Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the Harry Potter Franchise or characters. All characters used are the property of their respective owners.
Special Thanks: tweety-src-clt9 for helping me flesh out the story beats. If you love Harmony (Harry/Hermione) go read, her stories. If you just like excellent writing, go read her stories.
Note: For plot convenience, I have shifted the dates of the second and third tasks to later than in the books. The second task now takes place in April and the third task takes place in July. Also, this story is a Horcrux free zone.
Also, for reference, if a location change occurs and there is no accompanying date, those events are taking place on the same day.
Dangerous Part 3
Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft
Headmaster's Office
Friday 6 January 1995
Harry Potter stepped into the office of the Hogwarts Headmaster having been called away from his Charms lesson. "Good morning, Headmaster."
"Good morning Mister Potter, I apologise for pulling you out of class, but I wanted to discuss your request to self-study for the rest of the year as soon as possible."
Harry nodded. "Of course, Headmaster."
Dumbledore then sent a messenger Patronus off to Professor McGonagall, and the two sat in silence. Dumbledore removed his glasses and placed them on the desk in front of him. "Since the debacle with Sirius last year I've spent some time reviewing the choices I've made in my life."
Harry raised an eyebrow but let Dumbledore continue. "My review of my decisions regarding you have led me to the conclusion that I have failed in my duties. Not only have I failed you, but I have also continued to make choices that compounded the error. I cannot ask your forgiveness, because I do not deserve it, but I do promise to do better in future."
Harry nodded. "I think I can accept that."
"Thank you, Harry, forgiveness is a wonderful thing, but only if it's accompanied with genuine remorse. I have sent a letter to your relatives to inform them that you will not be returning to their home."
Harry blinked, hope rising in his chest. "For summer?"
"Forever Harry, you will never step back into that house again. I intend on speaking with several families over the next few months to seek suitable alternative accommodation. If none meet your approval, I would like to offer you the Dumbledore cottage in Godric's Hollow."
"But what about you, sir?"
Dumbledore smiled. "I rarely require the cottage, I am either here or travelling during summer. But let's let that be the last resort. I'm sure Augusta Longbottom would be delighted to open her home to you, but that is something we can discuss later."
At that moment, Harry was distracted by a knock at the door. Dumbledore called for the person to enter and Harry's heart sunk, and anger rose in his chest, as Professor McGonagall entered followed by Hermione Granger.
"What are you doing here?!" The two yelled in unison. "Me! I was told to come by the Headmaster! Headmaster, what is going on?!"
Dumbledore clamped down on his Occlumency shields to stop from laughing at their behaviour. He noted with a smile that the antics of the two teens had amused Professor McGonagall as well, but she had a much better poker face than he did. Only years of knowing Minerva allowed Dumbledore a hint of her genuine emotions. He raised his hands causing the two teens to fall silent.
"I am aware that the two of you are not on the best of terms right now, I am not asking you to explain what happened or talk it out. However, if you ever wish to discuss it, my door and that of Professor McGonagall are always open."
"Headmaster, I don't understand why I'm here?" Hermione asked.
"That will become clear in a moment Miss Granger, please, have a seat."
Hermione dutifully sat as asked but Harry scowled continuing to stand looking between Dumbledore, McGonagall and Hermione. Dumbledore frowned. "Mister Potter, please sit."
Harry finally nodded and sat, ignoring the unhappy expression on Hermione's face. Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. "Mister Potter, yesterday you requested to take the rest of the year as self-study so that you could better prepare for the final two tasks of the Tri-Wizards tournament. I am inclined to grant your request, on one condition."
"A condition, sir?"
"Yes, Mister Potter, as you rightly pointed out to Professor McGonagall yesterday, you are competing with students with three years more experience than you in magical education. I believe your goal of surviving the tournament is achievable but only with help."
Harry's eyes drifted over to Hermione, and he paled. "Headmaster, I don't think that's a good idea..."
"I agree," Hermione added.
"I do not, Mister Potter, you need the best mind in Hogwarts to help you survive and you, perhaps even better than Miss Granger's teachers know what a brilliant student she is. Wasn't it Miss Granger who devised your strategy to survive the first task?"
"I mean... yeah, I suppose..." Harry mumbled looking down at the floor.
