Ordinary

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Sad for me.

Author's Note: So it has been pointed out to me that there are some inaccuracies with the story. SO TRUE! First reason, I really haven't re-read the older chapters, so I forget stuff. My bad. Second (and more important reason), I end up getting a bit different ideas so details gotta change. Now, if I were a better person, I would have written this all in advance and edited. Sadly, I'm not. SO! Always consider the newer detail to be true. Kurt's mom died in a car accident- it was quick and no magic could have saved her. It is super cool though that you guys have noticed my detail slip-ups. I will probably be a better writer in the future, Ordinary is my trial run. Annnd on with the show.

Chapter 21

Hermione walked into WMHS on Monday morning feeling content. That in itself was a surprise as she hadn't felt so calm and at ease since before she received her Hogwarts letter. The young witch knew exactly the cause for her current mood- her wonderful weekend.

They had successfully completed Artie's potion- she always loved a good 3-Wizard-Potion. There was just something about how the "Power of Three" always seemed to stretch what she always thought of as her Magic Muscles leaving her with a delightfully sore feeling. With the potion finished Hermione knew that there was nothing else she could do for Artie, the next steps had to come from him.

Not only did she love a job well done (George loved poking at her inner swot), Hermione had a wonderful time with who she was quickly coming to regard as her new Boys. She always thought from the young age of eleven that she was doomed to be friends with and be den mother for a group of boys and even worlds away from the Gryffindor common room, things never changed. Kurt and Finn were hilarious with "Furt" topping her list of favorite things about Ohio. First, both boys were absolutely smitten with Harry. Finn followed the young wizard around like a little puppy waiting for play time. Kurt, on the other hand, looked at Harry with stars in his eyes. Kurt wouldn't be the first person to find Harry Potter "fanciable", but Hermione didn't mind based on the constellations Harry was sporting right back. It was about time Harry found people to adore him simply for being Harry. She had spent years watching her friend deal with people who only wanted a piece of the Boy Who Lived, not the Kid Who Needed to Be Loved and Furt seemed like just the thing to show Harry that he mattered.

Hermione practically skipped down the hallways to her classes and spent the course periods answering every question posed by the teachers and didn't care once about the giggling behind her. She was safe, her friends were safe, and they were finally going to heal.

On her way to Calculus, the young witch was pulled up short from her musings by a soft voice calling her name. She turned and found Artie parked next to his locker regarding her with an unreadable expression. Beaming at the boy, Hermione bounced over thinking to herself what Lavender and Parvarti would think to see her bounce.

"Hello, Artie! Would you like to come to class with me?"

Artie shook his head and glanced around the crowded hallway. "Um, do you think we could talk for a minute? In private?"

This is it, Hermione thought. He had an answer. Well, at least she hoped he had an answer for her and not more questions. They were already so close to breaking the Statute of Secrecy that she didn't want to push it any further. The two teens rounded the corner and entered an empty science classroom. Artie looked around and chuckled.

"It seems like everyone in the Glee club always ends up using this classroom for private discussions. Sam thinks the planet mobiles make the room more magical."

Hermione laughed. "Sure, I guess it does set a sort of mood."

Artie motioned for Hermione to sit down across from them so that they would be level. Hermione was silent while he took a deep breath and finally spoke.

"I have been thinking about what you told me. To be honest, I haven't thought of anything else. It took me and my family so long to accept that this, my chair, was my future. We mourned, Hermione, we mourned the life that I should have had that ended the moment the cars collided. You said you can heal me, and honestly, I don't believe you. You are a teenager who claims almost to have some sort of magical powers or knowledge. But then again, you are the only person who has ever said they can heal me."

Hermione felt her eyes fill with tears. She knew she wanted to help Artie, but what if she was just making his situation even worse? Artie brought her out her thoughts by grabbing her hand causing her to look up into his eyes. She was taken aback by the fierce determination she saw there.

"I'm going to say yes. I really don't believe this will work, but I would be a fool to not take every chance to make this happen. And when it doesn't work, I know that the life track I'm on right now is fine. I have a good and full life. No matter what happens, I know I'll be okay." Artie offered up a small smile that lead to Hermione jumping from her chair and landing in his lap for the biggest hug he had ever received.

