Act VIII
Up On a Tight Wire...Too Blind to See
They spent the next two days racking their brains. What they were planning to do was to go all in. Hermione neatened up her work at the Ministry. Harry cleared his schedule of meetings and other duties before calling it a day.
They spent the evening upstairs in the dining room sipping at a couple of Imperials and eating more Crispy Squid and some Tempura Spring Onion dipped in a peppery Romesco Sauce As Angela watched over them.
"Part of me can't believe we're going to do this," said Hermione. "But the rest of me wants to go more than anything in the world."
"I know," said Harry. "I want to go, but I'm scared, too. Once we're in, we're in. That is intimidating."
"It's the only way," said Hermione, reaffirming what they had discussed previously.
"If this works, then there is one more thing I want to do," said Harry in a way that suggested it might be a bit crazy.
"What's that?" she replied in a tentative voice.
"Okay. Don't freak out. Just listen. If this works, I want to go back to Buenos Aires and bring back Luna's and my children."
"Wow!" blurted Hermione. "That is pretty freaky."
"I know," he said, jumping back in. "Please just give it some consideration."
"Okay. I will think about it. However, we need to take care of the situation at hand."
"I agree," said Harry as he pulled her to him and started to kiss her.
"This isn't going to make me agree to that," she said as she started kissing him back.
"Okay," said Harry as he started rubbing her back. "Then let's just do it because we like it and each other."
"So," replied Hermione, "You think I like you."
"I'm hoping at least a little."
The verbal foreplay died down and they went into the bedroom. Sooner than they expected, the sunlight coming through the window woke them. By the time Missy came to rouse them, they were already up.
They ate breakfast while chatting about nothing. Finally, with a collective big gulp decided it was time to go and headed off to Hogwarts.
They appeared in Honeydukes cellar and made their way into the castle via the One-eyed Witch passage. Once they climbed out of the statue of Gunhilda of Gorsemoor, they used Harry's invisibility cloak to make their way up to the hallway in front of the entrance to the room.
Hermione carefully read the room request as Harry waited. Once the doors appeared, they stepped forward and pulled them open exposing the now familiar dark, foggy mist.
"This is it, Harry," said Hermione as she grabbed his arm. He could feel the fear and apprehension pulsing through her. "Once we enter, there is no coming back until the end We will be our younger selves for better or worse.
"I know," he said, trying to sound stoic. "I love you, Hermione."
"I love you, too," she responded as they pulled together for a long, passionate kiss. "Nothing inside there is going to change that."
They kissed for several moments, neither wanting to be the first to stop. Finally, they parted and took the step. When they walked out of Myrtle's bathroom, they were simply Harry and Hermione.
They blended into the school like nothing was out of the ordinary. Later that night, Harry was selected as a champion, much to his, as well as the rest of the school's genuine surprise and dismay, and their lives as two fourteen-year-old friends were underway.
Ron and Harry had a falling out over his selection. They had been on thin ice since the ball. Meanwhile, Hermione seemed very concerned. She had read about the tournament and knew how dangerous it could be.
Ron slowly cooled down a bit and tried to warn Harry in a very convoluted message about the dragons. Hermione tried to coach him on the seriousness of his situation, as did Professor Moody.
On the day of the challenge, Harry still did not feel fully prepared for the task in front of him. He had seen the dragons in the forest and knew things were going to be very serious.
Harry was pacing like a caged lion as he waited in the Champion's Tent. He felt like a bundle of nerves about to explode. Suddenly, he heard a noise just outside the back of the tent and went to investigate. It was Hermione. She was there to try and comfort him and show support. Unable to restrain herself, she burst inside and embraced Harry just as Rita Skeeter and her photographer entered from the front. The resulting picture and her words ignited a scandal of speculation about their true relationship. Ron, who was finally getting his feeling under control, found himself upset, once again.
Harry's worst fears came true after seeing the dragons. He was paired with the Hungarian Horntail and had to worry and fret while the others proceeded with their dragon battle before his turn.
When his turn finally arrived, the dragon almost killed him before the battle started. He ran, trying to avoid the dragon fire, and hid in the rocks. Then he heard Hermione's voice from the bleacher screaming, 'Your wand, Harry. Use your wand', and he remembered the words of Moody.
"Accio, Firebolt," he used as he waved his wand. A few seconds later, a streak appeared in the sky and his Firebolt arrived just in time for him to escape a fierce blast of fire. His planned escape was foiled when the dragon broke its chain and launched itself in hot pursuit.
