Author's Notes: thanks everyone for the reviews! You are all wonderful people. A few things to touch on:
1. Next chapter falls in line with DH storyline - it's extraction time! I do hope everyone had enjoyed the Harry and Hermione moments. As I said previously, this will not be a fast relationship, so if you're hoping to see sparks fly in the next few chapters I must disappoint you.
2. The Fidelius Charm - not a lot of details regarding the specifics of the charm itself, so I've taken some liberties about how it works. Hope you like it.
3. A reader pointed out to me that Harry has indeed met Hermione's parents, in Chamber of Secrets during a visit to Diagon Alley - I sincerely apologize for that oversight - I completely forgot. I'll be making a slight correction when I have the opportunity but thought I'd get this chapter out for you before doing so.
4. As always, please feel free to review and if you notice any typos, let me know. I'll be making a couple corrections to earlier chapters as well in that regard.
Chapter Five: The Fidelius Charm
Hermione arrived at number Four, Private Drive earlier than usual the following day; dawn to be precise as her thunderous knocking and Hedwig's loud screeching woke Harry.
"Blimey, Hermione, why so early," he mumbled as he answered the door. He noticed Lupin standing at the sidewalk as he gave Harry a quick wave and beaming smile before he took a few steps onto the street and disapparated.
"Because we have a lot to talk about today," answered Hermione as she entered into the kitchen. She had worn her usual blue jeans but had adorned a Gryffindor red sweater in response to the cool temperature of the morning. They both sat down at the kitchen table as Harry eyed the hand bag in her hands.
"What's in the bag?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out," she said with a smile.
"No memory surfing today," he asked, noting the hand bag was clearly too small to fit the Pensieve.
"Not today; I thought you could use a break and honestly, so could I," answered Hermione. "But don't think we're finished," she added slyly. "You still need to show me the night with you and Dumbledore, and I still have a few memories of my own I want you to see. Before we get into any of that, I think we should have breakfast first." Harry watched in silent awe as Hermione's arm disappeared into her hand bag (which was a considerable feat as the bag was hardly larger than the length of her hand). A few moments later she had eggs, bacon, and a loaf of bread sitting on the kitchen table.
"Undetectable Extension Charm," said Hermione observing Harry's surprise. "Terribly tricky, but I figured it out well enough. I can teach you if you want."
"You're brilliant, Hermione," said Harry. "But what's the occasion?"
"We needed a way to carry all our things when we're traveling, and it needed to be light and go unnoticed," said Hermione.
"Not the bag, Hermione," said Harry quickly. "I mean the breakfast. You didn't have to do that."
"Oh, well, I thought—after seeing how those nasty relatives of yours treated you—you should at least have a proper breakfast and one that you didn't make."
"I can help," said Harry as Hermione began to crack the eggs.
"No, Harry," replied Hermione with a wide smile. "Thank you, but I want to do this. We won't be at the Burrow long and seeing as we won't be going back to Hogwarts, who knows when we'll get another chance to have a nice breakfast together. Please, Harry, let me do this." Harry nodded and did his best to relax while Hermione prepared their breakfast.
"Here you go," she said, setting a plate down filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.
"Thank you, Hermione, this is really nice." Hermione took the chair beside him.
"You know," she said after a few moments, "this reminds me of fourth year."
"How's that?"
"When it was just you and me against the world—Ron was jealous—everyone wore those hideous "Potter Stinks" badges— and that horrible Rita Skeeter writing those horrendous lies; I still get angry when I think about what Ron did to you and what the school did to you. How did you do it, Harry?"
"I had you," said Harry. "I wouldn't have made it through the first task without you. I wouldn't have made it through first year without you for that matter. Come to think of it, I'd definitely be dead without you." Hermione gave him a quick squeeze.
"You're so sweet, Harry." After breakfast, Hermione waved her wand and the dishes began to clean themselves.
"So what's the agenda today," asked Harry.
