Around nine, Linda wakes up Hermione.
Hermione yawns loudly and asks, "What?"
Linda says, "It's nine and we need to leave in forty five minutes."
Hermione says, "That's impossible. My alarm was set for eight twenty."
Linda says, "That smoldering alarm clock?"
Harry looks and says, "Oh, that looks bad."
Ron looks and says, "Not really, that can be repaired."
Hermione yanks off the covers.
Linda says, "At least you're still respectable." She exits the bedroom.
They get up. Harry and Ron rummage through their trunks. Harry lends Gia some of his clothes.
After a quick breakfast, they are in the living room. Harry and Gia are snogging on the floor.
Linda says, "Seems that Harry is making use of his time."
Hermione rolls her eyes and says, "Mother..."
Linda says, "Are you all packed and ready?"
Hermione says, "Yes Mum, our gear is next to the back door."
Linda says, "Well, time to go."
Ron pulls Harry by his shirt. Ron says, "Harry, time to return to Hogwarts."
Harry says, "Gia, I'll be back about nine or ten tonight. I'll send Hedwig if problems arise."
They pack out their trunks and jackets to the car. Gia and Harry kiss.
Harry says, "Until tonight. I love you!"
Hermione and Ron separate Harry and Gia. Linda, Harry, Ron, and Hermione get into the car. Gia waves as the car pulls out of the driveway and down the street.
Linda drives the car along toward central London.
Ron says, "Thank you Mrs Granger for putting up with us."
Linda says, "Our pleasure. Besides, I can keep an eye on you this way."
Hermione protests, "Mum!"
Linda says, "Sweetie, what if he took advantage of you? As his future Mother-in-law, he should be on his best behavior."
Harry enjoys the horrified look on Ron's face.
Harry says, "Ron, I think Mr. and Mrs. Granger would make great in-laws for you."
Ron asks, "How about Mr. Prescott?"
Harry says, "He's actually cool. Ane's okay."
Ron says, "I'll be your best man."
Harry says, "Hermione, looking forward to your brother-in-laws?"
Hermione whips, "They're tolerable."
Harry says, "Good, I'll be Ron's best man."
Ron exclaims, "Argh!"
Linda changes the subject. She says, "How will school be? Hermione's mentioned some important test."
Hermione says, "OWLs actually and they are important."
Ron says, "They're months away."
Harry says, "The Quidditch Cup is next month. Now that's important."
Linda asks, "Quidditch?"
Hermione says, "Their favorite sport. They'd rather get muddy then get OWLs."
Ron says, "I already have an owl, Pig."
Harry says, "I have my faithful Hedwig."
Hedwig gives a enthusiastic hoot. Harry strokes her feathers.
Hermione whips, "Do you want Malfoy getting more OWLs than you? You're prats!"
Hermione's darkened mood continued for the rest of the trip.
They arrive at the King's Cross train station. Harry and Ron grab a pair of carts and bring them over.
Hermione says, "You need three."
Ron says, "No."
Ron loads Hermione's trunk onto the cart. Then he loads his trunk and Pig on top. Harry and Ron start pushing the carts into the station. Ron notices something behind him.
Ron mutters, "Uh-oh, run!" Him and Harry start running for Platform 9 3/4.
Hermione says, "Mum, dunno what they're up to."
Fred and George Weasley run past. Their red hair is a blur. Hermione shakes her head.
Molly Weasley comes up. She's says, "Those twins! Hello dears."
Hermione says, "Hello Mrs. Weasley. Or Mum-in-law as Harry jokes."
"You would be nice to have as a daughter-in-law. Have a nice holiday?"
"Yes, when those boys weren't annoying me."
"Your trunk?"
"Ron's pushing it."
"That's nice of him."
They reach the entrance to Platform 9 3/4. Hermione kisses Linda on the cheek.
Hermione says, "Love you Mum. See you in the summer."
Hermione and Molly step onto Platform 9 3/4.
Molly asks, "Plans for the summer? Maybe stay with us?"
Hermione says, "That's nice. We are planning on some fun. We haven't planned the details."
Molly gives Hermione a hug.
On board, Hermione enters the compartment with Ron and Harry. Hermione sits.
