Chapter 12: The Head and the Heart
Both of their heads were spinning at the information Mr. Weasley informed them of whilst the pair were at the Ministry of Magic. Death Eaters, in fact, had not impersonated Hermione's parents at all; however, Mr. Weasley had no answer as to who did or why.
Harry looked over at Hermione who looked to be just as confused as he felt. His hand, though, never left Hermione's knee, as he now held on to it just to make sure that he was facing reality instead of strolling through a new nightmare.
"I am sorry that I do not have all of the answers to your questions you have just now, but rest assured that this is a highly conductive case. We will have everything concluded in due time," Mr. Weasley said over to the pair with a sad expression upon his face, as his hands were clasped tougher, resting upon his desk.
Harry and Hermione nodded wordlessly, as they were both lost in their own thoughts, thoughts that were as wide as an ocean.
Noticing their silence, Mr. Weasley sighed and then asked, "Well, that was all I had to tell you for the time being. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Hermione shook her head from side to side, while a thought popped in to Harry's head.
"Actually there is. A few days ago, my aunt visited Hermione and I in Godric's Hollow. She was able to see Potter's Cottage but I thought that the home was supposed to be invisible to Muggles," Harry questioned.
At this, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's eyebrows rose in surprise as he considered Harry's words.
"Indeed it is supposed to be," Mr. Weasley replied.
"But, Mr. Weasley, I read in a book back at Hogwarts that any magical enchantments that is placed around a property can be broken if a witch or wizard that has a claim for its ownership takes authority over it," Hermione intervened. "Couldn't that have been the case with Harry and Potter's Cottage?"
"Hermione, although you are quite right, that claim has to be undertaken with the Ministry of Magic, which I am certain Harry did not do, did you," Mr. Weasley asked.
Harry shook his back and forth in answer.
"But, how then could his aunt see Potter's Cottage," Hermione inquired.
"It's something that I'll have to look into," he replied, picking up his quill and jotting down another note on his parchment. "That is very odd, indeed."
"What happens if I never take claim of Potter's Cottage with the Ministry," Harry asked.
"Nothing happens actually," Mr. Weasley answered, "it's just that Potter's Cottage will remain hidden from the Muggles."
"But couldn't all wizarding families decide not lay claim to their own households so that they can remain hidden from Muggles," Hermione questioned, as her eyebrows pulled together in interest.
"They could do so," Mr. Weasley nodded, "but this branch of magical property does not pertain to all wizarding homes. A request must be made for this to take effect and it must be approved by the Ministry. I can tell you that not many homes of witches and wizards here in Britain are under such restrictions."
"But who made the request for Potter's Cottage," Harry asked.
"It was Professor Dumbledore. He made the request during the final days of the first war. Albus also placed the home of the Longbottoms under this protection as well. After V-Voldemort's first fall back in 1981, I believe Augusta Longbottom, that is Neville's grandmother, made her claim for the ownership of the Longbottom household, which was granted by the Ministry," Mr. Weasley explained. "However, this still does not clarify why Harry's aunt was able to see Potter's Cottage."
As Harry thought about this, he deduced that he quite liked the idea of Potter's Cottage being hidden from Muggles even though the home was situated quite far away from the nearest Muggle household. He decided that, for the time being, he would not put in a request to claim ownership of Potter's Cottage in Godric's Hollow.
However, another thought entered Harry's mind at that moment.
"Mr. Weasley, before they passed on, Remus and Tonks told me that I was the godfather of their son, Teddy," Harry started, though he was quite uncomfortable talking about Remus and Tonks. "I thought it would be a good idea to go and see him but I don't know where he lives."
"I can help you there, Harry," Mr. Weasley stated, fixating a bright smile upon his face. "Teddy lives with his grandmother, Andromeda, in Castle Combe, Wiltshire, right by the Bybrook River. Here, I can give the address."
Mr. Weasley once again scribbled away on a stray piece of parchment before he handed it over to Harry.
"Thank you," Harry replied, taking his hand off of Hermione's knee while retrieving the slip of parchment. He looked down at the address Mr. Weasley had given him, before folding it in two and putting it in his jeans pocket.
"No problem at all, Harry," Mr. Weasley replied happily. "I'm positive that you will be a great godfather to young Teddy Lupin, just as Sirius was to you."
Harry could only nodded his head in silence as was unsure of how to reply to that sentiment.
Mr. Weasley turned his gaze from Harry to Hermione, as he then asked, "And how are your injuries, Hermione? I forgot to ask you about them last night."
"My injuries are gone," Hermione answered with a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes, "there's no more physical pain at all."
