Author Note
This takes place in third year after the Buckbeak incident. I set it in the fall so I'd have more of the year to work with. It is its own continuity if you've read the changes of Granger you understand what I mean.
Heart's Bond is a sort of soul bond only without the over powering effects. They will have some mental and physical link but the biggest issues will be the magical power the lingering phoenix tears, basilisk venom, messed up poly-juice, mandrake restorative, and a time turner all blended causes.
Again I tweaked, expanded, trimmed and rearranged a few things to make this into its own story. I'll not take down the vignette on Changes of Granger if you're curious about how we got here.
Hermione woke up in a hospital bed. The last memory she had was her chest being torn open by the talons of a hippogriff thanks to Draco.
Draco had insulted Buckbeak and caused him to lash out. Instead of falling screaming to the ground like Hermione would have expected the Drama Queen Draco to do he had used his wand to set fire to the proud creature. This enraged it and calling on his brethren they ran rampage. Hermione had been caught in the wrong spot at the wrong time.
She ran her hand down her chest to find perfect flawless flesh. Sitting up she looked down the pajama top and confirmed what she had felt. She looked around and saw Harry laying in the next bed over. He did not have a scar on his forehead. His skin looked healthy and clean. Even the little bit of acne he had begun to get had vanished.
Madam Pomfrey came over, "Ahh good you're awake. How do you feel?"
"I feel terrific. Thank you ma'am. You did a wonderful job."
"I had utterly nothing to do with your recovery." She said in a perplexed tone.
"You hadn't. Then how did I recover. I remember having my chest torn open. I should have died." Hermione said in confusion and a slight tinge of fear
"Oh yes you had your entire thoracic area ripped open. Your breast was completely off, your heart was exposed. You were killed." She said in a strange tone as she ran her wand over Hermione's body.
"I feel rather healthy for someone who died."
"Yes well that's because you did not stay dead. You see Mister Potter jumped on you. Trying to protect you. His chest was torn open as well and the heart blood from him, mixed with your heart's blood. The blood from the heart is the most incredibly powerful magical part of any witch or wizard's body."
"I'm not understanding ma'am. How are we alive if things were that bad."
"Mister Potter had been bitten by a Basilisk and had a phoenix cry on him mixing with his blood multiple tears. One tear would have been powerful enough. The mixture of those items with your blood that had the magical echos of the potions to restore you after the poly-juice incident as well as the Mandrake restorative, and on top of that the time turner's energies. It was a perfect storm. When you and Potter died you both caught fire and returned perfectly healthy a few minutes later. Growing back to your current ages over a few more minutes. You and he have gained the regenerative abilities of a Phoenix it seems."
Hermione worked her mouth several times as questions fired and then were shot down in her mind. It sounded both impossible and reasonable given the fact that she had at one time been a cat girl. How she and Harry had survived what was no doubt certain death.
"Was anyone else injured?"
"Well Mister Malfoy was torn apart by multiple Hippogriffs. Which between us is no big loss. His having caused this."
"Oh. May I go to the loo?" Hermione asked with some urgency in her voice. She did not know what emotion to feel about Draco's death.
"Oh yes. Sorry." The matron said letting Hermione up.
Hermione got up and once in the room locked the door and stripped. She examined herself completely. She could find nothing that looked abnormal. She looked exactly like herself only healthy. All her teeth were perfectly fine and pearlescent. Her chocolate brown eyes looked no different. She was a little bit paranoid given the transformation into a cat girl had been rather unpleasant as her tail had ripped itself through her skin and her face had reshaped itself. The only interesting bit about that had been six breasts but she looked at her chest and saw only the normal two sitting high and firm right now.
She looked at her teeth again just to make sure remembering the sharply pointed incisors of her cat form as her originals had fallen out and new ones grew in. Confirming normal human teeth she got dressed again as Harry was awake. She stopped as she didn't know how he was awake but she did. She felt his confusion and concern for her so she hurried up and went out.
"Hi Harry." She said coming up. She noticed he was looking at her without his glasses on.
"Hi Mione. You're okay?"
"Yeah I'm great. How do you feel?"
"Better than I have in a long time."
"Yes both of you are perfectly healthy. The headmaster wanted to speak with you before I released you. So if you'll excuse me."
Taking a deep breath Hermione blushed a bit as she saw Harry looking at her chest. The thin material of the pajama top the only thing between his gaze and her skin. She felt he was becoming aroused somehow. Not that she herself wasn't becoming aware of her own as well.
"Uh Harry how do I know how you're feeling?"
"Same way I know how you're feeling too?"
"So in other words you have no idea." She laughed nervously.
He took her hand and joined her laughter, "No but it'll be fun finding out together with you."
"Yeah it will." She said feeling a thrill go through her at his touch.
They stood like that for long minutes. His hand warm in hers. Emerald eyes staring into chocolate brown.
The headmaster came in and cleared his throat causing the two of them to let go of each other and turn to face him. Hermione was blushing furiously.
"My apologies for disturbing your moment of solitude but I wanted to discus the situation with you, before you returned to your companions."
"Yes sir?" Hermione said moving to go back to her bed.
"You may sit with Harry. I feel the two of you are going to be spending a great deal of time together from now on."
"Sir?" they both asked. As Hermione sat on the side of the bed next to Harry.
Drawing a chair from the floor Dumbledore sat down. "What do the two of you know about Phoenix?"
Harry looked at Hermione who smiled then said, "A phoenix is an immortal or at least nearly immortal bird that can carry extremely heavy weights, Its tears are essentially a universal antidote and panacea. Its song can affect people's emotions. Once every few years it catches fire and is reborn."
"Very good, very good. There is a bit more to them than that. I am probably one of the world's foremost expert on Phoenix and could not have summed them up much better."
Hermione beamed at his words.
"Which makes your situation very interesting."
"Our situation sir?" Harry asked in concern.
"Yes you see your transformation was a bit more complete than anyone else suspected."
Hermione gasped her hand flying to her chest.
"No you are still quite human. However your magic is such that you are a bit more chimeric."
"Really sir?"
"What do you know about a magical chimera?"
