Chapter 37 A new term

Harry was waiting anxiously for his friends to arrive. While the holidays were the best he had ever had, he was looking forward to seeing his friends again.

Finally they entered the hall and Harry rushed to them. They talked for a good five minutes before they had to sit at their respective house tables. This evening Harry joined the Gryffindors.

"Hey Harry, had a nice Christmas?"

Harry nodded happily "Great, and you Neville?"

"It was nice." Then looking around to see if anyone was listening he added, "My Gran really liked the present. She didn't believe I made it myself at first. But then she told me that she was proud of me!" Neville was positively glowing with the memory. "She's never proud of me."

Harry shook his head. "I'm sure she is, maybe she simply can't show it well."

Neville shrugged unsure then asked. "Harry could you… could you perhaps help me to make a birthday present too? It's at the start of February. You know not make it for me just…"

"Of course I will. And I know that you don't need me to make it, you can do it, you just have to believe in yourself Neville. So what do you want to make?"

They spent the rest of the dinner discussing ideas.

The return to school went well, with one exception. Hermione didn't seem to be spending much time with them anymore. Indeed she didn't seam to spend time with anyone, except with her books.

Harry didn't have a chance to speak with her much in the next days. That is until the healing class on the next Saturday. Both he and Hermione were a bit early for their theory lesson with Poppy and so Harry asked her what was wrong.

"Nothing is wrong." She said shortly.

"Hermione, you know that is not true. I mean you are only learning and…"

She interrupted him. "I forgot to take my transfiguration book with me okay? And we have the big test next week so I have to learn."

"Of course" Harry said slightly intimidated. "I just meant…I mean we all have to learn too. Maybe we could learn together or something. And I mean even if there is this test, you don't have to learn the whole time."

"Maybe you don't have to, but I have. And I don't need help, only because you were better at the last test doesn't mean that I can't do it myself."

Harry lowered his head. "I'm sorry I never meant to …"

But he was cut off by Poppy entering the room. Hermione's behaviour didn't change in the next days and Harry felt very bad about it.

Even more so when he got a letter from Hermione's parents the next week in which they thanked him for looking out for Hermione so well. They wrote that Hermione had spoken of little else than her new friends all holiday (apart from lessons of course) and they were very glad that she had found so many friends. In particular, Harry seemed to be very important to her. So Harry didn't understand her behavior at all but at the same time felt bad about them thanking him, while Hermione was practically living with her books.

One evening Ron was sitting next to Harry and complained about Hermione's attitude. Harry as usual began to defend her but Ron stopped him.

"After all I have seen, she's not nicer to you than anyone else. I don't get that. She said something about wanting to beat you at this stupid test. Don't understand why that's so important to her though."

Harry didn't understand it either. He didn't mind if Hermione was better than him of course, but he wasn't sure why she suddenly was so fixated on this. Ron saw Harry looking pensive and smiled inwardly. "Hey come on Harry, forget it. Let's go flying." And for once Harry came with him, much to the pleasure of Ron. Harry hadn't spent much time with him, choosing to be with the know-it-all, but as it seemed this gave him the ideal chance to get friends with him.

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Harry just finished the last extra question on his transfiguration test and smiled a little to himself. It was actually pretty easy and he felt confident that he had answered the questions correctly.

Taking a look around the room, he caught Hermione scribbling furiously on her sheet, her face contorted in concentration. Suddenly Ron's words came back to him. It fit with Hermione's behavior, but what if she wasn't better this time? Not that he thought that Hermione couldn't get full points. But what if? What if he was better than her? Would she continue to study as hard as she had the last week. He couldn't let this happen, he simply couldn't risk it. Hermione was too important. And after all he didn't mind if he didn't do too good on the test.

The decision was not difficult and so Harry grabbed his magical eraser and erased the answers to the extra questions, and another one. He added something, he knew was wrong to two of the extra questions and then went back to reading through his answers, hoping his action would help Hermione to get back to her behavior from last year.

The same evening Harry excused himself from his friends, as his therapy sessions had been moved to the Tuesday evening as this was more practical for Kate. Harry finally asked a question he had been thinking about for a while.

"Kate, I was wondering… you know about the... well…"

"The Dursleys?"

Harry flinched lightly but nodded. Kate thought that Harry's reaction to the name of his relatives was very similar to that of most wizards to the name 'Voldemort'.

"You know... about what is happening to them now."

"They are still in prison Harry. You don't have to worry."

Harry nodded, but asked. "I know, I just … well I read that someone imprisoned is supposed to have a trial at the latest a year after being imprisoned."

Kate was actually surprised. "Where did you read this?"

"In a law book, in the library. There are exceptions to this rule but only in times of war. So … is there going to be …"

Kate nodded. "Yes there will be a trial."

"And will I you know… have to say anything?" He was very much the shy little boy again that Kate had met last summer.