"And how are you getting along with what happened down in Australia," Mr. Weasley inquired in a fatherly way.
Harry looked over at her in a concerned manner as she shrugged her shoulders while replying quietly, "It'll be a while before I can truly accept that they're gone."
Mr. Weasley nodded in understanding while he said, "I know it hurts, Hermione, but never forget that our loved ones never truly leave us, even if you can't see them."
Hermione could only nod her head at him in answer.
After a moment of silence, Mr. Weasley then questioned, "Do you two plan on helping with the Hogwarts' repairs? I believe they are starting that today."
"Really," Harry asked, as Mr. Weasley nodded his head.
"Yes, Headmistress McGonagall told me that she hoped for Hogwarts to re-open in time for the fall term. I believe she needed all the help she could get."
"We'll go there right away then," Hermione said, looking over at Harry who nodded his head at her statement, agreeing with her, happy to see that her focus had drifted away from the painful memory of her parents to helping Hogwarts.
Mr. Weasley smiled over at them, cheerful with the fact that after everything that had taken place at the ancient school, they were willing to go back to it.
Harry and Hermione then stood to their feet, getting ready to leave, as Mr. Weasley did the same. Hermione, however, seemed to hesitate for a small moment.
Shooting Harry a serious look, she turned her attention towards Mr. Weasley and said, "Mr. Weasley, I wanted you to know that I didn't mean to hurt Ron in any way last night. I know he's angry with me but I just don't share the same feelings he has for me."
"Hermione, don't put any of this blame upon yourself, and that goes for you too, Harry. Molly wants what she thinks is best for our children, and I can't help but share those same feelings. However, sometimes Molly decides to turn a blind eye in what she knows in her head to be true, only to placate what she believes in her heart. In your case, she firmly believes that Harry is the best fit for Ginny and that Hermione is the best fit for Ron. It also doesn't hurt that both Ginny and Ron share feelings for the two of you, also."
Seeing the expressions of the faces of Harry and Hermione, Mr. Weasley then continued, "Even though love may not be fair, always remember to never let it go to waste…only fools would ever think to do such a thing."
Harry thought he saw a look of rebuke in Mr. Weasley's eyes as he briefly looked from him to Hermione. However, in the next instant, it had vanished.
"Now," Mr. Weasley continued, "if the two of you still want to go to Hogwarts, you can use my fireplace to get there through the Floo Network."
"That sounds fine to me," Harry replied, while Hermione nodded her head in agreement.
"Excellent," Mr. Weasley replied, gesturing over to his office's fireplace.
"You go first, Hermione," Harry said.
She nodded her head at him, as she turned towards a small pot that was situated on the mantle of the fireplace and took a handful of floo powder. Throwing it into the fireplace, a bout of sparkling green flames burst forth.
"You're going to going to McGonagall's office," Mr. Weasley explained, before Hermione nodded and stepped into the emerald green flames.
Once she did so, she enunciated very clearly, "Headmistress McGonagall's office, Hogwarts castle!" Hermione disappeared instantly, as a cascade of golden sparks showered into the air, signifying her departure.
As Harry was about to step in the harmless, bright green flames, Mr. Weasley suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder, holding him back.
"Harry, I must tell you before you leave to keep a look out over Hermione. I don't know who attacked her parents and killed them or why, but I believe that she is a target for an enemy we cannot see," he told him in a hurried manner.
"Don't worry, Mr. Weasley, I would do anything to protect her," Harry told him firmly.
"That's a good lad, now off you go," Mr. Weasley said, nodding his head towards the still burning fire.
Harry stepped inside, his mind racing with what Mr. Weasley had just told him, as a certain warmth spread throughout his body. Tucking his arms tightly against his side, he repeated Hermione's words loudly, "Headmistress McGonagall's office, Hogwarts castle!"
Harry suddenly felt himself twirling around in a quick pace like a spinning top, as his eyes barely viewed the other fireplaces that were connected to the Floo Network, zooming past each one.
Suddenly, he then stumbled rather unpleasantly upon a purple rug. As he opened his eyes, groaning slightly, Hermione's worried face came into view as she asked, "Harry, are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he responded, as Hermione grabbed his right arm and helped him pick himself up off of the hard floor.
Rubbing the back of his throbbing head, Harry looked around to see Headmistress McGonagall was sitting behind her desk, watching the pair with interest, though her hand was still clutching the outline of her heart, as if she had been startled. He also noticed that all of the portraits that hung from the walls of the office, including that of previous Headmaster Dumbledore, had their eyes upon the pair.