"Well there is the Greek beast that has a lion's head, draconic body, serpent's tail and goat hooves that is called a chimera. However colloquially it is a creature that is a blending of multiple diverse parts into one coherent whole." Hermione recited in her lecture mode.
"Ahh excellent. It is the latter definition that we are dealing with. You and harry both have had some rather traumatic experiences with your magical patterns. You Hermione have had yours almost overwritten by a poly-juice gone wrong. Animal hairs cause a rather more painful and difficult transformation that is most often fatal. As you discovered it is incredibly difficult to reverse and your magical pattern is never quite the same again."
Hermione nodded, "Yes sir. They warned me that if I ever did that again they would not be able to reverse the changes."
"Indeed. If you were to try that again you would most likely die in a horrible in-between state. My apologies for being so blunt but you must be prepared for anything to occur with the new changes."
Hermione swallowed hard, "So what are the new changes?"
"Well Madam Pomfrey has explained the how this happened, no one knows the why but I will try to explain the what. To the best of my ability that is. You are walking in uncharted lands now."
"We both are?" Hermione said looking at Harry who was watching the headmaster intently and unblinking.
"I would dare say that you may be the luckiest couple ever. There will be no misunderstanding on how your mate feels."
"Mate?"
"I will explain that in a few moments however we must address the large elephant in the room. The fact that you both did die."
"We died totally?"
"Yes there was an item in Harry's scar that would be with him until his dying day. It is gone. As is his scar and his need for glasses. The two of you are now physically healthy and at the pinnacle of human healthy normal ranges. Although your body temperature is running a bit hot according to Poppy.
"So we've gained the magical ability of a phoenix due to the energy of the tears in Harry's blood?"
"Exactly Hermione. If you are killed again, no doubt you will burst into flames and then regrow back to your age."
"Does this mean that we'll have a burning day?"
"Probably. Though that will be some time in your future no doubt. As a phoenix only has a burning day once every 500 years."
"Five hundred years? Are you saying we might live for five hundred years?"
"I am only saying it is possible. The two of you are unique. The only people that have ever had the circumstances align in such a manner. We do not know anything about what or how you will do anything in your lives. You could have a baby or lay an egg. Extraordinary isn't it? Harry are you alright? You seem a bit troubled."
"I died?"
"Yes you did."
"That explains the dream I thought I had. I met my mother and dad. They told me to seek out the horcruxes of Voldemort. That my transformation and death removed the one that had been in me. And that I wouldn't need to go to the Dursleys anymore."
"You were told about them?"
"Yeah mom was rather angry."
Sighing deeply Dumbledore nodded, "I have no doubt she is. When I cross over there will be quite a reception line I am sure. Well we will discus the Horcrux later as well. You have a large enough emotional burden at the moment to work through."
"But I won't have to go back to the Dursleys ever again? I'm free of them?"
"Yes that is true. You will not have to return. As the blood wards that had been on the house had collapsed with your death. Since you and Mrs Potter are married you will be living together."
"Married?" Hermione squeaked uncharacteristically. Causing both males near her to look at her in surprise.
"Yes a magical marriage was forged between the two of you. Linking your lives together. That is part of the Heart's blood ritual. While you did not actually perform the ritual magic still accepted the two of you. It was recorded by the ministry and is totally proper. I have already spoken to your parents Mrs Potter."
"That's what dad meant." Harry said in wonder laughing.
Dumbledore looked at him, "He was laughing about me beating his record."
"Ahh. Well let us hope you do not follow or beat him in the siring a child time span." Dumbledore smiled at them with his eyes twinkling.
"Uh no sir." Harry said blushing. Hermione nodded.
"Well as I was saying your magical auras have shown you have the regenerative abilities of a Phoenix, probably more, a magical bond from your heart's blood mingling, as it is a rather dangerous way of forming a magical bond that is rarely performed, and a few minor other things." he said oddly at the end of his sentence.
"What do you mean minor other things?"
"Well that's what we are trying to determine. So anything that happens to the two of you we would greatly appreciate you telling us."
She nodded, "Uh Sir. Speaking of dads how did mine take my being married?"
"Well once he understood that it would in no way preclude a muggle marriage at a later date and that neither of you should be compelled to begin sexually exploring the broom closets, at least any more than you normally would be he.." Dumbledore paused for effect, "calmed down."
"Uh calmed down?"
"He was talking about a root canal without benefit of anesthetic I believe, using his dullest drill. I managed to point out that in our world the age of marriage is 13. So at least for this world anything you do would be socially and legally acceptable in our world. And as it cannot be annulled, dissolved or removed short of the death of one or both of you he accepted it. Saying that at least if your beau threw himself on a grenade for you he must be pretty decent."
"Yeah that's dad. I better write them a letter Harry. Can I borrow Hedwig?"
"Well since we're married I guess so." Harry said wondering how much stranger his life was going to get.
"Well as there is not much else I can tell you until something odd or unusual happens, good luck."
"Odd or unusual sir? In relation to what?" Harry asked incredulously.
"True with your life that is relative. Let us just say if something occurs to you that is not within the boundaries of what normally should occur to you."
"Ahh yes sir. Thank you sir." Harry said slumping back in the bed while Hermione slowly sat beside him.
"Well try to adjust to these things in your own time and we will discus the other matters when you are ready." He said as he left.
Madam Pomfrey brought over new uniforms for the both of them, "As your clothes burned when you regenerated we have provided you with new uniforms please try not to die again as the cost of your wardrobe could become quite excessive."
"Sorry ma'am."
"There is nothing to apologize for Mrs Potter." She pulled the curtains then stepped out.
Harry looked at Hermione who hadn't moved. "So uh I need to change clothes."
"Yeah so do I."
"She didn't pull the divider curtain between our beds."
"I'm not in my bed."
"Right. And we are married."
"Right." She took her clothes to her bed and began to undress with her back to Harry. "We are married and we are mature enough that we can change clothes around each other without acting like base animals."
Harry saw her shrug the pajama top off as he swung off his side of the bed. He turned his back and began changing clothes as well. "Correct Hermione. While this changes a lot we can still be responsible people."
