A/N This should have been the end, bu it got sooo long. So I'm tying it together with Faery Lights Finale, which should be up tomorrow, since it's nearly complete now. Apologies to anyDraco fans out there. The combination of outrage over the things he was saying, and having my head stuffed up (I live in the allergy capital of the world) made things get a bit out of hand. I needed a laugh, "K?
WARNING: Sillier than ever, and the romance? Well, there's enough to get your imagination moving! Choose your direction.
Love from Circe
Summer 28
Harry saw George and Fred beckoning to him, just as he was ready to approach Malfoy. He slowly let out the breath he'd been holding, and unclenched his fists.
Looking around for Ron and Hermione, he saw Hermione in a corner, talking happily to McGonagall. He knew they must have a lot to say, since the revelations about Ivy. He briefly wondered how Hermione must feel, now that she knew what had been known to her professors since she started at Hogwarts and before.
Harry felt a hand grab his arm, and turning, he saw Ron with a look of "let's go" on his face. He nodded toward the door as Fred and George disappeared through it. 'This is it', he thought.
"Right , Ron, you take this over to Krum. I'll send Hermione out to the garden. Harry, you be ready at the door after you see them both go out." said Fred, in a tense but excited voice. Oh, the twins were loving this, Harry thought, but they didn't have as much to worry about as he did. There was the wrath of Mrs. Weasley to consider though
. Ron disappeared through the crowded room, and they watched as he handed Viktor the envelope. Ron was quite the actor, Harrry thought, seeing Ron shrug hs shoulders as if he was completely clueless about the contents of the envelope.
Viktor Krum, on the other hand, had an eager look that made Harry want to use at least one of the Unforgivable Curses. "Calm down', he told himself. 'Remember blowing up Aunt Marge? Don't lose control right here in front of Dumbledore, McGonagall and - worst of all, Malfoy's dad.' Another deeeep breath, and he watched as Viktor disappeared through the door to the garden
. Watching Fred talk to Hermione was a different matter entirely. He had no idea what he was telling her, but he could tell Hermione wasn't buying it as easily as Krum had. That wasn't surprising, given Fred's reputation for jokes. He wished they could have gotten Ginny to do this part, but she had firmly refused, saying they had thought it up, they could carry it out. Harry tried to tell himself he and Ron knew Hermione better than anyone, but given the events of the past weeks , he wasn't as sure as he'd like to be
. Eventually, whatever Fred was telling Hermione got the desired results, and she walked across the room with him. He could see Fred pointing out the door to the garden and then pointing back toward the corner Malfoy was standing in. Hermione frowned, and at first Harry thought she would go across the room and let Malfoy have a few choice words. Krum, he noticed,was nowhere to be seen.
Fred directed Hermione's attention back out the door, and when he opened it, she went out. Harry walked around the edges of the room, joining Fred by the door. "OK, you know what to do from here, eh?" asked Fred, "I'm going back to where George is. Won't do to have me seen with you."
"Uh, yeah." answered Harry. He knew Fred was right, but he wouldn't have minded a little physical support. Krum could be as difficult to handle as the bludgers Fred and George had been keeping away from him all these years.
He listened intently at the door, and a few moments later he could hear sounds of an argument, or something similar. Opening the door as little as possible, Harry slipped out. He heard Hermione's voice saying "You're bonkers! I would never suggest anything like that. Why I never... I mean..."
"Ah, but Hermy-own-ninny, I haf seen it written. You sent me the note, saying you vished to haf the romantic time vith me in the garden." Viktor was saying in what he apparently thought was an enticing voice. To Harry, it sounded more like a frog croaking. He heard Hermione gasp and sounds of a slight scuffle, and knew it was time to move.
Pulling out a flashlight he had stuck in his pocket,and wishing it was his wand, he shone it out into the garden. Now this was too much! There was Hermione, the beautiful blue dress rumpled, and pulled down on one shoulder. She had a look of mingled anger, relief and he didn't know what else. Krum looked slightly embarrassed, but still determined.
