A/N: This is a continuation of A Girl Can Be More Important Than a Firebolt. It is highly recommended to read that before continuing.
-o-
Books in Series:
A Girl Can Be More Important Than a Firebolt
Light of the Heart
-o-
As usual, I have story premise and notes at the end of Chapter 1.
A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights.
-oOo-
Chapter 1
September 1, 1996
Hogwarts Express, Britain
Harry was waiting outside of King's Cross Station. He had said his farewells to Aunt Bel and come alone. Hermione should be here soon. He looked at his watch and she was uncharacteristically late. He was figuring that they had just met traffic. It was still forty minutes before the train left.
He saw a few others with trunks, obviously all muggleborn or raised, enter the station. Some had owls or cats. Hedwig gave a soft hoot.
"She'll be here," he said.
He let out a breath when her curly hair came into view. She saw him, smiled and rushed away from her parents towards him. The large orange half-kneazle didn't look happy at the sudden speed burst.
When she got to him, he happily wrapped her into a hug and she kissed him, rather deeply, putting her arms around his neck.
"It's not even been two days," Jane said with a laugh.
Dan just eyed him. The man insisted he not call him Mr. Granger anymore.
"Jane, Dan, good morning," he greeted them.
Hermione stepped back. "I will kiss my boyfriend if I want." She looked at her mother challengingly and Jane shook her head.
"You want us to come to the platform?" Dan asked.
"I think Harry and I have it if you want to head back," she said.
"Give me a hug then," her mother demanded. They hugged each other. Hermione laughed and then hugged her mother harder as Jane whispered something.
Dan stuck out his hand. "Have a good year. Keep her safe and happy."
"I will, sir," Harry said.
When he let go, Jane moved in and gave him a hug. "Have a good year. I expect you to keep pushing her and I don't care who is on top. Just don't let her go," Jane whispered.
"I don't plan on it," he told her.
She pulled back. "Have a good year," she repeated. "Remember to have fun and I want to hear from you. Both of you. Harry, I expect to see you and Bel at Christmas."
Harry nodded. "I will talk with my Aunt Andi. We usually go over there for Christmas dinner. I think they live a little over an hour drive from you if you want to come."
"Which ever works," Dan commented.
"We should go. It's only twenty-five minutes and the prefect meeting is at twenty-past," Hermione told him.
"You heard the boss," he said and Hermione rolled her eyes.
Jane chuckled. "We'll see you at Christmas."
"Love you, mum. Love you, dad."
"Love you too, Princess," Dan told her.
They left them outside and soon were on the chaotic platform. "I hate being late," Hermione griped.
"Why were you late," he asked.
"Accident on the M1. I can let you out once we get on the train," she told a mewling Crookshanks.
"You want to sit in the Prefect car or find a compartment," Harry asked. He looked around the platform for his other friends.
"Would you mind me sitting with you and your friends," she asked. "Or Neville?"
He looked at her and she looked a little shy. "Hermione, I am not leaving you. I will sit where you are comfortable."
She bit her lip. "How about we find Neville or Daphne," she asked.
"Sure."
He pulled her trunk up onto the train and then his. "Nev usually sits in the back," he said as they turned away from the front cars and worked their way down the train. He greeted people here and there, or was greeted, sometimes not even recognizing half the people. Hermione said 'hi' to a few people.
Half-way down the last car, they found Neville in a compartment with two girls. The one sitting next to him had dark hair and dark eyes that struck him as similar to Daphne's. There was another dark hair girl in the compartment with them.
Harry remembered meeting both girls at the House meeting at Longbottom Manor. Astoria Greengrass and Amanda Heatherhoc.
He opened the door and raised his brow at Neville, who blushed some. The girls looked up at him. "Morning. Mind if we join you, Nev?"
"No, please," he offered.
"Morning, Astoria and Heather," he said. Harry had decided he was done with formalities unless it was absolutely required. If these two were talking or hanging out with his cousin, it wasn't required.
They moved in and he helped Hermione get her trunk up.
"Are you just going to let him address us so informally," he heard Heather.
"Morning, Harry. Hermione, correct?"
Harry smirked and Hermione turned to the girls. "Yes. I like that necklace," she said.
"Thank you. Daphne gave it to me last Christmas."
