Note: Please Read and Review. I have noticed I have received lots of hits on parts 1 and 2 but I need more feedback on if people are liking the
story in order to know whether to continue :-) Your comments are appreciated.
Reunion, Part 3
When they reached the library, Harry and Ron noticed that it had been decorated very elegantly, just as the rest of the
castle had. Hermione was picking up a couple of sheets of paper and handing them to the men.
"Here are the schedules, as you can see, it is going to be quite jam packed. McGonagall has us all involved."
Ron was looking down at his schedule. "Wow, look at this, there's going to be a Dragon Ball on Tuesday, a Transfiguration
and Potions demonstration Wednesday and a Quidditch tournament on Friday."
"Yeah," Harry lit up, " it's been 8 years since I was on a broomstick in a Quidditch field. I can't wait to see another game on
my old playing field."
"Well, I assure you, you will not be bored this week. In fact, you will probably go home more tired than when you came,"
Hermione explained.
"So....show us this library of yours...YOUR library, that's just amazing," Ron said, looking around as Hermione led him inside.
"Well it's not really MY library, it's still the Hogwarts library, but I like to think I have a lot of influence on the kind of place it is.
I try to make it inviting to students and I encourage them all to read all the important books as well as offering educational
opportunites for them to learn more about libraries and reading," Hermione was beaming, as this was obviously very
important to her.
Ron felt like saying something sarcastic but he couldn't seem to do it when he saw how genuinely happy Hermione appeared
to be about her job there.
"Well you've done a great job, and it's all neat and organized," Harry commented, looking around.
"Well of course it is, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm proud of it," she said, walking toward the Reference Desk,
where a ginger cat was busy walking on top of it.
"Hm, night staff, eh?" Harry said, laughing.
"Ergh...yeah, Crookshanks, down!" Hermione scolded, pointing to the floor several times before the cat hopped to
the ground, looking up at Ron and Harry and hissing, then disappearing into some stacks, his tail held high in the air
towards them.
"Damn *that's* Crookshanks? He must be REALLY old." Ron said, looking after him. "And none to nice"
"He's 16 now," Hermione said, "but I consulted with the store in Diagon Alley and they assured me he has another 10
years at least....special logetivity breeding I guess. And as for his hissing...well he's never liked you much Ron, ever
since you hauled that conniving rat around with you."
"Yeah but I didnt' know Scabbers wasn't just a rat, that cat shouldn't hold grudges against me after all these years!"
Hermione just snickered and pointed out the desk. "Well Crookshanks guards the library for me at night. Now
this here is where I spend a lot of time, and where students can come and request information."
"Very nice, "Harry commented.
"Thank you Harry," Hermione smiled. "Glad someone appreciates it."
It took Hermione about a half hour to point out everything in the library to them. Harry and Ron realized now why her
tour groups had taken so long, it certainly wasn't from the graduates asking too many questions, Hermione hardly left
enough time in between her spiel to do that.
"OK, so what do you guys think?" she finally said after she had finished.
"It's great, it really is," Harry said as enthusiastically as he could. "I'm just so glad you are happy." He had another
sudden gut instinct that something was wrong, but he coudln't quite put his finger on it.
"Harry?" Ron said, poking his arm. "You coming?"
"Oh, yeah," Harry said, not realizing he had been standing there in a daze for a few moments.
"Well next I'll show you the dungeons, the towers, the classrooms, and finally we'll head to Gryffindor where you
guys have your rooms." Hermione pointed out.
"Great," Ron said, hoping that it wouldn't be another hour. He would rather that they all could have sat down
and had a conversation rather than just listening to Hermione rant on about the school. It was no wonder she was so tired.
But Harry and Ron had to admit that the changes to the school had been quite impressive. The dungeons had
become a lot more inviting, part of this they assumed was due to Colin Creevey's appointment as Potions teacher a
year ago. The boy had been obsessed with Harry when he had begun school but had grown into a very intelligent and
kind man. He was still a little quirky, but it was just this that made the students like him.
Hermione also showed them the greenhouse classroom, where they had taken Herbology. There they met up
with Professor Neville Longbottom. Neville had done poorly at just about every subject at Hogwarts except at
Herbology at which he had excelled, so it was no surprise that this is the kind of job he would land upon graduation.
"Harry? Ron! Wow, you guys look good," Neville said, holding out a thin hand to each of them in turn.