"Vot are you doing out here , Harry?" Viktor asked coldly." This is betveen Hermy-own-ninny and me. You did tell me she is not your girlfriend. So vhy do you interfere. She has sent me the letter to tell me she vishes us to have the romantic time ."
Simultaneously, Harry hissed "That was last year. She IS my girlfriend!" and Hermione said furiously," I have never written any thing remotely like that to you, Viktor Krum!" Realizing what he had said at the same time Hermione really focused on what she had heard, they stared at each other. wide-eyed.
Viktor Krum, however, was not finished. "Girlfriend! Hermy-own-ninny is no girlfriend of yours, Harry Potter. She vill be visiting my family shortly, Perhaps she vill even change to Durmstrang. It vas written in her love letter."
" How many times do I have to say this- I DID NOT WRITE any LETTER!" Hermione was really furious now. She was shouting her words, apparently no longer concerned about being heard. They heard a door open, light flooded the garden ,and Ivy, Dumbledore ,Chris and Krum's parents came out.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" shouted Chris, as angry as any father would be whose daughter had been found in the dark with two teen-aged wizards and a rumpled dress. Hermione was not embarrassed for once though. Harry was pleased to see his friend who had once turned magenta every time she was embarrassed now only looked coldly furious.
" HE..." she pointed to Viktor, " ...has this crazy idea I've written him some love note. I still haven't seen it. Coveniently managed to lose it, I suppose!"
"I haf not, Hermy-own-ninny. And even vithout the note, I am sure you vish to be closer to me. Are you not coming to my home?" Viktor looked at Hermione with an expression that made Harry want to throw up, and pulled out an envelope, and a sheet of note paper.
"I'll take that," said Ivy, calmly. ' "I'm sure there is some language misunderstanding." Her eyes widened as she looked at the paper. "Where did you get the idea Hermione wanted to meet you. One of these papers is completely blank, and the other is, well, mostly a list of books Hermione wants to buy."
"Mostly? And vot is the other part? Viktor vould not make such a mistake." blustered Mr. Krum. "He has been taking English lessons since before the TriWizard Tournament."
"Then he needs to switch teachers," said Harry with a grin. "If he thinks a book list is a love note. Besides that, when I came out there he was grabbing Hermione's dress. If she had wanted him to be out here with her, why would she have been trying to get away."
"Perhaps your Herm-own-ninny is a something of the teaser," answered Viktor, now really looking angry. "I know vot I saw. She vanted me to kiss her and... "
Without thinking, Harry made a lunge for Viktor,and for a few moments no one seemed to know who was doing what. Somehow, Harry found himself sitting on top of Viktor, saying"Take it back or I'll......' but then Hermione came over and put her hand on his shoulder.
" Come on Harry, it's not worth it. Let him go." Then she bent over whispering ,"Anyway, we both KNOW who I really want to kiss." and he was sure, although it was very quick, he felt her fingers trail across his scar. A shiver went through Harry that was so much the opposite of the feeling in his scar when Voldemort was near, that his head began to spin.
Getting up, Harry backed away from Krum and muttered," Just stay away from her, that's all I can tell you."
'"Would everyone like to try and forget what happened here? There is nothing on this paper to lead anyone to think Hermione wanted a secret meeting. You can surely see that, Mr.Krum." Ivy handed the note across, and Mr. and Mrs, Krum studied it, then looked furiously at Viktor.
"She is correct, Viktor. Apologize at once." said Mrs. Krum. " Ve haf not ever expected this sort of behavior in a son of ours."
"But ...." began Viktor. " Looking around at the circle of faces studying him with various degrees of anger and disgust, Viktor apparently decided it was best to give in." All right , I am sorry if I made a mistake. Your feelings do not match mine . Perhaps vhen you haf matured you vill...."
"Hermione is VERY mature , Viktor. And very capable of making her own decisions. I do hope in this case though, that she decides to spend her holiday with her family." Chris said, putting an arm around Hermione's shoulders. " The weather in Paris should be a bit more pleasant than in Bulgaria."