"You mind if we head up front for a bit? We have the Prefects meeting shortly after leaving." Harry made sure Hedwig was secure and sleeping.
"I should come with you," Astoria said getting up. "Neville, would you mind if I come back later?"
"Astoria," Amanda said in a low voice.
Neville gave an abashed smile. "I look forward to it."
Astoria flashed him a smile.
Harry smirked and Hermione tapped him. "Not a word," she whispered to him.
"Sure," he said. "We'll be back in a bit."
Neville nodded.
Astoria and Amanda walked in front of them arguing about something.
"Harry," Ron called out. "We have a compartment."
Harry greeted Ron with a handshake. "We already put our stuff with Neville a car back. Feel free to join."
He saw Dean and Seamus looking at him and Hermione. Dean shrugged and Seamus gave him a thumbs up.
"Maybe we'll come down later."
"Sure."
Amanda joined a compartment with other fifth-year students towards the front of the train. Harry and Hermione had chosen not to hold hands while on duty, even though he wanted to. As they walked past the last compartment and the space between cars leading to the Seventh-year car, Astoria stopped.
She turned on them. "I want to get this out of the way now. I like Neville and don't want to have an issue with either of you," she said towards them.
Harry blinked at her. "Why would I have an issue with that? If Neville likes you, who cares?"
"Do you like Neville or do you like his title," Hermione asked.
Astoria stared at her. "Both."
Harry felt stupid for not seeing that. "You know Neville is considering renouncing his Lordship?"
Astoria let the train shift her a little bit. He could see this shocked her.
"If you need more tutoring, I can offer to help you if you are not interested in Neville just for Neville," Hermione told her. There was a silence for a few minutes. "I don't want to be late."
He nodded. They left Astoria there as they walked through the seventh-year car and then to the Prefects car. Most of the other Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl were already here. He had a feeling Hermione was slightly perturbed not being earlier, but they were still early.
Astoria came in a few minutes later and sat with the other fifth-year Slytherin. Harry ignored his cousin's sneer. They sat with the two other Gryffindors. Ginny eyed them and Katie beamed at them.
"I was hoping you got the badge," Katie nodded to the silver badge with a 'C' on it.
Harry sat up tall. "I'm not going to be easy on you if you make the squad. Everyone is trying out. Oh, and anyone interested we start training Tuesday and Thursday morning. Six AM on the training grounds."
Katie screwed her face. "Don't tell me you are going to channel Wood!"
"No, but I expect everyone to be ready. Once I get permission from McGonagall, it will be two practices a week and one workout. I'm not going to be mental about it," he said.
"Count me in," Ginny said looking at him.
Hermione moved in a little closer. "I am doing the workouts too this year."
"You don't have too. It's only the quidditch team," Ginny told her.
"Neville said he would join this year too. Who ever wants to come, can," he told Ginny. He didn't like the way she was looking at him. Hermione seemed stiff too.
"Alright, quiet down," Cho said. She had the Head Girl badge on her robes.
When they made it back to Neville, Ron and the others had joined him. With seven of them, it was getting a little crowded, but Hermione didn't mind sidling into him. Seamus looked at them.
"You going to tell us?" he asked.
"Tell you what?" Harry responded.
"I get Lavender..."
"You better think twice before you finish that statement," Harry warned.
Seamus laughed. "I get Lavender with this tosser..."
"Hey," Lavender exclaimed.
"But I would think Hermione could find better than you."
Harry gave him two fingers and they all laughed. "Harry," Hermione gently chastised him.
"They're just jealous," Ron said.
"And what is wrong with Harry?" Hermione inquired.
"You mean besides him having those intense green eyes, messy hair and he's built? Nothing is wrong with Harry," Lavender stated.
Dean chuckled. "Watch out Ron, she may go for Potter too."
"Over my dead body," Hermione told them.
"As long as you leave my boy alone, I'll leave yours be," Lavender offered.
"You can have him. To scrawny for me," she said and they all laughed at Ron's face. Next to Neville, Harry was the tallest and most muscular in the compartment.
Harry laughed too. He had been afraid she might not fit in, or they may treat her differently, but his friends and family accepted her. He sent letters to Dean and Seamus telling them the news. He knew he would never leave her and was happy the others accepted her.
