Summer~ Part XI
All three of them sank down on the chairs and couches, Harry still shaking his head in wonder. Whatever Hermione's mom had done was pretty powerful. But it couldn't be dark magic, he didn't know when he'd ever felt so.... light!
"I want to warn you, Harry, it's been lots of years since I practiced magic. I may have to re-treat them, but, oh, kids, it feels so good to be doing the work I love again! And to be able to do it for someone so important to all of us."
"What kind of magic is this?" Harry asked. "Do we get to learn this at Hogwarts? "
"No this is a branch of healing magic, you would have to be finished with Hogwarts, and passed the N.E.W.T.S. before studying this. The
Ministry has to be quite certain you're not a part of the Dark side. Even then..... well, let's just say they've been mistaken before."
"So Madam Pomfrey can do this too? I would've asked her home with me if I'd known."
"No, Harry, mom specialized in healing people's injuries in their minds and hearts. Madam Pomfrey does stuff in your body. They're
two different things. But Mom knows more about body healing than the body healers do about her branch."
"Why? It seems you'd need both for either branch." Harry asked. This was all pretty weird, even for magic.
"To put it very simply, Harry, some people just don't have both in them. Poppy does fine at Hogwarts, because Albus Dumbledore is
there. Surely you know that my magic is also one of his special gifts. One among many, of course."
Now that he thought about it, Harry did know. He thought about the feeling he always had that Dumbledore could fix anything, and the times he'd been there to guide him. Dumbledore always told Harry things would be revealed at the right time.
"So finding the box with my mom's letters, and the tape you gave me, are those part of healing magic?"
"Do you feel they are?" Ivy asked, looking closely at Harry.
"I do, really. Reading and listening I felt so much, stong and weak, really, really sad but so happy I could have flown without
my broom. "
"All right you two, I can tell you've got things to talk about. Just two things- if anything troubling appears concerning Lily's bracelet, I want you to come straight to me, or if you're at school, to Professor Dumbledore. Don't try to handle it yourselves yet. There's a lot of power there, and it could go either way."
"Are you upset that I gave it to Hermione, Ivy. I don't want to put her in danger," Harry was a little frightened by Ivy's serious look and voice.
"No, Harry, I'm not upset and I'm not surprised. It's just that two people your ages don't usually have the combination of talent, power and background you have. Maybe not of any age. But I'm not afraid for you. I just want you to know you aren't alone, just the two of you and Ron. But that's enough of that for me. Dire warnings are not my style. Now the other thing- I need you to go out for me again and get a few things, then we thought we'd all go out tonight and hear some music. It should be interesting for you- Muggle music for a change."
"I never really, um, heard much music at my aunt's. Unless it was on TV, Dudley loves TV."
"Mom and Dad love music, Harry. You'll get used to it. They even…," She lowered her voice slightly, "DANCE! Wait till you see them!"
"All right, we aren't that ancient. See you when you get back."
"Somehow, I don't think your mom will ever seem ancient. Y'know, Hermione. I thought maybe she'd say you should give the bracelet back to me and say it wasn't a good idea for you to wear it. You're pretty lucky you know."
"I am, you're right.remember what we said yesterday? This is going to be the best summer ever. Now ready to go? You'll enjoy this, Harry. We're going to get food, I guess Mom figured we'd better stock up, with another teenager in the house," she looked at him shyly and said, "Maybe we'll have another midnight snack tonight?"
" Maybe we can start up where we left off in the closet? Great Wizards, Hermione- your family's going to send me home if we aren't
careful."
"I'm tired of being careful and sensible, Harry. I want to have some fun. Don't you?" She moved closer and gave him a look that made him feel like his legs had lost a couple of bones, and his stomach gave a lurch that had nothing to do with hunger " Have you forgotten that I do everything well? "
Very quickly, Harry leaned down and kissed Hermione, softly but not quickly. When they broke apart and looked at each other,
they both laughed.
"Well, that didn't hurt did it? If you want to have fun, Hermione, I'll be glad to provide all the fun I can. "
He hugged her, and they left the house laughing with relief that their first kiss had been far from a disaster.
