25-End of Term 1992

It took another day for the events to be officially acknowledged. Dumbledore looked older than his age when he stood up to attract the attention of all present. "I'm sorry to inform you that Professor Quirrell has suffered an accident and will not continue teaching next year. He's probably going to spend some time at St. Mungo's, before he can return to normal life." He sighed heavily before speaking some more, looking like he'd rather not say it. "I'd also like to thank Mr. Harry Potter and Miss Hermione Granger for being attentive and attracting the attention of the staff when somebody tried to reach what was hidden at the forbidden corridor. They gain Gryffindor a hundred points each."

He could say no more, as the cheering from the Gryffindor table was too loud to let anybody hear him, although the protests from the Slytherin table were almost as loud. These two hundred points moved Gryffindor to the first place, pushing Slytherin back to the second. As there were no more lessons until the leaving feast – the next day – there was no chance of this order changing. Professor McGonagall beamed at the two, although they seemed to be disturbed by the sudden attention they were getting.

Dumbledore asked to meet the two after dinner. When they reached his office, he still seemed very old, yet he tried to hide his worries. "It was very wise of you to alert a professor about the break-in. I wonder how you knew of it in the first place, though."

As they had already told McGonagall about the alarm, Harry thought it was no secret. "We happened to find about Fluffy and that trapdoor. We then thought that instead of trying to track every person we may suspect, it's better to just cast an alarm ward on the trapdoor."

The old man frowned. "I don't think this is taught in the first year."

Hermione shrugged. "As classes turned quite boring, going so slowly, Professor McGonagall suggested that we just study books from the library. We found quite a few interesting spells there."

The headmaster nodded understandingly. "I see… Yet the teachers who came in found the thief already stunned. Do you know how that happened?"

Harry played innocent. "Wasn't that a part of the protection? Had I needed to protect something, I would put some traps to disable any intruder and sound an alarm. Didn't you do something similar?"

Dumbledore sighed. This was getting to be too much for him at his age. "We had some traps set, but they were evidently not enough. Still, your alarm seemed to help in stopping the thieve, and I thank you again for that."

This seemed to be dismissal, yet Harry couldn't refrain from asking, "The thief, wasn't he Quirrell?"

Dumbledore looked alarmed. "How do you know?"

Harry shrugged. "It's just logical, since you announced of his 'accident' shortly after the break-in. I actually expected it to be Snape."

"Professor Snape, Harry. Even if you don't like him, you must still pay him due respect." At least this was easy to handle, Dumbledore thought.

Harry shrugged. "To be a Professor, one needs to teach, yet what Snape does can hardly be called teaching, so he doesn't deserve the title."

"As he's a member of the teaching staff, you should still call him Professor," Dumbledore insisted.

Harry just nodded, unwilling to give any explicit answer.

The two friends were hailed as heroes when they reached the common room. Everybody wanted to know how they managed to earn so many points. Harry just shrugged it off. "Since learning of the dangers, we used to pass there regularly, to make sure nothing went wrong. That day, we noticed the door slightly open and we told the professor, that's all."

It turned into a real celebration, as somebody seemed to procure drinks and refreshments and others made some music heard. It lasted well into the night, but as there were no lessons the next day, nobody really minded. Harry retired close to midnight, and Hermione left the common room a moment later. She faded to join him in bed and they both cuddled. "I think Dumbledore suspects we were involved a bit more than we've told him," Harry said.

"So what? He can't prove anything and he dares not use legilimency on us," Hermione replied.

"He's still the headmaster, and he can cause us problems, if he puts his mind to it."

Hermione smiled. "Not if you make your lordship known. As a Lord of a Noble and Ancient house, your social and political position is much higher than his, the way this backward society acts. He won't dare do anything against you."

"What about you?"

She smiled. "I'm your mate. Your lordship protects me too. Now, let's get some sleep."

\/\/\/

The ride to London was quite peaceful, despite Ron's insistence on sitting with them. Harry and Hermione enjoyed the company of each other and then Neville's. They welcomed visits from Susan, Hannah, and Daphne, disregarding Ron. A less welcome visit was Malfoy's, but he was quickly dealt with, although no wand was raised.