"Neville, you're looking good too," Ron said congenially.
"Neville what are you still doing out here? The tours are really officially over," Hermione asked.
"Nah, I knew you were bringing Harry and Ron, so I thought I'd wait up. I hope you all come to my Herbology
exhibition on Monday morning. Some of these specimens are quite amazing."
"Wouldn't miss it," Harry smiled.
Neville smiled and stepped forward, about tripping on his robes. Hermione turned away, having a difficult time
keeping from laughing. Obviously Neville hadn't changed much.
"Well Neville, I think you probably should think about coming to the castle...it's getting late and we are almost done
with our tour anyway," Hermione insisted.
"Yeah I guess I better..I mean, I almost tripped, I must be tired, "he said embarrassedly and then he followed them
up as they left the greenhouse and headed for the castle.
Within another 20 minutes, Hermione had finished the tour, Neville had retired, and Harry and Ron were looking
pretty exhausted themselves.
"Guess we should turn in now too," Ron said.
"Yeah, I don't think I can think anymore," Hermione said, half fading off. "Well, I will plan to see you two and
your families for breakfast then." She gave them each a hug and led them to the Gryffindor dormatories, telling
the old portrait of the Fat Lady "Wonkyfaint" and she opened up for them.
Harry laughed. "Oh my God....that *isn't* the password."
"It is, we take turns picking it and it was mine," she smirked as Ron shot her a glare that was hard to read as
angry or just amused.
"Well goodnight," she said.
"Night," Ron and Harry said at the same time and then the portrait swung closed, leaving them standing in the
deserted common room before they left to head to their rooms.
After Ron and Harry had retired, Hermione made her way to her room, dragging her tired body slowly up the
stairs to private chambers which were given to all the permanent Hogwarts residents. She was excited to see
Harry and Ron and by the whole prospect of seeing everyone she had known during her own school days, but
this was also a very stressful time for the Hogwarts employees. She found herself torn between wanting to be
carefree and partake in the festivities of her reunion and being bound to her duty to help out with the event along
with the rest of the staff.
Hermione went into the small bathroom in her room and brushed her teeth and combed her hair, looking at her
worn features in the mirror before removing her robes and pulling on her nightgown. The large four poster never
looked so inviting, and Hermione quickly went over and pulled down the covers to get ready for bed. She was
just about to get in when there was a knock on the door. Surprised at who would be visiting at this hour not to
mention being annoyed to have her private time interrupted, Hermione sighed and pulled a robe around
herself and went to the door. Harry was standing there, looking a bit sheepish.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, "What are you still doing up?"
Harry nodded inside questioningly and Hermione stepped aside to let him in. "Couldn't sleep, guess things are
just too exciting around here, what with all that's going on."
Hermione closed the door behind him. "I'll say, but admittedly, I'm shot. I don't think I'll have too much
trouble falling asleep, she said, walking back over to the bed and sitting on it, offering Harry a chair.
"I'm sorry, I really didn't want to disturb you so late, Hermione. It's just that something is....is bothering me.
You know, it seems to be that way every time I come to Hogwarts I begin to get really unusual feelings, "
Harry said, shivering.
As tired as Hermione was, she looked at him with concern. "Has something happened...something we should
be worried about?"
Harry's eyes kind of glinted at her and then he nervously looked away. "No...it's not that it's just that...seeing you..
here again..I mean, I didn't want to say anything earlier but...." he put his eyes down ashamedly.
Hermione glanced at him worriedly. "Harry please, what is it? If it's Malfoy I know I can..."
"No," Harry quickly responded. "Not Malfoy, not Ron, not anyone like that."
"Then what?"
Harry moved his chair closer to her, his scar glimmering in the light. "It's just that well...I..I guess I have feelings
for you, that I never realized before. I mean seeing you now..we're not kids, that was different, but now that we
are all....Oh, I shouldn't be saying this." Harry looked down.
Hermione looked at him incredously now, she was blushing. "Well...um...I'm flattered but Harry really......, " she
now had her hands on her hips, "you're married."
Harry sighed and now sat on the bed. "Yeah I know, and honestly, you are the only one I can turn to about this.
Um..my marriage is falling apart, I mean I love my wife but it just seems that things don't seem like they used to
with her. She just isn't...oh I don't know." he had an almost defeated look on his face. "I just wish things had been
different, I thought I was happy and that I had chosen a good life, but now I don't know."