Hermione couldn't stop crying. She understood that Artie basically thought she was crazy, but he was going to put his faith in her. And she knew the treatments would work. Hermione felt a warmth fill her soul. She was going to finally get to fix something and make the world a better place. Finally something that wasn't about fighting battles and stopping destruction, but helping a beautiful person see their dreams come true. Mere existing was over, it was time to start living.

Artie returned her hug and rubbed soothing circles on her back trying to calm down the almost-hysterical girl in his lap. "Hey, hey. Shhhh. It's okay." Artie pulled her gently so he could see her face. "What's wrong?"

Hermione looked into Artie's face, soaking up all the concern he was showing her when it was his life that was going to change. She spent a few moments calming herself down before reaching for Artie's hand once more and holding it between both of hers.

"Artie, you have no idea how much this means to me. I know you are skeptical, and if I were in your position, I wouldn't believe me either. But I will heal you. I have the first round of the remedy created, we can begin this week, if you'd like."

Artie smiled at the girl he was holding in his lap, imagining that one day he could be in that position and feel the weight of the girl on his legs.

"Just promise me one thing."

"Anything," Hermione replied.

"When I am healed, I want you to dance with me."

Artie spent the rest of their Calculus class sitting in the empty science classroom holding Hermione while she cried.

Finn walked into WMHS on Monday morning feeling excited. He still felt like he was floating after the amazing weekend he had. He and Kurt had only been living together for a short while after what he liked to refer to as the "basement incident." They got along much better in their separate rooms, but they hadn't had much contact when they weren't eating dinner as a family. Finn thought Kurt was cool and all, but he didn't know how to spend time with his new brother. That is, until Harry showed up.

Finn had always thought Puck was the coolest person he would ever meet, but then they stumbled across this British guy with nerdy glasses who totally blew Puck out of the water. Finn knew he had a huge bro-crush on Harry, but he didn't care. He had never met someone so confident with himself and yet so caring for everyone else. Finn liked that Harry could sing and dance, but the best part to his new friend (he was still thrilled to think that), was that Harry was surprisingly the force that brought him Kurt. Harry was able to bring the two step-brothers together in a way that Finn had only ever dreamed. First, even though no one realized Finn knew, Harry got rid of the bullies. They didn't know, but Finn was in the hallway when Harry stood up for Kurt. He had been about to intervene for his brother and the new kid when the new kid surprised him and took charge of the situation. Harry was impressive. Without pulling a punch, he got the bullies to walk away and leave Kurt alone. Finn had to admit, even he could admit that Harry was freaking scary in that moment, and if all of that attention was focused on him, he would do whatever Harry demanded. And with the bullies gone, the totally amazing dude that was Kurt finally got to come out without fear of retribution. Kurt was no longer a shell of a person at home, but rather danced around singing bringing their family to life.

Finn would have loved Harry just for keeping his brother safe, but Harry just seemed to keep going. Next, was the Dancing Day. Kurt helped Harry figure out how to audition for Glee, and Harry showed him, Rachel, and Kurt about ballroom dancing. Normally, the idea of dancing around his living room with another dude would make Finn uncomfortable, but it turned out to be amazing. For the first time ever, he felt good about his dancing. Harry was able to lead him around the room allowing his to feel the beat and move without looking like a stumbling toddler. But even better than that, it broke down that final barrier between him and Kurt. Sure, Finn had apologized and Kurt forgave him, but they both knew that Finn was still uncomfortable with the whole "gay" issue. One dance. One dance was all it took. Finn finally got over his issues in a three minute time period, and Kurt knew. It was like magic! Finn felt like he was gaining a best friend and a brother in one afternoon. After Rachel and Harry left for the evening, the two brothers hung out and reached a totally new comfort level in their relationship that made Finn want to cry.

If that wasn't enough, Harry invited them over on Saturday night to hang out. If that three minute dance changed things, then the fifteen second invitation did it again. Finn and Kurt were to visit Hermione and Harry as a "Sibling Night In" complete with jokes about "brothers from another mother." At that moment, they really became brothers. They had an awesome night of British culinary traditions, food fights, karaoke, and dancing. Though all of the entertainment, one thing was clear to everyone- Finn and Kurt were brothers.

And Finn was thrilled that Furt really made it.

Plus, he was going to get to impress Rachel with his new dance moves later on in Glee.