They stopped when the door opened and Astoria was standing there with her trunk. "Astoria," he greeted, still laughing.
"Harry. Would you mind if I join you? I was hoping to learn more about those plants," she asked towards Neville.
Everyone quieted and looked at Neville. Hermione and him looked at Astoria. She stood tall, resolute and unwavering. "If you want," Neville responded.
She nodded and moved in. Harry got up but was pulled back down when Neville stood to help her.
"Let Neville do it," Hermione whispered.
Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she put her head on his shoulder. After a short bit, she took out a book and Harry read over her head. It was an arithmancy book on ward conjunctions.
"You owe me five galleons," Seamus said to Ron.
"For what," he asked.
"I told you it wasn't Susan," Seamus responded.
Harry looked up and Hermione put her book down.
"The bet was he would ask Susan," Ron countered.
"That is what you and Dean bet. I believe I said it was someone else," Seamus retorted.
Ron grumbled as he reached in his pocket.
Seamus looked at Hermione. "Thanks," he said with a smile.
"How big was the pool?" Harry asked.
"Big enough," Seamus said with a smile.
"You're all tossers," Harry griped. Most of them laughed at him. He looked at Astoria and Neville. She was smiling at them as Neville and her talked quietly. They all left them alone.
Hermione leaned into him. "As long as I have you, I don't care."
He kissed her temple.
"Are you going to be sweet like this all year?"
"Hopefully longer than that," Harry told Dean.
Dean just looked at him. "Not sure what you did, Granger, but I never thought I'd see Harry so taken with someone."
"Leave them alone. It's sweet," Astoria told them.
Dean and Seamus looked at her. Seamus went to open his mouth and Harry kicked his leg. The boy looked at him and Harry just shook his head. He wasn't sure how far they could push Astoria. He saw the way Neville was acting and looking at Astoria. He would have to ask Neville later if he was over his crush on Hannah. Harry could only assume Astoria really liked Neville with the fact he may follow Harry.
Hermione squeezed her hand.
After that, they started to talk about Quidditch and he was happy to talk with them while Hermione cuddled into his side.
They had drawn a late patrol with the new Hufflepuff fifth-years. They were going to meet them at three just outside the seventh-year car. That car was not touched by the Prefects.
By the time they walked through, people were more settled. He noticed people looking at them as they walked by. Susan gave them a half-smile when they saw her with Hannah and a few others. Hermione waved. Like at Longbottom Manor, Hannah didn't look pleased with them. Harry knew it was just because of her friend. The others waved or nodded. "Does everyone say hi or nod at you," Hermione asked.
He shrugged. "Not everyone."
He nodded as they passed a compartment with his cousin, who glared at him. Malfoy's lip pulled up into a look of disgust. She moved a little closer.
Aaron Walker, a short boy with black hair, and Emma Yale, a tall girl with strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes, met them.
"I assume you read the student handbook?" Hermione asked as they started down the train.
"I did," Emma responded.
"I didn't know we needed to," Aaron responded guiltily.
"You don't need to read all of it, but you do need to memorize the rules section," Harry told them.
"It will be very important. Especially if you take points. You will need to file a report each time and you can only take up to five points a day," Hermione spoke up.
"Do we need to enforce all rules," Emma asked.
"Yes," Hermione answered at the same time Harry voiced, "No."
They shared a look. "I know you don't enforce everything all the time," he said to his girlfriend.
"Well, the Common Room is supposed to be an area for everyone," Hermione told him.
He smirked. "So, yes, you should enforce them, but no, there are times to just let it slide. I will say that if it comes down to you getting into trouble for not enforcing it or you are near a Professor, then do your job."
"Mum was so happy when I got this badge. I am not going to lose it," Aaron said.
"Study the rules then," Hermione told him. "Just don't be too lenient. You don't want people not listening to you."
"On the train, we usually just let things slide, unless there is a fight or something else bad. Like that," he sighed.
Harry opened the compartment. "Afternoon, Ladies," he greeted them.
There was a mad scramble to hide some bottles and other stuff. "Afternoon," a younger girl said to him sweetly.
"Accio Love potions," Hermione said and almost a dozen small vials of pink potion came zooming at them. Two of the girls grabbed for them.
"Those are ours," a brunette yelled.
