I do not own Harry Potter or gain anything from writing this other than the opportunity of expanding on an already brilliant universe for my own entertainment, and hopefully yours.

Sharing Minds

Harry and Hermione sat beside the Great Lake back to back. There were only a couple of days left before the Hogwarts Express would take them away from school, so Hermione was insistent that they meld as often as possible. After the initial shock of the process she found it to be immensely enjoyable, Harry did too. Her mind was always so full of questions and it was incredibly gratifying to be able to answer them in an instant.

He tried the process with some of his other friends as well, with little success. It was difficult for any of them to bare their minds so openly to Harry. Ginny sat for a moment but when Harry couldn't resist teasing her about her still ongoing crush for him she had quickly reverted back to the squeaking, shy girl he'd first met back in his first year.

Ron flat out refused; he didn't want Harry "poking around in his mind" as it were. Neville couldn't handle the process at all, getting dizzy and disoriented until finally vomiting.

Luna was the only person who had taken to melding as well as Hermione. The fourth year Ravenclaw had a truly fascinating mind. The things that she was so adamant about believing out loud she actually had a real fear of doubting.

Harry was happy to reveal that Crumple Horned Snorckack's were in fact real, though potentially extinct. They were a variant of a Unicorn that had long hair and lived in cold, mountainous regions. Wrackspurts also exist, though they are not called Wrackspurts and are not actual living creatures but wild concentrations of magic. Her spectrespecs were effective at seeing traces of the magic however. Harry was more than pleased to transfer the knowledge of how to create a more complete version of the specs.

One thing Harry had not expected from searching through Hermione and Luna's mind was to discover what they thought of him. Ginny had made it rather obvious, her outer thoughts were consumed with her feelings for him - it had him quickly noticing just how pretty the red-haired girl had become.

Hermione and Luna were more unsure of their feelings. Hermione loved him, that much was clear, he was one of the most important people in the world to her and when he found these feelings of hers he sent back his own in kind. Whether it was a love of siblings as they'd always claimed or something more, neither was sure. There were certainly many thoughts that pointed to the latter but that was perhaps inevitable with how close they were. They had quite a few discussions through their minds on that very subject, neither were embarrassed or ashamed, just curious and open. She certainly had more upfront feelings for Ron, though there seemed to be a shift occurring.

Luna was fearful. Not that she tried to hide anything or was embarrassed by what he'd see when he was melded with her. She was simply afraid of what those feelings could change; she wanted to ensure her feelings didn't ruin their friendship, which Harry learned she valued second only to her relationship with her father. He privately promised that no matter what happened in the future or what happened in her mind, he would always be her friend.

When her traitorous mind asked if there could be something more, Harry encouraged it. Though told her he had too much to do at the moment to seriously consider who he wanted to pursue a path of love with. She understood and gave him something of a mental kiss before they moved back to the transferring of knowledge.

Luna related Harry's ability to the lost diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw, a connection he had already made. They theorized that the diadem was enchanted in some way to contain Rowena Ravenclaw's knowledge, then enchanted again to use something similar to the melding to transfer that knowledge. Harry had a vague idea how he could recreate something like the diadem but it would take a great deal of time and trial and error. Perhaps after the war.

Despite it being effective in transferring information quickly one on one, melding was far more time consuming than Harry had originally realized. It put into perspective how much time would have passed if he had not been in that special space when he'd learned from the Guardian of Knowledge.

Currently, he was showing Hermione the process behind the ritual McGonagall had just performed on him the day before. The basis of the magic was quite different from anything that was used at Hogwarts. Soul transfer usually required a great deal of energy, a kind of payment for passage to allow the soul to be ripped away from its current host. How Voldemort would have created a Horcrux, for example, he needed to tear his soul apart first by committing murder. Then he could direct the wayward soul into an object that was prepared to receive it, then affixing it to the object permanently.

When the soul moved into Harry it had clung to the only living thing that was in the vicinity, affixing itself as best it could on its own. It was connected to Harry, but not so strongly that it could not be removed. Essentially the ritual was never completed. If it had been completed then Harry would have had a great deal more trouble disposing of the parasitic soul. As it was, disconnecting it was as simple as a push from his end and a pull from McGonagall's.

Once it was out and sealed in the picture of the toad, Harry retrieved the Sword of Gryffindor from McGonagall's office and destroyed it. When Hermione commented that it seemed far easier than she expected, Harry pointed out that if Voldemort truly did make other Horcruxes then he would have put powerful Dark Magic in place to protect them, the diary being a prime example.

'Playing with your mudblood girlfriend are you, Potter?' Draco Malfoy's voice said from outside there trance.

Harry passed Hermione a quick message before they broke the meld. Malfoy stood sneering down at them, being flanked as usual by Crabbe and Goyle. Harry stayed seated and didn't say a word, watching in case Hermione needed him.