"Well, first, I thought you should know that the Order has made arrangements for your aunt and uncle. Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones will be escorting them to a safe location. I don't know where, obviously. I do know they'll be taken by muggle transport. I think Kingsley and Mad-Eye will be coming to explain things to them, and you'll probably need to help them. It would be best if they agree to go willingly, but the Order isn't taking any chances." Harry nodded.
"I may not like them," said Harry, "but I don't want them to die."
"Of course you don't," said Hermione. "I wish I could say I agree, but I'd be lying." She looked at him and Harry could see tears building in her eyes. Hermione wiped her eyes though and seemed to regain control of her emotions.
"It's alright, Hermione—I'm never coming back."
"I know. I just wish it could have been different."
"I wish a lot of things had been different," said Harry. "But it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds awfully professorial for you, Harry."
"Dumbledore told me that when he found me with the Mirror of Erised." Harry felt his cheeks stretch into a smile as he remembered asking Dumbledore what he saw when he looked in the mirror. Harry was sure Dumbledore had not been truthful with his answer. His mind turned to the heartfelt tribute that Elphius Doge had written in the Daily Prophet; Harry now had at least a few ideas what Dumbledore might have seen in that mirror. Of course, the smile didn't linger long as his thoughts wandered back to the Astronomy Tower.
"It's good to see you smile, Harry," said Hermione breaking the silence that had fallen over the table.
"Alright, so that's the Dursleys taken care of but what's the plan for me?"
"I don't know much of the details, Harry, but it sounds like you'll be side-along apparating with someone from the Order, probably Mad-Eye."
"To the Burrow, I take it?"
"Most likely," agreed Hermione. "I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had some input on where you'd end up. Naturally, they don't know we're not going back to Hogwarts."
"Ron hasn't told them?"
"Not yet," said Hermione with a defeated tone. "I think he's planning on telling them tonight, but Ron's not exactly courageous when facing his mom. At any rate, we should probably be prepared as she certainly won't approve. You know how she gets; we're still children to her."
"Fair enough," said Harry. "I'd probably have a hard time telling Mrs. Weasley too, if I were Ron."
"Lucky for us you aren't, so that won't be a problem."
"So what else—you didn't wake me up at the crack of dawn for just an update."
"Of course not," said Hermione. "I thought that today we could begin by sorting through your things and decide what you will be taking and what you'll be leaving behind. Also, Remus will be stopping by this afternoon to take us both to Grimmuald Place so you can perform the Fidelius Charm." Harry nodded as they left the kitchen and scoured his tiny room. Hermione quickly helped him separate his things into two piles. They had agreed he no longer needed his old school robes, or his Quidditch robes, and had likewise decided they only needed one potion cauldron, so Harry's was also left behind. The Invisibility Cloak and his Firebolt were a no-brainer. Hermione thought it best to salvage his left over potion ingredients and add them to hers while also making the case he didn't need any of his school books since she had her own and then some. Lastly, they came to Harry's photo album which Harry immediately said he was keeping. Hermione quickly picked up the album and started to flip through the pages.
"Harry, this is wonderful," she said as her eyes moved up and down each photo. "Where did you get this?"
"Hagrid gave it to me at the end of first year—he worked really hard to get photos from people who knew them at Hogwarts and after."
"That is so sweet—and your mom is so pretty, Harry. I know why you like a certain redhead now." She looked up at him with a slim smile. "And you look like your dad, except—"
"Yes, I know," said Harry, "I have my mother's eyes."
"They look so in love, Harry, and happy. Even though their lives were in danger, they didn't stop living. Courage certainly runs in the Potter family." Harry sat down beside her and watched his parents dancing in a park square. Hermione was right; they did look happy.
"So what happens to Harry when all the horcruxes and Voldemort are destroyed," asked Hermione suddenly.
"Dunno," mumbled Harry. "I don't think I've ever given it much thought, probably because I've never wanted to get my hopes up. I know in fifth year I thought about becoming an Auror, but I'm not so sure anymore. I feel like I've already spent my entire wizarding life fighting the dark arts. It made sense I suppose. It was the only subject I ever excelled at."
