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. My apologies for the delay in posting this, Over the festive period I wanted to spend more time with family and my laptop was being a pain...

#

Even though Harry was unconscious for the majority of the previous day, he had the best sleep of his life, a feat that he wholly attributed the beautiful young witch that he had in his arms. Throughout his previous long life, it was his only dream, to wake to find Hermione in his arms; it was one of his greatest regrets that he hadn't dared to tell her how he felt.

Now that he had finally opened up to her and explained how he felt, everything had changed. He was no longer under the thumb of Albus Dumbledore, he had set Amelia Bone on the trail to get Sirius his long-overdue trial, and had finally brought Neville fully into his circle of friends.

Nothing and no one was going to stand in his way of living his life in the manner or with the person of his choosing.

Due to the northern latitude, dawn was a little later in September in Scotland than it was in England. As Harry lay in the hospital bad with Hermione, he watched the early morning sunlight slowly drift across the infirmary floor. This was a perfect moment that he would savour for many years to come.

His ponderings were disrupted by the chattering of distant voices and the oncoming sound of hurrying footsteps. The inevitable confrontation with the headmaster was now looming large on the horizon like some angry summer squall; he had hoped that this would be at a later date but rather sooner than later.

'Harry, my boy. It is good to see you awake and fully recovered from yesterdays unfortunate events. However, I must confess I am very disappointed that you would openly flaunt your conquests in this manner.' The Headmaster started badly and it went downhill at an alarming rate.

'Albus, my health and well being are none of your concern. It was very evident in your lack of interest during my last thirteen years with the Dursley's, as for your comment about Hermione, you should be ashamed of yourself. How dare you impugn the honour of my girlfriend!' Harry was getting more and more agitated as he spoke.

'Mr Potter, I have warned you before about the way you address the headmaster, you will serve detention with me this evening.' barked Professor McGonagall.

'I'm sorry Professor but I won't be attending any detention. Hogwarts by-law seventy-three clearly states that "styles and titles are to be used at all times when addressing persons of higher rank unless familiarity is granted. No punishment will be administered to any pupil of higher rank for using the given name of any member of staff up to and including the Headmaster" in fact there are numerous by-laws that I could use to facilitate significant changes for the duration of my time here.' Harry smiled at the professor as he explained the school by-laws.

'Ahh but Harry, you are simply a pupil here, and I am the headmaster so I do outrank you.' said Dumbledore.

'I am the Earl of Monmouth, and this is a title that holds sway in both the magical and non-magical worlds, so you will address me as your Grace unless I give you leave to do otherwise. And while your position within the Wizengamot is Chief Warlock, it does not outrank a title granted by the crown. I know that you know this so don't let's pretend otherwise.' Said Harry

'Due to your unfortunate illness yesterday Har... I mean your Grace, you didn't attend our meeting.' said the headmaster.

'We didn't have a meeting yesterday, Headmaster. You issued a summons and I left word with Professor McGonagall to advise that I will not be summoned by you or anyone else; if you wish to meet with me, then you will make an appointment with my house steward. You may also make appointments through Chairman Ragnok as he is now personally overseeing my accounts.'

Harry looked down at the slumbering form of Hermione and placed a kiss on her head then continued 'I will consent to meet with you in your office today at eleven; you will have fifteen minutes so make it count.'

Albus looked at Harry lying in bed with a young woman and said 'Your Grace, I must register my complaints about this. You being in bed with Ms Granger is inappropriate and unacceptable.'

Harry lifted the covers to show that they were both still fully clothed and that nothing improper was taking place.

'Headmaster, once again, you have attempted to impugn Hermione's honour. I will not stand for this. Once she fully wakes, you will extend a full and unequivocal apology.'

'What happened, Harry? You used to trust Me.' implored Albus

'You lied to me, you kept things from me, and you disregarded the wishes of my parents. Whatever trust I once had for you is dead. You're not a bad man Albus; you're just so blinded by your superiority that you can't even begin to think that you're wrong. I will never trust you again.' explained Harry.

'Very well, your Grace, I will see you at eleven.' said Albus before he turned and walked away.

'Mr Potter, was that entirely necessary?' asked Minerva

'Unfortunately, it was, Professor. While I do respect him, I cannot trust him either in word or deed. Since I have come back this year, my eyes have been opened to too many things that he has either done or not done, and they have all had a significant impact on my life.'

The Professor asked 'Can you not give him a second chance to fix these things?'

'To my mind, second chances have to be earned through hard work and a complete about-turn in behaviour. Look at Snape as an example, he "appears" to be a reformed Death Eater but his actions and deeds towards the students not of his house suggest otherwise. It was the headmaster that vouched for him.' Harry explained.

A loud yawn alerted Harry and Minerva to the imminent inclusion of Hermione into their conversation.

'Well Your Grace, I think I will take my leave. I hope to see you both in the hall from breakfast.'

'Thank you, professor, and Please call me Harry in social settings or simply Mr Potter in class.'

The Transfiguration professor nodded her acceptance and walked away.

#

Harry waited for Minerva to leave the infirmary before asking 'How much did you hear?'

Hermione looked at him as innocently as she could without answering.

'I thought as much.' He said smirking.

'What gave me away?' Hermione asked

'When I moved the cover, your eye flickered. It was a dead giveaway. Anyway, I want you to come to this meeting at eleven, say you'll come?' Harry asked, almost pleadingly.

'Of course, I'll be there. You know that I'll always be with you Harry, every step of the way.' Hermione reassured him.

'We had best get up and get changed. I dread to think what the rumour mill is saying today, I bet a penny to a pinch of snuff they will have me either dead or mortally wounded and Draco or Snape will be the prime suspect.' said Harry.

As the young couple made their way to their tower, they made small talk and held hands. It was this type of carefree ease that Harry had never had in his previous life. Being with Hermione was effortless; they seemed to inherently understand each other in ways that no one else could. Be it a look or a touch or even a single raised eyebrow, and it conveyed more than a full conversation with any other person. It seemed that they were made with the sole purpose of being together.

Hermione stopped in front of the Fat lady and put her arms around Harry's waist, he understood instinctively that she just needed to be held, nothing needed to be said; just the support that being in his arms gave her was enough.

Few moments passed before Hermione lifted her head from his chest and looked into his eyes. 'I was so worried that you wouldn't come back to me, Harry. I was so scared that you would leave me all alone. I couldn't cope with being that alone, not again. Promise me Harry, promise me that you'll never leave me?' asked Hermione.

The fear and anguish were very evident in her voice. She had finally found her haven and would fight tooth and nail to keep it.

'I will never leave you, Mia, you mean everything to me and nothing and no-one will ever come between us. I promise you now, Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear, While the sands o' life shall run' Harry smiled at her and kissed her gently on the lips before they headed into the tower.