She sighed, "Harry I can feel how stiff your penis is. Try not to make this awkward."
"Yeah well you have a funny dampness too."
"That's how girls become aroused."
"Oh. I guess we're going to learn a lot about each other." Harry was genuinely curious.
"So if you masturbate I'm going to feel it?" Hermione said in an awkward tone.
"Same for me."
"Well how often do you do so Harry?" She asked with a grumpy sigh.
"Uh maybe 2 or 3 times a day."
"A day? How do you get anything done?"
"I figure out a way. I mean its not like I'm popping into the loo every five minutes."
"Well I am about 2 or 3 times a week. So we could try to synchronize our times so we don't distract during study or other periods."
"Uh yeah. Okay." Harry said finishing getting dressed and turning around to see Hermione had done so as well.
"What else are we going to have to work out?"
"Well I'm hungry as well as you are so let's go find something to eat."
"Yeah. Its just before lunch so we can go down to the great hall."
"Its going to be weird without Malfoy sneering and prancing around."
"I know. But actions have consequences and he caused the stampede that killed us."
"True."
=====xxxxx====
"You mean I'll probably feel your monthly? That's not right."
"Yes well I suppose we will have to find a way to filter out things like that. Although mother has said she wished men could feel them Maybe they'd be far more understanding."
"Yeah well. I suppose.
There were a few other students already milling around when Harry and Hermione got to the great hall. Lavender came over when she saw them.
"Oh my god are you guys okay?"
"Yeah Lavender." Hermione said wrinkling her nose.
"What's wrong?"
"Think you could have put less perfume on?" Harry said flicking his tongue in and out.
"I only put a single spritz on." She said in confused offense.
"Really I can taste it."
He suddenly spun as the twins came walking up behind them,
"Hey easy flame boy.
"We mean you no harm
"Good to see you return
"Seems you have no plumage." They said taking turns causing harry to flip his head back and forth from one to the other.
"Uh no. We're just us."
"Guys how does Lavender smell?" Hermione asked still staring at the girl.
They sniffed then shrugged,
"Okay I guess.
"From what we can smell
"Of her."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other then sniffed Lavender.
"We can smell her perfume quite well."
"Yeah I mean it smells so strong I think I can taste it."
"Weird you two." They said then moved off.
Lavender was looking at them strangely sniffing her wrist. "I only put a spritz on."
"Sorry we just got out of hospital and are getting used to some changes."
"You guys went through a major weird change when you exploded."
"A bit."
"So that's why you're not wearing glasses or have your scar Harry?"
"I suppose."
"Well that's cool I guess. I'm not offended I thought you were just being prats like Ron."
"No we seriously can smell your perfume and something else. A bit of muskiness?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Oh uh yeah. Lavender said blushing while Hermione shook her head. "I'm going to go sit down harry."
Hermione headed over to the table. Harry could feel her amusement tinged by some jealousy. "Uh I better get to the table by Hermione. She wanted to talk to me about a few things."
"Okay harry. I'm waiting on Parvati to get here."
"Wow that was weird. I coulda sworn I tasted her perfume."
"Harry stick your tongue out."
"Why?"
"Just do so."
He did and she took it and examined it. He tasted her fingers. Slightly sweet yet salty with flavors he couldn't quote describe. It was very pleasant though.
"Thank you Harry."
"For what?"
"Saying I taste pleasant."
"I didn't say that I thought it."
She stared at him. Faintly he heard {Can you hear me?}
He started blinking and in his mind thought [OH my god. We have telepathy now?]
{Apparently.}
[Great. I better not get all your thoughts.]
{Like I want yours. Did you have to get an erection talking to her?}
[I'm a horny teenage male. I get within 5 feet of a girl I get a stiffie.]
{Well how many of them do you get a day}
[I have no idea. I've never counted. A lot though.]
{Great}
[Here comes Ron.]
{Even better}She thought grumpily.
"Hey guys. Pomfrey let you out? Pay up Fred I told you they'd look normal."
They tossed over some sickles. "Fine although they sure aren't acting normal."
"Yeah well the bet was they looked normal. You said nothing about how they acted."
Neville sat down, "Sorry about them. They had this big argument that you were going to sprout feathers and be some kind of human animal hybrid."
"Yeah its okay. We are feeling a bit weird still though." Harry said.
"You're not going to explode again are you?" The boy said as he looked like he was going to dive away.
"Uh no that's only if we die."
"Oh good...Wait a second you died?"
"Uh yeah."
"Wild. ok." Neville said softly unsure of how he felt or should act.
"Wow guys that was something. By the way Hagrid's in trouble. They are trying to blame him for the stampede." Ron casually mentioned though his lack of a smile indicated he was serious.
"Trying to blame him? We all saw Draco attack Buckbeak." Hermione growled. Literally growled in her throat. Which caused her to grab her throat and look at Harry.
{Did I just growl?}
[Yep.]
{Shit.}
[Hey language.]
{Oh you're the only one who can hear me.}
[laughter]
{Okay they're looking at us again. We better start talking.}
"Sorry I must have had something in my throat." Hermione said normally.
The food arrived and they began to eat heartily.
{Well at least my diet doesn't seem to be changed.}
[Mine either.]
{Too bad Ron doesn't have mind speech. It might help prevent him talking with his mouth full.}
[Yeah it is rather annoying at times.]
{So I have a theory about the other minor changes Professor Dumbledore was talking about.}
[Okay let's hear it.]
{You had basilisk venom infuse into you. I had a cat pattern almost overwrite my magical and physical pattern. I was stuck halfway.}
[So you think some of those characteristics are showing up?]
{Yeah. I just hope we don't actually physically change. That wasn't very pleasant.}
[Well at least you'd only turn into a cat. A 50 foot basilisk might pose some issues.]
{True. Do you feel like turning into anything?}
[Not particularly. Although I feel kinda weird. I mean like there's this..bubble in me?]
{I know. I feel it too. Maybe we should talk to Professor Dumbledore.}
[After lunch. I'm hungry.]
{I know.}
"Hey did you guys hear a thing I said?"
