ponytail she kept it in, falling down her face.
"Hermione, what's wrong," Harry asked softly, walking towards her, his heart thumping in alarm.
A single tear escaped down her cheek towards freedom, as she looked away from Harry's face.
"I don't want to talk about them, Harry. I haven't had time to heal over my mum and dad yet," she said so quietly that he strained to hear her.
Without sparring a second thought, Harry pulled her into his arms as she cried softly into his chest, as her hands clasped behind his back. His embrace was not one of romance, but rather, it was one of genuine comfort.
"Well, you did pretty good last night, right," Harry asked her gently. "I didn't hear you having a nightmare or anything…maybe it's a small step for you in the right direction."
He felt her shake her head against him as she whispered, "I put up silencing charms."
At this, Harry felt as if he had been punched in the gut. He automatically stepped away from her, almost as if she had physically burned him. He stared over at her with his mind racing at the speed of light, while more tears rushed to the surface of her eyes.
Even though it hurt him to see her cry, anger rushed through his already shaking body, as he asked in a harsh voice, "Why would you do that, Hermione?"
She shook her head back and forth sadly, as she responded, "I didn't want you-," but Harry cut her off.
"To what?! To worry over you…to be concerned for you?! What was the reason?! How could you possibly even think to put up silencing charms?!" Harry's loud yells seemed to echo off of the cottage's walls, as he saw Hermione step away from him.
"Harry," Hermione started, her voice cracking.
"How could you even possibly think to do something like that?!"
As more tears ran down Hermione's face, Harry's anger subsided somewhat, as he tried to force himself to calm down; however, he was still aghast that Hermione would even think to put up silencing charms around her bedroom, trying to make Harry believe that she had no night terrors.
After taking several deep breaths, he said in as an even manner as he could muster, "Hermione, I told you before that I'm here to help you…that I want to help you. You've become so good at hiding your insecurities that sometimes I don't know what to think when I'm around you. But, I'll always be here for you, no matter what."
She sniffled, as she wiped away another lone tear. She looked up at Harry and replied, "I'm sorry, Harry, but I just didn't want you to see me like you did the night I was dreaming of my parents. Everything that has happened with my mum and dad this past week, I try not to think of it; I'm trying to block it out of my head. It just hurts too much to think otherwise."
Harry once again stepped closer to Hermione, as he looked down into her warm, brown eyes.
"You need me, Hermione," Harry stated firmly and clearly, "and I need you. I don't want there to be any more secrets between us, please. I promise to tell you everything only if you can do the same."
Hermione regarded what he had said, before she sniffled again, and nodded her head, though she was staring down at the kitchen floor.
Harry reached down and tenderly lifted her chin with his finger so that she would meet his eyes directly.
"How does that sound to you," he asked her.
While looked up at him, she nodded and said, "That sounds good to me."
Afterwards, Harry enfolded her into a hug once again, as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her as tightly as he could against him. In turn, Hermione wrapped her arms tightly around his middle, as he noticed that the side of her head was resting against his chest.
They stood like this for several minutes, just the two of them, holding onto each other tightly, as if their own sanity depended on it.
Harry heard Hermione sigh in contentment against him, as then a small smile escaped onto his face, while he rested his head atop of hers. It was at this moment in time when Harry closed his eyes, as he thought about the picture he had seen before of his mum and dad, sitting in the very kitchen he and Hermione found themselves in at the present time, holding onto each other's hands, while giving each other looks of pure affection and love.
Although he and Hermione were not gazing into each other's eyes as his parents had in the picture that was taken of them, did Harry and Hermione's embrace emulate that of his mum and dad, with the only difference being in their displays of affection was the time during a war versus the time after a war had ended? Harry didn't know, but the only thought that remained in his head at that moment was that he never wanted to let Hermione go.
He felt so right holding her against him as it felt the world had finally stabilized, almost like they matched up together like pieces of a puzzle. Harmony and calm surrounded the pair as Hermione was the first to loosen her arms around Harry's middle, in which Harry mentally protested. But soon enough, he too removed his arms from around her, even though he didn't want to, as Hermione gave him a small smile.
"You're too good to me, Harry," she said softly.
Harry shrugged his shoulders rather sheepishly as he replied, "We're good to each other."
Hermione sniffled for a final time before she let out a long breath and asked, "So do you suppose we should go down to the Ministry today?"
"Only if you feel like it," Harry responded, "because if not, we can always go another day."
"I know, but Mr. Weasley sounded pretty urgent that he see us as soon as possible," Hermione said back, walking over to the kitchen table and scanning over his letter quickly.
"He's probably going to ask us questions about what happened down in Australia," Harry told Hermione, turning around to face her. "I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with yet."