They flew in a frantic battle into the towers and bridge of the castle. Harry was almost incinerated and eaten several times before he led the dragon into a deep dive. The dragon could not pull out in time and crashed into the bridge. It fell to its death as Harry returned to the cheers of the crowd.
Time passed as Harry tried to unravel the message inside the egg he had taken from the dragon. Winter arrived and the second challenge was not until spring.
What promised to be a relaxing period of schoolwork was short-lived. The castle suddenly became a beehive of activity following the announcement of the Yule Ball. Everywhere groups of students, mostly aligned along gender lines, started talking about who they should ask, who they wanted to ask or be asked by, and how to do the asking or accepting.
This was not confined to the Hogwarts students. The Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students, even though many of them were older, were suffering from the same dilemma as the rest. Even Viktor Krum, the dream date of dozens of young ladies who were holding off with the acceptance of offers in the faint hope he might ask them, was struggling with who and how to ask.
Things came to a head when he approached Hermione as she was walking with Ginny and Penelope Clearwater. He excused himself for the interruption with the customary Durmstrang manners and looked at her. "Hermyohnee," he said in his thick Bulgarian accent. "Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to Yule Ball?"
Ginny and Penelope stood in stunned silence as they waited for Hermione to render her answer...which would be 'YES!' of course. What else could it be? After all, this was international quidditch star and hottest guy of the year, Viktor Krum, asking her.
Hermione stood, trying to catch her words. When she finally spoke, Ginny and Penelope almost fainted.
"I'm sorry, Viktor," she said in a very earnest voice. "I was asked not an hour ago. And I said yes."
Viktor quickly bowed and took his leave as Ginny and Penelope tried to regain their composure.
"You just turned down Viktor Krum," gasped Ginny in shocked disbelief.
"Who are you going with?" asked Penelope.
"Well, if you must know, I am going with Harry. He asked me and I said yes."
Later that afternoon, Hermione saw Viktor enjoying a drink and talking with one of his fellow Durmstrang students in the dining hall. She walked over and asked for a moment. His friend excused himself and stepped away.
"Viktor," she said. "I know a very nice young lady who would make a wonderful date to the ball for you."
"Who is that, Hermyohnee?"
"Her name is Pavarti Patil. I can introduce you if you wish."
"This is very kind, Hermyohnee," he said. "I weel trust your judgment. Please arrange meeting for me."
The afternoon passed and Hermione found herself walking into the dining hall a little earlier than normal. The only person in the normal seating area was Ron. She sat down as he ate at the chips and salsa that were there for everyone prior to the serving of the meal.
"Hello, Ron," she said as she took a chip and dipped it into the chunky, red mixture.
"Hi," he replied with a mouthful of chips. "I heard you turned down Viktor Krum as a date for the ball."
"My. News travels fast," she said matter-of-factly. "Harry asked me earlier in the day and I told him I would go with him."
"So, you're going with Harry. I was actually thinking of asking you," said Ron in a way indicating he might be feeling a little betrayed by his best friends.
"I'm sorry, Ron," said Hermione in a sincere voice. "Harry asked first. What can I say?"
"Nothing, I guess," said Ron in a clearly disappointed way.
"I do know a girl who is still looking for a date if you are interested."
"You better not say Ginny or her loony friend," said Ron suspiciously as he stuffed a chip loaded with salsa into his mouth, some of it falling into his lap. "If you do...I'll…"
"...It's not Ginny or Luna," said Hermione, cutting him off. "Although, they would probably both like it."
"Then who are you talking about?" he asked, suddenly sounding interested.
"Padma Patil," said Hermione. And there's a bonus. Parvati is going with Viktor Krum. You might get to hang out together...talk quidditch...get that autograph you've been after."
"That sounds all right," said Ron, cracking a smile for the first time since Hermione sat down. "How should I do it?"
"I'll talk to Pavarti," responded Hermione. "I'll see about getting Padma over to our table. It will be up to you to ask her. Be nice...polite. You know. Don't be yourself."
"Yeah. Okay," he replied with a scowl at her last, little quip.
Just then, Neville, Ginny, Seamus, and Dean walked up and sat down. "I'm going to the ball with Neville," blurted Ginny, her words glowing like her face. I bet I'll be the only third year there." Neville blushed but managed a smile.
"That's nice," said Hermione. "I am happy for both of you.
