Disclaimer: I hold no claim or ownership over JKR's Potterverse but I do feel free to take all of the pieces and move them about as I see fit.

Saturday morning, the first Hogsmeade weekend in January Harry awoke from a very strange dream about an orphanage and several children laughing at him. Harry sprang up off of his bed with a scream and once again he was thankful that he had placed silencing charms around his bed. Harry shook his head and then got out of the bed and threw on his workout clothes.

After a relaxing workout in the room of requirement Harry took a bath in the Gryffindor Prefects bathroom which still functioned for the former Prefects of the school. After he got out of the shower he returned to the common room to find it still empty which was unusual because Hermione was usually up at that point.

Harry sighed looking around the empty room and summoned his bag that still had his notes for the deatheater ward. After working on his notes for nearly an hour and getting a fair amount of work done on creating the ward he was finally graced by the presence of Hermione. She was wearing a tight sweater and jeans and she watched as Harry's eyes went rather wide when she sauntered over to him and sat on his lap.

She giggled at the gob smacked expression on his face before she gave him a quick peck on the lips and said, "Harry, I wanted to apologize about teasing you last night. I sometimes forget that you didn't grow up like I did and my parents always spoke like that to each other. I want you to know I have no plans on going anywhere now or anytime ever. So we are stuck with each other ok, love?"

Harry smiled slightly and nodded before he replied, "I know that, but sometimes it's hard to accept that someone I love won't be taken from me like my parents. I know it's not rational but its still how I feel."

Hermione nodded and gave him a kiss on the lips before she said, "Today we are going to be a normal couple Harry. We are going to go shopping and then go to Madam Puddifoot's for some tea and to talk and maybe kiss. We've spent a lot of time together since we've returned to the school but not much as a couple and we need to make time for that too ok?" Harry nodded and Hermione smiled and added, "Why don't we go downstairs and grab some breakfast and talk about Quidditch?"

After a quiet breakfast spent talking about nothing in particular they found themselves on the carriages heading towards Hogsmeade for the quiet day ahead.

As the majority of the students in the school were going to Hogsmeade the staff was holding a meeting called by Umbridge to discuss the start of classes since the holidays.

Umbridge stood at attention in the small lounge for staff that Umbridge had instituted shortly after her appointment as head of the school following Dumbledore's departure.

The squat toadish woman finally spoke, "I've called today's staff meeting to discuss the general status of the student populace and also to speak on the relative success of the application of the HPA within the walls of the school."

Professor Slughorn stood and said, "I can understand the need to implement ministry edict within the school, but I believe some of your inquisitorial squad might be taking their application a bit far. One of my best students Ms. Granger has been harassed on several occasions outside of class, simply because she is a muggleborn student. I would hope that we would encourage our more talented students to showcase their talents and not fear of being persecuted because there are other jealous factions within the student populace."

Umbridge shook her head distastefully and replied, "Horace you simply don't understand the awful effect on our society that half breeds and muggleborns have on our heritage and traditions do you? Mark my words soon enough wizards will be working with muggles and then everything we have fought to keep secret and sacred for so long. That is why abominations such as Ms. Granger need to be taught their role in society so they don't get any crazy ideas like being minister of magic or even working for the ministry."

Professor Vector shook her head and spoke, "Delores, I fail to see why you want to persecute some of the most talented students in our school. Ms, Granger is the most brilliant student I have had the pleasure of teaching in Arithmancy and by proxy she taught the second most brilliant student I have in Mr. Potter. In fact Mr. Potter's mother was a muggleborn like Ms. Granger, and I have no doubt that both Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter could be professors in just about any subject we offer; isn't that correct Minerva?" Professor McGonagall merely nodded with a small smile gracing her face content to listen to the rest of the staff have the same argument with Umbridge that she had fought the entire year."

Umbridge was quickly becoming indignant and weakly argued, "Muggleborn students may be competent in such theoretical subjects as potions, runes, and Arithmancy. But, no one here can argue that purebloods are the most magically powerful students. If you say otherwise you are simply ignoring the facts."

McGonagall took the opportunity to voice her opinions, "Delores, Albus, V-Voldemort, and Harry are all half bloods and they are easily the most powerful witch or wizards alive. In fact the two most powerful students in the school are Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter and neither is a pureblood."

Umbridge sneered and huffed, "Potter may be the most powerful wizard in the school, but that is because he comes from an old family. Granger will be dealt with if she keeps becoming the topic of attention here today." The rest of the staff stifled their retorts not wanting Hermione to pay for being the subject of their praise in Umbridge's presence.