"Well Harry, I think you should be grateful for what you have. I mean, I'm happy here at Hogwarts and I love my
job and all my friends, but I'm so...lonely, you know? You have a lovely wife and an adorable little son! What
I wouldn't give for that!"
"Right, you're right of course." Harry breathed in heavily, looking like he was going to cry.
"Oh.....Harry..." Hermione looked lost as to what she could do to comfort him, so she just gave him a hug. "It
will be OK. I think we're just all tired. Things will look up in the morning, I'm sure of it."
Harry buried his head into the shoulder of her robes and wrapped his arms around her. "You're..you're such a
good friend Hermione...."
"It's OK," Hermione patted the back of his head and then pulled back from him a bit. "Get some sleep OK?"
she said, looking right into his face sympathetically.
Harry didn't seem to want to move away from her. "O..OK. Thanks for everything." He leaned in and gave
her a quick kiss on the cheek and then moved back, brushing across the front of her robes slightly before
getting up and heading for the door.
"Um..I'll see you tomorrow then..." he said appreciatively.
"Of course," Hermione nodded. "Breakfast. Goodnight Harry, it will be better in the morning, I promise."
"Yeah, OK. " he smiled at her sweetly. "Goodnight Hermione and again..I'm really sorry for bothering you...." and
he left the room, shutting the door quietly.
Hermione was left feeling a bit strange, but she tried to shake off the sudden innappropriate thoughts she
was having and she quickly threw off her robe and got into bed, falling asleep before she had time to dwell on
what had just happened.
Out in the hallway, Harry was headed toward the staircase when he was greeted by two large and awkward
looking men. One of them grinned evilly, showing rather big, yellow teeth.
"Damn you're UGLY." he said, laughing and pointing at Harry.
Harry frowned at him. "You're one to talk."
The other man now turned his attention to Harry. "So did it work?"
Harry smirked. "Like a charm, but I have much better plans in store. And you two have the good fortune to see it all unfold."
The two men guffawed stupidly.
Harry glared at them. "Sssh...be quiet!" he whispered at them angrily "Let's get back to my chambers, the
polyjuice potion could wear off at any moment."
story in order to know whether to continue :-) Your comments are appreciated.
Reunion, Part 3
When they reached the library, Harry and Ron noticed that it had been decorated very elegantly, just as the rest of the
castle had. Hermione was picking up a couple of sheets of paper and handing them to the men.
"Here are the schedules, as you can see, it is going to be quite jam packed. McGonagall has us all involved."
Ron was looking down at his schedule. "Wow, look at this, there's going to be a Dragon Ball on Tuesday, a Transfiguration
and Potions demonstration Wednesday and a Quidditch tournament on Friday."
"Yeah," Harry lit up, " it's been 8 years since I was on a broomstick in a Quidditch field. I can't wait to see another game on
my old playing field."
"Well, I assure you, you will not be bored this week. In fact, you will probably go home more tired than when you came,"
Hermione explained.
"So....show us this library of yours...YOUR library, that's just amazing," Ron said, looking around as Hermione led him inside.
"Well it's not really MY library, it's still the Hogwarts library, but I like to think I have a lot of influence on the kind of place it is.
I try to make it inviting to students and I encourage them all to read all the important books as well as offering educational
opportunites for them to learn more about libraries and reading," Hermione was beaming, as this was obviously very
important to her.
Ron felt like saying something sarcastic but he couldn't seem to do it when he saw how genuinely happy Hermione appeared
to be about her job there.
"Well you've done a great job, and it's all neat and organized," Harry commented, looking around.
"Well of course it is, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm proud of it," she said, walking toward the Reference Desk,
where a ginger cat was busy walking on top of it.
"Hm, night staff, eh?" Harry said, laughing.
"Ergh...yeah, Crookshanks, down!" Hermione scolded, pointing to the floor several times before the cat hopped to
the ground, looking up at Ron and Harry and hissing, then disappearing into some stacks, his tail held high in the air
towards them.
"Damn *that's* Crookshanks? He must be REALLY old." Ron said, looking after him. "And none to nice"
"He's 16 now," Hermione said, "but I consulted with the store in Diagon Alley and they assured me he has another 10
years at least....special logetivity breeding I guess. And as for his hissing...well he's never liked you much Ron, ever
since you hauled that conniving rat around with you."
