Chapter 9

He wasn't ready for this. That's all that Harry could think as he stood in his bedroom of 12 Grimmauld Place. He nervously scratched his neck as he always did and shook his hair vigorously, water cascading off of it. He had just gotten out of the shower and was stalling as much as he could with getting ready. It was June 18th and he hadn't realized how difficult this was going to be. Not to mention how uncomfortable he was in this house.

He glanced up at the grandfather clock in the far corner of the room. It was quarter after seven and he sighed and made his way to the bathroom to brush his teeth. His eyes met his reflection and even he was astonished at how different he looked since leaving the burrow. His face was fuller, his skin wasn't sallow and sunken and his eyes seemed clearer. He had kept his beard for the soul purpose of keeping his identity a secret and his hair was still unruly hanging just above his eyes shielding his scar.

After he had sent the letter back

Harry had been surprised when he stumbled into the house a few hours before and found his dress robes lying across his old bed. They were quite nice, really nice actually. Harry had been convinced that Kreacher would have gotten him some of the most ridiculous looking ones he could find and he smiled to himself as he pictured wearing Ron's from fourth year.

He slowly dressed taking as much time as possible. Kreacher had gotten fitted black pants, a crisp black button up shirt, black leather belt with a silver buckle a black tie, black vest, a black jacket, and shiny black shoes to complete his attire. Even Harry had to chuckle and he rolled his eyes as he stared at himself in the mirror. Kreacher was and had always been subtle, but even Harry had to applaud him for this. He had made sure that Harry was in all black, on June 18th, the two year anniversary of his godfather's passing. What a git, Harry thought and he shook his head. He descended the stairs and grabbed the most important part of his disguise, a simple black mask that covered his eyes and top half of his nose. Harry mustered up a breath as he prepared to apparate to Hogsmeade, praying that he would go unrecognized.

Hogwarts had been transformed, or rather restored. The great hall seemed even bigger than before. The ceiling stars shone clearly not a cloud in sight, there were candles floating periodically throughout the hall, buffets that seemed to be overflowing with food, and a crowded dance floor that roared with laughter. The pictures were talking excitedly amongst themselves even the Bloody Baron seemed a little less menacing tonight.

Harry had apparated to Honeydukes and taken the secret passageway coming out of the one eyed witch statue. His stomach knotted as he passed his old Defense against the Dark Arts classroom and images of Lupin clouded his vision. Shaking off his grief he sauntered forward his head bowed eyes curiously scanning the hallways looking for his purpose, Hermione.

He reached the great hall some odd minutes later and was alarmed at how many people were there. He stopped a little overwhelmed at first, but realized luckily that with the mask and his beard he had a high chance of going unrecognized. His eyes scanned the hall cautiously. You would have to be an idiot not to recognize the Weasley family. There flaming red hair was enough of a tip off for just about anybody, even Neville would be able to figure it out. He scanned over George talking animatedly with some friends from Hogwarts, and he watched as Molly and Arthur shared a lively two step on the dance floor. Charlie and Percy seemed to be in a deep discussion with some colleagues and Bill and Fleur, with her silver hair swaying gracefully in a high ponytail, were sweeping across the dance floor trumping everybody in their wake. Harry's eyes flickered over to Ginny who stood with some of her girlfriends by the buffet with a ghost of a smile on her face and his stomach churned with guilt. She looked pretty, in a light blue dress that shimmered when she moved, her mask matching with silver lining.

He pawed at his neck gulping back the ball that formed in his throat and averted his eyes to the open bar. He recognized Madam Rosmerta and stifled a chuckle at Ron's childhood crush. Her flaming hair hung in ringlets around her eyes and she laughed loudly as a grey haired man made a pass at her from the sidelines.

Harry walked towards the bar his head still down, eyes square with the floor as he made sure to keep a low profile drawing as little attention to himself as he possibly could.

"What can I get for you dear?" Madam Rosmerta beamed at him from behind the makeshift counter.

"Fire Whiskey," Harry said gruffly trying to stifle his voice as much as possible.

"Ah one of them are we?" she continued eyeing Harry suspiciously, "drowning our sorrows tonight?"

Harry kept his head bowed as she handed him the glass and he took a sip snarling slightly as it burned his throat, but he felt relieved as the liquid seared his throat.

"Not much of a talker?" Rosmerta continued crossing her arms over her chest.

Harry shrugged and turned his back to the counter staring out at the sea of people, laughing, cheering, and dancing. He had never felt so much on the outside as he rolled the drink in his fingers and he pressed the glass to his lips again drowning the harsh liquid in one gulp.

"Another," he mumbled, setting the glass down on the bar top.

"Yes sir," Rosmerta obliged judgment sound on her face.

That was when Harry saw her. His breath caught in his lungs and time that had passed so quickly in the past month seemed to stand still. She was beautiful thought Harry, no breathtaking. Hermione stood across the room no doubt laughing with Ron, but Harry didn't even see him. She wore a gold strapless gown and her hair fell in waves cascading past her shoulders down her back, Harry hadn't even realized how long it had gotten in the last few months. Her skin was a beautiful shade of bronze and her eyes shined brightly through her matching gold mask, flaked with glitter. Her smile was infectious and even Harry had to admit he hadn't felt this happy in months, just watching her. Hermione was like nothing he had ever seen before, she was absolutely radiant, like the sun, but unlike the sun she never set.