Dumbledore spoke then, and Harry jumped slightly. He had nearly forgotten the headmaster was there."And I believe it's time Harry had a chance to see something new. Harry, the Grangers would like you to go along. This may not be the best time to bring this up, but I suggest you take them up on their invitation."
Harry knew his grin was as huge as the frown on Krum's face as he looked from Chris to Ivy. "I really can come along?"
" You really can, Harry," said Ivy, who had a pretty large grin herself. "We were only waiting for the OK from Albus. Now, Hermione, this should be enough to help you decide."
"Oh, I don't know," replied Hermione, her eyes twinkling ." Maybe Harry would rather just have you two all to himself. " Harry shook his head furiously, and she continued, "No? Then I'll have to formally decline your invitation to visit your home , Viktor, Mr and Mrs. Krum. As much as I appreciate your offer of hospitality, my presence in Paris seems to be required." Hermione threw her arms around her parents and hugged them, whispering something to her mother.
"Let's not let this ruin the evening." Ivy said, turning to the Krums. "Viktor has apologized, We can treat this as a misunderstanding, and still have a pleasant evening." Harry noticed Ivy giving him a look and a wink that said 'forgive me for this' as she took Viktor's arm,and continued."I'd like to hear more about your career in Quidditch ,Victor. I enjoyed playing so much when I was at Hogwarts."
Leading the way, Ivy and Viktor went back into the house, followed by Chris, Mr. and Mrs. Krum and Dumbledore.. As he was about to go in, the headmaster turned back to Hermione and Harry
. " Come in soon,you two. Even though some of the company may not be to your liking, we should all attempt to get along. Even with the Malfoys. Also, I'll be making something of an announcement shortly. The two of you and all the Weasleys should be close by."
Harry and Hermione nodded and Dunmbledore went through the door. Hermione turned to Harry and said " We seem to have quite a bit to talk about, Harry Potter. Our trip, and your sudden announcement.."
" Oh, er, I guess I should have talked to you before I went popping off about you being my girlfriend. Sorry." He forced himself to look at her, and saw that she was looking at him in a way he couldn't decipher. "Are you angry?"
"No, Of course not. And I hope it's true, in a way . But you know, we have a lot facing us Harry, and we aren't even fifteen. 'Girlfriend ' doesn't seem to be quite right." she moved a bit closer to him as she said that.
"Best friend doesn't seem to quite fit either, anymore.But. hey, Hermione, when have we ever been like other people? Who else our age has been in the kind of danger we've been in every year since we started Hogwarts? And Ron of course." Harry added.
"Ron! What will Ron say about all this? No doubt he'll laugh us out of Hogwarts, or be so angry that he might be excluded that he stops speaking." Hermione shook her head. "Do you think we can keep things from changing?"
"No, things have already changed," Harry replied , grinning." I've discovered the bones in my knees disappear when we kiss, and that I LIKE it. And maybe you can't tell it, but I think your fairies are trying to tell you something." He led her over to a dark window, and showed her the way the fairies were dancing and twinkling furiously. "These might not be normal times we'll be having Hermione. Fifteen or fifty, you know we should be together. Ron knows it too, and he knows we won't Iet him feel ignored. I won't push though, we'll take it slowly. You can always trust me you know."
"Maybe it isn't you I don't trust, Harry, as much as it is myself. Do you really think you're the only one who's discovered how good the no bones feeling is? " Hermione put one hand behind Harry's neck, and he felt that wonderful shiver again. "I think, in fact, it might just feel good right now."
Harry looked deeply into Hermione's brown eyes, and slipped both arms around her waist, bringing them closer than they'd ever been. Their kiss was more intense, and Harry felt if they hadn't been leaning into each other, they'd have wound up on the ground. As he lifted his lips from hers and lowered them to the softness of her neck, he wondered if that might not be a very nice thing. The feeling of Hermione's neck, the scent of her hair and skin, and the soft sounds he heard made him wonder how much longer he could remain on his feet.
"Oh Harry, I don't want to be the sensible one," Hermione said in a trembling voice." But I also don't want someone to come out and ruin this for us." She moved away from him very slightly,but still held her arms around his shoulders.
