A/N: This chapter is a bit shorter than I had originally intended but the next chapter contains the Third Task and Voldemort's return. I'm sorry it took so much longer to get this up. My computer had a virus, but it's all squared away so there shouldn't be any more issues.

Chapter 22

Harry was extremely glad the Third Task wasn't until June. He needed a break and between schoolwork, training, and spending time with Cho, the last thing he needed was to worry about another task.

Classes went by smoothly and his training continued as normal and his relationship with Cho was great. His life seemed almost perfect…all except for the dreams. The same dream he had at the beginning of the year, before the Quidditch World Cup. He couldn't make sense of them. It was driving him insane. His mind shields were up and strong every night before he went to bed. He wasn't about to tell Salis and have him worry.

There were still rumors about his magic during the Second Task going around the school. He laughed them off, telling everyone it was just a fluke under pressure, that he was young and his magic still untamed. He felt guilty every time he had to lie, mainly because of Salis.

Harry knew he could be arrogant about his magic at times. He was powerful and he wanted to show the world, but he agreed with his father. When he finally showed his abilities, Voldemort would be shocked. He kept up with his training, sometimes with Hermione's help, but she was usually busy with Viktor Krum.

He frowned as water rose in a wall before him. He was jealous; he acknowledged that now, but he chalked it up to Krum taking away his best friend. Draco and Jeff were always around, but they weren't in on Harry's secret. He had tried talking Salis in to letting him tell them, but Draco was too risky because of his father and Jeff was too risky because of his mother's circle of "friends". So he was alone. Until he realized there was one person he could talk to other than Salis and Sirius.

The next weekend he had free from homework and Cho was busy with some friends from her own house, Harry went to the owl tower. It was the only place he could think of that was out of sight aside from the Forbidden Forest. He pictured it clearly in his head, that gray office. Once it was crystal clear, he focused on the apparition. It was suppose to be impossible inside the grounds but Harry was able, as was Salis. Salis figured it was because his own mind, being so many centuries old, and Harry's, because of his powers and the binds being broken the way they were, were opened much deeper than most wizards and witches. Both Harry and Salis knew hate and love, happiness and sorrow, weakness and strength. They also thought Dumbledore must be able to as well being the genius he was. Voldemort couldn't because his mind wasn't as open, as deep. He had only one focus.

Harry smiled when he opened his eyes to find he was exactly where he wanted to be. He sat behind the desk, waiting for the person he wanted to see.

"Harry?"

Startled from sleep, the teenage boy leaped from the chair. He laughed, embarrassed. "Hi, Godric."

"Well, well, young Mister Harry Potter. What can I do for you?" Godric had a smile on his face and laughter in his eyes.

Harry sighed. "I just needed someone to talk to. An outsider."

Godric nodded. "Understandable, though I am hardly an outsider."

"True, but you can be trusted. You also said if I needed you, that I could come see you."

"I did. So, my boy, what can I do for you?"

He took a breath before explaining the dreams he had even with his shields up. "It's driving me crazy."

Godric smiled. "Harry, did you ever think it was your Seer abilities that gives you these dreams?"

"No, I…didn't." The thought had never occurred to him. "Makes sense."

"I also know you didn't come here just to talk of your dreams. You're frustrated because there are few people to talk to that know your secrets. Your father, your godfather, and your pretty little friend."

"Hermione."

"Yes, Miss Granger. How is she?"

"Good. She's seeing Viktor Krum."

"Dating him?"

"Well…I'm not totally sure. She went to the Yule Ball with him and he's always hanging around her, but we haven't actually discussed it."

"And why not?"

"I guess I've been distancing myself from people, her included."

"So, why are you jealous? Do you doubt she'd drop this Krum for you if you needed her?"

"Oh no. Hermione would be there for me in a second."

"What's the problem then?"

"Well, I have a girlfriend."

"That shouldn't matter. You and Hermione were friends before Hogwarts. It's not as if you're in love with her. Are you?" Harry missed the knowing smirk Godric had.

"No! Not Hermi…" Visions floated through his mind of Hermione, of him and Hermione, of her with Viktor Krum. He remembered how beautiful she had been the night of the Ball and his feelings of jealousy. He WAS in love with Hermione! "Wow."

Godric patted his shoulder. "It hits us all like bricks, son."

Harry was now grinning. "Yeah, it does."

"Don't wait too long. You never know how long you'll have."

He heard the sadness is Godric's voice. "You still miss her."

Godric's smile reappeared. "Of course. When you love someone, you never get over them, even if only a tiny fraction of a bit. But they are always a part of you. It was centuries ago and I can still remember her perfectly. She was my only love."

"But I thought you had been married before?"

"I had been and so had Sal, but they were arranged. I did love her, but more as a friend than a wife. But Rowena…."He chuckled.

"And dad with Helena. Was she his only love?"

Godric looked at him for a moment. He frowned, wondering if he should tell the boy. "No, but that should be something he tells you himself. It's a sore subject with him, but I think he'll tell you in time."

Harry nodded. "Dad usually does."

Godric smiled but wasn't sure if his old friend would tell him that story. "You should get going before someone notices your absence."

"Yeah. I should be going. Thank you, Godric. Really."

"Anytime, my young heir. Anytime."

Harry went straight to the chamber upon his return. He did not know what to do with this new found revelation. He had butterflies. He was in love with Hermione! His Mione. Now what was he to do? He was in love with Hermione, at fourteen no less, but he also liked Cho. Plus, Hermione was with Viktor. He sighed. He was confused. He didn't know how to handle this. He did know that he was going to make more time for his friends.

Harry did as he said. He played chess with Draco and Exploding Snaps with Jeffery, spent time with Hermione in the library, even though Viktor was there mostly. He was feeling better than he had in a long time.

Spending time with Hermione was different now, in a good way. He noticed her smile more, her laugh, the way her eyes squinted when she focused, the way she crossed and uncrossed her legs a million times while she studied. What he hadn't noticed was the way her eyes lit up when she looked at him, or how her smile always seemed nervous when it was directed at him.

Hermione was extremely glad Harry was spending more time with his friends, her especially. She wished Viktor would leave her alone every once in a while. They weren't dating, even though he had kissed her once. She had explained very nicely that while she liked him, her studies were too important to be second in her life. He had understood, but seemed intent on being with her anyway. He mainly just listened while she talked and watched her study in the library. She didn't mind, but she did want some time to herself.

Time went amazingly quick and it was only a week away from the Third task. Harry was nervous, more nervous than he had ever been. He had nearly died twice, but chancing it for a third time was pushing his luck. But, he had no choice. He couldn't back down. He noticed he wasn't the only one who was nervous. Cedric Diggory went pale white any time someone mentioned it. Harry felt a bit better then.

"Hey, mate. How you doing?" Draco asked clapping him on the back.

"Nervous," he admitted. It was the night before the task and he couldn't keep the butterflies at bay.

Draco gave a quick nod. "I bet. I'll be rooting for you, mate."

"Thanks, Malfoy."