"Well, Mr. Potter, I was just telling Miss Granger what a pleasant surprise it is to see her and I must extend that same welcome to you as well," McGonagall said, "though I must admit that your visit is rather unexpected."
"We just came here from Mr. Weasley's office in the Ministry," Harry explained, "to help with the repairs of Hogwarts."
Harry noticed that Dumbledore's eyes seemed to swell with both pride and joy.
McGonagall, herself, seemed a bit taken aback, before she replied, "Of course, of course, but please, both of you take a seat as there is something I need to tell you."
Hermione relinquished Harry's arm as they walked over to two comfortable looking chairs and sat down in them, looking over at the new headmistress of Hogwarts. Harry noticed that the usual stern expression that seemed to be fixed upon the face of their past Transfiguration professor, was now one of contentment.
"First and foremost, I wanted to congratulate and thank the both of you over what you have accomplished and finished over the past half a year. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude to you two and Mr. Weasley over the defeat of Voldemort."
Both Harry and Hermione nodded their heads in acknowledgement over what McGonagall had said to them.
"I also wanted to know what your plans were pertaining to next term. Obviously, you did not complete your seventh-year but I am putting forth the fact that any student who wishes to complete their seventh-year and take their N.E.W.T.s are welcome to return to Hogwarts. I would like to let you know that, if you return, you will be appointed the positions of Head Boy and Head Girl."
Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw that Hermione had physically perked up, as he knew that one of her greatest ambitions since ever reading Hogwarts, A History, was to be Head Girl in her final year at the school. Harry, however, was surprised that he had also been selected for this distinct honor.
"Me, professor," he questioned, his eyebrows raised.
"Why I thought that would be fairly obvious, Potter, given all that you have done," McGonagall responded.
"But, what about Ron? He was a prefect before, and he was with us most of the time we were away," Harry replied.
"While that may be true, Potter, I have decided that your achievements, especially in defeating Voldemort, were more than worthy of becoming Head Boy," McGonagall said proudly, "but you must believe me when I say that I am not discrediting any fact of Mr. Weasley's triumphs in the slightest. This is all, of course, if the two of you decide to return on September first. Now, I believe that Miss Granger will come back, but I do not know yet, Potter, if you had chosen what you are going to do."
Before Harry could reply, Hermione cut in and said, "Actually, headmistress, I don't know what I'm going to do either."
After she said this, McGonagall's eyebrows shot up nearly into her retreating hairline, while her eyes grew wide as she looked over at her best student.
"Miss Granger, are you sure about that?"
"I don't know for sure, but recently, I had a change of mind," Hermione answered honestly. "I may come back and I may not."
After several long of moments of stunned silence, in which Harry thought that McGonagall was still trying to come to terms with the shock that Hermione might not return, the headmistress nodded her head and said, "Very well, whatever you choose to do, I'm positive that you will accomplish many great things, upon a much higher level than all of the accolades you have garnered over your years at Hogwarts."
Harry smiled over at Hermione with pride as she, herself, seemed close to tears at the kind sentiments her favorite professor had regaled to her, while her cheeks flushed a deep crimson.
"Thank you," she replied quietly.
After McGonagall offered her one of her rare smiles, the headmistress looked over expectantly at Harry.
"I also don't know if I'm coming back," he said, "but I don't know if I ever really considered it. I think that too much has happened for me to return."
McGonagall nodded over at him in understanding as she said, "I know what you mean, Potter. I think that deep down, I knew that you weren't keen on the idea of coming back to complete your education but I thought there was always some hope for you to do so."
"Well there still is," Harry replied, "I haven't made my final decision yet."
"You both have until the third week of August to give me your answers, so you have plenty of time to think it over," McGonagall relayed kindly. "Also, I do hope to have Hogwarts repaired before the end of the summer as the Ministry of Magic plans to have a celebration, here at Hogwarts, marking the end of Voldemort and the war. Minister Shacklebolt seems rather adamant over this issue as he believes this will truly mark the end of an era, as it will also signify our first step into the future that follows."
Harry looked over at Hermione, who was staring back at him in turn. He tried to convey to her through his gaze that he wasn't at all thrilled with this idea.
McGonagall, however, didn't seem to notice this, as she then said, "Now getting back to the topic at hand, I believe the repairs on Hogwarts will progress at an even pace if we subject different individuals to different parts of the castle that has been heavily damaged. Professors Flitwick, Sprout, and Slughorn have been hard at work in the restoration process, but as you two are both well aware, Hogwarts is quite large. I would like to have the two of you work on Gryffindor Tower, the seventh floor corridor, and the library. How does that sound?"
