As always, I'm only playing with JK Rowling's toys.

All credit goes to JK Rowling, her publisher and all the other people involved in bringing her work to life

#

Early morning in Gryffindor tower was a lethargic affair, the after-effects of Mr Sandman's special brew was slowly beginning to loosen its hold over most of the occupants except for a particularly loud snoring red-head. Harry and Hermione came through the portrait; their fingers laced together. Whatever reluctance they had had the day before about disclosing their new relationship had been completely eradicated.

As they entered the common room the bleary eyes of the assembled pupils tried to focus on what they were witnessing, unfortunately for them, their brains were still happily ensconced under the covers of their beds and were refusing to leave unless coffee and bacon were delivered. The one person who was fully aware of what was happening was Neville, seeing his two friends displaying their relationship was a joyful moment for him.

'Morning Harry, how are you feeling?' Neville asked.

'I'm good, I am looking forward to a day of mind-numbing repetition and boredom with frequent stops at dullness, tedium and lassitude before terminating at monotony.' Harry replied.

Hermione looked at her boyfriend and said 'You do realise that they all mean the same thing, don't you?'

'I do' said Harry 'Too much excitement is not good for your health. It's nice to have a bit of monotony from time to time. So Nev, what's been going down since potions yesterday?'

Neville closed over his copy of Culpepper's Complete Herbal and said 'I had an interesting conversation with Draco and inducted him into the Anti Ron Weasley club. Also, the Rumour mill has been going mental, did you know that Ron Weasley single handily fought off not just Snape but half of Slytherin house as they tried to sacrifice you to Ba'al? All while the rest of Gryffindor were cowering behind him, that is except you, Hermione.'

'Me? Why, what was I doing?' She asked

'Well that depends on the story, some said that you were crying over Harry's dead body and some said that you were clinging to Ron like some helpless damsel wearing taffeta robes that billowed of their own accord. Honestly, some of these people need to stop reading Mills & Boons.' Exclaimed Neville.

'Helpless Damsel? That is never going to happen, let me be clear about that.' said Hermione harshly.

'Oh, before I forget I took a Gringotts letter on your behalf. It looked important, and I didn't want it falling into the wrong hands.' Neville produced the letter from his robes and handed it over to Harry.

'Harry? How did the owl know to give it to me if you weren't available?' questioned Neville.

'I gave Ragnok a list of people that I trusted enough to receive mail for me. There is Hermione, you, Sirius and Remus Lupin. You are one of my closest friends, Nev, and I trust you completely.' Harry smiled as he saw the shocked look on Neville's face.

'Why, though, Harry? Don't get me wrong I am flattered that you would consider me a trusted friend. We barely spoke through the first couple of years here, why the sudden turn around?'

Before answering, Harry looked around at the people in the common room; most were too tired to care what was going on. A few of the more awake residents were pretending not to be interested but their hopes for a full-on argument to brighten up their morning was keeping them eyes on the trio.

Harry leaned into Neville and whispered 'I only found out recently that you and I where meant to grow up together. Your mum is my godmother mate; my mum was yours. If I had known sooner, I swear to you I would have been at your side. I have a lot to make up for, and I had hoped that you would give me a chance to fix it.'

Neville sat back on the couch and stared into the middle distance, his thoughts going a thousand mile an hour. If Harry were truthful then he wouldn't be alone again, he had for all intents and purposes, a brother.

'I know that this is a lot to take in, mate but if you need me just let me know ok? We have a hell of a lot of time to catch up on.' Said, Harry.

'yeah, I'd ...I'd like that. Gimme a while, and we can talk, ok?' Neville asked.

'Sure thing, brother.' Harry extended his hand to Neville who took it and was immediately pulled into a hug.

#

Once they had broken their embrace, Harry and Hermione went up to their separate dorms to change for breakfast. Harry sat on his bed and opened the letter from Ragnok and sighed.

"Your Grace,

Yesterday I expected the Chief Warlock to attend a meeting with me to discuss the criminal Tom Riddle. I have to advise that he did not attend, nor was there any notification that he would not be attending. The Goblin Nation is prepared to withdraw all aid to wizardkind on this matter unless we receive a full and frank apology.

Your Grace, I do not take this action lightly. My advisors did not wish me to notify you of this course of events, however, due to the respect and reverence that you have shown I am extending this courtesy to you.

I await your reply.

Director Ragnok."

'Fuck!' exclaimed Harry as he rushed to his truck to send his reply.

Dumbledore had better not have fucked this up, now their meeting this morning is going to take on an entirely different feel.

"Director,

May your enemies tremble before you and your gold ever flow.

It greatly distresses me that our Chief Warlock did not attend your meeting, his actions are his own in this regard and had I known that this meeting was to happen I would have changed my arrangements and met with you my self.

Albus Dumbledore is no longer in my trust, his manipulations run too deep and while I do not doubt that he feels that what he has done is for the best, the hurt that he has inadvertently caused cannot and will not be forgiven.

Yesterday I was struck down with a sickness that caused me to be bed bound and unconscious for most of the day. I can only assume that this was the ultimate cause for this slight against the Nation.

From henceforth, there can no longer be any dealings that involve only the headmaster.

While I was incapacitated, a spectral figure came to me and urged that I seek out the one as wise as Athena. When this person is found, I will beseech them to join our cause, and they will take the place of Dumbledore.