"Headmaster, I don't see an incentive for me to help, Mister Potter," Hermione observed, the emphasis she put on Mister made Harry wince.
"But there is Miss Granger, I have talked it over with Professor McGonagall, and we've agreed to extend the same offer to you as we have done Mister Potter. You will be allowed to take your lessons for the rest of the year as self-study, reporting to Professor McGonagall once a week to ensure you are both keeping up with the course work. If she feels that you've both put in enough work, we will arrange for you both to take OWL's early."
Hermione's eyes brightened. "I-I could take my OWL's early?"
"If you put in the work, but let me be clear, you both have to put in the work. We will extend this reward to both of you or neither of you. That means a level of cooperation will be required to succeed."
Both Harry and Hermione paled at that pronouncement. But for the first time since the Yule Ball, they managed to agree on something. Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "Excellent, I will have the House Elves move your trunks into your new accommodation."
"New accommodation?" Harry whispered.
"Yes, Mister Potter, to further facilitate cooperation and ensure you maximise your time, you will both be moving into the Gryffindor heads suite. They've been empty since Percy Weasley left the school, so they're perfect for your purposes."
Harry and Hermione glanced uneasily at each other and nodded reluctantly, and the two were dismissed. They walked silently down the stairs together, stopping at the bottom. Harry rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "So, I guess I'll see you later..."
Hermione frowned and huffed angrily. "He speaks, it's a miracle."
Harry scowled, turning away from Hermione. "I'm just trying to make this work, ok? The Headmaster just told me I never have to see my relatives ever again; I think I owe it to him to at least try and make this work."
Hermione, despite herself, let her face soften. "I'm glad..."
"Thanks, I'll see you later then?" Harry replied quietly.
"Yeah."
Professor McGonagall closed the door of the office and glanced back at the Headmaster who was studying her over the top of his glasses. "Are you sure this will work Albus? I fear it may only cause the rift between them to widen."
The Headmaster sighed, dropping his glasses onto the desk in front of him as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sadly Minerva, I cannot give you a good answer, I hope for their sake it does work. Even if it does not revive the chance of a relationship between the two, I hope they can at least repair the friendship they've lost. I saw what happened between Severus and Lily, I don't wish to see that happen a second time."
Professor McGonagall nodded. "Was that all, Headmaster?"
"No Minerva, please sit, I have some staffing changes I wish to discuss."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow and took the seat recently vacated by Harry. "I wasn't aware we were making staff changes?"
"I wasn't planning to over the Summer break, but as I said to Mister Potter before you arrived, I had been reviewing my life choices since the incident with Sirius last year. I want to make amends to both Mister Potter and to Hogwarts, in that spirit, last night I informed Severus that his services would no longer be needed after the conclusion of the school year."
McGonagall's eyes widened. "You're serious?"
Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "Yes, I feel I owe you an apology, you were right that night thirteen years ago when you informed me that the Dursley's were the worst kind of Muggles. I didn't listen, and I should have, I also didn't listen when you warned me against hiring Severus as this school's Potions Master. I had taken to believing I knew best about everything, since Mister Potter came to this school, I have been proved wrong on several occasions."
"Who will take over as Potions Master?"
"I will leave that in the capable hands of the Hogwarts Headmistress," Dumbledore replied with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Albus, you're leaving?"
Dumbledore nodded again. "I will, of course, stay until the end of the year to oversee this Merlin-be-damned tournament through to its conclusion and ensure that all four champions survive. Also, I will personally supervise Severus's classes for the remainder of the year. I will not allow his rampant bullying to continue. You have from between now and May to find his replacement, I would like them on board to oversee the OWL's Potions exams since he or she will be teaching those classes in the new school year."
"Will Severus continue as the head of Slytherin?"
"No, as of this morning Aurora Sinistra is the new head of Slytherin, I apologise for not consulting you first. However, I wanted to install our new Head of House before Severus had an opportunity to reach out to Lucius Malfoy. He may no longer be a member of the board of Governors, but he still has friends who are."
"I understand Albus, Aurora would have been my choice as well."
"Good."
"Is there anything else?"
Dumbledore paused for a moment leaning back in his chair. "One last thing, thank you, Minerva, you've been a dear friend for more years than either of us would like to count. That support and honesty have been invaluable even if I have, at times, ignored your advice. There are many things I would choose to change if I could go back and do it again, one of those things that is high on the list is listening to you more."