"That sounds perfectly fine, headmistress," Hermione said at once. "We'll get to work on that right now."
Harry and Hermione stood to their feet as McGonagall once again awarded them with a small smile, before they turned and departed from her office.
The pair descended the spiral staircase and stepped onto the stone floor of one the corridors of Hogwarts.
"Shall we start with Gryffindor Tower," Hermione asked, looking up at Harry.
"Yeah," he replied shortly, nodding his head, as they proceeded to make their way over to the place that had been their living quarters for the better part of the past six years.
Harry's mind, however, was clouded in doubt. Back in her office, McGonagall had told them that Shacklebolt planned to celebrate the end of the war, but he felt far from being a part of any form of celebration. Harry still felt heavy, as if his heart was weighed down by an anchor, by the loss the war had shed. How could anyone think about rejoicing during a time of such pain, sadness, and ache?
"Harry, are you alright," Hermione asked, breaking his train of thought.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he mumbled off-handedly.
Suddenly, Hermione's hand wrapped around his wrist, making him halt in his tracks.
"Harry," she started quietly, "don't you think that I would know by now whether or not you were telling me the truth?"
When he looked down at her, he felt his expression soften.
He sighed before he said, "I just don't know how Kingsley and McGonagall can talk about celebrating after everything that has happened. It's almost like they don't remember everyone that has died or everything that we lost during the war."
"Harry, I don't think Minster Shacklebolt or Headmistress McGonagall has forgotten the people that have died or the things that we lost; this celebration is supposed to represent the final end of Voldemort and the war. No one will ever forget the people that gave up their lives, fighting for what they believed in, like Fred and Remus and Tonks, but it's just like you told me before when my parents died: they wouldn't want us to continually despair over the loss of their lives, but instead, they would want all of us to live our lives to the fullest, living with no regrets."
Harry considered her words before shrugging his shoulders and saying simply, "I just don't feel this is worth celebrating."
"I know why you would feel that way, Harry," Hermione replied, taking his hand in hers, and squeezing it, "we all have our own ways in overcoming the loss of a loved one. It's okay that you feel this way."
Harry nodded his head once as he and Hermione strolled down the empty corridor, hand-in-hand.
The clouds outside the windows of the citadel had blanketed the sky above, obscuring the sun from Hogwarts. However, even though the rain had stopped falling for the time being, the clouds overhead indicated that the atmosphere was not to remain dry for much longer.
As the pair walked along a hallway lined with glass windows, Harry turned his head to look down at Hermione as he asked, "Hermione, what do you think about what Mr. Weasley told us back at the Ministry?"
She took a moment to ponder over his answer, before she replied, "I don't really know what to think, actually. This whole situation is just so confusing now. I mean, it doesn't seem like this was a random act of terror…it was coordinated and planned. I just hope Mr. Weasley can sort this mess out as soon as possible."
"You know I'll be here for you, right," Harry asked, as he stopped walking, making Hermione discontinue as well.
The pair turned towards each other as Hermione responded, "I know, Harry. You've helped me a lot ever since we came back from Australia."
Harry cocked his head to one side in question, as he didn't believe he had done too much in trying to console Hermione over the death of her parents.
"Really…how," he asked.
"Just by being there for me," Hermione answered straightforwardly. "I think that me staying with you in Godric's Hollow has helped me a lot, also. I couldn't even imagine being by myself at a time like this."
Harry took a deep breath before he said, "Well, you never have to be alone again."
At this, Hermione looked up into his bright, green eyes, with a puzzled expression upon her face.
"What do you mean by that," she asked, as their hands were still clasped within each other's.
Harry stumbled over what he wanted to say to her. "I mean that you're welcome to stay with me for as long as you'd like. After all, I'm the only one that lives there right now."
"I actually never really thought about living arrangements. I mean, we never really had to before. But if we don't come back, then it'll be different," Hermione reasoned.
"Why don't you stay with me," Harry suggested, "there's more than enough room for the two of us in Godric's Hollow."
"I know, but I don't think I could stay there forever."
"Why not?"
"Harry, it's your home, not mine."
"Do you mean that it doesn't feel like home to you," Harry asked.
"No, no that's not what I meant at all. I love the feel of Potter's Cottage; it feels so warm and inviting and cozy. But, it isn't something that I can call my own," Hermione explained.
"Do you miss your old home you had with your parents," Harry questioned, looking down at his best friend.