Umbridge was finally content with the talk of her least favorite mudblood coming to a close so she pushed on in the meeting, "Another topic that we must discuss today are the upcoming OWL and NEWT exams for our fifth and seventh year students. Are the students progressing in their studies?"

The professors all shared a look surprised that Umbridge even cared before Professor Flitwick spoke, "Delores the only concerns I have are that I have one student taking ten OWL exams and I am not sure if there will be any time conflicts."

Professor McGonagall sighed and added, "Yes I also have two students taking ten or more exams. But, as I recall from when Percy Weasley was a student here, not a single exam falls during the time of another exam. I do not believe Mr. Stern should have any issues because he is doing quite well in my class." Professor Flitwick smiled and nodded content with the knowledge.

Umbridge looked around the room for any more comments before she continued, "Additionally, the fifth year students will be given career counseling by their respective heads of house. I have taken the liberty of making up a list of all of your muggleborn students with suggestions for proper career suggestions. I expect you all to deal with matter properly." With that the staff meeting was dismissed with each of Hermione's professors intent on not allowing Umbridge to do anything to one of their favorite students.

Meanwhile, in Hogsmeade, Harry and Hermione were preparing to enter Scrivenshaft's to start their day of peace and quiet together. Harry was searching through the quills to pick up looking for the golden eagle feather quills he had grown accustomed to when he chanced a look out the window and spotted Pansy Parkinson looking directly at him.

Harry turned away from Pansy and rolled his eyes; content with his find, before he walked over to Hermione who was looking for the black falcon feather quills she had grown accustomed to using. Harry smiled when she found her quills and beamed with happiness before Harry said, "Don't look out the window love. Pansy was giving me cow eyes while I was shopping and I glanced out the window and saw her. Honestly it was a bit scary."

Hermione giggled and grabbed Harry's hand leading him to the front so that they could buy their quills and move on to Hermione's favorite place in the village at the bookstore. Hermione dragged Harry out of Scrivenshaft's and down the main street to the bookstore to do some serious book shopping.

When they entered the book store they were surprised to find Mathias and Luna doing some shopping as well and they both waved when Harry and Hermione entered the store. Luna motioned for them to come over, before she asked, "Are you both avoiding the Peruvian Ear weevils like Mathias and I are?"

Harry smiled and winked at Mathias before he said, "No, we are just enjoying the quiet of the book store. To tell you the truth, we are usually the only ones who stop here on Hogsmeade weekends. It is always nice to have some company though."

Hermione nodded and added, "Yes, and we haven't had much time to talk aside from the DA since the holidays. I'm surprised neither of you were invited to the first slug club meeting."

Luna smiled and replied, "Oh we both were invited, but we got caught up in a broom closet on the way to it."

Harry chuckled as Mathias' face flushed with embarrassment before he tried to regain some of his dignity and added, "Yes we were love." Which prompted Harry to break out laughing and Hermione joined in as they leaned against each other trying to regain their breath as they held their sides.

After they stopped laughing because they owner of the book store gave the both of them a rather harsh look, they said their goodbyes and began their decent into the reaches of the building. Harry was looking a book on advanced jinxes and hexes while Hermione found a fascinating book on the theory of spell creation by using Arithmancy.

Harry had decided to purchase to first book when he happened upon a book on sword fighting, and he decided that he could incorporate dueling against an opponent the room provided to improve his skills before the summer.

Hermione hadn't found any other books she wanted after she browsed for about an hour and after she excitedly checked what Harry had purchased she grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him down the street to Madam Puddifoot's so she could get some snogging time in with her boyfriend.

They entered Madam Puddifoot's for the second time together; although this time they certainly had designs on making their stay much more romantic and much more enjoyable. Hermione giggled as she led Harry into the small restaurant/café and they were both blissfully unaware that Pansy Parkinson watched them enter with a scowl.

Pansy muttered to herself, "I don't see what he finds so special about the bookworm mudblood. I doubt she does more than snog him and it's not like she is all that much to look at. I'll just have to show him what a mistake he is making and I can do that by forcing him to break up with the filthy little mudblood to begin with." Pansy took a quick look around before she stomped towards Madam Puddifoot's with conquest on her mind.

Harry and Hermione found a secluded table in the corner and took up residency as Harry helped Hermione into her seat and then slid his next to hers so they could cuddle while they talked.

Harry ordered a cup of chamomile while Hermione got a cup of earl grey as he said, "Ok Hermione, are you having fun today?"