"I know," she nodded, "but we have to meet with him sooner or later and I think that we should go today."
"Okay," Harry said, "how about we leave in a couple of minutes, or so?"
"That sounds good," Hermione replied, "I still have to get dressed and everything."
With that, Hermione departed from the kitchen, leaving Harry behind. He picked up Mr. Weasley's letter again and re-read it. Although Harry was relieved he would not have to stand trial for the murder of the Death Eater, Mr. Weasley's letter implied that there was something bigger at work that he initially realized. Harry wondered what this could be, especially after the war, which had ended a little over a week ago, and had nearly torn their world in half.
Several minutes later, Hermione entered back into the kitchen. Harry turned to face her as he asked evenly, "Are you ready?"
She nodded before she asked, "Harry, do you want to take your invisibility cloak with you like you did last time?"
Harry thought about this for a moment before he shook his head. "I can't continue to hide," he reasoned, "it wouldn't make any sense."
After Hermione nodded her approval, the two stepped closer together. In the next second, she grabbed his hand and together, they disapparated out of Godric's Hollow in West Country and to the Ministry of Magic in London.
They appeared behind an old, one-story building, hearing the busy streets of a normal morning in Muggle London nearby. Not noticing that a copy of the Metro had blown over near the base of a close-by dumpster, the pair walked hand-in-hand under an overcast sky, as they made their over to the bright, red telephone booth that would grant them access to the Ministry of Magic.
The pair shuffled inside it, as Hermione turned towards the telephone and pressed the numbers six, two, four, four, two. Instantly after she did so, the same, cool, female voice rang around the telephone box they had heard the last time they were here asking for a portkey from Kingsley to travel down to Australia, as she stated, "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."
"Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. We're here to see Arthur Weasley," Harry said at once.
"Thank you. Visitors, please take the guest badges and attach them to the front of your robes." They did as they were told after two badges slide out of the telephone chute. Harry looked down at his badge and saw Harry Potter, Department of Magical Law Enforcement Engagement.
"Please note that all visitors must require a wand investigation at the security desk, located at the far end of the Atrium. The Ministry of Magic wishes you a magical day," the cool voice finished, in which, the telephone box then started to sink into the pavement.
Harry and Hermione were both cast in a silent darkness momentarily before the telephone box appeared in the Atrium of the Ministry.
Harry opened the door for Hermione to step out first in which he instantly followed. As they proceeded to walk over to the security desk, the red telephone box rose up from the Atrium floor and disappeared up into blackness.
Green bouts of fire whooshed on their left and right sides as workers entered the Ministry of Magic to start their work day.
Harry subtly noticed that many people turned their attention towards him, as he walked next to Hermione right past the fountain of the Magical Brethren. He then heard whispers behind his back as he grew distinctly uncomfortable.
"That's the one who defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, that is!" "He's the Chosen One, ain't tha' righ', 'Ern?" "My, my, bless their souls!" "What a handsome young fellow! My niece would appreciate an arm-candy like that!"
The pair marched up to the security desk to see the same young man they had seen the last time they visited the Ministry. His brown hair was now slightly past his shoulders while his mustache was a little thicker than the time before.
Upon seeing the pair approach his desk, the man, looking at Hermione, said, "Back again, eh?"
"Yes," she replied a little curtly.
"Well you know the drill," he replied in a monotone voice, nodding his head for her to walked around his small desk.
"Stretch out your arms, miss," he ordered after Hermione stepped behind his desk. She did as she was told before the young man waved a thin, golden rod over her.
"Wand," he said next, clearly bored by the proceedings, as Hermione handed over her wand. He placed her wand on a scale in which afterward, a slip of parchment appeared.
"Ten and three-quarter inches, made of vine wood with a dragon heartstring core," he yawned widely.
After handing Hermione's wand back to her, he then waved Harry over wordlessly. Again, the young man waved the thin, golden rod over Harry, before holding out his hand for Harry to place his wand in.
Placing it on the same scale, a slip of parchment materialized in which the young man read aloud, "Eleven inches, made of holly with a phoenix feather core. Is that your wand?"
"Yes," Harry replied.
As the man handed Harry's wand back to him, his eyes gazed up first towards his face, before looking at his lightning-bolt shaped scar.
"Now hang on just a minute," the man began, his index finger pointed up in the air as if he was about to make a point of reasoning.
However, before he could do so, Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him away, not before shouting a quick, "Thanks, have a great day," over her shoulder.
Harry looked down at Hermione with an amused look plastered over his face.
Noticing this, she gave him half a smirk and asked, "What's that look for Harry?"
"Nothing," he replied, "but I can still see that you're not overly fond of the security."
"Hardly," she replied softly, rolling her eyes.