"Yes…and no. I miss it because that is where I grew up. I have so many memories from that house: it was where I performed magic for the first time…it was where I helped my dad cook and bake in the kitchen…and it was where I felt safe from everything and everyone around me. But, part of me never wants to even think about the home anymore because of my parents."
Something Hermione said, however, bothered Harry quite a bit.
"What do you mean when you say that you felt safe from everything and everyone around you," he asked, his eyebrows pulled together.
"Growing up, I didn't have many friends," Hermione started, before she paused for several moments. "Actually, that's not true; I didn't have any friends at all. I always was reading everything I could get my hands on. Even when my mum and dad took me to the playground or to the park, I always brought a book with me to read. Kids thought that I was weird and they made fun of me for it. They also teased me because of my hair and my two-front teeth that seemed out-of-place. I didn't really know how to talk to anyone my own age and I felt that no one would accept me anyway. So, instead, I read all the time.
"I escaped into faraway worlds that seemed so different from my reality. I used reading as a form of escapism. I could tell that my mum and dad wished and hoped that someday I would make a true friend…someone who was real, not fake or imaginary. But, before Hogwarts, I never did make any friends…not in grammar school, not on the playground, and not in the park."
At this point in time, Hermione looked away from Harry, as she pulled her hand out of his. She retreated over to a nearby window, looking out over the empty grounds of Hogwarts, while she wrapped her arms around herself.
Seeing Hermione in this state, Harry felt his heart constrict within his chest. He had never before given much thought to what Hermione's life was like before she came to Hogwarts for she had certainly never complained about it. However, after Hermione's confession, he came to the realization that Hermione was just as lonely as he was, while he lived with the Dursleys. Of course, their upbringing was drastically different from one another, as Hermione's mum and dad were loving and caring people, which was the complete opposite of Harry's aunt, uncle, and cousin.
Harry slowly walked over to her, his heart thumping wildly in his chest. He gulped rather loudly as he let out a long breath and said, "Hermione, you have friends now. You have me, Neville, Luna, and even Ron and Ginny to an extent."
At this, Hermione actually cracked a smile as she turned to face him, and said, "I don't really know about Ron and Ginny at this point. Even though I don't think that we're enemies, I'm not sure if they would consider me a friend of theirs right now."
"Well, you and I are probably in the same boat," Harry responded, nodding his head.
"Do you ever think things will return to normal with Ron and Ginny," Hermione questioned, looking up at Harry.
He shrugged his shoulders before replying, "I guess that depends if Ron and Ginny can accept the fact that we don't share the same romantic feelings they have for us. In a way, I don't think things will ever return to how they were before between the four of us…too much has changed."
"It's quite sad when you think about it, though, how feelings for one person can dramatically change how you go about being around that same person you have feelings for," Hermione stated thoughtfully. "I didn't ever think our friendship with Ron and Ginny would end like this."
"Then don't think of it as an end. Instead, try to think of it as the 'time being.' Anything can happen," Harry inserted.
Hermione nodded her head as her eyes raced around the stone floor beneath Harry's feet.
"Yeah, you're right, Harry," she said, looking back up at him.
However, when she did so, Harry's bright, green eyes locked onto Hermione's warm, brown irises. It was then that Harry felt that same magnetic pull towards Hermione, as his mind wondered and hoped that she felt it too. Harry took a step closer to Hermione, as they both seemed like they were lost in a trance they held over each other. Harry felt both his head and his heart yearning for him to lean down and kiss Hermione as he wanted to do so for quite some time now. But he didn't know if Hermione wanted him to; he didn't know how she would react if he kissed her.
Before he could muster his Gryffindor courage, a voice suddenly shattered the tense yet fragile air between Harry and Hermione.
"There you two are!"
Harry and Hermione instinctively stepped away from one another in a rush, as they turned their heads to see that Mrs. Weasley was making her way towards them.
"I have been looking all over the castle for you two! I really think we ought to sit down and have a chat," she said, with a large smile on her face.
"Mrs. Weasley, what're you doing here," Harry asked.
"Well I just talked with Arthur and he told me that the two of you had just visited him," she explained, "and came here to help with the repairs. But, there is something that I would like to say to the two of you."
Harry and Hermione shared a look with one another. One part of Harry wanted nothing more than to grab Hermione's hand and pull her away from this sudden situation that had presented itself before them, as an uneasy feeling had slowly crept over his body in goosebumps. However, the other side of Harry was somewhat interested in what she had to say, as he wanted to mark an end with Mrs. Weasley's attempts to pair him off with Ginny, and for Hermione to go off with Ron.
Hermione seemed to agree with this, as she nodded her head and said, "Okay, where would you like to go?"