Looking at her intently, Harry saw Hermione's eyes begin to twinkle again, and she went on,"Besides Dumbledore's announcement, I think you and I, and then all of the Weasleys under twenty need to have little a talk. Could it be possible Viktor has been the victim of one or two of Weasley's Wheezes?"
Harry laughed a bit sheepishly and answered, " I... have a feeling you're right. It'll have to wait till we're all together though. Fred and George wouldn't tell any of us the whole story" He wasn't sure he really wanted to hear the answer, but Harry couldn't help asking,"So, are you sorry you gave up Bulgaria for a holiday with your family , and boring old me? "
"There you go again,trying to flirt. I could tell you I'm just going to Paris so you won't be alone with the' rents, and that I'll be pining for Viktor."
"And I could remind you that Fleur Delacour might not mind me sending an owl to let her know I'll be in the area." Harry answered, trying very hard to frown at Hermione, and failing miserably. His arms tightened around her waist as he spun her around in a wide circle until they were both breathless from laughter.
"As...much...as I hate to say this, let's go in. my curiosity about Dumbledore's announcment is almost letting me stop thinking how great it will be to kiss you again. Although..."
"No, Let's go in.I'm the same way, I just HAVE to find out." Hermione said, backing away from him."Besides think of what we have to look forward to."
"Yeah" sighed Harry. " I AM thinking about it!"
"PARIS, Harry, PARIS," Hermione said in a mock scolding voice, pulling him toward the door"
"Oh, uh, yeah, that too," he answered, feeling the familiar redness slide over his face. Hermione just laughed though, and hugged him as they went into the house.
Once they were inside, Harry saw Ron grinning across the room and saw him raise his hand in a victory sign. " Should we go ahead and talk to Fred and George about their part in the 'downfall'? " Harry asked. He had to admit, he was probably more curious than Hermione about what Fred and George had done.
"Oh, I think Professor Dumbledore is ready to say something! Look, he seems to be moving toward the middle of the room." exclaimed Hermione, excitedly. "D'you suppose there'll be another tournament?"
Before Harry could answer, he saw the headmaster stop in the exact center of the room, clear his throat, and say in a carrying voice," If I could have your attention for a few moments....."
Immediately the room became quiet, although Harry could see Lucius Malfoy stopped the conversation he was having with Chris reluctantly. Chris, however, seemed more than relieved to see it end. He supposed Malfoy senior had been regaling Chris with tales of his importance in the wizarding world.
Seeing that he had the attention of the room, Professor Dumbledore went on in a somber tone. "You're all aware of the events of the past year at Hogwarts. The students had to face the loss of one of their own, and we do not know what faces us in the coming year, even more so than normally. I anticipate many of the students having anxieties that we will need to help them through."
Harry wasn't sure but he thought he heard Lucius Malfoy mutter "weaklings". If the headmaster heard anything though,he chose to ignore it. Looking around the room, his eyes took on their customary twinkle. "Coincidentally, there is a person who has the training and talent to help us through this difficult time at Hogwarts - so may I present our newest staff member,Ivy Granger!"
Looking around the room, Harry could see almost every emotion on the faces surrounding him. Naturally, there was extreme disgust on the faces of Draco and his father, puzzled looks on the faces of all the Krums, and varying degrees of pride, bewilderment and excitement on the faces of the rest.
" In addition to assisting Madame Pomfrey in our infirmary, where she will specialize in the more complicated ailments, those involving physical and emotional pain and illness, Ivy will be working side by side with Madame Hooch as our Quidditch co-coach. Some of you may not realize Ivy was one of the best chasers Hogwarts has seen in fairly recent years."
At this announcement, the room broke into an excited babble, but one voice broke through the babble. "A muggle at Hogwart? Never!!!" and Harry knew Lucius Malfoy had been quiet as long as he would.
He had not counted on the unity of the wizarding world though, in supporting Albus Dumbledore. Upon hearing the derisive words, Harry saw Mr and Mrs. Weasley, Professors McGonagall and Flitwick and other witches and wizards he didn't recognize move protectively toward Chris and Ivy.