'Can I help you, Malfoy?' she asked him calmly.

She held her arms behind her back innocently but Harry could see her wrap a hand around the wand in her back pocket. Malfoy gave Hermione a disgusted look before turning back to Harry.

'Having girls fight your battles for you, Potter?' he asked, then nudged his two cronies encouragingly so they'd laugh. 'I hear you spent a bit of time at the Ministry of Magic lately. Hiding like a coward and then running away. Pathetic!'

'I'm going to have to ask you to leave, Malfoy,' Hermione said in a calm voice. 'If you do not then I will force you to leave.'

'You dare threaten me, Mud -'

Malfoy didn't have time to finish his sentence or finish drawing his wand. Hermione's arm came out in a sweep that sent a wide black rope around all three, wrapping them up tightly with their arms stuck to their sides. Three simultaneous yelps later and they were on their sides, struggling against the rope.

'You can tell a professor what happened if you like,' Hermione said evenly. 'I wouldn't mind the whole school knowing how easily I won against you three.'

Another flick of her wand and the bundle of boys began rolling up to the front door, shrieking in panic and pain all the way. Passing students pointed and laughed at the display until they disappeared inside. Hermione sat back down behind Harry and leaned against him but he didn't re-cast the meld.

'It is rather effective,' Hermione said thoughtfully. 'No one will be able to undo it?'

'I could. I could teach you how, but if anyone tries and gets it wrong more ropes will try to tie themup. There are different versions of the spell that can do a variety of things.'

'How long does it last?' she asked curiously.

'Depends on how much power you put into it. For what you just did ... about half an hour.'

Harry felt Hermione nod against his back then could feel her practicing the wand movements of some other spells he'd taught her. She was getting impressively proficient at non-verbal incantations in such a short time. Hermione truly was an incredible talent. Though it did help that he'd been tutoring her so frequently. It was getting close to dinner time and they'd been at it since after breakfast. It was easy to lose track of time in that state.

'What are you going to be doing this summer?' she asked.

It was a question that Harry had seen in her mind often lately, though he'd never answered it and she'd never voiced it out loud until now. She knew he had something planned.

'First I want to make contact with Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I want to try to convince her that Voldemort actually has returned. If I can convince her, then Voldemort can continue to operate in hiding all he wants, the part of the Ministry that matters most right now would know. They could fight against him and make it seem like they think they're fighting against the Dark Lord Sirius Black or something.'

Hermione turned to face him so he did the same. They were rather close and Harry couldn't help but remember some of the thoughts she had about him and some he had shown her to ease her embarrassment. If the slight pinking of her cheeks was any indicator, Hermione was thinking something similar, but she didn't move away.

'What about the Trace?' she asked concernedly. 'You won't be able to do magic. If the ministry catches you again they'll snap your wand and expel you.'

Harry smiled mischievously at his best friend. 'I was going to tell you on the train,' he said conspiratorially, 'I've already dispelled the Trace on both of us. Figured you'd appreciate being able to practice magic on your own this summer.'

Hermione looked ready to squeal but caution held her back. 'Will we get in trouble for that?' she worried. 'I mean, you already had a hearing last summer and if they find out that you disabled the Trace then they might try to send you to Azkaban - or worse! Even if they don't catch you, if you …'

Harry ignored the nagging in the back of his head telling him to put her lips to better use and waited for her rant to end. It might be more difficult than he thought to wait for all this mess with Voldemort to be done with before he thought about those romantic feelings.

'… Order members see you casting magic; they'll be even more suspicious than they already are!'

'Hermione,' he said, smiling, 'of course I've thought about all this. I do plan on being cautious, I won't let people know that I've disabled the Trace unless it's to someone I trust. I know you'll do the same. For the Ministry, as far as they'll be able to tell the Trace will still be present, it just won't activate when I use magic.'

Hermione let out a held breath at that then launched at him with a hug. 'Oh, thank you Harry! I've always wanted to show my parents magic but I'm never able to do it outside of school!'

Harry hugged her back, noticing the flowery scent of her shampoo.

Since when has Hermione smelled so good? he thought.

They both came apart a little awkwardly, giving each other a slight smile before avoiding eye contact. Again Harry was reminded that even if he'd gained a great deal of knowledge, some far more embarrassing than he was willing to admit to anyone, he was still an idiot, especially when it came to women.

He got to his feet and reached a hand down to her. 'Wanna get some dinner?' he suggested, realizing belatedly what his words could imply.

Hermione's cheeks pinked again but she still took his hand. 'There are still some things I want to talk to you about,' she said, pulling him back down.

'What is it?'

Hermione bit her lip, again avoiding looking him in the eye. Harry felt his heart beat a bit faster, his mind racing at what she might say.