"So," Rosmerta smiled slyly her eyes changing from Harry to Hermione, "is this why we're drinking tonight?"

"Huh?" Harry turned meeting her eyes for the first time, her voice breaking his trance.

"The girl," she nodded towards Hermione and Harry's eyes flickered back to her.

"What girl?" Harry played stupid looking down at the ground again taking a long sip of his glass blinking back the fire.

"The one you've been drooling over for the last 30 seconds."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Harry said avoiding eyes.

"Better that way," Rosmerta rolled her eyes staring at the girl that this strange young man couldn't keep his eyes off of, "she's been with that bloke all night. Seems a little bit goofy to me, but they seem to be having a bloody good time over there, haven't stopped smiling."

Reality hit Harry hard in the chest as his vision of Hermione changed to one including Ron. He looked hansom in his dark blue suit, his hair was combed to the side and he wore a simple navy mask much like Harry's. Rosmerta was right, they did look happy, they looked eighteen and in love. Harry cringed as Ron leaned down and captured Hermione in a passionate kiss which she gladly returned wrapping her arms around his neck clearly smiling against his lips. He averted his eyes down and turned around slamming the liquid down his throat shaking his head as the whiskey burned his cheeks.

Rosmerta smiled sadly, "Don't worry fella, the next ones on the house."

"Thanks," Harry murmured dryly and combed his fingers through his hair rubbing his temples deeply. This was a mistake he thought to himself. He shouldn't have come here. He wasn't sure what he expected to see tonight, but he didn't think it would sting as much as it was and the pain in his chest felt like a dagger.

"Blimey!" Madam Rosmerta had been watching the strange man closely and something caught her eye as he ruffled his hair in frustration. She saw a peculiar looking scar on the top of his head and suddenly everything clicked. "You're Harry Potter!"

Harry's heart nearly pounded out of his chest and time seemed to speed up. Heads snapped around nearby and Harry nervously looked left and right unsure of how to approach the stares that flew his way. Of course this would happen he thought to himself as he tried to escape the lingering glances and mumbling. He looked up and he was caught
off guard as a pair of brown eyes bore into him from across the room.

Hermione wasn't sure if she had heard correctly, but the words, "You're Harry Potter," were not something that would go unnoticed. She whipped her head around at the mention and immediately saw him. He looked different, but she would recognize him anywhere even with a scruffy beard and mask. Her heart filled immediately with something she couldn't explain, relief most likely, she thought to herself as she couldn't lift her eyes from him. He looked nervous and uncomfortable, clearly he hadn't wanted to be discovered and her heart gave a pang at the thought. He raised his eyes up and her breath caught as his bright emerald eyes found hers.

Time slowed down again and the two teens watched each other. Hermione stood breathing heavily, her lips parted slightly unsure of what to do or say. She hadn't known when she was going to see Harry again and him being here tonight was so unexpected that she was afraid to move, afraid that he would disappear in a flash just like he had six weeks prior.

Harry was stunned, there was electricity in their gaze and he was too entranced to break it. He was shocked that he had been able to go this long without seeing her. He reached up tentatively his hands trembling and he pulled at his mask exposing his true identity. He wiped his neck and fingered the disguise in his clammy palms. Never breaking eye contact Harry let out a timid smile and shrugged his shoulders lamely.

Time began again and tears pooled behind Hermione's eyes. She yanked her mask from her face and let it clamor to the floor. She began to walk quickly towards him and before Harry could blink she had thrown herself into his arms in one of her vice grips that had nearly knocked him flat. Her arms snaked around his neck tightly and he steadied her with his strong arms cradling her back. He held her tightly like he had never held her before and he'd be damned if he was going to let go anytime soon. Her hair tickled at his nose and he breathed in her sent reveling in the fact that she was standing in front of him. He rocked her back and forth his lips smashed to her forehead holding back tears himself and it was the two of them alone in the tent, finding a comfort with each other that nobody else could understand.

"I'm so sorry," Harry whispered into her hair quietly so nobody could hear, but her, "I'm so sorry Hermione."

She pulled back as silent tears caked her cheeks and their eyes met once again. He had changed even in six weeks. His hair was messy as usual parted slightly over his scar and he had facial hair that had been recently neatened. He looked older, wiser, and healthier than the broken boy that had apparated a mere month and a half ago and his green eyes glowed brightly into hers and she knew he was sincere by the way he stared.

"Don't ever do that to me again." She warned shakily gripping his face with her hands pressing her forehead against his forcing his eyes to remain upon hers, "Don't ever do that again."

Harry breathed out raspy response, "I won't."

To innocent bystanders it looked like two old friends reuniting. Everybody knew how close Harry, Ron and Hermione all were, even Ron watched free of suspicion and he smiled across the room at his best friend, but one person noticed something that the others didn't. Ginny Weasley watched from across the room her mouth hanging open in pure disbelief. Sure to the outsider it looked purely innocent, but Ginny saw the way that Harry looked at Hermione. She knew this because it was the same way he used to look at her. So she stared on in utter shock, trying to convince herself it was her imagination conjuring up jealous antics, but a look like that didn't lie and then she realized something. Harry Potter was in love with Hermione Granger, but more damaging than that was the fact that Harry Potter was not in love with her anymore.