"No Ron. I'm sorry I was thinking." Hermione said.
"I said so what do you think we can do to help Hagrid?"
"I don't know. We can give our statements but if they ignore them. Its not like we can go storming into the ministry. What did everyone else say?"
"Well pretty much that Draco was a prat and tried to burn Buckbeak. There was scorched feather and everything on him. So Dad says that maybe all will happen is Hagrid gets fired. Buckbeak already got put down though"
"Oh that must have been horrible. Hagrid must be beside himself."
"Yeah. He isn't talking to anyone."
Hermione and Harry determined they would talk to him once they made sure they were not going to explode or change into some wild best. Not that Hagrid would mind.
=====xxxxx====
"Professor Dumbledore may we speak with you we have a couple of things we need to talk to you about?"
"Well Minerva and I were just going to discus a few things but we can take a few moments for you." Professor Dumbledore pointed towards the teacher's lounge behind the great hall.
"Thank you sir."
"So what is the concern."
"Well one thing Harry and I can feel everything about the other."
"When you say everything, just how far do you mean?
"I can feel when Harry gets an erection, or is hungry and he is going to be visiting the loo soon."
Harry shrugged with a slightly embarrassed nod.
"And I take it the same is true about Mrs Potter for you Harry?"
"Yes sir. It feels strange. Like I have uh." He said waving his hand in front of his chest. Minerva raised an eyebrow.
"They are called breasts Mister Potter. We are all capable of referring to our body parts by their proper names here."
"Uh yes ma'am. But it still feels different. Especially before she put her brassiere on."
"No doubt. Your body and hers are built differently. You are accustomed to a certain normal set of sensory inputs and now have a vastly different set. Your minds should begin to let you filter them out to the background at least soon enough. I suppose."
"Another thing is I think we have enhanced senses, at least we could both notice Lavender's perfume. Harry could taste it more and I could smell it more."
"hmm and you are concerned that your encounters with magical creatures the basilisk in mister Potter's case and the half Kneazle of Miss Bulstrode in yours are mixing with the other magics negatively?"
"Well I don't think my changing into a giant snake would help matters." Harry pointed out glumly.
"No it usually does not help. There was the dark lord Reznorak the cold in the 1150s who turned into a giant cobra only to realize his opponent could turn into a giant mongoose."
"Yes sir. Speaking of turning Harry and I both feel odd. Like there's something inside wanting to get out. And I can't describe it. It fells odd."
Minerva looked at the two of them and described how it felt before she shifted into her animagus form. Hermione and Harry both agreed that was what it felt like.
"Well it would appear that you have some sort of alternate form. As it is Saturday I suggest you take a stroll by the lake and meditate on this."
Minerva nodded and gave them some tips and suggestions before they left. Harry stopping by the loo on the way out.
=====xxxxx====
"That was odd. I'm just not sure how I'm going to get used to all of the things your body does."
"You I'm still not looking forward to next week. And excuse me but your body does some stuff too. With those things bouncing and moving."
"Seriously Harry I do not have very bad periods. And my bra supports me quite well."
"No but you have them. Guys don't have them at all. And I can still feel them move at times."
"Yes well girls do not have erections. I'm still not sure how it's going to be when you masturbate."
"Well you keep talking about it and you'll find out soon enough."
She walked quietly for a few paces. Then sighing she said. "Perhaps while we are in the woods we should explore that."
"What?"
"Do I need to think it louder?" She said.
"No I just. I'm. Once again the entire world comes rushing into Harry Potter's life and he is left struggling to try and catch up." Harry intoned.
"Very funny. If you begin narrating your own life people are going to look at you funny."
"Well we did explode into flames in front of the entire Care of magical creatures class. I think that's why they're looking at us funny."
She conceded the point. "Okay, but you have to admit there are still quite a few things we need to determine. Like just how far apart can we reach with this link. Can we travel away from each other even or are we bound to be together in an area, can we transform into something else, how far does this mental link go, can I see your memories or can you see mine."
"OK MIONE. Let's just relax and take things one step at a time."
Reaching a secluded area after quietly hiking for a half an hour they sat with their backs against a large boulder. Sighing heavily they relaxed before Hermione spoke.
"Harry you've been having stiffies all morning since we got up if you get off will that make it go down?"
"For a little bit. I guess."
"Well we might as well start with something harmless. So I'll turn my back and you go ahead and do it."
"You don't have to turn your back it's not like that'll stop you feeling it."
"Well I'm going to do my best to block it out of my mind while you do that."
"Okay." Harry said making himself comfortable and getting ready. When the air hit himself he heard Hermione give a little mewling noise and felt her own arousal ramp up a bit.
He was working himself up as he noticed Hermione's body responding too which pushed him over the edge finally. As he gasped out his release he heard Hermione give a yelp and have her own.
"Dammit dammit dammit." She was repeating.
"Sorry. Are you okay?"
"Yeah that was. Different."
"Oh okay. You want to finish taking care of yourself?"
"Well turn about is fair play. Are you going to be okay?"
"Well I'll leave things out so I don't make a mess."
She giggled slightly, yeah one problem with being a guy I guess."
Harry felt things happening with her. He kept his back turned out of respect for her but a rubbing pinching sensation as he felt a warmth building up in his groin soon she was making some panting noises as he shuddered and groaned too.
"Well that was wow. Yours go on a lot longer."
"Yeah. Yours was nice but it was over a lot quicker than what I'm used to. Are you covered?"
He cast a cleaning charm and put himself away. "Why bother asking when you should have felt it?"
She sighed, "Because it is polite and I want to maintain at least a semblance of normality."
"Oh yeah I know. I'm a little bit scared of this too."
"Well when someone like Professor Dumbledore admits he doesn't know whats going to happen that is reason to be concerned." She said turning around to face him.
"True I guess we are way out here."
"Right now what do you want to work on next. Since it's pretty obvious it'll take some effort to block the uh, physical sensations."
"Yeah." He said sniffing her.
"What?"
"You smell nice." He flicked his tongue out then laughed, "Taste good too."
She blushed slightly, "Well you smell nice too. Okay. Do the tongue thing again."