She says, "From the red blur, I suppose George and Fred aren't too happy about Tuesday."
George enters and says, "Right you are sister-in-law. I forgive my brother."
Fred enters and asks, "You do?" Fred closes the compartment door.
George says, "Yes. It gave me an idea. Care for a toffee?"
Harry pulls out some papers from his trunk. It's a small batch of order forms. Harry hands them to George.
Harry says, "I took the liberty to use a Muggle print shop. Thought you might need these in quantity."
Fred asks, "A Muggle looked at this?"
Harry says, "He never really looked at it. As far as he was concerned, I was printing dinner menus. They charge ten pounds for two thousand. I printed fifty to show you."
George says, "These are good."
Hermione grabs one and scans it. She says, "You went for Customer Copy, Store copy, and sequential numbering?"
Harry says, "They need to be able to track orders."
Fred says, "It was funny after you left Tuesday."
George says, "Mum thought my problem was funny. We suspect she told you otherwise."
Fred says, "Mum wanted to discuss our plans."
Ron says, "Which she doesn't want your joke shop to be a part of."
George says, "That's the funny part. She still doesn't like it. For whatever you did, she said she will no longer interfere with it."
"Of course with her usual"
"threats,"
"extortions, and"
"nastiness."
"Said not to use it as an excuse"
"to make trouble."
"Like we've needed it"
"before." says George.
Harry says, "You seem to have investors, assistants, and no restraining order. So, opening the shop this summer?"
Fred says, "Most likely in Diagon Alley."
Ron says, "Do it before another Dark Arts store opens up."
George says, "A spot is opening up in August. We already have the letter of intent to occupy it."
Fred says, "Across from Quality Quidditch Supplies."
Harry says, "We'll visit when we pick up supplies in the fall."
George says, "We're going back to Lee's compartment." George and Fred leave.
Around one, the lady with the cart comes by. Harry gets a nice stack of Cauldron Cakes. He passes some to Hermione and Ron.
Around two, voices drift in from the corridor.
Draco Malfoy is complaining, "How embarrassing! Father is irate. He seems to think I lost my nerve. ... Told you already, I was knocked out. I woke up at the Ministry with a huge hex mark. Father thinks it'll teach me. ... What I want to know is how Mr. Weasel managed to catch me. His dump is far away from there. ... It'll be at least a month until Father will let me try again."
Draco Malfoy, Greggory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe enter the compartment.
Harry points his wand at Draco. He says, "You are NOT welcome in here. LEAVE!"
Draco says, "Enjoying your position? How much longer? You should have taken my offer years ago."
Harry says, "Nobody dictates my friends. LEAVE!"
Draco takes a step toward Harry.
In unison, Harry, Ron, and Hermione say, "STUPEFY!"
Draco, Greggory, and Vincent collapse onto the floor. The twins come by and help Harry move them into the corridor. They close the compartment door.
Fred says, "They did not help the decor."
Ron says, "They were picking a fight."
George asks, "Ron, any luck in the sex department?"
Ron asks, "George, do you really want to go through that again?" George's bladder is starting to fill up.
George says, "You're dangerous." He exits the compartment and dashes for the lavatory.
Fred asks, "Pressuring George again?"
Ron says, "There are some things he should not pry into."
George enters the compartment and sits.
George says, "We are still concerned about your welfare, little brother."
Ron says, "Ahem, romance is thriving. How's Angelina? George?"
George says, "Did you not hear? Angelina dumped Fred before the holiday."
Harry boasts, "We've got all that we want."
Hermione snorts.
Ron says, "Took them to the Blue Oyster nightclub several nights ago."
Hermione whips, "And you came back drunk! You had a black eye from the bar-fight."
Fred says, "Maybe we should confiscate those IDs."
Harry says, "It was an all ages affair. Half the people were underage."
Ron tries for a diversion. He opens his trunk to look. However, Fred grabs the Zoology: A Boring Guide and thumbs through it.
Fred says, "Ron, this is absolutely boring. George look; twenty pages on the earthworm, forty pages on maggots, thirty on lice, ten on breeding lice, even the thirty on the Robin is utterly dull. Why did you buy it?"
Ron says, "It's absolutely fascinating. What is it to you if I buy that?"