Hermione beamed Harry a smile and leant over before she gave him a kiss. The kiss quickly became a full blown snog as Hermione slipped her tongue into Harry's lip before he opened his mouth and released his tongue also. Sensations swirled in each of their brains as Hermione tasted the minty flavor of Harry's mouth and Harry tasted the flavor of strawberries and crème that he had grown so fond of after he realized that Hermione used that flavor of toothpaste.

When they finally broke the kiss they were both spotting slightly crooked but wide grins. Harry finally said, "Well, that was quite lovely I must say." Hermione giggled and gave Harry a kiss on the tip of his nose before she snuggled into his shoulder and grabbed her cup of tea to do some sipping. As they sat their Harry asked something that caught Hermione slightly off guard when he asked, "Hermione, what is the color of the dress you'll be wearing at the ball?"

Hermione frowned slightly and replied, "I kind of wanted it to be a surprise Harry. Why do you ask?"

Harry smiled and said, "I don't need to see the dress it's just that if I knew what color your dress was I'd be able to make your surprise match your dress."

Hermione nodded slowly and replied, "It's emerald green Harry. But there had better be no peaking before the ball mister." She finished in her best McGonagall impersonation which caused Harry to laugh and kiss the top of her head which she had expertly tucked under his chin as they continued to talk.

Harry finally wrapped his arm around Hermione and they just sat in silence for a few wonderful minutes. Little did they know that Pansy had watched the entire exchange, and was growing more and more enraged as she watched from the outside the front window of the restaurant suddenly becoming intent on breaking the couple up now instead of later as she had planned. Pansy stomped into Madam Puddifoot's not exactly in her right mind and the only thing on said mind was vengeance.

Harry and Hermione's idealistic day suddenly came crashing down when they heard Pansy scream from across the room, "HARRY POTTER I ORDER YOU UNDER THE HPA TO BREAK UP WITH THE BOOKWORM MUDBLOOD AND COME TO ME WHERE YOU BELONG." Harry glanced at Hermione whose smile had suddenly turned into a scowl before he sighed and turned towards the sound of the disruption.

Pansy finally stalked her way across Madam Puddifoot's to find Harry and Hermione watching her with no small amount of distaste. She finally worked up the remainder of her limited courage reserves and said, "So, what is it going to be Pot-Harry?"

Harry's face betrayed no emotion although Hermione knew he was feeling quite smug thanks to their connection. He tightened his grip around her shoulders before he replied, "Pansy, the Potter family is much older than the supposed grand pureblood families that exist today. My ancestors were contemporaries of the founders and I highly doubt the Parkinson family was little more than a muggle name at the time. So, tell me Pansy what exactly is the point of having titles like pureblood if they aren't even accurate?"

Pansy obviously was taken quite off kilter by Harry's statement and could only think to say, "You don't know what you're talking about Potter. In fact, I don't even know what I saw in you in the first place. All you are is a mudblood lover with no sense of history." Pansy spun around on her heel and stomped out of Madam Puddifoot's considerably quieter than when she had entered.

Harry shared a look with Hermione before they both broke off into laughter and Hermione leaned up and whispered into Harry's ear, "It's a good thing you didn't tell her that you are related to one of the founders or her head might have exploded." Harry gave Hermione a kiss on the forehead and then chuckled into Hermione's neck which caused her to shiver from his hot breath on her neck.

He finally pulled away while still holding her in his arms and said, "I think we need to talk about some things and put them to bed." Hermione nodded confusedly at the strange statement but she was also curious as to what things needed to be dealt with.

Harry smiled and began, "Well first I wanted to talk to you about the work on the deatheater wards."

Hermione nodded and asked, "More good news I hope?"

Harry gave her a small smile and replied, "Well, yes and no I think. I should be finished with the spell creation for the ward before the dance. But, I thought that it would be good to wait for a very symbolic day to clean the castle. A form of spring cleaning, if you will."

Hermione arched her eyebrow and asked, "How long are we talking about Harry?"

Harry gave her a soft smile and then pulled back a little afraid of her reaction when he said, "I was thinking we could make a statement by kicking her and any other deatheaters out of the school on April's Fool Day."

Harry watched Hermione carefully before she laughed and said, "I'm sure we can manage a little bit longer to evict her from the castle because I agree that it will give us the ultimate last word." Harry nodded somewhat less hesitantly before he gave her a peck on the lips and they shifted back to their cuddling position.

They sat in the same position for a while just content to be holding each other and drinking their tea before Harry sighed and said, "We also need to talk about Slughorn and just how much we can get from him without really giving anything of importance up."