"Thank you, Albus, I treasure our friendship, I hope when they are our age Mister Potter and Miss Granger can say they've had as long a friendship as we have."
"That is my hope as well."
Great Hall
Friday 13 January 1995
Harry flopped down into his seat opposite Neville, Daphne, and Tracy the following Friday almost wishing he was still in Snape's class, so he had the opportunity to get expelled. It had been a long, tense week for both he and Hermione, starting with the first-class snit Ron had gotten into after the entire house watched Harry and Hermione being led up to the Gryffindor Heads quarters by Professor McGonagall the previous Friday. The house's low opinion of the youngest Weasley male had fallen even further as he cursed out Hermione, which earned him a punch in the mouth from Harry. Which in turn earned Harry detention alongside said Weasley for the first two days of the new week. Harry knew this was sending mixed signals about his feeling for and about Hermione, but he wouldn't stand for Ron Bloody Weasley insult her.
Neville leaned across the table to catch Harry's attention. "Mate, can we talk, after lunch?"
"I guess…" Harry muttered.
The rest of lunch was eaten in silence, at least from Harry's side of the table. Harry wished he could still eat in the Kitchens, but the house-elves had strict instructions from Dobby that they should not serve 'Great Master Harry Potter' food if he came down to the kitchens at mealtimes. In Dobby's opinion mealtimes is when 'Great Master Harry Potter' should be spending time with his 'Mister Nevvy' and 'Miss Mioney' irrespective of Harry explaining to Dobby that he and Hermione had fallen out.
Finally, lunch was over and Neville, after kissing Daphne on the cheek, led Harry out of the castle and down towards the lake. The cold and freshly fallen snow precluded anyone else from braving the winter weather to hang out, so the two were alone. Harry pulled his scarf tighter around his face. "You and Daphne seem to be getting on well."
Neville's face was red, whether from the cold or because he was blushing Harry couldn't tell. "We are, I'd forgotten how much I liked having Daphne in my life, Daphne's father and Gran are already talking about a betrothal contract for the two of us."
"Wow, is that something you want?"
Neville smiled. "Yeah, I think it is."
Harry nodded as they stopped at the edge of the lake. "I take it that's not what you brought me out here to talk about…"
"I wanted to talk about Hermione."
Harry huffed. "I figured…"
"Harry, you're one of my best friends, even if you don't feel the same about me, but I need to say this, regardless of if it ends our friendship…"
"Mate there's nothing you could say that would…"
"I thought I knew that, but that was before you and Hermione fell out," Neville spat angrily.
"That's different…"
"How she was your best friend, you two were closer than anyone I know, Daphne says were closer than her parents, and they've been married almost twenty years. What happened?!"
"You know what happened Neville, it was in the damn paper!"
"So, what, she rejects you, and that means you get to treat her like shit?! Grow up Harry, you're not the first guy to get his heartbroken, it happens every day in this castle!"
"I know! I know it happens every day… but… I loved her, she meant… she means everything to me. I see her, and I feel this ache in my chest. I thought because she invited me to go with her to the Yule Ball that she felt at least a little bit of what I feel for her. But then it happened…" Harry explained tearfully squatting down on the bank.
"Why can't you talk to her?"
"I want to… but I'm so worried about this hurt I'm feeling, what if I say something to make it worse, what if I say something that hurts her even more. So, I took the coward's way out, and that seems to have been the worst choice of all…"
Neville sat on the bank beside Harry, gently stroking his back. "I'm sorry for yelling at you Harry, I know it hurts but Hermione is my friend too. I wouldn't have made it through that first year of school if it weren't for her helping me. I owe her… I owe both of you a lot, and it hurts to see you both in pain, particularly when you're doing it to each other."
"What should I do Nev, I don't think I'm ready to forgive her yet."
"Forgive her for what, you're the one whose been an ass!" Harry flinched at the tone in Neville's voice. "She needs to forgive you, that's how this works Harry, she didn't know you thought it was a date, because you didn't tell her. If she's willing to accept you back as a friend, and that's a big if, you should bloody jump on it because Hermione Granger was and has been the best thing in your life for four damn years. And if she does work on rebuilding your friendship a little every day, talk to her a bit, spend time together during meals. It won't be easy, and the pain won't go away, but eventually, you'll move on and find someone who fills the hole Hermione left in your heart."