"Yeah but I didnt' know Scabbers wasn't just a rat, that cat shouldn't hold grudges against me after all these years!"
Hermione just snickered and pointed out the desk. "Well Crookshanks guards the library for me at night. Now
this here is where I spend a lot of time, and where students can come and request information."
"Very nice, "Harry commented.
"Thank you Harry," Hermione smiled. "Glad someone appreciates it."
It took Hermione about a half hour to point out everything in the library to them. Harry and Ron realized now why her
tour groups had taken so long, it certainly wasn't from the graduates asking too many questions, Hermione hardly left
enough time in between her spiel to do that.
"OK, so what do you guys think?" she finally said after she had finished.
"It's great, it really is," Harry said as enthusiastically as he could. "I'm just so glad you are happy." He had another
sudden gut instinct that something was wrong, but he coudln't quite put his finger on it.
"Harry?" Ron said, poking his arm. "You coming?"
"Oh, yeah," Harry said, not realizing he had been standing there in a daze for a few moments.
"Well next I'll show you the dungeons, the towers, the classrooms, and finally we'll head to Gryffindor where you
guys have your rooms." Hermione pointed out.
"Great," Ron said, hoping that it wouldn't be another hour. He would rather that they all could have sat down
and had a conversation rather than just listening to Hermione rant on about the school. It was no wonder she was so tired.
But Harry and Ron had to admit that the changes to the school had been quite impressive. The dungeons had
become a lot more inviting, part of this they assumed was due to Colin Creevey's appointment as Potions teacher a
year ago. The boy had been obsessed with Harry when he had begun school but had grown into a very intelligent and
kind man. He was still a little quirky, but it was just this that made the students like him.
Hermione also showed them the greenhouse classroom, where they had taken Herbology. There they met up
with Professor Neville Longbottom. Neville had done poorly at just about every subject at Hogwarts except at
Herbology at which he had excelled, so it was no surprise that this is the kind of job he would land upon graduation.
"Harry? Ron! Wow, you guys look good," Neville said, holding out a thin hand to each of them in turn.
"Neville, you're looking good too," Ron said congenially.
"Neville what are you still doing out here? The tours are really officially over," Hermione asked.
"Nah, I knew you were bringing Harry and Ron, so I thought I'd wait up. I hope you all come to my Herbology
exhibition on Monday morning. Some of these specimens are quite amazing."
"Wouldn't miss it," Harry smiled.
Neville smiled and stepped forward, about tripping on his robes. Hermione turned away, having a difficult time
keeping from laughing. Obviously Neville hadn't changed much.
"Well Neville, I think you probably should think about coming to the castle...it's getting late and we are almost done
with our tour anyway," Hermione insisted.
"Yeah I guess I better..I mean, I almost tripped, I must be tired, "he said embarrassedly and then he followed them
up as they left the greenhouse and headed for the castle.
Within another 20 minutes, Hermione had finished the tour, Neville had retired, and Harry and Ron were looking
pretty exhausted themselves.
"Guess we should turn in now too," Ron said.
"Yeah, I don't think I can think anymore," Hermione said, half fading off. "Well, I will plan to see you two and
your families for breakfast then." She gave them each a hug and led them to the Gryffindor dormatories, telling
the old portrait of the Fat Lady "Wonkyfaint" and she opened up for them.
Harry laughed. "Oh my God....that *isn't* the password."
"It is, we take turns picking it and it was mine," she smirked as Ron shot her a glare that was hard to read as
angry or just amused.
"Well goodnight," she said.
"Night," Ron and Harry said at the same time and then the portrait swung closed, leaving them standing in the
deserted common room before they left to head to their rooms.
After Ron and Harry had retired, Hermione made her way to her room, dragging her tired body slowly up the
stairs to private chambers which were given to all the permanent Hogwarts residents. She was excited to see
Harry and Ron and by the whole prospect of seeing everyone she had known during her own school days, but
this was also a very stressful time for the Hogwarts employees. She found herself torn between wanting to be
carefree and partake in the festivities of her reunion and being bound to her duty to help out with the event along
with the rest of the staff.