Hermione nodded and then a thoughtful expression crossed her face as she said, "Well Harry, I say we allow him to think he has us fully in his little slug club and use him like he has become so accustomed to doing to others."

Harry nodded and then asked, "How exactly are we supposed to do that love?"

Hermione shook her head with mirth and replied, "Harry as good as you are at getting revenge I would think the concept would be simple to you." At Harry's confused expression Hermione giggled quietly and then continued, "We continue to accept his praise in class and pretend we are confiding in him during our remedial classes. After all that is how he creates his network he trades information through the web of contacts he makes. We attend his slug club parties and play his little game of gathering information while he drink punch and if what Remus told me is correct, he will serve butterbeer and firewhiskey as the parties progress. He'll be teaching us potions for the next couple of years so we'll need to keep up the game until we graduate and when he asks for his first favor we'll simply tell him that he can sod off."

Harry chuckled and replied, "How very Slytherin of you my dear. Of course you will be the one to tell him to sod off when the time comes. I'll want to be watching it so I can have a vivid memory for my pensieve that we can show the kids when we get old enough." Hermione gave Harry a sly smile and burrowed her head into his shoulder and cooed contentedly at Harry's proclamation of children. It was a promise of a future she wanted badly and she was pleased to see Harry taking such an interest and hopeful look into the future when so many terrible things were still to come.

Finally, Harry broke the comfortable silence once again with a topic that he had been juggling with for over a year and he had yet to find the closure he desperately wanted. He started, "Hermione, I've been agonizing over how I should deal with Ron and Ginny. Do you have any ideas?"

Hermione stiffened slightly before she replied, "Ron has seemed to flourish this year without us around to keep him fettered with any ideas of responsibility. I mean he isn't going to set any records on his OWL exams but he probably won't do the worst either. I mean I'm sure he can scrape by with more OWL's than Crabbe and Goyle." Hermione sighed and added, "I think we just need to keep our eyes and ears open in relation to Ginny. This year is forcing her to grow up quickly and it will be interesting to see where that leaves her."

Harry laughed and retorted, "Yes I understand all of that Hermione. But, should we trust Ron with more important things in the DA or should we leave him to his own devices. I mean he is easily magically the weakest member of the group but tactically he has an innate sense. In the last drill I ran he was unbelievably inventive in his use of the environment. Much more inventive then you were or I would have been. I just feel like he deserves to be utilized in a way."

Hermione nodded in understanding before she took on a thoughtful look that Harry had grown to know in the past year. It was the same look she had before she came up with a particularly brilliant situation and Harry patiently awaited her response. Finally, her bright brown eyes lit up and she replied, "I think we should ask the room to create some battle scenarios for Ron on paper and see how he solves them. We can use them as ideas for future training exercises and we'll be utilizing Ron to his maximum potential for the DA."

Harry scratched his chin as though he was thinking deeply about what Hermione had said before he smiled and said, "Well love, I think that just earned one free snog point that you can redeem at any time for a snog from me." Hermione giggled and she tightened her grip on Harry.

Finally, she started to talk and she said, "Harry I know you want closure on Ron as being your first and best friend for so long so I think I might have an idea that will put that Ron to rest and allow you to accept the friend Ron is to you now."

Harry nibbled on Hermione's ear lobe as she shivered with the sensations it caused before he whispered in her ear, "I'm listening love. What is this grand idea you have for me?"

Hermione smiled and replied, "Why don't we share our favorite Ron memories and then leave him right there. In our memories so that way he'll never be forgotten but we can finally leave him behind us and try to support the Ron we know now as someone different; because truthfully he is someone different."

Harry nodded slowly already thinking of his favorite memories with Ron before he asked, "Would you like to go first or should I?"

Hermione smiled pleased Harry seemed so accepting of the idea and said, "I think you should go first Harry. I know you need this more than I do."

Harry sighed and nodded trying to think of his favorite Ron memory and then it came to him. He smiled and said, "I guess it would have to be the summer before second year. The Dursley's had finally freed me from the cupboard and gave me ickle Dudders second room. Unfortunately they also barred my windows and locked me in my room with my food coming in through a cat flap they had installed on my door." Harry smiled faintly as Hermione scowled as she chalked up another reason to pay the Dursley's a visit sooner than later. Harry continued, "Then about three days before we were supposed to take the express Ron and the twins came in their dads flying car and pulled the bars of the window and they broke me out of hell. I had wondered if everyone had forgotten about me because I hadn't received any letters of course that was because Dobby didn't want me to return to Hogwarts that year."