Jazz in the park next. We won't really see or hear much about the bracelet, but careful readers will be able to tell, it'll be developed.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Summer~ Part XII
After a wonderful dinner that Harry and Hermione prepared, with lots of jokes and not too many mistakes, they went out to one of the parks Harry had never seen in London. Chris and Ivy had explained to Harry that they came to this park each week during the summer months.
"Each week there's a different type music, "Chris told Harry. "This week's jazz, but it's never the same two weeks, and usually quite good."
They spread blankets on the ground, and put the cooler they'd brought along, full of drinks and snack in the center.
"I've sure never done anything like this,"Harry remarked to Hermione. "The Dursleys would never think of doing anything this much fun. And if they did, I'd be home, lucky to be watching TV."
"Why don't you two walk around for a while," said Ivy, smiling at them. Harry was so relieved that she didn't seem upset that he and Hermione were enjoying a slightly different friendship. Nothing had been said, but he had seen her look at Hermione questioningly when they'd returned with the food, and the smile they'd exchanged.
He had never really imagined it would feel so great to be someplace where his likes and dislikes were given any attention. Hermione had been careful to ask if there were things he'd like. This wasn't a problem though. Never having been given a choice, he was eager to try whatever Hermione suggested.
Now, walking through the park with Hermione, he realized he felt full all over, but the happy full feeling was one he didn't think would disappear when his dinner did.
"Uncle Vernon is coming back to your parents' tomorrow isn't he? I guess I'll be back on Privet Drive tomorrow at this time," he tried not to sound sorry for himself, but knew he did. He smiled at Hermione and attempted to look cheerful. She wasn't fooled by his smile, he could tell.
Hermione was too smart and she knew him too well. She put her arm through his and they walked along a little more closely.
"It won't be as bad as you think, Harry. Remember he won't be quite the same when Mom finishes, and you leave. I wouldn't be surprised if your night didn't turn out to be very funny. Maybe not exactly FUN, but amusing at least."
"Do you know what she has planned? I'm not sure I can wait through the night for more surprises. " Harry shook his head head, thinking about Dudley and his eagerness for Harry to come home with them.
"I don't know exactly, but I have a feeling your Uncle Vernon won't be treated as gently as Dudley. And as for your Aunt Petunia, Mum said she was only playing with her today."
Now Hermione shook her head and grinned at Harry. "I have a feeling you'll be able to pretty much do as you please there. And when I come over for dinner...." Harry saw Hermione's face look more mischievous than he'd ever seen it, as she continued. "We will really have some fun with them that night."
"OK, but I didn't want to hear from the Ministry again, are you sure we can keep them out of it?" Harry knew how determined Hermione could be when she'd made a plan. He couldn't help remembering how the Polyjuice Potion had gone wrong for her in their second year, which made him grin, but also gave his stomach another lurch. This wasn't the time he wanted to see her become an animal. He liked things the way they were more than he would have expected even a few days ago.
"Don't look so worried, Harry. Mom's doing the adjustments, remember. She's got permission from the Ministry, Dumbledore's approval, it's all fine. All we'll be doing will be making some suggestions to them. You've got some ideas on how life could be improved around there, don't you?"
"I sure do!" replied Harry." I've been making that list as long as I can remember. You've got a few too, don't you?"
"My list doesn't go back as far, just since we met the first year at Hogwarts. I think I have a few you'll enjoy, though."
Hermione had a real look of anticipation on her face, Harry thought. He wasn't sure whether to feel a little sympathy for the Dursley's, or maybe... kiss her again?
"We should get back to my parents now," Hermione said, breaking into the thoughts he was having. "Harry?! Are you OK? You have a strange look....."
" Yeah, I'm just, um, thinking too much, or too long." 'Too long, ' he thought to himself, but continued, "You're right. They'll think we found some mystery again."
" FUN summer, we have to keep remembering that," Hermione told him.
"OK, but you remember too, I DON't look for stuff to happen around me. It just does!!"
They laughed a little nervously at this then turned and moved back through through the crowd, which had gotten larger as they walked, to find Hermione's parents.
TO BE CONTINUED...