"I'm afraid so Harry. But you don't have to worry Harry, they won't be able to hurt you. Never again."

"Is there a chance that… that I have to go back?" He asked his voice breaking.

Kate shook her head. "Don't worry about that Harry. It is obvious that you were hurt badly in their presence and that you weren't well cared for. The trial simply has to determine the sentence they will get. But it is very important that you give testimony. It is important that they get punished and that they will never hurt a child again."

Harry was silent for quite some time. Finally he asked.

"A trial, how does that work? What will I have to say?"

And so Kate tried to take care of some of Harry's fear. Surprisingly after all of this Harry actually began to tell her more of the abuse that he had endured. It was a hard evening for both of them and when Kate had to return home she gave Harry a hug and used the floo in the common room to fire-call Minerva.

As she didn't seem to be in her rooms she flooed to Dumbledore's office.

"Ah Kate, how are you?"

But Kate didn't lose much time with formalities. "We spoke about the trail and Harry finally talked more about the abuse, but he is very unsettled now. I didn't reach Minerva and I think he needs one of you now."

Dumbledore nodded shortly and flood to the founder's rooms as soon as Kate had left.

Not receiving an answer on his knock he entered Harry's room and saw the boy sitting on his bed, arms wrapped around him, staring off in space.

"Oh Harry" he muttered and wrapped his grandson in a warm hug. They stayed that way for a long time till Harry looked up, tears flowing down his face.

"Why?" He simply asked. Albus didn't understand at first, but Harry added. "Why did they hate me so much? What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing Harry, you did nothing wrong." Albus muttered and tried to comfort his grandson. Finally he felt the sobs subside and Harry's breaths even out as he had cried himself to sleep.

After Dumbledore had put Harry to bed he sat with him for a while and then returned to his office. He tried to floo call Minerva too, but didn't reach her and so called a house elf.

"Do you know where Professor McGonagall is tlinky?"

"Mistress McGonagall being in Gryffindor tower, headmaster Professor sir. There being big mess from prank sir."

Albus nodded, no doubt the twins were at least partially responsible. So he decided to speak with her the next morning. What he didn't count on was being called to the ministry first thing in the morning.

Next morning at breakfast Harry got a note

Meet me 15 minutes before class in my office

Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor

"What did you write in that test to earn an invitation to her office?" Blaise joked. "Hey are you alright? You've been so quiet all morning."

Harry looked up and nodded, before getting up and leaving towards the office of his guardian. Truth be told, he hadn't slept much and what little he had, had been filled with nightmares.

He knocked softly at the office door and entered when he was invited.

"Come in Mr. Potter, have a seat."

Harry was actually surprised at being addressed as Mr. Potter.

"Is there something you'd like to tell me?" She asked in her usual teacher voice.

Harry looked at her confused but shook his head.

"About your test maybe…"

'Did she find out that he had made mistakes deliberately? But no, how could she.' However he kept quiet.

"Harry, why did you make mistakes on your test? I thought we had spoken about this. It is alright for you to be good in school."

"But I dind't …"

"You crossed out fully written answers and opted to leave these empty. There is a charm that can make visible what was erased if you use a magical eraser. So don't lie to me."

"I'm sorry ma'am." Harry apologized meekly.

Minerva took a deep breath. "Why Harry? I'd like an answer to this question."

"I don't mind, not being best." Harry simply said.

"And?"

Harry only shrugged.

"I wish to have a full explanation Harry." Minerva said sternly.

"It's… well it's because of Hermione."

Minerva's mouth dropped open slightly.

"Ms. Granger? What does she have to do with this? I'm sure she didn't tell you to make mistakes."

Harry shook his head and then began to explain how Hermione had been learning so much.

"I just thought if she was better then me, by quite a bit, that she would stop learning so much, it isn't good for her." He explained seriously.

Minerva nodded slowly. 'Trust Harry to feel responsible for Hermione's behavior.'

"Have you spoken with her?"

"I didn't want to make her angry, so I thought, if I wasn't so good in school anymore…"

"Harry, it's nice that you always think of others, but you also have to think of yourself sometimes. And here, I'm sure that Hermione wouldn't want you to mess up your tests for her. Being open with your friends is important. Therefore I want you to tell her about this today after the lesson, best you stay here in the classroom … no Harry, no protest."

Harry nodded subdued and returned to his place.

"We'll talk later, ok?" Minerva asked. Harry looked up unsure. "Just because I don't like what you did doesn't mean that I …" 'don't love you anymore' she wanted to add, but was cut off by the bell.

Harry asked Hermione to stay behind after the lesson, seeing the look Minerva had given him after the bell rang, he knew he had no choice.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, she was in much better spirit after getting her test back with full marks.

"There … there's something I have to tell you." Harry said unsure.

"Yes?" Now Hermione was slightly worried.