Hermione went into the small bathroom in her room and brushed her teeth and combed her hair, looking at her
worn features in the mirror before removing her robes and pulling on her nightgown. The large four poster never
looked so inviting, and Hermione quickly went over and pulled down the covers to get ready for bed. She was
just about to get in when there was a knock on the door. Surprised at who would be visiting at this hour not to
mention being annoyed to have her private time interrupted, Hermione sighed and pulled a robe around
herself and went to the door. Harry was standing there, looking a bit sheepish.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, "What are you still doing up?"
Harry nodded inside questioningly and Hermione stepped aside to let him in. "Couldn't sleep, guess things are
just too exciting around here, what with all that's going on."
Hermione closed the door behind him. "I'll say, but admittedly, I'm shot. I don't think I'll have too much
trouble falling asleep, she said, walking back over to the bed and sitting on it, offering Harry a chair.
"I'm sorry, I really didn't want to disturb you so late, Hermione. It's just that something is....is bothering me.
You know, it seems to be that way every time I come to Hogwarts I begin to get really unusual feelings, "
Harry said, shivering.
As tired as Hermione was, she looked at him with concern. "Has something happened...something we should
be worried about?"
Harry's eyes kind of glinted at her and then he nervously looked away. "No...it's not that it's just that...seeing you..
here again..I mean, I didn't want to say anything earlier but...." he put his eyes down ashamedly.
Hermione glanced at him worriedly. "Harry please, what is it? If it's Malfoy I know I can..."
"No," Harry quickly responded. "Not Malfoy, not Ron, not anyone like that."
"Then what?"
Harry moved his chair closer to her, his scar glimmering in the light. "It's just that well...I..I guess I have feelings
for you, that I never realized before. I mean seeing you now..we're not kids, that was different, but now that we
are all....Oh, I shouldn't be saying this." Harry looked down.
Hermione looked at him incredously now, she was blushing. "Well...um...I'm flattered but Harry really......, " she
now had her hands on her hips, "you're married."
Harry sighed and now sat on the bed. "Yeah I know, and honestly, you are the only one I can turn to about this.
Um..my marriage is falling apart, I mean I love my wife but it just seems that things don't seem like they used to
with her. She just isn't...oh I don't know." he had an almost defeated look on his face. "I just wish things had been
different, I thought I was happy and that I had chosen a good life, but now I don't know."
"Well Harry, I think you should be grateful for what you have. I mean, I'm happy here at Hogwarts and I love my
job and all my friends, but I'm so...lonely, you know? You have a lovely wife and an adorable little son! What
I wouldn't give for that!"
"Right, you're right of course." Harry breathed in heavily, looking like he was going to cry.
"Oh.....Harry..." Hermione looked lost as to what she could do to comfort him, so she just gave him a hug. "It
will be OK. I think we're just all tired. Things will look up in the morning, I'm sure of it."
Harry buried his head into the shoulder of her robes and wrapped his arms around her. "You're..you're such a
good friend Hermione...."
"It's OK," Hermione patted the back of his head and then pulled back from him a bit. "Get some sleep OK?"
she said, looking right into his face sympathetically.
Harry didn't seem to want to move away from her. "O..OK. Thanks for everything." He leaned in and gave
her a quick kiss on the cheek and then moved back, brushing across the front of her robes slightly before
getting up and heading for the door.
"Um..I'll see you tomorrow then..." he said appreciatively.
"Of course," Hermione nodded. "Breakfast. Goodnight Harry, it will be better in the morning, I promise."
"Yeah, OK. " he smiled at her sweetly. "Goodnight Hermione and again..I'm really sorry for bothering you...." and
he left the room, shutting the door quietly.
Hermione was left feeling a bit strange, but she tried to shake off the sudden innappropriate thoughts she
was having and she quickly threw off her robe and got into bed, falling asleep before she had time to dwell on
what had just happened.
Out in the hallway, Harry was headed toward the staircase when he was greeted by two large and awkward
looking men. One of them grinned evilly, showing rather big, yellow teeth.
"Damn you're UGLY." he said, laughing and pointing at Harry.
Harry frowned at him. "You're one to talk."
The other man now turned his attention to Harry. "So did it work?"
Harry smirked. "Like a charm, but I have much better plans in store. And you two have the good fortune to see it all unfold."
The two men guffawed stupidly.
Harry glared at them. "Sssh...be quiet!" he whispered at them angrily "Let's get back to my chambers, the
polyjuice potion could wear off at any moment."