The pair made their way over to the lifts, morphing into a larger pool of witches and wizards that had gathered there, in order to wait their turn to take the lift down to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
"I just don't understand, Nancy, why he would be hanging around someone like that," Harry and Hermione heard an aged witch say to her co-worker. "I mean, he's famous and all! Why on earth would Harry Potter settle for some simple Muggleborn? It just doesn't make any sense!"
Harry unknowingly squeezed Hermione's hand in anger.
He looked down at her as she squeezed back. She gave him a small smile as she whispered up to him, "Just ignore them."
He nodded once before hearing, "I know, I know! The young generation nowadays is all screwy if you ask me, Beth! My granddaughter, I think, would be a fine catch for Mr. Potter! But instead, the young lad wastes his time with that Muggleborn!"
"You know, I did read an article one time by Rita Skeeter, saying that the Muggleborn, whatever her name is, is extremely intelligent. I wouldn't put it past her type of people to slip him a love potion," Beth suggested.
"Oh, Beth, you may be onto something there! I'm telling you these dirty Muggleborns have no idea how to behave like proper, civilized witches and wizards," Nancy replied.
"Honestly," Hermione harshly whispered, as she tugged Harry away from Nancy and Beth, over to a line for a lift that was far away from the two women.
"Hermione, are you okay," Harry asked quietly, looking down at her.
She seemed to regain her composure somewhat as she replied after a long moment, "Yes, I'm fine."
"I thought that type of stuff would've ended after the war," Harry commented, looking back over at the two women who were still going about their conversation.
"Harry, there will always be people like that, holding their own prejudiced views against Muggles and Muggleborns. I don't think it's something that ever really goes away," Hermione responded.
"Well I think it's just ridiculous," Harry replied, "that one woman even called you simple!"
Hermione turned to face him with a smirk displayed across her face.
"Let's just forget about it," she told him, as the pair made their way into a lift, jam-packed with a crowd of witches and wizards, who again whispered at Harry and Hermione.
"Harry, what level is the Department of Magical Law Enforcement on," Hermione whispered over to him.
"I think it's on level two," he replied, pressing the '2' button.
The golden grills clanged loudly about as they slammed shut, while the lift plummeted downward.
After making several stops along the way, Harry and Hermione finally exited the wild lifts.
They walked down a short hallway, atop of a dark blue carpet, before turning a corner. The couple then faced a set of heavy oak doors, in which the words 'Auror Headquarters' was plastered upon in bright, silver lettering.
"Well come on then," Harry said, pushing open the doors with one hand, as his hand was still clasped with Hermione's.
The pair then walked through the doors and into a wide open space divided in small cubicles.
Looking around, Harry spotted an open door directly to his right, and led Hermione over. Peeking his head inside the doorway, Harry saw Mr. Weasley sitting behind a large desk scribbling away on a piece of parchment, while two stacks of papers towered against one corner of his office.
"Mr. Weasley," Harry called out, knocking against his door with his knuckles.
He looked up and said, "Harry, Hermione! Come in, come in."
They did as they were told as Mr. Weasley gestured for them to take two seats that were placed in front of his desk.
"Just a moment, I need to finish this off," he told them, as he continued to jot down a rather long note.
After he had finished, he picked up his wand and tapped the piece of parchment, which then folded itself up like an envelope.
"Minister Shacklebolt," Mr. Weasley said, in which the parchment zoomed out of the room and out of sight.
Afterwards, he flicked his wand over the heads of Harry and Hermione in which they heard his door close in the next instant.
Setting his wand down, he clasped his hands together, looked over at the pair, and said with a smile, "Harry, Hermione, how are you two doing this morning?"
"We're fine," Hermione replied, while Harry nodded his head in agreement next to her. "How are you?"
"I, myself, am fine, but I'm afraid that things are somewhat strained back at the Burrow," he replied, as his smile turned into a slight frown. "Ron and Ginny are quite upset."
"Mr. Weasley, Harry and I didn't mean to hurt Ron and Ginny last night. We really were there for Fred's funeral," Hermione said.
"Hermione, believe me when I say that I do not blame you or Harry for anything that happened. I'm happy that the two of you were able to make it last night, though I wish that Ron and Ginny had picked a better time to discuss rather personal matters with the two of you. As such, they both informed me that you, Hermione, were staying with Harry in Godric's Hollow," Mr. Weasley said.
"But I did not call you here to converse about the relationships of my children. I called you here today because after Fred's funeral last night, I found some rather unsettling news about the skirmish you two had whilst in Australia."
With these words, Harry instantly looked sideways at Hermione, which did not go unnoticed by Mr. Weasley.