He did and she looked surprised, "I think we are sharing some of our senses."
"Well I can feel your bra, your clothes. The pine needles under your bare leg. I can hear the birds and the wind and the soft lap of the water on the lake."
"Yeah I can too. I taste pine and my musk and yours where you ejaculated. The only thing we're not sharing is sight."
He looked at her then concentrated soon he was having a double vision as he saw himself staring at her at the same time her was staring at her. He shook his head quickly and it went away. Hermione was doing the same.
"Okay that's not good. Close your eyes when you concentrate. I'll keep mine open."
He nodded and closed his eyes. Reaching out again he felt for the connection to her and soon was seeing his body being studied. He saw himself smile slightly as she moved closer. The small breeze stirring his hair.
"Wow you can see what I'm seeing?"
"Yeah if I concentrate."
"I can feel that you're doing it so I guess its good. That way you can't cheat when I'm in the showers."
"Aww really. How am I going to win that bet with Ron as to what color knickers Lavender wears."
Hermione frowned and he felt the link weaken as she tried to block him.
"Okay sorry. You do realize that this works both ways you know."
"Yes but there are no other boys in your dorm I am interested in."
"Really?"
He felt her blush, "Okay maybe Neville."
He chuckled. "Seamus will be so disappointed. He imagines himself as quite the ladies man."
"Back to us Harry?"
"Oh okay. So we can share vision if we concentrate but appear to share everything else unless we concentrate not to. How about how far apart?"
"Okay You want to go off and I stay here or the other way around?"
"Well it shouldn't matter should it?"
"Probably not." She said closing her eyes.
"What's that for?"
She pointed at him. "I can sense where you are in relation to me. I want to see if that changes as well."
======xxxxxx======
Harry had spent the last half hour talking to Hermione as he moved through the woods. Their mind speech did not seem to be getting weaker or their senses any duller. He had gone at least a mile over the rough terrain when he finally stopped.
[So you can still sense me?]
{Yeah I can tell you're Northeast of me about a mile or so. I can't quite pin it down. You're also above me slightly.}
[I went uphill so yeah.}
He suddenly felt a spike of fear and surprise go through her. He turned to go back to her when he felt himself explode briefly in a burst of flames and appear near her in a burst of flame.
Patting out the sparks among the pine needles he looked around. Standing to the side of them with his trademark sneer was Draco Malfoy. Hermione had her wand out and pointed at him.
"Always have to be a show off eh Potter?"
"Draco what. You're supposed to be dead." Harry exclaimed in shock.
"I am or haven't you noticed I'm a bit thinner than I used to be?"
Harry took a second look and realized he could see the trees beyond the boy. He walked over and stuck his hand through his chest waving it around.
"Hey have a little respect for the deceased will you!"
"I didn't have any respect for you when you were alive so why now?"
"Hmm. So you're a ghost now. Too scared to go to your final reckoning?"
"No. Mud." He stopped himself "No Hermione."
"Well what unfinished business do you have here that would tie you?"
"Something. I have to do it then I can get in."
"Well isn't that interesting."
"Look Potters I'm not very happy about this whole thing either. But since I'm the one that got you two killed I'm bound to help the two of you."
"You sound like you'd rather burn in hell." Harry smirked back.
"As if I'd get it that good. You ever hear about the torments of perdition?"
Hermione gave a soft "oh."
"Yeah."
Harry looked confused. [Am I missing something?]
{Let me guess the Dursley's were not very religious?}
[They only went because it was the "normal" thing to do.]
{Ahh}
[So it's worse than Hell?]
{In a matter of opinion. Different tortures and such.}
"Hello I'm floating here."
"Okay sorry we were discussing something."
"Great not only do I have to put up with helping the two of you but you two still act like I'm pond scum."
"Well why don't you just go run home to mommy and daddy." Harry sneered running his hand casually through Draco's face until he floated back several feet glaring at him.
"Because she said I couldn't and even if she hadn't I couldn't get in Malfoy Manor thanks to the wards." He sulked.
"You saw death as a representation of feminine.."
"Potterette you are really annoying you know that. I am not here to discus metaphysical conundrums. Really. You are targeted by the Dark lord to Die. BOTH of you now. Father was not happy and blames you."
"Yeah but we regenerate when we die now. I think at least." Harry said looking at Hermione.
"Well joy and happiness for you. That still doesn't mean they won't enjoy killing you over and over and over. Ad nauseum."
"That, ...could be rather annoying." Harry admitted.
"Okay well just kinda hover over there and stay out of the way for now. Harry how did you apparate?"
"I dunno. I felt you get scared and wanted to get to you quickly."
"Yes but you can't apparate on Hogwarts grounds."
"Unless you're a House Elf or a Phoenix. They violate those restrictions." Draco interjected.
Hermione got a curious look. "Okay so I have read about apparating. All it is is Determination, Destination and Deliberation. So Harry let's work on that. Since you've already done it think about what you did to get to me."
"Uh I just kinda willed myself here really badly."
"Well that's the determination and destination. Although since you're you I suppose it may be too much to ask for deliberation."
[Very funny. Just for that I'm going to go wank off while you're in the library tonight."
{You do that and I'll make sure you feel every cramp.}
[You wouldn't dare.]
{Try me mister.}
"Okay I'm going to go for the top of the astronomy tower."
"Okay Harry you sure?"
"Well I don't think the middle of the great hall would be very good."
"Okay go for it." She shrugged.
Harry closed his eyes then focused on willing himself onto the Astronomy Tower. He willed himself and then there was a burst of flames and he was gone.
=====xxxxx=====
The next thing he knew was he was sliding down the roof having made the mistake of putting himself ON the tower instead of IN the tower.
He fell off the edge and yelped out in fear before he felt a tingle twinge run through him as he felt his body shifting. Great Scarlet wings sprung out of his body as he turned into a phoenix.
[Hermione!] He screamed in her mind as he felt a confusing rush of sensation both from himself and her as he took to the sky.
{I'm a big fucking bird Harry!}
[Yeah. Its a phoenix.]
{Okay. Well this is interesting.}
[Come join me. This is amazing!]