"How about the Gryffindor common room," Mrs. Weasley suggested, "it's a place that we are all rather familiar with."
As Hermione nodded her head again, Mrs. Weasley beamed, and bustled towards them, squishing her away between Harry and Hermione, effectively separating them from one another.
An uncomfortable silenced settled upon this odd trio, as they made their way towards Gryffindor Tower.
They walked down a long hallway before they saw the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. However, upon reaching the painting of the Fat Lady, she looked down at Harry and said rather scornfully, "I'm afraid, my dear, that we see far too much of each other for my liking."
Harry mentally agreed though he decided he would keep his mouth shut, as he was now thoroughly annoyed that Mrs. Weasley had interrupted his time with Hermione. He since regretted not taking Hermione's hand and walking away from the Weasley mother with her.
"That's no way to talk to the man that saved the wizarding world," Mrs. Weasley said, her hands on her hips. "Do you have any idea who this boy is?!"
The Fat Lady's eyes grew wide as she raised her hand and rested it upon her chest before saying, "Excuse you, but this boy has chastised me over the past week far more times than I can count."
"Oh what a bunch of nonsense," Mrs. Weasley yelled, waving both of her hands at the painting.
This did not sit well with the Fat Lady as her face had suddenly turned a bright red as she said back, her voice shaking in a barely controlled anger, "Well, it is not my fault, darling, that you weren't around to see it! Perhaps you were too distracted with concocting another love potion!"
Mrs. Weasley's jaw dropped open, before she mentally recovered and screamed, "How dare you?!"
"How dare me, oh no, how dare you," the Fat Lady quickly shot back, as Harry noticed her hands had balled into fists at her side.
As the two women stared daggers at each other, Mrs. Weasley then said with quite an air of arrogance, "Well, at least I have a talent with potions, which is far more than I can say about you and your singing ability, or lack thereof!"
Just as the Fat Lady was about to angrily reply, Hermione stepped in front of the Fat Lady and said in a calm manner, "Please, all we want to do is to get into Gryffindor Tower."
The Fat Lady looked down at Hermione as if she had suddenly grown another head.
"And why on earth should I let you three inside? You have with you, you have this little boy here," the Fat Lady started, pointing a sausage-like finger at Harry, "who goes around, laughing and making fun of me, while this woman over there," she continued, directing her stubby finger towards Mrs. Weasley, "goes around insulting me!"
"But if you let us in, we could be out of your way and you won't have to see any of us again," Hermione tired to reason, "accept when we leave, of course," she muttered under her breath.
The Fat Lady glared down at both Harry, and then at Mrs. Weasley, before she swung open her portrait, emitting the three to venture inside.
"What a testy woman," Mrs. Weasley declared loudly, when the trio had made their way into the Gryffindor common room, "I don't remember her being like that during my time at Hogwarts."
She then looked over at the expectant faces of both Harry and Hermione.
"Well, let's all take a seat," she exclaimed in a somewhat excited manner, as Harry and Hermione took a seat next to each other on the couch in front of the fireplace, while Mrs. Weasley whipped out her wand and waved it in the air, before a comfortable looking chair appeared instantly in front of Harry and Hermione. Harry inwardly thought that their seating arrangements represented some sort of counseling service.
"So, Harry, Hermione," Mrs. Weasley started, "last night, I must say that the two of you left at a rather inopportune time, as both Ron and Ginny seemed quite distraught after the conversations you had with them. I know that we are all going through a period of transition right now, seeing that the war had just ended and all, but I firmly believe that my children are the best fit for the two of you."
Anger started bubbling inside of Harry at her words, but before he could say anything, Hermione replied, "Mrs. Weasley, Harry and I both love Ron and Ginny as our friends. We spent so much time together over our years at Hogwarts together that I don't think we see them as anything more. Even though Harry and Ginny had dated before and I kissed Ron during the final battle, our feelings for them have changed since then."
Mrs. Weasley seemed to regard Hermione's words as she then expressed, "Well, can't you give them another chance? My children are hurting, Hermione, and they are hurting quite thoroughly."
"I don't mean any disrespect, Mrs. Weasley, but we are all hurting right now," Hermione responded. "Not just Ron and Ginny, but also me and Harry."
"Which is why I think that you two should pair up with my children," Mrs. Weasley stated, "it's all such a perfect fit! I know that my family doesn't have a lot of money, as we are quite poor, but the Weasley family offers so much love and admiration for the two of you, especially Ron and Ginny."