Hermione's parents were waiting near the barrier, welcoming both children with big hugs. Looking for his aunt, whom he knew to prefer waiting a bit farther, Harry was surprised to see his uncle standing at her side, seeming a bit unsure of himself. Harry closed the distance quickly and Petunia hugged him tightly. She then held him at arm's length and looked him over. "You've grown quite a bit," she remarked, "and you seem healthy and content."

Harry just smiled, finally enjoying her attention. Vernon came closer as well, seeming unsure if a hug would be proper or just a handshake. Harry didn't hesitate. He opened his arms, indicating he was expecting a hug. Vernon opened his arms in response and hugged Harry tightly. "All's well?" he asked.

"Yes, Uncle Vernon. I'm well, and I'm at the top of my class, with only Hermione proving slightly better. How's Dudley?"

"He's coming home tomorrow," his aunt said.

They approached the Grangers. "It looks like the children have grown quite a bit since they were last at home," Petunia said as a greeting.

"Yes, we did!" Hermione responded happily, making her parents smile.

The reunion was interrupted as a tall man with long, black hair approached. Harry didn't need more than a glance before he ran forward, engulfing the man in a hug. He then grabbed his hand and presented him to his relatives. "Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, this is my godfather, Lord Sirius Black. He's still recuperating after spending more than ten years in prison without trial. Once he got his trial, he was proven innocent. Sirius, these are my relatives, Petunia and Vernon Dursley. Their son Dudley is still at school."

Petunia seemed to recognize the man. "I remember seeing you with James and Lily. I was really wondering what happened to you after..."

Sirius smiled sadly. "Well, Tuney, I acted rashly and was then accused of being the one who betrayed them, while the real traitor escaped. Luckily, Harry acted as soon as he could and helped me regain my freedom."

Vernon shook hands with Sirius but still looked sceptically at him. The Grangers had no reservation when Hermione made the introductions, welcoming Sirius warmly.

Once the introductions were over, Sirius said, "I'd like to invite Harry and Hermione to spend a week with me. I'd invite you all, but my house is… like the school they are attending."

Both children smiled, understanding what Sirius refrained from saying in such a crowded place. The Granger adults also nodded understandingly as did Petunia. Vernon didn't seem to get it, but a glance from his wife made him understand that it would be explained later. "You may also visit us, if you like. Do you know the address?" Petunia offered.

"Sure. I'll visit the day after tomorrow, if it's alright with you."

Petunia smiled. "That's just fine. Now, if you don't mind, we still have a long drive home. Harry, say goodbye to your friends."

Harry complied, parting from the Grangers. As he hugged Hermione, she whispered, "I'll join you after dinner." He just nodded.

Sirius hugged him again. "You look more and more like your father, Pronglet. Have a nice vacation."

"Sure, uncle Siri. I'm expecting your visit."

Sirius seemed surprised. "Siri?! That's how you called me when you just started to speak."

Harry winked at him, and Sirius tried to keep his eyes dry as he watched the two families head for the parking.

\/\/\/

There was no talking in the car while Uncle Vernon drove through the London traffic. Once they reached the highway, though, Petunia turned to Harry. "Is Hermione joining you tonight?"

Harry glanced questioningly at Vernon's wide back. Petunia smiled. "He already knows, although he doesn't like to hear about it."

"Well, she said she'll join me after dinner," he admitted.

"Have you…?" she started reluctantly.

Harry smiled reassuringly. "We're still a bit young for that. At least I am, but I already know the right spells as does Hermione. There's also a potion that needs to only be taken once a week, for those who can't cast too well."

"Do you have some?" Petunia sounded interested.

"No, but it's quite easy to brew. We may do it during the summer, if you like."

"Do you think it can work for… me?" she asked reluctantly.

"Most potions work just as well on both magical and non-magical people. I didn't find anything to make this different."

