(Ah ha! Did you think the story was over? Nay! It has just begun!)

Chapter 4

Lhara tried to concentrate on the plant in front of her but her gaze kept drifting to the window.

Where was Harry's owl, Hedwig? Did she make it back to Sirius? Would Sirius remember her? Would he write back?

The plant, a young Bulbium Vitia, got tired of waiting for Lhara and used its leaves to pinch her hand.

"Ouch! You naughty boy!" she gently scolded. She pruned away the dying leaves, gave it a healthy dose of water and put it back in the greenhouse. As she washed the dirt from her hands, Hedwig appeared on her windowsill. She gasped and grabbed the letter clutched in Hedwig's talons.

"Oh bless you! You beautiful bird!"

She gave her a nice fat field mouse and sat down to read her letter.

"Dear Lhara,

You can't imagine how surprised I was to receive your letter! Of course I remember you from Hogwarts! And I'm so glad you're keeping an eye on young Harry. He seems to have a knack for finding trouble – not unlike his father.

I recall you were an expert in Herbology. Has that served you well over the years? I also remember you were the cutest Chaser that Ravenclaw ever had. Kind, sweet Lhara.

The fact that you believe in my innocence gives me hope. Some day I will find Peter and make him confess. I swear it. Until then, I must continue to elude those looking for me.

Yours in hope,

Sirius"

Lhara sighed softly and folded the letter. Hedwig had finished her mouse and squawked politely.

"Thank you, Hedwig. Of course you can go back to Harry." She wrote a quick thank you note and watched Hedwig return to Harry with it.

Harry was eating lunch when Lhara's note dropped on his plate.

"You-Know-Who is ok. He answered Lhara's letter." Harry told them, reading quickly.

"I'm glad." Hermione said happily. "At least he has someone else besides us on his side."

The threesome examined their new class schedules. For the first time, each had a class the others weren't in. Ron chose Advanced Broomage hoping to improve his riding skills for Quidditch. Hermione had Women's Studies and Harry had Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts. He noted happily that Dumbledore himself was his instructor for that class.  They still had their other classes together including Curses and Hexes as well as Defending Against Curses and Hexes.

Ron and Harry spent all of their free time on the Quidditch field practicing. Alicia was the Captain and Charlie Traig was the new Keeper. The other two Chasers (Alicia and Katie) as well as the Beaters (Fred and George) were all now Seventh Year students. The team needed younger players if their winning tradition was going to continue after graduation.

Meanwhile, Hermione was busy studying, as usual. She had always been driven by a deep-seated desire to know things. Books were like candy to her – delicious treats to be savored and then devoured. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge with people and never understood when other people didn't share her thirst for information. It never occurred to her that people didn't appreciate her studying efforts.

She might have continued in that way – studying first, last and all – were it not for her friendships with Ron and Harry. They showed her that there was more to school and life than always knowing the right answer to question and getting top marks. Conversely, she showed them that there was something to be gained from reading and studying – that knowing what you were up against would always give you an advantage. Over the years and adventures, their friendships had solidified into a true symbiosis. Each one depended on the other for something and they all benefited.

Perhaps this is what gave Hermione reservations about a romance with Harry. If it didn't work out, how could she bear it? The day she couldn't talk and laugh with Harry would be a very dark day – one she didn't like thinking about. She and Harry would have to be careful that they didn't destroy their friendship.

It was late in the evening when Ron and Harry came into the Gryffindor common room. They were clearly exhausted, dirty and sweaty.

"Oh man!" Ron sighed as he fell into a soft chair. "That feels good." He closed his eyes and smiled.

Harry dropped their Quidditch equipment in a corner and took off his muddy sweater before sitting on the opposite end of the couch from Hermione. She smiled and looked up from her studying.

"How was practice?"

"Really good. Ron's gonna do great."

"If I can still feel anything tomorrow! My arms are killing me!" he said mournfully.

"You can use some of my 'Pain-Bee-Gone' if you want. It's up on my dresser." Harry offered.

Ron slowly rose from the chair.

"I think I will. 'Night." He waved feebly. He slowly climbed the stairs making small groaning noises as he climbed each step. "I'm never gonna sit right again." He muttered.

Hermione and Harry chuckled watching Ron disappear up the stairs.

"Poor guy. He's trying really hard." Harry shook his head with a smile.

"And what about you? Did you get your scroll finished for McGonagall? It's due tomorrow!"

Harry grimaced.

"Er. Not exactly. I'm almost done though. I'll get up early and finish it before breakfast." Hermione frowned. "I swear!" he said, holding up his right hand.

Harry smiled in his disarming way and Hermione relaxed a little.

"Alright. But don't forget!"

"How can I forget when I have you to remind me?"

His voice lowered a little as he spoke and Hermione became acutely aware that they were once again the only ones in the room. He titled his head slightly and crooked a finger at her.

"Come here," he said softly.

A delicious chill ran through Hermione. She smiled but shook her head.

"You come here." She patted the cushion next to her.

Harry shook his head too.

Harry laughed softly and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his wand and said, "Traho Ere." Hermione felt her body begin to slide toward his. He was using the spell "Come to Me."

She picked up her own wand and said, "Reditus." She returned to her side of the couch.

Harry repeated his spell with a grin. "Traho Ere."

"Reditus" Hermione repeated. Once again she was back on her end of the couch. Every time Harry tried to draw her over, Hermione returned.

Harry narrowed his eyes. "TRAHO ERE!"

Hermione started sliding toward him again.

"TRAHO ERE!" she said.

Suddenly Harry was moving toward her! They were sliding towards each other!

When they met in the middle of the couch, they were both laughing.

"Who won?" she asked, as they put down their wands.

Harry pulled her into his arms.

Just before he kissed her, he said, "We both did."

Thanks to all of my reviewers! The story will continue!

I apologize for the extra spaces. I can't figure out what's wrong yet.

Forgive me for dragging them back to the common room again, but I find the room so … romantic. A huge fireplace, an overstuffed couch, deep rich tapestries and dark wood furniture. It seems like the most romantic place two students could go.