He felt her trepidation as she spread her wings then leaped off into the sky. Soon she had joined him circling and weaving over the skies of Hogwarts. Skipping through clouds as they rolled.]
{This is amazing. I can see forever it feel like!}
[I told you flying was great.]
{I still don't like the idea of flying on a broom. But I have to admit having your own wings is nice.}
Dumbledore looked out his window when he saw the two phoenix soaring over the lake. He smiled and nodded to Fawkes who poofed out and joined them. The song of three happy phoenix rang out. Their joyous sound penetrating the walls down to the dungeons enough that even a dour sallow skinned potions master felt a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
=====xxxxx=====
Landing back at their clearing Harry gracefully glided in then shifted back to himself. Hermione took a bit of a tumble and had a slower time shifting but she made it back. The two grabbed each other and fell to the ground kissing and holding each other. The excitement of the flight and the song being rapturous enough they laid together panting in each other's arms.
"Okay maybe I won't have to wank off tonight." Harry joked.
"I'll be good for the rest of the week I think after that. Oh my god Harry. That was, that was, I can't even describe how it felt. To feel the wind rushing over my body, under my wings." She sighed.
She laid there next to Harry holding his hand. "You're hungry." She said with a laugh.
"Yeah well you do realize it's almost dinner."
"Shit. Its a mile back to the castle. And dinner is in five minutes. That's too far."
"Not if we poof."
She smiled at her husband and pulled him to his feet. Kissing him they vanished in a ball of flames.
Draco who had been floating in the trees nearby sighed, "Well at least they're figuring themselves out."
Myrtle came floating over beside him. Touching him she smiled, "Yeah. It's all for the best Draco."
He looked at the dark haired ghost and they floated off towards the castle together.
======xxxxxx======
The Potters ate dinner while everyone talked about the Phoenix they saw that afternoon. How they felt such joy and happiness after they sang. Several other students still sat quietly thinking or humming the tune they had felt that afternoon. So the Potter's sitting quietly not saying anything while they ate was not out of place tonight
{Well its good we brought some happiness. I just sang because I felt so happy.}
[I know my love. I don't think any of the students know it was us yet. Dumbledore probably does. Maybe Madam Pomfrey and McGonnegal.]
{You do know they have a title before their name right?}
[Yes I do. However it takes so long to say it I just drop it sometimes."
{Harry we are literally communicating at the speed of thought. I could recite the entire Magna Carta in the length of time it takes Ron to eat a single pastie. IN the original Old ENGLISH!}
[Okay so I'm a bit lazy. That better?]
{Well no. But it is more honest.}
[I don't mean any disrespect towards them. Except maybe Snape.]
{Professor Snape is, still a Professor. My uncle Bill says you salute the rank and not the man. So at least think on that please Harry. I mean if I'm going to be part of you I would like to not have you getting angry every five minutes.}
[Yeah.]
{Ok I felt that burst of worry.}
[Well you said a part of me. What if this bond thing keeps building and makes us like one person.]
{A hive mind? Some sort of gestalt personality}
[Uh yeah those.]
{I sincerely doubt that. I cannot hear or see any memories or thoughts other than the ones you think at me. And I'm beginning to get used to your feelings and sensations enough that unless I concentrate on them they are in the background.}
[Oh yeah I guess they are.] Harry said noticing what she was talking about.
{It was probably the rush of the link forming that caused it to be so strong and our minds had to adapt.}
[Well that's good then.]
{We should probably start talking to people or they might think something is strange.}
[Uh right. Nothing strange at all with us.] Harry thought in amusement.
{Prat} she thought back but he did see her smile as she turned to chat with lavender about the afternoon's events.
=====xxxxx====
Hovering by the ceiling out of the way of the living and unnoticed by them two ghostly teens sat on a roof beam and watched the food they could no longer consume, the hands they could no longer touch, the warmth they could no longer feel. The one who had only been a ghost for less than a pair of days sulked while the one who had been fourteen for a half century sat beside him quietly discussing how the various girl's hairstyles and clothing had changed over the years and a variety of other shallow pointless things.
"Don't you have a U-bend to go haunt."
"Not unless you want to come haunt it with me Draco."
He rolled his translucent eyes to the ceiling but said nothing.
"Do you want to talk about it. I know the newly dead don't always transition well. We had a student that had to be exorcised as he became quite violent and angry after his death."
"I thought you were the last one to die in the school?"
"No I'm just the most famous one. I'm just harmless moaning myrtle. Lamenting my lack of life. To be honest I only do it any more because its expected of me."
"So why don't you move on then?"
"Because I find it so interesting to see everyone. My parents were old fashioned and would have found some of the clothes they wear rather scandalous. Oh and make up too. Mother called that the mark of a fallen woman. Imagine that just a little bit of lip gloss and you're a scarlet woman."
Draco snorted in derision, "Sounds more like you're scared to cross over."
She glared at him for a moment before slumping, "Maybe a little."
They lapsed into silence. Watching Harry and Ron talk about the phoenixes and how they flew that afternoon. Hand gestures and words being used at times.
"You know if he's not careful he's going to reveal he was one of the stupid birds."
"Would that be really bad?"
"I'm not the only one who hated Potter."
She looked at him skeptically.
"Okay I didn't hate Potter. I had a complicated set of feeling for him."
"You hoped he would be your friend."
"I had friends."
She laughed in massive humor so hard she fell off the beam and almost passed through the illusionary field. Floating back up to the beam she sat again. "Oh that was funny Draco. Crabbe? Goyle? If you heard the way they talk about you behind your back."
"Yeah well Pansy liked me."
"She liked your money. She wanted to marry your name and money not you. Her and Theodore Nott have already begun exploring the Broom Closets. Some mourning period eh. Although I'm sure he has been very supportive of her emotions."
Draco glared down at the dark haired Slytherin and saw that her hand was on his knee under the table from his position. Her chair pulled up close to his.
"Fine okay. I suppose no one misses me at all you'll say next."
"Well maybe not at all. Professor Snape went to your funeral and honestly expressed his sympathy. So did Millicent Bulstrode. She actually cried tears and everything in my bathroom. It took me forever to calm her down."