George says, "Utter waste of money unless you're trying to bore someone to death. Can I slip this to Malfoy?"
Ron grabs the book. He says, "I'm keeping it because it's of value to me."
Fred says, "Whatever. Don't bore yourself to death."
Ron gets out his Exploding Snape. They play this for the remainder of the trip.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione enter the front doors of Hogwarts.
Snape barks out, "Potter! Weasley! Granger! Follow me, NOW."
The trio follow Snape into McGonagall's office.
Snape says with a sneer, "Have a nice holiday?"
Ron asks, "What?"
Snape rifles through the pile of newspapers and huge mound of forms on the desk. Snape says, "Enjoy the show? ... Miss Granger, sorry to hear about your neighbors' house. ... Some nightclubs and you're not supposed to be in those. ... What's soccer ... Learned bowling. ... Lots of Muggles."
McGonagall says, "Explain yourselves."
Snape says, "You kept half the Ministry very busy. This much underage Wizardry merits expulsion."
Lupin says, "Severus, they had an exemption. They needed to work on a project for me."
Snape says bewilderedly, "Remus, you gave them a blank check?"
McGonagall says, "They had it. No expulsion or suspension will occur. However they will still explain this to myself and Remus."
Very angry, Snape leaves the office and slams the door shut.
Lupin says, "Explain. We can take this incident by incident."
Harry says, "Let's start at the beginning. We can guess the major events."
Harry starts going over the events of the holiday. He explains the mugger incident.
Ron says, "You never told us about that one."
Harry replies, "Seemed trivial."
Harry continues and explains the incident with Draco.
McGonagall raises her eyebrows. She says, "That explains the form concerning him."
Harry explains the incident at the theater.
McGonagall says, "I remember Eric Miller. So, he's now a paramedic."
Ron explains the ... er all-ages dance club and remaining incidents.
Lupin says, "That does cover a bunch of these. However, there are reports of magic at Miss Granger's in front of Muggles."
Ron says, "In front of a particular Muggle? That's alright. Snuffles was watching most of the time."
McGonagall asks, "Snuffles?"
Lupin says, "That big black dog. He follows Harry around occasionally."
McGonagall mutters, "Hmm...."
Lupin asks, "Did you three live up to your part of the bargain?"
Ron says, "Yes, as George found out the hard way."
Harry chuckles.
McGonagall says, "No formal punishment will be issued. I do expect the three of you to help with the paperwork later."
Lupin says, "I'll you'll excuse us Minerva. Thanks."
McGonagall exits the office.
Harry and Ron exchange looks. Ropes spring forth and bind Harry. Ron lets out a big fart just before the papers on McGonagall's desk start dancing. Hermione conjures up a stretcher to catch Harry.
Lupin says, "From your descriptions, you probably picked up some more. ... Harry, you levitated drinks at that nightclub."
Hermione says, "Professor, Harry was drunk. Muggles probably thought they had too many drinks. Maybe he kept some drunk drivers off the road."
Lupin says, "Nice bit of quick thinking."
Harry says, "We'd like to go to dinner."
Lupin says, "First, Sirius was grumbling in his last letter. You did something."
Harry is a bit baffled. Ron catches on.
Ron says, "Professor. Snuffles is following Gia around. Harry realized that he needed to be in compliance with pet regulations."
Lupin is barely able to contain himself. He says, "Pet Regulations?"
Hermione says, "Yes. Harry bought him a dog collar, leash, and dog tags."
With wide eyes, Lupin asks, "Is he wearing them?"
Ron says, "Yes."
Lupin laughs. After a moment, he regains his composure. He says, "You managed it! James was trying for years. Got pictures?"
Everybody jumps a bit as Dumbledore steps out of a darkened corner. He is chuckling. He says, "Well, you enjoyed your holiday."
"Professor." says Harry.
Dumbledore says, "Are you going to commute?"
Harry says, "Yes."
Harry gets out the Portkeys.
Dumbledore says, "Four?"
Harry says, "One for me, one for Ron, one for you, and one for Sirius. Now we still need to set the Hogwarts side."
Hermione says, "These two tested them extensively."
Harry hands the pins to Dumbledore.