"You think I have no chance with Hermione?" Harry asked, glumly.
"Not if she's not interested… I don't know why she said what she said, but she must have had a reason. If she was interested and she was just scared to let her make the next move. But you must fix your friendship first, after that, who knows. But don't pine after her, it's not healthy."
Harry smiled, bitterly and nodded. "When did you get so wise Nev?"
Neville let out a breath as he stood up. "I lost my parents too, Harry, and my Gran is not as spry as she used to be. I had to grow up pretty fast, there's a lot of expectation on the heir to House Longbottom, and Gran never sugar-coated the realities of the world from me."
"But you were always so shy…"
Neville shrugged. "I was eleven…"
"Thanks, Nev, I'm glad you're my friend."
"I'm glad you're my friend too, even if you've been an utter prat recently."
"Be nice, I almost got eaten by a Dragon a while ago…"
"I think that Dragon knocked a few more screws loose…" Neville muttered, getting a playful shove from Harry as they walked back to the castle.
When Harry arrived back at the Gryffindor Heads quarters, he found Hermione studying, he paused at in the living area, watching her. The lingering pain from her rejection reared in his chest, but it had been dulled by time and his conversation with Neville. Harry took a deep breath and reached deep for some Gryffindor courage. "Um, Hermione?"
The sound of Harry's voice almost caused Hermione to flinch, even though they were on slightly better terms forced partly from being made to live together, the two had barely spoken all week. "Yes?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "I-I wanted to say thank you, f-for helping me with my studies a-and the second task. I know things haven't been great between us," Harry winced as Hermione snorted derisively. "B-but I do appreciate your help."
Hermione turned away, shuffling her notes absently. "I have my own reasons for doing this."
"I know…" Harry muttered with his head down, he resumed walking towards his room when Hermione's voice drew him back. "I don't hate you, Harry…"
Harry blinked. "Excuse me?"
"That night, last week, when I was yelling at you, I said and called you some horrible things, but the one I regret most is saying I hate you. I'm angry with you, but I don't hate you, I don't think I could ever truly hate you."
Harry nodded slowly. "Thank you, I'm glad."
"Do you hate me, Harry?" She asked fearfully.
"No, I could never hate you, Hermione."
"Are you still angry at me?"
"No, I was angry because I thought you wronged me..." Harry dragged his fingers through his hair. "But Neville set me straight, I'm sorry Hermione."
"For?" She asked. Hermione had been waiting two weeks for this moment and she was going to make him earn every inch.
"For ignoring you, for not telling you I thought we were on a date. Maybe if I had we could have discussed it and gone as friends and had a good time. If we had I wouldn't have lost the best person in Hogwarts. I don't have any right to your forgiveness Hermione, I've treated you like shit and you never deserved any of it. Honestly I've been acting like Ron Bloody Weasley and that is unacceptable. I'm glad you were my friend, I'm just sad it's over."
"Ok, I'm glad you've realised how badly you screwed up, but you still hurt me a lot. I can't forgive you, not yet. As I said I'm still incredibly angry with you, that will take time to get over, if I ever get over it."
The sadness on Harry's face almost broke Hermione, but she'd been hurt, she couldn't just forgive and forget. She at least needed time to process things. "You deserve a better friend than me Hermione, someone who doesn't make you cry. I will never forgive myself for making you cry..."
Hogwarts Library
Saturday 14 January 1995
Harry was furiously scanning the books he had piled up around him, trying to find an answer to the question on his Arithmancy Essay. He'd decided to follow Hermione's lead and drop Divination and Care of Magical Creatures and pick up Arithmancy and Ancient Runes as optional subjects. Now that he wasn't burdened with Ron Weasley, or attending class, he was making great strides in catching up with the third and fourth-year coursework, he hoped to be ready for the start of fifth-year courses when the new term started in September.
Taking a break from his reading, Harry spotted Fleur and Cho in the stacks having a discussion over a book. Harry took a deep breath and decided to act on a thought he'd been having since his discussion with Neville the previous day. He rose from his seat and crossed the library, Cho spotted Harry first and smiled. "Hello, Harry."