When Harry heard the pleading issuing within the words she spoke, he wondered why Mrs. Weasley was so intent on the idea that he and Ginny and Ron and Hermione should date each other. To him, it didn't make any sense why she would champion the idea so much.
After a quick moment of silence, Harry saw out of the corner of his eyes Hermione shrug her shoulders and say, "We just don't feel that way anymore about Ron and Ginny, there's nothing more to it."
Mrs. Weasley then turned to Harry and asked, "Well, what do you think, Harry dear? My Ginny is totally and completely heartbroken with this matter at hand. You don't like to see her like that, do you?"
Harry inwardly sighed before he said, "No, I don't like to see her like that, but, I also told Ginny more than once that I don't share the same feelings for her that she does for me…at least, not anymore."
"I just don't understand! You were a perfect fit for her, Harry! What changed between you two," Mrs. Weasley questioned, her face growing red in anguish.
"Everything changed," Harry stated simply, "I changed and so did Ginny. We aren't the same people that we were back at Hogwarts."
Mrs. Weasley stared over at the pair of them for a quick minute before she threw her hands up in the air and cried out, "Well I don't believe this! After everything I did for the two of you, you are willing to turn your backs on the Weasley family? This is just preposterous! We all treated and considered you as our own family! You two should be ashamed-,"
However, before she could say any more, Harry stood to his feet in an instant, fury rolling off of his body in waves.
In as even a voice as he could manage, he said, "Hermione and I haven't done anything wrong and we didn't turn our backs on the Weasley family. We have already told you that we don't feel the same way as we did before for Ron and Ginny. If you can't accept that, then that's not our problem. But I am tired of feeling like the bad guy just because I don't have any romantic feelings for your daughter anymore. You are trying to persuade Hermione and I to enter into relationships that we don't want to be a part of. I don't understand why you can't see that?"
"My Ginny loves you, Harry, with all of her heart. If you could just give her another chance…,"
"She doesn't love me…she loves the idea of me," Harry replied in a cold voice.
With that being said, Harry strode away from a shocked-looking Mrs. Weasley and left the Gryffindor common room in haste.
Roughly pushing open the portrait of the Fat Lady, Harry stepped out from behind it, and walked down the soulless corridor, before turning a corner, and tearing down the staircase, and into the Entrance Hall. He then pushed open the great, front doors of Hogwarts castle, and walked outside, breathing in gulps of fresh air.
Shaking his head softly from side to side, Harry wandered over the vacant grounds of the castle, bypassing Hagrid's hut, as he found his feet carrying him over to the Beech tree, plotted near one of the banks of the Black Lake, its branches stretched out at odd angles, as if the tree itself was reaching out towards something that was just past its grasp.
Sighing to himself, he then took a seat, resting his back against the bark of the tree with his elbows resting upon his knees, as he gazed out over the smooth waters of the lake, as dark, gray clouds started to slowly crawl over the hills that surrounded Hogwarts castle.
A sudden breeze washed over his face, as he felt the wind ruffle through his already messy, jet-black hair.
While Harry sat under the tree, he remembered how this was the same exact spot in which Harry's father and his best friend, James and Sirius, had tormented Snape in front of their entire year, just after they had finished their O.W.L.s. That was also when Lily stood up for Snape, only for him to call her a mudblood.
He was then reminded of the time when both he and Ron, had sat under this same tree, working on their homework, while Hermione sat nearby, making hats to free the Hogwarts house elves.
Just as the quietness of the day packed in around him, Harry heard soft footsteps, walking across the grass somewhere behind him.
Not a minute later, he looked up and saw Hermione had made her way over to him. Without saying a word, she took a seat next to him, as she turned her head to look over the waters of the Black Lake.
For some time, the pair didn't engage in conversation, for they felt as if they didn't need to at that moment.
As another breeze blew over the couple, Harry turned his head towards Hermione and asked sharply, "Where's Mrs. Weasley?"
"She left," Hermione replied without looking at him. "She seemed pretty shaken when she did so, though."
Harry shrugged his shoulders with nonchalance, as he replied honestly, "Good."
Hermione turned to look at him with his answer.
"Don't look at me like that, Hermione! You can't tell me that you agreed with what she told us back in the Gryffindor common room."
"I wasn't going to because I didn't agree with her at all, Harry. But she is quite persistent, if you ask me. She doesn't seem to understand when to give up," Hermione responded softly.
"D'you reckon she'll try again," Harry asked.
"Probably," Hermione answered, "but not for a while."
"I just don't understand why she wants the two of us to go off and date her children," Harry thought aloud, "she seems obsessed with the idea of paring us off with Ginny and Ron."