Kurt walked into WMHS on Monday feeling conflicted. He laughed at himself for feeling overwhelmed not for the intensity of his feelings, but rather the sheer number of their variety. He was happy from his weekend with his new friends. After being worried that Harry was trying to avoid him, the other boy called and invited him over with Finn. Kurt wasn't sure how to digest these events as they occurred, but he had become quickly grateful that he had his brother there with him. For the first time, Kurt was finally able to realize what Harry meant when he insisted that Hermione was his non-biological sister. He could see how much the two loved each other, but there were absolutely no romantic feelings floating between them. Even Finn seemed to pick up on the spirit of sibling-ness.

Their evening was lovely. With feelings of jealousy towards Hermione gone, Kurt took the chance to get to know the girl and found her brilliant, sophisticated, and kind. She wasn't the normal girl-diva he had become accustomed to through Glee club, and he couldn't help but admire her quiet strength and natural beauty. They cooked, ate, joked, and Kurt even had another chance (chances) to dance with Harry when Finn insisted he needed help to sweep Rachel off her feet.

The evening had progressed beautifully, or at least until Kurt started to notice. He kept his mouth shut, but he thought he saw Hermione looking at him thoughtfully. In reality, he didn't even know what he would say if he were to mention it.

Since he was a small child, Kurt knew two things, first that music both excited and calmed his soul, the second- he had a strong connection to his father. Sure, everybody had a connection to their parents, but Kurt felt special because he thought, knew, that his connection to his father was different, and he knew his father felt it as well. Ever since he could remember, he always knew if his father was nearby. Kurt was familiar with the presence of an energy he always thought of as Dad. He could walk into his house and know exactly where his father was located- bedroom, living room, garage. Anything. As Kurt grew up, he learned that the feeling was isolated to Burt Hummel. When he was nine, his dad took him to St. Louis for a convention and Kurt thought he felt something similar when they were walking down the street, but just seconds after he had that feeling, his dad was pushing him into a taxi and they left the area. This special talent was Kurt's little secret. It made him feel special to feel so connected to the most important person in his life and felt no need to share it with anyone else.

On Saturday night, Kurt noticed. He felt so stupid for never noticing anything over the past weeks, but he was noticing now. The four teens had been in the kitchen learning how to make bread pudding when Harry slipped out to "use the loo". Kurt just giggled to himself and kept following Hermione's instructions while musing how cute Harry sounded. After about ten minutes, Finn asked "What is taking Harry so long?"

Without thinking, Kurt immediately replied, "He went into his bedroom." After he spoke, Kurt froze. Finn simply kept smushing the pudding concoction while Hermione gave him one of her "thoughtful" looks that made him feel like she knew the answer to every question anyone could ever ask. Kurt felt Harry. He felt Harry move from the bathroom to his bedroom and could even feel him moving around in the bedroom itself. Once Kurt made that realization, he practically fell off the stool. Because it was one thing to feel your father or the boy you were falling in love with, but it was a whole other issue to feel said boy's not-sister pouring milk across the room from you.

Finn's "Dude, are you okay?" pushed him to calm down, but he couldn't help but stare at Hermione. What was happening? Kurt closed his eyes for a moment, just allowing himself to feel. He felt Harry the strongest, he could tell almost every moment he made. Kurt felt himself reach out mentally to find Finn, but there was nothing there. Sure, he heard his brother chatting, but that energy wasn't there. Even if he didn't feel Finn, he felt Hermione. Her energy felt kind, gentle, and warm. Kurt opened his eyes to find Hermione starring. If he hadn't already been shocked before, he was after Hermione smiled, winked at him, and took a deep breath. Kurt gasped. He couldn't feel her anymore! Hermione's energy just disappeared. What shocked him even further was Hermione's widening smile another wink and the return of her energy.

She knew. Kurt was sure of it. Not only did Hermione realize Kurt could feel her energy, but she had the ability to turn it off! Kurt had no idea how to deal with that information and was saved by the entrance of one Harry Potter. Kurt forced himself to focus on the other boy for the rest of the evening.

As Kurt sat down next to Harry in Glee club (Harry's first meeting!), he made a promise to himself that he was going to figure it out. And the answer was sitting next to him in the boy with an energy that seemed to wash through him almost overwhelming with the feeling of love and acceptance radiating in the room.