"Excellent, Neville," said Harry. "You too, Ginny."
"Have you got a date, yet, Ron," asked Ginny as he crunched down on another loaded chip."
"No," he more or less snapped. "But I have someone in mind. I am going to ask her during dinner."
Harry started to say something, but Hermione gave him a look and a smile that caused him to stop. Before anyone else could say anything, Dumbledore said, "Let the meal begin." Instantly, the tables were filled with food and all discussions were stopped and forgotten.
The day leading up to the ball passed. Tonight was going to a party to remember. Everyone was busy putting on the dress robes and gowns. Even Ron, who was stuck with a set of vintage robes from decades, if not centuries, ago, was excited about the event.
Harry and Ron made their way downstairs. Padma and Pavarti were talking with Cho Chang outside the main room when they arrived. Padma, despite her initial shock at seeing Ron's robe, was anxious for the ball to begin.
Viktor Krum walked in followed by Cedric Diggory. Viktor walked up and took Pavarti's hand and kissed. He offered his arm and she took it as they walked over toward the punch bowl where Roger Davies was standing with Fleur Delacour. Cedric did the same with Cho, causing Ron to feel the need to respond in kind. He no more than finished kissing Padma's hand when Padma gasped and said 'She looks beautiful'. As Ron looked up and Harry turned. A cloud of periwinkle blue started down the stairs. It was Hermione and she looked truly breathtaking as she glowed like a setting sun emitting its finest radiance.
"Y...y...yes. She does," stammered Harry, his eyes not believing what they were seeing.
Hermione walked up to Harry and he managed to take her hand and kiss it. They started off in the direction of the punch bowl to join the others when Professor McGonagall intercepted them. She had come to instruct all of them on the procession into the hall and their requirement of the first day.
Several minutes later, there was a fanfare and the doors opened. Cedric and Cho led the procession followed by Viktor and Padma. Harry and Hermione were next as Roger and Fleur brought up the rear. Ron wanted to scowl when Harry and Hermione went by, but Padma was too busy waving and cheering for her sister, so he behaved.
The open waltz began as the champions danced for the first few bars. Then the floor filled up and the ball was underway.
Once The Weird Sisters took the stage, the ball kicked into high gear. Everyone was dancing to the frantic beat. After a few songs, Padma gave Pavarti an 'I need a break' look. Viktor, Ron, Parvati, and Padma walked off the dance floor to get a drink and some snacks. They were all hot and sweaty.
A couple of punches and a few snacks later, Viktor suggested they step outside for a breath of fresh air. They all agreed that was a great idea. It was really stuffy inside. And besides, Ron could see Harry and Hermione, and Neville and Ginny slow dancing a little too close for his liking. He was anxious to leave.
After a few moments later outside in the cold, the foursome decided to climb into one of the coaches lining the courtyard. The coach promised to be cozy and a little warmer than the December air. Before long, first Viktor and Padma, then Ron and Pavarti were kissing and getting better acquainted. Everything was going swimmingly as the coach rocked and shook until its door flew open and they found themselves staring wide-eyed and guilty into the angry faces of Severus Snape and Igor Karkaroff.
"Get out of the coach...immediately," snarled Snape.
Ron literally jumped out, then helped Padma and Pavarti out. As soon as Viktor's feet hit the ground, Igor gave him a look that could even wither the greatest quidditch seeker in the World.
"VEEKTOR! FOLLOW ME, NOW!" growled Igor at the top of his lungs as he turned and head back toward the castle at a brisk pace. Karkaroff's white robe and black hair swirled around him as Viktor followed him like a frightened schoolboy.
At this same time, in a dark corner of an obscure corridor, Harry and Hermione were sharing a heartfelt, but an awkward first attempt at kissing. Their embrace was warm and their intentions were good. However, this was all new territory to them. Still, in the end, a romance budded on the tree of love.
"Miss Patil and...Miss Patil," started Snape in an all too familiar voice that meant things were not going to end well. "I had really expected better of you. I assure you that if you were in Slytherin…...that the punishment would be…...severe. Ten points will be taken from both of your houses for serious lack of moral discipline. Now...straighten your dresses and go back inside."
The girls did not hesitate. They scurried away while trying to rearrange themselves.
"Ah...Mr. Weasley," began Snape as Ron took a big gulp in anticipation of the worst. "I hardly imagined finding you here. I suppose I am forced to reward you for managing to get a date to the ball. Five points will be awarded to Gryffindor for your...exceeding my expectations. Now...go back inside."