"I think it would be for the best if we stayed away from the Burrow and especially away from Mrs. Weasley," Hermione offered. "I'm quite tired of her at the moment."
"I couldn't agree more," Harry said back.
For a few moments, they were quiet, before Hermione turned to look at Harry.
"Harry, can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything," he replied, looking at her.
"I was wondering if I could stay with you for right now, at least until I can save up for my own place," she asked.
"Hermione, how many times do I have to tell you: you can stay with me for as long as you like. In fact, if you wanted to stay forever, I wouldn't have a problem with that either," Harry answered genuinely.
Hermione laughed as she responded, "I don't think you'd like living with me forever. You would probably get tired of me being around all the time."
While Harry didn't answer her right away, something inside of him told thought that she was wrong about that.
"I don't know if that's true," he said.
"Harry, I'm just a bossy little know-it-all," she told him, laughing at herself.
Harry shook his head from side to side as he phrased, "No, you're more than that...a lot more."
Hermione looked at him with a serious expression on her face, as she knew that Harry wasn't joking with what he had said. After a few noiseless minutes, Hermione stood to her feet.
Looking up at her, Harry asked, "Where are you going?"
She looked down at him as she answered, "Harry, we came here to help with the repairs, remember?"
He nodded his head as he too, stood to his feet and asked, "Where are you going to start?"
Hermione seemed to ponder over his question, before she decided, "Well, I was going to start with Gryffindor Tower but I don't think the Fat Lady is keen on seeing us twice in one day. So I probably am going to go to the library."
"I'll go with you," Harry said, as the pair started to make their way away from the Black Lake.
Just then, however, a single raindrop fell atop of Harry's head. Not a second later, pellets of heavy rain started to descend over the grounds of Hogwarts in unforgiving sheets.
"Come on," Harry yelled, grabbing Hermione's hand and taking off.
The two Gryffindors raced up the sloping lawns of the castle, as Harry also noticed that Hagrid had bolted out of the Forbidden Forest and was racing towards his hut, with his huge arms covering his head, as Fang followed the half-giant.
Laughing, Harry pulled Hermione faster towards the open front doors of the citadel, as the rain kept getting heavier and heavier.
Suddenly, Harry slipped over a wet patch of grass as he then fell face first onto the ground, while Hermione fell on top of him in a high-pitched scream.
As Harry felt Hermione maneuver her body off of him, she asked, "Oh, Harry, I'm sorry! Are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, don't worry. Let's go," he said in a rush, as the rain kept falling over the grounds.
Grabbing each other's hands once again, Harry and Hermione ran through the open doors of Hogwarts, as the castle provided them with the shelter they sought.
"Well that was unexpected," Hermione declared, as a smile slowly crept over her face.
"Yeah, definitely," Harry affirmed.
He looked over at his best friend and saw that her hair was clamped down on her head from being wet, while drops of water and spurts of mud dotted her face. Harry thought that, at that moment, she never looked prettier.
Hermione seemed to notice his slight stupor, for she asked, "Why are you looking at me like that, Harry?"
"What? Oh…um, it's nothing."
Hermione huffed as she said, "Harry, don't you think that I know you well enough that I can tell when you're not telling me the truth?"
Just as Harry was about to answer, a streak of blue lightning rocketed towards the ground, briefly lighting up the dark skies outside, as an explosive boom of thunder followed, shaking the castle's walls vigorously.
Harry fixated his gaze out of the still-open front doors, noticing that the heavy rain had created streams of running water that flowed down the slanting lawns of Hogwarts.
He turned to look back at Hermione, as she too, was staring out at the rain-soaked grounds.
Harry then thought to himself if he should tell Hermione of how he truly felt for her: that he liked her, plain and simple. Ever since the time they spent together hunting for horcruxes, they had grown closer together, which, in Harry's mind, was inevitable. But, thinking back again over how he felt when Hermione brushed her hand over his head that one winter morning, there was no mistake in Harry's feelings for his best friend.
Spending all of his time with Hermione over the past week further settled matters that Harry now shared romantic feelings for her.
After another bolt of lightning shot out from the black clouds that hung over Hogwarts, and another bout of thunder roared against the citadel's walls, Harry took a deep breath, as his heart started hammering wildly in his chest, and his palms started to gather sweat.
Hoping he wouldn't regret his next words, Harry started, "Hermione…"
Author's Note: This chapter definitely did not go in the direction I had initially planned, but hey, that's what happens sometimes. Things that I wanted to include in this chapter have shifted into Chapter 13, which by the way, will be posted TUESDAY MORNING. Thanks for reading.