Chapter thirteen

Harry found it hard to believe that he had Susan Bones sitting on his lap, and they were snogging. They spoke, and Harry said he would like to get to know her. Right after that she had climbed into his lap. When they first came up for air, Harry had to explain some things to his now girlfriend. He wanted Susan to decide for herself if she wanted to date Harry. Lucky for him, she did.

After a few more minutes of snogging, Harry realised his feelings for Hermione weren't what he thought.

'I thought I was in love with Hermione or I was falling in love with her. I just realised that she was really the only girl I spent a lot of time with. Because of the way I grew up, I didn't know what it felt like to be loved and I didn't love anyone. Dating Ginny was different, she was nice, funny and fun to hang around. But after we got together, I realised I liked spending time with her, but I wasn't interested in kissing her. She wasn't really my type. I also realise she was more of a fan girl and liked the-boy-who-lived, than me, the boy.'

'I used to see that with Ginny. How she seemed to be obsessed with everything you did. It was like she was trying to figure out how to get you before your interest went to some other girl. When you were talking to others or looking around the great hall, Ginny would constantly stare at you. Everyone knew she would try to get you, sooner or later. Hermione being so close to you and the only girl you spent time with would make you confused about your feelings. She supported you and was with you during all your…adventures.'

Harry chuckled, 'Adventures, that's a different way to say what it was that me and my friends went through. But after I spoke with Hermione, about how I felt, I was still upset with her. She called me a cheat and hardly spoke to me during this last school year. Whenever she saw me, she would glare. At first it confused me, but when I found out the reason, she refuses to listen.'

'Why did she call you a cheat?'

'I had this potions book that belonged to someone called the halfblood prince. We had no idea who that was at the time. But I didn't care. It had small changes in the book and it made my potions perfect. Hermione was jealous but refused to admit that, so she called me a cheat for not following the proper instructions.'

'That's stupid. But we all know Hermione liked to be best in every class. We all noticed she didn't like the fact you were the best at defence. We also noticed she didn't like that you became the potions prince.'

Harry shuddered making Susan laugh, 'I hated that name, just like I hated all my names. I keep telling everyone I'm Harry, just Harry.'

'Well just Harry, you are now my boyfriend. But did you find out who the book belonged to?'

'Yes, Snape, his mother was Eileen Prince who won some potions contest when she was a student. His father was a muggle, so he was a halfblood.'

'And he turned out to be a murderer. But we should join the others before they think were shagging.'

Harry laughed, 'That will come in time. But I think they would know it's too soon for that.'

Harry waited until Susan stood, then he did. They snogged once more before the headed downstairs. They found everyone at the dinner table, except Remus.

'Where's Moony?'

'He went to speak with Hermione, Ron and the order,' Tonks said.

'We were talking after you and Susan left. We were trying to work out who Albus would have told about you and the horcrux so they could tell you. Since he never told you and his hand was curse, it's easy to work out he was dying, or he could be incapacitated in some way. Which means he had to tell someone so they could tell you. Now Remus didn't believe it was anyone in the order, like Alastor. But there was one person that Albus seemed to trust.'

'Snape,' Harry said as he sat at the head of the table with Susan on his right, 'But Snape killed Dumbledore.'

'Unless it was planned,' Tonks said.

'Think about it. Albus had a cursed hand and for all we know he was dying. If Snape killed Albus he would be trusted by Voldemort, over any other. We only have one problem with this scenario, you.' Amelia said.

'You wouldn't trust Snape, so whether he told you something that supposedly from Dumbledore, you wouldn't believe him since you don't trust him.'

'No, I wouldn't. Even if he didn't kill Dumbledore I still would never trust that bastard. Okay, say he did tell Snape, Dumbledore had to know after witnessing his death by Snape that I wouldn't trust him. He must have worked out for someone else to know the truth about my scar.'

'We're not sure. But we thought there is a chance that Snape has told your two friends.'

'Ron wouldn't believe Snape, but Hermione, she might. If Snape could convince her he was working for Dumbledore, she might. I just don't know.'

'It doesn't matter since that piece of soul is gone now. But what we were worried about is if they did find out you were a horcrux, then work on some way for you to die. Remus is making sure the know that the goblins were able to remove the one in you and the goblet that belonged to Hufflepuff.' Amelia said.