They need not have worried though, since Dumbledore continued in the same clear, calm and assured voice that had always given Harry such a feeling of safety," It is perhaps unprecedented to have one with no inborn magical powers in residence at Hogwarts. However Chris Granger, by virtue of his own abilities, and by his successful marriage to a witch, has been given permission by the Hogwarts governors to reside there. Having a daughter who has been consistently at the head of her year also was a deciding factor, so Miss Granger, may I offer my congratulations. Your father will no doubt benefit from your help this term as he indertakes a form of the Kwikspell Course. Upon completion of that, the governors will meet again, to decide how Dr. Granger will be placed in the wizarding world. Now, I'm sure you'll all want to congratulate Chris and Ivy."
That was putting it mildly, thought Harry, as the Grangers were surrounded by hugs and good wishes.He couldn't see Hermione so he knew she had been included in the happy circle. Feeling a bit left out, things became even worse as he heard a familiar sneering drawl behind him.
"So, it isn't enough for the great Potter to have won the Triwizard Tournament, and be the Headmaster's favorite. Now he's got to have someone to help him with his FEELINGS and with Quidditch. Too bad it has to be his girlfriend's mum. You'll find it hard to get a moment alone with her now, mummy and daddy will be watching your every move." Draco snorted derisively as he continued, "Pretty tough for you, since the old bushy haired beaver has finally shown signs of becoming human. No doubt you're enjoying the blossoming."
Here it came, thought Harry. He wasn't going to be able to stop it this time. Just when things were looking good, he knew he was losing control, and would wind up expelled or worse. Just as he feeling both hands come up, and the familiar feeling in his head, George stepped between him and Draco. "Heh, I was looking for you two. Here have a tart, it'll make both of you feel better."
"And why would I take anything from a Weasel? And what would make me want a banana tart, of all things?" Draco asked in his snottiest voice.
" Well, your dad,the great Malfoy senior seems to be enjoying his," replied George innocently. Sure enough Lucius Malfoy was eating a tart from a tray Hermione was passing, and beckoning for Draco to come over.
" Good, Father has decided it's time to leave this sad little gathering. So long, losers!" Without a backward glance Draco went to where his father stood. His mother, surprisingly, was talking to Ivy, and looked quite pleasant.
When Draco reached his father's side, Harry saw both Draco and Lucius drop their shoulders, and for some reason begin to walk bent over toward the door. Looking over his shoulder Mr. Malfoy called out ," Narcissa-time to go, ooh-ooh-ooh." As they went out the door, both of the male Malfoys could be seen scratching themselves and making the same sound.
Mrs. Malfoy looked horrified, but everyone could hear her as she apologized to Ivy" I never know what will happen. Lucius insists on being involved in things that are dangerous, so I have to be prepared for anything!" She and Ivy gave each other a hug, Harry was shocked to see, and Mrs. Malfoy disappeared after her son and husband.
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, and Harry saw Mrs. Weasley looking around suspiciously around for Gred and Forge. She sighed in relief as she saw them talking casually and inocently with Chris about his Kwikspell Course. Ginny and Hermione, on the other hand, were giggling quietly in a corner, and Ron, he found was standing beside him.
"So....mission accomplished? Did the hero get the girl? " asked Ron with a smirk."And how about those banana tarts?"
"Hero, I dunno. But,yeah, I guess I'd have to give an affirmative to both questions. Two things though: the "girl" , and I'd be careful saying that around Hermione, seems very concerned about her other best friend's feelings in the whole thing. Think you and Hermione need to have a talk? Maybe you can actually manage not to fight for once."
"Maybe," said Ron. "I wouldn't count on it though. Too much history there." His eyes softened though, and he added,"Good of her to think about me too. Most girls wouldn't have, though Hermione has never been most girls, has she? But what's the other thing?"
"We all need to have a talk about our "plan". Hermione has some questions, and I have a few myself."
So, tune in very soon for the Finale.Harry and Hermione's questions are answered and more!