Ron ran inside and headed up to the Gryffindor common room. He did not know whether to be happy or mad. He did not get punished. He even earned points. But the condescension attached to them felt like punishment.
When Harry and Neville finally called it a night and made it into their dorm room, Ron was already sound asleep. It had been an eventful evening and they were also ready for bed. A few minutes later, the room was totally dark with the only noise being a bit of light snoring.
The next morning, the dining hall was all abuzz. The ball provided a wealth of stories, but the juicy news was the Patil twins getting detention and costing their houses points. Other students had gotten caught, as well. But that was to be expected. The Patil twins, on the other hand, were thought to be beyond reproach. Their transgressions topped even the feting of Harry and Hermione as bells of the ball. This was Rita Skeeter-level stuff to the gossips of Hogwarts.
At the third and fourth year section of the Gryffindor table, everyone was trying to avoid the attention being paid to Harry and Hermione. They also gave Pavarti some space because, from the way she was only poking at her food, she was clearly upset.
"Whatever did you do, Ron?" asked Neville in a low voice as he leaned forward in Ron's direction. "Snape gave you five points. He never gives points to Gryffindor."
"Nuthin" muttered Ron in a sharp voice as he pushed half of a pancake into his mouth in hopes they would leave him alone.
"C'mon, Ron," said Seamus, trying to urge him to spill what happened. "Tell us your secret. How did you exceed Snape's expectations?"
Ron continued to ignore them until Ginny chimed in. "Ronald must be embarrassed. He thinks we'll start calling him Percy junior."
"Shut it, Gingersnap," barked Ron, using the nickname she detested the most.
"I may have to send an owl home with the news," responded Ginny, ready to play dirty following Ron's barb. "They'll be so proud. I am sure they'll want to...hear all about it."
"FINE!" shouted Ron, hitting the edge of his plate as he slammed down his fork launching several bangers and a fair quantity of scrambled eggs across the table. "FINE!"
The whole table fell quiet as Ron gave all of them a scowl of such magnitude as to even make Snape envious. Even Ginny refrained from saying anything.
"If you must know, well...after Snape and Igor Karkaroff caught Viktor and me in the coach with Padma and Pavarti, Karkaroff hauled Viktor away. Then Snape yelled at the girls and took ten points from both of them and sent them away. Finally, he looked at me and congratulated me for managing to get a date, and gave me five points for exceeding his expectations. There. Are you satisfied?" he snarled.
Harry literally spit out his pumpkin juice. Hermione tried not to laugh but ended up convulsing like the others as Ron sat quietly trying to look angry but looking more embarrassed than anything.
The days and weeks after the ball passed without much time for Harry and Hermione to follow up on their kiss in that dark corridor. Harry's mind was consumed with trying to figure out the clue supposedly hidden with the egg that screamed at him like an unearthed mandrake root whenever he chanced to open it. To her credit, Hermione was also devoting a lot of time to deciphering the clue. Their bud on the tree of love was not yet ready to bloom.
It was not until he found himself in the Prefect's Bath on the fifth floor at the suggestion of Cedric Diggory that he finally heard the clue after Moaning Myrtle told him to listen to the sounds under the bathwater.
The clue was just as problematic as the egg. The first half seemed straightforward enough...he had to seek the speakers in the Black Lake. But the second part with its need for him to swim underwater for an hour seemed impossible until February twenty-fourth when he found himself on a podium with a handful of Gillyweed provided to him by Dobby.
He ate the gillyweed just as the cannon sounded and jumped into the lake. Within seconds, he had sprouted gills and flippers that made swimming easy. After a long search, he found four people suspended by ropes, Ron, Parvati, Cho, and Gabrielle Delacour. He freed Ron and went to free Pavarti when a merperson with a trident pointing at him said he could only save one person. Just then, Cedric appeared and freed Cho. As Cedric and Cho disappeared upward, Viktor came and took Pavarti.
Harry wanted to leave with Ron, but he knew the grindylows had forced Fleur to give up on the task. With the merpeople scared off by Viktor's sharkhead charm, Harry managed to save Gabrielle as well as Ron. As he was recovering from saving the others and a grindylow attack, Hermione gave him a warm towel and kissed him on the head. This caused Ron to scowl because he still had aspirations of winning Hermione's affections, but it won him great accolades from everyone else.