"It's about the test. I sort of… ImademistakesinitsothatI'mnotbetterthanyou."

"What was that?"

o"I made mistakes in it so that I was not better than you."

Hermione stared at him for a moment and then began yelling. "If this is another joke about me having less points on the last test than you, forget it. Oh yes, let's all make jokes about the know-it-all. I'd never have thought this of you, I thought you were my friend, but forget it, I don't want to be friends with someone who wants to bully me, just because I like learning."

"But Hermione, I… "

"SHUT UP!" She yelled. "Do you think it's fun to make fun out of me?"

"Hermione, please…" Harry tried to grab her hand but she shook him off.

"STOPP IT POTTER!" with this she pushed him back.

Harry, caught unaware was knocked into one of the benches and hit his head.

Hermione was horrified by this and forgetting her anger quickly leaned over him, only to be flung back by a golden shield snapping in place around Harry.

That moment Minerva came hurrying out of her office. She took in the scene with one glance and quickly acted.

She tried to approach Harry as well, speaking calmly to him, but Harry didn't react. So she turned to Hermione who was watching Harry in horror.

He was twisting and turning, sometimes moaning and bending over as if someone was hitting and kicking him.

"Miss Granger, what happened."

"I yelled at him and pushed him back, I didn't want him falling in the bench, I really didn't..."

"And then?" Minerva asked urgently, while still trying to speak with Harry.

"This shield snapped up and … I couldn't do anything, I didn't know…" She sobbed.

Minerva nodded slightly and called a house elf, to tell Albus and Poppy that Harry was having a flash-back.

They soon arrived, and together, with the help of Kate they tried to get Harry back to the present. They attempted several times to get through the shield Harry had built, and Albus even went about trying with magic, to cancel the shield, but they didn't succeed. It was finally Minerva who succeeded by singing a soft lullaby to Harry, that somehow got through to the boy.

Moist, and frightened green eyes opened a fraction and the shield finally dropped. Minerva gathered her grandson in a hug and laid him on the stretcher Poppy had conjured.

Hermione stared after them as Harry was floated out of the room, she had still trouble taking all this in.

"Are you alright Miss Granger?" A grandfatherly voice asked.

Hermione looked up in the aged face of Albus Dumbledore.

"I didn't mean to hurt Harry, I just…"

"Calm down now Ms. Granger, it's over."

But she wouldn't calm down so Albus summoned a calming draught and gave it to her.

After a while Hermione had halfway calmed down. "Is he alright?" she asked unsure.

"He's sleeping." Minerva remarked from the door.

"Professor, I didn't mean to … I don't know what happened."

Minerva nodded and asked her to come over to her office. "I don't have a lesson just now."

"Can you tell us what happened? I only heard yelling." McGonagall asked.

Hermione explained and added. "I thought he was making fun of me, just like all the others." She added. "I got angry and wanted to go out and when he wanted to hold me back, I pushed him, I didn't mean for him to get hurt, really not."

Minerva nodded thoughtfully. "Harry didn't make fun of you, in fact I ordered him to tell you that he had made mistakes on the exam. He was worried that you were studying too much and therefore wanted you to do much better than him so that you wouldn't study so much anymore."

"But Ron and all the others…" Hermione trailed off.

"What others, your other friends?" Dumbledore asked.

"No the Gryffindors… they said that the only reason that I have friends was that I was good at school. But once they saw that Harry was even better than me…"

"You thought that they wouldn't want to be friends with you anymore." Minerva concluded bitterly disappointed with the responsible Gryffindors.

Hermione nodded sadly.

"I don't think you have to worry, least of all about Harry. He won't leave his friends just like that."

"But now I yelled at him and hurt him and …" she broke down.

"Why don't you visit him when he's better? I'm sure he won't be angry at you."

Hermione nodded slowly but then thought back to what happened. "What was that shield? And why was Harry in pain… and … I mean " She turned to McGonagall "Why were you calling Harry "my little one"?"

But then all fell into place. "You said he had a flash-back, does that mean that someone hurt him? His relatives? That's why he's always so shy, isn't it? And you… did you save him or something like that."

Dumbledore smiled slightly at the sharp mind of the girl before him, but then he nodded gravely.

"But, but … Harry's so nice and … why? And, what happened?"

"I think you should ask Harry, but careful. I don't think that he'd like us to speak about it all."

Hermione nodded. "But he won't be going back, will he!"

"No he won't." Minerva said firmly. "He will stay at Hogwarts."

"With you?" Hermione asked.

Minerva smiled. "Yes with me."

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I finally got around to write the next chapter. I know it has been ages, but there's much up at the moment.

I have started working as a scientific assistant at university and am at the moment searching for a topic in which I'd like to doctorate, and that takes a lot of time. (after all i will spend my time working on this for the next 4+ years).

So the next chapter will come, but I can't say when.

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