'I want to help you. In the summer, I mean.' His heart fell as she said it, then he mentally kicked himself for being a fool. 'I know that there'll be a lot of things you'll want to do alone - that's fine, I understand you're far beyond me at this point - but if there's ever a time you need someone to help you, for anything at all, please come ask me.'

Harry considered her. With the Trace gone she would be able to come with him anywhere. It might not be a bad idea to have an extra set of eyes for certain things, especially eyes with a mind as sharp as Hermione's.

'Yes, maybe I could use your help,' he said slowly. 'But even if I don't, do you mind if I come visit you during the summer? It'd be nice not having to wait until next year. I won't really be able to visit Ron or anything, his mum would be up the wall if I suddenly Apparate to The Burrow.'

'Of course!' she yelled immediately. 'My parents want to meet you properly, I'm sure. Do you think you can meld with a Muggle?'

Yes, Hermione always had a lot of questions. It was one of the many things he liked about her.

The morning they were to leave on the Hogwarts Express, Harry ventured into the Forbidden Forest under his cloak. He found Professor Umbridge in the centre of a centaur camp in a small wooden cage. She was wide eyed and skittish, her pink cardigan dirtied to a dull brown. Harry reached a disembodied hand into the cage and grabbed her roughly on her dirty cardigan before Apparating to the middle of Hogsmeade, releasing her and sneaking off under his cloak toward the train station as a small crowd of locals began gathering around the blubbering woman.

The journey home from Hogwarts was wholly uneventful, which was just what Harry was hoping for. He spent the quiet ride with his friends, hoping he'd have the chance to see them before summer was over. He mingled a bit to bid some of the other DA members he'd gotten close to a good summer. While wandering through the train he paused in a cabin full of Hufflepuff's and sat beside Susan Bones. The compartment only had people he was already well acquainted with from the DA, Hannah Abbott, Ernie Macmillian, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Susan herself.

'What's up, Harry?' the auburn-haired girl asked nervously.

Harry has heard all the gossip about him around the school the past week. Apparently something happened to Harry to explain his changes. The leading theories were that he drank an aging potion or that he had finally let down the glamour he'd been using in an attempt to keep the eager witches at bay. He had never thought Susan would be one of those eager witches, but the way she was having trouble keeping her eyes from wandering down his muscular arms made him mightily suspicious.

'Susan,' he said, leaning in and speaking quietly, 'I wanted to ask you about something a bit personal.' He overtly waved his wand to cast a spell that obscured their voices.

'S-sure, Harry,' she stammered. 'What do you need?'

'Well, you know that I met your aunt, Madam Bones, at my trial last summer, yeah?'

Susan sat up a little straighter, realizing this was about something serious. 'Of course,' she said in a steady voice. 'She was rather impressed by you actually.'

Harry smiled at that which made the girl visibly gulp. 'The thing is, I need to have a conversation with her if possible. I would go see her at the Ministry but I want to keep it a secret from everyone who wants my head, you know?'

'I can understand that,' she said seriously. 'I know their treatment of you hasn't exactly been fair.' Her eyes darted down to the scars on the back of his left hand.

Harry pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to her. 'If you don't want to help me out, I completely understand, but if you can, I'd like to meet with you over the summer.

'Do you think you can meet me then and there?' he asked, indicating the parchment. 'Whether your aunt is with you or not is fine. We could organize another meeting after that if you like. If this is too much as it is or you want to meet me somewhere you're more comfortable with, I can do that too.'

Susan surveyed the paper, a thoughtful look on her face. 'Where is it?' she asked without looking up.

'A Muggle restaurant. Again, I know it's sudden, and with the times -'

'I'll come,' she interrupted, looking resolute. 'I'll try to get my aunt to come but if she's busy we can make other plans. Is that good?'

Harry beamed. 'It means a lot, you know. If you change your mind I'll understand.'

'Of course, Harry,' she said, smiling back. 'You really helped us all out this year with the DA. We'd have been cooked for our OWL without you.'

As Harry was about to go, one more thing occurred to him. 'I hate to ask this of you,' he said, grimacing slightly, 'but can you keep it quiet from the others?' He gestured subtly to the rest of the compartment. 'It's not that I don't trust them. Like I said, I don't want people knowing I'm meeting your aunt.'

Susan nodded emphatically. 'Of course,' she paused and scrunched up her face in thought. 'What should I tell them you think?'

Inspiration struck and he leaned in a little closer, giving her a conspiratorial grin. 'Just tell them I invited you to a restaurant this summer,' he said, winking. 'I'm sure they can figure out the rest.'

Before the blushing girl could respond, Harry planted a lingering kiss on her cheek and left the compartment. He paused in the aisle for a moment until he heard a very gleeful Hannah Abbott squeal then returned to his friends, musing to himself the entire way that Susan Bones was quite pretty and perhaps there was more than one reason he wouldn't mind taking her out for lunch.