"That cow?"
Myrtle glared at him then pushed Draco off his beam.
"Hey what's that for?"
"You know she actually had a crush on you? She used to come and talk to me because she knew I wouldn't repeat it to a living soul."
"She. She had a crush on me?"
"Yeah. Why do you think she joined your little gang. She wanted to get closer to you."
"oh."
Myrtle rolled her eyes. "I swear you boys are all alike. Fifty years of putting up with girls coming into my toilet to cry over some stupid boy that can't take a hint or see the way a girl looks at him. Ahhh that's enough to make anyone moan."
"So is that why you're bothering me?"
"No all the ghosts have heard that you're on assignment. If you fail you'll get...Perdition." She whispered that word like it was dangerous.
He glowered at her briefly before sighing. "Fine. So if I screw up everyone will know."
"Actually no. I got voted to talk to you and let you know we're all willing to help."
"What?"
"We've watched things happen in this school Draco. We're not dumb. Some of us go out and explore the world. Things are changing out there. The world is moving so fast. Yet the pure-bloods and the magic supremacists all want to keep the wizarding world back in the old days. Even the Baron agrees that's not healthy."
"okay so what does that have to do with my task?"
"Those two will be the ones to change things. Defeating the dark lord's only the first step. The wizarding world needs to adapt and get fresh blood, maybe some blood that's not quite so pure."
Draco looked very thoughtful.
======xxxxx=====
In their dorms that night Hermione and harry both laid in bed wide awake. Thinking very deep thoughts. The other students had settled in and were now sleeping gently, or in the case of Ron Weasley sleeping like a dead warthog in Harry's mind.
{Harry what is that disgusting noise in your dorm.}
[ha-ha That's Ron sleeping. I think we could drop the tower and he wouldn't notice.]
{How do you mange to sleep with that?}
[You get used to it.]
{Oh. I suppose it must be like living next to a train.}
[Yeah. I don't think Ron's snoring is keeping you awake over in the girl's dorms.]
{No. I was just thinking.}
[You too?]
{Yeah. Harry are you. Is this what you wanted?}
[What do you mean? Is what what I wanted?]
{Us. These powers. Everything.}
[Wow. That's a lot to think about.]
{Sorry. I tend to overthink as dad says.}
[No I was thinking about some of it. Where do you want me to start?]
{Well us. I mean we're married. Magically at least. And it takes a rather strong ritual to dissolve those Harry. The wizarding world doesn't have divorce. So we could be married for life.}
[I guess that wouldn't be too bad. I have been noticing you're a girl recently.]
{*chuckle* Well spotted Mister Potter.}
[Thank you Mrs Potter.]
{But if we are phoenix. That means we could be immortal Harry. Forever is a very long time.}
[I know. But its also more than I can comprehend so I'll just worry about tomorrow.]
{I guess you're right.}
[As for the rest of it. I have no idea what I wanted. Every time I think I get a handle on it something happens. The diary, Lockhart trying to Obliviate me, Voldemort in Quirrel, Ron's bright ideas to steal his dad's car. It's not like I have a lot of control. As long as I'm alive I just kinda keep moving.]
{That makes sense I suppose.}
[Mione. Why did you react with such fear when Dumbledore mentioned transforming earlier?]
[Mione?]
{*Sigh* Remember when I turned partially into a cat?}
[Yeah. I was worried for you. Ron kept laughing about it but Percy told me that if they couldn't fix you that you might be labeled a beast and not allowed to come to school or go home.]
{I know. They told me the same thing or more. It could have killed me. Poly-juice is not used for animal transformations for a reason harry. It can overwrite your magical pattern.}
[Your what?]
{Magical pattern. Honestly didn't you pay attention in Transfiguration?"
[Uh kinda. Sitting next to Ron doesn't help a lot.]
{Well everything has a magical pattern. This pattern describes what it is. Sort of like DNA. If you transfigure something you temporarily rewrite the description but there is a copy of it held by magic. Same way with Poly-juice normally. Animagus and Lycanthropes have two copies of their pattern that they can choose between. Do you understand me so far?}
[I think so. This is important?]
{It'll let you understand why I'm so scared of being transformed. Plus it'll be on our OWLS.}
[Ok so it's important.]
{Yes. Well when I put the cat hair in the Poly-juice instead of making a copy of my pattern it corrupted it. It tried to overwrite the original pattern.}
[Wow. So no wonder they had such a hard time restoring you.]
{Yes harry. They had to go get some of my mother's hair and blood to use to help rewrite parts of my pattern. Not to mention it was really quite painful.}
[Yeah turning into Goyle wasn't fun.]
{Well try having your spine extend itself into a 3 foot long tail, your bones in your face and legs twisting and re-shaping themselves. My entire body inside and out changed. Poly-juice is just supposed to be a cosmetic change. When I used the cat hair it became a true physical change.}
[Oh.]
{Yes Harry oh.} her mental voice had a soft almost scared quality thinking back about that time.
[Well at least shifting into a phoenix doesn't hurt.]
{No. I suppose its because of how much more magical the phoenix is than a mere cat, even a half kneazle.}
[So has Crookshanks treated you any differently?]
{No. he's still sleeping by my feet.}
[Good. Hedwig is still happy to see me. So at least that hasn't changed.]
{So what do you think Draco's been sent back to do?}
[I have no idea. I guess since he's dead he has no real reason to lie to us.]
{Just because he's dead doesn't mean he can't lie Harry.}
[DO you really know everything?]
{*sad chuckle* No. No I don't harry. I know a lot and I speak my mind a lot. Sometimes without stopping to think about what I'm saying. I don't deal with people very easily. My mind has always been so full of thoughts and ideas and thinking so much faster than other people that I have had trouble relating to people. One reason I haven't made a lot of friends.}
[Oh. I wasn't allowed to make friends. Dudley and his gang would scare or beat up anyone who tried.]
{Oh that's horrible. I at least did it to myself, that's cruel Harry.}
[Yeah. I suppose. But that's over now. One more good thing that's come from this.]
