As always, I'm only playing with JK Rowling's toys.
All credit goes to JK Rowling, her publisher and all the other people involved in bringing her work to life.
#
Hermione was stunned, of all the thing that Harry could have asked her, this was one that she least expected. Well, she didn't expect him to get down on one knee and propose, but within the realms of possibility, this was the least expected.
'Why would you ask me that Harry?' she asked with a slight tremble in her voice.
'Because' he whispered as he gently held her face with both hands 'I really want to do this' and he leaned in and softly kissed her.
While it may not have been the longest or the most passionate kiss in history, it was certainly the most memorable kiss a young witch could ever hope to receive. When Harry reluctantly pulled away and opened his eyes, he saw that Hermione was transfixed. A small smile spread across his lips, and her deep chocolate eyes glistened.
'And if I was to accept your proposal.' She asked 'would there be more of that?'
Harry gave his usual boyish grin and said 'I think we could schedule in some homework into our kissing.'
Hermione for once followed her heart and put her arms around his neck and pulled him into a deep and passionate kiss.
#
Some students from the other three houses were loitering outside Ravenclaw tower; all of them were shocked by what they were hearing.
Professor Flitwick was not known for raising his voice, but every syllable could be heard in the hallway as he tore into his house.'
'AND YOU PREFECTS ARE A DISGRACE TO THIS HOUSE, AND THE OFFICE THAT YOU HOLD.
FURTHERMORE, EACH AND EVERY PERSON IN THIS HOUSE, EXCEPT MS LOVEGOOD, WILL RECEIVE AN OWL HOME EXPLAINING THAT YOU ARE ON PROBATION AND THEY SHOULD BE PREPARED TO COME AND COLLECTED YOU SHOULD YOU STEP OUT OF LINE ONE MORE TIME. CHANG, FAWCETT AND EDGECOMBE MY OFFICE NOW!'
The group of pupils outside the tower scattered; no one would believe that the diminutive professor could be so forceful.
The door to the tower swung open, and the professor and the three sobbing girls headed towards Flitwick's office.
#
History of magic was dragging on, and Ron was beginning to realise what everyone else had noticed; that Harry and Hermione were not in class. However he didn't put two and two together, he assumed that it was a school thing and they would see them in the next class.
Since the start of term Neville and Harry had grown quite close, there was mutual respect, and this caused the friendship to flourish. It was why Neville was trusted with the secret of where the new young couple were and when they would be back. Neville was slowly replacing Ron in the golden trio, and the ginger idiot could only blame himself.
#
'Wormtail how goes the preparations?' the infant Voldemort asked.
'M..m..m..my lord things are coming along; the potion will be ready just as you planned.' The cowardly former Gryffindor spoke in an almost hushed tone.
'Of Course, it will be ready you fool, St John's day was chosen for a reason. On that day, all I will need is Potters blood, and I will have returned to my full glory.'
'I.I. will be a glorious day. My Lord, all will fall at your feet' whimpered.
'The borrowed time that Harry Potter has been living on will run out. I will kill the boy, and the world will soon forget the falsehood of his defeat of me. No mere babe in arms could stand against the will of Lost Voldemort.' The twisted infant thing cackled, as it spoke.
The preparations were moving at pace; there would be no stopping things now.
The tournament would go ahead, and Potter would suffer throughout the year, each task was designed to hurt him physically and mentally; weakening him so that when the final task arrives, he would be too afraid to fight back.
Voldemort could almost taste the fear that would ooze from the young wizard. Of course, once he returned to his full power, he would have his fun with the so-called Boy-Who-Lived. Giving him just enough hope to draw out the exquisite terror he would inflict upon him before ending the masquerade in front of his inner circle of death eaters, dispelling the myth that Harry Potter is a great and powerful wizard.
#
Hermione continued with the short tour of the house before they re-emerged in the living room holding hands. Emma was the first to notice the new development in the young couple's relationship. She elbowed Dan, who peered over his paper to see why she was assaulting him; slowly, a smile spread across his lips.
'We've got a little while before we have to head off, so I was wondering I you could tell us how you managed to get your headmaster to agree to all of this.' Asked Dan
'Well, I think that this is a story that needs coffee and very possibly cakes. A story isn't the same without cake.' Harry explained.
Almost on cue a fresh coffee pot, four cups and a small plate of pastries appeared on the coffee table.
'Dobby, you truly are a revelation. Thank you, my friend.' said Harry.
'I suppose it all began when I spoke with Director Bones a few weeks ago; something didn't feel right and I couldn't put my finger on it. Amelia advised me to write to Gringotts, you see she knew my parents and when she realised that I had no idea about the Wizarding world she suggested that I ask them for a full break down of my accounts.' As Harry spoke the Grangers sat and quietly listened.
'Harry was that what was in that package you received, your accounts?' Mia asked.
'Yeah, it turned out that there were a few anomalies that the bank could not account for.'
Harry poured himself a cup of coffee before offering the pot to his audience.
'the first and most important thing was that my parents Will had never need read, a certain headmaster used his political power to get the will on file with the ministry locked until I come of age. Unfortunately for him, Gringotts is sovereign territory, and the ministry holds no sway there. Director Ragnok personally oversees my account; the previous goblin was in the pay of Dumbledore and was allowing limited access to my portfolio of properties. The goblin in question was "retired with extreme prejudice". Once I found out the contents of the will I arranged to have a meeting with Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore.'