Harry says, "Ron and I will set ours tonight. I'll need you to set one for Sirius and get it to me."
Lupin grabs the patches. He remarks, "Patches?"
Ron says, "Yes. Fairly inconspicuous and easy to carry."
Harry grabs the green patch and demonstrates the Transfiguration.
Lupin asks, "You do realize that Portkeys can be anything?"
Harry says, "Yes. I don't want accidental transport either. Imagine me disappearing during a DADA class. As a patch, the Portkey won't function."
Ron says, "We will know for certain tonight whether this works. We did test, but that didn't cover everything."
Harry says, "I did finish those essays over the holiday, including yours Professor Lupin."
Lupin says, "You didn't have to."
Harry says, "I know. I was on a roll, so I figured what the heck."
Dumbledore says, "If you three are planning on dinner..."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exit.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione enter the Great Hall. There's a lot of mutterings. Many of these are variations of "Hear about Malfoy?", "Caught during a Muggle killing.", "Big Trouble.", and "Who caught him?"
The trio sit at the Gryffindor table, near George and Fred.
Before they can do anything, Seamus excitedly says, "Harry, hear about Malfoy? He got caught trying a Muggle killing."
Harry, fakes ignorance and says, "Really? How?"
"Week ago Saturday, somebody caught him. He's in real trouble with the Ministry." says Seamus.
Ginny says, "There's not enough evidence to prosecute. Still, the teachers here are not happy."
Ron says, "Really? Is he not even getting punished?".
Seamus says, "Lost twenty five points for Slytherin plus a detention for violating the underage magic restriction. Wish they could've made it more."
"Who caught him?" asks Dean.
Ginny says, "Nobody seems to talking. Even Malfoy doesn't know. He woke up with the biggest of hex marks."
Harry asks, "Where was this?"
Seamus says, "Holgate? Mygate? Dunno, something like that."
Dean says, "How about them demeantor attacks? Wouldn't want to be in one of those Muggle theaters. Nearly every Muggle killed."
Seamus says, "According to the Daily Prophet, eleven were attacked in one night! Only one had survivors. How'd the demeantors do it?"
Ron forgets to stay quiet and says, "Fire. It was a trap."
Ginny catches this and she asks, "Fire? How'd you know that? That was not published."
Harry tries to change the subject and says, "Ginny, we heard that your Mum is going to let George and Fred open up their joke shop."
Ginny does not take the bait, but asks, "Ron, how did you know about the fire?"
Hermione says, "Harry and Ron talked to your Dad. They know about what happened."
"Nice family tradition I suppose. Sharing disasters as entertainment, can't afford anything better?" says the cold and drawling voice of Draco Malfoy.
Harry asks, "So, did you make it into the Junior Death Eaters League? Did they take your actions as due credit?"
Draco says, "You'd like to know Potter? Poke around, maybe somebody can use you as the application fee."
Ron asks, "Enjoy the Ministry? Bungled any more Muggle killings?"
"Mr. Malfoy, I strongly suggest you do not participate in any. If you persist with them, you will be expelled. Now, you should be heading for your dungeon." says McGonagall as she walks past."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George head up to the Gryffindor Tower.
Harry looks at his watch and says "Blimey, it's getting late."
Harry, Ron, Fred, and George enter the fifth-year dormitory.
Harry says, "We've got those packages."
Harry and Ron retrieve the packages and hand them to George and Fred. Dean looks suspiciously at this. Fred and George quickly exit the dormitory.
Seamus says, "We're going to finish that DADA essay down in the Common Room. Care to join us?"
Harry says, "No, already finished it and the project Lupin assigned."
Seamus asks, "Project? What Project?"
Ron says, "Lupin gave Harry, Hermione, and me a project in lieu of the essay. We had to show him the results earlier tonight."
Seamus asks, "Why'd you get special treatment?"
Harry says, "Special treatment? That damn essay was easier. If you'll excuse me, I'm a bit tired and going to bed."
Ron says, "I'll come down to the Common Room. My essays are done but I have a bit of research left to do in girl studies."
Seamus chuckles at this. Ron grabs his Zoology: A Boring Guide. He follows the others out of the dormitory. Harry remains behind.