The time between the second and third challenges moved Harry forward like a man stepping toward a bed of hot, firewalking coals. He was still the underdog because of campus politics. The Durmstrangs obviously were solidly behind Viktor Krum, as were the Beauxbatons standing with Fleur Delacour. The Slytherins all opposed him because of Draco and basic Slytherin anti-Gryffindor sentiments. Hufflepuffs all supported their own Cedric Diggory. Most of the Ravenclaws also lined up behind Cedric because he was dating their popular seeker, Cho Chang. Harry's only inroads were within Gryffindor. Most of them were now firmly behind him following his reconciliation with Ron and the appearance of him getting friendly with Hermione. The bud on the tree of love was seemingly ready to show its first cracks as the Third Challenge loomed larger and larger.
The eve of the Third Challenge arrived. It was late and Harry and Hermione were chatting alone in the common room on one of the large couches in front of a crackling fire. Harry was too tense to sleep. A dragon had almost killed him during the first challenge. The grindylows had almost dragged him to a watery grave deep in the dark depths of the Black Lake. Now he was heading into the third and final challenge. He could only imagine it as being far more treacherous than the others.
Harry had spent weeks practicing spells with Ron and Hermione for every conceivable danger they thought he might face. They were taking it far more seriously than the first two challenges. Their efforts were destined to prove only moderately successful.
As they shared their thoughts and fears about the upcoming challenge, their feelings were intensified by worry. Suddenly, they found themselves pulled impossibly tight together, their lips locked, their arms wrapped around each other like devil's snare.
Before long, they were expressing their pent-up, repressed feelings in muffled words between kisses. This went on for several minutes, neither of them knowing the location of the next step. However, the fears of tomorrow were sidelined and their minds were free of the burden for a while.
Suddenly, they heard steps on the stairs. They quickly sat up and moved apart while attempting to smooth their clothes and hair. A second later, two seventh-year girls came into the room.
"What are you two doing up at this hour?" asked the taller, blonde one.
"Homework, if you must know," replied Hermione quickly as she pointed at the books in front of them."
"Be sure to wipe the lipstick off your classwork," snickered the shorter, black-haired girl as she rubbed her cheek.
Hermione looked at Harry and saw her lipstick prominently smeared on his cheek, causing her to blush. A moment later, the two girls exited on what was surely a trip to the loo. She quickly wiped the lipstick off Harry's cheek as they said good night and headed off to bed before the two girls returned. Their bud on the tree of love finally began to open.
The next morning, Harry picked at his breakfast despite the encouragement of Hermione, Ron, and several others to eat because he was going to need all of his energy for the challenge. By the dusk, Harry had still not eaten much as he prepared to enter the maze at the same time as Cedric.
Considering the maze was entirely inside the quidditch pitch, it was quickly found to be full of unanticipated challenges. Harry made it past the dementor after realizing it was a boggart. He also made it through the Gold Limbo Mist. He heard Fleur having trouble, but never saw her. He felt certain she was being forced to retire from the challenge.
Harry found Krum torturing Cedric with the Cruciatus Curse. He stunned Viktor and sent up red sparks, thus ending Krum's chance of winning. Harry and Cedric then parted and Harry soon found himself blocked by a blast-ended skrewt.
Harry defeated the skrewt with a well-placed Impediment Jinx. This let him move on to where he was confronted by a sphinx. Its riddle sounded familiar. As he thought about it, he remembered Ginny's friend Luna answering to enter her common room after they had all been stargazing on top of the Astronomy Tower. When he gave the correct answer, the sphinx smiled at him as she stepped aside.
Moments later, he made it to the center of the maze at the same time as Cedric. He saved Cedric from an acromantula that was blocking his path. Cedric offered Harry the win for saving him. Instead, Harry suggested they grip it together and share the win, thus causing the eventual death of Cedric in the graveyard in Little Hangleton.
The return of Voldemort and the death of Cedric hit Harry hard. His mind and heart had no room for romantic thoughts despite Hermione's attempts. The school year ended with Harry promising to write to Hermione over the summer. Even though he predictably failed in his efforts to make good on his promise to write to Hermione, he was surprised to not receive any letters from her.
Act IX
A Quick One Before You're Away
Another miserable summer at the Dursley was nearing its end when the unspeakable occurred. Harry and his cousin Dudley were attacked by a pair of dementors on their way home from the park during a rainstorm. If not for his use of the Patronus Charm, their fate would have been anything except clear.