~#~
"Harry, my boy, what can I do for you?" asked the Headmaster
"Well, Albus, how about you start by answering a few questions, and if I like your answers, we can perhaps see where that leads us," said Harry before sitting down.
"Mr Potter, you will refrain from calling the Headmaster by his first name." admonished Harry's head of house.
"Forgive me, Professor, for sounding petty, but he started it."
"It's quite alright Minerva, we are all friends here." said the headmaster.
"That remains to be seen, Albus. Now the first question; Why did you place me in an abusive home, when you knew that my parents had already selected guardians to look after me in the event of their passing?" The cadence of his voice, coupled with the stoic look on Harry's face gave nothing away.
"I deemed it necessary for your protection. Your mother's willing sacrifice meant that you had to reside with a blood relative for the protection that she invoked to continue to keep you safe." Albus answered calmly and concisely.
'Sirius Black is a blood relative, my grandmother Dorea Black was his great-aunt, not to mention he is my Godfather. So I do not accept your argument that the Dursley's were the safest place for me, but we will come back to that."
"What gave you the right to not only prevent Gringotts from contacting me; but to access my properties without my permission?" Harry stared intently at Dumbledore, making the aged wizard feel rather uncomfortable.
"Mr Potter, I really must protest at these baseless accusations" Minerva spoke up half-heartedly, she knew that Harry's home life had not been pleasant.
"Professor, Director Ragnok has given me a full rundown of my portfolio and sworn testimony from the previous Potter account manager stating that Albus here was passing bribes to the goblin in question for limited access to no less than three properties as well as ensuring that all account information was sent directly to him." Harry's eyes never left Dumbledore's.
"Albus, is this true?" asked Minerva, hoping that it was nothing more than a simple misunderstanding while knowing in her heart that every word was the truth.
"Mea Culpa, my dear Minerva. Every word Harry has spoken the truth. I had originally hoped that you would grow up in a loving home away from the stress of your unasked for fame." explained Dumbledore.
"Did ye, aye?" asked McGonagall "you know something, Albus, if ever there was a way to fuck something up, you'd find it."
"Albus, you have a hell of a lot to answer for, but I'm going to give you a shot at redemption. Seeing as you're all about second chances and forgiveness, but first I have a couple of conditions before you get your second chance" explained Harry.
"Of course Mr Potter; what must I do?" the elderly wizard asked.
"I will not be going back to Privet Drive, next summer or ever again. You will never speak to me of the Dursley's, the alleged protections around the house or your greater good. This is my first condition. Do you agree?"
"Harry, you will be-"Albus was cut off in mid-sentence.
"Do you agree? It's a simple yes or no question, agree, and you will find out the rest of my conditions disagree, and I will seek my education elsewhere. It's your choice."
Albus sighed "I agree to this condition, reluctantly."
"The second condition, you will use your political influence to secure a trial for Sirius. As the Supreme Mugwump of the ICW and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, it is within your power to call for a trial. The minister has no authority over you on this point." stated Harry.
Professor McGonagall watched on in silence, Dumbledore had no leverage, and Harry knew this. He could have demanded almost anything and the headmaster would have given it.
"I will see that Sirius gets his trial." The headmaster sounded like a beaten man.
"Excellent, now my third condition involves you, Professor." Harry addressed Minerva
"My third condition is on the morning of the nineteenth of September at six-thirty Professor McGonagall will escort Hermione and me to her house. We will spend the day celebrating Hermione's birthday with her parents, and we will spend the night there as well. The professor will collect us at eight the following morning. This condition is non-negotiable." Harry gave a predatory smile.
"Do you mean to say that the other two were negotiable?" asked Minerva
"You could have tried." shrugged Harry.
"And if I refuse to this condition?" asked Albus.
"Director Bones has been instructed to open criminal proceedings against you, the charges being Kidnapping, Child endangerment, Child Neglect, Theft, dereliction of duty and, attempted Line Theft. These of course don't include any charges that she might wish to bring herself. So what's it to be Albus?" Harry smirked. He knew that he had Dumbledore outmanoeuvred.
"I find myself, reluctantly, agreeing to your conditions, Harry. I hope that this goes some way to repairing our relationship."
"We will see." Said Harry before he got up and left the office.
~#~
'So you blackmailed the headmaster, is that what you are saying?' Asked Hermione; her anger was growing, not at Harry but at the person who mistreated her love.
'I had to make sure that my best friend got to spend time with her parents on her birthday.' Harry said in a small voice.
Hermione reached over and pulled him into a hug while whispering reassurances to him.
Dan and Emma looked at each other, it was a hell of a story, and it appeared that every word of it was true.
Harry cleared his throat and said 'Are we all ready to go?'
Emma asked 'Just one thing, Harry, why A Midsummer night's dream?'
Harry blushed 'I figured that you were both Shakespeare fans, and a winter's tale isn't showing anywhere so thought this would be the next best thing.'
Both Hermione's parent's beamed at Harry, his consideration for them and his regard for their daughter seemed to know no bounds.
Dan eventually spoke up and said 'Harry, you don't know how much this means to both of us. I doubt I could ever thank you enough for today, but Thank you.'
Hermione knew then that she was just as deeply in love with this green-eyed wizard as he was with her.