On a personal note, please accept my sincerest gratitude for the events of the 19th. Your efforts incredibly touched Ms Granger and her parents. She has become my partner, and if the coming war is ended swiftly to our benefit, I intend to make her my mate.

Forever in friendship and gold

Harry J. Potter

Earl of Monmouth"

Harry quickly scanned the letter and hoped that this would pacify the Nation for a time until he could find out who Athena was talking about. As soon as he sealed the letter, Hedwig appeared, almost as if by magic, ready to do her masters bidding.

'Would you mind taking this directly to Ragnok?There may be a reply, so can you wait? I'm sure he'll let you know if there is nothing for him to send.' He asked the beautiful snowy owl, who just looked at him.

'ok I get it, I'm stupid. Thanks, Hedwig' he attached the letter to her leg, and she silently flew out the window.

Harry sat on his bed with his head in his hands. He knew what was going to happen next, even though it didn't happen in his previous life. It was almost inevitable. Ron would soon wake, and then his jealousy and petty mindedness would take over. An abrupt snore from the slovenly boy forced Harry to leave the dorm before Ron woke.

As he descended the stairs, Harry saw Ginny talking with Hermione. He knew how this conversation was going to go as he slowly walked over, listening to what was being said.

'I'm surprised that you even managed to show your face around here after your cowardly performance yesterday when Harry was attacked.' Spat Ginny.

'I'm sorry, do you want to run that by me again?' asked Hermione, the timbre of her voice getting slightly higher as she spoke.

'Oh come on, don't pretend you don't know. The entire Gryffindor fourth knows that Ron was the only one to stand and defend Harry. The rest of you cowards hid under your desks, I would have expected better from you.' said Ginny as she looked Hermione up and down 'I suppose it's true about muggle-borns, there isn't anything special about them.' She continued.

'I don't know Ginny' interjected Harry 'This muggle-born is pretty special to me, and just so we are clear on the matter. I was not attacked; I collapsed and began to fit. This was brought on by a concussion. Hermione, Neville and Draco are the only ones that helped me. Ronald tried to attack Draco before Professor Snape froze him.' Harry didn't even look at the Red-head; his full concentration was on Hermione.

He leaned in and captured Hermione's lips with his own, giving her a soft but altogether knee-weakening kiss. He said 'You look as beautiful as the dawn.' Before turning and staring down the increasingly agitated Weasley. 'Both McGonagall and Dumbledore have seen the memory of what happened, and I suggest you ask to see it yourself before you go accusing my girlfriend of things. And while I'm on the subject of MY GIRLFRIEND, I suggest you formulate a suitable apology then back the fuck off. My shit list already has your brother on it for the way he talks about girls; do you want to join him on it?' Ginny was slowly shaking her head and backing away as Harry spoke.

There was something about the way he spoke, it scared her, and she wanted no part in it. She turned, and high tailed it back to her dorm, leaving the couple standing.

'Are you ready for breakfast love?' Harry asked with a smile as he turned to Hermione.

'Did you have to scare her like that?'

'I deemed it necessary to get my point across.' Replied Harry as he took her hand and led her to the portrait hole.

'Really and what was your point?' Hermione asked

'That you are off-limits and if anyone tries anything, then there will be me to deal with.' said Harry as they left the tower.

#

Neville watched the entire confrontation between Hermione and Ginny and then Harry and Ginny. It was clear to see that Harry and Hermione were together and no one would come between them, and it was also evident to him that there had been a seismic change in Harry. He was not the same boy as the one who finished the third year, and now he was self-assured and confident, so confident that he changed the entire social fabric within the school in one fell swoop.

Neville sighed and got up from the couch to head to breakfast. Being the quiet man of Gryffindor gave him the advantage that people always forgot that he was there left him alone. This allowed him to see and hear everything that went on, even the things that no one wanted others to know.

'Nev, are you going down to breakfast?' asked Hannah as she stood outside the entrance to the tower. Neville was slightly shocked at seeing her waiting for him.

'Yeah, Care to join me?' he asked while offering her his arm.

'I would love to' she replied 'So tell me, what was it you were saying the other day about combining volcanic ask and Dragon dung to increase the fertility of the soil in the greenhouses?'

Neville smiled to himself. Whatever had happened to Harry, he decided, can't have been a bad thing as if seemed to have rubbed off on him too.

#

The great hall was abuzz with bleary-eyed children of all ages, some eating, some talking others simply dozing off and waking with a start before face-planting in their cereal. When Harry and Hermione entered the hall instantly, it seemed as though someone had turned the sound off. No one spoke, no one chewed, nothing happened. of course the young couple were far too busy talking to each other to notice, this in its self was enough to keep everyone silent even more.

'It's like I said, Neville is my godbrother, if that is even a thing, I owe it to him to make up for the lost time.' said Harry as he let Hermione sit down first before taking his seat.

'I got that, but what do you plan on doing? ' Hermione asked as she put some of the fruit pudding, black pudding, bacon and sausages and scrambled eyes on her plate.

'You forgot the Haggis, love.' Harry placed a bit on her plate 'I'm not sure, we'll come up with something.'

It was then he noticed that not one person had moved since he walked in.

'What? Have none of you ever seen someone eat before?' he asked the hall at large, this caused the entire hall to erupt into activity.

'Honestly, the nosy ba-' he began before Hermione jabbed him with her fork.

'Sorry, love.'