Unfortunately, because Harry was underage, the Ministry learned of his use of magic and issued a notice telling him he was expelled from Hogwarts. Fortunately, Dumbledore was able to get the expulsion suspended pending a hearing before the Wizengamot.
At the hearing, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge tried to do everything he could to get Harry convicted in order to assuage his paranoia over the rumors that Voldemort had returned to the living. Dumbledore out-maneuvered Fudge's efforts and Harry was acquitted.
Harry was sent to Number 12 Grimmauld to await his return to Hogwarts. When he arrived, he was sent upstairs to a room where Ron and Hermione would be waiting for him. He no more than opened the door when Hermione literally launched herself into his arms and gave him a kiss on each cheek. Ron also gave him a hug even though he was put off by Hermione's show of affection. It was becoming more and more apparent that he was losing the battle for her attention.
Ron and Hermione explained why they had not sent any letters to Harry over the summer. Harry did not understand why Dumbledore wanted him kept in the dark, but after they all met with the members of the Order things settled down.
Once they made it to school, Harry was startled to see Dolores Umbridge taking over as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. When he told Hermione and Ron that she was at his trial it became apparent the Ministry was intent on manipulating the school and its students.
Harry and Hermione felt the desire to move ahead with their romance, but Umbridge's decrees and spies made it increasingly difficult for them to find any personal time. It was like a late spring cold snap had frozen the ability of their bud on the tree of love to open any further.
Among Umbridge's many assaults on the operation of the school was the way she turned the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts into a juvenile exercise preventing the students from learning any real skills. At the suggestion of Hermione, she, Harry, and Ron set out to form a group that was dubbed Dumbledore's Army by Ginny. Harry led the classes in the Room of Requirement to teach the groups all sorts of defensive spells, including the Patronus Charm.
His teaching skills tempted him to start a relationship with Cho Chang, which was encouraged by Ron, who was still grieving the death of Cedric Diggory and admired Harry's teaching abilities. Harry had carried a bit of a crush on Cho since his third year but saw it become sidelined as his interest in Hermione grew.
Harry eventually kissed Cho and they had a couple of social dates, but Cho could see his enduring feelings for Hermione. Those feelings caused enough friction to break them apart.
Cho stayed a member of Dumbledore's Army after their breakup and the outing of the group to Umbridge by her friend Marietta Edgecombe. She did, however, hold a grudge against Hermione for jinxing the parchment that caused the boils to erupt on Marietta's face.
During this time, Harry had a dream that helped thwart an attack on Arthur Weasley who was guarding the prophecy desired by Voldemort. Later in the year, Harry was tricked with a false dream about Sirius Black being attacked. This caused Harry to lead a group composed of Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and Ginny to the Department of Mysteries to save him. Once there, they were attacked by Death Eaters led by Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. Just as Harry was handing over the prophecy to Lucius in exchange for the lives of his friends, several members of the Order of the Phoenix appeared and a battle ensued.
During the fight, Sirius Black was killed by Bellatrix. Harry chased her down and was about to deal with her when Voldemort appeared followed by Dumbledore. Dumbledore and Voldemort dueled until Voldemort took possession of Harry's body. Just as Harry managed to fend him off with the encouraging words of Dumbledore, Cornelius Fudge and several aurors appeared and the denial of the Dark Lord's return became public knowledge at last.
With Fudge forced to resign in disgrace and Umbridge ousted from Hogwarts, Harry and Hermione had a brief window to rekindle their romance. They made the best of it, spending every minute possible alone together. Their makeout sessions were hot and steamy as the chill abated and the first petals started to open on their flower on the tree of love. Then they were on the train, heading away to a summer apart.
"Are you going to be okay at your aunt and uncle's?" asked Hermione, who was sitting next to him instead of her customary across from him, in a voice indicating she was deeply concerned.
"Yeah, mate," said Ron. "You can come stay with me. I'm sure my mom and dad will be okay with it."
"I'll be fine," said Harry. "I think that the dementor attack cooled things off between me and my cousin. I think he knows I saved his life. My aunt and uncle don't get it, but I think he does."
"That's great. But if things change...uh...I'm just sayin'"
"Write to me," asked Hermione. "Let me know how you are."
When the train finally arrived in London, they got up to leave. As Ron led them out of the compartment, Hermione gave Harry a quick kiss right on the lips behind Ron's back. Then the reality of being back in London hit them like a sudden cold snap and the flower on the tree of love that had been slowly opening seemed to freeze in place.