"Love potions and infatuation or other such potions are banned," Harry told them.
"That cost twenty-three sickles!"
"What is your name," Hermione asked.
"Dolores Crawford. You are taking my property," she angrily stated.
Harry gave her a hard look. "Dolores, this can go one of two ways. Either we confiscate this and I recommend a detention for just having contraband, or we confiscate this and you see the Headmistress tomorrow for having a Class II banned potion."
Dolores and a few others paled or looked scared. "I can't be expelled," a blonde girl said.
"Is it just contraband or are you going to protest this?" he asked.
None of them said anything. "Aaron, please get their names," Hermione told the new Prefect.
Harry stepped out. None of the girls protested or said anything else against what they were doing.
"I want to just dispose of them," Harry whispered to her.
"We need to hand them in," Hermione reminded him.
"I am going to need to send a letter to George and Fred about this. I really don't like potions like that." The first day he had seen them, he didn't think he would be confiscating so many on the first day of the year.
Emma was just looking at him. Hermione put the bottles into a pouch she had picked up in France.
By the time they made it to the end of the train, they had to do that in two other compartments. The seventh years they busted had made him uncomfortable the way they looked at him. Aaron and Emma handled the fifth-year compartment. More than two dozen vials clinked in Hermione's pouch.
"Good job. Now go have some fun with your friends and help the first years once we get to the station," he told them.
Hermione lingered in the cab at the end of the train until they were gone. "You want to go back," he asked.
"In a few," she told him moving in close.
He smiled at her. "What are you doing," he asked, putting his hands on her hips.
"I haven't snogged you yet today and I'm not sure if we will get another chance," she said with a smile.
He leaned down and they smashed their lips together. It wasn't long before their tongues were intertwined with each other's and his hand wandered a little high. She had no issues with their bodies touching in their swim wear, but the one time he tried using his hands she had pushed his hands down. He didn't want to do anything she didn't want to, but his hormones seemed to guide his hands. Her hands went into his hair and she moaned as he ran a thumb along the underside of her chest.
He didn't dare do more. Not in a place they could easily be found, but he couldn't deny the blood pounding through him or the fact she didn't push him away this time.
It seemed far too short when she pulled away, both of them breathing heavily and his hair looking messier than normal. He reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it tight. It was the first time he had done it and the molten look in her eyes made him want to snog her senseless some more. They both started when someone cleared their throat.
He flushed some to look up and see Cho Chang and Astoria. He quickly looked at his watch. How had they been there a half hour?
"You know this is not an area to, ah, just linger," Cho said with a laugh to her voice.
Hermione looked down, brushing herself to straighten her shirt a little more. "I'm sorry, Head Girl," she said, sounding flustered.
Cho did laugh. "I had heard a rumor but never thought it was true." She nodded her head. "Go. This is your one free pass for the year."
"Thank you," Harry said.
Astoria fell in step behind them as Cho checked a storage closet. She didn't say a word, but smirked at them.
"Say it," Hermione told the girl.
"Next time wear your robes. It will be harder to know exactly where your hands are," she informed them.
Harry's face felt warm. This was the first girl he had ever dated.
Hermione showed some color too.
When they made it back to the compartment, a lively game of exploding snaps was going and Neville was sucking a finger with Dean and Seamus laughing. "Did Seamus blow something up again," Harry asked.
Dean and Ron started to laugh as Seamus gave him a two-finger salute. "I'll have you know I have not done that since first year."
"Well, not with your wand. How many times did you blow up your cauldron last year?" Dean prodded.
Seamus scrunched his face. Harry laughed with them and Hermione playfully hit his arm. "Boys," she shook her head. Lavender just rolled her eyes and Astoria sat in the seat next to the window, primly straightening out the skirt and blouse she had on, resolutely ignoring them.
Harry was very pleased that they had all accepted Hermione, and even Neville and Astoria, so easily. This was going to be a good year.
Well, once he had a talk with Hermione.
-oOo-
Hogwarts, Scotland
Walking into the Great Hall there were two changes that were obvious. The giant golden chair of the Headmaster had been replaced with a much more modest chair and been set to the same level as the others.
Harry was thinking McGonagall was going to be a much different Head of the school.
Many started to whisper and talk about it. The change had only happened two days ago and Aunt Bel said they were holding off the announcement until tomorrow morning.