Ron enters the Common Room and sits next to Hermione. He bunches tightly to her on the sofa near the fireplace but adjacent to the wall. Dean shoots them a penetrating look.
Ron says, "Dean, we can handle ourselves just fine." Some others in the room laugh at this.
Ron opens the Zoology book and they start reading it. Ron wraps his arm about Hermione.
About nine thirty this Sunday evening, Harry pops suddenly into my bedroom. He's dressed in his T-shirt, pants, and shoes. He places his wand onto my desk. He places his Portkey down his side onto his briefs.
He says "Hi Gia."
Snuffles noses up to Harry. Harry pets Snuffles. He puts the pin onto the dog collar.
He says, "Hi Snuffles. Wake me if I'm not up by seven thirty."
Snuffles exits the room and Harry closes the door.
Harry is grinning at me very mischievously. I like this, what's he got planned? He eyes something on the floor.
He says, "Golf balls, we might try those."
He then strips and climbs onto the bed with me.
He asks, "How was your day?"
I reply, "Went okay. It's improved drastically in the last several minutes."
He sees me smile. He grins.
I say, "Let's see, after you left. Snuffles and I played a bit of catch. Later, I went to the mall with Celeste. I got some clothes. I picked up those things you wanted."
He hugs me. "Thanks, continue if you wish."
I say, "Well, we then came here to finish up some homework. How was your day?"
"For the most part, uneventful. Fred and George chased us onto the train. Draco stopped by our compartment before knocking himself out. Played Exploding Snap for the remainder of the trip. Teachers questioned us about our holiday magic use. That's about it. Dinner of course."
'Not very stressful."
He says, "Not yet. Balancing everything to spend the most time with you is going to be tricky. There's classes, Quidditch, and homework."
I massage his shoulders. I say, "Don't worry, it'll work out somehow."
He motions and I roll onto him. I stare into his eyes.
He asks, "Can I try something?"
"Sure."
The golf balls zoom up and start dancing softly on my back. It feels like a light person walking about, massaging the back. He massages my shoulders.
He asks, "Like it?"
"Interesting, kinda soothing." I say. He can tell that I'm happy.
"Hmm... I have Quidditch practice after classes. Then, it's change and shower. Go to dinner. Come back and work on homework. It may be late when I can commute again."
"Don't shower after practice."
"What?" he asks, very surprised.
"I want to see if you're sexier that way." I say. He seems a bit nervous with that. I add, "Let's try it. There is a shower here."
He says, "Certainly."
After a bit, he lets the golf balls subside.
I roll over and rest next to him. I prop my head onto his shoulder. He accommodates this and continues to massage me.
I ask, "So, when did you find out that you're a Wizard?"
He replies, "My eleventh birthday actually." He explains the story of his Aunt and Uncle trying to keep this away from him. This was despite the flood of letters. It required someone named Hagrid to extract him.
I ask, "Who's Hagrid?"
He says, "A friendly wizard. He was expelled during his third year at Hogwarts for something he was falsely accused of. He is now the Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Hagrid can be quite intimidating if he wants to be. That's when I learned the truth. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were forced to admit they lied to me for years."
"Of course you know now and attend Hogwarts." I say.
He says, "Yes. That's been decent and much better than what my Aunt and Uncle wanted. You fill me with much happiness." Sweet.
I kiss him.
He says, "You are fabulous. I find you caring, sensitive, affectionate, loving, beautiful, friendly, warm, and everything I've dreamed of. You are unique and I love you."
I give fair play. I say, "I find you sensitive, intelligent, caring, handsome, friendly, cute, and wonderful."
He kisses me. I tickle him about his groin.
I say, "Right now, we've got sex education in school. Mind if I study your things this week?"
He says, "Gia, I intend to share everything with you. If you want to study me for your school projects, that's fine."
I can tell that he'd love it. He just doesn't want to beg.
We fall asleep.
I wake up sometime during the night. Harry's having another nightmare. He seems to be convulsing a bit from the pain of the nightmare. He's laying face down and muttering. He seems to be apologizing to his parents. I get onto him, my chest into his back. I hug him to soothe him. I let my hands travel a bit along his side. I massage his loins. This seems to calm him down. I fall back to sleep.