'All anyone has to do is look at Harry's scar to see it's gone,' Susan said then smiled at Harry as she brushed his hair off his forehead, 'It's faded.'

'I didn't even realise until Susan told me. I try not to look at it.'

'Maybe you should keep your hair off your scar so they could see that it seems to be healing. I was always curious why it stood out so much, after all this time,' Amelia said.

'I was always curious as to why I had a scar when the killing curse leaves no marks of any kind. When I mentioned that to Hermione a couple of years ago, she put it down to the fact I survived when no one else ever did. It's a wonder she didn't research it, just to make sure. She always researched everything until she could get a firm answer,' Harry sighed then sat back, 'Maybe she was told, by Dumbledore, that's why she never bothered to research.'

'Would Hermione be able to lie convincingly?' Ted asked.

'Normally, no. I'm really confused. I don't want to believe Hermione knew all this and didn't tell me. She was one person who stuck by me during my second, fourth and fifth year.'

'She cares for you Harry, but Albus convinced her if you didn't die then all of us would die. He used his greater good argument,' Remus said as he sat at the table beside Tonks, 'One life is better than hundreds.'

'So, she basically lied to me,' Harry growled.

'In a way, yes, but by the time she finished telling me everything she was in tears. She is relieved that you don't have to die. She also admitted that this was the reason she let you believe she cared for you like a brother and no more. It's also the reason for her actions during the last term at Hogwarts. She was trying to distant herself from you, emotionally that is. If she allowed herself to show you how much she cared, then she knew she would be heartbroken when you died.'

'She's out of luck, Harry's mine,' Susan said fiercely making Harry smile.

'I am. But as I told you, I couldn't trust her, and this would have made it worse.' Harry turned to Remus, 'So, they know it's gone now?'

'Yes, many were angry with Albus especially since I explained how the goblins helped.'

'Did you mention who we're talking to?'

'Yes, they're divided, but they do admit we need help. Some aren't sure that the muggles should be in charge. I believe I was able to convince them, especially since the muggle queen will be taking control of our world until we can route out all the criminals and corrupt ministry officials. I explained to Minerva, she instantly asked me to return as the defence teacher. Once it's all over that is.'

'We've got the best shot at ending this, more now since the magical military squad are helping. Did you speak with the twins while you were there?'

'Yes, they're portable quick sand is ready, but they will need to put the pellets in place where none of us will be affected.'

'We have another meeting with the muggles, I'm sure we can map everything out. Harry will be at his parent's graves, Neville beside him. The muggles will need to know where we'll all be so we're not in their line of fire,' Amelia said.

'They had maps open when we were there before. Since we told them about the snake and Godric's Hollow, they would be working on some strategy,' Remus said. 'I told Arthur and the others that I will continue to fill them in. Now out of the ones at headquarters, Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Mad-eye, the twins, Ron, Hermione and Kingsley can do the patronus charm. Minerva can along with Filius. That's ten there, then us along with Auror Proudfoot, Auror Jones and Auror Hammer.' Remus said.

'That will be plenty to keep the dementors away. We need to work on who will be taking care of the giants, trolls, vampires and werewolves.'

'I think many of the muggleborns in the squad should take care of those,' Harry said, 'They did admit to us that they wouldn't know any advanced spells so using big guns would work well for them, plus they are trained to use them.'

'I could as well since I grew up knowing how to shoot. But I had a thought. The muggle military will be able to get flame throwers. If the ones that don't know enough spells to use, they could use the flame throwers and take care of the vampires, inferi and werewolves,' Ted said.

'That would leave all of us who do know advance and dangerous spells to use on the death eaters,' Amelia said.

'So, we mention that to the prime minister at the next meeting.' Harry said.

'Oh, Charlie spoke with his friends in Romania who spoke with the people at other reserves. They were approached about buying some dragons, then tried to fight when they were turned down. They used port keys to get away. They know some tried to get in through the night but by the time they investigated they didn't find anyone, but all the dragons were there. It wasn't until a couple of days later that they found parts of the men in the dung.'

Susan and Hannah looked sick, Harry just nodded just like Amelia, Ted and Andromeda. Neville looked at Harry and shrugged. Harry knew Neville felt like he did, better the death eaters then them.