"I think you'd make an excellent Auror," said Hermione, "but I think you'd make an even better teacher."
"Me? A teacher? You're barking."
"I'm serious, Harry," said Hermione. "Half our year wouldn't have passed their O.W. L. if you hadn't taught them."
"I had help," Harry reminded her.
"Harry, you're too modest," She said with a bright smile. "So maybe an Auror, or a teacher; then what?"
"Honestly I don't know."
"You'll get married, of course," she continued as though she hadn't heard him. "And then children naturally—I think you'll be a great dad someday. Ginny is a very lucky girl."
"Blimey, Hermione, what's gotten into you?"
"I'm sorry, Harry," she said with a sad look on her face now. "I'm just trying to help you see the small light at the end of the tunnel. We've all got to keep our eyes on it or we'll lose ourselves even if we do make it out alive."
"I guess I've just gotten used to only thinking about Voldemort and looking over my shoulders, so it's hard to think about anything like getting married. As far as Ginny goes, I think Dumbledore was right."
"What do you mean," she asked. "You do like her, don't you?"
"I do, I mean I did," Harry sputtered. "But I've been thinking about what Dumbledore wrote and I think about how little I know her. It's been like living in a dream, really. It was foolish in the first place, starting anything with her, knowing what I have to do. The more I think about it the more I realize how guarded I am with her. I think about my own mom and dad knowing that they probably never kept anything from each other and that's not the case with Ginny and I."
"Dumbledore doesn't know everything Harry," said Hermione.
"No, but I think he's right about Ginny. When I ended it, some of the things she said made me think that she still sees me as the Boy-Who-Lived."
"I think you two just need time," said Hermione. Harry shrugged.
"What about you then, Hermione?"
"Well," said Hermione beaming again, "I will go back to Hogwarts and finish my N.E.W.T.s; I don't think it'd be proper not too. I've thought about my work with S.P. E. W. and I think I'd like to continue with that kind of work. That means I'll probably work for the ministry in some way.
"I think you'll be brilliant at whatever you do, Hermione," said Harry honestly.
"Thank you, Harry," said Hermione.
"So are you and Ron, you know, together now," he asked with a smirk.
"Oh I don't know," she said exasperatedly. "He still hasn't made any effort to ask me properly and yet the way he acts it's as though I'm already his."
"But you like him, don't you?"
"Yes I do, Harry," said Hermione. "But he hurt me too and I need to work that out still."
"I can try to put him on the right track, if you'd like?"
"Thank you, Harry, but no," said Hermione. "I want him to figure it out on his own. If he truly cares about me that way then he will have to pluck up the courage and ask me properly."
"Well I think you'll make some man very lucky someday," said Harry. "And you're right," he said pointing to the photo of his parents again, "they were happy. They had each other and that must have been enough." Hermione smiled and gave him a strong one-armed hug.
"They had you too, Harry," said Hermione. "And now we have each other—you and I, and Ron—we're in this together." They spent the next several minutes looking through the remainder of the photo album, pausing occasionally when Hermione would comment on how pretty Harry's mother had been.
"I think we need to add a few more photos," said Hermione as she came to the last page. "Before we leave we should take some photos of the three of us, and probably the Weasley family, you and Ginny—maybe a few of the Order members—everyone that's fighting Voldemort."
"I think I'd like that," said Harry.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Back on the train, I meant every word," she said. "You know that don't you?" Harry nodded.
"So no more trying to push us away?"
"No Hermione, I think I know a lost cause when I see one."
"Good," she said. Her smile was the widest yet of the morning and her eyes brightened considerably. "Because you would lose—after all, I am the brightest witch you know."
"Who told you that," asked Harry playfully.
"The kindest wizard in the world," said Hermione pressing a finger into his chest softly.
() () ()
Once Harry and Hermione had finished putting all of Harry's things into a rucksack (excluding his wand, just in case), they moved back down to the kitchen table to have lunch and discussed what their first plan of action was going to be once they left the Burrow. Harry did feel a little guilty about making plans without Ron, but Hermione was quick to point out that they would review everything with him when they arrived at the Burrow.