{Oh yeah. I wrote the letter. I'll have Hedwig send it to my parents when we get up in the morning before breakfast.}
[Why not just take it to them?]
{What?}
[Well we can apparate. How far can a person apparate, much less a Phoenix?]
{It's a matter of skill and power. Someone like Professor Dumbledore could go pretty much anywhere in the U.K. Across the continent or the Atlantic and even he would have trouble.}
[So Crawley would be a good stretch of the legs?]
{I guess.}
[Well you want to try in the morning. I should meet the in-laws.]
{*nervous chuckle* Uh yeah. I'd like that. You'll come with me?}
[Always.]
Harry felt a warm happiness settle across Hermione as she considered that. {Ok harry. Good night. I. I Love you.}
[I love you too]. He said as he felt that same happiness well up inside himself.
=====xxxxx=====
The next morning the two made their way outside at the crack of dawn. Well before most of the castle was even awake.
"I'll go first since I know my home. And then you use your sense of where I am if you can and join me."
"Sounds like a good idea Mione."
"Okay here goes." She closed her eyes then suddenly with a burst of flame and sparks was gone.
{Wow. I'm in my back garden at home. Okay Harry it's safe. If you can hear me.} her mental voice was a bit fainter than it had been at the lake but was still understandable.
[Yeah I'll be right there. Give me a moment. I think we're starting to get close to our range.]
{True your voice sounds faint and I can sense where you are but it's like looking through a fog.}
[Okay I got you. I'll be right there.]
He concentrated and willed himself to be standing beside Hermione. He exploded and the flash of light on the grounds was only witnessed by two specters haunting them.
"Well that'll be subtle."
"You know they can't help that."
"I know. Not like normal apparation isn't obvious either. Just that's like sending a flare in a match factory."
Myrtle shrugged, "Still he's making a link to her family. He is building connections. That's what's important."
"I know. I know."
=====xxxxx=====
A tell middle aged man with a slight paunch and thinning hair opened the back door with a fire extinguisher in his hands. He saw two teens standing there laughing and stomping out the grass. He stood looking in shock as a frizzy brown haired woman behind him called out, "Hermione?"
"Yeah hi mom, dad. This is Harry."
"Sorry about the yard. I'm still getting the hang of this."
"Uh yeah. Come in." The man said looking at the yard as the teens came walking up holding hands.
"So you're the one the headmaster told us about."
"Uh I suppose. Hello sir." Harry stuck his hand out to shake causing her father to reflexively shake it.
"You have a fever?"
"No we run a bit hotter now dad."
"oh. Right your changes. Uh let me go put some trousers on and we'll talk."
"Yeah dad you Dr who boxers are cute but I think you should save them for mom."
The woman in question pulled her bathrobe a bit tighter then hugged Hermione. "Wow you aren't kidding you run hotter. What's your normal temperature now?"
"101F so not that much hotter."
"Well go on into the kitchen and relax. Dan and I was going to be getting up in an hour anyhow." She said with a laugh.
"Sorry we wanted to give ourselves enough time to fly here if we couldn't apparate."
"You can fly?"
"Uh yeah. We turn into Phoenix."
"Okay. He didn't mention that."
"Well there's a lot that we learned after we woke up."
"Okay well if you'll go get the coffee started please dear."
"Yes mom. I suppose formal introductions will wait until then?"
Her mom nodded, "Coffee then chaos. You know the routine." She said patting Hermione's shoulder.
"Yes mom. C'mon Harry."
======xxxxxx=====
When Dan and Emma came down they were presented with a full fry and cups of coffee. Harry was just finishing cleaning up afterwards. Hermione was sitting at the table.
"Hi Mom, Dad." She said getting up and hugging them.
Accepting the coffee she nodded to Harry, "Well you cook?"
"Uh yeah. I like to cook. Yeah." He said sheepishly.
"Well uh thanks Harry." Dan said uncertainly until he took his sip of coffee and started eating.
"Wow. Thank you indeed. This is good."
"yes it is harry. Well I think that's brought the score up a little bit eh Dan."
"I suppose. Also throwing himself in front of a dangerous beast for her helped."
"Uh thanks. I just did what was right."
"And for that we're grateful. So one what was that you did to get here and two can you explain what's going on from your point of view?"
"Uh sure dad." Hermione began telling them about their powers, their abilities. What they did, leaving the mutual masturbation out Harry noticed.
When she got done with harry's help her parents sat quietly for a minute before her dad said, "Well A dad always worries about what sort of bloke's going to steal his daughter's heart. I'd say this puts those worries to bed."
"So you're happy dad?"
"I'm not sure happy is the right word but I approve of him. I'm trying to understand the rest of it."
"Mom?" Hermione asked with some trepidation?
"I agree with your dad. I approve of Harry. The rest of it I'm working on. I mean telling your mother you're pregnant I could understand. I have a reference point for that. Telling me you turn into a big bird and can regenerate if you die. That takes a bit more to wrap the mind around."
"But you're not upset or anything?"
"Oh sweetie no. Never. You just have to understand your dad and I never expected to have anything like this happen. We always knew you were special but that doesn't even begin to plumb the depths of this." She said with a smile.
"Okay. Well we better get back for breakfast at the castle."
"You just had breakfast. Going for second breakfast are we?" Dan said with a chuckle.
"Well alongside running hotter we kinda need more to eat it seems like. The energy has to come from somewhere. And we're phoenix not hobbits dad." She said rolling her eyes with a smile.
"Alright well I'll walk you out to make sure you don't burn the neighborhood down."
"I know. I can control mine. Harry seems to have to explode all over the place."
"Really. Well just make sure you keep plenty of napkins on hand then." Dan said with a straight face making his daughter blush.
Emma hugged both teens and Dan shook Harry's hand before giving him a man hug. "Well how far back do we need to go to be safe?"
"Probably the patio will be fine dad."
"Alright. Fire suppression is ready. You are go for ignition." He chortled at his own joke holding the garden hose.
Hermione took Harry's hand then they blew out of the yard in a shower of sparks and flame.
Pouring some water on the yard Dan looked at his wife, "You know I may get some asbestos curtains..."