"Hermione, I know that it must be hard for you to talk about what happened down there, but for reasons which I will disclose to the two of you very soon, I need to know exactly what you saw down there and what you remember of it," Mr. Weasley told her kindly.
She nodded her head as she then told her and Harry's tale of what she remembered down in Brisbane. All the while, Harry rested his hand upon her knee, letting her know that he was right beside her the entire time.
Harry noticed that Mr. Weasley looked quite horrified at what had transpired, as even though Harry had told him that Hermione's parents had been killed, he didn't know of the gruesome details of the situation.
When she had finished, Harry saw that her eyes were fixated down upon her lap. He lightly squeezed her knee in comfort, in which she rested her right hand over his, effectively trapping his hand.
"Hermione, I'm once again very, very sorry for what you had to see and for the loss of your parents," Mr. Weasley stated seriously.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Mr. Weasley sighed audibly as he continued, "Well, I have to inform the both of you that you did not battle any Death Eaters down in Australia."
At this, both Harry and Hermione looked over at him with stunned expressions.
"What," Harry asked, disbelief spreading throughout his body, "you told me that the woman I brought back from Australia was branded with the Dark Mark."
"Indeed, I did," Mr. Weasley replied, "but I'm sorry to say that I did not check for the Dark Mark myself. The two aurors that were standing guard of her hospital room in St. Mungo's informed me that they had seen the Dark Mark upon her arm. We transferred her to Azkaban prison to await her trail when she suddenly collapsed last night."
"Where is she now," Harry asked bitterly.
"She's dead," Mr. Weasley replied simply.
"She's dead," Hermione asked slowly, clearly confused. "But…how?" She looked over at Harry who wore a now shocked expression.
"That is what we are still trying to determine. She was imprisoned, alone in her own cell, when she fainted. There is no proof of foul play or anything of that matter. Her vitals were operating normally, according to Healer Jones when we brought her to St. Mungo's late last night. We, again, had two aurors standing guard of her room in the hospital. Healer Jones went in to check on her early this morning to find out that she had died, with both of her eyes missing," Mr. Weasley finished.
"Her eyes were gone," Hermione questioned, with a look of disgust on her face.
Mr. Weasley nodded as he answered, "Yes, both of her eyes were gone. It was then that I noticed that the Dark Mark was nowhere to be found on her arm."
"Could it be possible that it was under a disillusionment charm," Hermione asked, her face now serious.
"Certainly, but we checked for that and found that no sort of a disillusionment charm was used."
Harry and Hermione shared a look of concern with one another before returning their attention back towards Mr. Weasley.
"So what happens now," Harry asked.
"Well, right now, we have to find out as much information as we can about this woman, to see what connections she had, where she lived, with whom she spoke to. It's a process, but rest assured that it is an ongoing investigation."
"What about the two aurors that told you this woman had been branded with the Dark Mark," Harry inquired, "what happened to them?"
"They have been placed on administrative leave without pay," Mr. Weasley answered immediately. "I cannot have my department make these kinds of mistakes, especially after what had happened with V-V-Voldemort and the war we had just gotten out of. But, Harry, in my letter I sent to you early this morning, I did tell you that you do not have to stand trial in front of Australia's Magical Parliament Monarchy. But do you know why?"
Harry thought over this for a long moment before he answered, "Because I didn't kill a Death Eater."
"Exactly," Mr. Weasley responded.
Harry's mind felt discombobulated after everything Mr. Weasley had told him and Hermione. It seemed to him that nothing about this situation made any sense.
Suddenly, Harry remembered something he thought was worth noting. "Mr. Weasley, back at St. Mungo's, I met our old Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lockhart, on the fifth floor. He said that a raven had escaped in St. Mungo's. I didn't think much of it at the time, but when I came back down to the floor Hermione was on, there were feathers all over the ward. Wasn't the woman I brought back from Australia on the same floor as Hermione?"
Mr. Weasley considered what Harry had said, before nodding his own head. He took out a piece of parchment along with a quill and ink, before writing down what Harry had informed him.
"I'll look in that, Harry," Mr. Weasley said.
Mr. Weasley then looked over the pair before him with sad eyes and told them, "I know that this is probably the last thing you two want to deal with right now, but I want to issue you both a word of caution: it is clear that something is at work within our community, taking place out of the public eye. Just, please be careful. I don't know what we're dealing with here but it seems to me that we have been blind on this matter and that V-Voldemort and his Death Eaters were not the only threat to us here in Britain."
Author's Note: Sorry for the sudden end, but I had intended for this chapter to go on, but realized that it would've been way too long. Chapter 12 will be posted late Friday night. But be warned, that chapter will be quite a lot of "fluff." The beginning of this chapter highlights the proposal of when I think Harry and Hermione should have gotten together in the books. Thanks for reading.