"I think we should have as much packed and ready to go as possible, in case we have to leave unexpectedly," said Hermione. "You shouldn't need anything from your rucksack while you're at the burrow, except some of your clothes obviously. We won't want to have robes when we're traveling about either. It would draw too much attention especially among muggles. Once we get to the
Burrow I can put your things into my bag."
"You've outdone yourself, Hermione," said Harry.
"Well, Remus should be here soon, and I need to teach you the Fidelius Charm."
"Oh, right, I forgot about that," said Harry.
"I'm sure you'll be able to get the hang of it quickly as it isn't a complicated spell. What's important is the intent when you make it."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, as you know, the Fidelius Charm's purpose is to conceal something from being seen, detected, plotted, or otherwise discovered. That's the role of the caster; he or she is the only vessel capable of revealing the concealed item to anyone. When casting the spell, you have to concentrate on the object it its entirety. It isn't enough, for example, to think of only the building's location to hide, but also to hide anything that is inside it. In other words, if you're only thought was to hide Grimmauld Place, but didn't think about who was going to be in there, or what's stored inside, then it's possible that other's would see everything inside the house, but not the house itself."
"I see what you mean," said Harry nervously. "I'm not sure I can do that."
"Yes, you can," said Hermione. "We'll practice before Remus arrives. I've brought a few objects with me to practice on. Hermione reached into her hand bag and retrieved three small wooden boxes. She opened each one and saw that they all contained a necklace resting on red velvet lining.
"Now, take out your wand, point at the object, concentrating on the object itself, as well as the contents inside it. When you're ready, flick your wand in a whip-like motion, like this," said Hermione giving him a demonstration, "and say Fidelis." Harry did as he was instructed but his first results were not at all what he was expecting. Nothing happened. He still saw the box plainly in front of him.
"Not bad for your first try, Harry," said Hermione.
"What are you talking about," replied Harry. "The box is still there—nothing happened!"
"Harry, the box is gone, so is the necklace, but I'm afraid the red velvet lining is still visible."
"But I did just like you said."
"Well, I think you were concentrating on the box itself, and the necklace, which are completely invisible to me. Let's try it again. This time, don't think specifically about the necklace, but think about hiding everything inside the box." Harry nodded and tired again.
"Perfect Harry," said Hermione excitedly. "Now before we go on to the next one, I want you to take this necklace, and put it inside the second box." Harry again did as Hermione instructed and placed the second necklace in the box.
"Just like I thought," said Hermione. "I can see the second necklace, but nothing else. One more try then, this time, think about wanting to hide anything, or anyone who wants to get inside that box."
"Fidelis," said Harry, flicking his wand at the third box. It was an odd sensation, to Harry, to perform a spell in which the effects he could not see. Hermione gave him another piece of jewelry, a ring this time. Harry put it in the box.
"You did it," shouted Hermione. "I can't see anything. I think you'll be alright casting the charm."
"But these are just boxes," said Harry quickly, "and I've got to hide a house."
"And everything inside," responded Hermione. "Just think about what you did with the third box—you didn't think about any object in particular, you thought about whatever might go into the box, and that's all you need to do."
"I'm still not sure about this, but I'll give it my best shot."
"Now, before Remus gets here, let's see if you can share the location of the boxes with me. All you need to do is tell me where the boxes are, and I should be able to see them again.
"The location of all three jewelry boxes can be found on the kitchen table of Number Four, Private Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey."
"Oh, Harry, I'm so proud of you," she said picking up the boxes. She tossed them back into the handbag and beamed at Harry.
"Hermione, you're the one who should be a teacher," said Harry.
"Maybe someday when I've had more real-world experiences."
It was a few minutes later when Remus arrived. He looked exhausted.
"Harry, good to see you," said Remus, shaking his hand. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, I think so," said Harry.
"And I take it Hermione has successfully taught you the charm?"