The second change was some of the decorations. Each table had the five flags of Hogwarts and the Houses over them. Harry hadn't seen that before. Or the fact that all the other identifying markers had been removed.
Behind the Head Table flew the banners of the previous Inter-House Quidditch cup and the House Cup. Gryffindor colors for the Quidditch Cup, and Hufflepuff for the House cup.
"Harry, look at the Head Table," Hermione said.
He had, but looked again, realizing after a few what she was talking about. There was a man he didn't recognize who was rather rotund with a large silver mustache and balding head. On the other side of the table, sitting between Professor Babbling and Vector, was a woman with dark hair and hazel eyes.
"Lady Greengrass," he commented to Hermione.
Neville was with them and nodded. "I wonder if she is going to be taking over for McGonagall," Neville speculated.
They sat towards the middle of the table with the rest of the sixth-years. "Why would you say that?" Hermione asked.
"Astoria said her mother has a Mastery in Transfiguration and Potions," he told them.
Harry looked at his cousin. "You knew about this?"
"No," Neville said.
The hall was loud as everyone settled and waited for the first years. "Why isn't McGonagall at the Head Table?" Hermione asked.
"Maybe she is still doing the sorting?"
"I've never heard of a Headmaster doing that," Ron piped up.
"How many Headmasters have you heard of besides Dumbledore?" he asked his mate.
"Well, none. But aren't they supposed to be all, you know," Ron didn't sound sure.
Professor Flitwick stood and cast four sparks, one with the color of each house. They all knew that the sign to quiet down and they did. A moment later, McGonagall led in eighty or so students. Each year since they had come, Harry had noticed more students. Last year had been a large class of almost one hundred, compared to the forty-one in his year. Aunt Bel told him it had to do with the war and many families dying or delaying kids. Her class had been about ninety when she was a first year.
They whispered about what house the new students would be sorted into or just what they thought might change.
When it was done, McGonagall went to her chair and the Professors all stood. This was something new and it took a few moments for all the students to stand as well.
"I shall not keep you long from the feast, but I would like to welcome all of our new students and those returning. Now, as you may or may not know, Headmaster Dumbledore has decided to retire," Professor McGonagall informed them in her austere voice.
There was murmuring throughout the hall.
Harry knew the man had retired before the Governors could finalize their results.
"I have agreed to accept the post of Headmistress and Professor Flitwick is the new Assistant Headmaster. Now, let us enjoy a marvelous feast and talk of other matters after."
She sat, and everyone else followed.
"What was that?" Hermione asked.
"Gran said it used to be customary to stand for the Headmaster at the start of feasts," Neville told them.
"So the rumors are true?" Parvati asked them.
"What rumors?" Harry responded.
"You and Granger?" she asked. "I saw you at Neville's before you left, but most didn't believe it."
"Yes. Harry is my boyfriend," Hermione said to the girl.
Parvati smiled. "I told you, Lav."
"I already knew," Lavender said smugly.
Parvati opened her mouth. "And you didn't tell me!"
"You were in India until about two weeks ago and I've been a little busy."
Dean chuckled. "Nice hickey," he commented.
Lavender took on some heat as she pulled her collar up. Harry had been nice to her after Ron and her had disappeared for a few before they got to Hogsmeade.
Parvati stared at her friend. "Busy?"
"Like I said you were in India."
Parvati looked to Ron. "You?"
"Yeah," he said rubbing the back of his head.
"I want all the details later," she told Lavender with a smile before pointing to Hermione. "You too."
"Well we need to show the first-years where to go, and then I wanted take a shower and organize by bag and unpack..."
"If I am spilling you are too," Lavender told Hermione.
Harry chuckled to see the determined face on both of them. He soon wished he hadn't when all three girls looked at him. "You aren't out of this either," Parvati told him before turning to Hermione. "The last letter you sent didn't mention any of this!"
"I only sent you one and it was before we started to date," Hermione retorted.
"Doesn't matter. You both suck right now," Parvati snarked at her and Lavender.
Seamus and Dean laughed. "This is quiet entertaining," Seamus commented.
Hermione took Harry's hand under the table and he squeezed it.