Harry paused and was unsurprised when Dobby arrived with a soft pop and asked hopefully, "Master Harry is wanting something from Dobby?"

Harry smiled and replied, "No Dobby that's not necessary, I'm just telling Hermione about second year when you withheld my mail from my friends." Dobby bowed his head in shame and Harry added, "You helped save my life that year without even realizing it Dobby. If not for you I never would have known trouble was coming in the school and it probably would have been too late to stop Tom and his basilisk. I just wanted to say thank you Dobby and I consider you friend." Dobby beamed and Harry finished, "I didn't mean to call you here so you can go back and bug Sirius for me if you'd like?" Dobby nodded and vanished once again with a soft pop. Harry glanced at Hermione who was sporting a rather silly grin.

Harry chuckled and continued, "So Ron rescued me and they took me to see the burrow for the first time. I have to admit despite going to Hogwarts that first year; I'd never really seen the magical world outside of Diagon Alley and the castle. It was so amazing to watch the dishes clean themselves and hear the ghoul making a racket up in the attic. I don't think I'd ever seen Ron as relaxed as he was then. It was before things started to get really dangerous and he was in his element at the house he grew up in. I doubt he'll ever realize how jealous I was off him at that moment. In fact, I doubt he'd be able to realize how it almost felt to me like he was rubbing it in my face that he had such a normal life growing up while the barred up room they pulled me from was the best accommodations I'd ever had in 11 years with the Dursleys." Harry took a deep breath as his thoughts strayed and he continued, "I'm going to skip past my FLOO incident and the ever egotistical crush of yours and move on to how Ron and I got stuck at the station."

Hermione scowled and asked, "Are you ever going to let me live that down?"

Harry smiled and replied, "No I really doubt I let you live down your first crush because I doubt you'll ever let me live down that horrid Cho Chang crush I had at the beginning of fourth year." Hermione nodded as though pleased with the trade off and Harry continued, "Ron suggested we get in the car and fly it to Hogwarts. Of course we were both terrified that if we didn't make it to the school on time that we'd be denied admission or something silly like that. I guess flying in that car will always stick with me as my favorite Ron moment because we were so deep in it that all we could think to do was laugh most of the trip about how ridiculous our situation was. I guess that's how I'll always remember Ron my best friend." Harry finished somewhat fondly and also somewhat sadly as Hermione took her hand and caressed his cheek before she gave him a peck on the lips.

Once she was satisfied he had finished his moment she said, "I think my favorite memory of Ron was also one of my least favorite memories of you Harry." Harry frowned and she explained, "It was after Dumbledore had found you and placed you in the hospital wing following your confrontation with Quirrel and Voldemort. Ron was so worried about you even though he had been hurt in that chess game. I think it was the first time he realized just how dangerous it was to be Harry Potter and he actually had a moment of conscience as I sat there next to you holding your hand for the first time. Of course I never would have admitted it to you back then. Ron looked at me and how I was holding your hand and he said, 'I hope Harry realizes how much you care for him because I think he deserves a little love in his life.' Of course I was mortified because while I did love you, the way he described it made me think of you in a way I wasn't exactly comfortable with at that time."

Harry arched his eyebrow and Hermione smiled and continued, "I admit he did have me thinking about how I felt about the both of you for the next couple of years. It may have taken me two more years before I realized he was right, but he was the one who actually started me thinking about it. In a way he is partially to thank for getting us together, because I very well may never have thought about us like that until sometime like now. I bet by that time you would have already had Cho wrapped around your finger and I would have been forced to be the good friend who also happened to be a girl and give you advice even though my heart protested against it. Anyways, that was my favorite Ron moment and actually as the years continued we had less good moments and more fights then I'd like to remember. Unfortunately, you were placed right in between us most of those times and it wasn't even your fault. I'm just glad we survived everything because I'm sure it made us stronger."

Harry smiled and he said, "I think that is an apt description for us, don't you think? Although I am going to change it a little, to better serve our purposes. Our motto for the rest of the year will be, 'It won't kill us, but it will make us stronger.'"

Hermione smiled and said, "Better to be a strong survivor right love?" Harry nodded slowly and then gave her a kiss on the lips conveying exactly how he felt about her. By the end of the war they would each have their share of scars that much they knew. But, they also knew that they would be able to deal with those scars together and alive.

A/N: Please review. This chapter was my attempt to put Harry and Hermione's plans for the rest of the year into focus. Next chapter is the ball and I guarantee a few surprises and the expulsion of a student with some blood mixed in for all of you gore lovers. Keep reading and keep up the great reviews.