"Yes, he had it on his third try," said Hermione.
"Excellent. Let's be off then." Remus led them down the drive and then a block down the sidewalk. He took Harry by his left and Hermione on his right and Harry once again felt the tugging sensation followed almost immediately by slight nausea. Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place stood before them.
"Alright, it's best we be quick about this," said Remus. "Hermione, you and Harry step up to the door and perform the charm and I'll keep watch." Harry followed Hermione up the cement steps and stood at the door.
"Remember what you just practiced Harry," coached Hermione. "When you perform the charm, make sure and have a reference in mind, such as Harry Potter's house, or something similar, that way when you tell someone, you have an object to reference back too." Harry nodded and concentrated. He thought of the building, it's outsides as well as its many rooms, the furniture and the pictures hanging on the walls (not intricately, but rather broadly) and lastly, he thought of his desire to keep anyone who entered into his house. He swallowed and flicked his wand at the door of Grimmauld Place.
"Fidelis," said Harry.
"You did it, Harry," said Hermione as she hugged him.
"Excellent," said Remus unsurprised.
"So should I tell you now?"
"Not here," said Remus. "You can whisper it to Hermione if you like, just to make sure it worked, but I'm sure it has." Harry nodded and bent over Hermione's ear and whispered the location.
"I see it," said Hermione a moment later. "Good job, Harry, I knew you could do it."
"We'd best be heading back now," said Remus. Again they took either side of Remus' outstretched arms and disapparated.
"Remus, Hermione, I don't understand something," he said as they walked back up the drive of Number Four. "If everyone already knew the location of Grimmauld Place, then won't they still know it?"
"A good question, Harry," said Remus. "When Dumbledore died, the Fidelius Charm weakened considerably as everyone within the Order became Secret Keepers themselves, and this most certainly included Snape. As Kingsley as already informed you, we took the necessary precautions and set up additional protective enchantments to prevent Snape from entering and we are sure that he hasn't entered since we took this precaution. More importantly, we only knew the location as it related to the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix; as Grimmuald Place is no longer the location of the headquarters, Snape will not be able to reveal it as such."
"That's what you meant by intentionality," said Harry looking at Hermione. "I remember the note from Dumbledore; it specifically named the Order of the Phoenix."
"That was our conclusion as well," answered Remus before Hermione had a chance to speak. "As such, we still thought it necessary to have you cast a new Fidelius Charm. It is after all, your house."
"Thank you," said Harry.
"See you tomorrow, Harry," said Hermione as they came to the door.
"About tomorrow," said Harry. "I know you had planned to come here every day this week, and I've enjoyed you coming, but you should spend the last couple of days with your family. It's going to be difficult enough trying to convince the Dursleys they have to leave their house."
"Harry it really isn't any trouble," said Hermione defensively.
"Hermione, please," said Harry, quite forgetting that Remus was with them. "Family is important and you need to spend time with them. You don't know when you'll see them next."
"Won't she see them at break," asked Remus. "Anything can happen, I suppose, but Hogwarts will be among the safest places in the wizarding world, even without Dumbledore.
"We're not going back to Hogwarts," said Harry. Remus didn't seem surprised.
"Go on," he said.
"If I were to return, I don't think Voldemort would restrain himself from attacking the school especially since Dumbledore's not there anymore. I won't put students at risk like that. At any rate, I've been left a task by Dumbledore, so I wouldn't be going back anyway."
"And Ron and Hermione are going with you, is that correct?"
"Yes," said Harry. Remus nodded and turned to Hermione.
"I won't ask questions, I know you wouldn't tell me anyway," said Remus, "but gauging by the seriousness between both your expressions, I will have to agree with Harry. You should certainly spend some time with them."
"Fine," snapped Hermione. She gave Harry one last hug and whispered in his ear.
"Please stay safe." Harry smiled and gave her a reassuring hug back.
"I will," Harry whispered back. He waited just inside the door as she and Remus made their way back to the end of the block and disappear from sight as dusk settled.