This made Harry think. Dudley was born as a result of sex between his aunt and his uncle. Her question seemed to indicate that they were still engaging in such activity, at least occasionally. It seemed weird to think of that, especially since their proportions were so different. Still, trying to regard his aunt as objectively as possible, he could see that some may find her attractive. Although tall and thin, she still had womanly curves, and her breasts were small and perky, like she was still a teenager. He had more difficulty seeing Vernon as attractive to any woman, but then – could he even think like a woman? He must have had, at least when younger, some qualities to attract his aunt, and he still cared for her. For a moment he wondered if they were happy with each other.

"How was it at school? Has anything of importance happened since your last letter?" His aunt's words brought him out of his musings.

"There was something, but I'd better talk about it after we reach home." He could hear his uncle letting out a breath. Although he had come to terms with Harry, hearing of magic was still difficult for Vernon.

They had a silent dinner soon after reaching home. Vernon moved to sit in front of the television set as soon as he finished eating. Petunia closed the kitchen door and sat back. "Now, care to tell me about the last days at school?"

Harry told her about the alarm, informing the teacher and then going into the forbidden corridor and stopping the thief, his aunt's frown getting deeper as he spoke. "Wasn't it too dangerous?" Petunia asked.

He shrugged. "Not really. We were invisible and we could fade. We could even do magic wandlessly. Although we found the thief and stopped him, we were in no danger."

"But why even try to do that? Wasn't it enough to inform that teacher?"

Harry sighed. "She wasn't quite sure what to do and needed to assemble the other teachers to decide on an action. I thought the thief could escape by the time they reached a decision. Initially, I also feared he would be able to steal that priceless artefact."

"Initially?"

"Well, Hermione made me aware of the fact that it was most likely a fake, only intended to bait the ones looking for the real thing. It was actually a piece of plastic, as we eventually found out."

Petunia smiled thinly. "Well, that's quite interesting, but now you need to go to bed. Hermione may already be waiting for you."

He smiled back. "Goodnight, Aunt Petunia."

"Goodnight, dear."

\/\/\/

Hermione was already in his room, wearing a light dressing gown. "What took you so long?" she asked.

"My aunt wanted to hear all about the forbidden corridor and our visit there."

"Was it wise to tell her?"

Harry smiled. "It doesn't matter, really. She has no legal standing about me going to Hogwarts and she wouldn't stand in my way even if she had. She just cares for me and wants to know as much as possible, so she could try to help, if she can."

Hermione smiled. "Just like my parents. Now, get ready for bed. These long rides are really tiring."

Harry went to the bathroom and returned a short while later wearing only his shorts. Hermione had already moved into bed and her dressing gown was nicely folded on a nearby chair.

"Take off your shorts and come to bed. I need you at my side to fall asleep," he heard Hermione's voice.

"Are you sure? I mean..."

"Harry, it's too warm for clothes, and I trust you to not do anything that I don't agree to. Come now."

He reluctantly took off his shorts. It wasn't really the first time he got naked near her, but it was the first time to do it deliberately. Once naked, he hurried to bed, pulling the thin blanket to hide his nudity. He heard Hermione chuckle softly. "You're a prude, you know?"

"Why would you say so?"

Her chuckle turned into a giggle. "We're going to sleep together for the rest of our lives, to see each other naked and to have sex. I don't mind letting you see and touch as much as you like. Why do you mind?"

He wasn't sure, really. "We're still too young, so it seems. I don't want to rush anything and I don't want us to regret not waiting a bit longer."

"We're not so young, really. You're going to be twelve in a month and I'll reach thirteen in less than three months. Besides, our bond will make sure that we won't do anything before we're ready, I believe."

Harry sighed, not quite sure about what to say. As Hermione cuddled closer, he became acutely aware of her being just as naked, yet she acted just like every other time they shared a bed. In a way, it was reassuring, and feeling her body touching his was also giving him a very pleasant feeling. He hugged her, not quite noticing that she put his hand on her tit, and both fell asleep.

A.N. Starting next week, I intend to publish another story, one that's already finished. That means that with my current rate of a chapter per week, you'll get an update for each of these two stories only every other week. This will allow me to advance the writing of this story and try to keep the additional, still unwritten chapters to the same lever as the ones readied until now. I hope you continue enjoying my stories.