The rest of the meal went much like it started. They talked about their summers and classes. As usual, Harry always felt sleepy by the time the Welcome Feast was done. He had eaten too much, having not eaten much since breakfast.
McGonagall stood up and the hall quieted.
"Now that you are all well fed, I will go through the start of term notices and our new Professors. If you would stand, Professor Greengrass," McGonagall asked.
The woman stood. "Professor Greengrass shall be our new Transfiguration Professor as I have stepped down from that post. Thank you, Professor. Now, Professor Slughorn," she said, indicating the rotund man that struggled to stand, "shall be taking over as our returning Potions Professor."
The hall became loud in whispers, murmuring and movement as heads turned to the Head Table.
Harry had a sinking pit in his stomach. "Merlin, no," he whispered.
"What?" Hermione whispered back before she looked at Snape.
"Yes, settle down. Professor Slughorn retired some years ago but agreed to come back, feeling he missed teaching." McGonagall nodded and the man sat down.
"Gran says he's the biggest spider she knows. Very well connected and all, likes to help those he see's talents in, but once he has you, you can never escape his 'helping' hand," Neville told them.
"Settle down," the Headmistress said loudly.
"Oi, shut it," Harry loudly told those around him. A few other Prefects had spoken up, but his voice cut over most of the others at his table and the Hufflepuffs.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter," she said with an eye to him.
He wasn't sure if he was in trouble or not, but he nodded. "Welcome, Headmistress."
There were a few chuckles and she turned away. "Lastly, there has been one other staffing change. Professor Lupin handed in his resignation at the end of the year," she started.
"More like forced to," Harry muttered. Hermione squeezed his hand to tell him to stay quiet.
"Professor Snape has offered to fill the post..."
The hall broke out into full on talk this time.
Katie caught his eye. "Quiet," he said loud enough for most of his table to hear. The other Prefects did as well. Gryffindor quieted well before any of the other tables.
"If you are quite settled, I would like to finish the announcement," Professor McGonagall sounded quiet cross and the hall fell into silence. Next to Dumbledore, only Snape and McGonagall were worse to upset.
"Professor Snape has been named the new Defence Professor. Lastly, Professor Babbling has agreed to be the new Head-of-House for Gryffindor. As for other announcements, the general rules of out of bounds have not changed. The Forbidden Forest is off limits without permission.
"The Banned items list has been updated. A list will be posted in each house. Please review it as many things have changed."
"Lastly, there will be some changes for this year. Some will be posted closer to the event, but I will say there will be a Christmas Ball this year for those fourth-year and up, as well as some other social events open to everyone."
This time it was excitement in the hall and McGonagall let it be, smiling before taking her task master face.
"Yes, it should be exciting. Now, off to bed and your Heads-of-House will call House meetings this week to go over any details posted on your House boards."
Lavender and Parvati were grinning.
Hermione got up. "First-years," she called out, and Katie was up just a second after her.
"We'll catch up with you after we take care of this rabble."
"They are not rabble," Hermione chastised, with a small smirk on her face.
-oOo-
A/N: Story premise: On the whole, this is still meant to be a story with lots of fluffy like A Girl Can Be More Important Than a Firebolt, but it will not be all nice. The Wizarding World of Britain is about to undergo some massive upheavals and the ripples will be felt.
There is no intention of having raging Death Eaters or Dark Lords. Nor will there be another Wizarding War. All the fighting/conflicts that are planned are political or school yard tiffs.
This story is a Hermione/Harry story. No one else for the main pairing. It is AU all the way.
Planned pairing: Harry/Hermione, Ron/Lavender, Neville/Astoria or Neville/Hannah (undecided)
These are my base rules:
1) Voldemort was defeated the night Lily Potter gave her life for Harry and he is not a Horcrux.
2) Harry went to live with his Aunt Belvina Flint. Belvina is a spinster living in the small wizarding community of Sark Island, Guernsey (Dependency of the Crown). (Relation: Granddaughter of Charlus Potter, who was brother of Henry Potter. Aunt of Marcus Flint. Second-cousin of James Potter.)
3) NO death, gruesome scenes or insane Wankers
4) NO marriage laws. Can have betrothal contracts, but none will force people into things they don't want
5) Talk of bonds and other Fanfiction memes, but it is meant to be more of the 'Fated Lovers' idea, not to force any bad things