"Good afternoon Cho, Miss Delacour."
"Good afternoon Mister Potter, and please, call me Fleur," The blonde witch asked, turning around to face him with a bright smile on her face.
"Only if you call me Harry," He replied with a smile.
"Of course, Arry."
"May I borrow you to have a word in private?"
Fleur glanced back at Cho, who gave her an encouraging nod. He led them towards the back of the library where the students rarely went. He stopped and took a deep, steadying breath. "Have you figured out the Golden Egg?"
Fleur shook her head. "Cedric gave me a clue, he said to…"
"Take a bath, he told me the same thing, I was thinking, perhaps, i-if it's ok with you, that maybe we could, work on it together?" Harry asked nervously as a knot formed in his stomach and heat rise on his cheeks.
"And where would this work take place, Mister Potter, surely you're not inviting me back to Gryffindor tower to bathe with you in your dorm?" Fleur asked seriously.
"O-oh, n-no, of c-course not! I-I wasn't implying anything… C-Cedric gave me t-the password t-to the Prefects bathroom. I-I can give it t-to you, if you w-want, I-I never m-meant…" Harry stuttered out looking horrified that he'd insulted the French witch, up until she burst out laughing.
"Merci Arry, you are too easy to tease. I would be happy to study the egg with you. Two heads are better than one, Oui?"
A blushing Harry could only nod. "W-when would you l-like to do this?"
Fleur thought about it for a second. "How about tonight, say eight o'clock, even if we bathe for a long time, we should still make it back to our respective beds before curfew. But if we don't, I'm sure you have room in your bed, for me?"
Harry went bright red at Fleur's teasing, he tried to stammer out a response but failed spectacularly. Fleur simply laughed and give him a kiss on both cheeks. "See you at eight, Arry."
Once she was gone, Harry groaned and slumped against the bookshelf. "I need a cold shower…"
At about twenty to eight that evening Harry pulled his Hogwarts robes over a pair of swim trunks the Dursley's had been forced to buy him when he was eight when his primary school gym teacher complained to them about the state of his swimwear. Of course, they were the cheapest trunks they could find, but they'd held up remarkably well, much to the chagrin of the Dursley's. After casting a warming charm over himself, Harry walked out of his room to find Hermione in her usual spot, pouring over an Essay.
"I expected you to be studying?"
"I was studying all day, Hermione, we all need a break at some point," Harry countered. "Besides, this counts as studying, Cedric gave me a tip, as repayment for telling him about the Dragons, to take the egg for a bath."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, to which Harry shrugged. "That was the tip I was given, I don't think he's trying to jerk me around, it's not his style. So that just leaves accepting the advice at face value. He also gave me the password to the Prefects bathroom."
"Lucky you…" Hermione drawled.
Harry smirked a little. "Want me to give you a detailed report when I get back?"
Hermione threw a ball of parchment at him. "You're a prat…"
Harry shrugged again. "Be patient Hermione, you'll see it next term when you're made a Prefect."
Without another word, Harry strolled out of the room and down the stairs. Shaking herself out of her stupor Hermione rushed into Harry's room, which he'd left unlocked because of his conversation with Hermione, and seized on his Invisibility cloak. What Harry hadn't realised during his discussion with Fleur in the Library was that the spot he'd dragged her over too was next to Hermione's usual desk. The one she used when she wasn't studying with Harry and wanted to be left alone. She'd overheard Fleur flirting with Harry and now Hermione was determined to find out just how much of that was a beautiful older witch leading the Boy-Who-Lived on and how much was a threat to Herm… Fleur was genuinely interested.
Hermione had to shake herself, she wasn't interested in Harry that way, not anymore, not after everything that happened after the Yule Ball. She was just trying to protect Harry; she was trying to be a better friend than he deserved. She didn't want his name caught up in a scandal with some French tart, she certainly didn't want his heart stolen by said French tart.
Hermione shook her head. "Focus Granger, you don't feel that way about him anymore… You don't…" She muttered to herself. 'I won't let what happened to Mum happen to me…'
To Be Continued…
Once again, I'm blown away by the response to this story, again I can only hope I live up to expectations. This was supposed to be the last chapter, but it's gone on longer than I anticipated, not that I'm complaining. I anticipate there are between two and four more chapters.
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